RADIA SYSTEMS DESIGN GUIDE - BG Radia

R A D I A S Y S T E M S 

D E S I G N G U I D E 

Installation by Electronic Creations, Florida 

Installation by The Edge, Illinois 

Since 1994 BG Radia has been at the forefront of developing the world’s finest architectural 

speakers. Using patented Radia Planar Ribbon driver elements, BG Radia has produced a 

comprehensive line of award-winning speakers known for both their sound quality and their 

beautiful, unobtrusive design. Your enjoyment and your fine interior deserve nothing less! 

T h e P o w e r o f C l a r i t y

R e c o m m e n d e d S y s t e m s 

A b o u t T h i s P l a n n i n g G u i d e 

BG Radia Series speakers are world-renowned for their clarity, detail and powerful sound reproduction. 

Because of their design, they limit the confusing sound reflections from the ceiling and floor, creating 

greater clarity of dialog and accuracy of each musical instrument. All models use the same type of speaker 

drivers, so their tonal balance is perfectly matched no matter which combination of models you select to fit 

your room. This perfect voice-matching creates a seamless and enveloping sound field, so you’ll enjoy your 

music and movies as never before. 

Several system combinations are suggested in this guide, but feel free to work with your professional AV 

designer to select the perfect complement of speakers to best fit the size and layout of your entertainment 

room. No matter which models you choose, you’ll soon be enjoying BG Radia’s Power of Clarity. 

Small Room Theater 

For high-performance in a smaller room, use three matched SA-320 speakers for the main left, center and 

right channels. Add a pair of SS-202 surrounds for a very spacious and enveloping soundfield. Finish off 

your theater system by utilizing two BGX-S6S subwoofer modules, built into the walls or ceiling or furniture, 

along with their companion BGX-A2 amplifier. 

Mid-Sized Room Theater 

If your room is a bit larger, consider upgrading to a pair of SA-500 left-right speakers, coupled with an 

SA-320 for the all-important center channel. Surround duties will again be covered by a pair of SS-202 

speakers, and you’ll use four of the BGX-S6B subwoofer modules. 

2 

A l l r e a l - w o r l d r o o m s h a v e d i f f e r e n t s o n i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a n d f l a w s . 

Installation by Total Entertainment Solutions, Virginia

T h e Po w e r O f C l a r i t y 

LARGE ROOM THEATER DESIGN CHALLENGES 

Is your entertainment room fairly large? Does it have hard floors or lots of windows? Are the ceilings coved, 

vaulted, trayed, or using some other architectural detail giving them varying levels? Often, large rooms 

also have multiple seating locations at a variety of distances from the speakers, and this makes for a lack 

of uniformity in how things sound to listeners in different seats. It can also create a difficult task in designing 

effective surround sound coverage for the large seating area, whether using a 5-channel or 7-channel format. 

BG Radia pioneered the use of line array speakers for the home, patterned on the technology long used in 

the professional audio world to provide even coverage over extremely large areas in churches, auditoriums 

and arenas. Tightly controlled vertical dispersion makes near-field reflections off the floor and ceiling a thing 

of the past, freeing your ears to focus on the direct sound from the speakers, with much less confusing 

room reverbaration. Dialog will be much easier to understand, and music will show more detail and clarity 

of each instrument and its location. 

Here are some examples of how to deal properly with large room acoustics: 

MEDIUM-LARGE ROOM THEATEr 

For a fairly large room, using a pair of LA-550 line 

arrays with a CC-LCR center channel is an ideal solution. 

Adding four SS-303 surround speakers will produce a 

very large diffuse soundfield, and two BGX-S12B subwoofer 

with a BGX-A2 amplifier will fill up to 2000 cubic feet 

with THX Select2 reference sound. 

REFERENCE PRIVATE CINEMA SYSTEM 

To create a truly world-class private cinema system, start with three of our flagship LA-800 in front, and four 

LA-600 for line array surrounds to give balanced output and even coverage in your large room’s seating 

area. Add two LA-550 for front width channels if you have the newest surround technology. Finish up with 

a double THX Ultra2 BGX subwoofer system, using eight BGX-S12B sub modules and four BGX-A2 amplifiers. 

You’ll have one of the finest theaters in the world, and never want to leave! 

H e r e a r e s o m e e x a m p l e s o f h o w B G R a d i a h e l p s t o c o r r e c t t h o s e f l a w s . 

