10 Speakers to Be Heard, Not Seen
By Ben Hardy, coypright Electronic House
The hidden speaker keeps the walls, ceilings, and outdoor spaces of our homes looking unblemished and tidy. With wires tucked neatly away and blend-in designs made to fool even the most scrupulous investigation, it’s no wonder that these wonders of the modern home theatre and whole home audio have nestled their way into wallboards across America. Of the many on the market, we’ve selected 10 speakers and custom speaker solutions that stand out by doing precisely the opposite.
1. SolidDrive
The Induction Dynamics SolidDrive product can’t really be considered a speaker. Rather it is a sound transducer that turns the wall (or ceiling) itself into the speaker. It installs behind the wall or ceiling and transmits acoustical energy through the surface (which can be glass, drywall, granite, wood, metal, ceramics, composite, or laminate), turning the surface itself into one big speaker. There is no speaker panel or grill to cover or paint over, because the wall itself broadcasts the sound.
The SolidDrive looks like a 2-inch chrome cylinder that is fixed to the backside of the wall or ceiling with an adhesive to ensure contact. It is held in place by a mounting bracket the attaches directly to wall studs or ceiling joists. This is truly an invisible speaker. One does wonder, however, how the artwork on the wall will take to the vibrations. The answer: just fine. “Vibration is at 2-3000th of inch,” says Kevin Morrissey, audio specialist for Induction Dynamics. “And placement of the driver behind the drywall doesn’t matter. You can pretty much put it anywhere within the cavity to turn the cavity into a speaker.” True concealment, flexible placement, quality sound. What more can you want?
2. Stealth Acoustics STX8
The STX8 by Stealth Acoustic is a two-way, full-range two channel stereo loudspeaker system designed for in-wall application. The system’s rigid frame attaches directly to the structural framing – a perfect solution for new home or remodeling jobs. The speaker’s panel face is pre-primed and ready for finishing products, and the panel edges are tapered to match gypsum board edges, making room for the necessary taping and joint compound to integrate the system into the wall. Covering options include paint, fabrics, light wallpaper, and limited textured coatings.
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[Link: electronichouse.com]
