CEDIA Expo 2015, booth 1516
September 23, 2015 – Today NEAR, a division of Bogen Communications, Inc. (“NEAR”), a manufacturer of premium outdoor loudspeakers for residential use, announced the introduction of the brand’s two first bundled outdoor speaker systems—NEARSCAPES. Both systems include NEAR’s LB4TM mid/high frequency “satellite” speakers plus an in-ground 10-inch subwoofer. The NEARSCAPES™ 4.1 system (MSRP $2599) featuring four LB4TMs and one IGS10 subwoofer covers a 3000 sq. ft. area with NEAR’s signature audiophile-grade sound, while the NEARSCAPES 2.1 system (MSRP $1899) with two satellites and one sub covers 1500 sq. ft. Both systems are shipping now.
The extraordinary area coverage of these systems is due to the 120-degree dispersion of the LB4TM speakers. Fewer NEARSCAPES™ speakers are needed to cover a given area with high clarity sound than competing systems with 60-degree dispersion. With NEARSCAPES systems every listener in the coverage area will hear full performance sound without overly loud “hot” and low-fidelity “dead” zones. The weatherproof LB4TM features a 4-inch metal alloy diaphragm woofer and 1-inch metal alloy tweeter, both with NEAR’s Magnetic Liquid Suspension technology for lower distortion and consistent high performance over a broad range of temperatures.
The IGS10 features a 10-inch woofer in a bandpass enclosure. The IGS10 employs an ultra low mass Metal Diaphragm Technology (MDT™) woofer for best-in-class sound quality and durability. The woofer is a Magnetic Liquid Suspension (MLS™) “spiderless” design resulting in longer cone excursion for superior bass output and lower distortion. The IGS10 also features NEAR’s innovative UDIO (upside down/inside out) low frequency driver technology where an inverted cone diaphragm woofer is driven by voice coils wound both inside and outside the former. With UDIO technology, frequency linearity and sound quality are maintained even at punishingly loud volume levels.
Installation Ease
NEARSCAPES™ systems include GS4 ground stakes for mounting the satellite speakers in gardens and lawns. Four stainless steel screws attach the stake to the speaker. A wire channel and clip molded into the stake allow the installer to dress and secure the signal cable (supplied with the LB4T speaker) for neat appearance and reliable signal connection. The speakers also come with easy to use ball and socket aim-able brackets that allow mounting the LB4TM satellite speakers on walls, soffits, railings or fence posts.
The IGS10 subwoofer can be used freestanding or in-ground for minimum visibility and maximum bass performance.
Smart Wiring
NEAR engineers have carefully designed every NEARSCAPES™ component for maximum system design and wiring flexibility. The LB4TM satellites and IGS10 subwoofer can be configured to accept either low impedance or 70V power inputs. The sub features dual voice coil windings, allowing it to be wired either dual channel (two units, stereo bass), or single channel (one unit, summed voice coils).
When driven by traditional HiFi amplifiers and AV Receivers the system impedance is always an easy-to-drive 8 Ohms.
Disappearing Act
NEARSCAPES™ components are dark brown “mulch” color, allowing them to nearly disappear when installed in mulched and wooded areas. All enclosures are fabricated with color-through materials and will not color-fade even after years of direct sun exposure. All NEAR models are designed to meet or exceed the stringent Mil-Std-810 (Humidity, Salt Air, Heat, Cold, Immersion); and IEC IP X5 durability standards, making them totally weatherproof not just “weather resistant,” making the line a rare combination of professional grade durability with high-end residential sonic performance.
Systems Include:
NEARSCAPES 4.1 – MSRP $2599
NEARSCAPES 2.1 – MSRP $1899
Visit NEAR in booth 1516 at CEDIA Expo, October 15 – 17, 2015 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
About NEAR
Founded in 1988 and acquired by Bogen Communications, Inc. in 1997, NEAR continues under the creative and business leadership of founder and division general manager Bill Kieltyka. Bill’s passion for advancing high-quality music reproduction and its reputation as the leader in the creation of speakers for use under the most extreme conditions are foundational to the NEAR mission. NEAR creates and markets audiophile grade speakers for year round use, under extreme conditions, at all latitudes of our planet. NEAR is headquartered at 8 ABJ Drive, Gardiner, ME 04345 and is a division of Bogen Communications, Inc. with corporate offices at 1200 MacArthur Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07430.