You can’t have an audio system without speakers, however, it’s the speakers that cause the most problems, especially with respect to interior design. Known for their wide selection of residential ceiling fans, Hunter has teamed up with Soundolier Integrated Wireless Technologies to create the Concert Breeze, a combination ceiling fan and powered audio system.
At first glance, the Concert Breeze looks like any common ceiling fan, yet hidden inside the fan’s light is a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless audio system. Without the hassle and expense of running wires, the Concert Breeze receives full range digital quality audio from any source, up to 300ft away. Simply connect a Soundolier Maestro wireless transmitter to any audio source – TV, mp3 player, etc. – through the speaker level or 3.5mm input jack and send stereo DSP audio to the Concert Breeze. Four selectable stereo signal channels virtually eliminate interference and one transmitter can send the signal to an unlimited number of receiver devices within the signal range.
According to Brendan Byrne, Senior Vice President of ceiling fans for Hunter, “The ceiling fan’s central location in the room naturally makes for a more premium sound since the speaker location can greatly affect the overall audio quality. With this design, the speaker is optimally located in the center of the room, so, the music literally showers over everyone equally.”
Paul Schleipfer, Marketing Manager for Soundolier explains the advantages further, “When distributing sound, audio coming from overhead has an all-encompassing effect that fills a room more naturally. It’s the reason airports, restaurants and other public buildings place speakers in the ceiling. However, with custom built speakers in the ceiling the challenge is incorporating them with lighting, electrical, and of course, ceiling fans. When a speaker is placed above the fan, it creates a strobing effect and destroys audio clarity. With the high quality speaker system and light housed beneath the fan in a single powered unit, the sound quality is preserved plus it blends in seamlessly with the environment and decor.”
The fan can be used in conjunction with a subwoofer and other audio components for a complete home audio experience. The unit comes with a credit card sized wireless remote that controls both the volume of the sound system and the brightness of the lamp. The Concert Breeze comes in two options: an indoor rated model available in brushed nickel with dark cherry blades and an indoor-outdoor model with bronze finish for covered porches or sunrooms. The Concert Breeze sells for $499 and is available at authorized Hunter and Soundolier dealers.
Courtesy of http://www.hometheaterdesignmag.com
