NEAR has introduced two new satellite/subwoofer landscape speaker systems at CEDIA 2017 – the NEARSCAPES IG44.1 and the NEARSCAPES IG44.1DSP. The new models are expected to join the existing NEARSCAPES landscape systems in Q1 2018.
The NEARSCAPES IG44.1 system (MSRP $3,739) features four IG4M two-way satellite bollard-style speakers, one IGS100M in-ground subwoofer, and five IE1 direct burial junction boxes.
The NEARSCAPES IG44.1DSP (MSRP $4,739) adds one NEAR 3XL power amplifier to the same 4.1 speaker package to create a turnkey, high performance outdoor audio system.
The system covers a 3,000-square-foot area due to the wide 120-degree dispersion of the IG4M satellite speakers. Fewer NEARSCAPES speakers are needed to cover a given area with high clarity sound than with competing systems with 60-degree dispersion.
The IG4M speaker can be partially buried for maximum security and minimal visual profile or ground mounted with its included ground stake. The five IE1 direct burial junction boxes simplify wiring hookup. On the underside of the satellite enclosures are two IP68-rated connectors that allow daisy chain wiring of multiple IG4M speakers on a single line.
Integrators can choose to power the speaker with a 70-volt line (power taps: 64W, 32W, 16W, 8W and 4W) or with a 16-Ohm operation via a rotary switch located under a protective cover.
The unit features one 4.5-inch driver with a 1-inch bridge-mounted tweeter is mounted on a 25-degree upward-angled baffle. The components feature signature NEAR technologies, such as ultra-low mass Metal Diaphragm Technology (MDT) cones.
Both woofer and tweeter are Magnetic Liquid Suspension (MLS) “spiderless” designs, according to the company, resulting in longer cone excursion for low distortion high output and consistent behavior from arctic cold to desert hot
“Landscape style speaker systems have become very popular due to their deployment ease and low profile aesthetics,” says NEAR division general manager Bill Kieltyka. “Rather than taking the conventional approach of narrow dispersion ‘spotlight’ satellite speakers, we opted for a wide area coverage, higher performance approach. We listened to integrators’ installation concerns and added thoughtful touches like double signal wire terminals, the IE1 in-ground junction boxes, and the option of a pre-configured DSP amplifier to make their jobs easier.”
The IG4M enclosure is 7-3/4 inches diameter at the base and 19-1/2 inches high. When partially buried in the ground, the exposed part of the speaker is 6 inches diameter and as little as 10 inches high.
The IGS100M subwoofer can be used freestanding or in-ground. It features a 10-inch woofer in a bandpass enclosure. The woofer driver employs an ultra-low mass Metal Diaphragm Technology (MDT) and the driver is an Magnetic Liquid Suspension (MLS) “spiderless” design.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!
