Essential Install | Speakers
crossover to generate a wider frequency range and
deliver crystal clear sound quality with smoother overall
balance and character. An integrated back box design
reduces sound emitted from the rear of the speaker,
minimising leakage into other rooms.
Going outdoors
The Monitor Audio
IV140 invisible
speaker
Lektropacks is Polk’s
UK distributor
Monitor Audio’s custom install products are
engineered for high performance, reliability and ease-of-
use. They’ve been developed using the advanced driver
technologies of the company’s Hi-Fi speaker ranges,
including in-ceiling or in-wall, to deliver sound quality
without compromising room design.
The demand for all of Monitor Audio’s products
continues to grow, with the outdoor speaker market a
particularly strong area. The Climate range has been
designed to operate in demanding environments and
is popular for use outside the home and in outdoor bar
and restaurant areas. The Climate speakers can also be
used inside the home in a wet environment such as a
swimming pool.
The Climate Garden System has been created for
concealment in any garden landscape and transfers Hi-Fi
audio quality from home to garden, providing music
lovers with the lifestyle experience of big, wide, detailed
sound in the great outdoors. Its super-discreet all-weather
satellite / subwoofer design has been beautifully and
expertly engineered by Monitor Audio for ground level
installation amongst shrubs and trees to deliver a luxury
blend of unobtrusive aesthetics and natural full-range
audio. The AWC series is another of Monitor Audio’s
outdoor ranges and has been created to deal with the
toughest of situations and is perfect for installation in
marine environments.
For indoor locations, the Monitor Audio IV140
invisible speaker is designed to deliver ‘best in class’
audio performance in concealed in-wall and in-ceiling
applications. The speaker fits into all conventional
4in stud bays, and once installed and skimmed with
plaster, is completely out of sight. A large low-frequency
transducer and two high frequency transducers provide
punchy, high power bass and sound vibration. This
two-way transducer design also features an integrated
Carl Eagle, head of audio at Exertis speaks to EI about
the rise in outdoor solutions. “We’re seeing great growth,
especially the Bluetooth segment among consumers. With
audio streaming becoming more popular and accessible
these days this is a trend set to continue. One of our
brands, Audica, has R&D programmes that continually
raise the bar on audio quality, connectivity efficiency and
affordability. It’s not only portability though, people now
want more permanent outside fixtures and fitted speakers
which are weatherproof and securely fitted.”
Speaking more generally, Carl believes music and
audio is back on a growth curve thanks to the rise in
popularity of streaming services. He says: “The flexibility
and portability of today’s audio has driven demand for
the speaker sector. No longer is listening the preserve of
privacy and headphones, music and the spoken word can
be taken on the move, around the house and enjoyed
with others. The growth in wireless (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)
audio has been a boon to many, and the range of
speakers available has grown to the point where there ar e
now standalone, multi-room, internal and external models
to suit all budgets, needs and ears.”
Hidden sound
Does he see a rise in hidden solutions? Or is there still
scope for beautifully designed speakers on display?
“It’s question of need and personal taste really,” says
Carl. “The Flexson range shows audio output is not
compromised by being unseen. However, others will, just
like with traditional audiophile Hi-Fi, want to make more
of a feature of their speakers. We’re seeing a definite
increase in lifestyle speakers and they’re spending more
on these good looking speakers, so they become a
presentation feature in the home, whether more of a
stand-out rock band look such as Marshall’s amp styled
speakers, or a subtle, complementary and styled look the
Urbanears range provides.”
Lektropacks has been appointed as the exclusive
UK distributor of the Polk Audio range of CI products
from the US. Polk Audio’s in-ceiling and in-wall
speakers are precision engineered to disappear into
their surroundings. With minimally-flanged designs,
exclusive Sheer-Grilles and multiple options for effortless
installation, discrete flush mount models fit anywhere with
virtually invisible sound. The company’s outdoor speakers
undergo a rigorous weatherproofing certification
program that far exceeds typical military specification
weather tests, resulting in an entire line of weather
resistant audio products made to fill large outdoor spaces
The perfecT maTch for your loudspeakers
271 digital Theatre controller
[email protected]
+44 (0) 1480 445678
meridian-audio.com
September 2017 | 27