REDLINE

BUILDING THE RIGHT BASS

Are you missing out on the most important piece of your audio puzzle? Why does your system fall flat?

When it comes to making the most out of your audio budget, bass is (more often than not) an after-thought. In many cases subs are put where they can be fitted and not where they need to be.

Surprisingly, many consumers do not really understand the need for bass. They think of bass as loud and annoying. This is a misconception that has evolved over the years. It steers opinion leaving many people with poor sounding, unsatisfying systems that seem impossible to fix.

I only wish I had a pound for every time I have heard someone say “Why do I need a subwoofer? I don’t want to play the system loud.”

Bass is one the most fundamental parts of audio reproduction for music and media. Bass is the key to unlocking the full potential of your system and is the bedrock of the vast majority of modern program material. Bass is a Chameleon, adding subtle warmth to quiet passages of music while improving mid-range openness and listenability. Bass underpins TV and Film, providing invaluable acoustic information and not just loud bangs and crashes. When specified and deployed correctly, bass gives a breadth of scale, emotion and involvement to audio that just isn’t achievable without the integration of a quality subwoofer.

The most obvious problems with having dedicated bass in your system are, of course, the size, and correct location.

That big eyesore, sitting in the corner of the room rumbling away does not have to be there. If volume and sound pressure are the name of your game and you simply must have the best of the best, Velodyne’s passive SCIW-DVR should be on your short list. Its highly regarded ‘T’ shaped drive unit is capable of delivering the effortless weight that mid-size in room subwoofers are known for, while being housed within a wall/ceiling or within joinery. The only part of the subwoofer that is visible is the small designer grille or slots giving away its location.

There are indeed a plethora of industrious options capable of superb results without the big box problem.

Subwoofers like the all new Velodyne DB10. This super compact 10” in room subwoofer has a deft of touch, delivering superb timing with speed and subtlety as well as grabbing the room in a vice like grip during your favourite action film. All is this is packed into a 316 x 296 x 348mm cabinet.

Artison’s Reactance Cancelling RCC160/320 MK11 subs offer outstanding speed and clarity and feature one of the smallest bass ports on the market. They produce no physical vibration allowing them to be placed in locations that have previously been out of bounds to subs. These units are ideal for media-rooms and multi-room bass support. They have been designed to be used in multiples (up to 8 units driven from a single amplifier) to give an excellent even pressure load.

The world-renowned Totem Acoustic throws its hat into the subwoofer ring with the all new ‘Tribe Solution’ Sub. Offering superb timing and musicality from a very svelte, attractive package. At only 115mm deep (cabinet only) this Super slim dual 8in active unit can be stand mounted in room or, when placed on its back using the included rubber feet, slid under pretty much anything. From a bed to a sofa, giving far more placement options than a conventional sub.

Should you like to keep the much-lauded Totem Acoustic sonic pedigree but would prefer something a little more hidden away, their range of passive in-wall options in either dual 8” or dual 12” could be the perfect complement to your system. Giving stellar sonics while keeping a minimal look and completely removing that in-room Subwoofer box clutter. Obviously if the space and size limitations do not apply to you, we still have a stunning array of in room bass options from World Class suppliers. From the mighty Velodyne DD-18+, capable of delivering bass from the deepest, darkest depths of the frequency spectrum. To the all-new, mini but mighty MicroVee-X. A small powerhouse of bass if there ever was one.

Here at Redline we take bass seriously and have a fantastic range of bass solutions to fit all budgets and rooms. Maybe it is time to show bass the respect it deserves.

Redline red-line.co.uk

ORIGIN ACOUSTICS: 2021 AND BEYOND

Aaron Cattoir, Director of Marketing for Origin Acoustics and Ambisonic Systems, recounts his experience working for this innovative speaker maker.

My first week working at Origin Acoustics, Jeremy Burkhardt collected our entire team; sales, marketing, logistics, executives, and joined us together in a one-hour yoga session. In my mid-thirties - I had never attempted yoga before, and definitely not in front of my new co-workers. Yikes! Luckily, nearly all the other nervous-looking office dwellers were fresh to both Origin and yoga too. As we wiggled and strained and awkwardly avoided kicking each other, a not altogether foreign feeling stretched over me — a base calmness. I wasn’t nervous anymore, at least. My natural anxiety had blown further away with each breath, and now I was lying on the floor in serpent pose, having a wonderful time.

This hour, this initial experience, paved the road for my career here at Origin Acoustics. The personalities here have built the most authentic work culture I’ve ever experienced. We’re allowed to relish incredible music and revere the art of cinema as part of our daily work. So do many of you. What luck?

But in 2020, we lost some of that, right? The previous year, we hosted hundreds of integrators in Las Vegas, and we introduced most of them to yoga too! Suddenly, we spaced our office, sent people to work remotely, and we wear masks indoors. The distance grew. All was quiet. I’m sick to death of the monotony. Whilst I’ve been happy to lay low and help stop the spread of this invisible enemy, I am elated at the prospects of the coming year.

So, as we conquer this virus through diligence and science, the door is wide open to remaking your life and business. Let’s toss the rubbish out and keep the treasures. As the world re-opens, let’s make 2021 the most unbelievable year on record. Let’s manifest a year to remember for your employees, your customers and your business.

