Polk Audio Introduces LCi Series In-Wall/Ceiling High-Performance Loudspeakers

14-Aug-03

Polk Audio announced an all-new line of in-wall/ceiling loudspeakers called the LCi Series. The four new models (two rectangular and two round) feature technologies used in Polk's LSi Series floor and bookshelf loudspeakers. The rectangular models feature Polk's patented Power Port technology and available Performance Enclosures. ""It used to be that in-wall and ceiling speakers just had to be good enough to serve up decent sound for background music,"" said Polk's Product Line Manager Al Baron. ""But now consumers expect true high performance from built-in speakers, often opting to go with in-walls for every speaker in multi-channel systems. There are a lot of expensive in-walls on the market but the vast majority of them do not come close to the performance of similarly priced standalone speakers,"" continued Baron. ""It takes more than just throwing expensive drivers into a frame. We took a holistic design approach and considered the effects of the walls themselves, the room, and listening positions to produce flush-mount speakers with highly accurate sound."" All models feature Polk's LSi Series ring radiator tweeter. The tweeter is housed in a cup that allows it to swivel up to 15 degrees. The rectangular models employ drivers with aerated polypropylene cones, the same material used in the LSi Series drivers. All models are timbre matched to Polk LSi Series freestanding models for integration in multi-channel systems. The LC65i and LC265i models feature Polk Audio's patented Power Port venting technology that when used with the available Performance Enclosure is claimed to improve bass response. Power Port technology is said to reduce air turbulence at the mouth of the port, thereby lowering distortion and increasing bass efficiency. Performance Enclosures are also available for the LC60i and LC80i round in-ceiling models. All models feature toggle switches that allow the installer or user to optimize the loudspeaker response when the speakers are placed in less than ideal locations. Polk's ""Wall Distance"" switch lowers output in the low-midrange/upper-bass region to correct for boundary location-related problems. A low-Q pass-band filter is used to attenuate only the ""boom"" region without lowering deep bass output. The bass/midrange drivers in the LC60i and LC80i round in-ceiling speakers are angled at a 15-degree offset. An ""Off Axis Expansion"" switch shapes the response curve so that listeners can be as much as 30 degrees off-axis and still hear balanced sound. All models feature Polk's Rotating Cam mounting system for installation, and rust-resistant hardware. The LCi Series will be available in the U.S. and Canada September 2003.For more information about Polk Audio, visit www.polkaudio.com.

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