Krell Unveils ""Lossless Acoustic Transducer"" Loudspeaker Systems

1-Feb-01

Krell Industries, Inc., introduced a new lineup of high performance loudspeaker systems at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show. The ""Lossless Acoustic Transducer"" (LAT) Series is Krell's first foray into the full-range loudspeaker arena and includes models for high end stereo music systems as well as high end multichannel home theatre systems. Together with new surround processor, source, and amplifier components - also debuted at CES - the LAT Series highlights Krell's 20th anniversary as a high end audio manufacturer.""The development of the Lossless Acoustic Transducer was a virtual necessity, arising from the great success of our CAST technology,"" said Dan D'Agostino, Krell CEO and Chief Designer. ""Because our CAST components deliver an audio signal of such exceptional resolution and bandwidth, we needed loudspeakers that would do them justice. The more we listened, the more we became convinced that Krell had to provide the solution. The new LAT series are the first loudspeakers engineered to our exacting standards. I believe they are unique in their ability to provide accurate, high-powered reproduction without the distortions and information loss that occur in conventional loudspeaker designs.""Krell CAST (Current Audio Signal Transmission) technology, featured in Krell's latest electronic components, keeps the signal entirely in the current domain from source to speakers. This enables a system of Krell CAST components to perform as a unified whole, eliminating cable interaction as a performance variable. The Krell LAT Series features massive aluminum construction. (The LAT-1 weighs approximately 250 pounds.) The external enclosures range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches in wall thickness. Internal midrange/tweeter sub-enclosures, where present, are constructed of 1/4-inch aluminum. The curvature of the cabinets is designed to absolutely minimize the effects of internal standing waves and external high frequency diffraction.""Aluminum is the best material for the job,"" Mr. D'Agostino explained. ""Other than concrete and lead, which aren't practical choices, aluminum possesses the ideal combination of structural rigidity and resonance damping characteristics. Within the audio passband, our cabinets are sonically inert - something you can't say about any wood or wood derivative.""High Performance Crossover NetworksSeparate crossover network assemblies are used for each driver complement (low, mid and high). All network components are mounted on 1/8-inch thick glass epoxy circuit boards with 4-ounce copper traces. This design ensures superior linearity by minimizing circuit resistance and inductance. It also eliminates microphonics and assures high current handling capability.Network inductors are all air-core pure-copper designs - in the LAT-1 the largest of these is formed of 10-gauge wire, measuring 5 inches in diameter. Multiple individually-potted polypropylene WIMA capacitors are employed in parallel - again to minimize resistance and inductance while improving current handling.In combination with the advanced drive units, the LAT crossover networks are engineered to provide an extremely smooth impedance curve with high efficiency. They, therefore, present a predictable, nearly ideal load to the power amplifier. LAT-1The LAT-1 employs a total of six drive units in a three-way design. The 1-inch (25mm) tweeter delivers flat response to 50kHz. It incorporates a central waveguide for enhanced dispersion characteristics. The two 5.25-inch (15cm) midrange drive units feature multifaceted cones designed to break up resonance modes, thereby eliminating sonic colorations in the key mid-frequency band. A proprietary suspension and extended voice coil structure assure extremely linear performance. The frames are made of a cast aluminum-magnesium alloy, and each unit is video shielded. The two midrange drive units and tweeter are arranged in a D'Appolito configuration with its acoustic center at ear level - a design that optimizes vertical dispersion and delivers highly accurate stereo imaging.The three woofers are custom-designed 8-inch (21cm) drive units, characterized by extremely low free-air resonance. They feature composite carbon fiber cones and butyl surrounds. The long excursion design (capable of 1-inch peak-to-peak displacement) is highly optimized for vented cabinet performance. As with the midrange drive units, each woofer has a cast aluminum-magnesium alloy frame and is video shielded. The three rear bass ports are precisely dimensioned, flared and positioned with respect to the bass drive units to eliminate turbulence while providing the correct acoustic loading.An innovative suspended elastomer grille enhances aesthetics while ensuring total acoustic transparency. The LAT-1 also features articulating three-point floor supports for absolute mechanical stability.The LAT-1 has a frequency response of 28-25,000Hz +/-3dB. System sensitivity is 91dB SPL at 1 meter with 1W input. The cabinet measures approximately 12.5(W) x 54.6(H) x 14(D) inches and