September 16, 2009
SNELL™ INTRODUCES “INVISIBLE” IW-B550 IN-WALL POWERED SUBWOOFER AND AMPLIFIER SYSTEM

First Octave Deep Bass System Features Two 12-Inch Subwoofers Driven by Rack-Mounted 75-Watt Amplifier

By Gary Reber


Snell Acoustics, a leading manufacturer of high-performance and custom-built loudspeakers for more than 30 years, today announced the introduction of a major breakthrough in “invisible” home theater audio – the IW-B550 In-Wall Subwoofer and Amplifier System (SRP: $5,000).  Ideal for new home or any custom installation, the IW-B550 system provides discriminating enthusiasts with an impactful, extended, room-filling, deep bass experience, bringing a powerful new audio dimension to the enjoyment of music and home theater. 

The introduction of the IW-B550 In-Wall Subwoofer continues Snell’s “No Compromises” commitment to provide customers with reference playback for multiple listening applications, including: "Elegant," a traditional-style design featuring the finest wood-finished cabinetry; "Hidden," offering the finest in-cabinet designs for proper installation in millwork; and "Invisible," in-wall/in-ceiling solutions for completely discrete mounting. As part of the company’s "Invisible" loudspeaker family, the IW-B550 delivers ultimate-quality reference playback listening with a completely discrete mounting solution, while matching, without compromise, the performance of Snell’s B550 “Elegant” and IC-B550 “Hidden” THX Ultra2 
subwoofers. 

A deep bass (first octave) loudspeaker system, the Snell IW-B550 consists of two 12-inch in-wall subwoofers, each in a dedicated front-vented enclosure, both driven by a single rack-mounted 750-watt SPA750 Subwoofer Power Activator. It boasts a frequency range of 20Hz to 80Hz (±2 dB),  375 watts RMS (continuous 8 ohm) and 750 watts RMS (4 ohm), with variable low-pass of 30Hz-200Hz and fixed high-pass outputs @ 80Hz.

Noted Bob Graffy, Vice President and Brand Manager of Snell Acoustics: “Snell is committed to providing the very best no-compromise listening experience for every possible home entertainment system, regardless of configuration. By providing consumers with a new ‘invisible’ solution for enjoying powerful first octave bass, our IW-B550 Subwoofer System is able to duplicate the impressive bass foundation of our acclaimed B550 model subs, but remarkably for in-wall use.”

A Major Innovation in Invisible Sound

The Snell IW-B550 In-Wall Subwoofer System is a full enclosed subwoofer that is pending THX Ultra2 certification.  Unlike conventional in-wall subwoofers, it is shallow enough to fit into a standard 2 x 6 construction and still provide high-end, first octave bass. The 5 3/8-inch deep enclosure extends bass response, while quieting the “boomy” and “chesty” characteristics that are typical of “open-back” in-wall designs. The result is deep, rich room-filling bass that brings the subtlest musical passages to life and also provides an intense cinema-like home theater experience.

Like all Snell products, the IW-B550 offers customers and custom installers a variety of design options to fit all décor situations, including metal trim ring and grille finished in paintable white as well as custom colors available for an additional charge.

About Snell Acoustics

For over 30 years Snell Acoustics has designed and manufactured high-end loudspeakers, and has earned a reputation as one of the world’s foremost manufactures of custom-built, handcrafted speakers. Based in Binghamton, New York, the company is renowned for its aesthetically pleasing hand-made cabinets, award-winning sound, and pioneering efforts with THX.™ Snell Acoustics is a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings Inc. Additional information is available at www.snellacoustics.com.




Tags: - equipment - - Snell Acoustics - - IW-B550 In-Wall Subwoofer - - SPA750 Subwoofer amplifier system - - Power Activator - - THX Ultra2 - - -