Krell Unveils Complete ""Lossless Acoustic Transducer"" Loudspeaker Systems At CEDIA EXPO 2001

7-Sep-01

Krell Industries, Inc., introduced a new lineup of high-performance loudspeaker systems at the 2001 CEDIA EXPO show. The ""Lossless Acoustic Transducer"" (LAT) Series is Krell's first foray into the full-range loudspeaker arena, and will include models for high-end stereo music systems as well as high-end multi-channel home theatre systems. Together with the new Showcase surround processor and amplifier, the DVD Standard, and KAV-2250 and KAV-3250 amplifiers -- also slated for debuts at CEDIA -- 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.All-Aluminum Cabinet DesignThe 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 pass-band, 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 (25 mm) tweeter delivers flat response to 50 kHz. It incorporates a central waveguide for enhanced dispersion characteristics. The two 5.25-inch (15 cm) 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 magnetically 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 (21 cm) 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 magnetically 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 28-25,000 Hz, +/- 3 dB. System sensitivity is 91 dB SPL at 1 meter with 1-watt input. The cabinet measures approximately 12.5(W) x 54.6(H) x 14.0(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 magnetically shielded.The LAT-C has a frequency response of 50-25,000 Hz, +/- 3 dB. System sensitivity is 89 dB SPL at 1 meter with 1-watt 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-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 (18 cm) 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 42-25,000 Hz, +/- 3 dB. System sensitivity is 87 dB SPL at 1 meter with 1-watt input. The cabinet measures approximately 9.6(W) x 12.9(H) x 14.7(D) inches, and weighs an estimated 70 pounds.""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.""For more information about Krell, visit www.krellonline.com.

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