Atlantic Technology 8200 System manual W R E V I E W S

N E W R E V I E W S

Parametric equalizers

(right) in the SA8200 offer controls that select the fre- quency being adjusted, the size of the frequency band affected by the adjustment,

and the amount that the

equalizer boosts or cuts the

affected frequency band.

readily apparent; such individuality is, in my opinion, a downside. As with distinctive personalities like Cher or Kid Rock, a brief meeting with an idiosyncratic speaker might amuse, but you would tire of it if it were present every day.To my joy, the

8200 system initially reveals no char- acter at all, which I consider the mark of an excellent speaker. I feel my DVDs sound almost exactly as they did on the dubbing stage where the soundtracks were produced.

I start with two of the PedWoofers and promptly upgrade to four—the number required to meet THX Ultra2 performance standards. Two sound good; the PedWoofer’s medi- um-sized 12-inch speaker cone produces a sound that is noticeably more defined and precise than that of the 15-inch cones found in many large subwoofers. But moving up to four PedWoofers, driven by two of Atlantic Technology’s SA8200 sub- woofer amplifiers, smoothes out the sound and lets the system play louder.

For most of my listening, I turn the system up to Dolby reference level—the same level as in a com- mercial theater, which is really too loud for a home theater—just because I can. Even at such an extreme volume, the system never strains; the sound does not turn harsh or distorted. Rollicking soundtracks, such as the one on the Ice Age DVD, lend my home theater all the excite- ment of an amusement park ride.

Experiments with the switches on the backs of the 8200 LR left and

right speakers and the 8200 C center speaker further refine the sound. Prolonged listening and comparisons with the other two Ultra2 systems I have on hand reveal a slightly bright, trebly sound when the switches are set to the “standard/THX” position, but one flip of a switch on each speaker tunes the treble exactly to my liking. Your installer, by the way, will be happy to set these switches for you—no technical expertise on your part is required.

Although another THX Ultra2 system might be more appropriate for your particular situation, the At- lantic proves my favorite overall because it sounds a little better than the other two I have tried. It pro- duces a pleasing, enveloping sound with my stereo CDs—a feat few other THX-approved speakers achieve—and also sounds great with surround-sound music from SACD and DVD-Audio discs. Part of the credit for this versatility goes to the 8200 SR surround speakers, which can be set to produce a diffused sur- round-sound effect for movie soundtracks, or the more focused sound that works best for music.

It seems too tame a statement to say that anyone planning a large home theater should consider this system. Honestly, I would recom- mend it to anyone without the slightest hesitation. It is simply one of the best speaker systems ever to pass through my listening room. For in-depth technical measurements and data, visit www.hedmag.com.