Paradigm's new speakers: both on- AND in-wall

Paradigm's new architectural speakers can't make up their minds. On one hand, they're built into the walls, requiring holes to be cut for installation like in-wall speakers. On the other hand, they protrude from the wall, like on-wall speakers.

Not wanting to take sides, the company calls its new Reference Hybrid Millenia speakers "hybrid" on-wall/in-wall speakers, and claims the design offers fomr of the best of both varieties. Since it sticks out (slightly, at just an inch and a half) from the wall, it should offer superior acoustics than in-wall speakers that sit flush against the surface of the wall. Since it's built partly into the wall, it should offer greater stability than on-wall models that require a mount.

The new hybrid speakers will come in two varieties: the Reference Hybrid Millenia 10 and Reference Hybrid Millenia 20. The smaller Millenia 10 can handle up to 90 watts of power and features 3 drivers, while the beefier Millenia 20 can take up to 110 watts and offers 5 drivers. They will retail for $379 and $529 respectively.

— Will Greenwald

Boston Acoustics shows off stealthy ceiling speakers

Look straight up. Do you see any speakers? No? Then this means one of two things: either you don't have any in-ceiling speakers, or you have some remarkably hidden ones. If your situation is the former and you want the latter, Boston Acoustics might be able to help. The company just announced a new set of in-ceiling speakers, designed for stealth.

The HSi 430 and 435 are Boston Acoustic's newest in-ceiling speaker, joined by the new HSi S6W2 in-ceiling subwoofer. These models feature slim bezels, and are designed to resemble ceiling lighting fixtures. Of course, they don't light up and the magnetic grills make them look more like speakers than anything else, but their small, unobtrusive profile help them blend into ceilings like metal chameleons.

Bezel shape is the only difference between the HSi 430 and the HSi 435. While the 430 has a round bezel and the 435 has a square bezel, both speakers feature effectively identical 2-way designs with 3 1/2" woofers and 3/4" tweeters. The HSi S6W2 (pictured above) uses two 6-inch drivers, and its flexible port tube makes installation and concealment a bit easier.

The HSi 430 and 435 ship this month, while the HSi S6W2 ships in June.

— Will Greenwald

In-Wall with THX Ultra Certification?

Audio purists, just turn away. Really, just skip down to the next blog post. You'll never believe this one anyway.  Atlantic Technology just introduced an in-wall dipole/bipole speaker that is THX Ultra certified. The new THX IWTS-30 SR (In Wall Theater System) surround speaker is really quite impressive. You naysayers can say nay all you want, but the reality is that these speakers could rival a freestanding one, with the advantage of in-wall placement. (How can the interior decorator complain about these?) What makes the IWTS-30 SR so special?