3

L e a r n A b o u t B G R a d i a Te c h n o l o g i e s 

An Introduction to Radia Series Architectural Speakers and Subwoofers 

The Radia Series have been called the most musically satisfying and 

architecturally friendly custom speaker systems available today. Through 

a revolutionary mix of sonic performance and elegance, the Radia Series 

frees both client and designer from accepting compromises in sound or 

look. Fine interiors deserve nothing less. 

Radia Series main speaker systems draw upon BG’s very special 

proprietary technology, the planar ribbon transducer, a component 

often found in the world’s finest speaker systems. Each model’s 

distinctive slender shape and stunning performance is the result of our 

use of this special technology. 

Planar ribbon transducers form the heart of all these exceptional designs. 

Only planars can do away with conventional technologies and their 

necessary complexity and size. The result is crystal-clear delivery of sound. 

Here Is Why BG Radia Is The Best Choice For Your Entertainment Systems 

Installation by The Edge, Illinois 

The planars’ ultra-light diaphragm (actually lighter than the air it 

excites) responds instantly. The sound is fast and open in the 

tradition of the finest audiophile systems. Planar line-sources and 

symmetrical arrays deliver excellent horizontal dispersion, allowing 

a listener to move freely about the space and giving a wider “sweet 

spot” for multiple listeners. The speakers’ long vertical dimension 

eliminates acoustic reflections from ceiling and floor, giving cleaner, 

purer sound. 

The physics of this soundfield propagation drives sound uniformly throughout the listening space with 

much less change in loudness from front to back - half as much in fact. It’s perfect for home theaters and for 

large multi-purpose rooms. 

There are many different schools of thought as to design 

and layout of surround sound speakers. The Radia Series 

offers direct radiators, line-source models and diffuse 

field surround speakers, so no matter what your taste 

or room layout, a perfectly matched Radia Series system 

can be designed just for you. 

Installation by Total Entertainment 

Solutions, Virginia 

Radia BGX subwoofers are placed in multiple locations 

to create even bass response throughout the room, 

yet are shallow enough to go inside walls and furniture. 

There is nothing else like them in the world. 

Installation by Miro Sound & Vision, Hong Kong 

Finally,the Radia Series models, while physically slender and shallow, are acoustically large devices with 

enormous power handling and are capable of producing impressive soundstage size, volume and impact. 

4 

B G R a d i a o f f e r s p r o d u c t s t o s o l v e n e a r l y a n y r o o m’s a c o u s t i c a l c h a l l e n g e s .

We C a n F i l l Yo u r H o m e Wi t h E n t e r t a i n m e n t 

Depending on the size of your room and the desired level of performance, BG’s Radia Series speakers 

can be combined to create the ideal synthesis of performance and aesthetics. By relying on BG Radia 

and your professional systems integrator, world-class sound quality throughout your listening space 

will join with subtly elegant styling to give you T h e P o w e r o f C l a r i t y. 

LA-800 LA-600 LA-550 

S y s t e m Ty p e 3-way line array 3-way line array 2-way line array 

D r i v e r C o m p l e m e n t 

(2) 8” dual-gap long-throw woofers 

(6) Neo10 Wideband Planar Ribbon midranges 

(16) Neo3PDR Planar Ribbon tweeters 



(12) Neo3PDR Planar Ribbon tweeters 

F r e q u e n c y R e s p o n s e ( ± 3 d B ) 50 Hz - 20 kHz 50 Hz - 20 kHz 60 Hz - 20 kHz 

S e n s i t i v i t y ( a t 2 . 8 3 V / 1 M ) 91 dB 93 dB 92 dB 

N o m i n a l i m p e d a n c e 4 ohms 4 ohms 8 ohms 

A m p l i f i e r P o w e r, R M S 50 - 500 watts 50 - 500 watts 50 - 300 watts 

C r o s s o v e r f r e q u e n c y 280 Hz, 1.5 kHz 250 Hz, 1.5 kHz 270 Hz 

D i m e n s i o n s 

( H x W x I n s t a l l e d G r i l l e D ) 

81 7/16” x 11 5/8” x 1 3/16” 

(206.8 x 29.4 x 3.1 cm) 

63 5/8” x 11 5/8” x 1 3/16” 

(161.5 x 29.4 x 3.1 cm) 

