The KEF R300's Rock!

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Any great speaker starts with a strong inert cabinet, the R300 has just that. The R range uses a clever geometry and internal bracing which KEF quote "optimises vibrational behavior, reducing secondary radiation from cabinet walls for a cleaner sound."  Damping panels are also used to reduce cabinet resonance and colouration.

The R300 uses KEF's marvellous all new Uni-Q driver array, capable of producing a truly immersive, wide & open soundstage, that is both clean and accurate. The R300's are easy to listen to and don't fatigue your ears over long periods of time.

The R300 shares a single 165mm bass driver found in the floor standing R700's . Now to say that a single 165mm bass driver isn't enough would be a lie. The R300's sound powerful... like floor-stander powerful! I really like the simplicity of having the 3-way designed cross over that utilises each driver to play each major frequency separately (treble, mid-range, & bass). This allows the R300's to sound fast & controlled over all frequencies but particularly in the bass, rather than sacrificing definition & texture for all out bass extension.

I'm a big fan of floor standing speakers or more over a speaker that can play a  wide frequency range, particularly lower frequencies. Not just because I like bass (I do, but that's not the point). The point is I believe you obtain more realism. The R300's really hit the spot! For anyone who thinks they need floor-standers for a big sound, or if you're looking to down size from floor standing speakers & still want to hold on to that lovely bass extension, then audition the R300's . You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

Book a demo today!  or listen to KEF's R300 at our up coming [Event]

Audio-T Enfield

Tel: 0208 367 3132

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Thanks
Simon

REL's T7 Storms The Competition!

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Subs, where to start... Some use downward firing drivers & others use forward firing drivers, why? 

The really great thing about downward firing subs are their "coupled-to-room" sound, the ability to work with your room to create a smooth seamless presentation is fantastic. This is achieved by controlling the distance from the first boundary to the drive unit using certain height feet. In a downward firing subs case the first boundary it encounters is the floor, this makes tuning a sub easier. This also means that it can create a more constant & controlled response, Great! However it's not all good news, for those of us after all out trouser flapping & chest pounding bass, we'll need to look elsewhere. 

  

That's where forward firing subs come in. Some people will argue that subs are omnidirectional... I disagree when it comes to a design that is forward firing. Why is it any different to a traditional pair of speakers? It's simply in most cases using a larger single driver and operating at a lower frequency range (the frequency part is what i think many people mean when it's omnidirectional, because you can still hear these larger soundwaves its okay to hide a sub away) Although you can hide a sub behind sofas etc. it's certainly not the best place to position it in my opinion. With a forward firing sub you get so much more slam & attack, which is why I believe it's important to let your sub breathe  into the room, firing across the longest length of a room eg. from corner to corner, to give it more control without booming or humming.

 There are pros and cons to both designs, so why can't you have both?... Well you can. It's REL's T-7!

 To be honest when I first laid eyes on the T-7 I didn't think it was going to work that well. I had preconceptions that the 8" active downward firing driver would clash with the 10" passive forward firing driver creating a mushy unfocused presentation... I was wrong, very wrong.

The REL T-7 is now amongst some of my most favoured subwoofers. The first reason for this is REL's use of both downward & forward firing drivers.

 Secondly is the use of hi-fi quality power supplies, toroidal to be exact, partnered with high current Class A/B amps. These are the same types of transformers & amplifier designs being used in some of the best stereo amplifiers being made today. The use of these helps marry the sub to your speakers (if using the same power supply & amp designs in your amplifier).

 Thirdly is REL's use of input filters, this is what I think has got me really hooked on REL subwoofers. Borrowed from its more expensive sibling (Serie R) the new input filters are considerably quicker than previous REL designs & many other speaker manufacturers sub designs. The signal that comes into the back panel inputs of the subwoofer then out to the drivers is lightening fast! Giving REL subwoofers the ability to start and stop fast enough for you to hear even the biggest of sub bass frequencies in movies or music with a layered, controlled & textured response. Something I can't say for all subwoofer designs.

Fourthly is REL's high level connection (for music) as well as the standard LFE RCA input (for movies). The high level connection allows for seamless integration to your speakers, not just because you are presented with volume & crossover controls separate to the LFE RCA input, but because you connect the sub to your amp via the speaker terminals (using a cable made up of x1 yellow cable-left positive, x1 red cable-right positive, and x1 black cable left & right negative) taking the lovely character of your amp to your sub as well as the speakers.

The REL T-7 ticks all the boxes. It's compact, it's fast and agile, it sounds much bigger than it looks, & it can improve music and movies like no other. In my opinion REL could charge more for performance like this, so grab one before they change their minds!

