News

Mordaunt-Short Avant Architect In-ceiling and in-wall loudspeaker series (30/6/2006)

CEDIA UK Expo 2006

The eight-strong Avant Architect(TM) line-up delivers the wonderful musical performance you've come to expect from Mordaunt-Short's acclaimed products, though this time, from designs specifically intended for installation in ceilings or walls. This way you can enjoy the ultimate in audio reproduction within the growing trend of custom install without intrusive speaker cabinets. What's more, they come at a typically competitive Mordaunt-Short price. One of the greatest challenges with in-ceiling and in-wall speaker applications is to guarantee the highest level of performance wherever the product is installed. As ever, Mordaunt-Short has developed a range of proprietary, innovative technologies to ensure this is the case.

Key features:

¥ SmartLoc(TM) patent pending mounting system for easy and rapid installation and servicing ¥ Controlled volume back boxes ¥ Adjustable Vertical Horizontal (AVH) crossover technology ¥ Latest generation CPC(TM) (Continuous Profile Cone) mid/bass drivers ¥ Fully adjustable 25mm aluminium dome tweeter ¥ DŽcormatch(TM) paintable grille

All Avant Architect products employ a patent pending mounting system, known as SmartLoc. This achieves an optimal connection between the wall and the speaker. Creating such an inert foundation means mechanically derived distortion is kept to an absolute minimum. This is enhanced by the use of a highly absorbent mounting pad between the speaker assembly and ceiling or wall, reducing any adverse sonic effects the wall might induce. The result is an effective isolated mounting together with a consistent connection, whether installed in new-build or retro-fit environments. But SmartLoc doesn't just benefit sonic delivery; it has been designed for easy and rapid installation in any environment and facilitates trouble-free servicing. SmartLoc ensures minimal disruption to existing dŽcor, and means the speakers are as unobtrusive as possible.

Controlled-volume back boxes ensure Avant Architect's exceptional sound remains the same wherever they are situated. The volume has been defined following intensive measurement analysis to ensure superlative sound quality. These back boxes ensure a consistent environment which guarantees superb performance in any ceiling!

To make the designs as flexible as possible, several Avant Architect in-wall speakers feature Adjustable Vertical Horizontal (AVH) crossover technology. This allows the installer to fit the designs either horizontally or vertically and still get the best possible sound. Simply plug in the correct jumper switch and the crossover will deliver optimal dispersion characteristics to suit the installation. On some in-ceiling models, a neat switch is fitted so that critical tonal adjustments can be made. Indeed the Avant Architect series, whether in-ceiling or in-wall, can be optimised to individual requirements depending on their intended installation.

As the name suggests, these innovative speakers incorporate Mordaunt-Short's critically acclaimed Avant technologies. These include latest generation CPC (Continuous Profile Cone) mid/bass drivers. Lightweight, rigid anodised aluminium cones are used for faithful dynamics and the uninterrupted aluminium surface ensures excellent rigidity and therefore further reduces distortion. Depending on the model, 5.25"(130mm) or 6.5" (165mm), CPC(TM) drivers featuring Mordaunt-Short's Variable V-Form(TM) technology offer truly predictable driver performance by ensuring controlled pistonic movement at low frequencies and minimal break-up at higher frequencies. The flagship AC361 in-ceiling speaker embraces a cast alloy basket and drive unit descended directly from Mordaunt-Short's award-winning Performance range.

All Avant Architect models use Mordaunt-Short's hugely respected 25mm aluminium dome tweeter which gives excellent dynamics and astonishing detail over a wide frequency range. A high temperature voice coil with liquid cooling and damping guarantees the perfect performance. And like all Mordaunt-Short designs, the tweeter flare is designed to give the best response across all frequencies. The in-ceiling range builds on this and includes a finely adjustable pivoting tweeter for direction of high frequencies towards the listener. After an intensive research process, the inceiling tweeter has been offset for phase correction. This produces the best possible frequency response - therefore improving sound.

Just as importantly, Avant Architect loudspeakers blend seamlessly into any environment, thanks to a discreet frame and paintable grille known as DŽcormatch. Of course Avant Architect in-ceiling and in-wall speakers can be used straight from the box in their standard white finish. Mordaunt- Short is proud of its heritage. To this end, each Avant Architect custom install speaker is a genuine hi-fi product designed to sound every bit as good as its looks.

www.mordaunt-short.com