Author Archives: Brendan

2012 CES Announcements!!

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I’m like a kid in a candy shop right now, keeping my eyes peeled for updates coming in from Vegas where the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show is happening. I’m going to keep this blog updated throughout the next week with notable updates – so check back regularly. I’ll continue to post on Twitter, and put the products which are almost here in NZ on Facebook. EXCITING!

THX adds certification for compact speaker systems

THX launched a certification program for compact speakers intended for use in small rooms. Though small speakers perform better than flat-panel TV speakers, the sound quality of existing small speakers varies widely because of limitations imposed by their small size, THX said. Certification standards will ensure consistent quality and raise customer confidence, THX explained. More Information

Paradigm E1, E2m and E3m earbuds

The new sub-brand from Paradigm, SHIFT has a powered Atom which isn’t far away, but also on the way are three earbuds, each range sonically matched to the Monitor, Studio and Signature range of speakers. I gotta get me some E3m’s to match the sound of my Sig’s at home! More Information

New HDMI Spec Due In 2nd Half

Just when you thought HDMI specs had settled down now that 3D capable plus Internet (i.e. 1.4) is the standard, along comes talk of a new HDMI standard to allow for higher resolution video. If your telly can only display 1080p (1920 x 1080) then I wouldn’t be too worried, am guessing this will be for 4K displays (4096 x 2048 or there abouts) and more, so no need to hold off purchasing an AV Receiver because of this! More Information

Bond Series to be released on Blu-ray

20th Century Fox has confirmed it will officially launch the entire James Bond movie collection on Blu-ray tomorrow. Nothing more to add really, not sure if there will be a box set or just indivudual movies. Just think, all the action, clichés and of course bond girls in High Def.

**Update, it looks like it will be a box set**

 

 

 

Cambridge Audio 851A & 851C – Watch Video from CES

The 840C was one of our favourite products to ever come out of the Cambridge Audio stable, just announced and very soon to be available in NZ comes the updated 851C DAC & up-sampling CD player. Complete with level control for direct connection to power amps, I know for one this is going to be on my personal list for a permanent placement in the Hifi. Also announced is the matching 851A Integrated Amplifier, More Information

Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 – Watch video from CES

For those want a high performance music streamer, combined with digital inputs for use as an external DAC to upgrade that CD player or connect your other digital sources. This looks hot! More Information

Jamo M360 speakers

Jamo has gone back to its roots with a stunning new Danish design. It’s because of products like this that we love having Jamo as a part of our product range, there is nothing quite like it and Jamo know how to produce stunning designs that perform sonically too. More Information

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 – Watch video from CES

Following on from the new DacMagic Plus that launched recently, around April we should have the new DacMagic 100. It looks to be a cut down version of the Plus designed to match the ID100, without the preamp, headphone amp, digital filters and balanced outputs. More Information

My soundtrack to 2011

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The end of another year, how quickly they roll around! This year was a big year for me personally, and it was a big year for music too. I’ve enjoyed many of the releases this year, and below is my top 10 of 2011. When I think about years gone past and the memories attached, for me they are often defined or at least linked to music I’ve been listening to at the time. This year will be no different, I’ll remember partying to Foster the People at my 30th birthday, listening to King of Limbs while grieving a loss, and relaxing in my new house with the Helplessness Blues. Well done 2011, you delivered, 2012, we expect big things.

Beirut – The Rip Tide

Beirut‘s 2011 release The Rip Tide was my introduction to the band, it’s a solid album from beginning to end. From catchy tunes with horns to more laid back tracks backed with strings. At times it seems more big band than Alternative, but it certainly keeps the listener interested. Title track, The Rip Tide  is a stand out for me, check out it out on YouTube and you’ll get a feel for the album.

City and Colour – Little Hell

City and Colour are one of those little gems you stumble across and tell everybody about, 2008′s album was more acoustic by contrast, Little Hell loses some of it’s rawness, but makes up for it in more complete and polished performance. The first track We Found Each Other in the Dark must be the wedding song of the year too!

Liam Finn – Fomo

I sometimes wonder if Liam Finn gets frustrated by people wanting him to be Crowded House. I love the fact he hasn’t fallen into to the trap of trying to recreate that success and has his own unique sound and is pushing his music’s creativity. A fantastic sophomore album from this extremely talented Kiwi. Proudly Made in NZ, get this.

TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light

TV on the Radio’s Nine Types of light has a bit of everything. Opening track Second Song starts slow but takes things up notch once the beat kicks in. A creative album that is unique, interesting and brilliant at the same time.

Bon Iver – Bon Iver

I was a little underwhelmed with Blood Bank, and the side project Volcano Choir took a different direction so I was happy upon first listen knowing that this was going to be an album that would be on high rotate. Checkout the Bon Iver website for a listen and visual overload. Beautiful music.

