You are looking at the new Klipsch® Palladium P-39F floorstanding speakers -- designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. The speakers are a collaborative effort between Klipsch and BMW. Klipsch is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, while BMW DesignworksUSA... well, they design things. In addition to spitting out automobiles like the 3 Series sedan and the Z4, they have applied their artistic wizardry to products including espresso machines, wind turbines, and commercial jets. This is one of their latest products, a pair of speakers sure to please the audiophiles among us.
The five-foot tall speakers, with flush-mounted cones and horns, are beautifully finished with a horizontal zebra-grain veneer. Each is mounted on a brushed aluminum base. According to the press release, "The new speaker design celebrates Klipsch's hallmark horn-loaded technology, which delivers high-efficiency sound with low distortion, controlled directivity, flat frequency response and wide dynamic range." (Translation: they look really cool, and sound really great.) Oh, the price for all of this audible prestige? They'll run you about $15,000/pair when they become available this summer.
Check out the full press release after the jump.
[Source: BMW]
BMW GROUP DESIGNWORKSUSA DESIGNS INNOVATIVE PREMIUM HOME SPEAKER FOR THE LEGENDARY KLIPSCH® BRAND
04/21/2008
Los Angeles - Acoustics and aesthetics blend harmoniously in the new premium Klipsch® Palladium P-3(TM) 9F floorstanding speaker designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. This collaboration resulted in a compelling design and enhanced concert-quality sound for the company"s flagship speaker series, and audio industry authorities have seen and heard the difference.
Earlier this year, the innovative P-39F garnered a top-ten spot on Germany's Audio magazine ranking of speaker reviews in recent years. Also, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) TechHome Division recognized the speaker as one of three finalists for the 2008 Mark of Excellence Awards in the "Best Speaker - Floorstanding Speaker" category.
Very few speaker companies have been around as long as Klipsch. For over 60 years, the company has developed premium sound solutions that create the most engaging, emotional and dynamic entertainment experiences. From state-of-the-art home theater systems to audiophile-quality architectural speakers and from compact iPod® speakers to massive professional cinema systems, Klipsch has a product for every lifestyle, application and budget.
"Building on the company's legacy of audio innovation and trends in furniture design, we created a resonant design theme for the new premium speaker inspired by classic audio and contemporary furniture," said Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA President. "The theme naturally links contemporary lifestyle aspirations with the essence of Klipsch's brand values and core technology."
Finished in a horizontal zebra-grain veneer, the cabinet stands nearly five-feet high and reflects the sophisticated audio technology it encases. Its striking curved form, influenced by the catenaries curve of Physics, intrinsically lends structural and visual benefits and optimizes the aural experience.
The new speaker design also celebrates Klipsch's hallmark horn-loaded technology, which delivers high-efficiency sound with low distortion, controlled directivity, flat frequency response and wide dynamic range. Showcasing it in a package befitting of a modern lounge or home theater, the metallic horn is recessed into the top of each cabinet in a jewel-like setting. Meanwhile, the low frequency drivers are modestly concealed below, and the speaker appears to float on a brushed aluminum base.
The elegant mix of materials, rich color-stained zebra-grain veneers with high-luster metal finishes, echoes trends in contemporary home furniture design, compliments a wide range of home décor and imparts a distinctly premium Klipsch presence. The Palladium™ P-39F, priced at around $15,000 per pair, will begin shipping to U.S. specialty retail outlets this summer. For more information, visit: www.klipsch.com/palladium.
About Klipsch
Established in 1946, Klipsch-a wholly owned brand of Klipsch Group, Inc.-is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers and other audio products for the consumer and professional markets. Through proprietary horn-loaded technology, Klipsch is committed to developing loudspeakers that create the most engaging, emotional, and dynamic entertainment experiences. A family tradition, chairman and CEO Fred S. Klipsch and his wife, Judy, purchased the company from founder and cousin Paul W. Klipsch in 1989. Based in Indianapolis, Ind., the company's headquarters is home to one of the most advanced professional audio research facilities in the world. For more information, visit klipsch.com.
About BMW Group DesignworksUSA
With offices in Los Angeles, Singapore and Munich, BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a subsidiary of BMW Group with diverse and cross-functional expertise in the fields of design strategy, design research, brand communications, color and materials, product development, 3D modeling, and engineering. Beyond its automotive design work for BMW Group, the design consultancy is commissioned by a large number of leading companies working in the transportation, consumer electronics, medical, consumer packaged goods, and lifestyle industries. More information can be found at: www.designworksusa.com
BMW Group in America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the X6 Sports Activity Coupe. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
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