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SHOWING OFF
Listed under: Show News
Published: Tuesday, April 12, 2011
As you know by now SVI is going through a period of transition. The AV industry, however, waits for no man and its inexorable progression meant that when the doors opened at the Marriott City Centre Hotel in Bristol on the Friday 24th February we were there ready to rub shoulders with the biggest names in the industry at the Sound & Vision – The Bristol Show.
2011 has so far proven to be a difficult year for the industry with the economy as a whole showing signs of regression and the spectre of a dreaded double-dip recession looming ominously over the nation. Despite this however the UK's largest Home Entertainment Electronics Show continued its on going success thanks to its ability to attract even more innovative exhibitors than ever.
Footfall was slightly down on last year but it seems the calibre of visitor made up for this as exhibitors registered an 8.2% rise in sales compared with the show in 2010. It also once again proved to be a popular show with those of you involved in the AV and Hi-Fi markets, with over 1000 trade and press representatives visiting the show over the three days.
Exhibitor numbers also reached a 24 year high with 89 companies purveying a total of 194 different brands. This vast array of products ensured that the Bristol show was once more an international event with visitors coming from a variety of different countries including; Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, France, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, USA, Austria, Canada, Portugal, Russia, and Finland.
This year also saw the launch of a specialist app featuring maps and information to help visitors get the most from their time in Bristol. This technological addition to proceedings proved popular with almost 2000 people downloading the app in total on both iPhone and Android devices. With plans already in place for the Bristol show to celebrate its 25th birthday between February 24th - 26th in 2012 and Manchester poised to welcome the Home Entertainment Show 2011 on October 22nd - 23rd the Sound & Vision shows continue to progress. But before all that let's have a look at some of things that caught our eye at this year's show...
Track Audio
Catching the eye in Bristol was Track Audio and their range of Precision stands. Designed and manufactured in the UK the stands are CNC machined and designed to deliver the highest standards in sound reproduction. The new Precision 700 features a micro top plate whilst, conversely, the Precision 400 has a large 320mm x 380mm top plate and the range is designed to accommodate all aspects of your home Hi-Fi.
Track Audio told us that their stands are the result of meticulous research into the problems plaguing Hi-Fi enthusiasts, utilising specialist materials to ensure the best results from your audio equipment. Adding to this Track Audio say that the stands will ensure your speakers sound as good in 10 years as they do now and to prove this they have put their money where their mouth is by providing a 10 year manufacturers guarantee with each stand.
Contact: +44 (0)1494 723755 http://www.trackaudio.co.uk
Acoustic Energy
Setting their sites firmly on the budget end of the loudspeaker market in 2011 are Acoustic Energy with the Compact 1. Making its début in the loudspeaker arena at Bristol the Compact is the result of intense research and development by the team at Acoustic Energy and looks set to excite those with smaller budgets and less space for their audio set-up.
Featuring a soft dome tweeter which has been designed and crafted to deliver a smooth and extended top end the Compact also boasts a wood fibre mid-bass driver with a signature AE conical dust cap which has been tuned to deliver a rhythmic and tuneful sound. The resultant speaker is emblematic of classic AE loudspeakers but enters the market at an entry level price. Due to be supplemented later this year with the Compact Centre and the Compact Sub the Compact loudspeaker is on sale now and available in a choice of piano gloss black or luxurious real wood veneer for £149 a pair.
Contact: http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk
Tannoy
One of the loudspeaker options that really stood out for us at Bristol was the Revolution DC6T from audio experts Tannoy. Marrying aesthetic appeal with true audiophile quality the Revolution DC6T is a floor standing option which features distinctive Dual Concentric driver technology and a 6-inch auxiliary bass driver which further adds to the sonorous skill of this loudspeaker.
The simplistic and elegant design ensures the aesthetic appeal of the Revolution DC6T, the inclusion of magnetic grille mounts below the veneer ensures an uncluttered appearance on the front baffle and the stylish brushed metal trims are mounted with concealed fixings to further enhance the smooth appearance. Available in light oak or darker espresso real wood veneers the DC6T is a svelte and stylish option for homes where space is at a premium.
