Q Acoustics Announces New ‘Concept 20’ Loudspeaker  An Astonishing ‘Sonic Leap Forward’

Q Acoustics is a brand of Armour Home. Alex Munro, Channel Director with special responsibility for Q Acoustics stated:

“Everyone involved in the project is immensely proud of the new ‘Concept 20’ loudspeaker. It’s a beautifully styled product that delivers a level of sonic performance previously thought impossible at its price point.”

Asked how Q Acoustics had achieved this leap forward in performance? Munro replied:

“Firstly by deliberately not following what other loudspeaker companies do. Instead, our engineers have addressed the fundamental problem of loudspeaker design, which is the distortion (colouration) caused by cabinet resonance.”

He continued:

“Until now, cabinet resonance has been the single factor holding back the performance of affordable loudspeakers. Technology has substantially improved drive unit performance over the decades, but cabinet designs have doggedly remained the same. To enable drive units to deliver their best possible sound quality, loudspeaker cabinets must be very rigid. However, the energy produced by drive units within a rigid cabinet, also cause it to ‘ring’ at its resonant frequency (and every harmonic of that frequency). Manufacturers have countered this problem by making expensive, heavy, high mass cabinets, which is why ‘high-end’ performance has also meant ‘high-end’ prices.”

“Rather than follow this path, Q Acoustics’ design team has approached the problem from a different angle. Applying scientific methodology and state-of-the-art technologies, such as laser spectrometry and chemical engineering, they have designed an advanced, ultra-low resonance speaker cabinet. In short, a cabinet that allows loudspeaker drive units to simply play the music, unconstrained by cabinet interference.”

“The sonic result, for a loudspeaker at its price, is nothing short of sensational.”

The Concept 20 loudspeaker cabinet incorporates ‘Gelcore Construction’^TM

In effect a ‘cabinet within a cabinet’, with a special resonance-cancelling compound adhering between the inner and outer shells. This cabinet is both rigid and exhibits extremely low resonance. The latter is achieved through the resonance-cancelling compound absorbing the kinetic energy (movement) generated within the cabinet by the drive units, then dispersing it by converting it into heat.

When compared to a good conventional cabinet, radiated power (colouration) throughout the critical mid-band (voice frequencies) reduces by an average of more than -6dB. In the high and low frequencies the effect is even greater, with improvements in excess of -10dB.

Sonically Matching Floorstand

To optimise sonic performance, Q Acoustics have also incorporated ‘Gelcore Construction’^TM into a unique, visually striking and resonance-free floorstand for the new loudspeaker.

Pricing and Finishes:

The speaker comes in a choice of either Gloss White or Gloss Black, lacquered finishes and has a UK suggested retail price of £350 per pair. The matching Gelcore Construction floorstand is £199 per pair.

Availability:

The new Concept 20 stand mount loudspeaker will be revealed to the public for the very first time at ‘Sound & Vision’ The Bristol Show (22^nd to 24^th February, 2013) and will be available to purchase from authorised Q Acoustics dealers from mid March 2013

Specifications:

Concept 20                          Enclosure type:                      2-way reflex
Bass Unit:                              125mm
Treble Unit:                            25mm
Frequency Response:          64Hz – 22kHz
Nominal Impedance:             6Ω
Minimum Impedance:           4Ω
Sensitivity:                                 88dB
Recommended Power:         25 – 75w
Crossover Frequency:          2.9kHz
Dimensions H/D/W mm:     260 x 280 x 170
Weight:                                        5.6kg

http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/q-acoustics-concept-20.htm

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                 20^th JANUARY 2013

British HI-FI Electronics Brand ‘Myryad’ Announces New

‘Z200 Series’ Stereo Amplifier, FM Radio Tuner and CD Player

Myryad is a brand of Armour Home. Its channel director, Alex Munro, stated:

“The new Myryad Z200 Series models feature ultra-clean, minimalistic styling, excellent build quality and outstanding sonic performance. We believe these new products will completely satisfy the aspirations of today’s audiophiles who increasingly demand great looks as well as value and great performance.”

