B&W Brings Nautilus Technologies To DM300 Family

British Firm Revamps ""Budget"" Loudspeaker Line With Two New Models, Performance Improvements

14-Feb-01

British manufacturer B&W Loudspeakers, recognized internationally as among the world leaders in loudspeaker technology and manufacturing, has debuted two entirely new models for its widely-praised DM300 Series family of high performance, high value loudspeakers. The new members of the series, the compact two-way DM 303 loudspeaker and the multipurpose LCR 3 both incorporate important technologies derived directly from the firm's reference-standard Nautilus 800 family. The result is a pair of extremely versatile designs that feature both exceptional performance and exceptionally affordable pricing.""The application of the groundbreaking Nautilus technologies within key elements of our most affordably priced products resonates B&Wís commitment to providing all of our customers, regardless of budget, with unmatched sound quality,"" says B&Wís Executive Vice President, Chris Browder.B&Wís new DM 303 is a two-way loudspeaker designed to bring outstanding quality to a variety of applications - as the front left/right or surround channel speakers in home theatre installations or as the main speakers in an exceedingly high value, high performance two-channel system. The magnetically-shielded LCR 3 delivers very similar performance from a design than can be placed adjacent to or atop any CRT-based television without fear of image distortion. Whatís more, its symmetrical driver configuration provides the choice of vertical or horizontal placement for flexible home theatre placement, horizontally as the center channel, or vertically in left and right positions. Both new models employ a 1-inch metal dome tweeter, developed from B&Wís decades of experience with this exacting technology. In the DM 303, this is combined with a single 6-inch woofer, while the LCR 3 employs dual 4.5-inch drivers.Accentuating the outstanding sonic quality of the new DM300-series models is their incorporation of B&Wís tapered-tube tweeter concept and low turbulence cabinet venting technology - both initially developed for the firmís acclaimed, and far more costly Nautilus series. The tapered-tube-loaded Nautilus tweeter became accessible to the affordable new DM300s through thoughtful production engineering and rigorous cost controls, enabling designs in this class to enjoy the transparency and effortlessness that B&Wís unique high-frequency system engenders. Thanks to its near total absorption of unwanted acoustic radiation from the rear of the tweeter diaphragm, and to its dramatic reduction of attendant resonance, the internally tube-loaded Nautilus technology tweeter employed by both new DM300 models produces the clean, focused and defined high frequency sound and timbre precision that have become B&W hallmarks. The second important element borrowed from the Nautilus 800 Series for the DM 303 and LCR 3 is B&Wís FlowPortô cabinet venting. The flared ends of the DM 303ís and LCR 3ís rear-firing cabinet ports carry a dimpled surface, very much like that of a golf ball - and for precisely the same reason - the dimpling smoothes airflow, reducing turbulence. Out on the fairway, this feature permits a golf ball to fly further - in the listening room it promotes deeper, tighter, more powerful bass - from a very compact cabinet - without suffering audible ""chuffing"" or other airflow noises or distortions.Important as they are, these Nautilus touches are far from the only important DM300-series refinements. Functioning similarly to the trademark woven-Kevlarô cones found in B&Wís more exclusive ranges, the DM300-series bass/midrange drivers employ a woven glass-fiber material that, like its costlier cousin, impedes unwanted diaphragm motions, reducing distortion for more accurate midrange and superior dynamic range. All DM300 designs employ B&Wís rigorously-engineered fourth-order crossover circuits, with ""audiophile-grade"" components including low distortion air core inductors and high definition film capacitors. Front baffles molded from acoustically inert, mica-filled polypropylene are radiused to reduce diffraction and carry the FlowPort dimpling theme around to the front side - and not solely for its admitted cosmetic benefits. The texture further reduces diffraction at very high frequencies.The versatile and affordable DM 303 and LCR 3 are simply and attractively engineered to deliver outstanding sonic performance for the budget-conscious consumer. At about 13 x 7.9 x 9.5 inches for the DM 303 and about 6 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches for the LCR 3, their understated industrial design, finished in black ash vinyl or maple vinyl with black cloth grilles, the newest additions to B&Wís 300 Series will accommodate a broad range of room decors and arrangements. Manufacturers suggested retail prices: DM 303, $300 per pair LCR 3, $220 each Both models are now available. For more information, visit www.bwspeakers.com.

Read More:
http://www.bwspeakers.com