Internal trickery further adds to the DC6T's appeal and the specially designed internal topography ensures minimised pathway signal loss and reduces interaction between internal components. Silver-plated, high purity oxygen-free copper internal wiring and chromed speaker terminals offer low-loss, high current signal transfer to ensure every musical nuance is reproduced, meaning that what is on the inside is as impressive as what is on the outside.
Contact: +44 (0) 01236 420199 http://www.tannoy.com
JVC
At the top-end of the projector market is the DLA-X9 from home cinema experts JVC. Offering a native contrast ratio of 100,000:1 this option impressed us at Bristol and left us a little more conducive to the 3D revolution. With a brightness of 1300 lumens and the inclusion of Adobe RGB, DCI and sRGB colour profiles the DLA-X9 offers stunning colours and visuals that impress through the whole spectrum. JVC's specialist Clear Motion Drive also ensures that motion blur is reduced and the vast range of options during set-up ensures that you can make the most of the space you have available.
Contact: http://www.jvc.co.uk
Sony
Another company capturing the 3D zeitgeist were Sony with the VPL-VW90ES. Using the BDPS570 Blu-ray player and STRDH810 signal receiver combination visitors were treated to a snippet of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and although the film choice didn't strike a chord with us the products definitely did.
Equipped with Sony's Advanced Iris 3 technology the VPL-VW90ES has a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1 and can project images in 1080p HD. Capable of transforming 2D content into 3D imagery this projector can also give you a new viewing experience when watching your old favourites and let you see them like you never have before. With an easy set-up procedure and a quiet running noise this projector can be made to suit most spaces and can be linked up to external hardware including games consoles to accommodate for the proliferation of 3D titles that is expected this year.
Contact: http://www.sony.co.uk
Denon
Utilising the power of Adele to ensnare team SVI Denon made an impression with the CEOL music system which allows users to play music from pretty much anywhere. Retailing at £600 the CEOL comprises a RCD-N7 network CD receiver and the SC-N7 speaker set and offers a multitude of playback options.
The RCD-N7 is a compact network CD receiver which features an iPod dock on top for direct playback from the ubiquitous device. Also boasting Internet access via an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi connection the CEOL is able to access media files stored on external PCs and home networks as well as being able to tap into the wealth of musical options provided by the 15,000 plus Internet radio stations at its disposal.
The system also incorporates an FM/AM radio whilst USB and auxiliary connections mean that even more external media is accommodated by the CEOL. It was the system's AirPlay capabilities that had us cooing at the Bristol show however and the addition of this function helps to keep the CEOL at the cutting edge of its field.
Contact http://www.denon.eu
Marantz
Marantz used the Bristol Show to unveil the UD7006 Blu-ray player which boasts exceptional audio capabilities beyond its top of the range visual features. Offering 3D Blu-ray play back as well as DVD functionality the device is DLNA1.5-certified meaning that the UD7006 can stream audio and video stored on home networks and the addition of Div X Plus HD play back ensures that Marantz have covered the bases when it comes to source options. Standard DVDs also get a quality boost thanks to Anchor Bay's ABT 2015 VRS video processing, which outputs 1080p from standard material via the HDMI 1.4a port.
But as with all Marantz players it is musicality that takes precedence over all and to ensure top audio quality the UD7006 includes a special decoder for HD sound formats and uses a 32-bit audio DAC with 7.1 analogue channel out. This means that CD play back is enough to satiate the needs of audiophiles and the stylish design means that the aesthetically concerned are also pandered to. Priced at £749.90 the UD7006 is available now.
Contact. http://www.marantz.co.uk
Pioneer
Sound & Vision – The Bristol Show was not only a place to enjoy devices designed for outward displays of audio delights as Pioneer proved with the unveiling of their SE-NC31C noise cancelling headphones. Designed to be a flexible solution for commuting Hi-Fi enthusiasts who want to enjoy their music in public without having to raise the volume to drown out the irksomely noisy people of the world the SE-NC31Cs reduce ambient noise by 90% making for a more immersive musical experience on the move.
