Origin Acoustics has launched new versions of some key lines from the maker’s family of speakers, just two years after they were first introduced.

In a highly competitive market, with plenty of decent quality speakers around at various price points, the brand clearly wants to show it is not resting on its laurels. Origin’s mantra is to ‘Constantly Improve, Advance and Innovate’, which basically translates into attempts to make the speakers sound better, look better and be easier to install. The most visible and, some would argue, most significant advancement, is that the Director three-way models are now much smaller in depth. An impressive two inches have been shaved off the depth when compared to the previous versions; providing greater installation flexibility.

Impedance and crossover refinements mean that new series offers improved output sensitivity, by an average of 3dB, according to the maker. The main effect here is to reduce the amount of power required in large multi-room systems, which should make the Director more efficient and economical. Also new are Ultra-Pivot mids and tweeters which now reside in a smoother and securer mechanism, with a precise directional focus of mid and high frequencies. All models continue to feature the X-Wave Surround in the woofers, which is designed to absorb the frequencies between 700-1,400 Hz that typically run up and down the cone of the woofer. The surround is in place to reduce unwanted distortion and improve driver stability while in motion. The reduced width of the surround also increases usable cone area.

Sonic improvements also include fitting a Variable Depth Absorption Layer, or VDAL, to the interior of the baffle. This is a rubberised insert which looks to reduce resonances in the baffle structure, while also eliminating mid and high frequency reflections that can negatively affect the focus and clarity of a speaker.

Across the Director Series, claimed to be the industry’s largest matched-timbre in-ceiling line with sizes from 3in to 10in, a new rubber material added to the baffle reduces unwanted reflections and also delivers a total aesthetic ‘blackout’ through the use of black aluminium and black kevlar components. Origin says these changes give a more modern and intricate appearance. As before a paintable, perforated magnetic grille, with a micro bezel, covers the speaker assembly and leaves a discreet finished appearance.

The grille magnets found on the Origin Acoustics Tool-Less Installation mounting rings are now enclosed in the plastic, sealing them away from exposure to moisture and temperature extremes. For added sonic stability, the manufacturer also says that its Tool-Less Installation system spreads the weight of the speaker over a larger area than typical mounting systems. Spring-loaded clips also create more uniform pressure against drywall, combating warping or distortion of the speaker baffle or the wall itself.

Nick Berry, executive vice president of Origin Acoustics, says: “The new second-generation Directors Series and LCR Collection is the result of our continued obsession to innovate and improve by advancing every aspect of each system. No matter how colossal the advancement, the products acoustic performance and installation ease for the installer is our top interest.”

For simplicity, the new model numbers have transitioned from even to odd. The LCR Collection new models are the LCR65, LCR67 and LCR69. The Director 10in that was the D108 is now the D109, the 8in entry level D80 is now D81 and the 6in D64 is the D65.

Check with local supplier for further details, Invision UK for GB.