(4) 5.25” Neodymium woofers 

(6) Neo8 Wideband Planar Ribbon 

midrange/tweeters 

73 1/4” x 7 1/8” x 11/16” 

(186.1 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm) 

W a l l C u t o u t S i z e 78 1/2” x 10 3/8” (199.4 x 26.4 cm) 60 3/4” x 10 3/8” (154.3 x 26.4 cm) 71 1/4” x 5 7/8” (181 x 15 cm) 

W e i g h t ( e a c h ) 70 pounds (32 kg) each 55 pounds (25 kg) each 35 pounds (15.9 kg) each 

CC-400 

CC-LCR 

S y s t e m Ty p e 

4-way symmetrical array 

3-way symmetrical array LCR 

with amplitude tapering in mid & high bands 



(4) Neo8 Planar Ribbon midranges 

(2) Neo3 Planar Ribbon tweeters 



(1) Neo3 Planar Ribbon tweeter 

F r e q u e n c y R e s p o n s e ( ± 3 d B ) 50 Hz - 20 kHz 50 Hz - 20 kHz 

S e n s i t i v i t y ( a t 2 . 8 3 V / 1 M ) 93 dB 88 dB 

N o m i n a l i m p e d a n c e 4 ohms 4 ohms 

R e c o m m e n d e d P o w e r, R M S 50 - 400 watts 50 - 200 watts 

C r o s s o v e r f r e q u e n c y 300 Hz, 1.5 kHz 450 Hz, 2.4 kHz 


35 15/16” x 10 3/8” x 1 3/16” 

32” x 11 5/8” x 1 3/16” 


(89.7 x 26.4 x 3.1 cm) 

(81.3 x 29.4 x 3.1 cm) 

W a l l C u t o u t S i z e 47” x 5 7/8” (119.4 x 15.2 cm) 29 1/16” x 10 3/8” (73.8 x 26.4 cm) 

W e i g h t ( e a c h ) 36 pounds (16 kg) each 34 pounds (15.3 kg) each 

A l l R a d i a s p e a k e r s c o m e i n y o u r c h o i c e o f w h i t e o r b l a c k f i n i s h , a n d c a n b e p a i n t e d t o m a t c h y o u r d é c o r. 

5

We C a n F i l l Yo u r H o m e Wi t h E n t e r t a i n m e n t 

SA-500 SA-320 SA-200 

S y s t e m Ty p e 3-way symmetrical array 3-way symmetrical array 2-way symmetrical array 


(4) 5 ¼” Neodymium woofers 


(1) Neo3 Planar Ribbon tweeter 



(1) Neo3PDR Planar Ribbon tweeter 


(1) Neo3PDR Planar Ribbon tweeter 

F r e q u e n c y R e s p o n s e ( ± 3 d B ) 50 Hz - 20 kHz 50 Hz - 20 kHz 60 Hz - 20 kHz 

S e n s i t i v i t y ( a t 2 . 8 3 V / 1 M ) 91 dB 88 dB 88 dB 

N o m i n a l i m p e d a n c e 8 ohms 4 ohms 4 ohms 

A m p l i f i e r P o w e r, R M S 50 - 300 watts 50 - 200 watts 50 - 150 watts 

C r o s s o v e r f r e q u e n c y 300 Hz, 2.2 kHz 450 Hz, 2.4 kHz 2 kHz 



48 15/16” x 7 1/8” x 11/16” 

(124.2 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm) 

34 3/16” x 7 1/8” x 11/16” 

(86.7 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm) 

19 3/4” x 7 1/8” x 11/16” 

(50.2 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm) 

W a l l C u t o u t S i z e 47” x 5 7/8” (119.4 x 15 cm) 32 5/16” x 5 7/8” (82 x 15 cm) 17 7/8” x 5 7/8” (45.4 x 15 cm) 

W e i g h t ( e a c h ) 29 pounds (13 kg) each 14.2 pounds (6.5 kg) each 6.5 pounds (3 kg) each 

SS-303 

SS-202 



F r e q u e n c y R e s p o n s e ( ± 3 d B ) 

S e n s i t i v i t y ( a t 2 . 8 3 V / 1 M ) 

N o m i n a l i m p e d a n c e 

A m p l i f i e r P o w e r, R M S 

C r o s s o v e r f r e q u e n c y 



W a l l C u t o u t S i z e 

W e i g h t ( e a c h ) 

