• AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Atlantic Technology IWCB Series In-wall Speakers Reviewed


  • October 13, 2008

| Print Page | Adjust Font Size:

Free Home Theater Review Weekly Newsletter.

Enter your e-mail below to get Home Theater Review's weekly newsletter with the latest equipment reviews and home theater news sent directly to your inbox.


*Required

atlantic_iwcb.jpgAs sound travels, it "falls off" or lobes in its journey to the listener's ear. This effect is even more apparent with in-wall speakers, as they are usually mounted further away from the listener's ear, resulting in a slightly muffled sound. Atlantic Technology's IWCB in-wall speakers combat this issue through the use of their DVC (Directional Vector Control) technology, which essentially adjusts for lobing and allows you to electronically aim the sound at your listening position. Because of DVC, the IWCB speakers can also be placed in positions on your wall that you wouldn't normally consider when installing in-walls, for instance, above or below seated at ear height, which allows for a myriad of installation possibilities. IWCB Series comes in three sizes, depending on your needs and room. The smallest, the IWCB-52, having a single one-inch soft dome tweeter mated to a five-and-one-quarter-inch midrange/bass driver. The largest IWCB-626 features the same one-inch tweeter, but mates it to dual midrange/bass drivers. The middle child of the line mates the one-inch tweeter to a slightly larger midrange/bass driver. I should also point out that all of the IWCB in-walls are internally crossed over, so that the upper midrange is handled by the tweeter, more or less creating a point source sound, which is rare among in-wall speakers, yet highly addictive once heard. All of the IWCB in-wall speakers are a sealed enclosure design, which cuts down on sound being lost or wasted in your wall cavities and are among the best-constructed in-walls I've encountered in their price class.

High Points
• The Atlantic Technology IWCB in-wall speakers boast an attractive finish, with paintable speaker grilles allow for a more upscale appearance and installation.
• The speakers are truly solid and are easy to install, compared to many other in-wall speakers that can leave you pulling your hair out if you are a DIY home theater or home automation enthusiast.
• These speakers can be placed above or below the seated position and still produce surprisingly good stereo imaging.
• The sound quality of the Atlantic Technology IWCB in-wall speakers rivals costlier in-walls, especially for multi-channel music and movies.
• These in-walls can easily be driven to reference levels with most modern receivers.

Low Points
• They aren't the most "musical" speakers for two-channel, audiophile listening. It takes a much larger investment in in-wall speakers to start to get that level of performance.
• The highs can get edgy at ultra-high levels.
• Not as much of a low point as a suggestion: the very good speed of the speaker is well-suited to be matched with a comparably quick subwoofer.
• The binding posts can be a bit tricky and small for some brands of speaker cable, but once it's installed, you never will deal with that issue again.

Conclusion
While all in-walls are an exercise in compromise, the IWCB series from Atlantic Technology gets more of the equation right than most in-wall speakers I've encountered. I've heard more musically engaging in-walls in the extreme price category, but none that rock a Dolby Digital or DTS soundtrack quite the way the IWCBs do. For an in-wall-based home theater system, the IWCB must be on your audition list. Do not miss out.

Keywords

In-wall speakers, Atlantic Technology, Atlantic IWCB in-wall review, IWCB install, Peter Tribeman, Atlantic Technology review, inwall review

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Subscribe to HomeTheaterReview.com's Weekly Newsletter to get the latest news, reviews and insight on the world of home theater, HDTV and audiophile equipment. Subscription is 100% FREE!
*Required
Email Marketing by VerticalResponse
subscribe to rss Subscribe with RSS
Follow home theater equipment reviews and daily news via our RSS feed.
  • Comment on this article

    0
Post a Comment

Please answer the following question (required) before posting to help us prevent Spam.


Featured Audio-Video News

Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation

Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation -

It isn't any news that the economy is in the dumps. Morphing your living room, garage or basement into the...

Latest In-wall Speaker Reviews

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -

For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...

Pioneer Elite EX Series In-Wall/In-Ceiling Loudspeakers -

When you think of Pioneer, undoubtedly the first thing you think of is flat-panel TVs. Next, A/V receivers and Blu-ray players might come to mind. Probably the last thing you'd think of would be in-wall speakers. Me too, and I'd... Click for more...

Definitive Technology UIW 75 In-Wall Speaker Reviewed -

One of the primary functions of a first-rate in-wall speaker is its ability to disperse superb high-end audio to every part of the room, no matter where the speaker itself is placed. The design team at Definitive Technology knows just... Click for more...

Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In-Wall Subwoofer -

If you asked me to think of a thin and flat audio/video product, the first thing that would come to mind would be a flat-panel TV. The last thing that would come to mind would be a subwoofer. That's why... Click for more...

Niles IW770FX In-Wall Loudspeaker Reviewed -

An essential component of a home theater is one's ability to enjoy it. Nothing facilitates that better than a product with a high wife-acceptance factor. Enter In-walls. Stealth speakers are more frequently finding their way into home theaters, and for... Click for more...

Wisdom Audio Sage Series Speakers Reviewed -

The modern world of AV gear is expanding. Speakers that were once simple boxes filled with drivers have grown into complex designs, thanks to the increase in available technology and experience the years have offered. With these technological advances, speakers... Click for more...

