MUSIC AT HOME 2016
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CONTENTS
Published by Audio T Design & Artwork Philippa Steward Printed in England by CBF Net All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press. E&OE
AirPlay, iPod, iPhone and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. BBC iPlayer is a registered trademark of The British Broadcasting Corporation
Bluetoothis a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. DLNA is a registered trademark of Digital Living Network Alliance Dolby Atmos is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories
Netflix is a registered trademark of Netflix Inc.
SKY HD is a registered trademark of BSkyB Ltd.
Spotify is a registered trademark of Spotify AB All other products and services may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
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INTRODUCTION TO Hi-Fi & 7 HOME CINEMA Audiolab 8 Ruark 8 Arcam 9 Clearaudio 10 Isotek 10 Chord Electronics 11 Cyrus 12 Marantz 13 Naim Audio 14/15 Rega 16 Sonos 17 Panasonic 18 Pioneer 18 Unison Research 19 Yamaha 19
INTRODUCTION TO LOUDSPEAKERS 20 Bowers & Wilkins 21 Dynaudio 22 Focal 23 KEF 24 Kudos 25 Monitor Audio 26 Neat Acoustics 27 PMC 28 Q Acoustics 29 REL 29 Spendor 30
INTRODUCTION TO ACCESSORIES 30 Audioquest 31 Bowers & Wilkins 32 QED 32 Chord Company 33 Sennheiser 34 STORES
Back Cover
WHO IS AUDIO T?
Audio T is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of Hi-Fi and Home Cinema equipment 100% UK owned by three hands on partners. By far the longest established group in the country, we were founded in 1966 and this year we celebrate our 50th anniversary! We sell exciting products guaranteed to provide you with a system that will thrill you for years to come. We don’t try to sell you the latest magazine favourites or, worse still, in-house brands, we actually offer independent, real world advice based on what things sound like, how reliable they are and how easy they are to use. With 50 years of experience, our knowledgeable staff will help you make the right choice based on what you hear and what you like. We stock all of the key brands so we can give you impartial advice based on what’s best for your needs. We only stock products that offer high performance and value for money whatever your budget, chosen by staff who have the knowledge that comes from being genuine enthusiasts. WHEN IS A CHAIN NOT A CHAIN? What Audio T is not, is a chain of stores all selling what central buyers tell them to. All Audio T stores are different and are run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and anyone who wants an honest opinion in these days of boring uniformity. We don’t produce or import any of our own brands so we won’t try to switch sell you. And we don’t pay our staff extra commission to sell particular brands and nor do we pay them to sell you unnecessary guarantees. We just make sure that everything we stock is good and let you make the final choice! NEW TECHNOLOGIES Rarely has the Hi-Fi market been so exciting, with the arrival of music streaming from computers and the Internet giving the industry a shot in
the arm and sparking huge debates about the benefits of different file types and DACs. Not to mention the relative merits of turntables, CD players and streaming itself! All good fun and at Audio T you can come and hear the differences for yourself in one of our demonstration rooms. On the television front, LED backlit TVs have never been better value and remain our preferred affordable solution for now. All the TVs we sell are now “smart” and are able to access the internet to stream BBC iPlayer or rented movies. UHD sets commonly called “4K” - are also featuring strongly, and with four times the resolution of current 1080p sets they will future proof your purchase. With tough times and low inflation continuing to hold prices down there has never been a better time to upgrade your existing system. However, we are not desperate to sell you just anything but would rather build a relationship that will see you using our expertise for years to come. Though Audio T has a hard-earned reputation as the most reputable stores in the country we also have a Price Promise that ensures you get great value. Not requiring vast central resources to spend on buying and marketing means our overheads are low and our prices are keen HOW DO I GET THE BEST SOUND AND VISION AT HOME? Independent journalists always give the same advice about buying Hi-Fi and Home Cinema - find yourself a good dealer and listen to the products for yourself. What do they mean by a good dealer? They mean shops that give knowledgeable advice, offer demonstrations and can deliver and install your purchase. Everyone can see and hear the difference between equipment so don’t think you need to be an ‘expert’. A pair of appreciative eyes and ears are the only qualifications necessary when it comes to choosing a good system.
I’M A BEGINNER HOW SHOULD I USE THIS GUIDE? If you’re new to Hi-Fi and Home Cinema then you might like to check-out the introductions to each section for a simple approach to the subject. After that use the Guide to get an overview of what’s available before coming into one of our shops for a chat and a listen. You will then have a better idea of what to ask us.
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In fact, to help you buy new music on vinyl in particular, we sell a range of Diverse Vinyl’s own label audiophile pressings and these are now available in many of our stores (check the website for details). Likewise you can be transported into another world by watching movies, but you will need a Home Cinema system that produces natural pictures and great sound. No mass-market packaged Home Cinema systems achieve this goal not least because most of them are devoting only 20% of the budget to the sound. We believe, as George Lucas does, that the sound and music are 50% of the entertainment in a film.
When making decisions about what to buy there is no substitute for actually road-testing your prospective purchases - seeing, hearing and experiencing the products in action. Whether you’re tweaking an existing system or starting from scratch, contact your local store to arrange a demonstration. Many other retailers don’t have these facilities - we think they’re essential. Not all dealers will install systems for you whereas we are always keen to give you the benefit of our long experience in setting up and positioning equipment to get the very best out of it.
BRANDS STOCKED AND OPENING TIMES Please check the store pages on our website or call your nearest branch for full details of everything that we sell and our current opening times. 4
HOW WILL GOOD MUSIC AND MOVIES IMPROVE MY LIFE? Music provides entertainment and pleasure. It can stimulate you and relax you at the same time. Music is pure emotion, but this will only come through on equipment good enough for you to respond to it naturally. The more natural the sound, the more enjoyment and satisfaction you will derive. We hope you will enjoy it so much that you’ll buy lots of new music and rediscover your existing collection. That’s what good Hi-Fi is all about and why we love it so much!
JOIN THE E-CLUB Our customers can now keep up-to-date by joining our e-Club electronic mailing list that has special benefits for members: monthly newsletters with news of new products, special offers, competitions, extra discount on clearance items and more… Sign up today by visiting the Audio T website: www.audio-t.co.uk. We’ll only mail you once or twice a month and we will never, ever sell your email address to anyone else.
