Below is a small sample of press articles written about Innovative Audio and our products.

March, 2007

What to Look For When Buying A Home Theatre Armoire…If You Can Find One That’s Big Enough!

January, 2007

The Biggest Challenge of Your Home Theater Is Finding Furniture You Like To House It

HOME THEATER MAGAZINE, MAY 2001

There's Nothing Bare About These Cabinets
Innovative Audio's new speaker system begs the question, "What has your furniture done for you lately?"

Innovative Audio Loudspeakers

I'll wager that if one was to poll the attendees at last January's Consumer Electronics Show as to which was the most intriguing audio demo at the expo this year, a large majority would respond with Tom Holman's 10.2-channel sonic roller coaster ride over at the Alexis Park. Sure, the high-resolutions demos were purer, and I'll be damned if the 2-channel rigs this year at that same venue didn't, on the whole, sound better than ever (2-channel ain't dead just yet, gang). But when it came down to pure entertainment value, Holman's demo undoubtedly stole the show. What's this mean to you, you ask? The handwriting is on the wall people, the future of audio certainly seems to be taking the more channels, the merrier philosophy to heart-and that, of course, means more speakers. Whether its 10.2, Surround EX, DTS-ES or some other mega-channel scheme (and I'd guess right now that the only question surrounding 10.2 is when, not if), the fact is we're all going to have to put more and more speakers into our homes to stay up with the times. While some of us relish the idea of adding more ceiling-high monoliths will fully exposed drivers pumping in and out to our living rooms, et al, the popular perception remains that incorporating standard loudspeaker designs into one's living space represents an aesthetic compromise-which increases exponentially as the channel numbers go up. The choices seem simple: learn to appreciate the beauty of a speaker in its natural state, or find a way to add speakers to your home in a more seamless and "aesthetically pleasing" way.

For years, high-end manufacturers have addressed the issue of visual presentation with beautifully crafted hardwood cabinets, wide varieties of custom finishes, or unique planar and electrostatic models. The current proliferation of in-wall models and other alternative designs (flat-panels, cubes, etc) also indicate that the design concerns of the consumer have not fallen upon deaf ears. Progress? Yes. Panacea? Hardly. High-end speakers are, of course, expensive and to many, even the most beautifully designed speaker cabinet is still a speaker cabinet, somehow unworthy of artistic praise. In-wall speakers and the like have improved considerably since their inception, but most still represent a sonic compromise that is simply unacceptable for serious dedicated theaters and listening environments.

Another solution that has existed for some time in the custom market is integrating speakers into existing structures, furniture or custom cabinetry. This method can yield outstanding sonic and aesthetic results if done properly, but is usually an expensive and time-consuming process requiring the work of skilled professionals. If done improperly, (e.g. throwing a speaker into any available hole and covering it with grille cloth) the result will noticeably infringe on the integrity of the speaker and surrounding structure alike.

Enter Innovative Audio, a relatively new high-end company out of Southern California whose basic idea is to take the custom work out of owning a custom speaker by offering production lines of speakers already integrated into top-quality furniture designs. The company's tongue-in-cheek motto, "the alternative to divorce," is a clear indicator of their goal to offer a loudspeaker with a considerably wider aesthetic appeal than the standard offering.

Innovative's current models utilize different configurations of three basic drivers: a Peerless 1-inch silk dome tweeter, a Seas 5-inch composite midrange and a proprietary 10-inch composite woofer developed by Innovative to meet the unique criteria of their Performance Furniture system. The foundation of that system is the Cabinet Speaker, a vertical baffle, 3-way design using a single tweeter, midrange and woofer. The sealed inner cabinet is extensively braced to reduce image-smearing internal vibrations, and the mids are mounted in their own internal, sub-enclosures. The speaker cabinet is then set into the outer cabinet, with crossover adjustments to account (as much as possible) for first reflections and the particularities of the dual cabinet design. Cabinet Speakers measure roughly 37 inches high x 18 wide x 17 deep and weigh in at 125-140 pounds each (dimensions and weight vary by style and wood type), and are freestanding table designs that can be placed along the wall. The outer cabinet includes beveled platform tops and crafted pocket doors that can be closed when the system is not in use to hide the speaker components, and with them, all indications of the piece's dual nature.

Two specialized designs, the horizontally aligned center channel and active subwoofer system, round out the multi-channel presentation. The center channel employs the 1-inch tweeter flanked by two 5-inch midrange drivers while the subwoofer uses two of the 10-inch woofers powered by a 270-watt internal amplifier. The center channel speakers are integrated into various types of furniture pieces, the choice of which is determined by the type of video display used in the system. The Center Table is approximately 30-inch high x 52 wide x 17 deep, weighs 115-130 pounds and looks to all appearances like a standard hall or art table. This table works well with either plasma screens or front projection systems. For direct-view sets, Innovative offers a range of armoires that integrate the center channel and house the monitor, additional components and software. The Armoires are configured for both conventional 4:3 and widescreen sets with varying screen sizes and weights up to 375 pounds. The subwoofer enclosure is built into their Sub Table piece, which measures 24 inches high x 20 wide x 20 deep, weighs 145-160 pounds, and looks to all appearances like a well crafted end table. Like the Cabinet Speaker, it offers beveled platform tops, faux drawers and pocket doors to enhance its aesthetic role as a high-quality piece of furniture independent of its sonic alter ego.