Impressively sized, 14.2mm drivers allow for a frequency response of 5Hz-16kHz whilst a gold-plated 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug and a silver-plated OFC wire ensure excellent electrical contact and therefore better audio transmission. Priced at £119 the SE-NC31C's noise cancelling functionality is powered by an alkaline AAA battery which, thanks to the power-saving design of the headphones, will allow for 120 hours of continuous playback.
Contact: http://www.pioneer.eu
Kudos
We saw a wide array of loudspeaker options at the Bristol show but one that really caught our eye was the Titan T88 from industry experts Kudos. Standing at just over a metre in height the Titan T88 strikes a commanding shape and the dual cabinet design ensures the highest standards of musical performance. The cabinets are made from high density MDF, varying in thickness from 25mm to 50mm, and internal bracing and specific damping is used to optimise cabinet resonance. The top cabinet is home to the tweeter and midrange/bass units whilst the lower cabinet houses the two bass drivers in an isobaric arrangement placed back-to-back with the rear driver out of phase which improves bass response.
The drive units are designed by Norwegian firm SEAS for specific use in Kudos products and comprise a SEAS - Kudos Crescendo K2 29mm fabric dome tweeter, a SEAS - Kudos 220mm Nextel coated paper cone with 39mm voice coil mid bass driver and two SEAS – Kudos 220mm double coated hard paper cone with 39mm voice coil bass drivers, all of which results in a frequency response of 20Hz-30kHz. Reflecting the high-end nature of the Titan T88 pricing starts at £12,950 for standard finishes which are available now.
Contact: http://www.kudosaudio.com
IXOS
Highlighting that this show is not just about speakers but the whole Hi-Fi experience were IXOS with their range of cable options. Showcasing their patented IXOS Gamma Geometry technology IXOS have developed a cable solution that offers the best of both worlds. The design features a unique Inductance Control Core which is woven between the positive and negative conductors meaning that the cable performs better than a parallel pair construction cable but rejects noise and distortion like a twisted-pair construction option.
In the XHS756 Bi/Single wire option the Gamma Geometry design ensures improved musical clarity and dynamics, whilst this option also benefits from high grade PC-OFC conductors which significantly improve audio integrity and detail and individual high and low frequency conductors for a more detailed performance.
Also on show was the IXOS XC1328 which is a wall plate that allows for HDMI to be transmitted around the home, the unit incorporates integrated active iVEC technology which enhances the signal and enables high speed HDMI at 1.4 standard to be transmitted over distances up to 90m without any handshake issues.
Contact: http://www.ixos.co.uk
Cyrus
Cyrus were displaying their latest range of streaming platforms which include a new preamplifier in the form of an updated version of their XP models. The updated design introduced a DAC into the new printed circuit board assembly creating tight signal routing as well as including their proprietary power and earth tracking topologies that accommodate the needs of digital and analogue audiophiles alike. They have also integrated their newly developed UPnP streaming engine as well expanding their capabilities with the software modules that are required to ensure the engines are compatible with the latest music files. Both analogue and digital power supplies benefit from Cyrus' long experience in the audio technology industry, ensuring the decoded files are reproduced with low noise and stable DC power.
Contact: http://www.cyrusaudio.com
VIEWS FROM THE SHOW FLOOR
Roger Batchelor - for Denon
“Another great Bristol Show, we had a constant flow of enthusiastic visitors to our room."
Steve Dalton - for Sennheiser
"The 2011 pre-publicity obviously had its effect, a very busy show for us"
Graham Baskerville - Freelance Consultant
"Good to see that S&V was a success – interesting mix of trade customers/Press and PR around"
James Luce - for Acoustic Energy
"Once again congratulations on another successful show! Very nice turn-out as always and a good quality of visitor."
Noel Keywood - for Hi-Fi World
"Very good and busy as always, met a lot of overseas visitors and press. We love doing Bristol"
Johan Coorg - for KEF
"This years show was one of the best I've done personally. There was a great vibe and high calibre customers as well"
Charlie Brennan - for Arcam
"Great to see that the show still has influence. The show for us was really good and we sold a lot of product"
Katherine Buckham - for Quadral UK
"The Bristol Show was a superb success for us."
