Over the years, the trend for home audio speakers has been one of downsizing.  Many a home theater enthusiast has foregone the lure of huge speakers that rattle their neighbor’s windows (three blocks away) to focus more on the SAF.  The SAF (Spousal Approval Factor) is a major force when it comes time for speaker acquisitions, and typically the smaller, the better.  Acoustic Research, an Audiovox company, has taken a slightly different approach than the norm to making speakers blend in with their surroundings.  While their HD510 speaker system isn’t tremendously tiny (e.g., Bose Acoustimass), they’re still quite small, but that’s not their only claim to SAF fame.  Acoustic Research has taken to hiding the speakers inside some fairly common looking objects to help disguise their presence.

Suddenly, subwoofers become steamer trunks, and satellite speakers become books, vases, and even wall sconces.  With more than 20 different covers that are each sold separately, the options available are quite abundant.  One thing though that should concern anyone interested in quality speakers, is the effect the covers have on the clarity and aspect of the sound.  Unfortunately, besides mentioning that the covers allow “consumers to really express themselves without compromising speaker performance”, there are no hard numbers for a “before and after” scenario in regards to sound quality.

HD510 Features:
Satellites & Center Channel Speaker
  Woofer : 3 1/2” Midrange (Magnetically Shielded)
  Tweeter : 1” Teteron Tweeter
  Freq. Resp. : 120Hz-25kHz +/- 3dB
  Rec. Power : 25-150 Watts
  Finish : Extruded Aluminum
  Dims 6.15”(H) x 3.8”(W) x 4.0”(D)
  Impedance : 8 ohms

Subwoofer
  10” Poly-Coated Woofer
  Freq. Resp. : 25Hz - 150Hz (variable)
  175 Watt Class D Digital Amplifier
  Finish : Pewter Lacquer
  Dims : 13.5”(H) x 23.9”(W) x 12.5”(D)

The speaker system and covers will be available this summer for an undisclosed amount.