Artcoustic, the world leader in modern and contemporary wall mounted high-end speaker systems, recently announced the expansion of its speaker line with the Diablo Target, its new revolutionary on-wall, in-ceiling and outdoor loudspeaker.

Target: On Wall - with and without grille

	Unique multi-purpose use on-wall , in-ceiling, and outdoors
	Easy to install
	Compact size (7-7/8" x 7-7/8" x 2-3/4")
	Clean contemporary design
	Metal or Cloth Match System grille options
	Award winning Artcoustic sound quality
	Revolutionary Target Lens technology

Sacrificing space does not mean sacrificing sound with Artcoustic’s new Diablo Target Speaker.

In-ceiling

Featuring one rippled dome tweeter that produces a consistent, uniform high frequency performance, the Diablo Target is capable of an extended frequency response of up to 40kHz at 92dB (1w +/-2dB) and very high sound pressure levels, even from low-powered (20W+) amplifiers. The Target features one 5 1/2" mid / bass unit and can also be used in conjunction with an Artcoustic subwoofer for even better low-frequency performance. The Diablo Target includes one easy to mount in-ceiling kit and the revolutionary Artcoustic Target Lens, which makes it possible to direct the high frequency response in a desired direction, allowing the sound to be focused on a specific listening area.

Diablo Target Lens

The Diablo Target features 1 x 5-1/2 inch LF-MF unit and 1 x 1-1/2 inch 90 degree X2 HF unit. The Diablo Target comes with a white colored metal grille and also the option of 8 different colors from the Match System range to choose from.

The Diablo Target is ideally suited to home cinema use in a small to medium sized rooms, and also ideal for commercial environments such as bars, restaurants and corporate presentation facilities.

Outdoor audio makes the summer cool. This latest addition to the Artcoustic speaker line offers a corrosion resistant, all weather design, housed within a stylish exterior and complete with steel hanger brackets for easy mounting. The Diablo Target is great for use outdoors or indoors for on-wall or in-ceiling applications in wet areas such as bathrooms, terrace/garden or pool areas throughout your home or garden.

Diablo Target Technical Specifications:
The Diablo Target is supplied with an in-ceiling kit and one white colored metal grille and a choice of the 8 Match System color grilles.

Availability & Pricing
The new Diablo Target Speaker is available NOW through authorized Artcoustic dealers at a retail price of $700 each. Special volume discounts are available to dealers who buy in larger quantities. Contact your Artcoustic rep or StJohn Group Sales Director, John Caldwell, for details.

DEALER SPOTLIGHT: ForresterTech - Springfield, Missouri

Consistently in the Top 10 Artcoustic dealers in the United States, ForresterTech of Springfield, Missouri attributes their success to designing fully integrated, sensible systems that blend seamlessly into the creative vision of the clients' space. Says director of sales and marketing, Thad Forrester, "It's not all about technology. It's all about technology you can live with, and focusing on being the best in service to our clients."

"We feel that our end result must be aesthetically pleasing to our clients. It's what they demand."

The brain trust of the Forrester Tech organization is a triumvirate of talent. Ben Forrester with a computer science background handles most of the system design. Thad Forrester, who came to the company out of the advertising agency business, handles sales and marketing, and brother-in-law, Chris Allison, with an extensive accounting background, keeps the books in order. Together with input from Ben's and Thad's father, Ray Forrester, who also runs a lucrative environmental management and planning firm, the team has forged a custom installation enterprise that is to be envied.

"We sell to an upper-end clientele that is decidedly non-technical," says Thad. "Non-tech helps us sell better. Seventy percent of the decision-making is for the visual aspect of the system design. With women, it's about 90%. You never hear, 'I don't care what it looks like, as long as it sounds good!' The overriding factors in clients' minds is if it sounds, looks, and performs well."

About 40 percent of their business is commercial - banks, ad agencies, and the like. Forrester attributes their high rate of commercial work to knowing what types of commercial clients to go after. Low end types of commercial jobs will get bid out to lots of companies. "We go after the ones we know want quality over quantity and are looking for something different," he added.

Interior designers and architects work with Forrester Tech on nearly 85 percent of their jobs. "The key is letting them know that our goal is the total satisfaction of the client," explained Thad. "We help educate them about possibilities, not inundate them with technology, and make sure they get us involved as early as possible. If we get pushback, we try to come up with creative solutions. We advocate for less obtrusive technology and ultimately incorporate it into the design of the space, rather than designing the space around the technology."

The company markets themselves through local home shows and regular ads (see below) in the upscale, regional 417 Magazine. At a recent home show, the company put together a DVD with Artcoustic and Forrester Tech installation shots interspersed together, with a nice music soundtrack underneath.

"The web is becoming more and more important," added Thad. "More people are using the web exclusively to find companies doing business in categories of products they need. We find that keeping our site up to date is important to our clients.

