Audio Performance With Architectural Discretion
You Don't Have to Choose Between Sound Quality and Elegant Design
The age-old audio dilemma has plagued homeowners and designers for decades: exceptional sound quality or clean, uncluttered aesthetics? Traditional in-ceiling speakers could occupy more ceiling space than you desired with their eight to ten inch openings and grilles. But what if that compromise was no longer necessary? One of our trusted suppliers, James Loudspeaker, has a Small Aperture solution to achieve full-range, high-performance sound through openings as small as three inches—openings so discreet they blend seamlessly with today's trend toward "quiet ceilings" featuring smaller downlights and minimal visual disruption. Why settle for less when you can have your sound and barely see it too?
An Engineering Marvel
The secret lies in James' proprietary engineering that places a powerful yet compact subwoofer alongside a module handling midrange and high frequencies. The mid/high frequency module features a custom two inch midrange driver with aluminum cone positioned directly behind a three fourths aluminum dome tweeter, creating a true coaxial design. More than clever packaging, the sound quality is amazingly good, with detailed bass notes reaching down to thirty-eight hertz dispersion that covers a sizable area.
The three inch speaker opening is over seventy-five percent smaller than traditional in-ceiling speakers, making it as unobtrusive as a small downlight. All components are housed in aircraft-grade aluminum construction, delivering both sonic performance and long-term reliability. The proprietary transducers with oversized voice coils for increased power handling, while anodized aluminum cones and Santoprene composite surrounds resist environmental factors that can make other speakers wear out over time.
Design Integration
James offers a vast array of standard and custom finishes for the low-profile grille, available in three inch or four inch round or square flush mount styles. Beyond the standard brilliant white and sixteen color options, the craftsmen can design and build custom wood grilles, requiring only a wood sample to match existing finishes. For truly unique installations, your interior designer can send entire planks of reclaimed or specialty wood for the company to machine with grille slots, then install directly into the ceiling.
For those seeking near-invisibility, the speakers can be installed without grilles entirely—the ceiling finish covers the enclosure, and a laser-cut opening serves as a nearly invisible grille that blends seamlessly with any ceiling texture. Most models feature a standard four inch screw pattern that accepts industry lighting trim kits, allowing speakers to perfectly match downlights in the room. The result supports today's "quiet ceiling" aesthetic, where technology disappears into the architecture.
A Speaker for Every Space
The SA42-4 is the most compact and affordable entry point—a two way system with a four inch woofer and two inch midrange/tweeter that delivers impressive performance for smaller spaces or budget-conscious installations. The SA63 series represents the versatile middle ground, featuring a full three way system with a six and a half inch woofer, two inch midrange, and a three fourths inch tweeter that generates bass down to thirty-eight hertz. Different depth options (SA63-4, SA63-7, SA63-8) accommodate various installation requirements, from shallow two by four stud bays to deeper ceiling cavities.
The SA68 flagship model elevates performance with its six and a half inch carbon fiber woofer and two inch midrange, delivering exceptional frequency response from forty-five hertz to twenty five hertz. For high-output applications, the SA853QT series features an eight and a half inch aperture housing an eight PowerPipe subwoofer with a five and a quarter inch midrange and an innovative Quadratech tweeter design. This bi-amped configuration delivers concert-level performance similar to a tower speaker while maintaining the discreet aesthetic that defines the entire Small Aperture line.
Don’t accept visual compromises for audio excellence. Contact Barrett's Technology Solutions to discover how these innovative technology solutions can elevate your home's audio experience without disrupting its refined aesthetic.