The hunger for home entertainment is more carnivorous than ever, with most home consumer electronics companies posting massive revenue increases (even as stores remain closed and people were stuck indoors). These trends will not go away in the foreseeable future. Consequently, now is the time to break into and pitch more categories. Outdoor audio for gardens, hybrid family-room/home cinemas, even whole-home distributed audio looks more and more attractive when you’ve been inhabiting the same space for months on end. We can be your partner in this growth. Our loudspeakers and equipment portfolio ranges from entrylevel to utter audiophile quality. Even more, we will train your team. Just get in touch, and we will schedule a time online or even in person if the global situation is willing. Let’s open new doors together.

While I am optimistic, I don’t need to say we are all looking at a rocky path ahead. Indeed, we will undoubtedly experience repercussions unimaged today. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio. But if you weren’t an adventurer, you would not be in this industry. As business owners and leaders, we have a unique responsibility to our associates. In our hands, each day, we hold the difference between a lousy commute home and a beautiful one. A night spent in worry or a night well slept. The small actions you unconsciously execute each day have an outsized impact on those around in your business.

These thoughts being said, I humbly ask that you remember it’s been difficult for your co-workers and employees too. They need your leadership right now more than ever. They need awkward yoga, pizza parties, pub nights, water balloon fights, thank you cards, and bonuses when they are deserved. They are more vulnerable than ever, and a small amount of support shown now will be returned by them five-fold: in their work, their attitudes, and their loyalty. You have, perhaps, the most exciting and unique opportunity in your life this upcoming year. Let’s make the most out of it.

Aaron Cattoir is the Director of Marketing for Origin Acoustics and Ambisonic Systems. He’s been a professional musician, business owner, pawn broker, photographer, and web developer before joining Origin Acoustics in 2017. Invision is the exclusive distributor of Origin Acoustics in the UK.

Invision UK invisionuk.com

HIDDEN TALENT

Meridian Audio resets the standard of architectural loudspeaker performance.

Meridian Audio’s architectural range of reference loudspeakers – DSP750 and DSP730 – are a testament to what Meridian can achieve; combining power and fidelity to give dealers a discreet, outstanding loudspeaker solution that packs one heck of a punch.

DSP750 LOUDSPEAKER

Specifically designed and engineered for the most demanding architectural installations and dedicated home theatres, the Meridian DSP750 In-Wall Digital Active Loudspeaker demonstrates complete audio immersion, providing exquisite power and bass for the ultimate listening experience.

Key features: • Three new, high-performance drive-units • CLASS-M DSP engine provides thermal and dynamic bass protection for accurate sound • Separate mid-range driver enclosures eliminate interaction with the bass drivers • Five drive-units are powered by a bridged pair of Dynamic Hi-Res amplifiers; each pair capable of delivering over 100W into 8 Ohms per drive unit • Enhanced Bass Alignment (EBA) heightens sound quality across the frequency range with perfect bass integration • Dynamic bass protection provides maximum excursion and output without distortion • Centre Elevation technology creates an immersive experience that appears to come from the centre of the screen

Designed for a natural and lifelike sound with high fidelity and perfect tonal balance, the DSP750 delivers a maximum output of 120dB and bass extension down to 30Hz. Its builtin custom tweeter with a beryllium dome and diffraction expansion technology ensures a wide sound dispersion for incredibly lifelike sound - capable of playing over 40kHz.

DSP730 LOUDSPEAKER

The second speaker in the reference range, the DSP730 In-Wall Digital Active Loudspeaker, provides both power and fidelity and is designed to deliver Hi-Res audio in small and medium-sized rooms where performance is paramount. This reference loudspeaker delivers performance, accuracy, and powerful bass for both music and movies. Key features: • Three bridged pairs of Class-D amplifiers deliver over 100W to each drive unit • L+R mode for the ultimate high-power sound bar applications • Maximum output of 115dB @ 1m and bass extension down to 38Hz • Digital active design saves on heat and space in the rack • Optimised DSP for horizontal or vertical mounting, ideal for soundbar or centre channel usage • Meridian’s Centre Elevation Technology raises the audio to match the video

on screen • Custom tweeter with Beryllium dome and diffraction expansion technology for wide dispersion and pinpoint imaging

The 100mm mid-range driver delivers clear dialogue, while the 160mm, long throw bass driver produces incredibly deep, powerful, and complex bass frequencies with speed and accuracy. The three drive units unleash the full potential of the Hi-Res amplifiers and the Class-M DSP engine, which provides thermal and dynamic bass protection for detailed and accurate sound.

These loudspeakers also feature Meridian’s unique enhancement technologies, including FIFO buffering, DSP upsampling, apodising filters, and MHR (Meridian High Resolution) for the best possible audio experience from all digital sources. The sealed aluminium cabinet design of both the DSP750 and DSP730 ensures that a reliable and repeatable performance is achieved with an ultra-shallow 100mm mounting depth for easy installation and precise positioning.