As you would expect, there are a wide variety of wood types, colors, finishes and even cabinet styles to choose from. Considering our limited space, I'll direct you to their website (www.innovativeaudiousa.com) for the full rundown and also mention that they are open to cosmetic customizations (stone inlays, custom colors and finishes, etc.). Our demo system consisted of four of the Cabinet Speakers in the () style with a () finish, and a High-Definition Armoire and Sub Table in the () style and () finish. The Innovatives were mated with the Lexicon MC-1 pre/pro, the Krell KAV-500 5-channel amplifier and a Sony DVP-C650D DVD player.

People in search of a "lifestyle" speaker (i.e. a speaker that doesn't look like a speaker in the traditional sense) who have waded their way through the contemporary maze of in-walls, cubes, flat panels, etc. are going to be pleasantly surprised by the time they get around to giving the Innovatives a listen. This is primarily because the Innovatives sound like real speakers-dynamic, warm, open and full-range. This should come as no surprise, they are real speakers hiding in an aesthetic shell, as opposed to a design that incorporates sonic compromises from the very start. A couple of strengths I noticed right away about the Inovatives were their imaging and bass response, two areas where alternatives designs generally fall short, especially in the latter department. From what I heard in our room, I'd say the company makes good on its promise that you can put these speakers against the wall and still get them to image well-which is no small feat. As with any free-standing speaker, they image better when given some room to work, but their sound quality depreciates far less than most speakers I've toyed with as they get closer to the room boundaries. Innovative has obviously engineered this trait purposefully into their speakers to again account for the aesthetic realities of most living room environments-whether they look like speakers or pieces of furniture, most people are simply not going to place large structures in the middle of their rooms. Generally, as speakers get closer to the wall, the soundstage depth shrinks and the image begins to break down from a centralized and cohesive sound to a disjointed presentation that sounds like two separate speakers (yes, we know that's what they are, but they're not supposed to sound like that). But listening to 2-channel music with the two front speakers situated roughly six inches out from the front wall and a foot or so from the side wall, the soundstage maintained a deep, well defined character and the image remained well centered and relatively uniform. Placement flexibility is a welcome trait in any speaker, but it is obviously crucial for a speaker in this genre.

Bass output is another facet of speaker output that is noticeably affected by room placement, but the Innovatives again showed only a relatively minor degree of difference based on their location. As I already alluded to, the bass output of the cabinet speakers is prodigious even in open space, and I definitely expected them to load up in the corners as most standard speakers, and subwoofers, with healthy bass do. Against the wall, the low frequencies did pick up extra energy, but they didn't get boomy or thick as I would have expected, and overall the bass character maintained an effective balance of punch and control. Wherever you put them, these speakers put out a good bit of bass, which I'd again wager is a conscious effort on Innovative's part to give these speakers a wider appeal. Let's face it, the masses like a lot more bass in their speakers than the neutral, flat response of audiophile lore represents. Innovative has responded with a pronounced low end that warms the speaker up considerably and adds significantly to its dynamic range without permanently dominating the overall tonal balance of the speaker and making it sound like the standard teen's car stereo system. As with virtually every speaker I've listened too with a big bottom end, there are occasions with music where the upper bass/lower midrange defers a bit too much to the low end and sounds somewhat laid back, but this only seemed to occur during particularly complex passages and usually passed quickly. Overall, most people are going to be quite happy with their tonal balance, in addition to being quite surprised at the physical presence that this "lifestyle" speaker can deliver.

That physical presence was most notably put to the test during the soundtrack demos, where the cabinet speakers, the good sized center channel unit, and a subwoofer that doesn't lack for low-end punch in its own right knocked out a raucous sound that belied their refined outward appearance. First up was the Omaha Beach scene from Saving Private Ryan (of course). This system once again reminded me of how entertaining a big pair of full-range surrounds can be. I freely admit you don't get as much diffusion and quite as seamless an image as you get with dipoles, but the tradeoff is punch and power that many specialized surrounds, which are small and bandwidth limited, simply don't deliver. War movies are convenient indicators of what a full-range surround can do. With explosions occurring all around you at any given time, you want them to sound as potent in the back as they do in the front-it's this type of consistency that goes a long way in selling a sonic image. Granted, the surround channels aren't fed the sheer amount of bass that the front channels are over the course of the soundtrack, but there's more back there than you may realize, as a full-ranger will tell you. By placing the surrounds to the side and slightly behind my position, and angling them roughly 30-45 degrees to the rear of the room, I was able to get a nice fill and adequate diffusion while still preserving the physical impact, which tells me there's some finesse in these speakers as well. Using top shelf drivers almost always pays off in quickness, accuracy and imagery-as it does here. You may be asking for trouble from the THX police, but this cabinet model is as effective a surround as it is a front speaker.

