NHT iW4-ARC 3-Way In-Wall Home Theater Speaker Preview
NHT iW4-ARC In-Wall Speaker
Summary
- Product Name: iW4-ARC
- Manufacturer: NHT
- Review Date: April 23, 2015 18:35
- MSRP: $599/ea
- First Impression: Gotta Have It!
- System type: In-wall loudspeaker
- Configuration: 3-Way Infinite Baffle
- Woofer: 2 - 5.25" Aluminum
- Midrange: 2" Aluminum dome
- Tweeter: . 3/4" Aluminum dome
- Crossover Frequency: 840Hz, 5.3kHz
- Crossover Slopes: 18dB/octave LP, 12dB/octave HP and 18 dB/octave LP, 18dB/octave HP
- Response: 42Hz - 20kHz (±3 dB)
- Sensitivity: 87dB (2.83V@1m)
- Minimum Impedance: 4.9Ω
- Nominal Impedance: 8Ω
- Average Impedance: 10.5Ω
- Minimum Amplifier Power: 20W
- Max Power RMS: 150W
- Inputs: 2 each professional grade, gold plated spring posts
- Weight: 10.4 lbs.
- Shipping weight: 10.4 lbs.
- Cutout Dimensions: 13.47" x 8.87"
- Bezel Dimensions: 14.87" x 10.28"
- Depth Behind Wall: 3.28"
- Finish: Matte white (paintable)
With the arrival of new immersive surround formats like DTS:X, Auro-3D and Dolby Atmos, many people are getting ready to install in-wall / in-ceiling speakers for the height channels. Rather than employing gimmicky Atmos-enabled reflection speakers, the right way to do it is with discrete wall mounted height or in-ceiling speakers. Let's face it, most two-way coaxial in-ceiling speakers don't have the output capabilities or bandwidth of high quality speakers used for the main channels. NHT knows this so they are putting forth their best effort with their new iW4-ARC powerhouse architectural speaker system.
NHT call it "the perfect in-wall home theater system speaker." It features two 5-1/4” anodized aluminum cone woofers, one 2” anodized aluminum dome midrange, and one 3/4” anodized aluminum dome tweeter. As NHT says, some of the advantages of a dual-woofer 3-way design are low distortion and wide dispersion and higher sensitivity. The iW4-ARC can easily be installed and can be mounted vertically or horizontally and features NHT's new, low profile "disappearing" grill which attaches to the speaker with magnets.
The NHT iW4-ARC In-Wall Speaker Backview
This isn't your typical run of the mill in-wall product. The iW4-ARC employs some serious hardware including substantial motor structures on the bass drivers and a well laid out crossover utilizing premium air core inductors, mylar caps and ceramic resistors.
While we haven't heard them in action yet, based on our past experiences with NHT products we are confident these are going to rock. The iW4-ARC, properly installed is said to rival the performance of NHT’s very own Classic Three. NHT ships this speaker with acoustic foam that acts in many ways like a virtual enclosure and it’s fire retardant too.
Whether you're looking for a inconspicuous high-end two-channel speaker system with high WAF or you're looking for a height speaker solution for immersive surround sound that can match the frequency response and dynamics of the rest of your NHT speaker system, the iW4-ARC may be the choice speaker for you.
Let us know what you think in our forum!
Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.
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