PSB CS AIC 860

The PSB CS AIC 860 is an in-ceiling speaker featuring an angled baffle and acoustic technologies tailored for precise sound spatialization. Designed for home theater and stereo installations, it delivers sound from the ceiling while providing a listening experience that feels more centered on the seating area.

An angular design that defies acoustic norms

The fundamental feature of the CS AIC 860 lies in its 15-degree angled baffle, a technical approach that sets this speaker apart from conventional in-ceiling models. This tilt isn’t just an aesthetic flourish—it enables optimal acoustic dispersion that projects sound downward and forward, directly toward your listening position.

Paul Barton, PSB’s founder and chief designer, meticulously addressed acoustic refraction, a common issue that typically reveals the location of angled ceiling speakers. Thanks to a carefully engineered design developed in the anechoic chambers of the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa, the CS AIC 860 minimizes this undesirable effect. The result? A coherent, expansive sound field that seems to emanate naturally from the chosen listening space rather than the ceiling.

The 6.5-inch woofer, built with a carbon fiber–reinforced polypropylene cone, provides rigidity and lightness—two essential characteristics for accurate low-frequency reproduction. This technology, directly inherited from PSB’s flagship Imagine T3 series, ensures higher sensitivity, remarkable bass extension, and reduced harmonic distortion, even at elevated volume levels.

Advanced technologies and personalized adjustments

The one-inch titanium tweeter deserves special attention. Equipped with a custom-designed waveguide and a ball-joint pivot system, this driver can be precisely aimed at the listening area. Ferrofluid ensures efficient cooling while the neodymium magnet provides a powerful, stable magnetic field. This configuration allows the tweeter to reach lower crossover points, creating a seamless transition with the woofer in the critical crossover region.

Independent level switches for the tweeter and woofer are a major asset of the CS AIC 860. Each switch offers two positions: 0 dB and +3 dB, allowing fine tuning of the frequency response to the specific acoustic characteristics of each room. This flexibility guarantees optimal musical balance whether the speaker is installed in a compact home theater or a large living space.

The precision crossover network ensures a smooth transition between drivers. Gold-plated spring terminals accept cables up to 12 AWG, ensuring a reliable connection and lossless signal transmission. This attention to connectivity details reflects PSB’s uncompromising approach to the speaker’s design.

Simplified installation and aesthetic flexibility

Installation of the CS AIC 860 has been designed for both simplicity and reliability. The mounting system uses four robust dogleg clamps that provide secure retention in the ceiling. Included cutout templates make opening preparation easy, while the 245 mm mounting diameter remains within industry standards.

PSB provides two types of frameless magnetic grilles: one round and one square. This dual option enables perfect visual integration according to aesthetic preferences or architectural constraints. The grilles use high-strength magnets for invisible, secure attachment. The acoustically transparent fabric ensures optimal sound dispersion without coloration, and the grilles can be repainted to blend seamlessly with any ceiling.

Acoustic performance and practical usage

With a frequency response extending from 48 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB), the CS AIC 860 offers remarkably wide spectral coverage for an in-ceiling speaker. The 88 dB sensitivity under real-world listening conditions ensures efficient performance with moderately powered amplifiers (10 to 100 watts recommended).

The nominal impedance of 6 ohms with a minimum of 4 ohms presents a relatively easy load for most modern home theater amplifiers. This broad compatibility simplifies integration into existing systems without requiring an amplification upgrade.

For Dolby Atmos configurations, the CS AIC 860 excels as a height speaker. Its angular design and controlled dispersion create the desired elevation effect for convincing three-dimensional spatialization. Used in pairs or in larger arrays, these speakers transform any home theater into a truly enveloping system.

Technical Specifications

General Information

• Immersive audio with three-dimensional spatialization
• Reduced reverberation for an improved soundstage
• Balanced sound with deep bass and precise highs
• Discreet design that blends seamlessly into any environment
• Acoustic design and voicing by Paul Barton, founder and Creative Director of PSB
• Ideal for home theater installations and high-end audio systems

Acoustic Performance

• Frequency response: 48–20,000 Hz (±3 dB)
• Sensitivity: 86 dB (anechoic) / 88 dB (listening room)
• Nominal impedance: 6 Ω (minimum 4 Ω)
• Recommended amplifier power: 10–100 W

Transducers

• Tweeter: 25 mm titanium dome with ferrofluid
  • Integrated waveguide
  • Pivoting mount for optimal aiming
• Woofer: 165 mm carbon fiber–reinforced polypropylene
  • Rubber surround
  • Angled design for improved dispersion

Acoustic Tuning

• Individual level switches for tweeter and woofer
• Indexed settings for precise customization
• Adjustments tailored to any listening environment

Design and Installation

• Type: open-back design with optional integrated back box
• Grilles: perforated steel with white cloth, available round or square frameless
• Grille dimensions: Ø 272 mm
• Cutout diameter: Ø 245 mm
• Mounting depth with back box: 133 mm
• Weight: 2.3 kg per speaker
• Materials: ABS frame, white finish
• Installation: near-invisible ceiling integration

Connectivity

• Gold-plated spring terminals for 12 AWG cables
• Secure, reliable connection