SOUND & VISION – THE BRISTOL SHOW Audio T runs the country’s leading consumer Hi-Fi and Home Cinema exhibition at the Marriott City Centre Hotel every February in Bristol. It’s easy to get to, great fun and you can see and hear almost every product in this Guide. Checkout the website at www.bristolshow.co.uk. AUDIO T ONLINE For the convenience of those who live too far from one of our stores, or those who just wish to shop from home, we also sell online. Our online store
offers a “Click and Reserve” service for customers to reserve items for in store collection and payment. We are happy to ship goods to you free of charge but this excludes some products that require special installation or those from suppliers who prefer us not to mail order. All items are subject to availability and we will always give you the best information we can on anticipated delivery dates. Please call or email us for prices or to discuss anything you are unsure about. Contact us via email on info@audio-t.co.uk and on the Internet at www.audio-t.co.uk where, in addition to our online store, you’ll find our most up to date clearance list and news of our latest products. You can also find all stores on Facebook and on Twitter at @audiotgroup MAKING YOUR PURCHASE SAFE AND EASY We are authorised by the manufacturers to sell all the products we stock. This means we have trained staff who know what they’re talking about. We have an after sales service you can count on; our warranty is backed up by the manufacturers and we can arrange the repair of items efficiently if they go wrong. We are also happy to answer any ongoing technical queries you may have. We allow you to upgrade your purchase to something better for up to 30 days, at no cost penalty provided the returned equipment is in perfect condition complete with all packing and instructions (excludes clearance items and special orders). FREE PARKING With increased pressure to park in and around town these days we offer a small but useful service to encourage you to visit us. If you come into one of our stores that does not have free parking on-site, and you buy something, then we will reimburse your parking fees. Just ask the salesperson when you are paying and we will credit this against your purchase.
DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION For a small charge we can deliver and professionally install your Hi-Fi or Home Cinema if you want us to, ensuring you get the very best from your new purchase. Putting a Hi-Fi system together may appear easy but it takes experience to make it sound sensational. Wiring up a Home Cinema system is even more challenging and many people wouldn’t want to even attempt it!
“We stand by our Price Promise so you can buy with confidence knowing you will have the best combination of service and value for money.” HOME LOANS We can arrange home loans of equipment (subject to status) and also home demonstrations, especially for those customers who find travelling difficult. This is subject to arranging a mutually agreeable time and there is usually no extra cost involved (subject to the travelling distance). CREDIT We offer a wide range of credit products to suit most budgets. Call into your nearest shop for full details. All our credit facilities are subject to acceptance for UK residents aged 18 and over. Written quotations are available on request. Minimum amount of loan (after deposit) is £200. And, to make things really easy, we offer a Buy now, Pay in 10 Months time* scheme that lets you defer paying us for 10 months at no extra cost**. *Subject to status. Ask in store for details. **Other than a settlement fee of £29.
TURNTABLE UPGRADES AND SERVICING We are able to service your turntable if you need us to and an upgrade can often produce considerable sonic benefits. Our stores have been working with turntables for years, making improvements that are very cost effective.
retra We are members of the Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers Association
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HOME CINEMA A Home Cinema is something the whole family will enjoy together (and one of the few things that will keep teenagers socialising with you!) We supply and install the best televisions and projectors, along with the most up-to-date audio electronics. We don’t sell ‘built to a price’ special models you won’t find on the manufacturer’s websites; we sell the real thing with none of the features removed or picture degraded!
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CUSTOM INSTALLATION Custom Installation ranges from something as simple as mounting a TV on your wall to specifying and installing a full multi-room system. It can include both Hi-Fi and Home Cinema along with lighting, blinds and other hardware. Whatever level of installation you choose we work with experienced installers to offer you the personal attention you expect. You may be about to embark on a refurbishment project, have an extension or new home built. Perhaps you have been thinking about a loft or basement conversion for a Home Cinema with a hidden projector and screen or cinema style seating. Whatever your plans, Audio T can arrange these installations for you – working with our installers or your builders. AUDIO STREAMING There are several different ways to stream music but the basic principle is that your music is held in digital form on a computer drive somewhere - on your computer, in the cloud or at a music streaming company such as Spotify, Qobuz or Tidal. These digital files can be streamed into your Hi-Fi using a streaming programme (such as iTunes
or JRiver) where they are decoded by a digital to analogue converter (DAC) and played back just like any other music source. Alternatively they can be stored on a network attached storage hard drive (NAS) from where they can be played using a suitable streaming product added to your Hi-Fi system. Examples of these are made by several companies in this Guide. The great benefit of streaming is that you can copy (rip) your CD collection onto your computer or NAS drive and be able to browse your music quickly and easily. Your CD’s can then be stored in your loft or garage freeing up space in your home. High resolution downloads have also become available so you can purchase and stream music at a higher quality than CD. Your music files can be played back in any room of the house that can see the network. This, in turn, has led a number of manufacturers to produce systems that allow such multiroom streaming. They provide the convenience of selecting what you want to listen to from wherever you are in the house using an app on a tablet or a phone if you want to. They avoid clashes of interest too: you can listen to the radio in the lounge while your partner listens to their favourite track in the kitchen! These days expensive and quickly outdated built in systems have given way to these much simpler options. They can operate wirelessly, making installation both simple and inexpensive; however, if they can be wired they will stream more reliably and sound better. You can also stream your music directly from a phone or tablet straight to an AirPlay or Bluetooth loudspeaker. These have built in amplification and make for a very simple solution, though the quality from these one box systems won’t be as good as you’d get from two stereo speakers. For kitchens, bathrooms and even bedrooms, however, they can be a good solution.
INTR ODUCTION TO HI-FI & HOME CINEMA
Hi-Fi and Home Cinema separates, as individual components are commonly known, offer the very best sound quality and the ability to upgrade easily. Combinations of these items can be tailored to build a complete system that will suit your sonic preferences, your home decor or whatever your particular needs may be. This modular approach to system building makes upgrading easy, as well as letting you add other components as your tastes develop, technology changes or your budget allows.
We can put together systems from as little as £500 but we are confident that you will agree, once we’ve shown you what is possible, that spending more will pay big dividends. You might spend many thousands of pounds on a wonderful music system but the average system sale is around £1,000 to £2,000. You can listen and look in our demonstration rooms (or at home) and make the decision for yourself. A good separates Hi-Fi system will give you musical enjoyment that will excite you and involve you on an emotional level, just like live music. It will be an investment you will never regret. Likewise, everyone is thrilled by the excitement of surround sound when they visit the cinema. Now you can enjoy the same amazing experience at home; and not just with films. The same benefits apply to many TV programmes, sporting events and games consoles. Multi-channel sound from Sky HD, Freesat and Freeview HD plus, of course, blu-ray players and streamed content has made the experience ever more available. Home Cinema with surround sound is definitely something that the whole family will enjoy! And now there is a new kid on the block - Dolby Atmos - which promises to make the experience even more exciting. Dolby Atmos has ditched what used to be called channels, replacing them with a fully digital system that moves the sound around in space much more accurately. This, with the addition of height information, makes the sound more enveloping and realistic but it does require the addition of at least two more speakers. These can be mounted on top of your existing front speakers or in your ceiling for the best effect.
All our stores can demonstrate how wonderful Hi-Fi and Home Cinema can sound, but you really need to discuss things before handing over your money. For example, some Home Cinema amplifiers sound great on music as well as films but others don’t. It’s expensive to make them sound good on both (even more so now Atmos has arrived) so you need to think about where your priorities lie. Whatever you decide, our staff members are factory-trained so we can get it all working without any fuss and transform your living room into your own private cinema or concert hall!
