16th Floor:
1601 – LG ELECTRONICS INDIA LTD.
The new ThinQ AI series of OLED TV’s were showcased along with 3 models of the XBoom Series of karaoke audio systems were on demo. A nice and unexpected addition to the hifi show.
1602 – RECLINERS INDIA PVT. LTD.
Besides the regular recliner models on demo/display, a new recliner model was shown for the first time. The Ancona model was redefining luxury and comfort, their tag line to differentiate from the other recliners available in the market. The Ancona is a modular recliner solution that allows a customer to add on and customise with certain options and features. Clearly, a step ahead from the rest of the recliners available and one that will surely sell well, given its price point and appeal to most families wanting to sit comfortably in their lounge, living rooms.
1603 – NEDIS
The usual display of cables and accessories from Bandridge, Sweex, Profigold, aside from Thonet & Vander speakers & soundbar were showcased along with two Chinese turntables that were re branded under Nedis brand.
1604 – LUXURY PERSONIFIED LLP (DEVIALET)
The same layout as we have been seeing at each show, Devialet Phantom Speakers in their various incarnations & versions were on static and active display, along with their accessories.
1605 – SENNHEISER
Sennheiser’s much touted Ambeo Soundbar was on demo, though getting to hear it was quite a challenge as they were limiting visitors to enter the room periodically. Even though the number of visitors was limited, for some reason we never got a chance to get in the room and had all but given up on the opportunity to have a listen but on Sunday during the fag end of the show we got lucky to get entry!
The gent giving the demo had taken pains to explain the features of the Ambeo Soundbar and also provide a demonstration that highlighted the salient features of the same, which was very helpful to the visitors in order to understand why the Ambeo Soundbar justifies its asking price of Rupees Two Lakhs. We nonetheless see the Ambeo Soundbar having potential but still would like to have hands on time with it to really ascertain with regard to its atmos capabilities in certain nonconducive environments, thereby clearing some doubts on the same.
1609 – ACOUSTIC PORTRAIT
The same set up comprising of Speakers, Amplifier and Source as shown in the Hyderabad show in September 2019 were showcased here along with some new desktop speakers (DS401) having Scan-Speak full range drivers enclosed in a transmission line cabinet were on demo along with a Swara integrated Amplifier, using a visitors mobile phone as a source, if one wished to hear these speakers. We have already written about what we felt about the main set up in the What HiFi Show Hyderabad, the link to which is HERE.
We loved the desktop speakers for what they do as well as the concept, the price of Rupees Nineteen Thousand seems reasonable in our humble opinion.
It is always a pleasure meeting Siva, the man behind Acoustic Portrait. Secondly, his recordings of Indian Classical music is spectacular to say the very least, which fortunately are available as paid downloads via his website, in mp3 and flac format. Do visit Acoustic Portrait
1610 – SONY (VIDEO & AUDIO EXHIBITION)
Lots of prerequisites were required in order to gain entry to this room! Firstly, one had to fill a form asking all sorts of visitor information, after which one was asked to return at a certain time of the day, after which one yet had to wait outside the room, then if they were lucky enough, they got the privilege of finally entering the room! We weren’t fortunate enough to visit the room and hence aren’t able to report on what was showcased or on demo. As per the standee placed outside their room, a 4K projector, Dolby Atmos soundbar and noise cancellation headphones were on demo.
1611 – GENELEC
A world premiere of Genelec’s flagship models 8361A SAM Studio Monitors, along with W371A SAM Woofer System were on demo along with static display of the 8000 series of studio monitors. Another interesting product that was showcased was the 4430A Smart IP speaker, showcasing audio transmission over IP, thereby eliminating the need for powering each speaker at the same time enabling the end user to operate a multitude of speakers installed in a huge area via the dedicated Genelec software and APP.
Coming back to the main attraction, the 8361A+W371A combo was magnificent to say the very least, though their true capabilities could not be showcased in the small room as desired. Nonetheless, at Rupees Thirty Two Lakhs, one has a world class system that can do a lot of things be it for working in studio environments or perform duties in a audiophiles lair.
1612 – MZ AUDIO DISTRIBUTION
Home Theatre:
Q Acoustics Concept Speakers were showcased in a multichannel demonstration using Marantz flagship Processor and Power Amplifier combo.
Stereo:
Q Acoustics Concept 300 speakers with Marantz 8000 Series Amplifier and CD Player were paired for demo duties. When we visited, they only had an Andrea Bocelli CD, which played end to end on repeat for the visitors wanting to hear this set up.
