INSTALLATION OF THE MONTH - February 2009
Artcoustic and Rayleigh HiFi Provide A Stunning Solution for this High End Dedicated Home Cinema System in the English Countryside
It is a common scenario that over a period of time one’s needs change and a house is no longer a perfect lifestyle fit. At this point one has two solutions – to purchase a new one or to significantly renovate the existing property. For many homeowners, the renovation option provides the best way to tailor a house to suit their requirements. This homeowner chose the latter.
Rayleigh HiFi has been responsible for a plethora of stunning high end installations throughout the UK. This project, a retrofit barn conversion, is at the top end of the installation scale and is a stunning showcase for what can be achieved.
Situated in the quiet Essex countryside, this installation is the crème de la crème of barn conversions with its comfortable space and rustic authenticity. When the client decided he wanted a dedicated home cinema system, he chose his listed barn as the perfect place for his private cinema and retreat away from the main house. He selected Rayleigh HiFi to provide the optimal solution. The client commissioned Rayleigh HiFi, knowing their solution would be of the highest standard and easy to use due to their experience in similar systems. From their meetings and proposal, the client knew Rayleigh HiFi would meet the challenge of providing a system that worked within the restrictions placed by the planning authorities for a listed property. Rayleigh would marry the modernity of a high end cinema with the architecture and features of the existing barn.
Artcoustic Loudspeakers were the perfect solution for this state of the art home cinema system. A major challenge was to integrate the home cinema within the physical constraints of the space available and make it aesthetically appealing. Specialists were needed to ensure a sympathetic restoration of the derelict barn to comply with listed building regulations, and to transform it in to a high tech haven. Rayleigh HiFi worked closely with the builders and electricians on this project to ensure the client got the results he wanted.
Artcoustic speakers were chosen for their amazing sound quality and also their shallow depth which ensured the room size was not compromised. The barn was a modest size and maximum room space had to be maintained. This attention to detail ensured the owner could fit a bar at the rear with beer on tap! The Artcoustic speakers, 3 Spitfire Monitors and 3 Spitfire Subwoofers, are anything but modest in performance! But when set behind the Screen Research Clear Pix 110” Screen the only way you know they are there is by the awesome and complete cinematic experience. Rayleigh Hi-fi expertise in home cinema design lead them to design this system with the Spitfire Monitors and Subwoofers positioned behind the screen, just as you would find in a professional cinema. This gives the systems a much more cinematic and believable presence, perfectly integrating the sound and image. Artcoustic Diablo Monitors are used as side and rear channels to complete the 7.1 channel system. Artcoustic PA-1800 Amplifiers, an Arcam DV-139 DVD player, and an Arcam AVP700 Processor are stored neatly in a handcrafted cabinet that sits under the screen. A Runco RS-900 Projector is mounted on a Future Glass Projector mount. This room exudes discrete aesthetic design coupled with awesome studio monitor quality sounds and world class cinematic picture.
The client is ecstatic with his home cinema system and feels the AV technology is the perfect balance. The system sounds fantastic, looks great and is more than worthy of the fabulous renovated barn it is housed in.
Contact
Rayleigh HiFi
01245 265 245
chelmsford@rayleighhifi.com www.rayleighhifi.com
NEW PRODUCTS
Spitfire 4-2-1 Cinema System – Spitfire 4-2-1 speaker system redefines reference cinema performance
The new flagship Spitfire 4-2-1 speaker system is available now from Artcoustic Loudspeakers. Featuring a high performance horn loaded tweeter together with 6 x 10” bass units, this model is capable of stunning performance, easily exceeding reference pressure levels with a maximum output of 122dB. Each loudspeaker is tri-amped with the PA1800 power amp to deliver 1800W per speaker. Partnered with the Spitfire Subwoofers, Spitfire Venues and PA1800 amplifier, this forms a speaker system designed for the very finest home cinema systems.
The Spitfire 4-2-1 system is the most installation friendly high performance system available. Reference performance is delivered in just 186mm of depth - including subwoofers. Installation is quick, easy and aesthetically clean and unobtrusive.
Spitfire 4-2-1 measures 800mm x 840mm x 186mm
Contact an exclusive Artcoustic distributor in your area for more information.
July 2008 - Artcoustic Open New UK Headquarters
Artcoustic UK are proud to announce the opening of their new UK Headquarters: a beautiful training and demonstration facility destined to lead the industry in audio education and design.
This brand new facility will showcase the company’s state-of-the-art high-end audio solutions to their exclusive dealers, consultants, architects, interior designers and end users. The headquarters features Artcoustic’s full range of products amongst top of the line furnishings ensuring a total Artcoustic experience in both residential and commercial room sets. The full range of Artcoustic products on demonstration with 9 full systems includes:
- A state-of-the-art dedicated reference Spitfire Cinema Room
- Commercial Spitfire Venue bar demonstration area
- Various sized plasma based systems with Artcoustic Packages
- Domestic systems ranging from the small 2 channel Diablo Target system to flagship DFF180-43 systems.
Facility will provide Authorised Dealers, Interior Designers, Architects and End Users with a Venue to Learn About and Experience Artcoustic’s Audio Solutions
This interactive demonstration facility will provide a convenient place to learn how high-end audio systems can be successfully integrated into a lifestyle environment without sacrificing one to the other. It will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the audio / lifestyle environment and also demonstrate the convenience and functionality of having the Artcoustic sound system in their private residence, home cinema, restaurant, hotel or corporate boardroom.
The facility caters for both commercial and domestic projects and can truly show the full range of possibilities that can be achieved with Artcoustic Loudspeakers.
As ever interior design and high end audio have come together via the Artcoustic team to produce a stunning new facility. “We always aim to present everything we do in the most desirable way possible” explained Paul Cummin, Artcoustic UK Sales Director, who has spearheaded this project, “We know that just having fantastic products is not enough, you have to show them in the best environments. Artcoustic as a company are leading the way in this area, we understand interior design and that selling our product is only made easier by presenting it in the right way. Our authorised dealer network already benefit from our ability to show their clients the end result via our extensive image library and marketing material. This new facility will ensure that we can keep them up to date with our full range of products and philosophy. Our aim is not only to show beautiful installations, but also to demonstrate that high performance loudspeakers are what Artcoustic is all about.”
All modern residential and commercial settings need an audio system solution, but there are so many products on the market that it is difficult to know what to select.
Artcoustic has the expertise to provide the specialist knowledge that is required, when it comes to selecting the ideal residential and commercial high end loudspeaker solution from a basic audio system to a complete multi-room solution. Artcoustic can work closely with their dealers, architects, interior designers and consultants to create a fully integrated home or commercial environment.
The new UK Headquarters marks another first for the industry, pushing the envelope of state-of-the-art audio technology and showcasing the perfect marriage between high-end loudspeakers and interior design. It will be the first of its kind to represent an integrated living space fully fitted with elegant furnishings and Artcoustic’s top performing audio systems.
If you think you already know Artcoustic, be prepared to open your eyes and ears! This facility is designed to prove that high performance systems and beautiful installations can and should go together. The range of possibilities is endless. A visit to this new headquarters is just the starting point.
The showroom is based in Chelmsford, Essex.
20 minutes by car from the M25
30 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street, (nearest train station Chelmsford)
30 minutes by car from Stansted Airport
The showroom is by appointment only – to arrange a visit please call 01245 400904 or e-mail salesuk@artcoustic.com. Artcoustic UK Showroom Unit 15 Eckersley Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SL England.
