B&W Debuts Nautilus Technology In Architectural Loudspeaker

Signature 7NT In-Wall Sets New Audiophile Benchmark

14-Feb-01

With the debut of the Signature 7NT In-Wall Loudspeaker, B&W Loudspeakers, the globally-respected British manufacturer, has created a new benchmark for all high-end in-wall speakers. The Signature 7NT is built to an unquestionable standard of quality, and is based upon many of the same fundamental design principles as the B&W Nautilus Series of loudspeakers introduced just over two years ago - quickly hailed internationally by many as the world's finest speakers.Consequently, the Signature 7NT is intended for applications where there are zero floor space needs, and an elegant, near-invisibility of an architectural speaker are desired, but also absolute, uncompromising performance is demanded. According to B&W of America Executive Vice President Chris Browder, the Signature 7NT In-Wall fills a legitimate need in high-end audio. ""We created the Signature 7NT In-Wall for two principal reasons. First, to bring our best performance to those homes or rooms where a freestanding loudspeaker would not be welcome interior design-wise; second, to offer highest possible performance in custom installed multi-speaker home theatre systems, for center, surround, or all-channel applications. The Signature 7NT In-Wall discharges these missions flawlessly, integrates well with B&W 800 Nautilus Series models and gives B&W a unique edge in true high-end reproduction.""Like in the original Nautilus 800 Series, the Signature 7NT In-Wall utilizes B&W's most advanced driver technologies. The 7-inch bass/midrange unit employs an extremely rigid die-cast basket with a fixed phase plug, B&W's best ever KevlarÆ diaphragm and unusually oversized (1 1/4-inch), very high temperature KaptonÆ-formed voice coil. The result is a driver of unsurpassed power handling, extension and linearity capable of delivering genuine deep bass from in-wall locations, with the uncannily transparent, detailed midrange and instantaneous transient ability for which B&W loudspeakers are so renowned. The Signature 7NT In-Wall high-frequency driver was developed from B&W's one-inch Nautilus tube-loaded metal dome/aluminum former tweeter, equipped with high temperature voice coil and magnetic fluid cooling - probably the most universally respected tweeter in the world.When installed in-wall, this combination yields excellent sensitivity (>88dB SPL at 1 watt/meter), yet offers superb power handling capabilities (150 watts continuous), and thus yields the very wide dynamic range demanded by modern program material, reproduced for a truly audiophile level of sound quality. Useful low frequency limit is a surprisingly deep 30Hz (-6 dB), and response is exceptionally accurate (40Hz to 20kHz +/-3dB), with the highly linear and extended top octave (-6dB at 30kHz) that contributes so much to B&W loudspeakers' reputation for clarity, detail and precision. The Signature 7NT In-Wall incorporates a three-position tweeter level control (-3, 0, and +3dB) to compensate for room furnishings or severely off-axis locations.To permit ideal in-wall reproduction, B&W designed a dedicated crossover for the Signature 7NT In-Wall. This second-order network optimizes driver integration and maintains highly accurate phase performance, for excellent imaging precision and depth - even from an in-wall location. Preserving these virtues is the Signature 7NT In-Wall's unique mounting baffle. Fashioned from rigorously engineered cast aluminum, this baffle incorporates extensive integral bracing that eliminates the resonance that would otherwise muddy reproduction and degrade imaging.The B&W Signature 7NT In-Wall's compact profile measures 14.6 by 10 inches. Mounting depth from the room-wall surface is just 3.8 inches, accommodating virtually any type of U.S. or European construction. The Signature 7NT In-Wall is equipped with sonically transparent, automatically resetting protection to guard against accidental damage or abuse, and with gold-plated bi-wire terminals that accept virtually any wire gauge. Finished in an attractively neutral semi-matte white, the Signature 7NT In-Wall may be painted or decorated as required.The B&W Signature 7NT In-Wall will be available April 2001 at a suggested retail price of $1,300 per pair.For more information, visit www.bwspeakers.com.

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