Boston Targets New Niche

By Joseph Palenchar On Sep 20 2004 - 6:00am

Five P4 series speakers, the first Boston Acoustics speakers intended for use with flat-panel displays, include a single-enclosure model that delivers all three front channels.

Also new at the CEDIA Expo: a second-generation Bravo II on-wall multipurpose speaker and the company's first HTiB system, unveiled last September and recently shipping.

The P400 three-channel, single-enclosure speaker, due in September at a suggested $1,500, incorporates three 4.5-inch bass drivers, three 4.25-inch passive radiators and three aluminum-dome tweeters, one set for each of the three channels. The extruded-aluminum enclosure measures 5.63 inches by 40 inches by 3.94-inches. It can be mounted on the wall, set on top of a rear-projection TV via its supplied foot, or placed on a credenza with optional stand. It can be angled up or down by 15 degrees and share a flat-panel TV's swivel bracket so it can turn with the TV.

The four single-channel P4 speakers are designed for flat-panel displays whose screen sizes are 26 inches or more, 42 inches or more, 50 inches or more, and 60 inches or more. Each can be used as a left-, right- or center-channel speaker. They come with the same mounting options as the P400 at $400, $600, $800 and $1,000 each.

The $250-each Bravo II is a quarter-cylinder wedge-shaped speaker with a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter. It can be placed vertically in corners, horizontally against ceilings, and elsewhere on walls.