Reference In-ceiling/In-wall Bipolar Loudspeakers
$499.00 each
Definitive Reference Architectural Speakers are perfect for bringing spectacular-sounding, high-performance "invisible" home theater systems into every room in your house. The Reference Surround Speaker III (RSS III) is intended for use as an in-ceiling or in-wall rear or side surround speaker in custom installed home theater systems of the highest quality.
The RSS III features a non-resonant sealed medite (a dense wood product) enclosure to deliver the tight, detailed bass and uncolored midrange of audiophile free-standing speakers in every installation. The performance of open back built-in speakers will vary depending on the nature of the wall/ceiling cavity behind the speaker. But Definitive Reference series speakers with integrated enclosures sound superb every time. Rotating dogleg clamps and beefy wood screws make the RSS III easy to install in either new or existing construction and provide secure, non-resonant mounting for ultimate audiophile performance free of vibrations and buzzes.
It features a curved angle bipolar array, which is perfect for movie and music surround use because it provides an ideal combination of direct sound for specificity and localization and ambient sound for enhanced spaciousness. The RSS III delivers uniquely enveloping surround performance totally immersing the listeners in a complete 360-degree soundstage. Walls seem to disappear and the listening room will be almost magically transformed into the location of the original sonic event. The curved aspect of the bipolar array further improves dispersion into the room. When installed in the ceiling, the direction in which the driver arrays face can be rotated 90 degrees in order to optimize the performance depending on the specific location of the speakers in relation to the seating area.
Each RSS III bipolar surround speaker contains two complete 3-way full-range systems each with a 3-1/2 inch cast-basket bass/midrange driver pressure coupled to a 3-1/2 inch planar Bass Radiator and a 1" pure aluminum tweeter, for a total of 6 driver/radiators in each speaker. The RSS II's dynamic, spacious and uncolored sonic signature has been specifically engineered to blend perfectly with any of Definitive's loudspeakers whether freestanding, in-wall or in-ceiling for an amazing lifelike sonic experience.
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 1" (2.54cm) |
| Type | Pure Aluminum Dome |
| Mid / Woofer | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 3 1/2" (8.89cm) |
| Type | High Definition Bass/Midrange Driver |
| Tweeter/Mid Array | |
| Type | Bipolar Configuration |
| Bass Radiator | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 3 1/2" (8.89cm) |
| Type | Planar Bass Radiator |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Audio Inputs | |
| Speaker Level | 1 Pair (Heavy Duty Spring Loaded) |
| Maximum Sensitivity | |
| 1 watt @ 1 Meter | 90 dB |
| Total Frequency Response | |
| Overall | 40 Hz - 30 kHz |
| Nominal Impedance | |
| Compatible with | 8 ohm |
| Crossover | |
| A/V Receiver Crossover Setting | Small (100 Hz) |
| Power Handling | 10 - 200 watts per channel |
Installation | |
|---|---|
| Cut Out Dimensions | |
| Height | 9 7/8" (25.08cm) |
| Width | 8 5/16" (21.11cm) |
| Mounting Depth | 3 7/8" (9.84cm) |
| Outer Flange | |
| Height | 11" (27.94cm) |
| Width | 9 7/16" (23.97cm) |
| Placement | |
| Orientation | In Wall or In Ceiling |
| Cabinet Type | |
| Speaker Enclosure | Sealed Medite |
| Product Weight | |
| Out of Box | 7.5 lbs |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Accessories | |
| Included Accessories | Wall Template; Paint Mask; Paintable Grill; Self Adhering Foam Gasket |
| Optional Accessories | Rough-In-Kit (Available Separately) |
| Carton Size | |
| Height | 13 1/2" (34.29cm) |
| Width | 13 1/2" (34.29cm) |
| Depth | 7 1/4" (18.41cm) |
| Shipping Weight | |
| One per Carton | 9 lbs |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Drivers and Cabinet | |
| Parts and Labor | 5 |
Learn about speaker cone resonance, why it hurts sound quality and one technique for reducing it.
2 reviews with an average of 5
"really quite amazing"
I have had 4 UIW RSS III running as rears and surrounds in my theater. I was concerned with in ceiling speakers not sounding right. I have had the system up and running for 6 months and I am very pleased. They create a great rear sound field and the sound does not appear to come from ceiling speakers. It is really quite amazing. They also play deeper then I had imagined. I really like these speakers and would not replace them with standard box speakers they sound that good.
I've been selling Def Tech speakers for a number of years and my opinion may be viewed as biased, however I had many choices when selecting speakers for my own home and I like to sell products that I own and am impressed with. I have 4 UIW-RSSIII's in my family room ceiling as the side and rear surrounds, supported by BP10 mains a CLR2500 center channel and a Velodyne HGS series subwoofer. These are without a doubt the most impressive surround speakers I have owned. My room is by no means acoustically perfect and these speakers add a realism to surround effects that have to be heard to be believed. When there are thunderstorms on the TV, I have had to look out my window to make sure it's not actually raining! Effects are extremely difficult to localize and they handle movies and multi-channel music with equal aplomb. If you have a situation where you can't hang surround speakers on the wall or you prefer a more minimalist look, these should definitely be on your short list.