As we all know by now, a center channel can make or break a 5.1 system, and this is a good one. While I understand the placement restrictions of most systems in the middle, I've always been partial to the sound or larger center channels for the most part. Again, driver quality is the most important factor, but with more space to work with, most drivers are going to sound better in a bigger cabinet-it's not hard to figure out. Voicing was natural and articulate with the Innovative unit, rather than hollow and thin-characteristics, which unfortunately apply to too many center channels today. The center channel must also have enough punch to handle its share of the effects, which this one appeared to have plenty of. The ruckus that ensues after the Diva's solo in chapter 26 of the Fifth Element places a good amount of effects information in the center channel, and this unit delivered with tight gunshots, well-rounded explosions and a good degree of control leftover for clear dialogue under fire. The contribution of the subwoofer does not go unnoticed in this scene either. Like the rest of the system, this speaker does a nice job of balancing control and power, and usually only resorted to boominess when the soundtrack called for it. The sub showed little in the way of compression of fatigue throughout the soundtracks I sent its way, and like the cabinet speakers, it offers a degree of placement flexibility beyond the standard offering. While it's appearance alone will probably open up its options for location, it proves to be well behaved both in open space, or when banished to the corner like the rest of its low-end peers.

Like it or not, more speakers are going to become more a part of all of our audio lives in the near future. And luckily for those of you who can't live with speakers in their natural state, there are more options than ever before. Innovative Audio isn't looking to redefine the way the world looks at speakers, but they want to be one of those options-and one I would recommend looking into for anyone in the market for alternative designs, or simply something out of the ordinary. Innovative's stuff offers far more performance than most lifestyle designs (and will hold their own quite nicely in most any speaker performance context), and aesthetics that are undoubtedly going to appeal to a wider audience than the traditional fare. But above all else, these speakers are designed to be liveable. And trust me, if Tom Holman and the rest get their way, livibility is going to go a long way in the next generation of living rooms and home theaters.

HOME THEATER MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2000

50 Great Holiday Gift Ideas

Holiday Wishes....A/V Dreams

What better way to store my precious home theater system than in the beautiful Manhattan Home Theater Armoire from Innovative Audio.

Custom-crafted from cherry wood, it can house a variety of stereo components on three adjustable shelves, has four drawers to hold my favorite CDs & DVDs, and even comes with an optional built-in, high-performance center channel.

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T3 MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2000

T3 Magazine’s Editors Choice Award - October 2000

Thinking Outside the Box

Innovative Audio’s SubTable Subwoofer

Because not everyone’s home is a post-modern tech palace

Were there ever a Saturday morning cartoon called "The Home Theater Gang," the subwoofer would be portrayed as the "Cartman-esque" guy who releases gas in accordance with the gross-out humor so beloved these days. Subwoofers tend to be the "Fat Alberts"' of Home Theater; they're not as spry and vim as the other speakers on the block, but they use their oomph' to tie the room together.

Rarely more than a big box taking up space, subs tend to be seen as something of an eyesore. For the interior designers of the family, the subwoofer isn't worth its trouble. So, if you’re having difficulties trying to sell the other members of your household on a blocky sub that sucks up precious living room space, try Innovative Audio's SubTable Powered Subwoofer - a sub that doubles as an end table. Measuring 24" x 29" x 24" and weighing approximately 150 lbs., it has a faux door and beveled platform paneling that plays up the nice furniture angle; cherry wood construction and seven design options carry the idea even further.

"With the SubTable, you’ll get rich bass you want without making your home look like an electronics store."

Forgoing the "bigger is better" approach, the SubTable's drivers are only 10 inches wide, versus the standard 15 inches. This combination of power and design reinforces Innovative's belief that what people are used to seeing in stores is pretty much wrong for their home theater. Listening to the Sub Table could convince you that Innovative has a point.

Standing on four legs instead of resting on the ground, the SubTable takes low-end frequencies and shoots them out the bottom into the room. For those that don't think this configuration can move the walls, just play a DVD like The Matrix through it and you'll be convinced otherwise.

Home Theater has evolved to the point that, without a subwoofer, you’re just not getting the full experience (that .1 in 5.1 or 6.1 is there for a reason, you know!) that today's movie's can deliver. With Innovation's clever marriage of great sound and tasteful decor, even those with the pickiest of housemates can enjoy the many benefits of true surround sound.