3-way diffuse-field surround 




50 Hz - 20 kHz 

93 dB 

8 ohms 

50 - 200 watts 

300 Hz, 2.4 kHz 

32” x 11 5/8” x 1 3/16” 

(81.3 x 29.4 x 3.1 cm) 

29 1/16” x 10 3/8” (73.8 x 26.4 cm) 

39 pounds (17.7 kg) each 

2-way diffuse-field surround 

(4) 4” Neodymium woofers 


70 Hz - 20 kHz 

90 dB 

8 ohms 

50 - 120 watts 

1.7 kHz 

13 1/8” x 11 5/8” x 11/16” 

(33.3 x 29.4 x 1.8 cm) 

10 1/4” x 10 3/8” (26 x 26.4 cm) 


Installation by Strack Systems, 

Pennsylvania 

6 

B G d a m p e d e x t r u d e d a l u m i n u m b a c k b o x e s a r e r e c o m m e n d e d f o r a l l a r c h i t e c t u r a l s p e a k e r s 

t o m o r e e f f e c t i v e l y i s o l a t e s o u n d f r o m a d j o i n i n g s p a c e s , a n d t o c r e a t e a b e t t e r a c o u s t i c s e a l w i t h t h e w a l l.

B G R a d i a O f f e r s P r o d u c t s t o S o l v e N e a r l y A n y R o o m ’s A c o u s t i c a l C h a l l e n g e s 

BGX-A2 


P e r f o r m a n c e C r i t e r i a 

C o n n e c t i o n s 

L o w - P a s s F i l t e r 

E Q 

C o n t r o l 


W e i g h t 

BGX Subwoofer System Amplifier 

THX Ultra2 certified (when used with four BGX-S12B 

sub modules). 

2-channel DSP amplifier @ 600 w/ch continuous, 

1000 w/ch dynamic power. 

Balanced or Unbalanced inputs 

Loop-through amp output to additional BGX-A2 amp 

Four 5-way binding posts to connect sub modules 

Variable 40-160 Hz digital crossover 

Three selectable EQ curves: THX, Music and Movie 

IR, 12VDC or RS-232 control 

17” x 3 7/8” x 17 5/8” (43.2 x 9.8 x 44.8 cm) with feet 

18 ¾” x 3.5” x 17 5/8” (47.6 x 8.9 x 44.8 cm) with 

included 2U rack ears(IR remote control included) 


Installation by Miro Sound & Vision, Hong Kong 

BGX-S12B 

BGX-S6B 

S y s t e m Ty p e BGX Subwoofer, built-in module BGX Subwoofer, built-in module 

T H X L o w F r e q u e n c y E x t e n s i o n 25 Hz @ -3 dB, 20 Hz @ -6 dB 25 Hz @ -3 dB, 20 Hz @ -6 dB 

T H X O u t p u t L e v e l 

M o d u l e D i m e n s i o n s ( H x W x D ) 

(Height and width are the wall 

cutout size when housed in their 

NCB12 or NCB6 mounting brackets) 

Capable of THX Reference Level (85 dB 

continuous level, 105 dB peak level) 

THX Ultra2 = up to 3000 cubic feet (85 cubic 

meters) with four BGX-S12B sub modules, and 

two BGX-A2 amplifiers. 

THX Select = up to 2000 cubic feet (57 

cubic meters) with two BGX-S12B sub 

modules, and one BGX-A2 amplifier. 

G r i l l e D i m e n s i o n s Wide Grille: 29 1/2” x 15 3/16” x 1 5/16“ 

(75 x 38.6 x 3.3 cm) 

Narrow Grille: 28” x 7 1/8” x 11/16“ 

(71.1 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm) 

Capable of THX Reference Level (8 5 dB 

continuous level, 105 dB peak level) 

THX Select = up to 2000 cubic feet 

(57 cubic meters) with four BGX-S6B sub 

modules, and one BGX-A2 amplifier. 