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Helplessness Blues is one of those albums that I find I put on a lot. While it doesn’t break any new ground for the band, I’ve really enjoyed this album and its not just for Foxes fans. Have a listen, then go buy it.

Wilco – The Whole Love

Wilco keep delivering and I’ve enjoyed there last two releases more than any other albums. The alternate version of Black Moon on the bonus disc is one of my favourite tracks of the year. Proof that the drugs don’t work, another sober album from Tweedy has become a favourite.

Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys!

Elbow is one of my favorite bands, they are one of those groups that should be far more successful, although I guess they are huge in the UK, especially after taking out the mercury prize for Seldom Seen Kid. The lads can chalk up another success with Build A Rocket Boys! Highly recommended. Imagine this live! Goose bumps and chills ensue.

Radiohead – King of Limbs

I’m an unashamed Radiohead fanboy. While King of Limbs is probably more of a fan album than something like 2007′s In Rainbows, for me it delivered in every way. The vinyl press splits the 8 tracks down the middle and each side has a different feel. Side A is more similar to Thom’s solo work with an electronic underpinning whereas Side B is beautiful Radiohead through and through. Give up the Ghost was one of my favourite tracks of the year, and as usual with Radiohead the recording is top notch.

Gareth Thomas Band – Lady Alien

Ok so technically Lady Alien was released late 2010, sue me. What a wonderful album, and recording too. This has been a favorite of both Tiens and I, and I’m sure many of our clients this year were shown the ways of this glorious album from Goodshirt‘s front man Gareth Thomas. Made in NZ. Buy it. Now. Here’s a live video of Get Along Better.

So, what have you been listening to?

Thanks so much for your support this year, we are now closed and all orders will be processed on 9th of January (sorry we need a break too!).

 

Don’t stop the Music, or turn it down…

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I have the opportunity to listen to a wide range of speakers, and one thing which often stands out for me is the ability for higher end speakers to cope with complex passages of music.

Often songs start quiet, with maybe a great vocal and cut back instruments, then when the chorus kicks in everything steps up a notch – it’s at this point that often people reach for the volume control to turn the system down. In my experience, with good speakers you do not experience this, they just carry on playing with the treble, midrange, and bass all just playing nicely together.

This year I have loved Gareth Thomas Band‘s album Lady Alien, and track 2 Don’t Stop, really highlights what I’m talking about here. On some speakers the track starts off, the vocal images nicely, the bass from the kick drum is solid and everything’s great, then the electric guitar comes in and we are still doing ok on most speakers, but then just after the minute mark the drums kick in properly. It’s at this point that on some systems you grab the remote and down goes the volume.

Now, I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to Physics (Unlike Tiens who actually is…) or speaker design for that matter. But I suspect this is because small amounts of distortion is creeping in due to cone break up, and these small blemishes start to muddy the sound, so you lose focus, frequency response and therefore the sound can become flat and harsh.

Jamo C607 Floorstander

I don’t really care so much for technology in speakers for technology’s sake, but I know most speaker companies spend a lot of time talking about technology to minimise cone frequency break up.

I used to think that the more drivers you have the more this phenomenon was reduced, and that certainly can be true when you compare models within a range – For example, this is where the Castle Knight 4 out classes the smaller Knight 3.

But now through my own experience I think it comes down to the driver in respect to cone break up and cabinet design, i.e. the less resonance the better. I use to run Jamo Concert 607′s as my front speakers before I upgraded to my current Paradigm Signature S2′s. Now these are both very different speakers – Rather than describing the differences here’s two photos which I think demonstrate the differences rather well!

Paradigm S2 (Version 2)

Now I should point out that the S2′s sell for more than twice the price of the 607′s, and while that hurt at the time I have never looked back, the S2′s are such an amazing speaker.

When I was comparing the two speakers, one of things I found was on complex tracks the 607s sounded muddy and flat, whereas the S2′s just kept pumping out clear sound – which is incredible when you think what that bass/midrange driver on the Paradigm is being asked to do. Back when Coldplay was good ;) they released the outstanding Rush of Blood to the Head. The opening track Politik I had always skipped, it just sounded flat, harsh and hard to listen to. One of the wow moments I had with the S2′s was when I put this album on and went, wow, I’ve never heard this song like this before. SOLD.

One of Tiens’ all time favourite speakers are the Jamo Concert 8′s, a very solid 2 way standmount. It’s these same aspects of clarity that shine when listening to complex music, the Concert 8′s just play effortlessly. Tiens has always told me that you get a better image from a standmount over a floorstander in the same range, I think its fair to say that the smaller rigid cabinets help in minimising resonance, but perhaps less is more when it comes to complex music?

So the moral of the story, when auditioning speakers, don’t just listen to the nice easy listening jazz that the Hifi stores and shows will play you, take your own music along that you are familiar with, some quiet, some loud, and make sure you’re in charge of the volume control. :)