News

Q Acoustics has launched its latest entry-level loudspeaker range – the 3000i Series. The three new models, which consist of a braceof standmounts and a floorstander,form the core of the company’s hi-fi loudspeaker range. They are an evolution of the previous 3000 Series and include innovations first employed in its high-end flagship Concept 500 loudspeaker (HFC 426). The new range uses acoustically analysed and specific points strengthened using P2P (point to point) bracing on thespeaker cabinets andthe structural integrity is further improved, thanks to the top and front baffles boasting double thickness and precision-cut corners.

Designed to be unfussy about room positioning, the Kii THREE is a fully active loudspeaker built around Bruno Putzeys’ (HFC 426) Ncore Class D power amplifiers to handle six speaker drivers firing to the front, side and rear, but working together to throw the sound in the forward direction only. Measuring just 200 x 400 x 400mm (WxHxD), the compact system from the Germany-based specialist deploys its proprietary ‘Active Wave Focusing Filters’ to create a time-aligned output from the front-firing 25mm tweeter and 127mm midrange, plus 2x side and 2x rear-firing 165mm bass drivers. The sophisticated DSP ensures a coherent ‘forward’ sound and keeps the drive units within their safe operating range. A 16-position Boundary control allows the DSP to compensate for room positioning and a ‘Contour’ control selects from 14-preset EQ curves to fine tune the system to your taste.

Following our Rock Jaw Audio Alfa Genus V2 competition last month, we can reveal that Pamela Ratchford from Stoke-on-Trent,Derek Briggsfrom BradfordandPaul Lockett from Crewe are the lucky winners. Congratulations! Your prize will arrive with you shortly. https://rockjawaudio. com/products/brand-new-alfa-genus-v2 .

Whenever the subject has come up for discussion at HFC, it seems that professional singers and musicians generally aren’t into audiophile-grade hi-fi. Why would they be? Immersed in their own music for a living, even the world’s greatest system is going to come off second best. Their ‘hi-fi jollies’ don’t involve 24/192 downloads but living and breathing the music itself. We can understand that.

Atoll Electronics has unveiledits new Signature range, which incorporates a pair of amplifiers alongside a matching CD player. The IN200 and IN300 amplifiers are true dual mono designs with dual transformers, fast rectifiers and dual channel capacitors produced by Mundorf and Vishay. The £1,595 IN200 Signature boasts a claimed 120W output per channel into 8ohm, has two pairs of MOSFET transistors for each channel and symmetrical output stages with discrete components. Connectivity includes five line-level RCA inputs, a pair of XLR inputs, pre outputs for bi-amping or a subwoofer and a headphone out.

Turntable orchestra What happens when Technics gathers 30 of the world’s best turntablists and gets them to scratch and cut Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E minor (the first LP issued, back in 1948)? The Philharmonic Turntable Orchestra, that’s what. Check out the madness for yourself here. Procrastinate with RHA Glasgow-based RHA produces some of the most distinctive in-ear headphones in the business and its blog features everything from advice and news on its products to interviews with photographers from around the world and show reports. Find out more here.