Technical White Papers
AMR150 4.1 Channel Multimedia Loudspeaker System Press Brief
Design GoalsOur aim in developing the AMR150 was to produce a surround multimedia loudspeaker system that delivers clear, well-balanced sound quality for music and gaming applications at a reasonable price.
System Description
Enclosures
The satellite enclosures are injection molded High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS). The asymmetric shape serves to minimize internal standing waves for improved clarity. Its contoured shape and small baffle area minimize diffraction effects for open, spacious imaging. The satellite is sealed.
The rear surround satellites incorporate brackets that allow them to be easily mounted to a wall for maximum convenience and surround performance.
The subwoofer enclosure is constructed of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), a low-resonance wood product that does not resonate and waste bass energy like plastic enclosures. The decorative front panel is injection molded HIPS, braced to be non-resonant. The system is vented via rear firing “Power Port.”
The patented Power Port solves the fundamental problem of conventional port systems, air turbulence. Air from inside the cabinet moves through the small port at very high velocity. When it exits the port into the room, the abrupt transition from the small diameter port to the room creates turbulence at the mouth of the port. In its worst form, this turbulence creates audible "port noise", heard as a "chuffing" sound. Also, up to 3dB of bass is lost because of the turbulence.
To reduce this turbulence, the Power Port consists of a “cone” at the mouth of the port and the space in between the rear of the cabinet and the port "cone." The cone promotes laminar airflow and the ever-increasing cross-sectional area of the space mimics a long flared port. The result is reduced turbulence at the mouth of the port for better bass efficiency (about a 2dB gain), as well as reduced noise and distortion.
Amplifier
The amplifiers for all five channels of the system (front, surround and subwoofer) are housed within the subwoofer enclosure. This allowed us to keep the satellites small and greatly simplified the system wiring. It also allows the system to be powered by one power supply, to save outlet space. The power supply is UL and CSA certified.
Controls
We purposely kept the controls and features of the AMR150 simple. There is a master power switch on the subwoofer and a remote power switch on the volume control of the right front satellite. Once the master power switch is engaged the whole system turns on/off with the satellite switch. (note: the LED on the subwoofer glows when the satellite is switched "off" to indicate that the master is "on" and the subwoofer is in standby mode.
The volume control on the subwoofer sets relative subwoofer volume. The "master" volume control on the right satellite is connected to a Voltage Control Amplifier IC that acts to raise and lower satellite and subwoofer levels simultaneously. There's no need to readjust subwoofer level as the master volume changes. Just set the subwoofer volume to taste and forget it. A front to rear fader control is positioned behind the volume knob on the master satellite. Bass and treble controls are provided.
Specifications
Four full-range satellites with subwoofer loudspeaker system
Driver complement:
Front Satellites: 3" mid/woofer driver – shielded, ˝" polycarbonate dome tweeter
Rear Satellites: 3" full-range driver – shielded
Subwoofer: 4" long-throw woofer – shielded
Enclosures:
Front & Rear Satellites: Injection molded HIPS, sealed
Subwoofer: 5/8" MDF, braced and Power Port vented
Analog inputs: front and rear channel three-conductor mini jacks
Digital Inputs: front and rear channel S/PDIF coaxial jacks
Dimensions:
Front Satellites: 10 1/4"H x 5 1/4"W x 4 3/8"D
Rear Satellites: 7"H x 5 3/16"W x 3 1/4"D
Subwoofer: 8 1/16" H x 6 1/4" W x 10 3/8" D
Total System Power: 57 Watts Continuous Average all channels driven. 114 Watts Peak
Maximum SPL: 106 dB, nearfield
Power Supply: 120V 60Hz, 35 Watt to 12V AC. UL and CSA approved.
MSRP: $159.95/set
Estimated Street Price: $149.95/set
