Beale Street Audio has introduced its new 6.5 and 8-inch Sonic Vortex powered in-ceiling subwoofers, models ICS6 and ICS8.

The challenge for in-ceiling and in-wall subwoofers has always been to produce deep, articulate low frequency effects without damaging walls and creating sonic artifacts in the room. Beale Street Audio’s patented Sonic Vortex Technology re-imagines the traditional ported subwoofer enclosure to deliver significantly more bass and a flatter frequency response from an in-ceiling design. By moving air more efficiently and at higher speeds through multiple ports in the specially designed, vortex-shaped enclosure, Beale Street Audio has created an architectural subwoofer that delivers sonic slam and expansive soundstage from a driver that barely moves the enclosure. This also means no complicated backbox installation or internal bracing is needed to protect drywall or other common building materials.

The new subwoofers are engineered with an extremely rigid Kevlar woofer material and a butyl rubber surround that delivers balanced performance, even when listeners are off-axis. Both the six and eight-inch models offer deceptively strong bass for their compact size and work with existing in-ceiling and in-wall speaker systems or Beale Street Audio’s own series of in-ceiling and in-wall speakers.

“I’ve seen in-ceiling subwoofers literally crumble drywall during movie scenes with heavy and rapid low frequency effects, due to the excessive motion of the driver,” said founder of Beale Street Audio Jim Murray. “By controlling the speed and motion of air through a speaker enclosure, we found that you can create incredibly powerful and articulate bass without requiring movement that can damage its surroundings”

Sonic Vortex Technology works by separating the main port of the enclosure into multiple sections called “fins” that are tuned to ideal listening specifications. The fins compress and move air at a high rate of speed without port noise and also add to the cabinet’s rigidity. Compared to sealed models, the Sonic Vortex design provides a 6 to 9 db boost in the mid-lower bass ranges and a flatter frequency response across the audio spectrum.

Beale Street Audio in-ceiling subwoofers are also highly scalable. Infinite variable designs for both cabinet air volume and port dimensions allows for flexible industrial design options. The depth and width of the integrated enclosure can vary based on the models, while still providing enhanced bass and better overall performance compared to similar products. The new subwoofers are also amplifier-friendly since they sound and perform like a sealed subwoofer cabinet with the same impedance curve.

Integrate EXPO – Stand G8 – August 25-27, 2015