This is cool - a surround speaker from Outlaw.

I had been trading some email very recently with Scott about looking for some B-stock black BLS's that I could use as side surrounds (in place of my Axiom M3's, which had never been quite up to the challenge of equaling the Paradigms or Outlaws around them). He suggested I hold off a bit, since direct radiating bookshelves weren't really the optimal side surround speaker. I may end up getting two pairs of these, as they look to be a good bit smaller than my Paradigm ADP's, but in the short term I think I'll start with one pair to replace the Axioms.

Yeah, the announcement completely took me by surprise. Makes a lot of sense, though…completing Outlaw's home-theater offerings. No need to go anywhere else for great sound.

Yeah, I now regret buying my bookshelf speakers a few months ago! Anyone want to buy a set of black BLS's for $800 + shipping? Almost new condition (lightly used for rear surrounds) with original boxes...

Would dipoles make much difference for rear surrounds ?

They look great. Very nice addition Outlaw.

This is a very nice addition to their line now one can get speakers for the future 9.2 configurations looming around the corner or speakers for those who have seating areas very close to walls etc.

The ability to fire in two ways is great. Given their price/performance I will consider these for my next upgrade. Does anyone know if these are made in the USA?

I believe that they are, since they seem to share so much in common with the BLS and LCR (both of which are made in the USA). I'll know for sure soon, though, as I plan to order a pair.
I can tell you that when I changed from dipole to direct radiating for side surrounds, I found that I preferred the dipole. I think that the Dolby and THX prefer direct radiating for rear surrounds, however (which these can also do, it seems).

Good to know the LCR and BSs are made in the USA - a big plus.

I prefer dipoles for surrounds as well. Direct speakers although more localized really are handicapped in mid or small rooms. Dipoles seem to expand the size of my listening space each and every time I play either music or movies. Pans from rear to front are also more fluid. Sky Captain is an excellent test of this.

I was reading in another post about Outlaw speakers possibly being made by Snell. I think this might confirm that rumor. The new surround by Outlaw looks identical to the Snell SR7. The best part about it... they only sell for $799 a pair. Thats a deal considering my local dealer sells the SR7 for $1400 a pair. I'm not sure how much they go for around the rest of the country. I think this is yet another great offering with a great price from Outlaw!

I was reading in another post about Outlaw speakers possibly being made by Snell. I think this might confirm that rumor. The new surround by Outlaw looks identical to the Snell SR7. The best part about it... they only sell for $799 a pair. Thats a deal considering my local dealer sells the SR7 for $1400 a pair. I'm not sure how much they go for around the rest of the country. I think this is yet another great offering with a great price from Outlaw!

I remember there being a report from someone who went to a Snell warehouse somewhere and saw some drivers (either tweeters or woofers) with Outlaw labels on the back them - probably the same post you are thinking of.

I recently built a pair of surround speakers for my system, they are behind the listening position and are unique in that they are aimed UPWARDS at a 10% angle with the ceiling. Thus they reflect off the ceiling. This design is a clone of similar speakers by GR research. (OK I like building speakers so I would be a hard sell).

Nice to see Outlaw now has their own surround speakers! I assume that the direct/diffuse switch actually changes between mono-pole and di-pole operation. These may be just the ticket for my side surround position speakers if I ever go 7.1. Right now only 5.1 since the room layout makes true 7.1 a problem, the listening position is right up against the rear wall, so the surround speakers are to the rear displaced left and right. OH BTW, These look like a smaller version of a surround speaker made by Niles Audio (I work for Niles) http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=Pro770FX&recordID=Professional%20Cabinet,%20Home%20Theater%20Loudspeakers&categoryID=StageFront&catcdID=13&prdcdID=FG01337


I wonder if the new pre-processor (995) will have some form of time alignment to allow for 'weird' speaker layouts.

The 990 and 970 both have separate speaker delay settings for each individual speaker, so they already can support layouts in which there are some asymmetrical placement issues. The 997's Trinnov correction will include some unusual remapping abilities that are said to be able to even further correct for speaker placements that deviate from recommended practice - the whole point of Trinnov's remapping is to compensate for weird layouts.

I've got an order in for a pair of these and should have them late this week. I'll be sure to report my findings here.

This is the post that you are talking about