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AUDIOLAB
R UARK
R4 Mk3
Given the plethora of awards bestowed upon Audiolab’s 8200 Series, it’s unsurprising that the company’s new 8300 Series components are among the year’s most hotly anticipated Hi-Fi arrivals. Audiolab has worked long and hard to ensure that the 8300CD improves upon its illustrious predecessor in key areas, delivering even better performance as both a CD player and a DAC/preamp for external digital sources. Built around the peerless ESS Sabre DAC, the 8300CD now extends resolution to 32-bit/384kHz and adds DSD compatibility via USB. A perfect partner for Audiolab’s new player is the 8300A integrated amplifier, its radically redesigned circuitry and high-performance MM/MC phono stage building on foundations first laid in 1983 by the classic 8000A – one of the most influential British Hi-Fi components of all time. Brilliance evolved and a classic reborn; the 8300CD and 8300A are the best CD player and integrated amp that Audiolab has ever made.
IAG House, Sovereign Court, Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon PE29 6XU T 01480 447700 www.audiolab.co.uk 8
Founded by Alan O’Rourke and Neil Adams, the origins of Ruark Audio lie in a desire to design and build the very best audio products. A trained engineer and lifelong music enthusiast, Alan has now been working within the British audio industry for over 30 years. In 1986, together with his father Brian, they formed Ruark Acoustics with the desire to develop their own high fidelity loudspeaker systems. Although no longer in production, Ruark loudspeakers have become respected by Hi-Fi enthusiasts worldwide, winning numerous accolades and awards. Late in 2004, with the growing popularity of DAB radio in the UK, Alan was looking for a unit for his own use. It appeared to him that whilst sound quality was important for Hi-Fi, in radios and other similar products the sound was often poor. Seeing a gap in the market and based on their wholehearted belief that they could do better, Ruark made the radical decision to diversify from loudspeakers and apply their expertise to designing a small range of quality radio based products. Since launching in November 2006, their products quickly became regarded as the finest available, receiving a clean sweep of 5 star reviews, awards and accolades along the way.
59 Tailors Court, Temple Farm Industrial Estate, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5TH T 01702 601410 www.ruarkaudio.com
ARCAM
Arcam believes in the simple philosophy of bringing better sound to more people.
It was nearly a decade ago, that ARCAM launched the original Solo MUSIC & Solo MOVIE. This ultra, compact range redefined the style and performance of one-box music and home theatre systems selling as it did into literally thousands of homes across the globe! The latest Solo MUSIC and Solo MOVIE range (new for 2016) will bring ARCAM’s sensational Class G sound and class leading video quality once again into the everyday consumer’s world! The new Solo Music and Movie deliver unrivalled performance, all of which is delivered within beautifully crafted and elegant casework.
Arcam, The West Wing, Stirling House, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9QE T 01223 203200 www.arcam.co.uk
The Solo MUSIC features an array of features including SACD/CD playback, 80W of amplification for high quality room-filling sound. Audio from hand held devices can be streamed to the Solo Music via its built-in Bluetooth/aptX receiver. The
Solo Music also has wired and wireless UPnP audio streaming capability via the ARCAM Music Life IOS control app. A FM/DAB/DAB+ tuner is built-in. There’s 4x HDMI (1.4b), SPDIF, Optical, RCA and 3.5 mm inputs along with a dedicated subwoofer output. The Solo MUSIC comes supplied with a multi-page backlit learning remote control. The Solo MOVIE features all of the above plus these... 5x 60W of amplification, 3D/BD/DVD playback, DTS HD-Master and Dolby True HD decoder and UPnP video streaming. Most music and movie systems deliver a fraction of what’s possible. Find out what you’ve been missing and rekindle your love of music with a demonstration at Audio T. A system with Arcam at its heart is a life enhancing, stress busting, joy delivering investment that will thrill your entire family and all your friends.
Arcam Solo Movie
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CLEARAUDIO
ISOTEK
In 2001 IsoTek was born with a singular aim: to create a better solution to the problem of poor mains quality, which restricts the performance of Hi-Fi and Home Cinema systems. IsoTek’s unique technologies enhance sound and picture quality by filtering mains electricity and regulating it’s distribution, delivering pure and stable power to audio and AV equipment. IsoTek products also deliver unrivalled protection from damaged caused by lightening strikes and power surges, and extend the lifespan of valuable electronic components. From the entry-level Discovery range to the groundbreaking Ultimate series, IsoTek creates award winning products to suit every system.
Clearaudio have been designing and manufacturing high end turntables since 1978. From the award winning Concept turntable package, to the ground breaking high-end Statement, Clearaudio has an award winning turntable to match any Hi-Fi system. A family run company, Clearaudio remain truly independent, manufacturing almost all precision components by hand in their factory in Erlangen, Germany. This is the only way to ensure the highest level of quality control, allowing Clearaudio to monitor every step of the manufacturing process. The Clearaudio range also includes phono stages as well as record cleaning machines and a comprehensive range of accessories to care for both your turntable and your vinyl records.
Sound Fowndations 3a Vulcan House Calleva Park Aldermaston RG7 3QA 10
Sound Fowndations 3a Vulcan House Calleva Park Aldermaston RG7 3QA
CHORD ELECTR ONICS
Since 1989, Chord Electronics has been pushing the boundaries of innovation, creating some of the planet’s finest audio equipment.
Mojo
Dave
Chord Electronics Ltd The Pumphouse Farleigh Bridge Farleigh Lane East Farleigh ME16 9NB T 01622 721444 www.chordelectronics.co.uk
Discerning music lovers and leading studios around the world recognise Chord’s unique approach, which employs proprietary technology and no-compromise engineering to accurately recreate the artist’s intentions in the studio. Chord’s amplifiers are effortlessly powerful, incredibly revealing and faithful to the original studio master, thanks to the company’s unrivalled expertise.
Chord’s revolutionary in-house technology, can also be found in its class-leading DACs. For the past two decades, Chord has refused to compromise on quality and has eschewed inferior off-the-shelf DAC chips found in almost all audio equipment. Thinking outside the box, in collaboration with world leading Digital Designer, Rob Watts, Chord’s ground-breaking DACs have set the standard in audio and redefined performance. Landmark devices such as the DAC 64 have spawned revolutionary mobile DAC products, like Hugo and more recently, Mojo – a pocket-sized DAC/ headphone amp offering studio master quality from connected devices. Chord continues to set the standard in the high end, too, their DAVE DAC is quite simply the most advanced in the world. Chord, how the artist wanted it to be heard. 11
CYR US
For over 30 years the design philosophy for Cyrus Audio has been to engineer and develop some of the most exciting and acoustically renowned Hi-Fi products in the world. Earning more than 55 major international awards, the products remain at the forefront of the industry, using technical innovation to offer an intensely emotional music experience. The audiophile component product range allows music lovers to build a better music experience over time until they reach their ultimate audio system. With source components (CD players,
Streamers and Phono stages), integrated and prepower amplifiers, all-in one system and power supply units all manufactured, serviced and upgraded from its headquarters in Huntingdon, England. The distinctive form factor of the aluminium casting separates Cyrus from the masses and, apart from looking distinctive, gives the internal components a solid inert platform to perform to the very highest levels. Buying a Cyrus amplifier is investing into a future proof system that will always get better as your music collection grows.