1613 – VIEWSONIC
Off late, Viewsonic India has been working very hard to increase their presence in the home projector segment and to ensure that, they have been consistently introducing new models at a frequent rate. They have also been focusing on launching models that are not only lamp free but also those that meet various requirements of the end user, reflecting in their models being suitable for portability, short throw and 4k UHD performance. We hope to be reviewing some of their models in the future.
1614 – PANASONIC INDIA PVT. LTD.
The focus in their room was more towards projectors used for the corporate industry, reflecting in the models on static and active demo. There were quite a few visitors already in the room so decided to move to the next room (Covid-19 Measures)
1615 – A.K. INTERNATIONAL (MONSTER)
As is customary with their participation, they had static display of Monster Cables range of products that included cables and accessories. Just a quick glance and we were done!
1616 – S.R. BROTHERS (XGIMI)
Having taken part for the first time in the What HiFi Show, they put up an excellent display of XGIMI portable projectors that they not only demonstrated adequately but also answered the questions that were being asked, convincingly and in desired manner, so kudos to S.R. Brothers for being great exhibitors. For a product line that is new to our projector market in India, they surely will benefit from going to the end user to show their product line up strengths in order to successfully create a niche market for themselves. We also look forward to reviewing a couple of their models in the future.
1617 – LITTLE NAP RECLINERS
Except for a few minor changes to certain models, they showcased what is pretty much seen for a while now in the various shows they take part in, so we really do not have anything more to add with regard to their showing.
1618 – OPTOMA PROJECTORS
The show stopper product as touted by What Hifi Show organisers, the UST P1 was on demo in their room along with the UHD50X, which is the world’s first 240Hz refresh rate 4K UHD cinema gaming projector.
Optoma India too is currently in the midst of reorganising/shuffling its team in place and probably with these movements taking place, we shall see the company getting more involved and aggressive with regard to the projector segment in India. We sure would love to have more time with the UHD50X, if not the P1, but currently we shall probably have to be patient till the new team settles down and takes things forward.
1619 – NEXUS AUDIO (PMC SPEAKERS)
The twenty5 series of loudspeakers from PMC were showcased here which consisted of the twenty5.24 as fronts (L/R), twenty5c as the centre and a pair of twenty5.23 as surrounds. Yes, there was no subwoofer, meaning this was a pure 5.0 speakers set up. Amplification was courtesy, the Denon AVR-X8500H and the source used was an Oppo 103, through which Blu-ray music concert disc’s were played. LG’s NanoCell AI ThinQ 4k 75 inch Super UHD TV was the display.
Khushrau Jilla(KJ), the magician behind Nexus Audio always has some tricks up his sleeves. That was yet again evident in the way he had set up the speakers, notably the positioning of surround speakers and the omission of a sub woofer, which had a telling effect on all who heard the set up in the room. That the telling effect was that of disbelief is a forgone conclusion but still one that only those who experienced could say so.
To us, this set up was the signal of KJ coming back to his best and showcasing what can be achieved with the combination of the right products and practical hands on knowledge/experience.
Scintillating selection of demonstration material added the proverbial ‘Cherry on the Cake’
When you see hardened and seasoned industry professionals having their jaws drop, that’s exactly when you realise the devastating levels of the said demonstration had reached its absolute peak.
Chapeau time indeed!
1620 – AUDIOVISION INDIA (BOWERS & WILKINS, ROTEL, KIMBER, SOUNDCAST)
Audiovision are usually known for have static displays of the brands they represent, but this time we were pleasantly surprised to experience an active demonstration of Bowers & Wilkins Formation range of active wireless speakers, for which we are not only glad but also ecstatic! The formation range of wireless speakers are the current product range under the spotlight and are equally important for Bowers & Wilkins to present to the world as this range is what they expect to be of significant value to the new generation of prospective buyers across the globe. Audiovision had the entire formation range on active demonstration, be it for multichannel or stereo. We were certainly impressed with the formation product range and hope that more music enthusiasts also get an opportunity to listen to them in the future. In addition to the formation speakers, the PX5 & PX7 headphones were also available for listening duties.
They also had a Rotel A14 Integrated Amplifier paired with the Bowers & Wilkins 607 Book Shelf speakers, along with the Formation Audio wireless audio hub, hooked up to showcase how a passive audio set up can be integrated with the multiroom audio formation network of products.
With that, this concludes the coverage of the What HiFi Show Mumbai 2020. We now hope that the Covid 19 pandemic ends quickly so that we all can get back to going about our normal lifestyle, the world over and that we are able to enjoy meeting friends and family. Stay happy, safe and remain calm in these trying times. Best wishes to all!