"But probably the most important aspect of marketing is regular communication with past clients. We contact our past clients several times a year to check in, see how everything is working, and see if they need a 'tune-up' or have any needs. Most AV companies probably dread calling past clients for fear they'll hear about problems. We use this as an opportunity to keep a customer happy so they tell other people about our service."

Forrester Tech embraces the Artcoustic lineup for several reasons. "One of my favorite reactions is when someone walks into a room where the speakers are playing and doesn't know where the music is coming from. There's never been one client that didn't think that Artcoustic's were cool.

"I'm passionate about superior aesthetic appeal, and Artcoustic is technology that enhances the room. They aren't just a pretty picture -- they perform great, as well!"

When asked his advice for other Artcoustic dealers, Thad responded, "It's important how you display them in your showroom. Besides the minimalist look with no wires or extra accessories lying around, you should have a variety of sizes to show the range of products - Diablos, DF65s and 75s, subs, and of course the Multi.

"Sell the female client on the woman-friendly aspects of the product - slim design, unobtrusive, fine fit-and-finish."

What lies in the future for Forrester Tech? They are maintaining growth over last year and hope to continue to provide innovative technology for the residents and commercial enterprises of central Missouri.

Something Old, Something New

This Luxurious Traditional Arabian Designed Apartment Comprises the Latest High End Audio Technology in A Modern Setting

New developments in Dubai come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own take on architecture and modern living. Located in what is being hailed as the most exclusive square kilometer in the world, The Old Town, the Burj Dubai Development offers elegant Arabian architecture in a unique and modern setting.

One family decided to relocate to this urban luxury lifestyle living and commissioned SoundsME LLC (Artcoustic's United Arab Emirates distributor) to integrate a state-of-the-art high end audio and home cinema system into their elegantly designed surroundings. Family, work and entertainment were important fundamentals for this client. Today homes are no longer being designed as just a place to rest our heads. Instead, they incorporate space for all the things we love to do. So it's not surprising that home automation, sound systems and home theater were placed at the top of the design wish-lists for this client.

The family’s love of music and home cinema was paramount to the final solution that had to include a state of the art sound and home cinema system.

They were immediately impressed by the sonic performance and design and commissioned the installer to provide a final specification for the system throughout the entire house. The key selling point to the clients was the fact that the Artcoustic speakers would be unobtrusive to the interior but would provide top-quality sound. This project took three months to finalize, from the initial planning meetings to the final result.

The homeowners placed a high value on music and entertainment. Although they have a dedicated home theater room, they chose to have their main system in the living area, which is where they do the majority of their entertaining. The spacious living room features Artcoustic’s large but sleek and powerful DFF180-43 X2 speakers with carefully chosen screens from the Artcoustic Getty Images Archive.

The left and right speakers are mounted along with a Medialine 55” plasma screen. There’s no center channel, which would normally be placed beneath the plasma screen, because the DFF180-43 X2 speakers create a phantom center. The speakers each include four 10-inch subwoofers so no additional subwoofer is needed. The DFF180-43 X2 speakers are powered by an Artcoustic PA 1800 3-channel 1800 watt amplifier.

The rear speakers used to complete the dynamic surround sound include Artcoustic Diablo Monitors concealed discreetly behind the crème colored suede sofa. All media is played off of an Archos 704 Media Player which is connected to a 1 terra byte hard drive. The system also includes a Dolby Digital Processor (Ditton 5.1) as well as the Artcoustic Octo IR Repeater Kit. All hi-fi and home cinema equipment is stored in contemporary Artcoustic Linax Duo AV Storage Cabinets, creating a sleek interior. The open back allows for airflow to keep the equipment cool.

The living room audio and home cinema system is built into the custom finished Artcoustic Media Wall section, setting the tone for the installation. The system provides power in sound but looks stylish and sleek taking up minimal space. The greatest demands and attention were made by this audio and home cinema system creating a luxurious designed room with traditional Arabic touches in a contemporary décor; this is a very impressive space.

The apartment includes a vast terrace and garden that is used for outdoor lounging, entertaining and dining as the outdoor space is designed as an extension of the indoor living area.

The terrace is elegantly laid out with tiles imported from Saudi Arabia, Moroccan lamps, mosaic tables and lounge cabanas that include modern yet comfortable sofas and colorful cushions.

Outdoor sound includes the discreet multi-purpose Artcoustic Diablo Target Speakers cabled by Monster Cable. These on-wall configurations are fully waterproof for outdoor use, extremely versatile and can be used as in-wall and in-ceiling speakers and distribute sound evenly. These speakers feature a rippled dome tweeter that produces consistent, uniform high frequency performance and ensure you don’t have to compromise your décor to achieve great sound quality.