Eric Olsen
T3 Magazine
November 2000

PROS
Finally, a sub that doesn't look like a squat version of the obelisk in "2OOl: A Space Odyssey"

CONS
At 145 lbs., it's a little on the heavy side if you get the whim to "just move that end table...err, subwoofer"; hard­core audiophile geeks may think you've gone soft

KEY FEATURES
Measures 24" x 29" x 24"
Weight: 145-160 pounds, Depending on design
Cherry wood construction
Two 10" drivers
Exclusive thermodynamic convection cooling
Dual Wall sealed enclosure
Auto On Sensor
Auto Off Timer: 8 Minutes
Phase invert switch

ALSO CONSIDER
B&W ASW-4OOO Powered Subwoofer $3000 with a 15-inch woofer
Velodyne HGS-15 $2499W with single, front-firing driver

VERDICT
The Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of subs: “Hey, your furniture is in my sub!" "Your sub is in my furniture!" "It sounds great!"
T3 Editors Choice
"A Knockout. Buy it."

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AUDIO VIDEO INTERIORS MAGAZINE, MARCH 2000

The Sound of Style - Innovative Audio Loudspeakers

The performance vs. aesthetics debate is as old as the consumer electronics industry itself--and nowhere is it more hotly contested than in the realm of speaker design. After all, source and power components can be tucked away neatly into racks (or hidden away altogether), and our undeniably videocentric society has come to accept the presence of a bus-sized television in the living room as a badge of honor rather than an eyesore. Those of us who look upon a ceiling high, 450-pound loudspeaker with fully exposed drivers as a work of art are few and far between these days and thus, the popular perception remains that incorporating a properly designed speaker into one's living space will inherently represent an aesthetic compromise.

With the explosion of home theater and multi-channel audio over the last 10 years or so, these aesthetic dilemmas are reaching a crisis point for many people now that they have to incorporate five or six speakers (including the always placement-finicky and rarely attractive subwoofer unit) into a space that previously only required two.

For years, high-end manufacturers have addressed the issue of visual presentation with beautifully crafted and finished hardwood cabinets, or unique planar and electrostatic models. The current proliferation of in-wall models and the debut of flat-panel speakers also indicate that the design concerns of the consumer have not fallen upon deaf ears. Progress? Yes. Panacea? Hardly. High-end speakers are, of course, expensive and to many, even the most beautifully designed speaker cabinet is still a speaker cabinet, somehow unworthy of artistic praise. In-wall speakers have improved considerably since their inception, but still represent a sonic compromise that is simply unacceptable for serious dedicated theaters and listening environments.

Another solution that has existed for some time in the custom market is integrating speakers into existing furniture or custom cabinetry. This method can yield outstanding sonic and aesthetic results if done properly, but is usually an expensive and time-consuming process requiring the work of skilled professionals. If done improperly, (e.g. throwing a speaker into any available hole and covering it with grille cloth) the result will noticeably infringe on the integrity of the speaker and surrounding structure alike.

Enter Innovative Audio, a small, high-end speaker manufacturer that has taken the custom integration concept a step further by offering a production line of performance-oriented loudspeakers housed in top-quality, handmade furniture designs engineered specifically for their dual purpose. The company's tongue-in-cheek motto, "the alternative to divorce," is a clear indicator of their goal to offer aesthetics and performance in an approachable package with a wider appeal than the standard offering.

Now I can already see the wheels turning for you PC-thug types. So before you inundate us or them with accusations of gender-typing, let me assure you that the gents at Innovative are far from club-carrying Neanderthal type. What they're trying to get across is their belief that as speakers become more and more a part of our everyday environment, there need to be alternatives that don't compromise sound or visual presentation, and a solution that members of both camps can agree on. Besides, where in that phrase does it mandate that only the wife carries the aesthetic banner and the husband concerns himself only with performance? If that's your thinking (and if it wasn't, you wouldn't be upset), maybe it's you who needs the refresher course in keeping an open mind, hmmm?

Form and Function

Innovative's current models utilize different configurations of three basic drivers: a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, a 5-inch composite midrange and a 10-inch composite woofer. The tweeter and midrange units are manufactured by Peerless and Seas, respectively, two companies with well-established reputations for manufacturing quality speaker components. The woofer is a proprietary design developed by Innovative after 10 separate attempts to find and incorporate an existing low-frequency driver that would meet their performance criteria for this system.

The heart of the Performance Furniture system is the Cabinet Speaker, designed for both 2-channel or multi-channel duty (front or rear). It is a vertical baffle, 3-way system using the tweeter, midrange and a single woofer. The sealed cabinet is extensively braced to reduce image-smearing internal vibrations, and frequency response is listed at 27Hz-30kHz (with crossover frequencies at 280Hz and 3,800Hz). Midrange drivers are mounted in their own internal, sub-enclosures. A sensitivity rating of 91dB combined with an 8-ohm nominal impedance will allow you to run it off low-powered/high impedance amplifiers without fear of overheating--but then again, why would you?

Cabinet Speakers measure roughly 37 inches high x 18 wide x 17 deep and weigh in at 125-140 pounds each (dimensions and weight vary by style and wood type). Both of these units are freestanding table designs meant to be placed along the wall. They feature beveled platform tops and crafted pocket doors that can be closed when the system is not in use to hide the speaker components, and with them, all indications of the piece's dual nature.

