Everyone,

I think I have to step in here to clarify a few points:

The idea of laying an MTM design speaker down in a horizontal configuration is not new in itself. However, unless the tweeter in the design is mounted off-center (then somewhat diluting the advantages of a classic D'appolito style array for a vertical configuration) there are comb filtering effects experienced by the listener when he is off direct axis of the center channel. Midrange will have varying frequency response based upon angle and distance from the speaker. A 2 1/2 way design helps address this problem.

What we have done in this speaker is to the best of our knowledge, unique. In the vertical orientation the speaker is a normal MTM two-way. However, when operated in the horizontal position, after the switch has been thrown, the speaker employs a second crossover and becomes a 2 1/2 way design.This improves the overall smoothness of the frequency response in the horizontal plane.

We have many colleagues at THX who have a lot of experience in this area. While we were developing this design we asked them if they had ever seen the approach of dual crossovers. Their answer to us was" No, but that is really clever" One of them inquired, "By the way have you patented this yet? We chuckled and said "Don't even think about it."

We really look forward to many of you hearing this product when it is released in early fall.


Peter Tribeman