North Reading,
Mass. – Bowers & Wilkins has begun shipping a new entry-level series of custom-install
speakers as part of what it called the latest step in revamping its entire
custom-install lineup.
The new entry-level CI 300 series, which
replaces a similarly priced series, consists of three models, all with round
and square grille options and narrow-bezel design. The introduction follows the
launch more than a year ago of the CI 600 series, also with narrow bezels and
round and square grille options, and the top-end CI700 series, which is
designed for maximum performance.
The new series consists of the $300/pair in-ceiling
CCM362 with a 6-inch polypropylene cone bass/midrange and 1-inch soft-dome
tweeter, the $400/pair in-ceiling CCM382 with the same tweeter but with an 8-inch
bass/midrange driver for deeper bass and higher sensitivity, and the $400/pair
CWM362 two-way, in-wall speaker. It uses the same driver set as the in-ceiling
CCM362.
All three feature high
moisture resistance for use in bathrooms and indoor pool areas, and they offer
a shallow mounting depth. The in-ceiling CCM362 is 3.2 inches deep, and the
in-wall CWM362 is 3 inches deep to fit in 3-inch stud bays with a minimum of half-inch
sheetrock.
All three models
also share the same cutout sizes, so they can use the same PMKs and back boxes.
To simplify installation, they feature swing-out dogs and spring clip wire
terminals.
Sales and
marketing VP Doug Henderson said the series combines high-value with high
performance and are “entry-level in price only.”
To go with these
and other Bowers & Wilkins custom speakers, the company plans mid-summer
availability of the $1,000 ISW-3 subwoofer, which can be installed in the wall,
ceiling, floor, millwork or kitchen cabinets with what the company said was “as
close to a zero visual footprint as possible.”
The ISW-3 features two 6.5-inch long-throw
drivers vented through a forward-facing vent whose slotted grille allows for
installation in millwork and kitchen cabinets, the company said. Rattling is
eliminated by a balanced driver design that prevents mechanical energy from
being transmitted to the enclosure, the company added.
The ISW-3 can vent directly through its slot
facing forward, making it 9.25 inches deep by 18.5 inches tall, or it can used
with a right-angle adaptor for placement on its face to take up minimal height
inside a cabinet. Width is 13 inches.
For power, the company will offer the $1,000 MkII
version of an existing SA-250 rack mount amplifier. The SA-250MkII offers an
external EQ switch setting for either the ISW-3 or ISW-4 in-wall subwoofer. A stereo
summing input is included for distributed-audio applications. One SA-250MkII
can power two ISW-3 subs or two ISW-4 subs. Usable, low-distortion bass output goes
down to 21Hz, the company said.
