With the popularity of in-wall systems today, and PSB’s belief that smarter designs will let the customer have the “invisible look” without any sonic compromise, they are rolling out the CWS10 In-Wall Subwoofer to further expand the CustomSound Series of hidden solutions. The CWS10 is ideally partnered with PSB’s enclosed in-wall offerings such as the CW800E and CW600E. These in-wall systems provide a level of performance equal to the PSB Platinum T8 and T6 floor standing speakers. “The CWS10 is the first truly high performance in wall subwoofer”, says David Smith, PSB’s Director of Product Development. “It will provide PSB customers the opportunity to have really high performance bass in a fully invisible system.”

Looking extensively at the in-wall environment, PSB came up with a subwoofer design that works surprisingly well with the unknown volume each wall presents and the typically less-than-rigid wall construction. It features high excursion woofers for the output levels that movie lovers demand.

Using the same frame as the CW800E, the CWS10 uses two special 10-inch woofers. While it is 38.5-inches long and 14-inches wide, it is still only 3.75-inches deep for in-wall installation. In order to maximize performance in the limited depth of the in-wall enclosure, PSB uses a unique design that mounts the neodymium magnet structure in front of the woofer cone rather than behind. The neodymium iron boron magnet material allows the magnet structure to be reduced in size to where the magnet will fit in the relatively narrow volume contained in the woofer cone.

Moreover, a typical wall cavity is not the best enclosure for bass generation. Light floppy walls and leakage to adjacent cavities would reduce both the quality and quantity of bass. PSB has chosen the route of building a highly braced, fully sealed wooden enclosure for the CWS10. As the size of the cabinet is not much greater than the pair of 10-inch woofers it contains, the internal volume is limited. Designing the woofers with very high mass and magnet strength give the appropriate parameters for use in this reduced cabinet volume.

To further coordinate with the CW800E and CW600E, the new CWS10 Subwoofer mates to the wall with an aluminum extrusion-based flange and easy to use ‘dog leg’ mounting clamps. A perforated metal grille completes the look and can be easily painted to match any decor.

The CWS10 In-Wall Subwoofer is a passive device ideally matched with the PSB CWA-1 subwoofer amplifier. The CWA-1 is a dedicated 300-watt amplifier that includes the appropriate filtering and equalization needed to be fully optimized for use with the CWS10. Besides comprehensive filtering for blending to front and surround channels, the CWA-1 provides the correct amount of equalization rolloff to extend the response yet still provide substantial subsonic protection. Configuring the CWA-1 in the fully extended EQ position extends the bass response to 35Hz.

It will ship in fourth Quarter 2006 and will carry a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of $2,499.

Source: Press Release