Polk Audio LC265i-IP In-Wall Loudspeakers Reviewed -

In-wall speakers are nothing new, with nearly every speaker manufacturer offering a line or two of in-wall products. However, not many (if any) of them are wireless and feature Internet connectivity. Well, that's the case with the Polk Audio LC265i-IP... Click for more...

Paradigm CS-LCR In Wall Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Many manufacturers design home theater systems around a pair of main speakers, for good reason, as the mains can either be right and left channels in a home theater or stand alone in a two-channel rig. This said, the main... Click for more...

Paradigm SIG-LCR 5 In-Wall Speakers Reviewed -

For over a year, Paradigm Signature S8 v.2s have served as my reference floor-standing speakers, for I've been unable to find other loudspeakers that mate superb sonic performance with affordability quite the way the S8s do. However, I'm an in-wall... Click for more...

Paradigm PV-150 In-Wall Loudspeakers Reviewed -

At the moment, there may not be a hotter category in all of loudspeakers than in-walls. With the growing number of HDTV sales, consumers are looking to in-wall loudspeakers to round out their modern home theater systems. However, not all... Click for more...

Latest In-wall Speaker Reviews

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -

For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...

Pioneer Elite EX Series In-Wall/In-Ceiling Loudspeakers -

When you think of Pioneer, undoubtedly the first thing you think of is flat-panel TVs. Next, A/V receivers and Blu-ray players might come to mind. Probably the last thing you'd think of would be in-wall speakers. Me too, and I'd... Click for more...

Definitive Technology UIW 75 In-Wall Speaker Reviewed -

One of the primary functions of a first-rate in-wall speaker is its ability to disperse superb high-end audio to every part of the room, no matter where the speaker itself is placed. The design team at Definitive Technology knows just... Click for more...

Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In-Wall Subwoofer -

If you asked me to think of a thin and flat audio/video product, the first thing that would come to mind would be a flat-panel TV. The last thing that would come to mind would be a subwoofer. That's why... Click for more...

Niles IW770FX In-Wall Loudspeaker Reviewed -

An essential component of a home theater is one's ability to enjoy it. Nothing facilitates that better than a product with a high wife-acceptance factor. Enter In-walls. Stealth speakers are more frequently finding their way into home theaters, and for... Click for more...

Wisdom Audio Sage Series Speakers Reviewed -

The modern world of AV gear is expanding. Speakers that were once simple boxes filled with drivers have grown into complex designs, thanks to the increase in available technology and experience the years have offered. With these technological advances, speakers... Click for more...

Polk Audio LC265i-IP In-Wall Loudspeakers Reviewed -

In-wall speakers are nothing new, with nearly every speaker manufacturer offering a line or two of in-wall products. However, not many (if any) of them are wireless and feature Internet connectivity. Well, that's the case with the Polk Audio LC265i-IP... Click for more...

Paradigm CS-LCR In Wall Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Many manufacturers design home theater systems around a pair of main speakers, for good reason, as the mains can either be right and left channels in a home theater or stand alone in a two-channel rig. This said, the main... Click for more...

Paradigm SIG-LCR 5 In-Wall Speakers Reviewed -

For over a year, Paradigm Signature S8 v.2s have served as my reference floor-standing speakers, for I've been unable to find other loudspeakers that mate superb sonic performance with affordability quite the way the S8s do. However, I'm an in-wall... Click for more...

Paradigm PV-150 In-Wall Loudspeakers Reviewed -

At the moment, there may not be a hotter category in all of loudspeakers than in-walls. With the growing number of HDTV sales, consumers are looking to in-wall loudspeakers to round out their modern home theater systems. However, not all... Click for more...

All In-wall Speaker Reviews

Latest Equipment Reviews

Mapleshade Time-Correcting Maple Bedrock Speaker Stands Reviewed -

For ages the adage with bookshelf and/or monitor speakers has always been getting the tweeter or tweeter/midrange as close to ear height will yield the best results. Of course proper placement in a room as well as in relation to... Click for more...

Mapleshade Samson V.1 Equipment Rack Reviewed -

Seemingly everyone makes an equipment rack of some form or another these days with varying degrees of success, however for best results you're better off going with a third party or specialty equipment rack. The problem with going with an... Click for more...

Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition Universal Player Reviewed -

Oppo Digital's first Blu-ray player the BDP-83 entered the market in mid 2009 to numerous accolades. A mere half year later, Oppo Digital, not satisfied with the untapped performance potential of the player, released the BDP-83 Special Edition reviewed here.... Click for more...

Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -

Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...

OmniMount Link Series A/V Stands Reviewed -

As its name suggests, OmniMount's Link Series is a modular line of A/V stands that you can mix and match to craft the exact entertainment solution you need. You can also add on as your system grows. The Link Series,... Click for more...

Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.5 Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed -

I've been a fan of Paradigm for years, owning and enjoying seemingly every speaker in their product line from the awesome and affordable Atoms to their flagship Signature S8s. Over the years there have been two Paradigm speaker designs that... Click for more...

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -

When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...

OmniMount VideoBasics TV Mounts Reviewed -

You've spent the extra money to buy an ultra-thin HDTV. The last thing you want to do is hinder the minimalist look by mating the TV with a bulky wall-mount. OmniMount designed the VideoBasics line of flat-panel TV mounts with... Click for more...

Read All Reviews