Our market continues to evolve, and in doing so we are from time to time exposed to products which fall a little outside of our traditional product offering. Near Field active computer speaker monitors is one of those products – not something that you would normally associate with Hi-Fi or Home Theatre, but with rapidly expanding number of people storing music on their PC’s or lap-tops they are becoming increasingly relevant. This is not something that we have done much with in the past, and some of our offerings double up as iPod docks (for example the Aktimate range and the Focal XS.) The obvious exception is the B&W MM1 speakers, which do a sterling job from a small enclosure. 
These have now been joined by the Focal XS Book – and to be honest we are blown away with this product.

One of the problems with this type of technology, and something that has always fascinated me, is that in the past the market is totally dominated by tacky, inexpensive, plastic, awful sounding speakers. Time and time again we see people who spend hours researching, and many dollars acquiring, quality domestic loudspeakers, and yet set a budget of $200 or less for their computer speakers.

The quality of the Focal XS Book is obvious even before you turn them on. This is a two-way design with a 20mm aluminum tweeter, plus a 10cm PolyGlass bass driver (this is the material used in their fabulous domestic range of speakers). The right speaker houses a 2 x 20 watt amplifier; they are solidly built (weighing 5kg) and are a very attractive design.

The research that has gone into this product is evident. It is obvious that Focal set out to design a proper computer speaker monitor from scratch, rather than modify something that they already had in their stable, or, which is far more common, to simply re-badge a product designed by someone else.
As you can tell we are impressed with this product – but the best is yet to come – they sell for $499 a pair. These are a bargain!

Plus: (yes there is more.) When discussing these speakers in the store someone made a very obvious observation – they would be an ideal addition to a flat panel TV. While flat panels screens continue to become slimmer, it is at the expense of the sound – there is just not enough space left to house a quality speaker array. The Focal XS Book is attractive, relatively discrete, and they sound a damn side better than any TV speaker, even from the days when they did use good drivers. The XS Book product page is here.

Marantzs' AirPlay enabled NA7004 streamer.

AktiMate Mico - award winning, and at $385pr excellent value.

NAD Viso 1 - NAD's challenge 'Find a better smart music streaming dock.'

Focals' stunning Little Bird shelf system.

Finally – while on the subject of wireless devices there is a tremendous amount of press coming from overseas regarding Focals’ Bird system. This is in reality a simple inexpensive shelf system comprising of speakers (which is what Focal is famous for), amplifier, a built-in (and ingenious) subwoofer and a tuner. It has both digital and analogue inputs, and streams wirelessly from you computer or iDevice.
There are three variations and the least expensive sells for $1,199, so I was surprised to see a review in this industries bible, The Absolute Sound (they usually confine themselves to products we can only dream about.) Even more surprising was their comment ‘To hear the Bird system is to experience a certain amount of audiophile-grade shock and awe’.
While the Focal Bird system may not be a hi-end audiophile product (despite the lavish praise offered by The Absolute Sound) it really does set a very high bar for anyone looking for a small, compact, affordable system.

We used to promote what we called the Student Starter System, which was based around an entry-level NAD stereo integrated Amplifier and CD player (or/and turntable) and a pair of bookshelf speakers. The sound quality of even a basic HiFi like that is so far ahead of the plastic fantastic “shelf systems” that once you’ve started there’s no going back.

Technology has advanced now to the point where the “starter system” takes a new shape and draws in alternative sources. What does it now look like? We’d say it’s this:

A Peachtree Digital Amplifier, such as the iDecco with iPod Dock, or the Decco2, plus a pair of compact speakers like the Focal Chorus 705V or the Sib/Cub 2.1 satellite/subwoofer system.

These systems, priced from $1,698 while the Decco2 is still priced at $999, can take music from your computer via USB, use an iPod/iPhone/iTouch via the inbuilt dock (or use the Pure i20 digitally) or have any other digital source connected via coaxial or optical input. If you need to connect an analogue source that’s fine too. For good measure these amplifiers also feature a tube stage in the pre-amp section which doubles duty as an excellent headphone amp. Add a Musical Fidelity V-LPS and you can even connect a turntable, or get the Project Essentials USB Turntable that connects directly. In fact the combination of amplifier, speakers, turntable and computer (or NAS drive) is a lot more popular than many would believe.

The modern starter system has lots of possibilities. We can help to shape it for you from all the exciting new components now available!

We get asked all the time whether prices are going to come down due to exchange rate movements, usually the day after the rate improves. These things take time to work through the supply pipeline, as the wholesalers’ existing stocks were bought at the previous exchange rate – perhaps months ago – and not at this week’s better one.

The good news, however, is that the Focal importer issued new price lists as at 1/5/2011, and there are quite a few savings there for anyone looking to buy some new speakers. As usual, we will refund the difference if you’ve bought speakers within the last month at a higher price.