Cyrus Audio Ltd Ermine Business Park Huntingdon PE29 6XY T 01480 410900 www.cyrusaudio.com
Phono Signature
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MARANTZ
BECAUSE MUSIC MATTERS
D&M Audiovisual Ltd. Unit 10 1 Lanyon Quay Belfast BT1 3LG Northern Ireland T 02890 279830 www.marantz.co.uk
True Hi-Fi is about being able to reproduce the magic of a performance. It’s about experiencing music just as the artist intended. To Marantz, perfect specifications and technical accomplishment count for nothing unless a product can unlock the power, the excitement and the emotion of music. For over half a century Marantz has been developing unique technologies. This year saw the launch of the new Melody Series of network, wireless, all-in-one music systems; the Melody Media (M-CR611) and Melody Stream (M-CR511).
Combining advanced streaming and digital media features with Marantz’s renowned sound quality, these easy-to-use mini systems sport a stylish and elegant design. These lifestyle network systems now support Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay, as well as a host of other digital media and streaming features. Designed with ease of use in mind, these systems feature a simple ‘one-push’ Wi-Fi connect. With 2x60 watts power output, both products deliver a big sound for such compact systems.
M-CR611
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NAIM AUDIO
Let the voice of Naim take you inside the music
Founded in Salisbury, England in 1973, Naim design and manufacture award-winning HiFi products including digital music systems, amplifiers and loudspeakers that connect people with their music. Naim shares the same intense relationship with music as its customers. It’s a passion they pour into every product, spending months perfecting designs in the lab and in the listening room, never content until the music speaks to their hearts and souls as well as their heads. The new classics Naim have revitalised and reintroduced their core range of separate power amplifiers with flagship Statement amplifier transistors and DR (Discrete Regulator) technology. The new NAP 200, 250, 300 and 500 power amps now offer even more of the fundamental Naim pace, rhythm and timing for which the originals have become renowned. They form the heart of a high-performance system with a Naim preamplifier and source product or make a perfect partner for the new NAC-N 272 streaming preamplifier.
Reveal your music’s true depth Every Uniti all-in-one player offers a wealth of features to unleash your existing music collection and help you discover new albums, artists and songs. They offer everything you need to play all of your music in one place. Just add speakers. Each of Naim’s Uniti players is capable of streaming high-resolution (up to 24bit/192kHz) music over UPnP™ from a storage device on your home network, or from Naim’s own UnitiServe hard disk server. They also feature internet radio, TIDAL, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth (aptX) a DAB/FM tuner, iPod/MP3 player charging and playback, multiple digital and analogue inputs, a high-quality DAC, multiroom streaming and app control. The NaimUniti 2 and UnitiLite even feature CD playback. Bring your music alive Mu-so and the new Mu-so Qb are Naim’s first wireless music systems. Finely tuned by their specialist engineers in England, they deliver an exceptional quality in sound. Both are driven by powerful digital brains and fitted with customdesigned speakers for a musical experience that has to be heard to be believed. Their advanced yet simple to use connectivity includes AirPlay, UPnP high-resolution streaming, Bluetooth (aptX), Spotify Connect, TIDAL, iRadio, Multiroom, USB, analogue and digital inputs and an Apple iOS and Andoid App for complete control.
Southampton Road Salisbury SP1 2LN T 01722 426600 info@naimaudio.com www.naimaudio.com 14
The ultimate multiroom audio Combine Mu-so Qb, Mu-so and other Naim streaming products, including Naim’s Uniti range, for the ultimate multiroom experience. Simply sync the units to play the same song beat-for-beat in up to five rooms using the Naim control app.
Mu-so Qb
NAIM AUDIO
The NAP 250 power amplifier
Mu-so is supplied with a black speaker grille as standard. You can add a new dimension of colour with Deep Blue, Vibrant Red and Burnt Orange grilles.
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REGA
Aphelion cartridge on RP10 turntable
2015 has been an impressive year for Essex based Rega Research Limited. Having been featured in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ this was swiftly followed by winning the inaugural UK Manufacturing Award for 2015. To complete the year in style, Rega received the coveted ‘Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. Since its inception in 1973, Rega’s initial success was built upon award winning tonearms and turntables but they have been making complete Hi-Fi solutions since the eighties. 6 Coopers Way Temple Farm Industrial Estate Southend on Sea SS2 5TE www.rega.co.uk 16
Rega now makes more than 45 different Hi-Fi products including amplifiers, DAC’s, cartridges, CD players, loudspeakers and a wide range of accessories. Now employing over one hundred people, Rega remains a dedicated British manufacturer designing and assembling every product by hand in its purpose built and ever expanding 25,000sq. ft facility in the South East of England. All Rega products are hand assembled by highly skilled technicians who take great pride in the work they do. So confident are they in their ability that Rega offers a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects on every product they make.
SONOS
THIS IS SONOS All the music on earth, in every room of your home, wirelessly
Play:1, PLAYBAR & SUB
Sonos is the smart speaker system that streams all your favourite music to any room, or every room. Control your music with one simple app, and fill your home with pure, immersive sound. Sonos speakers combine built-in sensors and smart software to make your listening experience easy. Every speaker is simple to set up, no technical skills needed. Just download the free Sonos App, follow the prompts to connect to your Wi-Fi, then fire up the music. Since every Sonos speaker is part of one smart system, adding music or Home Cinema sound to additional rooms is easy as well. And regular software updates with new features and services make sure your speakers just keep getting smarter, for as long as you own them.
Play:5
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PANASONIC
PIONEER
ENTER A NEW WORLD OF SOUND Throughout its 76 year history, music and high quality audio has been at the heart of Pioneer. This passion still holds true today with an exceptional range of Home Cinema and audio products. This year, Pioneer has entered an all new product category with the XDP-100R Digital Audio Player. A portable Hi-Res player running on the Android (Lollipop 5.1.1) platform offering access to Google Play, which in turn enables audio streaming from downloadable apps such as Tidal, Spotify and Deezer in addition to the built in music player. All are sonically reproduced using the latest cutting edge audio technologies and with the internal design of an audio component, not a smartphone. PANASONIC 4K Ultra HD - THE RESOLUTION REVOLUTION Ultra HD With four-times the detail of HD, Panasonic UHD 4K delivers unrivalled clarity and detail that provides a truly immersive viewing experience.
It is also the first portable player with access to the exciting new MQA audio format. MQA is not simply Hi-Res, high bit rate or high sample rate audio. It is a completely different way of capturing, delivering and reproducing audio performances which preserve the magic of the original studio recording in a format that‘s small enough to stream.