Martin Colloms for Hi-Fi Critic
"Fantastic organisation as usual, record number of interested visitors to our stand, our best show yet."
2011 has so far proven to be a difficult year for the industry with the economy as a whole showing signs of regression and the spectre of a dreaded double-dip recession looming ominously over the nation. Despite this however the UK's largest Home Entertainment Electronics Show continued its on going success thanks to its ability to attract even more innovative exhibitors than ever.
Footfall was slightly down on last year but it seems the calibre of visitor made up for this as exhibitors registered an 8.2% rise in sales compared with the show in 2010. It also once again proved to be a popular show with those of you involved in the AV and Hi-Fi markets, with over 1000 trade and press representatives visiting the show over the three days.
Exhibitor numbers also reached a 24 year high with 89 companies purveying a total of 194 different brands. This vast array of products ensured that the Bristol show was once more an international event with visitors coming from a variety of different countries including; Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, France, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, USA, Austria, Canada, Portugal, Russia, and Finland.
This year also saw the launch of a specialist app featuring maps and information to help visitors get the most from their time in Bristol. This technological addition to proceedings proved popular with almost 2000 people downloading the app in total on both iPhone and Android devices. With plans already in place for the Bristol show to celebrate its 25th birthday between February 24th - 26th in 2012 and Manchester poised to welcome the Home Entertainment Show 2011 on October 22nd - 23rd the Sound & Vision shows continue to progress. But before all that let's have a look at some of things that caught our eye at this year's show...
Track Audio
Catching the eye in Bristol was Track Audio and their range of Precision stands. Designed and manufactured in the UK the stands are CNC machined and designed to deliver the highest standards in sound reproduction. The new Precision 700 features a micro top plate whilst, conversely, the Precision 400 has a large 320mm x 380mm top plate and the range is designed to accommodate all aspects of your home Hi-Fi.
Track Audio told us that their stands are the result of meticulous research into the problems plaguing Hi-Fi enthusiasts, utilising specialist materials to ensure the best results from your audio equipment. Adding to this Track Audio say that the stands will ensure your speakers sound as good in 10 years as they do now and to prove this they have put their money where their mouth is by providing a 10 year manufacturers guarantee with each stand.
Contact: +44 (0)1494 723755 http://www.trackaudio.co.uk
Acoustic Energy
Setting their sites firmly on the budget end of the loudspeaker market in 2011 are Acoustic Energy with the Compact 1. Making its début in the loudspeaker arena at Bristol the Compact is the result of intense research and development by the team at Acoustic Energy and looks set to excite those with smaller budgets and less space for their audio set-up.
Featuring a soft dome tweeter which has been designed and crafted to deliver a smooth and extended top end the Compact also boasts a wood fibre mid-bass driver with a signature AE conical dust cap which has been tuned to deliver a rhythmic and tuneful sound. The resultant speaker is emblematic of classic AE loudspeakers but enters the market at an entry level price. Due to be supplemented later this year with the Compact Centre and the Compact Sub the Compact loudspeaker is on sale now and available in a choice of piano gloss black or luxurious real wood veneer for £149 a pair.
Contact: http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk
Tannoy
One of the loudspeaker options that really stood out for us at Bristol was the Revolution DC6T from audio experts Tannoy. Marrying aesthetic appeal with true audiophile quality the Revolution DC6T is a floor standing option which features distinctive Dual Concentric driver technology and a 6-inch auxiliary bass driver which further adds to the sonorous skill of this loudspeaker.
The simplistic and elegant design ensures the aesthetic appeal of the Revolution DC6T, the inclusion of magnetic grille mounts below the veneer ensures an uncluttered appearance on the front baffle and the stylish brushed metal trims are mounted with concealed fixings to further enhance the smooth appearance. Available in light oak or darker espresso real wood veneers the DC6T is a svelte and stylish option for homes where space is at a premium.