There are too many reductions to list here, so we’ve put some examples below. But if you check the prices on our website for the Chorus 700V, 800V, Profile, Electra 1000 Series and the Utopia 3 series, you’ll find that all of them have shed dollars and become even better value. It will not be a fixed percentage across the whole range – some things will decrease by more than others. The bottom line is that there has never been a better time to buy Focal!

Some Examples:
Model: Was: Now:
Chorus 726V: $2,999 $2,799
Chorus SW700: $1,499 $1,399
Chorus 826V: $3,299 $2,999
Profile 918: $6,499 $5,999
1028 Beryllium: $11,999 $9,999
Scala Utopia: $45,000 $39,000

Note: Colours are also changing. The Amati timber look in the 700V range is finished, and there is now a new light coloured Natural and dark brown Wenge. In the 800V series the dark brown Moca is finished and there is a new lighter Natural colour.

We are therefore pleased to be able to say that now, for the first time, we have all of the following on demo – but who can say how long this will last? We have the Diablo, Maestro, the Scala and the Stella, all at once!

If you want to hear just how good music can sound, pop in for an audition – we’re very happy to show these to all comers, as we want you to experience the best whenever possible.

The Focal Sib & Cub speaker package consists of five Sib satellites (compact two-way speakers) and a powered Cub II subwoofer (8”/200mm, 150w). This package has outsold everything in its price range, which was $2299, for years. Why? Because it delivers a big, rich and accurate sound, from diminutive speakers.

 They are efficient enough to run with almost any surround receiver, and they come in black or white. If you need to do wall or ceiling mounting, the integral foot can be turned into a bracket, so no hidden extras there!

 The clincher is that this package is now being offered at a Special Price: $1,999. This makes it doubly sure that these are the best product in their price range. No contest.

There is no doubt that the product in question is firmly aimed at the committed videophile. It does not seem that long ago that we moved up from the old 4:3 TV screen format to the now familiar 16:9 widescreen. This solved the top and bottom ‘black bar’ issue for many of the movies we watched on DVD, plus any recent material produced for TV. However it was not long before a growing number of film companies began releasing movies in true 2.39:1 format, as it was shown in the theatres. This is particularly so of Blu-ray releases. Welcome back to the black bars.
Philips have taken the plunge and released their 56” 56PFL9954H LCD screen in Australia. This 21:9 format screen is designed to display DVD and Blu-ray movies as they were intended – full screen width (just like the theatres) without the black bars. The reason we believe that this screen will only appeal to the true videophile if that its value rests with DVD and Blu-ray movies only. Free to air and pay TV sources will be at best only show in the 16:9 format. In fact if you are intending to watch TV on this screen you will need to add a set-top-box or similar. The Philips, in true monitor style, comes without a tuner. However if you watch a lot of DVD or Blu-ray movies and only a limited amount of conventional TV, this could be the screen for you.
There is also more to this screen than its shape. The most obvious feature is ‘ambilight’, a subtle lighting system on the rear of the screen that reflects from the wall behind the unit, giving the illusion that the screen is floating.
From a technical aspect this screen is also impressive. It boasts a 1 millisecond response rate, and has 2560 x 1080 resolution. It uses edge-lit LED lighting and 200Hz picture smoothing. The dynamic contract ratio is 80,000:1.
The Philips 21:9 screen sells for $8,999.

Another vision product is from an old (and much loved) projection company, InFocus. We had a very strong relationship with this company for many years, which only lapsed as they took their eye off the domestic market in favour of their commercial offerings. Well now they are back with a new model, the SP8602, which has been designed specifically for the Home Theatre market. This is an excellent unit. InFocus have always produced value for money, and this is exceptional. We have only just received our first unit, but straight out of the box we are impressed. It will be interesting to see how good it gets with a few more hours on it.
As I mentioned we have carried InFocus in the past, and sold hundreds of units. For a short time InFocus are offering and upgrade program. If you have an existing InFocus projector, irrespective of its age or model, we will offer you $1,000 trade-in on the SP8602.
The InFocus SP8602 sells for $5,699.

Finally, a product to lust after. The Focal Utopia 111 series of speakers have been a worldwide sensation. The Utopia range has always been something special, but this series is exceptional. The Utopia Grande 111 EM is the best loudspeaker that I have ever heard, at any price. The Scala Utopia, which at $45,000 is a tad more achievable, has been a surprisingly popular model. The larger Maestro ($69,000 a pair) lasted for less than a week on our floor before they were snapped up (we now have to wait two months before we will see another pair). We have just received the Stella Utopia EM, which is their penultimate loudspeaker, selling for $129,000 a pair. As you would expect these are superb loudspeakers.
However, currently there is only one pair of these available. If you are seriously interested in having a listen, phone ahead, just in case.