If you're in the market for a new sub I strongly urge you to audition this first.

Book a demo today, or listen to REL's T-7 at our up coming [Event] 

Audio-T Enfield

Tel: 0208 367 3132

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Thanks
Simon

The Chord Company Signature Tuned ARAY Arrives!

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Step into the world of The Chord Company's Tuned ARAY cables.

 I have been a fan of The Chord Co. for a long time. However, before hearing The Chord Company's new Tuned ARAY cables I didn't know what I was missing!  

Whether it is an RCA pair, 5Pin DIN, digital coax, or USB cable they all contribute to a more realistic musical presentation. Perhaps, that should be they contribute less, letting the music really shine through, unrestricted and less coloured.


Tuned ARAY in an analogue RCA configuration starts at the Signature range and goes up to the Sarum range. Signature Tuned ARAY uses silver-plated high purity copper conductors for both the signal and return paths. All conductors are insulated with PTFE and feature a dual layer, high-frequency, silver-plated braided shield, which minimises signal loss through interference. The Signature Tuned ARAY RCA cable also features Chord's ultra low mass acrylic plugs.

Everything I've talked about so far has featured in Chord's high performance cables for some time now, however these features alone are not what makes Tuned ARAY so good...

The magic lies in the Tuned ARAY conductor configuration. Chord quotes “a revolutionary way of building audio interconnects. Tuned ARAY conductor technology produces outstanding levels of detail along with an extraordinary level of musical coherence.” I don't disagree, the change it has made to my system is amazing.

The most noticeable improvement is that the noise floor seems to have dropped, creating an inky black silence between every single instrument in the recording. This in turn has created one of the most realistically believable soundstages I have ever heard. Vocalists stand up to the microphone and start to sing, bass drums cut through me, strings on guitars have so much more texture.

The application of Tuned ARAY cables within a system sounds like nothing I've heard before. The only thing I can compare this type of performance jump to be like are mains conditioners or feeding your system with a battery. I can't think of many black boxes that give these types of improvements for the same price as Chord Signature Tuned ARAY cable, which is why Tuned ARAY has become one of the most important upgrades I have made to my system.

The difference that is Tuned ARAY, is the ability to listen to a piece of music vs. listening to your system trying to play a CD, WAV/FLAC File, or Vinyl. It's real, the musicians are playing in front of you!

My only request is that you forget what you think cables can do, and listen to a Chord Tuned ARAY cable for yourself.

 

Thanks for reading

Simon

 

Book a demo today, or listen to what Chord Tuned ARAY can do at our up coming [Event].

Audio T Enfield

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Tel: 0208 367 3132 

Arcam's AVR750 Lands In Our Demo Room!

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Arcam's top of the range and eagerly awaited Home Cinema Amplifier has arrived!


It feels like Christmas has come early! :)

 Supplied with the Arcam AVR750 you will find x1 Power Cable, x1 Set-Up Mic, x1 FM/DAB Aerial, x1 Remote (CR450), and x2 AAA Batteries.

Arcam's AVR750 isn't just an improvement over its predecessor the AVR600.... Its a giant leap forward in Movie and Music terms!, Arcam quoted that the AVR600 was known as the "best sounding" receiver available at that price point and beyond, however Arcam's AVR750 is being referred to as Arcam's best ever "stereo" amplifier!

Arcam have decided to use a completely new HDMI board for the AVR750 which relates to faster input switching & a faster to appear set-up on-screen menu which all helps create a smooth & seamless operation of the new AVR's, but more importantly is the improvements over picture definition! (We find ourselves getting pulled further into the picture noticing minute details that we previously had missed!). Arcam has also changed the volume control using a resistive ladder operation much like a high-end multi-pole resistor switch (usually found in esoteric and expensive pre-amps). With this design it means that only a single resistor is in place of the signal path , offering next to no distortion!

Lurking under the casework of the Arcam AVR750 is a huge toroidal transformer supplying the Class G power amplifiers with the clean, stable power they need to deliver a genuine 120 Watts (2 channels driven) and 100 Watts per channel when driving all seven, however the majority of normal listening uses a Class A stage, making Arcam's AVR750 a cut above the competition for music playback & arguably movies "Hollywood is easy......get the music right and Hollywood will follow".

Lastly the new remote (CR450) is superior to the one previously supplied with the AVR360/400/600, With much better and reliable lighting you can enjoy a home theater experience without having to stumble in the dark trying to find the right button!

