SMART THINKING

LET’S HEAR IT FOR HIDDEN AUDIO!

The team at Redline identify a key driver from the world of audio that the company feels will deliver major benefits to end-users and installers in the immediate future.

Martin Morecroft, Managing Director for Redline, says, “The world of hidden audio has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. The technology broadly falls into two categories. We have DML panels (Distributed Mode Loudspeakers) supplied by Amina and Nakymatone, and Hybrid Invisible with a more conventional bass unit driving a large diaphragm, and DML Mid-HF supplied by Sonance and Stealth. There are also a plethora of less well known brands in the market. In recent years, all the major players have made significant improvements in the quality of their audio delivery, specification flexibility and ease of the installation. Both design approaches have pluses and minuses, and integrators need to consider when and where to deploy the correct product and technology.

“In our experience, when customers get to hear just how good these systems are now, it’s a genuine win-win. They want the aesthetic advantages of hidden audio and now they can have them with no compromise.

“Clearly these systems need to be correctly specified, well installed and properly voiced to deliver on the promise that hidden audio really deserves its place in the quality AV market. This is what our industry should be thriving on. Specialist systems and concepts that nobody but professional integrators can and should deliver. It’s what sets our industry apart and makes us special. There is a wealth of excellent guidance and training on how to install hidden audio, with technical on-site assistance becoming a more popular phenomenon with some suppliers.”

Warren Woodhouse, Marketing Manager, adds, “Clearly, it is true that in the past there were some compromises involved in hidden audio. However, this did not hinder the development of the sector. The aesthetic advantages were such a big plus for many customers, that invisible audio became an essential part of the end result. Now we find ourselves in a more mature position - technically. Hidden audio has come of age because now we can deliver quality audio performance as well as the essential invisibility.”

So what has changed in terms of the technical delivery of hidden audio for Redline to be this confident?

Martin argues, “Today’s invisible systems deliver a really attractive ‘big sound’ from their wide dispersion room filling approach. The wide dispersion sound is very engaging and ensures far better off-axis performance than with conventional technology speakers. Consider the context of a dedicated cinema. Invisible audio is not required and people often talk of the ‘best seat’ in the house. That obviously means some seats are not as good! With the characteristics of hidden audio systems, everyone gets all the detail, dynamics, scale and steering without the need to be in a specific place in the room.”

Martin adds, “Because they are not visible and produce such a wide sweet spot, placement options are far more lenient, allowing more flexibility with the design of the space. Hidden audio is a genuine ‘real world’ solution that can deliver unrivalled results for a wide variety of audio and audio-visual projects.”

Warren adds, “Picking up on Martin’s point about real world solutions. Imagine the potential market out there for high-quality family entertainment spaces. If we remember our own home life, do families sit statically and attentively simply watch what is on screen? or do they move around, sometimes chat whilst enjoying content? We see the evolution of hidden audio, matching precisely the needs of modern life. People want a genuine multimedia experience in their living space, watching, gaming, interacting online. They want to do it all and they want to do it together. Hidden audio can deliver all of that and do it exceptionally well.”

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Martin concurs, “Use cases for invisible panels are as wide as their dispersion! How many installers have had issues with bright sounding audio, in areas with hard surfaces?

“Hidden audio has a solution here as well. These systems (primarily DML based invisible products) work better in pools and areas with hard surfaces because they generate an incoherentphase wave form across their entire bandwidth. This type of wave form is less reactive to room reflections than a conventional speaker. These wave forms give a clearer, more audible sound with reduced harshness and reverberation.”

But what about bass, is this still a weaker part of the package?

Martin responds, “It’s true, they don’t dig as deep as conventional speakers. Hybrid panels are a little stronger in this area than DML panels at the moment. This is in part due to the size limitation of the panels and also the amount of movement produced in relation to the type of surface finish to be applied. However, this is not really an issue as there are now many high quality semi-hidden and hidden bass delivery options, this mean the low end and LFE is not compromised at all.”

Martin also argues for another advantage. “If we are aiming to install many more family entertainment systems we want those customers listening to their systems for long periods of time. The great news here is that hidden audio systems produce a noticeably non-fatiguing sound, even at louder levels. “Both DML and Hybrid DML panels deliver an unforced and generous sound when compared to most speaker systems, allowing longer listening time with far less chance of audio fatigue. A by-product of the panel technology also means that audio is crystal clear at normal volumes. The ‘presence band’ reproduction is excellent, not just for the all-important dialogue channel in entertainment systems, but a great solution for restaurants or any kind of meeting spaces where audio should not interfere with conversations.”

Returning to the use cases, Warren points out, “So we have all these wonderful technical advances in hidden audio giving people a genuinely qualitative experience. But it’s not just in terms of the audio that technology has improved. In recent times it has become possible to install hidden speakers behind a variety of different types of materials, not just standard plaster or dry-wall finishes. DML panels are especially strong in this area. Alternative surface materials including, wood veneer, leather, natural stone veneer, laminates, wet skim plaster, stucco and polished plaster, are now all on the room finishes menu. This really is an interior designer’s dream.

“And this is another key area for this technology. We in the custom install sector have sought for many years to build better relationships with the design community. In almost every case installing audio will compromise the look of their space. Starting a conversation and relationship on the back foot will result in conflict and unnecessary compromise. Today, designers have customers who actively request high-quality audio solutions. With modern invisibles, systems can be designed that have no visual footprint in the design space, meaning the design ambition remains intact and the customer gets the sound they want and the designer delivers their project unhindered, everybody wins.

“The same applies to period properties. These can also be a challenge. Almost any type of audio system that is visible in the building fabric is regarded as unacceptable. There is however, far greater planning flexibility when considering the installation of hidden audio systems.”

Martin adds, “Also don’t forget the ‘wow factor’ of entering a room with no visible form of delivering audio and hearing voluptuous room filling high quality sound. People really do respond to this so well.

“Many consumers would not install an immersive system because of the limitations on speaker placement and also because having 11+ conventional speakers in their room is just a visual non-starter. Using invisibles starts a new and positive conversation with people who would have initially discounted a full system like this. Ultimately this technology offers previously untapped channels to market and we are convinced it’s a key part of where the CI market goes next. We distribute Amina hidden audio systems in the UK, and in conjunction with Amina offer a full design and consultation service. We will also officially launch our ‘white glove’ installation service for invisibles in Q1 2023. Give us a shout and find out how we can help you towards an invisible future!”

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