Z240 Amplifier

The new dynamic, 50 Watts per channel Z240 amplifier boasts a luxuriously thick ‘Z200’ brushed aluminium facia. Its new white LED indicators complement the uncluttered styling to produce a sophisticated look and feel.

The Z240 delivers extended, weighty and controlled bass, open and detailed mid-range, and added top-end air and sweetness.

This superb sound is achieved with the help of an optimally shortened signal path featuring just one high speed, low loss series capacitor in each channel and discrete “soft recovery” ultra-fast rectifiers which improve dynamic range by reducing induced RF ‘noise’. Even the internal wiring, from the power amp outputs to the speaker terminals, has been upgraded to the acclaimed QED ‘Silver Anniversary XT’ cable.

Z230 FM Radio Tuner

Derived from the highly praised Z132 model the new tuner encompasses the beautiful Z200 styling. The tuner offers the convenience of 29 pre-set FM stations and an in-built clock/alarm function. Clarity, warmth and ambience are all features of this tuner’s outstanding radio sound quality.

Asked why Myryad have released an analogue tuner in today’s ‘digital age’? Alex Munro replied:

“There are two reasons. First and foremost it’s simply about sound quality. It’s true that there is a greater proliferation on stations available via digital radio but every audiophile knows good FM broadcasts are still audibly better than DAB. The second reason is purely pragmatic. Myryad is exported to many countries around the world, a lot of which don’t have DAB services.”

Z210 CD Player

Naturally featuring the new Z200 styling, the Z210 is a pure audiophile CD player which benefits from Myryad’s renowned audio engineering expertise. Multiple, separately regulated power supplies, massive reservoir capacitors and proprietary DAC decoupling all combine to ensure the Z210 delivers a superior sound quality with a truly excellent three dimensional soundstage.

The new Myryad Z200 Series components come in a choice of two finishes: Silver or Black and are available now from authorised dealers around the world.

In the UK, recommended retail prices (including VAT) are:

Z240 Amplifier:                      £695.00

Z230 Radio Tuner:                  £595.00

Z210 CD Player:                    £695.00

Renowned Loudspeaker Company PSB Launches ‘M4U 1’

Highly Styled, Super Quality ‘Closed Back’,

High Isolation, Over-Ear Headphones

PSB products are distributed in the UK by Armour Home. Jack Fox, Armour’s brand manager for PSB stated:

“PSB Speakers have been getting people ‘up close and personal’ with their music for more than forty years. Now PSB has packed all that experience of bringing real sound to real people into its exciting new ‘Music for You’ (M4U) series of high performance headphones.”

Mr Fox continued: “This latest addition, the ‘M4U 1’ passive, over-ear model, offers PSB’s ‘Room Feel™’ technology and the same outstanding musicality as its award-winning ‘M4U 2’ Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, but of course, without the amplification and noise cancelling. PSB’s ‘Room Feel™’ enables closed back, high isolation headphones to mirror the sonic performance of good loudspeakers and open back hi-fi headphones, but without the inherent sound leakage and interference problems.”

Just music

For at-home or on-the-go listening, these passive mode headphones are designed to give you the experience of ‘Room Feel™’, but without all the fuss. Just put them on and enjoy. No batteries or switches necessary. Just pure simple, super quality sound. Like all PSB designs, the M4U 1 model emphasises true-to-nature sound that doesn’t take anything away from the musical performance.

Just comfort.

Listen longer in extra comfort. The ergonomic, gyro-suspended ear pads are self-adjusting, to give both a precise fit and to naturally isolate the listener and their music from the outside world. The light weight and extremely soft replaceable ear pads allow listeners to lose themselves in those extended listening sessions. Needless to say, the expandable headband also adjusts easily for a more customised fit.

Cont…..

Just move.

