BIC America Acoustech PL-980 Tower Speakers (Pair)

BIC America Acoustech PL-980 Tower Speakers (Pair)

The BIC America Acoustech PL-980 is a three-way, six-driver floorstanding loudspeaker, supplied here as a pair for stereo music and the front channels of a home theatre system. Its design takes a different route from most towers at its level: alongside two active woofers it uses two passive radiators, a closed-back midrange driver and a horn-loaded high-frequency unit, a combination intended for high sensitivity and strong dynamics.

Key features

• Three-way, six-driver layout: separate drivers for bass, midrange and high frequencies in each cabinet.
• Dual active woofers: two 8-inch woofers handle low-frequency output.
• Dual passive radiators: two 8-inch passive radiators support bass extension without a conventional port.
• Horn high-frequency driver: 6.5-inch mid and high-frequency horn designed for high output and efficiency.
• 98 dB sensitivity: high sensitivity means strong output levels from modest amplifier power.
• 300 W power handling: rated for amplifiers from 10 to 300 W per channel.

Driver arrangement

Each PL-980 uses two powered 8-inch woofers working with two 8-inch passive radiators. Passive radiators move in response to air pressure inside the cabinet rather than receiving amplifier power directly, extending low-frequency output from the enclosure. A 5-inch closed-back midrange driver sits between the bass section and the horn; sealing the midrange in its own enclosure keeps bass pressure from modulating it, which helps vocal clarity. The horn unit covers the upper range with the efficiency that horn loading provides.

Output and frequency range

BIC rates frequency response at 22 Hz to 23 kHz and sensitivity at 98 dB. That sensitivity figure is the defining characteristic of the design: a speaker this efficient reaches a given listening level with far less amplifier power than a typical low-sensitivity tower, and it retains headroom for film peaks when paired with a capable AV receiver or stereo amplifier. Power handling is quoted at 10 to 300 W per channel, giving a wide choice of amplification, from modest integrated amplifiers used at sensible levels to larger units for bigger rooms.

Cabinet and finish

The cabinets are finished in hand-rubbed black lacquer, giving the tall enclosures a furniture-like gloss rather than a plain vinyl wrap. Gold-plated terminals are fitted for speaker cable connection. Each speaker stands about 47 inches tall, with a footprint of roughly 12.5 x 12 inches, so the pair needs proper floor space and benefits from careful placement away from rear and side walls, with a slight toe-in toward the main listening position commonly used for horn designs.

Music and home theatre use

As a stereo pair, the PL-980 covers the full range without requiring a subwoofer for most music. In a home theatre, the same pair forms a powerful front stage, and its sensitivity makes it a natural match for the other Acoustech models when building a matched surround system with a centre channel and surrounds from the same family.

For listeners who value dynamics, efficiency and full-range output from a traditional tower cabinet, the PL-980 remains the flagship expression of the Acoustech approach.