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Palm Expo & AV-ICNx 2019

This year M/S.ABEC, the organisers for the Palm Expo  held in India decided to integrate the AV-ICNx (AV Integration Communication & Networking Expo) concurrently with the 19th edition of the Palm Expo as an add on to cater to the growing AV Industry of India. The demand by AV consultants & Systems Integrators who attend the Palm Expo year on year for a dedicated AV Expo was the reason for the birth of the AV-ICNx, which will be organised every year as part of the long term vision and commitment of the organisers, M/S. ABEC.

The focus on the segments were Video Projection & Display, Digital Signage, Large Display, interactive Display, Unified communications, Education technology, Audio Processing, Digital Cinema, Cabling, Connectors and signal management, Conference and collaboration, IP & Network distribution.

Some of the world’s leading audio brands participating religiously in PALM Expo include HARMAN, Sennheiser, Shure, Bose, Genelec, Digico, AVID, d&b audiotechnik, Allan & Heath, Yamaha, Sonodyne, P Audio, Behringer, Outline, OHM, Audio-Technica, Pioneer, Denon, Taiden, JTS, QSC, RCF, EV, Martin Audio, Robe, OSRAM etc.

We have tried to cover the majority of the brands that we found interesting and related to our AV Industry in pictures of which we have made slideshows as attached.

BENQ:

The W2700 & W5700 Projector models were showcased and on demo in a darkened environment for the benefit of the visitors.

CAPITOL SOUND SYSTEM:

Horns galore at Capitol, a 71 years old institution, exporting PA systems since 1972 and specializing in PA Trumpet Horns, besides other horn loaded speaker designs, parts and accessories.

CAV AUDIO INDIA:

Launched in India for the second time, a large product range was showcased from all types of speakers to amplifiers including a tube one!

DNM:

DNM showcased their range of products including 2 new sub woofers, that were priced in line with all of DNM’s products, meaning total value for money!

EPSON:

Among a plethora of models for commercial applications, the EB700U ultra short throw laser projector was the star of the Epson display area, showcasing beautiful, crisp and breath taking visuals in a brightly lit environment, showcasing it’s ability and true caliber.

GENELEC:

The 4000 series of monitors for commercial and av installations was showcased in a small foot print with a few of the 120 color options on static display.

HARMAN INDIA:

A massive booth as is customary was again showcasing the entire range of brands and products from their stables but we were interested in the new launch of the Nano K Series Powered Monitor Speakers. On demo were the K4, K5, K6 & K8 models. The five speaker models within the NANO K family are designed for different monitoring sizes, from home recording, music classes to professional studios, and can be used to monitor recordings and instruments.
Both K3 and K4 are sold in pairs, with their left channel speaker feeding signal to the right. A Bluetooth modular is embedded in to the two models for wireless connection with smart audio devices. An integral M8 thread nut in the bottom is designed for quick mounting on a microphone pole, which are useful while handling keyboard monitoring. A 12° angle placement of the two models is possible thanks to their two-planed bottom. A 3.5 mm headphone jack connector is available on front panel of K3 and K4, for plug&play of monitor headphones. K5, K6 and K8 standalone monitors are individually powered and can be used to set up a mono, stereo and surround system. A vintage-style VU meter constantly indicates the input level even when the speaker is muted.

We definitely liked what we heard and look forward to receiving a couple from Harman India to review at length.

HARMONIC DESIGN + DARE AUDIO:

Iris Buildtech, the distributors for harmonic design and dare audio, showcased a couple of the models, as static displays and also on demo, at Hall 1 & Hall5 respectively. We were impressed by Harmonic Designs Slim Sub HD265 that can be paired with the C, M, ML & PL Series of slimline array speakers. We find its application to converge from pro/commercial install to that of home theatres rather easily and hence their potential is huge. Ultimately, the pricing factor will be crucial for which we hope that the distributors are well aware of.

MARTIN AUDIO, MILAN SALES & NARAIN:

PIONEER DJ, SENNHEISER, SUN INFONET:

YAMAHA INDIA:

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AV News

WHAT HI-FI? SHOW 2019 – MUMBAI (SHOW REPORT – PART 1)

8Th Floor

STATEROOM – 1

VINSHEK MARKETING

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

WATERFALL AUDIO

SONANCE

CORNERED AUDIO

GALLO ACOUSTICS

In typical exhibition fashion, the above brands were scattered all over the room, with demoes of Waterfall Audio happening side by side. Rest of the equipment from the above brands lay as static displays thereby covering all available room.