Two specialized designs, the horizontally aligned center channel and active subwoofer enclosure, round out the multi-channel presentation. The center channel employs the 1-inch tweeter flanked by two 5-inch midrange drivers while the subwoofer consists of two of the 10-inch bass drivers powered by a 270-watt internal amplifier. Specs for the center channel include a frequency response of 55Hz-30kHz (crossover at 3,800Hz), sensitivity of 91dB and an 8-ohm impedance. The subwoofer responds from 24-120Hz, with a variable crossover from 50-100Hz, and includes high and low level inputs, an auto-on trigger and auto-off timer, master volume control, a phase-inversion switch, and a proprietary, thermodynamic cooling tunnel that hides the amp and wiring in addition to improving heat dissipation.

The Center Channel speakers are integrated into two basic furniture pieces, the choice of which is determined by the type of video display used in the system. The Center Table is approximately 30-inch high x 52 wide x 17 deep, weighs 115-130 pounds and looks to all appearances like a standard hall or art table. This table works well with either plasma screens or front projection systems. For direct-view sets, Innovative offers a range of armoires that integrate the center channel and house the monitor, additional components and software. The Armoires are configured for both conventional 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 sets with varying screen sizes and weights up to 375 pounds.

The Sub Table powered subwoofer measures 24 inches high x 20 wide x 20 deep, weighs 145-160 pounds, and looks to all but the informed observer like a well crafted end table. It also features beveled platform tops, faux drawers and pocket doors to enhance its aesthetic role as a high-quality piece of furniture independent of its sonic alter ego.

As you would expect, there are a wide variety of wood types, colors, finishes and even cabinet styles to choose from. Considering our limited space, I'll direct you to their website (www.innovativeaudiousa.com) for the full rundown and also mention that they are open to cosmetic customizations (stone inlays, custom colors and finishes, etc.) so long as the performance engineering is not compromised. Our demo system consisted of two very elegant Manhattan traditional Cabinet Speakers in the front, two equally pleasing Humphrey natural Cabinet Speakers in the rear, the slick Center Table in the middle and a Sub Table subwoofer in the traditional finish. Electronics, for the record, consisted of the B&K Reference 20 pre/pro and 7250 5-channel amplifier, and Sony's flagship DVP-S7700 combi player.

Stylish Sound

You have to check any preconceived notions you may have about "lifestyle" products at the door to appreciate these speakers--I say this from experience. Being that Innovative Audio was all of six months old by the time of my first demo, I had no idea what to expect from them--and I freely admit an initial skepticism towards any product associated with the L-word because the vast majority of lifestyle electronics are considerably compromised when it comes to performance.

Yes, like other lifestyle products, Innovative has placed a premium on the visual appearance of their speakers. But this is where the similarities end. Rather than adopt a design that by its very nature is sonically flawed-in-walls, mini-monitors, flat-panels-they have taken a well-engineered speaker that would sell just fine by itself in a separate enclosure and built a high-quality piece of furniture around it that is designed to enhance the finished sound as much as any dedicated cabinet. Think of it as getting a loudspeaker custom installed (properly) without having to go under construction. I'll guess that you will find this speaker to be among the better you've heard in any genre, and I'll guarantee that you will realize immediately it does not belong in the same category as the lifestyle designs that I previously mentioned.

Hammering this point home are two qualities that I noticed right away--imaging and low-frequency extension--that compromised designs have no chance of doing well, especially the latter. The Innovatives' soundstage was deep and enveloping, like a quality freestanding loudspeaker's image should be. What I found surprising was their ability to maintain a convincing presentation the closer they got to the walls. All conventional loudspeakers image better when they are given more room to work their tricks, but whether it's a speaker cabinet or a piece of furniture, people are not going to permanently place their speakers in the middle of the room. Keenly aware of this, Innovative went to great lengths to sonically account for this reality, including measuring reflections down to the smallest detail and paying them considerable attention in their baffle and crossover designs. Sure, they image better in open space, but the soundstage does not suffer nearly as much when the speaker is placed in a more pragmatic location as it does with conventional speakers, even good ones.

Bass reproduction is also something you won't have to worry about here. The Cabinet Speaker's low end is deep and punchy, without any tricks or gimmicks. The cabinet is completely sealed, no porting or venting, which partially accounts for its impressive clarity. And yet, it doesn't flinch for a second at venturing below 30Hz - quite commendable for a single 10-inch driver with no cabinet assistance for extending low-frequency response. The company's intense efforts to develop the right woofer for this speaker have paid off.

You'd be crazy to add a subwoofer to this system for music playback, and the Cabinet Speaker will hold its own in five channels as well. But, if you're the type who simply can't enjoy a movie unless your fillings are rattling, Innovative does offer their stealth subwoofer system with two of their proprietary 10-inch drivers and 270 dedicated watts behind them. I cut this baby loose during the Omaha Beach scene at the beginning of Saving Private Ryan and was more than pleased with the results. Big explosions attacked and decayed naturally, and small-arms reports disappeared as quickly as they appeared. Bass output was again articulate and deep, without any of the slow, murky personality that can drag an entire presentation down along with it.