Our first listens have left us gob smacked!.... thanks to it's refined Class G power amplifer and new analogue volume control its so much cleaner sounding than both the AVR400 & AVR600 amps.  The picture appears to have more depth & HDMI handshaking speeds are incredibly fast due to the new HDMI boards. This feels like what the AVR600 should have been.

Well done ARCAM! :) It's Amazing!

Book a demo today!

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk

B&W's MT50 Dominate Our Demonstration Room!

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Take a closer look & listen at B&W's MT50 speaker package at Audio-T Enfield!

The new B&W M-1 Satellites contain x1 1" metal dome Tube-Loaded tweeter, x1 4" woven glass fibre cone bass driver which features B&W's Anti-Resonance Plug. The performance is now full range with help from a extended bass port and other shared technologies from the Nautilus & PM1 speakers. In short the M-1's are some of the best satellite speakers we've heard!

The M-1 centre channel is simply the same speaker as the M-1 satellites with the stand adjusted & the badge turned around :) (All satellites are wall mountable using the supplied wall bracket).

B&W's ASW608 uses x1 8" Paper Aramid Fibre cone long-throw driver which is driven by 200 Watts of power, although less powerful on paper than KEF's E2 & Monitor Audio's Mass W200, B&W's decision to mount the 8" bass driver on the front of the cabinet means a tighter faster slam! Bring on the trouser flapping bass! :)

So find out today whether B&W's MT50 5.1 speaker package is the surround sound we've been waiting for!

We would describe the M-1 satellites as "Detailed with considerable bass weight and texture"

And the ASW608 subwoofer as "Fast, Punchy with a controlled slam"

Book a demo today!

Audio T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk 

Arcam's irDAC is here!

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We've got our hands on the eagerly awaited Arcam irDAC!

We open the box to find everything perfectly wrapped in individual compartments.

With everything unpacked its clear to see Arcam has been quite generous. Supplied with the irDAC is all the relevent cables needed to get you on your way. PSU, Remote, x1 Stereo phono-phono cable, x1 Digital Optical cable, x1 Digital Coax cable, USB A-B cable, and Manual.

The Arcam irDAC uses x1 Burr-Brown/TI PCM1796 DAC chipset (Hang on don't they use x2 of them in Arcam's D33... Yes!) So arguably quite a lot of DAC for a mere £399!

On the back of Arcam's irDAC you will find x1 USB input Class I/II(switchable)[Faster is better :) Driver needed visit http://www.arcam.co.uk/extranethome/tor and download the D33/irDac driver to support the faster class II USB input], USB iPod input, x2 Optical inputs, x2 Coax inputs, x1 Digital Coax output & x1 Analogue Phono output.

 

So for those of us that don't have £2200 to spend on Arcam's wonderful D33! Is this the answer?

We have our irDAC running in now, so our thoughts will follow in a couple of days(Watch this space!)

 

Arcam's irDac is everything I expected from the little brother of the mighty D33.The irDac stays true to Arcam's sonic signature, which I feel is a vast,immersive 3D sound stage which brings you closer to the music & allows the listener to forget about their speakers & electronics! Arcam's irDac sounds right... everything I've played through it (from Classical to Metal, and everything in between) has made me smile with its sweet, natural tones. In turn this has given me more head room to crank the volume up, without my system losing control.

The Arcam irDac is one of the best £399 I can think of spending, which is why mine's on order.

 

Book a demo today!

Audio-T Enfield

Tel: 0208 3673132

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

 

Treat Your Ears To The MASSive Sound Of Monitor Audio's Latest 5.1 Speaker Package!

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Get up close & personal with Monitor Audio's MASS 5.1 surround sound speakers.

The MASS 10 & Centre satellites contain 1x 4" C-CAM Bass/Midrange driver which uses a single bolt through driver and bracing system, for increased overall bracing and rigidity & 1x 1" C-CAM Tweeter. The cabinet also features a single rear mounted port featuring HiVe technology for clean, powerful, punchy bass. 

  

 The MASS Centre speaker is identical to the MASS 10's but turned on its side which sits on a rubber support to prevent any vibrations from the surface it sits on. Keeping the same size speaker as the left, right and rears ensures excellent steering of effects while listening to your favourite movies. (All satellites can be wall mounted using Monitor Audio's Speaker Mount £15(each)

 

The mighty MASS W200 uses x1 10" C-CAM Long throw driver driven by 220Watts of class-D power.