weighs an estimated 250 pounds.LAT-CDesigned to serve as the front-center loudspeaker in a multichannel surround sound system, the LAT-C features a driver complement nearly identical to that of the LAT-1. Also a three-way design, the LAT-C employs five drive units - one tweeter, two midrange drivers and two woofers.The drive units are configured for optimum horizontal dispersion. The all-aluminum cabinet is a sealed enclosure design. Therefore, the woofers - which are otherwise identical to those employed in the LAT-1 - are optimized for sealed box performance. All drive units are video shielded.The LAT-C has a frequency response of 50-25,000Hz +/-3dB. System sensitivity is 91dB SPL at 1 meter with 1W input. The cabinet measures approximately 37.8(W) x 15.6(H) x 17.0(D) inches and weighs an estimated 150 pounds. A solid aluminum floor mount system with adjustable vertical angle is included.LAT-SThe LAT-S is a powered subwoofer that features the same solid aluminum curved cabinet construction as the full-range systems in the LAT Series.It employs two custom-designed 10-inch woofers in a sealed enclosure. These drivers use the same massive motor structure, cone material and surround design as the 15-inch units in the Krell Master Reference Subwoofer, which was introduced earlier in 2000. Specifically optimized for sealed box performance, the LAT-C's drive units are ultra-long excursion designs capable of 3-inch peak-to-peak displacement.The integral Krell power amplifier has a rated output of 800 watts. Claimed for this design are exceptional bass control and tremendous low frequency extension at high sound pressure levels.The LAT-S has a frequency response of 20-150Hz +/-3dB. The cabinet measures approximately 14.1(W) x 28.0(H) x 15.3(D) inches and weighs an estimated 150 pounds.LAT-3Featuring the same all-aluminum cabinet design and advanced engineering as the LAT-1 system, the LAT-3 is also a three-way design.The tweeter and midrange driver are identical to those in the LAT-1 - however, the LAT-3 employs one instead of two midrange drive units. The tweeter is positioned above the woofer but below the midrange drive unit in order to optimize high frequency dispersion characteristics and minimize diffraction effects. Rather than three 8-inch woofers, the LAT-3 features a single 10-inch bass driver - identical to the units employed in the LAT-S powered subwoofer. The cabinet is a sealed enclosure. All drive units are video shielded.The LAT-3 has a frequency response of 38-25,000Hz +/-3dB. System sensitivity is 88dB SPL at 1 meter with 1W input. The cabinet measures approximately 14.1(W) x 23.8(H) x 15.3(D) inches and weighs an estimated 100 pounds.LAT-2The smallest of the LAT Series, the LAT-2 is a two-way system, based on the same engineering principles that distinguish the Krell Lossless Acoustic Transducer concept. The all-aluminum enclosure features wall thickness ranging from 0.75 to 1 inch.The tweeter is identical to the unit used in the LAT-1. The 7-inch (18cm) mid-bass drive unit features the same multifaceted cone construction and proprietary suspension design as the midrange units in the LAT-1. This advanced driver design, according to Krell, simultaneously ensures extraordinary bass reproduction and outstanding midrange accuracy.The LAT-2's vented cabinet features two rear bass ports. As with the LAT-1, they are precisely dimensioned, flared and positioned with respect to the woofer to eliminate turbulence while providing the correct acoustic loading.The LAT-2 has a frequency response of 40-25,000Hz +/-3dB. System sensitivity is 90dB SPL at 1 meter with 1W input. The cabinet measures approximately 9.6(W) x 12.9(H) x 14.7(D) inches and weighs an estimated 50 pounds.Unprecedented Performance""There is nothing 'mystical' about the design of Krell Lossless Acoustic Transducer,"" said Mr. D'Agostino. ""We set out to design a mathematically correct loudspeaker that neither took anything away nor added anything superfluous to the audio signal. In the process, we ended up doing some things that have never been done before.""The acoustically-inert low diffraction aluminum cabinetry, the high power low distortion crossover network design and the high performance drivers add up to a unique listening experience. Put the LATs in a system with our CAST components, and you get sound that I can only describe as pure Krell - as explosive, delicate and immediate as music itself.""Together with our CAST components and our new KAV Series and Home Theater Standard product line, I can't think of a better way to launch our next twenty years in high end audio."" Prices And AvailabilityLAT-1 suggested retail price: $35,000 per pair. Availability: January 2001LAT-C suggested retail price: $18,500 each. Availability: second quarter 2001LAT-S suggested retail price: $14,500 each. Availability: second quarter 2001LAT-2 suggested retail price: $9,500 per pair. Availability: second quarter 2001LAT-3 suggested retail price: $19,500 per pair. Availability: second quarter 2001For more information on Krell or any Krell product, visit www.krellonline.com.

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