26 5/8” x 14” x 4” (67.6 x 35.6 x 10.2 cm) 14 9/16” x 14” x 4” (37 x 35.6 x 10.2 cm) 

Wide Grille: 17 1/2” x 15 3/16” x 1 5/16“ 

(44.5 x 38.6 x 3.3 cm) 

Narrow Grille: 16” x 7 1/8” x 11/16” 

(40.1 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm) 

W e i g h t ( e a c h ) 30 pounds (13.6 kg) each 16 pounds (7.3 kg) each 

F o r f u r t h e r t e c h n i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e a t w w w. b g r a d i a . c o m 

7

W h a t T h e E x p e r t s S a y 

Please note when reading these review excerpts that our model numbers have changed prefixes, although the 

speakers remain the same. For example, R-800 & R-600 (for Radia series) have become LA-800 & LA-600 (for Line 

Array) to indicate their purpose and best applications. BGX-4850 indicates a subwoofer system using four BGX-S12B 

sub modules. 

“R-800 sets a new standard in transparency, definition and detail…They are a giant step forward in architectural 

loudspeakers… Describing the sound quality of the BG Radia R-800s with words doesn’t match the experience of 

hearing them.” 

Home Theater, June 2006 

“BG Radia’s R-800 is a complete loudspeaker system that creates new benchmarks in sensitivity, output and accuracy. 

Cool because it delivers this impressive performance from a speaker that fits into a standard wall.” 

Electronic House, 2006 Product of the Year 

“I highly recommend the BG Radia R-600 loudspeakers…You’re in for an audio delight…If you are a critical listener 

you should audition them. If you are NOT a critical listener you’ll become one after listening to the Radia R-600s.” 

Widescreen Review, September 2006 

“I put the BGX-4850 through its paces using music and movie sources that have the best and sometimes the most 

difficult bass to reproduce. Undeniably, the BGX-4850 is one of the best subwoofers I’ve ever heard, anywhere.” 

Home Entertainment, July/August 2009 

“I dug out my 3-disc set of actual Saturn V launch footage taken by NASA cameras, some of which were located right 

on the launch pad. Hearing the actual audio, including a bird or two in the background before all hell breaks loose, 

is almost frightening. The BGX-4850 system was superb in its reproduction of the sonic fury…Reviewers often use the 

term effortless to describe speakers, and the word applies here except that it doesn’t go far enough…It’s not only the 

best in-wall subwoofer I’ve reviewed, it’s one of the best subwoofers of any configuration that I’ve heard.” 

Home Theater, November 2009 

BGX Subwoofer System awards: 2009 CEA Mark of Excellence Platinum Award (sub of the year); 2009 RESI Award 

as one of top ten products of year; 2009 CEDIA Manufacturer Excellence Award as one of top ten products of year; 

2009 finalist for CE Pro Product of the Year & one of their top ten products of the year; Home Entertainment top ten 

product of 2009; Custom Retailer Excite Award as one of top ten products of 2008 

Warranty 

BG Radia products are proudly designed and engineered in the USA, and most of our products are also assembled 

right here in our American factory. Because of the control this gives us over the products’ quality, we are pleased to offer 

a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser of all of our loudspeakers. Our amplifiers are covered by a Limited 

Five-Year Warranty to the original purchaser. These warranties cover both parts and labor, and express our confidence 

in the quality and reliability of our products. 

BG Radia has determined that a satisfactory customer experience requires system design, product delivery and set-up, 

and after-sale service and support that can only be provided by an Authorized Dealer. BG Radia therefore sells only 

through Authorized custom installers or retail dealers. For these reasons it is not possible to purchase BG Radia products 

on the Internet, on eBay from an Authorized dealer, or from a non-authorized dealer. BG Radia products purchased on 

the Internet, or from non-authorized dealers, ARE NOT COVERED BY BG RADIA’S LIFETIME WARRANTY (on all speakers, 

five years on amplifiers). 

3 5 3 5 A r r o w h e a d D r i v e · C a r s o n C i t y, N V 8 9 7 0 6 · p h o n e 7 7 5 - 8 8 4 - 1 9 0 0 · t o l l f r e e 8 8 8 - 8 P L A N A R ( 8 8 8 - 8 7 5 - 2 6 2 7 ) 

i n t e r n e t w w w. b g r a d i a . c o m · e m a i l s a l e s @ b g r a d i a . c o m 

© C o p y r i g h t 2 0 1 0 B G R a d i a C o r p. A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . P r o d u c t s , f e a t u r e s a n d s p e c i f i c a t i o n s s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e w i t h o u t n o t i c e . 

T h e P o w e r o f C l a r i t y

RADIA SYSTEMS DESIGN GUIDE - BG Radia

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