On the other side of the MASS W200 you will find a 10" Passive Auxiliary Bass Radiator (which is usually used to gain more volume with a more controlled response than simply porting a subwoofer cabinet). Using quality cabling always pays off we suggest The Chord Crimson VEE3 or the Cobra VEE3 for even tighter bass.

Listen in one of our purpose built demo rooms to find out just how good the Monitor Audio's MASS 5.1 speaker package can really sound!

 

We would describe the satellites as "Fast, Focused & Detailed"

And the W200 subwoofer as "Room shaking" & "Trouser Flapping" :)

 

Book a demo today!

 

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk

We've Cracked Open The New KEF Eggs! The E305's Now On Demonstration

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   Take a closer look at the KEF E305's at Audio-T Enfield. 

The 301 satellites contain KEF's Uni-Q driver array which houses the tweeter in the middle of the mid/bass driver (which helps give a wider voice to the speaker). (we recommend QED silver micro speaker cable to use with these)

The E301c centre speaker is simply the same E301 satellite just on it's side which helps create a seamless soundstage from front to back & side to side. (All speakers wall mountable)

  The E-2 Subwoofer uses a 8" bass driver, although small to some equiped with a 250W amplifier gives it the ability to energise our demo room with smooth controlled bass. We found to get the best out of this sub it pays to use a good quality subwoofer cable like The Chord Crimson VEE3 for a tighter response & more controlled bass notes. (less boom / more bass)

Listen in comfort & isolation from noisy shop floor environments in one of our purpose built demonstration rooms. Find out just how good the new KEF E305's really are.

 

We would describe the satellites as"Open, wide and detailed sounding"

And the E2 subwoofer to give a "coupled-to-room" bass response, creating "seamless & smooth" sounding bass.

 

Book a demo today!

Audio-T Enfield

Tel: 0208 367 3132

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Listen To The Sonos Playbar Today!

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So you've seen the advert, but how does it sound?

Find out today what its all about in one of our isolated demonstration rooms.

Listen to how good the Sonos Playbar sounds on its own...

Add the Sonos Sub to gain Scale & Authority! improving both music & movies

For those of you who want to fully transform the Sonos system into a 5.1 Surround sound, simply add the Sonos Play:3 as rear speakers...

and the best thing about all of this is theres no need to run cables! Each Sonos component just needs power!

 

Find out what all the fuss is about & book a demo today!

 

Audio-T Enfield

Tel: 0208 367 3132

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Rediscover Your Music Collection with Naim & B&W!

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Naim's UnitiQute & B&W's PM1 are perfect partners

Connect with your music like never before

It's a cliche we know, but good things come in small packages. The UnitiQute all-in-one audio player however isn't just good: it's a brilliant-sounding, uniquely versatile, seductively compact and, of course, irresistibly cute example of what contemporary music in the home is all about. Music downloads, high-resolution music files, internet radio, network music, UPnP servers, iPod/MP3 players, Wi-Fi streaming - everything that the new era of music delivery can throw at it, UnitiQute can play.

Compact and discreet, yet introducing technologies never before seen in any Bowers & Wilkins speaker, PM1 produces a sound so refined that everything else suddenly seems insignificant.

 

Book a demo today!

 

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk

The Big Boys from B&W's CM Range Arrive!

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We've got close up and personal with B&W CM9's

This top-of-the-range EISA award-winning floorstanding speaker will fill even the largest domestic spaces with music so richly detailed, and so startlingly lifelike, that it will leave you speechless.

The CM9's are some of the most affordable large floorstanding speakers we have found, this does not mean B&W have cut corners to do it. The cabinets & drive units are very high quality, interestingly the cross-over design inc. Mundorf components, something only usually found in more expensive speaker designs. These are truely amazing value!

 

Book a demo today!

 

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk

The Chord Company Cables Available Here

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Whether your looking for Speaker Cables, Audio Interconnects, HDMI, USB, Digital or Mains we have a wide selection from our friends at The Chord Company.

We also Terminate using Chord Banana plugs in store!

 

Listen in store or try at home:

Carnival Sliver Screen Speaker Cable

Odyssey Speaker Cable

Epic Twin Speaker Cable

Signature Speaker Cable

Power Chord Mains Cable

SuperScreen Mains Cable

Crimson Plus Analogue Interconnect

Cobra Plus Analogue Interconnect

Chameleon Plus Analogue Interconnect

Cadenza Analogue Interconnect

Chorus Analogue Interconnect

Anthem 2 Analogue Interconnect

Codac Digital Coax

Prodac Digital Coax

Optichord Digital Optical

USB SilverPlus

HDMI Advance

HDMI Active

 

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk