ELEVATING ARCHITECTURAL SPEAKERS

At CEDIA, the stage was set for a showcase of remarkable in-wall speakers. Sonus Faber debuted their Ci-fi Arena series, with the pinnacle being the 4-way Arena 30 priced at $15,000 each. Dali, although not unveiling a new model, underscored their dedication to the high-end Custom Installation (CI) line by featuring the Phantom S-280 at $7,000 each. However, the most significant revelation came from Revel, as they unveiled their latest and most sophisticated line of architectural speakers to date: the W126BE, W226BE, and the W228BE. These architectural marvels were nearly identical to their box speaker counterparts, representing a seamless fusion of style and functionality. Notably, the W228BE led the group at $3500 each without an enclosure, showcasing a commitment to delivering top-tier audio experiences within architectural speaker designs. Revel’s announcement was met with immense anticipation, solidifying their position as trailblazers in the realm of in-wall speakers.

Perlisten introduced a trio of groundbreaking in-ceiling speakers, priced at $1,295 for the R2ic, $2,495 for the R3ic, and peaking at $3,495 for the S3ic. While these costs might have raised eyebrows in the past, they represented a state-of-the-art solution for Dolby Atmos, high-end distributed sound, or any advanced in-ceiling system. Surprisingly, these speakers sparked immense demand, with the initial batch selling out before the show’s end. Perlisten’s in-ceiling speakers signified a significant shift in architectural speaker design, thanks to their innovative waveguide design and comprehensive computer optimization. Parameters were meticulously fine-tuned in the computer model, aiming for specific goals like a 30-degree lobe angle, expansive 110-degree horizontal coverage, precise 60-degree longitudinal coverage, high output, and a seamless response. The result was unparalleled performance, setting a new standard for in-ceiling speakers that was achieved through advanced computer optimization techniques, making it a remarkable achievement in the industry.

Perlisten wasn’t the sole pioneer in harnessing the power of computer optimization for their in-ceiling speakers. Just before the show, I stumbled upon discussions on social media about the efficacy of using COMSOL computer modeling to enhance the performance of architectural speakers. When I visited Sonance, I witnessed this innovative approach in action. Sonance’s latest Visual Experience line adopted meticulously crafted computer-optimized designs, resulting in unparalleled performance. Sonance, with its subsidiary James Audio, had previously introduced a quad tweeter array, which, to be frank, was exceptionally loud but lacked finesse in sound quality. However, Sonance had now integrated a fully optimized version of this quad tweeter, and the difference was astounding. The revamped James Visual Experience VXQ lineup incorporated the newly designed Quadratech tweeter array with a cymatic diffuser. These were not just the finest in-ceiling speakers Sonance had ever offered; they likely ranked among the best available.

We have the capability to simulate and perfect intricate designs, from fighter jets to car platforms and even entire houses. It’s time we apply this advanced approach to the world of speaker design, ensuring meticulous optimization before a single piece of material is touched. This shift marks a significant leap forward in the evolution of speaker technology, revolutionizing our approach to crafting audio solutions.