Press Releases

Polk Audio Introduces LCi Series Center And Surround Built-in Loudspeakers

Las Vegas, NV—January 8, 2007— Today at Consumer Electronics Show booth 21240 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Polk Audio announced the first dedicated center and surround channel models for the LCi Series of built-in loudspeakers.

The new LCi-C and LC65FX and LC80FX models join the four previously introduced LCi Series in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. With the introduction of these new models Custom Installation retailers will be able to offer their customers stealth built-in home theater systems with superior sound quality the rivals that of high end free-standing speaker systems.

The new products feature technologies used in Polk's critically acclaimed LSi Series freestanding speakers to deliver the sound quality of stand-alone models—technologies such as Polk's Ring Radiator tweeter, widely praised for its high frequency extension, clarity and detail. The drivers have Aerated Polypropylene cones, the same material used in Polk's award-winning top-line LSi and LCi Series speakers, for the kind of clear, detailed midrange response usually found only in freestanding audiophile speakers.

The LCi-C is rectangular in-wall loudspeaker with a horizontal orientation—a form factor preferred by consumers and Custom Integrators. Two 5-1/4” APP cone drivers in a cascade tapered array—one driver plays only bass frequencies, and the other driver covers the bass and the midrange—flanks a 1-inch Ring Radiator tweeter. This technique avoids the "lobing" effects that plague other horizontal oriented, multi-driver center

The LC65FX is a rectangular in-wall surround-channel loudspeaker that features the same active driver materials and technologies as the other LCi models for perfect channel to channel timbre and seamless imaging. It employs two 3/4 -inch Ring Radiator tweeters along with a single 6-1/2” Aerated Polypropylene cone woofer. Polk’s patented Power Port bass venting system extends bass response while lowering distortion.

The LC80FX is a round in-ceiling speaker featuring a single 8-inch diameter mid/bass driver and two ¾-inch Ring Radiator tweeters.

The surround radiation patterns of the LC65FX and LC80FX are selectable between “Bipole and “Dipole” modes via a front baffle-mounted switch. In the “Bipole” mode the tweeters are in-phase with one another to produce solid, discrete surround imaging. In the “Dipole” mode the rear-facing tweeter is out-of-phase with the front for more diffuse and un-localizable surround imaging. This feature allows users to optimize the imaging of the LCi surround speakers for personal taste and the speakers’ room placement.

As in all LCi Series speakers, the LCi-C and LCFX models feature control switches that allow the installer or user to optimize the loudspeaker response when the speakers are placed in less than ideal locations. When flush mount speakers are installed too close to adjacent room surfaces, the bass becomes “boomy” and voices sound too heavy and thick. The LC65FX and LC80FX surrounds employ Polk's exclusive “Wall Distance” switch that lowers output only in the low-midrange/upper bass area to correct for this problem. Competitors’ in-wall speakers attempt to solve this phenomenon by using a simple high pass filter to reduce all bass output. That cures the “boom” problem but at the sacrifice of deep bass response. Polk uses a more complex low-Q pass-band filter to attenuate only the “boom” region without lowering deep bass output. The user hears flatter, more accurate sound and deep bass even when the speakers are located in less-than-ideal locations by necessity or for decorating reasons.

Speakers used in rooms with too many hard reflecting surfaces and insufficient absorbing materials (carpets, drapes, etc.) sound “bright,” harsh and unnatural. Polk's “Tweeter Attenuation” switch featured in both the LCi C and LC65FX engages a pass-band filter to compensate for the effect of overly reflective rooms for warmer, more realistic sound.

Polk Audio's built-in product line is segmented into Good, Better and Best series. The LCi Series is Polk's “Best” and contains three product groups: The LCi Standard Group is comprised of seven models, including the three models introduced in this press release, are designed for general multi-room audio and home theater use and are full-range products that do not need to be used with a subwoofer.

The IP Group, first shipped in early 2006, are the world's first active Internet Protocol-addressable flush mount high performance loudspeakers and represent the pinnacle of built-in speaker performance and functionality.

The RTS Group are THX Ultra2 certified and specifically engineered for built-in Home Theater applications and should be used with subwoofers for full-range reproduction.

The new LCi models will be delivered to North American retailers in Spring 2007.

	LCi C	LC65FX	LC80FX
MSRP US$	$550 each	$900 pair	$900 pair
Dimensions H x W x D inches	8.9 x 15.5 x 4	14.3 x 8.5 x 3.75	10.7 (diameter) 5.3 D
Mid/bass driver	(2) 5-1/4 in.	6-1/2 in.	8 in.
Tweeter(s)	3/4 in. (19mm)	(2) 3/4 in. (19mm)	(2) 3/4 in. (19mm)

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About Polk Audio
Polk Audio is an award-winning designer and manufacturer of high performance audio products and the largest audio brand of Directed Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ, DEIX). Founded in 1972 by three Johns Hopkins University graduates, Polk Audio holds over 50 patents for advances in loudspeaker design and technology. Polk's products include loudspeakers and electronic components for home, auto and marine applications, the first satellite radio home component tuner, the world's first audiophile-grade active IP-addressable loudspeaker, the first THX Ultra2 Certified in-ceiling loudspeaker, and I-Sonic—the first entertainment system to include HD radio, XM Connect & Play capability and a DVD player. Polk products are available through authorized specialist consumer electronics retailers worldwide. For more information and the location of a Polk retailer or distributor in your area please visit www.polkaudio.com or call us at 1-800-377-7655 (USA and Canada). Outside of North America call +1 (410) 358-3600.