Phase Technology Digital Reference Theater System

Phase Technology, today unveiled it's breakthrough Digital Reference Theater speaker system at the Consumer Electronics Show. It will be available in 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 configurations, and will feature complete digital control.

"Phase Technology's Digital Reference Theater system takes expectations for audio realism to the next level," noted Ken Hecht, president of Phase Technology. "By using fully digital amplifiers, crossovers, and processing, our digital theater system can be specifically calibrated to produce the best balance and most accurate frequency response possible for the particular room in which it's installed. CES attendees were able to see their highly stylized speaker and amplifier design, and actually hear the Custom Box version of the system in action. With the all-digital theater system, Phase Technology is advancing the engineering standards for audio entertainment technology."

Phase Technology's Custom Box version of the all-digital theater system was specifically created for custom home theater installers who design systems with speakers hidden in cabinets and behind projector screens. Phase Technology will offer the finalized all-digital theater system in the second quarter of 2005.

The Digital Reference Theater system features:

• All-digital active electronics

• Discreet class-D digital amplification
  o 16 channels for bi- and tri-amplification of speakers
  o 125 watts per component (250 watts per speaker)
  o 500 watts to subwoofer

• Digital Absolute Phase™ Crossover
  o Phase & time correction
  o Frequency correction

• Front speakers each use two 6-1/2" woofers and one 1" variable-axis, soft dome tweeter
  o Speakers can be set to within ±14 dB of one another

• Center channel speaker has 2 x 6-1/2" woofers and one 1" soft dome tweeter

• Rear surrounds each use two 5-1/4" woofers and two 1" soft dome tweeter in a dipole/bipole switchable configuration

• Ultra long-throw subwoofer uses dual-10" drivers

The system combines fully digital amplification, crossovers, and processing to maintain exceptionally precise frequency and phase between all speakers. By using the company's driver technology and quality hand-crafted enclosures, the all-digital system breaks new ground in accurate soundtrack and music reproduction.

At the heart of the system is a digital signal processor that manages the incoming audio signal by passing each channel through an active digital crossover. Here the signal is divided into discrete frequency ranges that are delivered to each driver. The front speakers feature two 6-1/2" woofers and a 1" variable-axis soft dome tweeter, while the rear surrounds each use a pair of 5-1/4" woofers and two 1" tweeters in a dipole/bipole switchable configuration. The center channel has the same tweeter placed between two 6-1/2" woofers. Low frequencies are delivered via a 500 watt, dual-10" ultra long-throw subwoofer.

With the digital Absolute Phase crossover, there is a wider on-axis frequency response window between each speaker's woofer and tweeter, allowing the system to compensate for a room's individual acoustics. This produces a more immersive listening experience within a greater range of listening environments.

MSRP TBD. For more info www.phasetech.com .