11.19.2007 — For more than 150 years, Steinway & Sons has been synonymous with some of the finest pianos ever produced.

Now, it is following the lead of other music industry manufacturers like Gibson and Fender by entering the consumer electronics market through a partnership with the European engineer Peter Lyngdorf.

Steinway is launching its Model-D Music System, which was designed by Lyndorf. According to the company, the system represents the culmination of its research and development in the areas of electronics and acoustic performance of amplifiers and loudspeakers.

The fully active speaker system was conceived to reflect the values of the brand's famous Model-D Concert Grand Piano. Like the piano, it is a handmade product that incorporates what the company says are some of the best components in consumer electronics.

"I have been on a quest my entire life to realize my dream of developing innovative audio systems that set an unequaled standard of excellence for the industry," says Lyngdorf.

"Through The Model-D Music System," he adds, "Steinway-Lyngdorf has created a new paradigm as well as a new category in the industry."

"Over the past three months," Lyndorf explains, "we have been extremely heartened by the overwhelmingly positive response, as well as the orders placed -- even before we commenced commercial production."

The system's main pedestal serves as the control center, featuring a built-in CD player a loudspeakers driver array utilizing four 12-inch woofers, two 5-inch midrange drivers and single 2-inch ribbon tweeters.

The system is powered by four 400-watt Equibit-based digital amplifiers with electronic crossovers, Lyngdorf's digital room Room-Perfect room acoustics correction technology, 24-bit/192 kHz upsampling of any audio source and the ability to integrate into a home control system.

Steinway has already initiated a training and certification program for Steinway dealers as well as specially selected custom installers.

The company says the system will carry a MSRP of $150,000.