Great Sound. Great Aesthetics. Exceptional Quality and Value.

High-performance speakers are now available to match quality, tasteful aesthetics.  Dealing with high-end customers (and their associated architects and interior designers) aesthetics become as much of a necessity as a luxury.

Remembering back to the early "stereo" days I had a friend who wanted his speakers to be "cool looking".  He took the grills off his speakers and replaced the material with an Indian bedspread.  God only knows what that did to the sound (the treble was always maxed anyway), but in hindsight this adaptation was a clever way to match the appearance of his speakers to a late 60's Berkeley apartment motif.

The adoption of residential in-wall/in-ceiling speakers with color matched grills was another big step in concealing the sound source while maintaining the experience.  Somewhere along the line that business became more of a commodity (with the help of off-shore partners) than a true desire to provide a superior sonic solution.  There are a handful of speaker manufacturers whose objective is to provide a superior experience, both audibly and aesthetically, with the cost being a secondary consideration, rather than the cost being the starting point in the design.  This newsletter will feature 3 manufacturers that provide invisible, in-wall, architectural in-ceiling, on-wall, on-TV (Plasma bars), and enclosure speakers with a variety of finishes, as well as invisible subwoofers and compact bandpass subs channeled through a 2-gang opening or HVAC vent. 

All 3 of the manufacturers featured this month have something in common--their common goal is to engineer and manufacture a superior product in all respects.  I don't think it behooves your customer to have an accountant ultimately determine what any given manufacturer offers.

 Stealth Acoustics Invisible Speakers 

Stealth Acoustics is a division of Dimensional Communications, the largest commercial sound contractor in the Northwest.  The product was originally designed for commercial installations, and Dimensional Communications soon realized that it had strong residential application. Stealth is now on its fourth generation of products, and it is the leader in the "invisible" category. (I have a pair installed in my office and a portable pair available for audition.)    

Product Categories:  Invisible in-wall, in-ceiling, subs, multi-channel amps, flat panel concealment.  

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In-ceiling, full-range loudspeaker

James Loudspeaker has raised industry standards once again. The new James Seamless-Small Aperture ceiling/in-wall speakers have a very small 3" round or 3"x3" square sound aperture yet pack in a full 3-way system for deep bass and wide frequency response.  A seamless edge detail keeps them looking smart and modern yet discrete.

Having a real subwoofer also allows the system to play at loud levels.  Deep bass and high SPL from such a small visible opening causes a second take!

All aircraft aluminum construction and a modular design provide long life and easy service.

The SA series is designed to match industry standard lighting trim kits to allow integration with similar styled lighting products.

In a perfect world you would have a staff of seasoned audio engineers and a 17,000 sq. ft. workshop to fabricate any conceivable custom speaker product. With James you do.  Think of James Loudspeaker as an extension of your business.

Product Categories: Interior--enclosure, in-wall, in-ceiling, on-wall, band pass subs, ultra shallow plasma bars, in-room subs.  Landscape--sats (70 V., 8 ohm), enclosure, subterranean subs, planter subs, and associated amplification and DSP.  Marine--flush and enclosure.  All products use aircraft grade aluminum fabricated in their San Diego facility.  James defines "custom".  

All of their products are available for audition in their Napa facility. 

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"The Totem Dreamcatcher is more than a nearly flawless affordable bookshelf speaker that competes with speakers at triple its price. Never before have I heard a small speaker whose sound was so enticing and intoxicating that it made me want to never stop listening. Of all the speakers I've reviewed in the last 28 years, I have never enjoyed music more through anything else, regardless of price."

Product Categories: Enclosure, in-wall, "Tribe" on-wall full-range and sub, designer finishes on selected models..

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