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Dutch Audio innovator, Final Sound, has introduced the industry's first-ever
electrostatic stereo speakers priced at under $1,000 per set for two speaker
panels and powered subwoofer. The company also announced plans to offer the same
high-definition speakers in a home theater 5.1 configuration including two
front, two rear, a center, and subwoofer for less than $2,000.
"We're on the threshold of an extraordinary shift in how consumers will listen
to high-end audio," said Maarten Smits, co-founder of Final Sound and inventor
of the new flat speaker technology. "Now that we've been able to completely
separate the speaker panels from the wooden cabinetry and electronics, we can
build tremendous efficiencies into the products. The result is an audio system
so rich and powerful that it outperforms much larger dynamic speakers costing
five times as much."
Recently, Final was awarded a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
for its "modularly expandable electrostatic speaker system" and has a second
patent now pending for its revolutionary "inverter principle." The unique
modular design marks the first major advance in electrostatic speaker technology
in a generation and the inverter makes it possible to drive the high-performance
electrostats without needing separate power outlets at each panel - a
breakthrough in locating lightweight speakers for the home theater.
New 5.1 Home Theater System Features 5 Panels and a Subwoofer for $1,999 This
modular approach frees the speakers from the heavy bass drivers that have
dominated loudspeaker design for nearly 50 years. With no cones and drivers to
house, the flat electrostat design needs no cabinetry, and can be set into a
simple aluminum frame similar to a lightweight picture frame. The result is a
line of speakers that are so thin and light that they can be easily mounted
anywhere, creating a true surround sound environment.
The Final Sound line also allows consumers to begin building a high-definition
audio system with a simple stereo package consisting of two front panels and a
high-end S80 subwoofer. They can later expand to full Home Theater audio using
either two identical Model 80 speaker panels or two larger panels and a
subwoofer from the Final line. The company is also offering a complete Home
Theater audio bundle consisting of four Model 80 panels plus a matching center
panel and S80 subwoofer. The HT88 Home Theater Audio suite has a suggested
retail price of $1,999 - lowest price ever for a 5.1 suite of electrostatic
speakers.
Each Model 80 panel measures only 20 inches tall by 8 inches wide by 1.5 inches
thin, and weighs just under 6 pounds. Since the speakers are designed to mount
on the wall and match any décor, they will be available in various finishes
including brushed silver, satin black, white, and a range of other designer
colors.
"The clean look of these speakers is extremely important to the future of
consumer audio," said Smits. "Home theaters are becoming an integral part of
today's home and the speakers need to blend gracefully into the digital
lifestyle. Our panels are light, elegant, and very easy to install because they
don't require a separate power outlet at each location."
Another unique advantage of the Final speaker technology is the low power levels
needed to adequately drive the front, rear, and center panels. The entire system
can be driven by standard low-cost amplifiers generating as few as 35 watts per
channel. Until now, high-performance electrostatic speakers required far more
powerful and expensive amplifiers with 150-200 watts per channel to adequately
drive the speakers.
The new speakers are scheduled to be available by April from authorized Final
Sound dealers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. Dealer locations and
additional information is available on the Final Web site, www.finalsound.com.
About Final Sound Corporation
Final Sound Corporation has been an innovator in the development of advanced
electrostatic speaker technology for the high-end audiophile market since 1991.
The company was founded by two brothers, Maarten and Michiel Smits, who built
their first "hybrid" speaker while graduate engineering students in the
Netherlands. The hybrid speaker blends dynamic technology for the bass and
electrostatic technology for the mid-range and high frequencies, During the
1990s, Final served the audiophile market exclusively. In 2002, the company
completed work on important technology that enabled the separation of the
speaker panel from its electronics, and the firm was reorganized as a full-line
manufacturer of the world's lightest electrostatic speakers for home theaters
and audiophiles.
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