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Genelec turns a Residential Media Room into a Soundstage

NATICK, MA, November 16, 2009 — Genelec, the pioneer in Active Monitoring technology for three decades, is also a leader in high-quality, discreet, low-profile in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeaker design. This was illustrated by a recent installation for an upscale residential media room in the Los Angeles area that used three Genelec AIW25 Active In-Wall Loudspeakers as the LCR array, a pair of AIC25 Active In-Ceiling Loudspeakers as the surround channels and a 5041A Active In-Wall Subwoofer to complete a surround sound system that exceeds the standards of even a system using external components.

The home owner, the contractor and the systems designer/integrator, Laba Communicationsof Northridge, California, all agreed that using an
in-wall speaker approach would make more space available in the room and achieve the aesthetic the client sought. “Using in-wall speakers can potentially compromise the sonic quality of the sound system because of interaction with the drywall, so you have to choose your speakers carefully, and we chose the Genelec’s because they are simply the best in-wall loudspeaker made,” explains Ron Tabachnik, President of Laba Communications, which has specialized in system integration of audiovisual, communications and security systems/services for residential and commercial properties for 22 years.

Tabachnik noted the advantages that Genelec in-wall and in-ceiling speakers bring to an installation like this, including having their own enclosed back box and remote RAM2 amplifiers that are perfectly matched to the speaker but can be located away from it, thus not limiting placement possibilities. “The back box projects the sound forward and doesn’t let it get lost inside the walls,” says Tabachnik. “Genelec’s sound great to start with and you don’t lose any of that in the wall. They are also paintable, so it was very easy to make them disappear into the walls. In the end everyone got what they wanted: great sound, more space and a great-looking media room.”

The Genelec AIW25 Active In-wall loudspeaker consists of a two-way loudspeaker enclosure and a matched RAM2 remote amplifier module. The AIW25 features extremely low distortion, neutrality and sound pressure capability unequalled by other in-wall loudspeaker of similar size. The loudspeaker fits into a standard 2 x 4" wall structure and can easily be retrofitted into existing constructions. The visible parts of the loudspeaker can be painted to match the wall color. The RAM2 amplifier module can be rack mounted with its dedicated Rack Mount Kit (optional) or placed on a shelf or into a cabinet.

The Genelec AIC25 Active In-Ceiling loudspeaker system consists of a two-way loudspeaker enclosure and a matched remote amplifier module RAM2. The AIC25 features extremely low distortion, neutrality and sound pressure capability unequalled by other in-ceiling loudspeakers of similar size. The AIC25 loudspeaker has a 5" bass driver and a 3/4" treble driver giving a precise and uncolored acoustic response. The solid, carefully dimensioned enclosure gives far better control of bass reproduction than typical in-ceiling loudspeakers. The enclosure requires only 158 mm (63/16") of free depth inside the ceiling structure and can easily be retrofitted into existing constructions.

The Genelec 5041A is a dedicated Active In-Wall subwoofer designed to complement Genelec AIW25 Active In-Wall and Genelec AIC25 Active In-Ceiling loudspeakers. When the 5041A is installed, all that can be seen of it is a discreet small metal grille on the wall, but its powerful and dynamic bass response will leave no doubt about the presence of a high quality subwoofer. The 5041A extends the system’s bass response down to 30 Hz with an upper cut-off frequency of 95 Hz.
As with all Genelec loudspeakers, the AIW25, AIC25 and 5041A in-wall subwoofer feature integrated room response controls that allow for adjustments to be made in the frequency response of the individual drivers in each speaker. This is done to compensate for acoustic anomalies caused by room dimensions, speaker placement and the reflective properties of the room surfaces to achieve a smoother system response at the listening position.

Photos caption: Laba Communications President Ron Tabachnik, at the site of a recent installation for an upscale residential media room in the Los Angeles area. Pictured are three Genelec AIW25 Active In-Wall Loudspeakers in an LCR array. Other Genelec units included a pair of AIC25 Active In-Ceiling Loudspeakers as the surround channels and a 5041A Active In-Wall Subwoofer.