DMi D&M Installation (Europe) has introduced Snell Acoustics’ range of audiophile CI in-wall speaker designs, for ultimate music room and home theatre surround sound installations. The addition of Snell Acoustics’ CI series complements DMi’s existing Boston Acoustics speaker range, providing D&M Europe’s dedicated CI division with a unique range of speaker solutions and cost / performance options for installers.

DMi previewed the Snell Acoustics’ designs at ISE 09. The iconic hi-fi brand’s in-wall models offer the opportunity to provide true audiophile levels of performance from discrete installations within the most architecturally aesthetic interiors. The designs are specifically engineered to provide the same levels of sound quality as the freestanding models from which they are directly derived. These have earned Snell Acoustics its place among the world’s very top speaker companies.

The handcrafted designs, feature hand made cabinets, hand built crossover networks, employing the highest grade electronic components, and the best European drivers. Every system is individually tuned and exactingly matched to it’s prototype performance specifications, using the company’s own ½ dB tuning technique. The range includes large scale, fully enclosed 3-way, THX Ultra2 certified in-wall LCR systems, dipole surround systems, 2-way in-wall and centre channel monitors, and compact enclosed and closed back in wall designs. These offer a wide range of frequency response, power handling and sonic dispersion characteristics for very high end music listening and ultimate home theatre installations.

DMi Brand Director, Bert Kiggen comments: “The Snell range of dedicated CI in-wall models brings an unrivalled level of performance and prestige to our speaker portfolio. The addition of the Snell designs, alongside our extensive Boston Acoustics range, offers installers a unique choice of cost and performance options to meet the demands of the most advanced in home entertainment systems.”

DMi’s range of Snell Acoustic designs comprises six models:

IW C7THX – THX Ultra2, 3-way, in-wall LCR with ‘eXpanding Array’ MTM
This is an in-wall ‘invisible’ version of the award winning Snell IC C7, the world’s first THX Ultra2 certified speaker, that sets a benchmark for main channel playback for both music and movies. Designed by David Smith, Snell’s president and chief engineer, the IW-C7THX solves several major problems that impede in-wall designs for consideration in ‘serious’ home theatre installations. Only the best materials are used, avoiding the use of cheap plastics that colour cabinet response and leak sound to adjacent rooms. The IW C7THX features a heavily braced and damped MDF cabinet to control resonance. The tweeter-midrange array is mounted in its own acoustic chamber. The result is a system of uncompromising neutrality and dimension.

IW SR30THX Fully enclosed, THX Ultra2, high performance flush-mount, in-wall dipole surround

Adopted by THX in 1990 as the de facto standard for surround playback, dipoles effectively reproduce all of the effects content in a diffuse rear soundfield. The IW SR30THX is based on the world’s first THX Ultra2 certified surround speaker, setting a new benchmark for high performance dipoles with its innovative design. More than mounting flush to a wall or ceiling, virtually disappearing, it is a full range surround that easily exceeds the 80Hz THX standard. Designed to perform like an array of movie theatre surround speakers, its figure 8 pattern, projects a highly diffuse, non-localized soundfield to a very large listening area. The IW SR30THX’s 6 1/ 2” woofer includes its own acoustic suspension enclosure, providing the bass extension and power output required for the best reproduction of high resolution multi-channel soundtracks.

IW LCR7 Fully enclosed, in-wall, D’Appolito 2-way, LCR / centre channel
A no compromise in-wall version of the LCR7 free standing monitor, like the very best freestanding monitors, it features an accurate and predictable bass response, pinpoint imaging, high signal resolution and startling dynamics; a truly audiophile worthy alternative to large full range free standing speaker systems. Configured with the famous D’Appolito Array, the design aligns the output from all three drivers to a single point, for remarkable clarity and soundstage performance. Other features include Snell’s three-layer baffle for reduced wall resonance, and high order crossover for reliable hi-output use.

IW D7 Fully enclosed, ultra hi output, in-wall, D’Appolito LCR
A high performance in-wall LCR design based on Snell’s D7 tower, the IW D7 is a 6.5-inch, D’Appolito Array, designed by Snell chief engineer, Joe D’Appolito. The same components are mounted in a fully enclosed, easy to mount aluminium enclosure, providing near freestanding tower performance from an in-wall solution. Snell developed the first ‘back-boxed’ in-walls designed to mount flush in typical 2” x 4” walls in 1990. The evolution of this technique corrects for the problems associated with all in-wall installations; the fully enclosed cabinet defines bass performance and reduces sound transfer to adjacent rooms, while the non-plastic, three part baffle reduces cabinet resonance. The IW D7 provides reference quality performance for music and home theatre monitoring, completely unobtrusively

IW K7 Fully enclosed, ultra compact, wide bandwidth, 2-way compact in-wall monitor

An in-wall version of Snell’s acclaimed K7 compact monitor design that ensures predictable response, regardless of placement or wall type. The IW K7 has been designed with an integrated and sealed aluminium enclosure, which provides a predictable bass response. Where other in-walls are open-backed and made of plastic, the K7 drivers are mounted to a specially damped MDF baffle, constructed in three layers to enhance bass/midrange clarity and deaden wall resonance. The crossover is specifically designed to ‘tune’ the IW K7 to its in-wall boundary, and uniquely extend the bass response from a small volume cabinet.

IW-Basis 300 In-wall subwoofer with 20Hz bass

True LF channel response needs a great subwoofer. The demands of a great sub, particularly a suitably sturdy well designed enclosure, severely compromise other in-wall subwoofers, intended for conventional 2” x 4” stud walls. Joe D’appolito, and his Snell team have designed the IW-Basis 300 to be shallow enough to fit into a standard wall and still provide first octave bass to an incredible 25Hz at levels up to 110dB. The IW-Basis 300 is a custom installer’s dream; a sub that invisibly duplicates the effect of a big subwoofer in the corner.