Scenes like this are also a valuable barometer for center-channel performance. Any speaker can handle your basic 2-character tete-a-tete. To me, one of the true marks of a good center channel is its ability to deliver dialogue under adverse conditions, such as pure cacophony of war that Private Ryan captures so well. Dialogue was clean and tight, and persistently avoided being overpowered by the rest of the diverse soundtrack. This is, after all, a first class drama as well as one hell of a war movie, and if you can't understand what people are saying at the most critical points, you've lost much of the dramatic impact that this, or any good movie, has to offer.

Naturally, the abilities of the sub and center channel are best demonstrated by movie soundtracks. But to truly appreciate the quality of Innovative's Cabinet Speaker, you have to turn to music. Coupled with solid imaging and low-frequency response is a midrange prowess that defines this system's versatility. Blues, jazz, classical or rock--it all sounded good here. I started with the Hendrix Blues disc which, having been derived from analog masters, is hardly the best demo disc technically speaking, but I've listened to it a thousand times on a thousand different speakers and it's the disc I find myself turning to first every time. The second cut, Jimi's tribute to Albert Collins with Born Under a Bad Sign was especially pleasing and served as a telling demonstration of the Innovatives' tonal balance and soundstaging abilities. The potent bass track blended excellently with Hendrix' one-of-a-kind vocals and guitar riffs without overlapping and infringing upon the distinct sonic imagery of separate instruments at different points in space.

My 5.1-channel music demo was no less satisfying. One of the best music-based DVDs I've come across yet is the James Taylor disc that has served as the reference standard for 5.1 music demos at the industry tradeshows for the past couple of years. With good cause, the engineers who put this piece together exploit the full potential of 5.1 without cheapening it by resorting the type of audio gymnastics that some seem unable to resist here in the early stages of multi-channel music.

Again, the Innovatives' soundstage carried the day and allowed me to truly appreciate how well this disc is mixed. The all-telling human voice in 5.1, in this case one of the best in Taylor, was a testament not only to a well-designed speaker, but to a well-designed system that is a quality sum of quality parts. Shower the People was outstanding on this system, I couldn't help but be moved by the vocal interplay between Taylor and the backup singers, especially the fellow who belts out the solo near the end. The Innovatives went a long way in breaking down the wall between the reality that you're sitting in your own living room and the fantasy that you are listening to live music. This is the type of payoff that only a well-implemented loudspeaker is going to provide.

The Bottom Line

Innovative Audio's loudspeakers aren't going to end the debate over performance versus aesthetics in electronics design; after all, it's a war without an end. What they will do is shift the playing field, and with it, a lot of perceptions about what a speaker that places a high priority on visual appearance can accomplish performance-wise.

Quality is never cheap, and Innovative's products are not for the faint of wallet. Cabinet Speakers range from $3,350 to $4,430 per pair, the SubTable is $2,550 and armoires start at about $3,600. Even as a product that stands apart, their value must be put in the proper context--and not so much a context of genre but a context of environment. Like it or not, more and more speakers are becoming more and more a part of everyday life at home. If you want to maintain your sanity, you'd better find speakers you can live with--and above all else, these speakers are liveable. They sound great, they look great and they're easy to handle from a logistical standpoint. I think it was Lincoln who once said that a house divided between sound and style cannot stand. Innovative Audio couldn't agree more.

Innovative Audio Corporation, 3337 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California 9265; (800) 595-7757, www.innovativeaudiousa.com

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AUDIO VIDEO INTERIORS, JULY 1999

Innovative's SubTable Powered Subwoofer

As a new player in the world of high-end audio, Laguna Beach, CA-based Innovative Audio has begun their quest to prove that quality loudspeaker performance and high-end furniture design are not mutually exclusive concepts.

Part of their Performance Furniture Line, the SubTable subwoofer ($2,550) houses dual 10-inch drivers and a 270-watt amplifier in a high-quality end table enclosure available in a wide variety of hardwood styles and finishes.

Features include dual voice coil driver design, frequency response of 24-120Hz, variable crossover settings from 50-100Hz, phase inversion switch, crossover bypass switch, output level control, high-and low-level inputs with channel summing, current-sensing auto-on, 8-minute delay auto-off, and double-walled, sealed enclosure to eliminate internal and external vibration. Dimensions are 24 inches high x 24 wide x 29 deep and the unit weighs 145 pounds. Available styles include the Manhattan (American Cherry), Sedona (pictured, Australian Chestnut), and Napa (Maple). Finish options include Natural, Traditional, Texas Tea, Porcelain, Walnut, and unfinished.

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AUDIO VIDEO INTERIORS, MARCH 1999

The performance vs. aesthetics debate is as old as the speaker business itself-but is it necessary that these two elements of speaker design remain exclusive of one another?

