When you set up a home theater system what is the most important component? This is one fact that has not changed since the days of old — ITSS (It’s The Speakers Stupid). Adages abound around this topic somewhat like Real Estate and Stock investment. The one that I always remember is the simplest. If your ears like the sound of one speaker better than another — then that’s the one to buy.
Unfortunately in this day and age of custom speakers and a multitude of home theater options, it’s not always possible to hear before you buy. For one thing, finding a showroom with your choices side by side is virtually impossible. Fortunately we have the internet and a wide variety of product reviews by experts in every field. But you still take a chance when you buy speakers and set them up in your home. That can’t be avoided I guess.
I took that chance when I selected Definitive Technology speakers based on several internet reviews. I must admit I was a bit nervous about using in-wall speakers as well but my better half insisted that she did not want to see a bunch of boxes around the room so decision 1 was made for me. Given that, I was adament that the in-wall speakers I chose would have their own engineered enclosure rather than be open to the wall cavity. After that it came to reading reviews and finally asking the folks at Definitive to recommend a set-up for us.
I couldn’t be happier with that process and choice. The system we installed is clear as a bell and reproduces theater quality voices, instruments and effects without any effort at all.
The system is composed of 3 Definitive UIW RLS III in wall reference for the fronts, 2 UIW RSS III for the rear surround speakers and a SuperCube® II powered subwoofer.
One important aspect of any in-wall or ceiling speaker is installation configuration, especially from the point of view of the dealer / installer. Definitive has a very simple clamping arrangement that worked very well for our installer — Andy from Audio Impact in San Diego. He did have some fun getting the holes cut mind you — particularly the horizontally mounted front center speaker. The wall in question turned out to be 1/2 inch of plaster over another 1/2 inch of drywall for some odd reason. Fortunately the clamping screws on the speakers were long enough to work in this unusual environment. Andy did a great job and showed great perseverence in getting it all done. I’m certainly glad I didn’t attack this one myself.
Hot Products – Click Here!
My favorite thing to watch and listen to is concert DVD’s — loud! I like to pretend I’m still young and standing front and center at a rock and roll concert somewhere out in the country. I didn’t get to Woodstock but in those days we had lots of that type of show to choose from — and I went to as many as I could.
So how about Deep Purple performing with the London Symphony? Incredible test of a sound system with just about every range of instrument and voice represented in one concert. With this system I really felt like I was there. Crisp clear voices, wide stage, quite flutes and violins, booming bass drums and thrilling guitar effects. I’m still smilin’
Better still, my partner in crime is thrilled as well. She loves the sound but is also really happy with the way the speakers blend into the wall (she painted the grills to match and you need to be looking for them or they just blend away).
All in all, we think Definitive Rocks!
Want some details from Definitive — here you go.
UIW RLS III :Overview
* Two 5-1/4 inch cast basket drivers and 5-1/4 inch pressure-coupled Low Bass radiators for impressive deep bass with high impact punch
* Integrated wood enclosure ensures consistent high performance every time
* One 1 inch Pure aluminum dome tweeter
* Installs in either new or existing construction applications
* Available individually
The Reference Line Source III (RLS III) is an enclosed full range loudspeaker engineered for flush mount in-wall installation. It features a non-resonant sealed medite (a dense wood product) enclosure to deliver the tight, detailed bass and uncolored midrange of audiophile free-standing speakers in every installation. The performance of open back built-in speakers will vary depending on the nature of the wall/ceiling cavity behind the speaker. But Definitive Reference speakers with integrated enclosures sound superb every time. Rotating dogleg clamps make the RLS III easy to install in either new or existing construction and provide secure, non-resonant mounting for ultimate audiophile performance free of vibrations and buzzes.
The enclosure houses a line source array composed of two high definition bass/mid drivers with cast baskets for natural midrange, surrounding a pure aluminum dome tweeter for silky smooth high frequency response, plus two pressure-driven Low Bass radiators for deep powerful low frequency extension.
UIW RCS III :Overview
* Wave Launch technology creates the illusion that the speakers are in front of you, not above you
* Two 4-1/2 inch cast basket drivers and 5-1/4 x 4-1/8 inch pressure-coupled Low Bass radiators for impressive deep bass with high impact punch
* Integrated wood enclosure ensures consistent high performance every time
* One 1 inch Pure aluminum dome tweeter
* Installs in either new or existing construction applications
* Available individually
Definitive UIW Reference Architectural Speakers are perfect for bringing spectacular-sounding, high-performance “invisible” home theater systems into every room in your house.
The Reference Ceiling Speaker III (RCS III) is intended for use as an in-ceiling front main left, center or right channel speaker, as well as a rear or side surround speaker in custom installed home theater systems of the highest quality. In addition, it can be used as a superb left or right speaker in a high quality stereo music system.
The RCS III features a non-resonant sealed medite (a dense wood product) enclosure to deliver the tight, detailed bass and uncolored midrange of audiophile free-standing speakers in every installation. The performance of open back built-in speakers will vary depending on the nature of the wall/ceiling cavity behind the speaker. But Definitive Reference series speakers with integrated enclosures sound superb every time. Six rotating dogleg clamps and beefy wood screws make the RCS III easy to install in either new or existing construction and provide secure, non-resonant mounting for ultimate audiophile performance free of vibrations and buzzes.
The RCS III features a D’Appolito driver array angled down and aimed at the listening area (two 4-1/2 inch cast-basket bass/midrange drivers and a 1″ pure aluminum tweeter) as well as two 5-1/4 x 4-1/8 inch pressure-coupled planar low bass radiators. Proprietary Wave Launch (patent pending) baffle geometry and acoustic treatment materials serve to create the illusion that the speakers are directly in front of the listener rather than up in the ceiling. The precisely configured dual angled baffles incorporate a uniquely effective acoustic treatment which combines a computer-optimized ribbed surface with special dampening panels in order to achieve a linear uncolored sound combined with boxless three-dimensional imaging in which acoustic events seem to effortlessly float in space. In fact, the overall sonic performance of the RCS II is truly remarkable, combining breath-taking dynamics, engrossing musical subtlety and amazingly spacious imaging that totally belies its in-ceiling configuration.
SuperCube® II :Overview
* Huge bass from a 1 cubic foot box!
* 1250 Watt Class D amplifier
* Explosive bass response for movies
* Quick, tight accuracy for full music enjoyment
* High gloss lacquer finish complements any décor
The SuperCube II incorporates an 8 inch SuperCube® Technology woofer pressure coupled to two 8 inch Ultra Low Bass Radiators. The total piston area is over 30% greater than 12-inch diameter woofer but with far greater speed, musicality and control than a single large diameter woofer could ever deliver. The SuperCube II can easily fill your in-home theater with loud, visceral, extended and musical bass yet it occupies a mere one square foot of floor-space.
The SuperCube II is powered by a 1250-watt class D amplifier. The result is astounding high-definition bass performance extending effortlessly down to 14 Hz. Slam, pace and rhythm are exemplary as is the ability to actually shake foundations. A complete complement of inputs and controls are included on this surprisingly compact and stylish cube. To top off the extraordinary performance, the SuperCube II is finished in gorgeous piano-gloss black.
Enjoy!