Essential Install | Speakers
Audio quality is at the top of the priority list for all Genelec products
Wisdom showcased the Sage Series ICS7a at CEDIA this year with rich , natural sound . Its subwoofer range harness proprietary technology , advanced bass venting and heavy duty enclosure constructions to eliminate performance robbing turbulence and produce deep , energy efficient bass performance .
Commenting on the appointment , Martin Featherstone , commercial director at Lektropacks , says : “ We are thrilled that Polk Audio has chosen Lektropacks to be its exclusive distributor for its excellent range of CI-dedicated products . “ As a US brand that has worked in and supported the most mature CI market in the world , Polk ’ s experience is vast and can be seen through the attention to detail and ease of installation offered by the range .”
Hiding In Plain Sight
Giving his interpretation of the balance between hidden sound and on-show speakers , Tomi Hassinen , Genelec ’ s business manager for Home Audio says : “ Hidden audiosolutions have become a popular choice in the residential market , especially in home theatre setups and living rooms but we know that there will always be a place for beautifully designed ‘ visible ’ premium loudspeakers . Our hidden in-wall and in-ceiling speakers have proven popular in scenarios where customers are seeking a clean and crisp look , with no footprint .”
“ However ,” he continues , “ in many cases , customers have told us that the Genelec loudspeaker design has been the decisive factor in their purchase ; they make an appealing design statement . In addition , they are also easier to install and can be moved around the home easily , unlike in-wall or in-ceiling loudspeakers . Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages – it is up to the customer and the application at hand as to what they choose . Regardless of the solution , sound quality is always Genelec ’ s primary focus .”
Genelec ’ s premium home audio products are the G and F Series . “ The G Series loudspeakers deliver outstanding performance , and the F Series of subwoofers compliment the loudspeakers perfectly ,” explains Tomi . Created by designer Harri Koskinen and Genelec ’ s R & D team , the G Series has five models in a range of different sizes . All speakers feature a die-cast recycled
aluminium enclosure , and are made with Genelec ’ s sustainability principles in mind . Each speaker features a pair of amplifiers : one powering the tweeter , the other the mid / bass driver . The F Series active subwoofers are designed to complement the Genelec G Series active speakers in applications where an extended and powerful reproduction of very low frequencies is required . Genelec is distributed in the UK by Source Distribution .
Sonic Performance
Wisdom Audio ’ s managing director , Luc Guillaume , comments on the in-wall speaker market . “ A decade ago , in-wall speakers certainly didn ’ t sound as good as box speakers ,” he says . “ This created a gap where listeners had to choose between aesthetics and sonic performance . Today , however , homeowners and designers are demanding hidden , high-quality speakers .”
He continues : “ Wisdom Audio ’ s solutions with customisable options make speakers blend in and disappear , a real advantage within the crowded in-wall speaker market . The US market continues to move further away from traditional loudspeakers ; the Asian market is focused on free standing solutions , which have to be gorgeous , sound amazing , and be available in multiple custom finishes and endless custom colours to meet the aesthetic appeal of listeners . The European markets are arguably a fair mix between these two trends .”
Wisdom showcased the ICS7a at CEDIA this year . Targeting high performance entertainment audio applications where architectural design aesthetics can ’ t be compromised , the Sage Series ICS7a can provide a highresolution stereo audio in a living space , a multichannel solution in a media room or overhead channels in an immersive home theatre .
The new series is a redesign of Wisdom ’ s Sage P20 driver . This reengineering introduces a breakthrough in the power shading capabilities of Wisdom Audio ’ s planar magnetic driver ( PMD ), delivering a fully passive Sage Series point-source product that ’ s capable of achieving high output down to 57Hz . To ensure maximum clarity , the angled PMD design allows the on-axis energy to be focused straight at the listening area . An optional laser alignment tool ( LAT-IC ) was created to assist installers in achieving ultra-precise driver orientation .
AWE has secured the exclusive UK distribution of Definitive Technology ’ s Mythos and Custom Installation collections of loudspeakers . Definitive Technology loudspeakers are designed in California and combine sophistication and precision , producing forward thinking on-wall , architectural , floorstanding , bookshelf and outdoor speakers , alongside both in-wall and freestanding subwoofers .
As AWE already distributes the Denon , Marantz and HEOS brands to the Custom Installation channel , the company was an ideal partner to maintain continuity and propel the Definitive Technology loudspeakers within the UK .
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September 2017 | 29