On a train, on a plane, from your computer to your bedroom, PSB headphones are foldable, lightweight and ready to pack onto the protective travel case provided. In short, they’re always ready to deliver great sound; home, away or somewhere in between. PSB even added a thoughtful touch – dual input connections on either side of the headphones, which means no more crossed wires. Just plug in the cable on the left or right and be within easy reach of a headphone jack no matter where it’s situated.

Just Accessorise.

Two tangle-free cords are included; one standard and the other featuring an in-line remote to play, pause, or skip music, as well as a microphone to take calls from iPhone® or Blackberry®. Other accessories include the protective travel case, extra ear pads, micro-fibre cleaning cloth, ¼” (6mm) stereo adaptor, and dual input flight adaptor.

Price: Recommended retail price is £219:00 per pair including VAT.

Availability: Now – from authorised PSB dealers throughout the UK .

Finishes:      Three colours; ‘Black Diamond’, ‘Baltic Grey’ or ‘Monza Red’

Images:         Please follow this link  http://www.armourhome.co.uk/downloads/psb/images/PSB-M4U-1/

Specifications: Please follow this link http://www.psbspeakers.com/content/121023103236-M4U1_Data-Sheet.pdf

TO YOUR FAVOURITE SOUND SYSTEM

The new QED uPlay Plus (pronounced ‘yoo-play’) is a discreet Bluetooth Hi-Fi Receiver which incorporates the latest Bluecore 5 chipset and supports advanced ‘aptX^®’ audio coding.

QED is a brand of Armour Home. Bob Abraham, the Founder of QED, stated:

“One of the key benefits of owning a smartphone or laptop is the ability to use it as a Personal Entertainment Device (PED). The combination of stored music, videos and games; together with a plethora of streamed content, especially music services from the internet, has transformed the way people access media.”

Mr Abraham continued: “What is the best way to enjoy this content and wirelessly deliver a very high quality music stream to your sound system? Bluetooth is the only truly universal option because it is available on all smartphones, tablets and the like. And now, thanks to Bluetooth ‘aptX^®’, you can enjoy wireless, streamed music with CD quality sound. The ‘uPlay Plus’ seamlessly switches between the standard Bluetooth ‘SBC’ Codec and ‘aptX^®’, depending on the transmission source and enables true wireless connectivity of a portable device to your favourite sound system.”

For users seeking to truly maximise audio quality, the uPlay Plus boasts a digital optical output, allowing the direct connection to either an amplifier or receiver with a digital input, or an upmarket stand alone DAC (digital to analogue converter). Naturally the uPlay Plus also boasts its own onboard low distortion DAC, which promises less than 0.035% distortion, and stereo analogue outputs, making it ideally suited to connect to an existing hi-fi system, home theatre system or even the better quality iPod docks, fitted with an ‘Aux’ or optical input socket.

Price: The UK suggested retail price is £99.95 including VAT

Availability: Now, from authorised QED stockists.

Images: For a high resolution images, please follow these links:

http://www.armourhome.co.uk/downloads/qed/images/uPlay_Plus/QED_uPlay_Plus.jpg

http://www.armourhome.co.uk/downloads/qed/images/uPlay_Plus/QED_uPlay_Plus_Packaging.jpg

SPECIFICATION

Power Supply:           AC/DC Adapter

INPUT: 100-240V ~ 50-60Hz 300mA

OUTPUT: DC 5V - – - 1000mA

Weight:                           180g

Dimensions:            120 x 142 x 25mm approx

Terminals:                  micro USB DC Input port x 1

Analogue Audio Output X 1 ( 2 x RCA phono jack)

Digital Audio Output x 1 (Toslink optical)

Max Audio Output Level:                  2.48V rms

Total Harmonic Distortion:             0.035% at 1kHz

Comms Method:                                        Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR

Range:                                                                Bluetooth Class 2 (Line of sight distance approx. 10m*)

Frequency Band:                                       2.400GHz to 2.4835GHz

Bluetooth Profile:                                     A2DP

Codecs:                                                              SBC,  aptX^®

*when used with a Power Class 2 Bluetooth device. The transmission distance is approximate; performance may vary depending on the environment.