Introducing Freeview Play To put it simply: it’s catch up made easy. Find programmes from BBC iPlayer, the ITV Hub, All 4 and Demand 5 sitting alongside up to 60 TV channels and 12 HD channels. Simply scroll back in your TV guide to watch shows you missed from the last 7 days. Just make sure your TV is connected to the internet and you’re good to go.
Panasonic House, Willoughby Road, Bracknell RG12 8FP T 0844 844 3852 (Panasonic Customer Care Centre) www.panasonic.co.uk 18
Pioneer & Onkyo Europe GmbH - UK Branch Office, Anteros Building, Odyssey Business Park, West End Road, South Ruislip, HA4 6QQ T 0208 8363500 Twitter: @pioneer_uk
UNISON RESEARCH
YAMAHA
In 2003, years ahead of its time, Yamaha launched the connected audio market with MusicCAST and revolutionised the ability to have music anywhere in your home. Now in 2016 Yamaha brings you the rebooted MusicCast system with more products and greater functionality. We have over 20 products that are MusicCast enabled, from wireless speakers, soundbars and soundbases, active Hi-Fi speakers, component systems, two-channel Hi-Fi and much more to come. All MusicCast devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, and can support hi-res audio through the entire range. You can stream any audio source over all products in the MusicCast range, including Bluetooth enabled products (such as headphones!) which can also be integrated into the MusicCast system. Unison Research was founded in 1987 by a small group of audiophile enthusiasts led by Giovanni Maria Sacchetti, an accomplished pianist with a deep understanding and passion for music. Since those humble beginnings, the company has grown quickly and carved a niche as one of the foremost specialists of valve-based amplification anywhere in the world. Based just outside Venice, Italy, where their entire R&D and assembly processes still take place, Unison Research’s core focus on the merits of integrated designs has resulted in a broad range of valve amplifiers that look and sound incredible.
When you’re outside enjoying the DAB radio from your Bluetooth speaker, bring it back into the living room by sending it over to your soundbase to fill the room. MusicCast is controlled via a free and easy to use app for iOS and Android devices. One tap to select the source, one tap to send it to the room you want. MusicCast is the simplest way to have all your audio, anywhere.
In addition to the pure-valve offering, Unison Research also produces a range of hybrid Hi-Fi electronics that combine the warmth of valves with more power and refinement. Adopting a bold, minimalist aesthetic, the Unico range has also allowed the company to produce some class-leading CD players and digital sources. Regardless of the look or type of sound you want to achieve, Unison Research products prove valves really enhance your musical enjoyment.
Henley Designs Ltd., Unit 11, Moorbrook, Southmead Industrial Park, Didcot OX11 7HP T 01235 511 166 sales@henleydesigns.co.uk
Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK), Sherbourne Drive, Tilbrook, Milton Keynes MK7 8BL T 0844 811 1116 uk.yamaha.com 19
INT R ODUCTION TO LOUDSPEAKERS
Loudspeakers have changed dramatically over the past few years and nowadays you can get outstanding performance from a vast range of stylish designs – some grand and imposing and others so tiny that you will barely notice them.
Traditional wooden speakers have been the mainstay of the speaker market for years and give great sound. They are available as bookshelf, stand mounted or floor standing designs and can look very elegant. The finishes of these speakers has also changed and now, in addition to wood, they are often available in both white and high gloss black and look stunning. If your goal is excellent reproduction of music then these are still the best choice, although they are larger than some of the alternatives. The most common of these alternatives are known as sub sat systems, as they use a subwoofer to produce the bass frequencies with satellite speakers for the rest of the frequency range. The advantage of this approach is that the bass can go deeper than in most traditional speakers, which is particularly useful in Home Cinema systems, and the satellite speakers can be small. Unfortunately they can sound poor if they are not well designed or if they are not set up properly in your room. They can be stand, shelf or even wall mounted with the sub tucked away near a wall.
The third approach to speakers is the custom installed way, where speakers are fitted discreetly into ceilings, walls and even rocks in the garden! This is a great way to lose those boxes but it generally compromises the sound unless you buy the very best. They are ideally suited to bedrooms, bathrooms, pools or patios, where ultimate sound quality is not the main requirement or the use of more traditional speakers would be inappropriate. Ceiling fitted speakers can also be used in Home Cinema systems (in combination with a floor mounted sub woofer) or as a discrete solution to where to put the rear speakers. And now there is a new speaker option that uses wireless. The speaker and amplifier are built into one box and the music is sent straight to it via your wireless network or Bluetooth, controlled by a phone or a tablet. This approach offers neither stereo nor the ultimate in fidelity but it is a simple (even portable) solution that will suit many people. These speakers are great in kitchens and other rooms where a traditional Hi-Fi solution is unnecessary and many DAB radios are now equipped with this option as well. Bluetooth enabled speakers can also be connected wirelessly to many Panasonic TVs. Whichever alternative you choose you will still need to think about how the speakers will react with the room and where you will place them. As you would expect, our staff have great experience in matching systems to rooms and will gladly guide you. And remember, loudspeakers are like car engines: they’re mechanical devices that need to be run-in. Treat them gently for the first week or two and you’ll find that as time passes their sound will improve noticeably.
20 20
BOWERS & WILKINS
When John Bowers set up Bowers & Wilkins in 1966, experimentation in sound and recording was escalating rapidly. Bowers’ ambition for his fledgling loudspeaker company was also revolutionary: to create a loudspeaker that neither adds nor takes away from the music as recorded by the sound engineer. In effect, the perfect loudspeaker. Bowers & Wilkins has been exploring the world of sound ever since. The CM Series The CM Series will transform your enjoyment of music, revealing all the depth and detail that ordinary speakers miss. That’s thanks to audiophile design innovations originally pioneered for Bowers & Wilkins flagship 800 Series Diamond reference speakers, combined with new technologies developed especially for the range. The 600 Series The 600 Series continues the award-winning promise of its predecessors – the audio performance you demand from Bowers & Wilkins, power to fill any room, yet at a budget that allows everyone access to true, audiophile sound.
683 Theatre
Dale Road, Worthing BN11 2BH T 01903 221500 uksales@bwgroup.com www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk CM6
21
DYNAUDIO
For nearly forty years Dynaudio has been producing the very finest loudspeakers money can buy. One of a handful of elite companies still to design and build every element of its products here in Europe, Dynaudio’s award-winning models combine exquisite, hand crafted components with advanced, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. In essence, it develops high-grade loudspeakers for music enthusiasts who have only the highest expectations. Incorporating levels of craftsmanship long forgotten by other brands, speakers such as Contour S LE and Confidence Platinum offer a typically clean and understated Danish design, but are transformed by exquisite, luxurious real wood finishes polished to perfection by hand. Most importantly, the sound is equally dazzling and precise, delivering a natural, dynamic and authentic sound other manufacturers simply cannot match. Dynaudio’s products can be found in everything from the Bugatti Veyron to over 10,000 recording studios worldwide, where the likes of London’s Air Studios and the BBC rely on Dynaudio Professional monitors. Such pedigree speaks for itself.