Internal trickery further adds to the DC6T's appeal and the specially designed internal topography ensures minimised pathway signal loss and reduces interaction between internal components. Silver-plated, high purity oxygen-free copper internal wiring and chromed speaker terminals offer low-loss, high current signal transfer to ensure every musical nuance is reproduced, meaning that what is on the inside is as impressive as what is on the outside.
Contact: +44 (0) 01236 420199 http://www.tannoy.com
JVC
At the top-end of the projector market is the DLA-X9 from home cinema experts JVC. Offering a native contrast ratio of 100,000:1 this option impressed us at Bristol and left us a little more conducive to the 3D revolution. With a brightness of 1300 lumens and the inclusion of Adobe RGB, DCI and sRGB colour profiles the DLA-X9 offers stunning colours and visuals that impress through the whole spectrum. JVC's specialist Clear Motion Drive also ensures that motion blur is reduced and the vast range of options during set-up ensures that you can make the most of the space you have available.
Contact: http://www.jvc.co.uk
Sony
Another company capturing the 3D zeitgeist were Sony with the VPL-VW90ES. Using the BDPS570 Blu-ray player and STRDH810 signal receiver combination visitors were treated to a snippet of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and although the film choice didn't strike a chord with us the products definitely did.
Equipped with Sony's Advanced Iris 3 technology the VPL-VW90ES has a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1 and can project images in 1080p HD. Capable of transforming 2D content into 3D imagery this projector can also give you a new viewing experience when watching your old favourites and let you see them like you never have before. With an easy set-up procedure and a quiet running noise this projector can be made to suit most spaces and can be linked up to external hardware including games consoles to accommodate for the proliferation of 3D titles that is expected this year.
Contact: http://www.sony.co.uk
Denon
Utilising the power of Adele to ensnare team SVI Denon made an impression with the CEOL music system which allows users to play music from pretty much anywhere. Retailing at £600 the CEOL comprises a RCD-N7 network CD receiver and the SC-N7 speaker set and offers a multitude of playback options.
The RCD-N7 is a compact network CD receiver which features an iPod dock on top for direct playback from the ubiquitous device. Also boasting Internet access via an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi connection the CEOL is able to access media files stored on external PCs and home networks as well as being able to tap into the wealth of musical options provided by the 15,000 plus Internet radio stations at its disposal.
The system also incorporates an FM/AM radio whilst USB and auxiliary connections mean that even more external media is accommodated by the CEOL. It was the system's AirPlay capabilities that had us cooing at the Bristol show however and the addition of this function helps to keep the CEOL at the cutting edge of its field.
Contact http://www.denon.eu
Marantz
Marantz used the Bristol Show to unveil the UD7006 Blu-ray player which boasts exceptional audio capabilities beyond its top of the range visual features. Offering 3D Blu-ray play back as well as DVD functionality the device is DLNA1.5-certified meaning that the UD7006 can stream audio and video stored on home networks and the addition of Div X Plus HD play back ensures that Marantz have covered the bases when it comes to source options. Standard DVDs also get a quality boost thanks to Anchor Bay's ABT 2015 VRS video processing, which outputs 1080p from standard material via the HDMI 1.4a port.
But as with all Marantz players it is musicality that takes precedence over all and to ensure top audio quality the UD7006 includes a special decoder for HD sound formats and uses a 32-bit audio DAC with 7.1 analogue channel out. This means that CD play back is enough to satiate the needs of audiophiles and the stylish design means that the aesthetically concerned are also pandered to. Priced at £749.90 the UD7006 is available now.
Contact. http://www.marantz.co.uk
Pioneer
Sound & Vision – The Bristol Show was not only a place to enjoy devices designed for outward displays of audio delights as Pioneer proved with the unveiling of their SE-NC31C noise cancelling headphones. Designed to be a flexible solution for commuting Hi-Fi enthusiasts who want to enjoy their music in public without having to raise the volume to drown out the irksomely noisy people of the world the SE-NC31Cs reduce ambient noise by 90% making for a more immersive musical experience on the move.
Impressively sized, 14.2mm drivers allow for a frequency response of 5Hz-16kHz whilst a gold-plated 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug and a silver-plated OFC wire ensure excellent electrical contact and therefore better audio transmission. Priced at £119 the SE-NC31C's noise cancelling functionality is powered by an alkaline AAA battery which, thanks to the power-saving design of the headphones, will allow for 120 hours of continuous playback.