Project by Len Wallis Audio

DSW600 SUBWOOFER

The two reference loudspeakers can be combined with the Meridian DSW600 Digital Active In-Wall Subwoofer to produce a full-range, two-box solution. Delivering fast, powerful, dynamic, and accurate bass, the DSW600 is the perfect addition to any home cinema system, providing high accuracy and low distortion for the ultimate surround sound experience.

The DSW600 provides deep, impactful bass with perfect timing down to 24Hz, thanks to Meridian’s unique DSP and EBA technology. Its on-board Class-D amplifier with low output impedance is capable of delivering over 600W of power, and its low-profile drive-unit is designed to displace large volumes of air, delivering low frequencies effortlessly.

HIGH POWER ARRAY

For those installs where it’s important to achieve high SPL targets across the entire listening region of large spaces, the DSP750 and DSP730 can be installed in a High Power Array (HPA) configuration. HPA is a technology upgrade that optimises the output and coverage of sound when three Meridian architectural loudspeakers are arranged in a close-proximity array configuration.

By stacking the speakers in this way, Meridian’s bespoke, patent pending HPA software ensures there will be no interference or spectral variation between the loudspeakers, resulting in an even response and allowing every listener to experience Meridian’s signature high resolution sound.

Meridian Audio meridian-audio.com

SOUND THAT MOVES YOU

Maximising bass - yet minimising space with Uni-Core technology; the new KC62 Subwoofer from KEF rewrites the rules for bass reproduction.

KEF is a proud pioneer of excellence in sound. Since 1961, KEF‘s mission has been to preserve the integrity of original sound with as little intervention as possible. The goal of every KEF product is to do one thing: provide the listener with a revealing sound experience that is as true to the original recording as is possible (within the confines of their own room). KEF creates remarkable speakers that win awards and impress listeners all over the world.

THE PURSUIT OF PERFECT SOUND

KEF’s ethos of continual innovation has resulted in the introduction of many new and groundbreaking technologies over the years. The latest pioneering developments have allowed KEF to prioritise sound and design in equal measure. KEF’s patent-pending Uni-Core technology, as applied in the ultra-compact KC62 subwoofer, proves that deep and powerful bass is no longer solely the domain of super-sized subwoofers.

KEF UNI-CORE TECHNOLOGY: REDEFINING SIZE VERSUS PERFORMANCE

With exceptional engineering and creativity, KEF’s engineers have developed the KEF KC62 Uni-Core™ Force-Cancelling subwoofer. KEF continues to revolutionise traditional expectations of what a subwoofer can achieve, in particular the new subwoofer’s force-cancelling abilities. The Uni-Core design delivers ultracompact size and big performance, which sits at the heart of the innovative KC62.

“To deliver deep and loud bass from a compact product is a big engineering challenge. The Uni-core is a breakthrough technology for KEF because it allows us to pack two drivers into a tighter space without compromising their performance.” Says Dr Jack Oclee-Brown, Vice President of Technology, KEF.

By rethinking the traditional force-cancelling arrangement with a Uni-Core design, KEF engineers have managed to overcome performance compromises when placing force-cancelling drivers into a smaller cabinet. Uni-Core™ combines both back-to-back drivers into a single motor system. The overlapping, concentrically arranged voice coils allow for far more driver excursion than in other force-cancelling designs, unlocking more output and depth from less space.

Along with the space-saving Uni-Core driver, a second and third technology also allows the KC62 subwoofer to excel.

INTRODUCING THE P-FLEX DRIVER SURROUND

The P-Flex Surround is a brand-new patentpending driver surround. With a unique pleated design inspired by Origami, (the Japanese art of paper folding), it is engineered to better resist the acoustic pressure in the cabinet to allow the driver to move more precisely when compared to traditional surround designs. The result is deeper bass extension and a more accurate and detailed bass reproduction.

ACCURATE BASS WITH SMART DISTORTION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY

This patent-pending, sensorless and motional feedback system helps correct even the slightest abnormalities that may occur. The new approach dramatically decreases the potential for distortion and delivers a more accurate bass performance.

EASY INTEGRATION INTO ANY HOME

KC62 slips effortlessly into any environment or listening room, with the five pre-set Room Placement Equalisation feature ensuring the same performance no matter where you decide to place it; in free space, next to the wall, in a corner, nestled within a cabinet or using the dedicated apartment mode.

KC62’s connection options allow it to be used with almost any audio system; with KEF SmartConnect and speaker level inputs eliminating any connection issues. Line output with HPF allows for exceptional fine-tuned integration, and KC62 is also compatible with the KW1 Wireless Subwoofer Adapter Kit for simple wireless compatibility.

Ideal for smaller listening areas, discrete installation or for living rooms that transform into thunderous multi-sub home cinemas by night, the KC62 subwoofer shows what KEF’s world-class engineers can achieve when they push the boundaries of loudspeaker design.

Through significant new technological advancements and considered engineering, KC62 delivers an unprecedented combination of depth, detail, and output from an ultracompact form. By pushing the boundaries of what has been considered possible, KEF offers a way for almost anybody with any system, in almost any room to benefit from what a welldesigned and integrated subwoofer can bring to both music and film - the complete experience, just as the artist intended.

KEF uk.kef.com