REALISM AND AUTHENTICITY DRIVE GROWTH IN RACING SIMULATORS

A MERRY OLD TIME AT MERIDIAN

Has Meridian pushed speaker performance even higher?

EI spent a great day at the recent the DbM event, enjoying many new introductions from established brands in the group, Meridian Audio itself as well as an intriguing new brand too.

The demonstration parts of these regular events are always a big highlight. This year was no different with lots of great audio-visual treats to experience, however it has to be said at EI’s favourite on the day was the highly impressive new DSP8000 XE Meridian speaker.

The company’s Extreme Engineering Programme commenced more than six years ago and was tasked with ringing every last drop out of Meridian’s approach to delivering an authentic, natural and lifelike listening experience. The programme was established to re-imagine each element of Meridian’s system approach, including software and hardware platforms. Meridian’s flagship DSP8000 XE is the first product to benefit fully from this programme. The speaker is built on a brand-new audio architecture, using higher specification, more powerful components and leveraging all of Meridian’s expertise in psychoacoustics. It sees the first implementation of the Precision Sonic Transport design concept – a new way of using innovative techniques and processes to ensure the entire journey taken by an audio signal through a Meridian product maintains maximum sonic fidelity. The all-new Atlas Software Core is described as a future facing audio processing and control platform and is host to Meridian’s most powerful DSP engine to date. Atlas Software Core enables the implementation of new enhancement technologies and features, allowing more performance to be extracted and delivered from Meridian’s existing proprietary audio technologies. The powerful processing means there’s huge flexibility with loudspeaker placement with the product well suited to the home installation market and can deliver an impressive experience for music, movies and media in all types of listening environment. Signal conditioning technologies such as True Link, Digital Precision, True Time and Q-Sync make the most of the digital audio signal delivered to the DSP8000 XE.

Barry Sheldrick, Director of Sales at Merdian Audio, says, “I’ve been hosting plenty of demonstrations of our new DSP8000 XE speakers and the best part for everyone is that I honestly don’t have to say anything.

“The look on the faces of the people and their natural response is absolute gold dust. They are genuinely lost for words and smiling in equal measure, itching to share what they have heard (usually for the first time) on a favourite track they have played, perhaps, thousands of times before.”

Barry adds, “They talk about how wide the sound stage is, how they feel like they are in the recording and, generally, find it hard to stop playing song after song! It’s the same story in our Reference Theatre. The sheer power and scale of three DSP8000 XE loudspeakers blows everyone away. They have a tremendous presence and authority which most people simply have never experienced before and, in a home cinema environment, they sound absolutely unreal!

“The great thing is that it gets all of us talking excitedly about high quality audio in an inclusive way; this isn’t just an experience that audio geeks get excited about, this is one that absolutely everyone enjoys.”

GO BIG AND GO HOME

Elsewhere, DbM was showcasing ‘the next and best big thing’ for large, open plan media rooms with the 3000mm wide Modular Seamless Display (MSD) from LG that will be fully supported with an attractive package for integrators, covering delivery and installation right through to aftercare and maintenance.

The new MSD 3000 from LG is bigger by a huge 38in than any conventional TV display. Perfect for bright environments, it features 3 in 1 surface mounted diodes (SMD) and fine pitch RGB LED technology to deliver a vivid, punchy image with bold colours and strong contrast for large living rooms and open plan spaces. Comprising of 72 individual tiles, the SMDs deliver an impressive quality of picture at a wide viewing angle with no screen burn.

PMC, CREATING SUPREME DOLBY ATMOS MIXES AND DELIVERING A TRULY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE.

The company showcased a new partnership with LG

The product can be fitted into living spaces with a unique, Scandinavian-designed free standing or wall mounted solution to provide an attractive aesthetic finish in contemporary interiors.

Barry says, “This high-quality screen meets a growing client demand for large displays in big, well-lit spaces. Using all LG’s know-how, the picture quality is superb and we’re excited that we can bring it to market at a very competitive price. If clients want to go big with a premium viewing experience, then this is absolutely the rewarding and trouble-free path that integrators can now take.”

Delivering an impressive and knowledgeable presentation of its high performance multi zone audio system team from nexgentec offered a real insight into what the brand can offer. Integrators working in the high-end residential and superyacht sector can now benefit from this adaptable, highly expandable approach.

“Audio over IP is an increasingly popular option for integrators, seeking to offer a scalable, fully flexible and high-performance audio solution on their projects,” says Barry, “nexgentec is the innovative brand that’s spearheading the AoIP solution and we’re delighted to partner with them and supply their exceptional range into the UK and EIRE.” nexgentec empowers the IP network for audio distribution using its pioneering implementation and bespoke innovations, including Dante and AES76 technology. Renowned for reliability and high performance, nexgentec’s extensive range of digital signal processors, amplifiers and digital and multichannel audio-interfaces work together to distribute clear audio signals from any source to any zone over a home or superyacht’s network infrastructure. Patching and routing become logical functions configured in the nexgentec software, not via physical wired links. Loudspeakers can be connected via a single network cable and nexgentec says its approach has also been designed to eliminate the need and limitations of AV matrixes in traditional audio distribution systems whilst always retaining the integrity and quality of the audio signal in transmission. Integrators can also access and control nexgentec powered audio systems remotely.

Rico Vögeli, CEO of nexgentec explains, “We want to optimise solutions that work for the end client, the specialist installer and for the environment. This is a challenging market, which demands the best and so helps us to find new and better solutions every day. We pioneered network-based audio solutions over seven years ago. Finally, the whole superyacht and high-end residential market is now ready for these innovations, and we look forward to working with DbM to substantially grow the UK presence for nexgentec AoIP.”

