ARís Phantom Series Speakers Emphasize Beauty And Sound
CEDIA Expo '99 was the stage as ARÆ (Acoustic Research) demonstrated the reality of achieving true audiophile-quality sound from an ultra thin, decor-friendly speaker. Phantom speakers employ the revolutionary Illusion(tm) woofer, an ultra shallow driver that mounts a neodymium-alloy magnet inside its exotic carbon fiber cone, to fit in a cabinet half as deep as traditional on-wall speakers. The acoustically inert, extruded aluminum cabinet of the top-of-the-line Phantom 8.3 also uses a MagAlloyô dome midrange driver and a plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter to deliver high-performance sound in a high-style package. ""Most of the new thin cabinet speakers reach only as low as 150 Hz,"" said Cary Christie, President of Christie Design, Recoton's audio design group. ""But the Phantom Series delivers rich bottom-end, going as low as 45 Hz, and the overall sonics are on a par with the best conventional floor-standing speakers. In addition, these models are encased in a sleek, metallic cabinet that enhances any decor, delivering powerful sonic reproduction from an unobtrusive source."" Phantom speakers are equally at home on optional floor stands, as they are mounted on a wall, giving them the versatility to match up exceptionally well - both sonically and visually - with the variety of high definition and flat screen viewing formats found in today's home theatres. Besides the 3-way Phantom 8.3, the Phantom Series includes the 2-way Phantom 6.2 and Phantom 5.2; and 2 center channel models, the Phantom 252C and the Phantom 5.2C - both of which are voice-matched to all Phantom Series models for discrete, multichannel applications. Illusionô Driver Technology The Phantom Series adapts the Illusion driver design, comprised of a neodymium magnet assembly and a carbon fiber cone in a shallow mount woofer configuration. The neodymium woofers include a high power handling aluminum edge wound voice coil design for fast transients and wide dynamic range, and a reverse-mount magnet structure to reduce mounting depth and weight while increasing overall efficiency and x-max. An open gap geometry design provides optimum cooling for power handling, while a die-cast aluminum basket eliminates magnetic field distortion. The woofer also features a triple reinforced Kapton former for enhanced power handling and strength, and rubber-compound baffles to eliminate reflections. MagAlloyô Driver Technology The MagAlloy midrange driver utilizes a 2-inch dome configuration that achieves greater accuracy and smoother bandwidth through its ultra light diaphragm, uniform drive geometry and elastomer surround. This unique driver is constructed of anodized aluminum/magnesium metal alloy for optimum diaphragm dampening. The rigidity of the metal alloy cone body, combined with its monocoque convex shape, enhances strength and minimizes breakup. In addition, the strength of the cone allows it to be edge-driven, resulting in accurate and colorless midrange. Plasma-Hardened Titanium Tweeter All AR Phantom models include a 1-inch plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter for linear response out to 23 kHz. The titanium tweeter is light and strong - and the plasma-transfer hardening process adds rigidity for lightning-fast transient response and resonance-free sound. In addition, the Phantom 8.3 and 6.2 feature Placement Compensation Network circuitry that regulates the speaker's frequency response according to on-wall or stand placement. At the top of the line is the Phantom 8.3, a wall- or stand-mount, 3-wayspeaker, employing a 1-inch plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter, with an 8-inch long-throw woofer and a 2-inch MagAlloy midrange driver. Frequency response is rated at 45Hz-20kHz. Sensitivity is measured at 89dB and recommended amplifier power is 50 watts to 250 watts. Suggested retail price for the Phantom 8.3 is $1,250/pair. The Phantom 6.2 is a two-way speaker that utilizes a 1-inch plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter and a 6.5-inch long-throw woofer. The 6.2 delivers a frequency response of 60Hz-20kHz, sensitivity rating of 89dB, and recommended amplifier power is 50 watts to 150 watts. Suggested retail price for the Phantom 6.2 is $750/pair. The Phantom 5.2 is a two-way bookshelf speaker, featuring a 5.25-inch long-throw woofer and a 1-inch plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter. Frequency response is 80Hz-20kHz and sensitivity is rated at 87dB. Recommended amplifier power is 50 watts to 125 watts. Suggested retail price for the Phantom 5.2 is $500/pair. The Phantom 252C is a center channel speaker designed to match the voicing of the entire Phantom line. Utilizing two 5.25-inch Illusion (Carbon Series woofers and a plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter, the 252C's frequency range is 80Hz-20kHz and sensitivity is rated at 89dB. Recommended amplifier power is 50 watts to 150 watts. Suggested retail price for the Phantom 252C is $450/each. The Phantom 5.2C center channel loudspeaker, is designed to be used in limited space applications such as a den or bedroom. It is a two-way bookshelf speaker, featuring a 5.25-nch long-throw woofer and a 1-inch plasma-hardened titanium dome tweeter. Frequency response is 80Hz-20kHz and sensitivity is rated at 87dB. Recommended amplifier power is 50 watts to 125 watts. Suggested retail price for the Phantom 5.2C is $250/each. All pairs of Phantom speakers can be mounted on the optional, custom-designed MS1 stands, featuring extruded aluminum with an aluminum die-cast base, making them a perfect match to Phantom speaker cabinetry. A hidden wire harness, sand-fill option and foot spikes with plastic covers for easy speaker placement are also included. Measuring 30-inch H x 8-inch W x 3-inch D, the MS1 stand is available at a suggested retail price of $300/pair. All Phantom Series models are shipping now. About AR AR (Acoustic Research) is a subsidiary of Recoton Corporation, a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of consumer electronic accessories, loudspeakers and car audio products. Recoton's more than 4,000 products feature highly functional accessories for audio, video, car audio, camcorder, multi-media/computer, home office, cellular, and standard telephone, music and video game products, and 900 MHz wireless technology headphones and speakers. They are sold under the AAMPÆ, Ambico(Æ, AmpersandÆ, AR/Acoustic ResearchÆ, DiscwasherÆ, InterActÆ, ParsecÆ, PeripheralÆ, Performanceô, RecotonÆ, RembrandtÆ, Rossô, SoleControlÆ, SounbdQuestÆ, StingerÆ, and STDô brand names. The Recoton Audio Group produces and markets audio components, high fidelity loudspeakers, home theater speakers, and car audio speakers and components which are now sold under the AdventÆ, AR/Acoustic Research, HECOô, JensenÆ, MacAudioô, MagnatÆ, NHTÆ (Now Hear This), and Phase LinearÆ, and Recoton brand names.