Niles CM Architectural Loudspeakers Preview

Niles has introduced a new line of cost-effective ceiling mount loudspeakers featuring the same unique combination of design aesthetics, advanced technology and installation versatility found in the company's 3rd generation DS Directed Soundfield Ceiling-Mount Loudspeakers. The new CM Architectural Loudspeakers are designed to continue to provide deliver Niles' performance sound quality while blending even more discreetly into any environment. This is largely due to the speakers' paintable, low-profile, magnetically-attached grilles.

The introduction of these new CM Architectural Loudspeakers fills out the company's ceiling mount lineup and allows custom installers to specify and install systems using any combination of the new CM and DS loudspeakers. Size and, more importantly, voicing are similar enough that installers can mix and match and achieve a consistent sonic behavior for all of the speakers utilized.

The new CM Architectural Loudspeakers feature a thin-bezel and an ultra-low profile. This gives them a crisp, clean finish, punctuated by the magnetically-attached grilles which are completely paintable and come with a template. The series includes round grilles standard, but square grilles are also available. The grilles are also rust-resistant, eliminating service calls for loudspeakers installed in moisture-prone areas such as saunas, bathrooms and even outdoors under eaves.

Niles' patent-pending spring-loaded mounting clamps compensate for a number of environmental conditions like high humidity that would cause the mounting surface for the new CM series to expand or contract. We live in Florida and this is a constant bother for industry products designed for the outdoors. Between the heat and humidity, you rally push the limits of the warranted products. The mounting clamps also help prevent material compression and stripping of screws by providing tactile feedback during the installation process to indicate when the installer should stop fastening (and you can use a lower clutch setting on your drill to also keep from stripping the screws or damaging drywall ceilings or walls).

All speakers in the line feature the same premium components found in Niles' DS Directed Soundfield series including copper caps, high-level crossovers and Kapton voice coil formers. Additionally, Niles says their loudspeakers have been voiced specifically to handle dynamic content (such as uncompressed audio tracks from Blu-ray discs) as well as compressed music from sources such as iPods, Pandora and Rhapsody. That pretty much means they are expecting anything to sound good on these - and if it's typical Niles quality, they are probably pretty impressive for architectural speakers.

Niles' CM Architectural Loudspeakers are organized into logical groupings, enabling installers to easily specify the right loudspeaker for every application.

The Niles Architectural Speaker Lineup

MP (Multipurpose) – A versatile ceiling mount loudspeaker that is ideal for multi-room audio and home theater settings.

• CM7MP – 7", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $149.95
• CM8MP – 8", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $174.95

PR (Performance) – Strikes the perfect blend of value and performance to deliver high performance sound in a wide variety of applications.

• CM4PR – 3.5", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $249.95
• CM7PR – 7", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $199.95
• CM8PR – 8", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $224.95

HD (High Definition) – Provides superior sound quality and longevity by utilizing advanced components, materials and circuit design.

• CM7HD – 7", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $249.95
• CM8HD – 8", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $274.95

BG (Background Music) – Perfect for secondary listening zones that need a cost-effective solution.

• CM7BG – 7", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $99.95

SD (Shallow Depth) – Designed for applications where the depth behind the wall is limited such as MDUs.

• CM7SD – 7", 2-way loudspeaker for Left/Right/Center; MSRP $249.95

FX (Surround Effects) – Ceiling mount loudspeakers for the rear and side channels in a wide variety of home theater and multi-channel music applications.

• CM7FX – 7", 2-way loudspeaker with surround effects; MSRP $349.95

SI (Stereo Input) – Provides stereo sound from a single loudspeaker; ideal for locations that cannot support more than one loudspeaker, such as a small bathroom or hallways.

• CM7SI – 7", 2-way loudspeaker with stereo input; MSRP $149.95
• CM8SI – 8", 2-way loudspeaker with stereo input; MSRP $299.95
  

In addition to the range of 7" and 8" CM models available, Niles is also introducing the long-awaited CM4PR to the new lineup. The DM4PR is a 3.5" ceiling mount micro-loudspeaker designed with computer optimized Linkwitz Riley crossover components and includes Niles Rear Wave Control. This highly compact, but extremely versatile, loudspeaker has virtually unlimited applications where space and design are a factor.

All CM Architectural Loudspeakers come with Niles' Limited Lifetime Warranty. For more information on Niles' CM Architectural Loudspeakers, please visit http://www.nilesaudio.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.