A HOME CINEMA DEITY

Also on permanent demonstration at DbM HQ is the Freya DCI home cinema projector, also on show during the open day. Barry explains, “Having a Barco Freya projector on permanent demonstration was a serious commitment for DbM but is totally worth it! Our Reference Cinema experience now combines insane audio and incredible video, with the performance of our DSP8000 XE speakers and the Freya projector complementing each other perfectly.

“The ability to show a DCI projector to our dealers and their clients is a complete game-changer. Elevating the concept of just what is possible with cutting edge projection technology helps people understand the power of creating an amazing image, and then creates just that!

“The Freya produces a picture of jawdropping quality; vibrantly rich colour, awesome contrast and pin-sharp optics. Partnered with our design and specification service, DbM is making it easier than ever for our partners to pitch, design and build incredible home cinema experience for their clients.”

DbM distributedbym.com

REALISM AND AUTHENTICITY DRIVE GROWTH IN RACING SIMULATORS

Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE, talks home simulators and their rise in popularity for thrill-seeking clients

For many people, gaming is a hugely enjoyable way to spend a chunk of their free time, offering excitement, challenge and escapism. For most amateur gamers, a standard console-based setup, perhaps enhanced with additional consumer-level devices like steering wheels and pedals is enough. But what about those people who demand a realistic experience, rather than just a gaming experience? When it comes to racing sims, individuals wanting a high level of immersion and authenticity are the perfect client for custom designed and built professional simulators that will test their driving skills at the highest level.

Custom-made sims for the home have grown in popularity over the last few years, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1% from 2020 to 2027, forecast by Grand View Research. Pro based simulators provide a deeply realistic environment that simply can’t be replicated by a mainstream gaming solution, and it’s this that’s driving market demand. While amateur gamers may be seduced by the fun of racing around a track using consumer-grade devices, professional simulators far exceed this, offering opportunities for driver training and competitive racing; it’s even possible to be trained by or race in real-time with professional drivers and race engineers.

The developing demand for custom sims is an example of how the high-end smart home market is evolving. As smart home solutions increase in popularity, so does the desire for something unique – we’ve seen this with the recent boom in demand for custom control and home cinema rooms. The Integrated Home Market Analysis 2021 from CEDIA highlights that custom control represents the largest share of the residential integration market in the UK, valued at almost £250 million annually. Home cinema rooms are in third place at £145 million, showing the huge interest and potential this sector represents.

This report also finds that the luxury segment is where the majority of this work comes from, suggesting clients are willing to spend to get gaming and entertainment rooms that not only have the wow factor but also let them indulge their passions.

With an entry level price point of around 25K for a custom-built standalone professional grade simulator, we’re talking high-end home technology, but for affluent clients looking for a showstopping feature for their games room, a custom sim is the holy grail. And, for those with even deeper pockets, a bespoke sim, purposebuilt into a dedicated room, featuring a real race car chassis, giant wraparound projection screen and edge-blended projection, is the ultimate prize.

For those high-income clients who may also be time-poor, simulation is the best way to replicate driving high-performance cars without the need to book a track day or possibly damage their restored classic. Professional simulators are capable of delivering accurate and convincing feedback and replicating real steering torque from any race car offer the ultimate in realistic racing experiences. Software can also be enhanced within these systems to replicate any car and setup, so this goes way beyond playing a racing game on a console.

The market potential here is exciting and there for the taking. We’ve seen clients that have dedicated an entire room to their simulator, creating a fully immersive environment for pure escapism, and we expect more of this in the future. We also see more entry-level units gaining traction. What may be surprising is just how attractive these sims can be and how simple and reliable they are to use. Bulky metal rigs do not have to take up too much space in a cinema room. Realistic, high-quality design adds an element of cool to any space and using them is as simple as turning on the power, choosing your track and you’re off.

THE PLATFORM

At AWE we are the exclusive distributor of Base Performance Simulators (BPS) to the custom install market. BPS is one of the UK’s leading race simulation companies, led by three-time Le Mans winning Aston Martin factory driver, Darren Turner.

The next generation of architectural loudspeakers with tool-less installation, a unique pivoting system, and 21 speakers that fit into the same cut-out of 222mm, the Director Collection provides full-bodied, reliable sound from room to room.

Contact the Invision sales team for more information on the Origin Acoustics Director speakers

01359 270280 | sales@invisionuk.com

These sims are used by many pro-drivers up and down the pro racing scene.

With a focus on delivering an accurate, technically brilliant, authentic driving experience, a BPS simulator ensures drivers truly feel the ride as they learn circuits and car models. Carbon fibre seats, professional steering motors, custom pedal boxes and a unique powder coated steel frame add to the realism, while high end audio and video solutions fully immerse the driver to give that realistic experience that nothing else can deliver.

The most accessible model from BPS is Blade, a custom designed and built professional race simulator for the home user. It features the Precision Sim GPX Steering Wheel and runs a professional steering motor from Simucube. Blade is supplied with a speaker system and Sennheiser headset plus a 49in curved monitor with 120hz refresh rate as standard, although all of these can be upgraded. It runs Assetto Corsa software and a motion platform is optional.

Once drivers are hooked on the realism something like the Blade can provide, they can be tempted to look at the options for an even more professional driving experience, perhaps moving to dedicated sim rooms rather than fitting a Blade into their cinema or home entertainment space.

Options here include BPS GT, which is manufactured from a genuine racing chassis, such as an Aston Martin Vantage, and fitted with BPS developed hardware. These simulators were actually used by Aston Martin Racing at the 2020 Virtual Le Mans, so their realism and quality is guaranteed.

The market for professional simulators is only going to grow as awareness of the opportunities to have these incredible machines in home gaming rooms increases. From bespoke sims in purpose-designed rooms, to standalone solutions to fit any home entertainment space, specialist simulation systems offer something unique and BPS is at the forefront of this development.