Stealth Acoustics F8 Invisible Speaker

Toward the close of the second day of CEDIA 2005 we stumbled across a booth in the RCA dome where Stealth Acoustics was demoing their totally invisible in-wall speaker system. This Ingenious system get's installed in the framing of your room and then drywall, tape and texture cover the entire surface area.

When the wall is finished and painted the speaker installation is completely hidden. Many may think that an installation like this would compromise performance in a multichannel system. The demonstration we heard with a multi-channel movie track sounded fabulous.

The system is available in a couple of configurations starting with the F-8 L/C/R speaker; this two-way speaker has an 8-inch woofer and a 25 mm high frequency motor. Frequency response is claimed to be 45Hz-20kHz -4dB and sensitivity s rated at 86dB.

The F-6 a smaller version L/C/R uses a 6inch woofer and has a lower frequency cutoff of about 50Hz, with sensitivity at 85dB. The F-6 can be mounted vertically of horizontally between the stud framing.

Completing the system is the B1630 Invisible subwoofer; the subwoofer installs the same as the L/C/R and has two 8" woofers. Frequency response is advertised as 20Hz-160Hz -4dB the subwoofer amplifier is rack mounted and delivers 250 watts of mono power into an 8-ohm load.

The Stealth Acoustics model F8 is the newest addition to the F-series flat-panel invisible speakers for in-wall or in-ceiling use. Like its predecessors, the F8 is a two-way, full-range loudspeaker system that becomes completely invisible after installation. The Stealth invisible speaker line has a rigid frame, which attaches directly to standard structural framing without the need for special mounting brackets. The paintable active diaphragm face is a structurally modified three layer composite consisting of two layers of graphics grade paper with a foam core. The diaphragm is bonded to the frame creating an active area surrounded by the stable mounting area. Basic installation instructions are printed on the face of the panel and a dashed line identifies where the active diaphragm area begins. The edges of the panel are tapered similar to the edges of gypsum wallboard, providing necessary room for normal wallboard tape and joint compound to be used to feather the speaker seamlessly into the wall. All of the Stealth loudspeakers come equipped to match either 1/2" or 5/8" wallboard installations. On-site finishing options include latex paint, covering with light wallpaper, fabrics and selected texture coats. There is no need for special vellums or other nonstandard wallboard finishing materials.
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The Stealth F8 incorporates an acoustically coupled high quality, high-power 8" cone woofer and a direct coupled 25mm neo-magnet high-frequency motor. Advanced internal carbon fiber materials allow for smooth frequency extension to 20 kHz. When the F8 is installed in standard insulated 2x4 framing and allowed to function in a full 8' stud bay, frequency response below 45 Hz can be achieved. The F8 contains two independent protection circuits (high-frequency and low-frequency sections) that automatically reset upon reduction of excessive amplifier power.
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Stealth Acoustics offers a complete family of invisible speaker solutions for whole house audio, home theater and light commercial applications.
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In addition to the F8, Stealth Acoustic offers a complete product line of invisible in-wall speakers. The model F6 uses the same carbon fiber technology found in the F8, giving similar high frequency extension once fully installed. While the F8 houses an 8" woofer, the F6 offers a 6" cone woofer and sits on a smaller mounting frame, making it ideal for narrow wall or ceiling applications.
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For home theater systems, or simply to add low frequency output, Stealth Acoustics offers the world's only totally invisible, low frequency flat-panel subwoofer system, the B1630. Consisting of two-panel system, each B1630 panel is driven by two high-power, high-quality 8" woofers with a nominal impedance of 16ohms and a power handling of 100 watts RMS. In a finished wall, the Stealth B1630 has an operating range from 20Hz to 160Hz. Stealth recommends the companion model 250R 250 watt subwoofer amplifier/crossover to be a matched power source for the B1630.
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The Stealth speaker can be explored online at http://www.stealthacoustics.com