STATEROOM – 2

A.K. INTERNATIONAL

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

FOCAL

NAIM

Here the theme was static display & static display only! Covering almost the entire range of Focal loudpseakers from wall to wall, they had kept a couple of Naim Muso & Muso QB, at the centre of the room, as probably the only thing that could be showcased of Naim currently, since A.K. International have just been honoured with the distributorship of the Focal/Naim brands in India.

We were especially sad to see only & not hear anything in this room.

STATEROOM – 3

KEI

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

PIONEER

ELAC

FYNE AUDIO

JVC

NAD

PSB

TOTEM ACOUSTIC

BLUESOUND

KEI used the entire area in their room + used the lobby outside to their advantage in showcasing as much gear of their vast portfolio of brands as possible. Here it was Pioneer that got the entire lobby space dedicated to the reference CD player, couple of streamers post which it was their AVRS all the way. The star of the display albeit single & static facing the elevators was the Fyne Audio F1-10, which was kept as bait to attract visitors to their room. We hope to hear the same in the coming months as has been promised to us by KEI’s bossman.

Inside the room, NAD, ELAC, PSB, Fyne Audio products were on display along with an entire Bluesound wall showcasing the entire bluesound range of products. Star of the room and rightly so was the JVC DLA-NX9, the world’s first 8k E-Shift Projector that was on demo on an ALR Screen with Totem’s Tribe III On Wall speakers on each side with their Storm Subwoofers under each of them. A Pioneer UDP-LX500 Bluray Player & NAD M32 Integrated Amp were placed under the screen.

Overall, we can say KEI utilised their allotted space very wisely and to their advantage the most.

STATEROOM – 4

AUDIO EXCELLENCE + LAKOZY IMPEX & SERVICES +

SOUND & VISION

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

LEGACY AUDIO

PARASOUND

STORM AUDIO

SUPRA CABLES

SIM2

SCREEN RESEARCH

The coming together of 3 distributors to showcase their brands in a super hi end home theatre costing 1.5 Crores was going to be something special and thankfully we were not disappointed. After going through the static displays, we needed entertainment and entertainment is what we got! The bossman of Sound & Vision was in command of providing the demos of the set up and mercifully he knew how to go about the same, with each scene highlighting the capabilities of the sound & vision (Pun heavily intended!)  Needless to say, this room was awarded our “Star of the Show – Home Theatre” (Cost No Bar)

Kudos to the trio for pulling off an amazing installation albeit with all the compromises a hotel venue can throw at you. We hoped that this was going to be the way the rest of the rooms will follow, sadly not!

GRAND CRU SALON

MCINTOSH GROUP

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

MCINTOSH

SONUS FABER

Having re-launched themselves very recently in the Indian market, McIntosh Group had to showcase themselves well and also use this show as a spring board for not only launching themselves officially as their direct presence in the Indian market, but to also scout for prospective distributors & dealers, to cover their portfolio of brands and products pan India, that include Audio Research & Sumiko. Time will tell, what will be the outcome and how will they proceed and be successful so let’s hope for the best and wait and watch. Besides a yet again static display of some of the McIntosh Amps, Powered Speaker, they also showcased Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers with Mcintosh MA8900 Integrated Amplifer playing music via USB from a laptop. Alongside this setup was a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica II speakers on static display.

To be honest the demo set up sounded below average and we were quite disappointed to say the very least.

ALHAMBRA

PREETI TRADING CORPORATION

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

ATI

ASCENDO

ACCUPHASE

DENON

DYNAUDIO

MONITOR AUDIO

ROKSAN AUDIO

This was a massive room and yet again, used to fill up to the maximum with various static and demo products strewn or sprinkled intermittently all over the place. In one word – CHAOS!

To say that we could not hear anything to even remotely enjoy would be a gross understatement, what with demos going on simultaneously, be it stereo or home theatre, hence we shall refrain to comment on the same.

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AV News

FOCAL AT WHAT HI-FI? SHOW 2019 – MUMBAI

AK International, the new distributor for Focal Loudspeakers have just advised us that they will be showcasing the range of Focal Loudspeakers at the What Hi-Fi? Show 2019, to be held at the St.Regis Hotel, Mumbai during the 1st – 3rd of March 2019. A storm will be kicked up in the form of a new surprise that will be revealed during the show, yes, Focal are bringing something interesting to showcase in this show, be there to witness the same!

We will provide the coverage of the same post completion of the show, stay tuned!