In-wall/in-ceiling speakers have the ability of disappearing into any room and free up some space at the same time making them them an appealing option. Not long ago, Definitive Audio launched a series of disappearing speakers to extend their already famous line of audio products. The new DI 8R In-Wall Speaker is one of their new offerings.
The DI 8R shares the same structure design as its smaller sister (the 6.5R), but with a larger, more powerful 8" driver. According to the company, it has output, bass and dynamics of a traditional 10" speaker thanks to Definitive's exclusive Balanced Dual Surround System (BDSS) driver technology which permits these speakers to deliver more bass output and dynamic range than larger drivers. It also features a pivoting 1" Pure Aluminum dome tweeter with a specially shaped housing, which they say avoids the diffraction distortions found on traditional mounted tweeters.
This is what Definitive Technology had to say about this design:
"With in-ceiling speakers, listeners are almost always "off-axis." You rarely sit right under an in-ceiling speaker; usually the speaker is at a 30, 45 or even 60-degree angle to the listener. We've engineered DI Series speakers to disperse sound over a very wide area so that the sound is well-balance and natural regardless of where you are relative to the speakers. BDSS technology drivers, aimable tweeters as well as the specially countoured and textured AeroRing™ around the driver all contribute to the wide angle dispersion and superior coverage capability of the DI Series models." - Definitive Technology
Each speaker comes with everything you need for installation. Optional pre-construction brackets with repositionable metal mesh "arms" are also available. There are also optional fire-rated enclosures available for new construction installations. I haven't been able to test any of these yet, but knowing the reputation of DT, I suspect that they will get the job done quite nicely. Hopefully we will get our hands on at least a pair of them in the near future. So there you have it folks. Check out the following features and specifications and let us know what you think.
FEATURES:
- Flangeless design & micro-perf grille minimize visibility
- Simple to install — no spackle work required
- 9-3/4" (24.8cm) total visible diameter is smaller than competing nominal 8" models.
- Perfect for use as side/rear surround speakers in home theater systems
- Latest generation BDSS drivers for audiophile-grade sound quality
- Pivoting Pure Aluminum dome tweeters
- Axially Aligned design ensures broad, balanced coverage area
- GaussGrip™ magnetic grille fasteners
- Adjustable high-definition crossover
- Optional fire-rated enclosures
- Cast PolyStone™ baskets for rigidity without "ringing"
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Tweeter Diameter: 1"
- Tweeter Type: Pivoting Pure Aluminum Dome
- Mid / Woofer Diameter: 8"
- Mid / Woofer Type: BDSS Midrange Driver
- Tweeter/Mid Array Type: Direct Radiating 2 Way Coaxial
- Environmental EQ: 3 Way Switch
- Speaker Level: 1 Pair (Heavy Duty Spring)
- Maximum Sensitivity: 1 watt @ 1 Meter / 90 dB
- Total Frequency Response: 26 Hz - 30 kHz
- Nominal Impedance: 8 ohm
- Power Handling: 10 - 225 watts per channel
- Diameter: 8-3/4"
- Mounting Depth: 3-7/8"
- Grille Diameter: 9-3/4"
- Weight (Out of Box): 4.8 lbs.
- Carton Height: 6-1/4"
- Carton Width: 11-7/16"
- Carton Depth: 11-7/16"
- Shipping Weight: 7 lbs.
- Warranty (Drivers and Cabinet): Parts and Labor / 5 Years
PRICE: $329.00/each