10 Felsham Place Burwell Cambridge CB25 0JP T 01638 742 427 bill.livingston@dynaudio.com w: www.dynaudio.com
Confidence Platinum
22
FOCAL
Sopra. Reveal the Invisible Combining twenty years of engineering heritage from its flagship Utopia loudspeaker range, with innovative new technologies in a stylish and compact design, the new Sopra N°1 and N°2 will reveal the true essence of your music. With three major innovations and two patents – the Neutral Inductance Circuit, the Tuned Mass Damper midrange suspension and the Infinite Horn Loading housing for its Beryllium tweeter – Sopra brings unprecedented technical ingenuity and matchless performance, thrilling the senses like never before. The longing for exceptional speakers in your living room is over.
Southampton Road Salisbury SP1 2LN T 0845 660 2680 info@focal-uk.com www.focal.com Sopra
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KEF
KEF has been at the forefront of loudspeaker design and technology for over fifty years with a reputation as the audiophile’s ultimate loudspeaker manufacturer.
KEF R Series - Delivers a sound so pure you live each and every moment With ten striking models including three assertive floorstanders, two bookshelf speakers, two fullyspecified centre channels, dipole surrounds, a matching subwoofer, and the all-new R50 Dolby Atmos® enabled surround speaker; KEF R Series models can be configured to suit any room size or budget.
Every KEF speaker large or small embodies the same ethos: quality engineering to enhance the enjoyment of pure sound.
Music or movies, the R Series presents a new dimension in audiophile standards of entertainment. With so many prestigious awards to their name, it is testament to the innovative technology, beautiful designs and extraordinary audio performance of the KEF R Series, all elements that have remained true to KEF’s founding principles.
KEF LS50 – The ultimate studio experience in your own home The LS50 has been a resounding success since its introduction, winning multiple awards and accolades. Recognised for its acoustic design and state of the art technologies, many taken from KEF’s flagship BLADE loudspeaker, the KEF LS50 mini monitors produce excellent, room-filling sound from a compact package to bring professional studio quality sound to the comfort of your home. With the addition of three jaw-dropping new finishes, the KEF LS50 is now available in five stunning colours; High Gloss White, High Gloss Black, Racing Red, Titanium Grey and Frosted Black.
KEF LS50 mini monitor – available in five stunning finishes
Eccleston Road, Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6QP T 01622 672261 www.kef.com KEF R Series – Available in American Walnut, Piano White and Piano Black finishes
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KUDOS
The Kudos difference Hand-built, highperformance loudspeakers. Crafted not just for music, but by music
Kudos takes an uncommon approach to loudspeaker design, using music as the primary tool. During his many years as a live sound engineer, designer Derek Gilligan discovered that technical measurements, while extremely useful, don’t reflect everything we hear. There’s no substitute for extensive critical listening in a variety of scenarios, he concluded. Three further elements underpin the Kudos difference: components, connections and craftsmanship. Components are of exceptional quality, sourced from some of Europe’s finest specialists; several are collaboratively reengineered to achieve new and unique levels of performance. Connections reflect Gilligan’s firm belief that a ‘less is more’ approach is key to a truly musical performance. “We keep our signal paths clean and clear by closely matching our components, so there’s no need for complex interventions to counteract signal distortions,” he explains. Of course minimalism takes skill, which is where craftsmanship comes in. Kudos favours traditional and well-proven engineering techniques, drawing on timeless artistry to bring out the best in the latest technologies. Every loudspeaker is hand-built in Kudos’ premises in the north-east of England. From 2015, Kudos is delighted to be working with industry leaders Linn to bring their ground-breaking Exakt technology into Kudos’ top-of-range of loudspeakers. Exakt allows the loudspeaker to be an intelligent, connected, software upgradeable product and enables a wide range of performance- and personalisationenhancing capabilities. 1 – 2 Harvey Court Low Willington Industrial Estate Willington DL15 0UT T 0845 458 6698 www.kudosaudio.com
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MONITOR AUDIO
Gold Series
UPGRADED DESIGN AND REFINEMENT ADD TO A CLASS ACT
24 Brook Road Rayleigh SS6 7XJ T 01268 740580 info@monitoraudio.co.uk www.monitoraudio.co.uk 26
Monitor Audio’s enduring Gold Series speaker line has been refined with significant design upgrades to bring out the best in its awardwinning provenance. The new range is dubbed simply ‘Gold’ to reflect the purity of the latest addition to a decade-long lineage that includes three acclaimed generations. While it duplicates the form-factor of the Gold GX range it replaces, the new ‘Gold’ line-up is equipped with a trinity of
enhancements: an evolution of the C-CAM® Rigid Surface Technology (RST®) bass cone employed by the Gold GR and Gold GS predecessors; tighter production tolerances for its advanced C-CAM ribbon tweeter, and a smarter more functional grille design. Rejuvenated by these improvements the new eight-strong Gold range offers greater transparency, consistency and visual sophistication to every design-aware music lover.
NEAT ACOUSTICS
Neat Acoustics is well known for producing loudspeakers that deliver big sounds from compact, home-friendly designs. This holds true from the impossibly small IOTA through to the high-end ULTIMATUM models. Somewhere in between these extremes sits the elegant MOMENTUM range, which comprises three models; the SX3i standmount and the SX5i and SX7i floorstanders.
All Momentum models feature isobaric bass loading - a clever way of obtaining deeper bass than usual from a given size of enclosure, yet with increased control of the bass output for articulate low frequency definition. The Momentum SX5i (pictured) is 105cm tall and has a small footprint of 22 x 23 cm, so it uses effectively less space than many stand mounted speakers. Yet the Momentums are all full-range loudspeakers capable of creating a compelling music experience in the home.
29B Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle DL12 8XT T 01833 631021 www.neat.co.uk
Momentum SX5i
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PMC
The twenty series is just one of PMC’s multiaward-winning loudspeaker ranges, all of which continue the company’s traditions of British engineering excellence, design flair, and the ability to deliver the ultimate in audio reproduction for any room size or application. With five models of increasing size - the twenty.21, twenty.22, 23, 24 and 26 plus the dedicated centre channel, the twenty.C and high performance twenty.sub, - the twenty series, like all of PMC’s products, combines complete sonic transparency with the last word in elegance. PMC, the Emmy® award-winning British loudspeaker company, is widely respected as the manufacturer of the finest studio and Hi-Fi loudspeakers in the world with clients such as Prince, Elbow, Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Capitol Studios, the BBC and many more. The company’s handcrafted designs provide a pure, uncoloured sound thanks to their ATL™ bass loading technology, which guarantees a wide dynamic range, crystal clear mid-range and full, rich bass at all volumes. twenty.23, twenty.21, twenty.24, twenty.22 and twenty.26 in Amarone
Hear your music and movies exactly as the artist intended with PMC.