Contact: http://www.pioneer.eu
Kudos
We saw a wide array of loudspeaker options at the Bristol show but one that really caught our eye was the Titan T88 from industry experts Kudos. Standing at just over a metre in height the Titan T88 strikes a commanding shape and the dual cabinet design ensures the highest standards of musical performance. The cabinets are made from high density MDF, varying in thickness from 25mm to 50mm, and internal bracing and specific damping is used to optimise cabinet resonance. The top cabinet is home to the tweeter and midrange/bass units whilst the lower cabinet houses the two bass drivers in an isobaric arrangement placed back-to-back with the rear driver out of phase which improves bass response.
The drive units are designed by Norwegian firm SEAS for specific use in Kudos products and comprise a SEAS - Kudos Crescendo K2 29mm fabric dome tweeter, a SEAS - Kudos 220mm Nextel coated paper cone with 39mm voice coil mid bass driver and two SEAS – Kudos 220mm double coated hard paper cone with 39mm voice coil bass drivers, all of which results in a frequency response of 20Hz-30kHz. Reflecting the high-end nature of the Titan T88 pricing starts at £12,950 for standard finishes which are available now.
Contact: http://www.kudosaudio.com
IXOS
Highlighting that this show is not just about speakers but the whole Hi-Fi experience were IXOS with their range of cable options. Showcasing their patented IXOS Gamma Geometry technology IXOS have developed a cable solution that offers the best of both worlds. The design features a unique Inductance Control Core which is woven between the positive and negative conductors meaning that the cable performs better than a parallel pair construction cable but rejects noise and distortion like a twisted-pair construction option.
In the XHS756 Bi/Single wire option the Gamma Geometry design ensures improved musical clarity and dynamics, whilst this option also benefits from high grade PC-OFC conductors which significantly improve audio integrity and detail and individual high and low frequency conductors for a more detailed performance.
Also on show was the IXOS XC1328 which is a wall plate that allows for HDMI to be transmitted around the home, the unit incorporates integrated active iVEC technology which enhances the signal and enables high speed HDMI at 1.4 standard to be transmitted over distances up to 90m without any handshake issues.
Contact: http://www.ixos.co.uk
Cyrus
Cyrus were displaying their latest range of streaming platforms which include a new preamplifier in the form of an updated version of their XP models. The updated design introduced a DAC into the new printed circuit board assembly creating tight signal routing as well as including their proprietary power and earth tracking topologies that accommodate the needs of digital and analogue audiophiles alike. They have also integrated their newly developed UPnP streaming engine as well expanding their capabilities with the software modules that are required to ensure the engines are compatible with the latest music files. Both analogue and digital power supplies benefit from Cyrus' long experience in the audio technology industry, ensuring the decoded files are reproduced with low noise and stable DC power.
Contact: http://www.cyrusaudio.com
VIEWS FROM THE SHOW FLOOR
Roger Batchelor - for Denon
“Another great Bristol Show, we had a constant flow of enthusiastic visitors to our room."
Steve Dalton - for Sennheiser
"The 2011 pre-publicity obviously had its effect, a very busy show for us"
Graham Baskerville - Freelance Consultant
"Good to see that S&V was a success – interesting mix of trade customers/Press and PR around"
James Luce - for Acoustic Energy
"Once again congratulations on another successful show! Very nice turn-out as always and a good quality of visitor."
Noel Keywood - for Hi-Fi World
"Very good and busy as always, met a lot of overseas visitors and press. We love doing Bristol"
Johan Coorg - for KEF
"This years show was one of the best I've done personally. There was a great vibe and high calibre customers as well"
Charlie Brennan - for Arcam
"Great to see that the show still has influence. The show for us was really good and we sold a lot of product"
Katherine Buckham - for Quadral UK
"The Bristol Show was a superb success for us."
Martin Colloms for Hi-Fi Critic
"Fantastic organisation as usual, record number of interested visitors to our stand, our best show yet."
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