Final Sound To Introduce First-Ever Electrostatic Speakers And Subwoofer Set For Under $1,000

29-Jan-04

Final Sound has introduced the industry's first-ever electrostatic stereo speakers priced at under $1,000 per set for two speaker panels and powered subwoofer. The company also announced plans to offer the same high-definition speakers in a home theater 5.1-channel configuration including two fronts, two rears, a center, and subwoofer for less than $2,000. ìWe're on the threshold of an extraordinary shift in how consumers will listen to high-end audio,î said Maarten Smits, Co-founder of Final Sound and inventor of the new flat speaker technology. ìNow that we've been able to completely separate the speaker panels from the wooden cabinetry and electronics, we can build tremendous efficiencies into the products. The result is an audio system so rich and powerful that it outperforms much larger dynamic speakers costing five times as much.î Recently, Final was awarded a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its ìmodularly expandable electrostatic speaker systemî and has a second patent now pending for its ìinverter principle.î The unique modular design marks the first major advance in electrostatic speaker technology in a generation and the inverter makes it possible to drive the high-performance electrostats without needing separate power outlets at each panel--a breakthrough in locating lightweight speakers for the home theatre. New 5.1 Home Theater System Features 5 Panels and a Subwoofer for $1,999. This modular approach frees the speakers from the heavy bass drivers that have dominated loudspeaker design for nearly 50 years. With no cones and drivers to house, the flat electrostatic design needs no cabinetry, and can be set into a simple aluminum frame similar to a lightweight picture frame. The result is a line of speakers that are so thin and light that they can be easily mounted anywhere, creating a true surround sound environment. The Final Sound line also allows consumers to begin building a high-definition audio system with a simple stereo package consisting of two front panels and a high-end S80 subwoofer. They can later expand to full Home Theater audio using either two identical Model 80 speaker panels or two larger panels and a subwoofer from the Final line. The company is also offering a complete Home Theater audio bundle consisting of four Model 80 panels plus a matching center panel and S80 subwoofer. The HT88 Home Theater Audio suite has a suggested retail price of $1,999 (the lowest price ever for a 5.1 suite of electrostatic speakers). Each Model 80 panel measures only 20-inches tall by 8-inches wide by 1.5-inches thin, and weighs just under 6 pounds. Since the speakers are designed to mount on the wall and match any dÈcor, they will be available in various finishes including brushed silver, satin black, white, and a range of other designer colors. ìThe clean look of these speakers is extremely important to the future of consumer audio,î said Smits. ìHome theaters are becoming an integral part of today's home and the speakers need to blend gracefully into the digital lifestyle. Our panels are light, elegant, and very easy to install because they don't require a separate power outlet at each location.î Another unique advantage of the Final speaker technology is the low power levels needed to adequately drive the front, rear, and center panels. The entire system can be driven by standard low-cost amplifiers generating as few as 35 watts per channel. Until now, high-performance electrostatic speakers required far more powerful and expensive amplifiers with 150-200 watts per channel to adequately drive the speakers. The new speakers are scheduled to be available by April from authorized Final Sound dealers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia.For more information, please visit www.finalsound.com. 

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