What HI-FI? magazine (October 2012) conducts a ‘Supertest’ and lists their top 50 pairs of headphones; with models priced from £20 to £2000 per pair.

Grado – Everyone’s a winner!

Included in their ‘Top 50’ are no fewer than six pairs of Grado headphones. The result? Every single Grado model receives a resounding Five Star review!

No wonder Grado headphones will be at the top of everyone’s Christmas list again this year.

Grado iGrado – Five Stars “Detail levels, cohesion, authority and refinement are simply outstanding for the money.”

Grado SR80i – Five Stars “a crisp sound that’s awesomely detailed and natural. Musically faultless at this price.”

Grado iGi – Five Stars “audio with the kind of detail, dynamics and neutrality that the vast majority of rivals can’t muster.”

Grado GR10 – Five Stars “Stunningly insightful and expressive; detailed without sounding overly analytical. The GR10s are earphones par excellence.”

Grado SR325is – Five Stars “Perhaps the best on a ‘performance-per-pound’ basis. Offering the kind of open, detailed, dynamic and rich sound that many rivals twice the price can’t match, they’re truly stunning.”

Grado PS1000 – Five Stars “Supreme build quality; astonishing resolution and clarity; gorgeously musical. Expensive, yes, but the sound is genuinely good enough to justify every penny.”

Armour Home is very pleased to announce it has been appointed by Vivitek Corporation to be the exclusive UK distributor of its world renowned range of advanced home cinema projectors

Chris Emerson, Armour Home’s Sales Director, stated: “We are naturally delighted to have been chosen by Vivitek to be the exclusive UK distributor for their projectors. The products clearly offer that winning combination of both outstanding performance and excellent value. Everyone on our sales team is looking forward to getting these fantastic products in front of our dealers.”

Responding, Vivitek Corporation’s Sales Manager for Europe, Brian Grogan, added: “We are equally pleased to be entering into this partnership. We investigated a number of possible UK distribution companies but Armour was always at the top of our list. They have vast experience and expertise in this segment which both parties are confident will translate into a strong market presence.”

Initially Armour will offer a range of six Vivitek projectors, including 3D ready models, in a price range starting below £1000.00 through to nearly £9000.00. These models will be available from authorised dealers in September 2012.

About Vivitek:

Vivitek, part of Delta Electronics, a multi-billion dollar electronics manufacturer based in Taiwan, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of DLP projectors.

It manufactures award winning digital projection and display devices, incorporating the latest innovations and technologies. Its extensive line-up consists of projectors for various applications: Home Theatre, Personal, Corporate, Education, Large Venue, Simulation and more, from 300 lumens to 10,000 ANSI lumens brightness.

Vivitek was the first company to launch a 1080p Full HD “LED” Home Cinema projector and was among the first to offer Full HD projectors to mass market consumers, as well as 3D-ready digital projectors featuring DLP link® from Texas Instruments.

World renowned headphone manufacturer Grado Labs is delighted to announce that international rising star young violinist, Francesca Dardani, has agreed to act as the ‘Grado Ambassador’ to the London 2012 Festival.

Francesca will be performing in the Aldeburgh World Orchestra which comprises young musicians from 30 countries and has been brought together for the Olympic Games. The orchestra will perform a series of concerts as part of the London 2012 Festival, including a Proms performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Francesca will be keeping a diary and posting about her experiences with the orchestra on her facebook page. She was offered her ‘Ambassadorial’ role after contacting the company to say how much she loved her new Grado RS2i headphones.

Francesca stated: “Because music is everything to me, I needed headphones that enable me to enjoy every nuance and emotion in a performance. My Grado RS2i do the job amazingly well and their cool wooden finish reminds me of my violin. They’re almost another musical instrument.”

