5 out of 5
Speaking loud and clear…
Part 3 of 3
B&W WM6 outdoor speakers in white finishThis is the third and final part of Speaking Loud Clear. This final instalment will look at alternatives to full AV speaker packages for your Home Cinema and speakers for custom installation.
Not everyone is able to house a full Home Cinema system within their home. And for those whom are seeking a Home Cinema system, it prevents a problem. However, thanks to the ever-growing technology being produced, alternatives are now available. These days Home Cinema sound can now be obtained from one single unit, as opposed to the many various speaker components dotted around the room. The new advancement of ‘sound projectors’ allows faster, easier and more portability over surround sound. The entire unit compromises of many, many small component speakers. All of which are individually aimed different locations around the room. Once the sound has travelled from the speaker to the receiving object, like a wall, the sound is reflected back toward the listener’s ear to produce a surround-sound simulation. Although this technology is new, we were amazed how quickly the Yamaha YSP-2200 packages were snapped-up from us. It includes an active subwoofer and the aforementioned sound projector, or alternatively named, ‘sound bar’. It truly is a stunning piece of equipment that carries tremendous value for money. A simple connection to your DVD or Blu-ray player and you’re away – enjoying simulated surround-sound. Of course, there are many more sound bars available from us at Hifi Gear, with a great selection to be booked for demonstration in our fully equipped Home Theatre demonstration room.
Yamaha-YSP2200-Sound-BarInvisibility is becoming a more and more required ideal within Hi-Fi and Home Cinema audio reproduction. With house designing becoming more particular, or when space is at an absolute premium, speakers and Hi-Fi can become a much more serious obstacle in terms of sheer size. However, not to fear, as an alternative has arrived.
In-ceiling speakers and flat-panel speakers are becoming very desirable for those who wish to be able to have great quality audio without the immediate appearance within a room. In-ceiling speakers are designed to be concealed in a ceiling and to be out of immediate sight, bust still able to produce high quality sound. These are ideal for those in new builds as they can be popped-in easily from the word ‘go’. However, they still need something called a ‘back-box’. Back-boxes stop the speaker’s audio from travelling upwards, as opposed to the desired downwards. Further still, a fire proof foam should be packed in to the back-box to help with limiting resonant distortion and to be a safe guard against heat or electrical sparks which may result in fire. For more information, please consult us for further advice and information from out installations department.
B&W-CCM50-Inceiling-speakerSpeaker panels are to be used for placing speakers into walls. These again, like in-ceiling speakers, provide total flexibility of sound and minimal space consumption. Back-boxes are advised to be used again. However, with in-ceiling and wall speakers, some manufacturers have given their speakers grilles which can be painted to match your desired décor scheme.
Monitor-Audio-W265 in wall speakerFor custom installation we recommend connection via flat QED’s Quontor ultra flat speaker cable, terminated with banana plugs for extra protection and sound integrity.
For those who like to enjoy an evening in the garden, perhaps not in the current climate of Britain, Hifi Gear also specialises in outdoor weather-proof speakers. We can supply B&W’s WM range – a speaker that is tough enough to stand the harshest winter, or the hottest summer, and still provide high-end audio at very reasonable cost. Also, for those wanting to hide their speakers within their garden, Speakercraft provides the ultimate sounding speaker which is hidden within a weather-proof casing, of which, is designed like a rock you might find in a rockery. With regards to installation, we urge you to use a water-proof cable and to be aware that your Hi-Fi equipment must remain indoors, away from the speakers altogether to avoid injury through electric shock.
We hope this guide helps you with what you are looking for. If you would like more professional and expert advice, please feel free to contact us directly at Hifi Gear by telephone, email or by post. However, if you’re local, pop-in-store for a friendly welcome and for demonstrations of the aforementioned equipment.
Tom Parker
Sales and Website Admin