Holme Court Biggleswade SG18 9ST T 0870 4441044 sales@pmc-speakers.com www.pmc-speakers.com twenty.sub in amarone
28
twenty.C in Amarone
Q ACOUSTICS
REL
At REL, we make subwoofers, only subwoofers. Nothing else. We believe the perfect subwoofer is one built with quality materials and craftsmanship, one designed for your unique space; that is engineered to not just give you boom, but to seamlessly integrate with your system, expanding its entire range and providing depth to the soundstage. We know that this perfect subwoofer–this REL– will transform your whole experience of sound. Each day we come to work in the pursuit of only one thing, capturing the raw intention of the artist, by producing the purest, most flawless sound possible. 3050
Q Acoustics 3000 Series Loudspeakers Unparalleled Performance, Style & Value The design brief given to Q Acoustics’ engineering team was very straightforward. They were simply tasked to design and produce the very best performing loudspeakers on the planet at their respective price points. There can be absolutely no doubt they have completely achieved these extraordinarily ambitious goals.
REL prefer to refine, to build generationally upon a solid foundation while searching relentlessly for every possible way to legitimately improve upon our past performance. With Serie T/i REL have set a new standard for overall performance in this price category: power, speed and Arrow™ wireless-high quality without the wire.
Q Acoustics’ award winning 3000 Series loudspeakers boast high tech bespoke drive units, including a revolutionary concentric ‘Ring/Dome’ tweeter, ‘audiophile component’ crossovers and advanced, low resonance cabinet construction. Combine these elements with the 3000 Series’ elegant design, excellent finishes and truly unequalled sonic performance; it’s no wonder the speakers have received awards and rapturous reviews from all around the world. The 3000 Series consists of five models. There are three stereo pairs: the 3010 compact bookshelf speaker, 3020 bookshelf model and the 3050 floorstander. In addition the 3090C, a dedicated centre channel speaker and 3070S active subwoofer, can be combined with the stereo models to form outstanding multi-channel Home Cinema speaker packages. T/i
Armour Home Electronics, Units 7 & 8, Stortford Hall Industrial Park Bishops Stortford CM23 5GZ T 01279 501111 www.armourhome.co.uk www.qacoustics.co.uk
North Road, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3TP T 01656 768777 www.rel.net 29
SPENDOR
INTR ODUCTION TO ACCESSORIES
The performance of your Hi-Fi or Home Cinema system is influenced most by your choice of major components, however, other seemingly less important items also play a vital role in the process. The cables, the stands and the supports under your system can all dramatically affect – and improve – the system’s performance. Spending relatively small amounts of money here can produce large improvements in sound quality. We aim to give you the best advice on finding the balance between what is truly worthwhile and running up huge bills on accessories you don’t need. Stands and tables contribute significantly to the way loudspeakers and system components perform. Loudspeaker stands not only place your loudspeakers at the correct height they also improve detail, dynamics and bass performance. Equipment stands enhance the performance of Blu-ray/CD players, turntables and electronics by dealing with spurious air and structure-borne vibrations. There’s a vast range available in different designs, different materials and different colours, so there’s no excuse for not giving your system the support it deserves!
D7
A5R
Spendor has three distinctive loudspeaker lines, A-line, D-line and Classic. All designed and manufactured in the UK. Bigger, better and more efficient than the original A5, the new 2015 Spendor A5R is simply the most room-friendly floor-standing loudspeaker ever. Like the What Hi-Fi 2015 Award winning Spendor A6R, the A5R incorporates innovative engineering and materials which were developed for the acclaimed D7 and D1. Now firmly established as best in class, the Spendor D7 has recently been rated as ‘outstanding’ for its ability to match and exceed the sound of far more expensive reference class loudspeakers. Listen to Spendor, let the technology work, hear the music. G5 Ropemaker Park, South Road, Hailsham BN27 3GY T 01323 843474 info@spendoraudio.com www.spendoraudio.com 30
Good cables are crucial: the interconnects that come free with equipment rarely offer adequate performance and you should certainly consider replacing them. Poor speaker cables will also strangle the sound of your whole system. Likewise poor video cables will not exploit the full potential of your television or projector. Headphones have had a huge renaissance and new audiophile models are appearing every month. They can sound even better than your speakers and extend the time you can listen to music without disturbing others, and they can help ensure that others don’t disturb you! We sell Bluetooth wireless models and also headphones for travelling with built in noise reduction. But most of all we sell a wide range to upgrade those supplied with smart phones and the like. The headphones in the box are almost always very poor and upgrading quite inexpensively can make a huge difference to the sound. Replacement versions can also come with the ability to take phone calls - a very useful addition if, say, you are out walking.
AUDIOQUEST
AudioQuest is a US based company that has been designing and manufacturing high performance, low distortion cables and accessories for over 30 years. Great sound and great pictures, music that consumes you, movies that transport you around the universe... all come from honouring the original signal. AudioQuest knows it’s an unavoidable fact of life that every component and cable in a system causes distortion, changing the overall character of the signal. Better cables and components can only improve performance if they do less harm to the original signal and reduce the amount of noise and distortion introduced into a system. Do No Harm! The last few years have seen AudioQuest branch out from cables. Pictured to the right are the multiaward winning NightHawk Headphone and the DragonFly portable USB DAC. These new products, like the cables are in house, original designs.
Hoge Bergen 10, 4704 RH Roosendaal, The Netherlands T 01249 848873 info@audioquest.nl www.audioquest.com NightHawk and DragonFly
31
BOWERS & WILKIN S
QED
QED - Premium Performance, Exceptional Value QED have been the leading UK producer of Hi-Fi, Home Cinema, and now digital cables, for four decades. Why? Because QED’s highly qualified designers understand that cable design is about science, not black magic. Good cable design comes solely from adhering to sound scientific principles and utilising the highest quality materials; plus the skill, knowledge and experience to fuse these elements together.
Zeppelin Wireless
Bowers & Wilkins now sets the standards in wireless audio performance. When developing the blisteringly good Zeppelin Wireless and the award-winning Bluetooth P5 Wireless Headphones, Bowers & Wilkins acoustic engineers were given a single parameter: Same great sound, build and performance. Just without the wires. Zeppelin Wireless Zeppelin Wireless delivers a whole new standard in wireless home audio. Hi-Fi quality drive units, advanced digital processing, and a new, incredibly rigid body are combined with amazing connection options in the form of AirPlay®, Bluetooth aptX® and Spotify Connect to ensure that Zeppelin Wireless is the best sounding, best looking, best built Wireless speaker available. P5 Wireless Headphones P5 Wireless combines fantastic sound and luxurious materials with advanced Bluetooth streaming for an unrivalled wireless acoustic performance. Best-inclass acoustic design. The best Bluetooth streaming technology. Put these together, and you can enjoy all the freedom and convenience of wireless headphones, without compromising on sound quality. P5 Wireless Headphones
Dale Road, Worthing BN11 2BH T 01903 221500 uksales@bwgroup.com www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk 32
The successful result of this dedication is epitomised in QED’s new ‘ReferenceRange’ cables. Reference Digital Audio 40, Reference Digital and Analogue XLR, Reference Optical and Reference Audio 40 cables all set new standards of performance; yet simultaneously deliver astonishing value for money.
Armour Home Electronics Units 7 & 8 Stortford Hall Industrial Park Bishops Stortford CM23 5GZ T 01279 501111 www.qed.co.uk
THE CHORD COMPANY
30 years of moving sound and vision. Never just an accessory, more like the link that holds your system together. The quintessential British cable company. “Music is at the heart of everything we do. If you love music and are a customer of Audio T, then you possibly already own one of our award-winning cables. I hope you will audition our new products throughout 2016 - our 31st year of business” Sally Gibb Founder & CEO “Twenty five years ago my brief from Sally was to design the best cables that I could at the best price. That’s still the chief design principle today and our ARAY, Tuned ARAY and Super ARAY cables set a standard of performance that is simply unbeatable.” Nigel Finn Technical Director “For 30 years we have strived to offer real musical performance for real people. Whatever your budget, have a listen and hear how we can improve your enjoyment of your system.” Alan Gibb Managing Director
Chord Company House The Millsway Centre Amesbury, Salisbury SP4 7RX T 01980 625700 www.chord.co.uk
33
SENNHEISER
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS... “Paul, the sales associate I worked with is an expert in his field. It’s good to know I can buy local and support the community at the same time get balanced advice I can trust. Thank you Audio T” Mr Lagace, Brentwood
For over 70 years, Sennheiser has been focused on the relentless pursuit of audio perfection. This heritage continues to be the driving force behind every product they produce today. It is embodied in everything they do – their constant innovation, precision engineering and exclusivity. This journey has led them to create some of the finest headphones exclusively available through Club Orpheus dealers where you will receive first class service, priority product support and unparalleled expertise. NEW HD 800 S* The HD 800 S is capable of creating an acoustic experience more incredible than anything ever heard through dynamic headphones. Sennheiser’s engineers have succeeded in enhancing the sound of the original HD 800 to offer a smoother listening experience using pioneering shock absorber technology to minimise any peaks. The result is that the frequency response is more extended – especially noticeable in the lower bass frequencies. This allows the finest nuances to become audible. IE 800* Brimming with technology and designed with comfort in mind, the IE 800 has more innovations than any other in-ear system, allowing music lovers to enjoy perfect sound, even when they’re on the move. Groundbreaking technology ensures that unlike with other in-ear headphones, music is played back with crystal clarity and absolute time precision. 2015 What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision Awards Winner of ‘The Best In Ear Over £300’ category. *Selected Club Orpheus Stores only.
Sennheiser UK Ltd., Pacific House, Third Avenue, Globe Park, Marlow SL7 1EY T 0333 240 8185 info@sennheiser.co.uk www.sennheiser.co.uk 34
“Service at the Manchester store was fantastic. I’ve bought from other companies who’ve advertised their “no rush” policy, but always felt rushed. At Audio T I was allowed to spend a serious amount of time listening to different speakers with my own CDs. No pressure from salesmen trying to push particular speakers. In all, I probably spent about 2 hours there, but I ended up with what I wanted. I couldn’t be happier. Thanks very much to the guys at the Manchester store.” Mr Affleck, Manchester “Excellent service, they offered an unrushed demo in a comfortable room with the speakers I was interested in.They gave good advice when needed and left me alone when I was listening. I decided to buy the speakers and was going to pay full price but they offered me an excellent pair of ex-dem speakers at a good price, so I saved a bit of money as well which I thought was good of them. Thanks.” Mr Woolmore, Chelmsford “Fast and friendly service, great advice and fast dispatch, couldn’t ask for more.” Mr Dummett, Online Store “Great to find local knowledgeable and friendly expertise in a product area (hi-fi) that is a minefield. I could have bought online but specifically wanted to buy local and when I went about doing that i found to my delight prices were just as competitive. Give them the business, this is a sector where you may need their experience and knowledge sooner or later.” Mr Daly, Hove “Staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. They were even prepared to come to my house to solder my cables correctly for my subwoofer speaker package” Mr Humphreys, Waterlooville “The staff at Bristol bent over backwards to help, very grateful and appreciate what they did. Thank you.” Mr Byrne, Bristol
www.bristolshow.co.uk
% Save overirce15 if you
on the door p nline buy tickets o
✔ See and hear almost every product in this Guide ✔ Meet the manufacturers and designers, often there in person ✔ The Show’s 29th anniversary Show in 2016!
✔ Visit the What Hi-Fi? stand for a demonstration or an answer to any questions you might have ✔ Get great deals on most purchases made at the Show
✔ Win great prizes in the Show competition ✔ See loads of the latest products, hot from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas ✔ Easy parking next to the hotel
✔ Easy to get to, right in the heart of Bristol and next to the new Cabot Circus shopping and entertainment area ✔ A great day out for all the family In association with:
26th- 28th February 2016 | 24th- 26th February 2017 Bristol 2016 Prices: Adults - £12.00 or £10 online. Students/Senior Citizens (over 65) - £10.00 or £8 online. Accompanied children under 16 FREE. Two Day Tickets: Adults £20.00 or an extra £8 if you’ve bought day one online. Students/Senior Citizens (over 65) £16.00 or an extra £6 if you’ve bought day one online. 35
WHERE TO FIND US
BRENTWOOD
BRIGHTON
BRISTOL
30 Crown Street CM14 4BA 01277 264730
69 London Road BN1 4JE 01273 609431
65 Park Street BS1 5PB 0117 926 4975
brentwood@audio-t.co.uk
brighton@audio-t.co.uk
bristol@audio-t.co.uk
CARDIFF
CHELTENHAM
ENFIELD
134/6 Crwys Road CF24 4NR 029 2022 8565
38 Winchcombe Street GL52 2LZ 01242 583960
159a Chase Side EN2 0PW 020 8367 3132
cardiff@audio-t.co.uk
cheltenham@audio-t.co.uk
enfield@audio-t.co.uk
MANCHESTER
OXFORD
PORTSMOUTH
63 Bridge Street M3 3BQ 0161 839 8869
19 Old High Street Headington OX3 9HS 01865 765961
manchester@audio-t.co.uk
oxford@audio-t.co.uk
29 London Road North End PO2 0BH 023 9266 3604 portsmouth@audio-t.co.uk
Check our website for opening hours, directions and information on where to park. Evening demonstrations can be arranged by appointment.
PRESTON
READING
SOUTHAMPTON
43 Friargate PR1 2AT 01772 883958
4 Queens Walk Broad Street Mall RG1 7QF 0118 958 5463
12 Hursley Road Chandlers Ford SO53 2FU 023 8025 2827
reading@audio-t.co.uk
southampton@audio-t.co.uk
preston@audio-t.co.uk
www.audio-t.co.uk
36
SWANSEA
SWINDON
9 High Street SA1 1LE 01792 474608
60 Fleet Street SN1 1RA 01793 538222
swansea@audio-t.co.uk
swindon@audio-t.co.uk