Consider the initial lineup of speakers from the small, high-end company, Innovative Audio. They offer front/rear speakers, center channels and subwoofers integrated into armoires, floor cabinets, tables and other pieces of high-quality furniture, in a variety of hardwoods and finishes.

The Humphrey ($3,920 pictured) is a 4-way design with a 10-inch woofer, 6-inch midbass driver, 4-inch midrange driver and fabric tweeter mounted in a freestanding cabinet. Speaker specifications include a frequency response 0f 24Hz-30kHz +/- 3dB, sensitivity of 91dB, 8-ohm nominal impedance and crossover frequencies at 200, 800 and 3,000 hertz. Dimensions for the Humphrey are 36 inches high x 20 wide x 18 deep and each cabinet weighs 130 pounds. Available hardwoods include American Cherry, Sedona, Australian Chesnut and American Birch, while available finishes include natural, traditional, Texas Tea, porcelain and Rustica. Luxury touches such as stone inlays are also available. Innovative Audio (949)-376-5336.

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SUNSET MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 1998

"Speakers as furniture."

Audio speakers and interior design used to be incompatible. Big speakers may perform well, but they look boxy and clash with decor. Less intrusive, smaller models which often get built into a wall, offer less acoustic range. Southern California ­ based Innovative Audio Corporation has rethought this challenge and designed a line of speakers that combine high-quality performance with the style and finish of fine furniture.

They appear to be tall end tables, but when it's time for listening, you open them (the doors store out of the way) to reveal the speakers. Prices for the Cabinet Speakers range from $1,980 to $3,480 per pair, depending on detailing, style, and wood choice. Also available with the lowest-priced Essentials line will be a coordinating armoire ($3,840) with built-in center channel speakers and room for television and stereo components.

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"A New Vision in Sound"

By Andrea Lopez

Picture this. You have just completed a client's model. They've asked you to put your heart and soul as well as your time and experience into creating a one-of-a-kind environment in each living area. As you are making your rounds with your client gazing lovingly at your work, your client casually says to you, "I know this is a little late in telling you, but we need to find a place for my stereo speakers and possibly a home theater." Oops!

At this point you know that if there is one thing that can potentially ruin a beautiful remodel it's audio/video equipment. At least when the client tells you ahead of time you can be prepared for it even though the most elaborate of stereo and home theater systems are never fully "out of sight". You and most designers have learned that these "intrusions" are a necessary evil for those clients who love good music and movies. So, with your eyebrows raised somewhere up your hairline, an expression more effective than any words, you say "excuse me?". "It simply has to be in there," your client insists.

And so the battle begins, quietly of course. A battle to save your project from turning into a tech room. In most cases, the easiest solution is to turn the project over to an "expert" and hope for the best. UNTIL NOW. Enter Innovative Audio.

Now you have a tool to not only save your projects, but to enhance them. Without going into all the jargon, Innovative Audio has created a solution which eliminates all the frustrations of stereo and home theater speakers. Not just for you but for your client as well. In fact, clients never wanted to intrude on your projects, but they have had little choice when it came to speakers-two to be exact. They have had to choose from typical stereo speakers which are great sounding but ugly, or small "cubes" or "built-in" speakers which seem convenient but can't deliver truly superior sound. Both are hard to live with for both of you.

With its design roots in Laguna Beach, Innovative Audio has introduced six truly elegant, concert-quality speakers for the design-conscious audiophile looking to match high-fidelity with fine furnishings and decor. A solution which founder, Steven Bell, says, "has been a long time coming". In talking with Steve he is adamant, "Our goal is to change the way people perceive stereo speakers. Good speakers can provide endless enjoyment, but have always gotten a bad rap because they're ugly and intimidating. We wanted to change that . . . so we did. We also want to make it easier for people to get a system which looks and sounds incredible without all he hassles."

Innovative Audio provides a variety of distinctive styles, solid hardwoods, unique finishes and a special selection of European hardware that allow you and your client together to create a piece that will blend in perfectly with your design (prices $1480-2470 per speaker). Slide open the door in one smooth, swift movement and be prepared for the incredible fidelity and accuracy of a true hi-fi speaker. This pocket door, which is being patented by Innovative Audio, is a significant factor in how the speakers function. According to Steve, the door is open while in use, "much like a grand piano, and when the speaker is not in use the speaker becomes a piece of furniture with no trace of audio equipment. That was our goal."

Surprisingly Innovative Audio is the first to produce such a speaker, why? "I honestly don't know," says Steven, "I guess nobody has taken the time to put the pieces of the puzzle together. What I can tell you is that the concept involves satisfying numerous parameters. The methods of assembly had to be developed and tested. Although we are a speaker company which prides itself on state-of-the-art high fidelity we have not compromised on our craftsmanship and design. We are dedicated to the principle of blending tradition with technology. "

To back this up Innovative Audio offers a lifetime warranty on their cabinetry and a ten year warranty for all components and circuitry (all the fancy stuff inside the speaker).

