Bristol Sound and Vision Show 2004
This year's Bristol Sound and Vision Show was an eclectic mix of new and unsual models. The exhibition varied from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the very good to the incredibly average.
Great Sounds
Some rooms did manage to produce good sounds; in particular the Quad and the REL room. The new REL Stampede sub woofer sounded, or perhaps more accurately 'felt', like a subwoofer should. With its 8" Heavy Duty Long throw driver and 100W speaker it also boast a 'full action remote control' and an easy to read display on the front. The control, front display and remote are all to do with the variable 'slam' and 'depth' facility which affects the sub woofer only. Adjustments of volume and frequency setting of the the crossover is in single Hertz steps which give a very precise and fine adjustment over the sound. The front panel can even be locked from prying fingers of the young ones by a parental control.(Might be an idea to invent a hifi that does the same?) The new larger brother, the Strata 5, was also shown. Apparently '4' is an unlucky number in China, so the Strata 5 replaces the 3. The Strata 5 is 150W and has a 10" long throw driver.
The Stampede is neat, measuring 280x400x290. It will retail for £550 black/silver or £650 in veneers.
I listened to the Hifi News Award winning amplifiers the Audiopax valve power amplifiers. I was very taken with the detail afforded by these. I just wish I could afford them! At £12,000 for a pair of power amplifiers they are not cheap. The European distributors sales pitch was, 'you'll never buy another amp for as long as you live'. It's probably true, but one doesn't like to think of ones own mortality being exceeded by an ampifier (Elliot please note!). In terms of Home Cinema the new discrete Mission 'Elegance' speakers filled up a very large room with a powerful sound. Unfortunately there were some rooms where the sound was so loud and bright they should have had a sign outside them, 'free ear piercing'.
The Promising
The KEF instant DVD theatre has by accident (or design?) set itself up as a rival to 
another famous manufacturer. It comprises: the KEF KIT100 satellite speakers with Uni-Q array and NXT flat array panel to give a 3D effect from two speakers, plus the KIT PSW sub woofer, which has an exceptionally attractive silver finish and the KIT DVD player, which supports DVD,DVD RW,CD,CDR/RW,MP3 encoded CD with AM/FM radio. Outputs are scart, component with progressive scan, s-video and composite. For the price and for its target audience this product should do exceptionally well. KEF have a great reputation for speakers and this product doesn't embarrass them in the slightest. Hi-Fi Corner will be stocking this when available. It will retail for approx £1200, and there is an interest free option and cash back. Subscribe to our newsletter for further details when available.
The Extreme- Wireless Loudspeakers
The O'HEOCHA Design D1-F4 speakers are wireless speakers. The model shown was a prototype and as yet without price, but expect it to be in the £15K+ range per pair. The wireless technology will become available separately and be suitable for your own passive speakers. However at a cost in excess of £1000, and the fact the power supply for the speakers needs to be recharged from time to time (approx every ten hours playing) means that many people will still bring in the decorators and Hi-Fi Corner's custom install department to run cables . It would be unfair to comment on the sound as these speakers were prototypes.
The latest in DAB Radios
There was an interesting expansion of the DAB radio business. In particular, the announcement that in June PURE Digital are launching the 'Legato' DAB/CD mini system. I had a private demonstration of this model. I couldn't judge the sound quality of this as it was a pre production prototype and the software was still not set for it, however when I heard bits of it in their research complex a few months ago it showed great promise. The wooden surround is what I would call a 'traditional' style and I suspect will appeal to many of the existing and new DAB owners. I was shown a 'secret' project which is due for launch soon, but I can't mention. This new item will appeal to younger buyers and I was given a demonstration of rewind radio. 
A surprise for me was a prototype Tivoli DAB Radio. Tivoli are amongst the best manufacturers for FM radios I've heard and this model is a bit of a departure for them. However after discussion with Tivoli I suspect the final product is likely to be something quite different. We'll all have to wait and see what it is, however if you are intending to buy a Tivoli just now don't be put off as the first DAB models will be attracting a premium. Interestingly The importers of Tivoli, Ruark have re launched their famous Talisman and Sabre speakers.
TEAC were showing the new SR-L30DAB mains only portable radio (£180 apprx). A sturdy, well built and neat model, we hope to test this sometime in the not too distant future. It sounded good, and like the Tivoli uses a software and modules from Frontier Silicon, which means it should work without problems. I had a chat with Sony who tell me it will be September before they launch their DAB radios. They are coming to the party a bit late.
Another surprising entry was a mini system designed to beat the award winning Denon DM31 but with extra facilities including DAB. It wasn't a Denon! Unfortunately this was literally under cover as it won't be available until June. Although I think it's a real winner in its particular market I don't feel I can make public the brand just yet. It's interesting that I was told about the poor review of the Bose Waveradio in the latest edition of What Hi-Fi? not , I should add, by anyone mentioned above but by someone who sells FM tuners!
The unusual
The very very old hifi name of Lafayette made a comeback with some incredibly stylish and reasonably priced equipment. Their DVD player the LFDV969 is very slim (41mm) and has progressive scan, Dolby digital 5.1 and plays DVD Audio/Video, HDCD,Video CD, CD-R,CD-RW,MP3,JPEG and Kodak picture CD. Also offering component and progressive scan this sells for under £225.00. They also had some really interesting systems which if you have subscribed to our newsletter we'll tell you abut when they come into stock.
Divide By Ten
One of the most radical changes in demonstrations I've seen in years was the amazing work of art in the B&W suite. I'm not sure what the public made of it, especially if you were going to the show to hear specific equipment, however to my mind it was a stunning and effective use of sound in art. Imagine a large split level room in semi darkness. Spaced around this room are ten B&W 705 stand-mounted speakers (except they are on beautiful matched wooden plinths with a built in low voltage spotlight shining atmospherically onto the floor). Beside the plinths is a B&W sub-woofer. Being played through the speakers was a specially recorded ten separate channel experience of music, effects,voice and samples. The photographs in the room had discrete B&W logos or symbols in them. The perfomance ran for just over an hour, and although I didn't have time to listen to it all, the various visits I paid to the room were great fun. So impressed was I with this that we are in discussions about bringing this experience to Scotland at some point later this year.
ETC
One of my interesting purchases was the Tannoy book, a history of Tannoy. It's not quite the coffee table splendour of the Quad History book (soon to be available from our online shop) and a bit heavier going but will appeal to other anoraks like me!
I know people will stereotype me as a mean Scot but two wee rolls and a can of coke for £7.00 is a bit much unless you are Norwegian (see below). I've discovered that one can have a great pub lunch (with a seat) for half that price a hundred yards from the Marriot. One for the memory bank!
PS - Norway is a great holiday destination, I've been three times and highly recommend it. I hope this appeases the Norwegian JEB who complained that England can be expensive. He is correct, an example would be the Marriot which is VERY expensive.
Colin Mackenzie