PSB CHS40 CustomSound Series In-Cabinet Speaker

New model broadens company’s line of custom hidden solutions for the growing custom installation market

PSB Speakers introduced the CHS40 In-Cabinet speaker, the most recent addition to their CustomSound Series.

Furthering broadening their line of custom hidden solutions, the CHS40 expands PSB Speakers line up of dedicated in-cabinet offerings. Realizing that most speaker systems just don’t perform well when mounted in AV cabinets, PSB has pioneered the concept of purpose-designed speakers for in-cabinet installations.

Their latest model, the CHS40, maximizes its in-cabinet performance with a midrange and tweeter mounted on an 8″ circular plate. This plate can be turned 90 degrees so that, whether the main cabinet is horizontal or vertical, the systems response is always optimal across the seating area. Furthermore, the tweeter on the rotatable plate is “eye socket” pivot mounted and can be aimed at the listening area for flattest high frequency response.

Many high-end home theater systems have most of their components, including the speakers, hidden away in cabinets. While this hides the clutter it can be detrimental to speaker performance unless the effects of the equipment cabinet are taken into account. For instance, when mounting one of the PSB in-cabinet speakers the surrounding cabinetry adds ‘chestiness’ to the system’s sound. Frequently, LCR speaker arrays are mounted behind perforated video screens that result in high frequency roll off. Moreover, the physical dimensions of a floor standing speaker are generally not appropriate for mounting inside a cabinet plus the elegant furniture finishes are not necessary since they are being hidden.

To address these issues, the CHS40 includes a two-position boundary compensation switch to provide the best low frequency response whether the system is in an equipment cabinet or in free space. A second switch compensates for the high frequency roll off that comes from mounting the system behind a perforated screen.

The enclosure is rugged and heavily braced, constructed as a highly durable utility cabinet with a tough textured “spatter coat” paint finish, especially suited for its intended use. The speaker was designed for installation in the average entertainment center where custom-cabinetry is carefully mated to loudspeakers. The CHS40’s smaller dimensions 17″ x 11 1/2″ x 9 _” (H x W x D) ensure it will fit in virtually all equipment cabinets.

The PSB CHS40 were seen with all the PSB CustomSound Series models in NAD’s Hospitality Suite 1048 at the Hard Rock Hotel during CES 2005. The CHS40 will be shipping early 1st Quarter 2005 with the suggested retail price of $1249/ea.