Outdoor speaker manufacturer NEAR, a division of Bogen Communications, will go to next month’s CEDIA Expo to launch its first two bundled outdoor-speaker systems, each consisting of satellite speakers and a subwoofer.
The two Nearscapes systems include the $2,599-suggested Nearscapes 4.1, which consists of four mid/high frequency satellite speakers plus an in-ground 10-inch subwoofer to cover a 3,000-square-foot area with sound. The $1,899 Nearscapes 2.1 system consists of two satellites and one sub covering 1,500-square feet. Both are shipping.
The satellites come with ground stakes for mounting in gardens and lawns. The speakers also come with ball-and-socket aimable brackets for mounting on walls, soffits, railings and fence posts. The subwoofer can be placed freestanding or in-ground.
Each system fills a large coverage area with sound because of the satellites’ 120-degree dispersion. As a result, fewer speakers are needed to cover a given area compared with competing systems offering 60-degree dispersion, the company said. “Every listener in the coverage area will hear full-performance sound without overly loud hot and low-fidelity dead zones,” it added.
The satellites and subwoofer can be configured to accept either low-impedance or 70-volt power inputs. The sub features dual-voice-coil windings so it can be wired for dual- or single-channel use.
All components are dark brown in color to blend in when installed in mulched and wooded areas. All enclosures are made with materials that won’t fade in color after years of direct sun exposure, the company said. All meet or exceed Mil-Std-810 spec governing durability in high humidity, salt air, heat, and cold as well as for water immersion, and they meet IEC IP X5 durability standards. As a result, all are “totally weatherproof,” not weather-resistant, the company said.