The line Innovative Audio calls Traditions, lends true world class elegance that pays respect to timeless style and design. Traditions offers all that used to be in the world of craftsmanship, with the technology of today.

The Alexander offers an Early American style, while the Humphrey reflects a bold English past. A classic French style is shown in La Chapelle. Each of these are crafted from beautiful hardwoods and accented by authentic European hardware. Marble, granite and burl top can also be selected to create a truly unique and lasting treasure.

Designer is the line that presents popular styles with unique finishes. These hand made cabinets develop their own character and place in any room or heart. intricate washes and aging create the ambiance that the cabinet has been in the family for years, while capturing the styles of today. You have three styles and ten finishes to choose from.

The Copenhagen is named for its Scandinavian styling and functionality with a character all its own. Southwest styling gives the Dakota its simple yet rugged appeal. The Bordeaux with its French Provincial styling has a touch of whimsy which seems to come alive.

Innovative Audio began marketing about four months ago and has received wide appeal from both men and women. Finally a speaker that a couple can shop for together!

Steven says that although his research shows that more men than women seek out high quality speakers, "we want to draw more women to our speakers with our simplistic and appealing approach. Everyone deserves great music in their home, no exceptions."

Innovative Audio speakers require no installation and therefore no contractors and no sawdust. Best of all, your client can take them with them when they move. A wise choice.

To inquire about Innovative Audio or to find a dealer near you call 949/376-5336 or make an appointment to visit their concept showroom in Laguna Beach.

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THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1997

"Stylish Speakers: You can have quality sound and furniture that fits your decor, an audio designer says."

By Gary Krino

They couldn't be audio speakers. They simply couldn't. For starters, they don't look like standard audio speakers. You know what they're like. Either big and clunky or small and boxy. Whichever, nastier and tougher to handle from a design standpoint than trying to fit Early American into a French Chateau. These speakers look like they belong. In fact, they do. Slide closed the pocket door that hides the inner workings and they glide into any room setting smoother than a ride on the Paris subway, which just happens to be one smooth proposition.

The Humphrey speaker takes its cues from an old English tobacco cabinet, while the La Chapelle gathers inspiration from a French buffet. The Bordeaux follows the lines of a miniature armoire, and the Copenhagen?

Think Scandinavian server and you've got the picture. The Dakota speaks with a Southwestern accent and Early American defines the Alexander.

If you think these speakers are all show and no go, listen up. Woofers tweeters, midbass and midrange drivers come from Peerless, a Danish manufacturer known for its high-end, high-performance components.

Sounds are so sharp, rich full resonant, with a superior degree of clarity. Listen to a guitar solo and your mind's eye, through the clarity of sound, can almost visualize each pick and strum. vocals perform in a similar manner.

The speakers, which combine a fine-furniture look with top-of-the-line sound, are the work of Steven Bell, founder of Innovative Audio Corp. in Laguna Beach. Bell, 34, began marketing the speakers (prices range from $1,480-$2,400 per speaker) three months ago at trade shows in San Francisco and Orange County and they've taken off--literally.

"I have designers asking me to consult with them," says Bell, who began designing audio speakers as a seventh-grade wood-shop student in Kansas City, Kan.

Bell says his research shows that, in general, it's usually men who are interested in fine sound quality and women who pay attention to the appearance of the speaker. "There was nothing in one piece to satisfy both. It just wasn't out there," he says.

"We've done extensive checking nationwide and have not seen anything like these on the market. Why? I honestly don't know. What I can tell you is that (combining quality sound and design) is not as easy as it might look.

"It's not a matter of slapping the components into a piece of furniture. To get a truly high-fidelity speaker, there are a lot of parameters that have to be satisfied. It's not just the size of the enclosure and how it looks. When you don't have to consider the design, it's easy. But to put (the components) into a workable furniture design, that's another question."

The pocket door is a major factor in how the speakers function. "The door must be open when using the system, much like a grand piano," Bell says. "When the system is not in use and the door is closed, the speaker becomes a piece of furniture with no sign of audio equipment. That was our goal."

When the doors are closed, the speakers can stand alone as high end tables, accent or bedside tables. They can also be used as components for a home theater system.

Each speaker includes a drawer at its top, but it's purely decorative. "The system needs that space at the top to function properly," Bell says. "If the drawers were real, people would put things in them and then wonder why the system is rattling when it's in use."

The speakers measure from 34-by-22-by-16 inches to 42-by-18-by-13 inches, depending on the style, and are crafted of solid hardwoods including maple, cherry, mahogany and alder. Bell does the design work, while the actual construction work is executed by a furniture manufacturing company in Industry.

"Great-sounding speakers have always been unattractive," Bell says. Not anymore.

The speakers are being shown by appointment at Innovative Audio Corp.'s Laguna Beach Showroom. Call (714) 376-5336 or (800) 595-7757.

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Copyright © 1997-2006 Innovative Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Product Photography By Lon Harding