Francesca’s facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/Francesca.Dardani.violin

About Francesca Dardani :

Aged 24, Francesca has performed in Italy, Austria, Sweden, Holland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and in world famous venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Amongst other places, she studied under Prof. Lewis Kaplan (of the Juilliard School) and graduated with a first class honours degree in music from New York’s Mannes College of Music. She is currently studying with Krzysztof Wegrzyn in Hannover and with Richard Deakin in London and will obtain a masters degree from the London Royal Academy of Music next year.

Performance Digital Awarded

Following the release of QED’s new Performance range, we are delighted to announce that the Performance Digital Audio cable is the current holder of the ‘Best Digital Audio Cable’ award from influential magazine, What Hi-Fi?

“Enabling your system to sound clean, vibrant and incredibly detailed, this coaxial is a worthy winner.”
What Hi-Fi? Awards Edition 2007

Click here to find out more about Performance Digital Audio

Ashley’s responsibilities will be absorbed within the existing management structure within our Custom Install (‘CI’) division. This team boasts more than 100 years experience in the UK CI industry and has been responsible for a number of the key events and innovations that have shaped today’s UK market.  The team has recently been strengthened through the recruitment of Chris Janes, who brings to Armour a wealth of experience, from both the product and installer sides of the CI business.

Bob Abraham, the founding father of the Systemline brand, ably supported by its product manager Paul Hilditch, will take responsibility for the all aspects of the Systemline brand, together with Chris Emerson, Armour Home’s sales director, who has day to day responsibility for the field sales team.

In terms of new products, 2012 has already been a busy year for Armour Home’s CI division with the highly successful launches of Systemline Airway, Soundscene by Imagine Acoustics and the Q Install range of in-ceiling speakers.  We will be building further on this programme of new product launches at the forthcoming Essential Install Live show in June with the first public demonstrations of a number of new products scheduled to come to market over the coming months.

Imagine Acoustics products are distributed worldwide by Armour Home. Chris Emerson, its channel director responsible for the brand, was asked how the SoundScene product differed from other ‘Art’ loudspeakers already in the market?

He replied: “The new SoundScene is different in every way. Firstly it’s the only ‘AirPlay’ enabled on-wall loudspeaker, which means owners can enjoy their music, streamed wirelessly direct from their appropriate iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or PC. Secondly it really does look just like a picture on the wall because, well that’s exactly what it is.”

Chris continued: “All the other ‘Art’ products are really just slim versions of ordinary conventional loudspeakers, but with a decorative speaker grille cloth over the front. They’re also all 100mm (4”) or more deep. In complete contrast, because the new SoundScene uses four advanced ‘Balanced Mode Radiator’ (BMR) drive units, there’s only 46mm between the picture frame and the wall. Even more importantly, because those drive units are side firing, any picture, made of any material, can be attached on the front. So a customer’s own pictures can be used or it could even be a mirror!”

Each SoundScene on-wall wireless speaker system is custom manufactured to the customer’s exact requirements. As with conventional picture framing, they can choose whatever artwork or image they want. As previously stated, it can even be a mirror. Enjoying the SoundScene could not be simpler, you just stream music wirelessly from your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad directly to SoundScene; you don’t even need a computer*.

SoundScene delivers first class stereo sound quality thanks to its four, side firing, low profile and ultra-wide dispersion, ‘BMR’ drive units. Each one is digitally equalized for optimum performance and powered by its own dedicated 12.5 Watt RMS amplifier (50 Watts total). The product can be used on its own or combined with other AirPlay products to create a diverse multi-room system.

Price and availability: SoundScene, complete with a choice of framed art, is available now and has a suggested retail price of £1300 (including VAT). Without frame and art (ready for the customer to fit their own framed art) it is £1100 including vat.

* iPod Touch’s G2 or later, iPhones 3GS or later and all iPad’s are AirPlay compatible. You can also stream music from your computer’s iTunes library using Apple’s free “Remote” app. Apple trade marks are the property of Apple inc.