Stealth Acoustics' 'invisible' audio solutions

Stealth Acoustics is an American manufacturer that produces two families of acoustic loudspeakers in particular: the invisible ones in the Response Line and those intended for outdoor environments (StingRay Line) thanks to IP68 certification, while remaining easily concealed.

The demand for totally invisible loudspeakers makes it possible to preserve the beauty and essence of the architectural style of any room without sacrificing, in the case of Stealth Acoustics, the quality of sound reproduction. Many manufacturers have dedicated themselves to the realisation of systems with very low visual impact, from extra-flat loudspeakers to those with a front grille that can even be painted with pictorial motifs that make them look like paintings. Often, however, these solutions, as well as not being totally invisible even if they are excellently integrated with the room, must also be subject to certain limitations, especially in terms of acoustics.

The need to aesthetically integrate the loudspeakers with the interior design has led some manufacturers, especially American ones, to use sound exciters (or tactile transducers), a solution that entails considerable limitations in low-frequency response, lower efficiency, spurious vibrations and a result that is too dependent on the material used. Nothing to do with Stealth Acoustics, a pioneer in the creation of invisible loudspeakers, which instead adopts high-quality loudspeakers: completely hand-assembled, wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted, Stealth Acoustics LineaResponse loudspeakers offer an extended and linear frequency response, high bearable power and installation flexibility.

Three lines for a single family of invisible loudspeakers

LRX, LRG and BG are the names of the three product lines we are referring to.

La LineaResponse X™abbreviated as LRXIt represents Stealth's workhorse, as it uses advanced materials such as carbon fibre, a new lamination process for the loudspeaker membranes called FidelityGlass Advanced™, an ultra-rigid baffle, etc., to offer the best sound performance allowed for a loudspeaker system of this type, i.e. invisible. There are two models in the catalogue: LRX-83 and LRX-85, depending on the size of the room. Typical uses are multi-room audio systems, systems for diffused music in rooms, acoustic masking systems, etc.

Let us see a summary of their characteristics:

LRX-83: 3-way, 8" woofer, 1.18" midrange, 1" tweeter, frequency response 40-20,000 Hz (with back-box), max. power 160 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, triple protection circuit

LRX-85: 3-way, 2 panels, 2 x 8" woofers, 4 x 1.18" midranges, 1" tweeter, frequency response 35-20,000 Hz (with back-box), max. power 300 W, efficiency 84 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, triple protection circuit, active biamped version available on request

LRX-83
LRX-85

The line Stealth Acoustics LineaResponse G™ (LRG) includes cheaper models than the LRX, although their quality rivals that of conventional loudspeakers for the same price.

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Stealth LRG includes invisible, wide-dispersion loudspeakers characterised by a particularly linear frequency response. There are four models to choose from, plus two subwoofers to meet every need:

LR3G: 3-way, 8" woofer, 2 x 1" midrange, 1" tweeter, frequency response 40-20,000 Hz, maximum power 200 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, triple protection circuit

LR8G: 2-way, 8" woofer, 1" tweeter, frequency response 45-20,000 Hz, maximum power 120 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, double protection circuit

SLR8G: 2-way stereo, 8" dual-coil woofer, 2 x 1" tweeter, frequency response 45-20,000 Hz, maximum power 120 W/ch., efficiency 82 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, double protection circuit per channel

LR6G: 2-way, 6.5" woofer, 1" tweeter, frequency response 45-20,000 Hz, maximum power 100 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, double protection circuit

LR3G
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LR8G
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SLR8G
LR6G

Subwoofers LineaResponse B™ (BG) allow the bass range to be reinforced without being constrained by the limitations of traditional external subwoofers, such as bulk and the difficulty of positioning them in certain rooms. The full-size B30g and the more compact B22g still fit into the walls or ceiling of a room, hiding completely from view. Designed to be used in pairs, these subwoofers solve many installation problems, the first of which are aesthetically pleasing, by delivering the deep bass needed for that particular application.

B30G: pair of panels with 2 x 8" woofers each, frequency response 20-160 Hz, maximum power 100 W, efficiency 86 dB/W/m

B22G: pair of panels with 1 x 8" woofer each, frequency response 20-160 Hz, maximum power 100 W, efficiency 86 dB/W/m

B30G
B22G

Installation

For new construction or in rooms to be renovated, a wooden frame must first be used to secure the loudspeaker panel on all four sides and to create an adequate load volume for the woofers. Inside it, sound-absorbing material must be placed, the wiring must be prepared and the PlaceSaver, a template that reserves the exact space for mounting the loudspeaker and which must then be removed after the panels that 'frame', so to speak, the loudspeaker itself, have been made. In order to ensure the best sonic performance at low frequencies, the use of a Back-Box is recommended; Stealth produces four different types

Now the speaker panel, which houses the loudspeakers, can be connected, mounted and tested before proceeding with plastering, sanding and then painting the wall. Stealth Acoustics' front grilles are designed for optimum audio performance with (up to) four coats of latex paint applied to the surface. It is even possible to use a light wallpaper. The end result is complete and utter invisibility.

StingRay, the ideal all-weather outdoor speakers

Winner of several awards including the RESI Awards and TechHome, Stealth Acoustics' StingRay family of outdoor loudspeakers is IP68 certified and thus protected against dust and permanent immersion in water up to a depth of 3 m for up to one hour. It can operate in a temperature range of -18° to 65°. The three StingRay 6, 8 and 83 models are fully sealed, with no removable grilles, ideal when maximum durability and performance is desired; available in black or matt white, they can also be painted, by special order, in any colour to match any décor. In addition, the Image Wrap version allows a photograph of the surrounding environment to be placed on the surface of the diffuser so that it blends in with the environment itself when viewed from the front, or even a work of art.

These are the available models:

StingRay 6: 2-way, 6.5" woofer, 1.18" tweeter, frequency response 50-18,000 Hz, max. power 120 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, double protection circuit, IP68

StingRay 8: 2-way, 8" woofer, 1.18" tweeter, frequency response 45-18,000 Hz, maximum power 160 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, double protection circuit, IP68

StingRay 83: 3-way, 8" woofer, 1.18" midrange, 1" tweeter, frequency response 40-20,000 Hz, max. power 160 W, efficiency 83 dB/W/m, dispersion 170°, double protection circuit, IP68

To extend the frequency response in the low range, the StingRay 430 subwoofer can be used.

StingRay 430: 8" woofer, frequency response 20-100 Hz, maximum power 400 W, efficiency 86 dB/W/m, dispersion 360°, IP66

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