Atlantic Technology has added a new center channel speaker in the form of the 8600eC — measuring 68x14x15 inches — yes, it’s giant-sized. It integrates a D’Appolito/M-T-M array consisting of four 6.5-inch fiberglass woofers with two 5.25-inch fiberglass mid-drivers and a 1-inch aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter internally isolated within their own airtight sub-enclosure.

Like the company’s new flagship 8600eLR towers, the speaker incorporates a fourth-order Butterworth asymmetrical time-aligned Linkwitz-Riley crossover with bi-wire inputs. Finish options match the towers and come in high-gloss lacquered Makassar Ebony or luxurious Gloss Piano Black.

The 8600e home theater system consists of the 8600eLR tower speakers, 8600eC center channel and new SBT500 or SBT1000 high-powered dual-driver subwoofers. The towers and center are voice matched to each other and compatible with other high-performance Atlantic Technology surrounds, subwoofers and architectural speakers for maximum versatility in creating custom surround or immersive audio systems.

The center channel is critical to deliver dialogue, music and special effects to hear every nuance no matter the source. The 8600eC employs seven drivers, a crossover with bi-wire capability and acoustic optimization controls matched to the 8600eLR floor-standing LR speakers ensuring sounds move across the front channels.

The 8600eC can be placed above, below or behind an acoustically transparent projection screen. It incorporates the trademark Atlantic pivoting base which tilts the 8600eC vertically optimizing sound to the listener’s seating position. Built-in compensation controls further optimize the system for any placement and room acoustics providing the ultimate in flexibility and performance for today’s high-end installations.

The 8600eC features internally braced .75-inch non-resonant MDF cabinets with seven new drivers configured in a D’Appolito/M-T-M vertical array; four 6.5-inch fiberglass woofers, two 5.25-inch fiberglass mid-drivers, and an advanced 1-inch silk dome tweeter with a powerful neodymium magnet. The midrange and tweeter drivers are internally isolated within their own airtight sub-enclosure. Typical D’Appolito systems often arrange the center M-T-M drivers horizontally vs. the correct vertical array of the L/R speakers. This creates undesirable comb-filtering effects for inconsistent intelligibility across listening positions. With the 8600, everyone gets clear un-compromised sound quality.

Like the 8600eLR’s, the crossover is a fourth-order Butterworth asymmetrical time-aligned Linkwitz-Riley design with bi-wire inputs to maximize power transfer and maintain optimum amplifier damping factor for bass control. 24K gold-plated terminals secure large gauge speaker cable or accept banana plugs. 24K gold-plated terminal jumper links are used when bi-wiring is not employed. A high-sensitivity spec of 93 decibels with power handling of up to 300 watts makes the 8600eC a solution for high-performance, large-room systems.