There is no doubt that NAD would always be one of the first (if not the only) product you would think of when considering a good quality, yet affordable, Hi-Fi component. This new pricing simply re-enforces their position.

There are too many changes to list here, but for example:
· C165BEE Pre-amplifier. $1,199.(Previously$1,499)
· C275BEE power amp. $1,499.(Previously $1,899)
· C326BEE Integrated amplifier. $599. (Previously $749)
· C355BEE Integrated amplifier. $899. (Previously $1,099)
· C375BEE Integrated amplifier. $1,699. (Previously $2,199)
· C515BEE CD Player. $399. (Previously $449)
· C545BEE CD Player. $599. (Previously $749)
· C565BEE CD Player. $899. (Previously $1,099)
· C725BEE Receiver. $999. (Previously $1,199)
· VisoTwo DVD/Stereo Receiver $1,299.(Previously $1,699)
· VisoFive DVD/Surround Receiver $1,499.(Previously $2,199)

They have also announced some very good Home Theatre specials:
· T737 A/V Receiver with the T557 Blu-ray player. Retails for $2,098, but we are now offering this combination for $1,398.00
· T775HD A/V Receiver again with the T557 Blu-ray. Retails for $4,998, but we are offering this for $3,598.00.

We have taken this opportunity to create a couple of very good, well priced Hi-Fi packages based on NAD electronics and Focal speakers. These packages are:

· Great Start Package:
NAD C326BEE amplifier
NAD C515BEE CD player
Focal Chorus 705v bookshelf speakers.
Package price $1,599 (initially $1,897)

· Performance Plus Package:
NAD C355BEE amplifier
NAD C545 CD player
Focal Chorus 716v floorstanding speakers.
Package price $2,995 (initially $4,047.)

Firstly they collected the “Best Home Theatre Speaker System $2,500 – $5,000 “at the “Sound & Image Magazine” awards. Not bad for a speaker pack that sells for $2,995, although we were hardly surprised. This is a great package, and one of the very few examples of a Home Theatre speaker rig that looks as good as it sounds.

During the same month the Utopia Diablo picked up the award for the European Hi-End loudspeaker of the Year at the prestigious EISA (European Sound and Imaging Association) awards. Again a great result considering that this speaker sells for $16,999 (plus stands) a pair here in Australia. These may not be the cheapest speakers on the market, but they are certainly inexpensive compared to the money that can be spent on Hi-End speakers.

Plus UK based magazine Hi-Fi News published a glowing review on the (yet to be released in Australia) Maestro Utopia.

2009 also marks 30 years for Focal, and to mark the occasion they have released an anniversary speaker, the Chorus 826W. While based on an existing model they have been considerably upgraded, and are an excellent sounding loudspeaker – performing well above what we would expect from a speaker costing $4,599 a pair.  This is due in part to the use of the exceptional ‘W’ cone Focal have developed for their more expensive lines of speakers.

This is a limited release, and Australia will only receive a total of 50 pair!

Focal Scala Utopia

We have now taken delivery of the new Focal Utopia ‘Scala’ loudspeakers.

The earlier release of the Grande Utopia 111 EM created a huge amount of interest, but their sheer size and the price made them an unrealistic dream for many. The Scala stands1.247m high, and weighing in at 85Kg each they are still an imposing speaker; large enough to pack a real punch in the bass department, down to 28Hz from the 11”/27cm woofer.

Like all of the Utopia range the drivers are designed and made in-house, and are adapted to suit each model. Midrange and woofer cones are built up in multiple foam and glass-fibre layers to give the requisite response curves. The beryllium tweeter has been redesigned as well. By making the tweeter an open-back design, with the magnet structure arranged around a tubular former, then putting the tweeter in a separate enclosure tuned as a Helmholtz Resonator, the response has been increased downwards to 2.2kHz. This means that the critical 2-5kHz frequencies are handled with more accuracy than they were when the bass-midrange driver had to cope with them, right at the top of its frequency range.

This all translates into a very close approach to the actual sound of musicians playing, with the leading edge attack you expect to hear only from live performances. Colouration from the cabinetry is absolutely minimized, while balance is beautifully maintained throughout the frequency range due to the impeccable 3-way crossover design and superlative drivers.

The Scala is very efficient at 92dB, enabling it to be used with a wide range of amplifiers from 40w to 500w per channel.  Priced at $45,000/pair, it will be within the reach of more people than the Grande.

Like the Grande the Scala will require many hours of running in, so we probably will not hear them at their best for some weeks. However it is already apparent that, as you would expect, there are many similarities between the two models. I believe that even at $45,000 the Scala will become accepted as something of a bargain.

Combined with the Krell Evolution pre and power amps you’d have one of the best systems money can buy.