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View - Wifi Hifi

THE GOLD
STANDARD
How high-res audio
transforms music
www.wifihifi.ca | October 2014
PM42710013
THE AUDIO ISSUE
GET
YOUR
EARS
READY.
The second your ears experience the perfectly nuanced sound that only Sony Hi-res Audio
can deliver you’ll know there’s no going back and you wouldn’t want to if you could. Hear
details that you didn’t know existed. Depth that you thought was reserved for real life.
Prepare yourself – nothing will ever sound the same.
sony.ca/sound-evolved
®Sony and Hi-Res Audio logo are registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
CONTENTS | October 2014
PUBLISHER’S NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SHORT BITS
8
18
The newest and coolest products from the business of digital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
HIGH-RESOLUTION AUDIO
The Golden Source: Bringing the Studio Master Home
Because high-resolution digital files contain much more information than iTunes and Amazon downloads
and even CDs, they have the potential of delivering revelatory listening experiences. Vendors are working
hard to expand the market for high-res audio beyond its traditional boomer base.
By Gordon Brockhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Bit by Bit: Making Sense of Digital Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Where to Buy High-Res Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
26
HOME THEATRE
A Game-Changer: The Launch of Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos lets mixing engineers create three-dimensional soundfields that place sound objects
all around the listener. It’s as significant a development as Dolby Digital was two decades ago.
MOBILE WORLD
The Growing Importance of the AVR App
An AV receiver app was not too long ago considered a nice option as a secondary remote. But with the
36
Internet of Things, along with a new swarm of networked receivers, they’ve become an essential part
of the multi-zone audio equation.
By Christine Persaud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Beyond the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
WIRELESS AUDIO
All Through the House
For a decade, Sonos has owned the market for whole-home wireless music distribution.
Now it’s getting some serious competition.
TALKING SHOP
44
In this month’s edition, we ask a few dealers to weigh in on the importance of hifi demo events; and check
in with The Sound Room’s new owner four months after having taken over the retail shop.
By Wally Hucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
THE RESURGENCE OF VINYL
An Audio Format That Has Stood the Test of Time
A look back at how vinyl got its start, why it reigns supreme for audio quality, and how it’s evolved
over the decades; plus we get hands-on with five stellar turntables.
By David Susilo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
HOW DID YOU GET HERE?: Lynda Kitamura
58
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www.wifihifi.ca
As told to Wally Hucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
4-Oh Canada
Sharp Electronics Celebrates 40 Years in Canada
For 40 years Sharp has marketed unique productivity tools and engaging consumer
electronics in an effort to enhance and improve the lives of Canadians.
We will continue to work to introduce products and services that others want to imitate
and end users will enjoy.
Sharp Canada looks forward to introducing what’s next. Embracing but not resting on
our legacy, continuing to lead in innovation while maintaining creativity and sincerity as
the cornerstone for everything that we do.
©2014 Sharp Electronics Corporation. Sharp, AQUOS, and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated companies.
sharp.ca
THE REAL DEAL
PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
John Thomson
Cell: 416-726-3667
jthomson@wifihifi.ca
@john__thomson (that’s 2 underscores)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Christine Persaud
cpersaud@wifihifi.ca
@ChristineTechCA
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Gordon Brockhouse
gbrockhouse@wifihifi.ca
RETAIL EDITOR
Wally Hucker
whucker@wifihifi.ca
CONTRIBUTORS
Vawn Himmelsbach, Frank Lenk,
David Susilo
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT
James Campbell
jcampbell@wifihifi.ca
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Cathy Thomson
cthomson@wifihifi.ca
Melsa Media Inc.
194 Robinson Street
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 1G3
Website: www.wifihifi.ca / www.wifihifi.com
Twitter: twitter.com/wifihifimag
Facebook: facebook.com/wifihifimag
All advertising inquiries:
John Thomson
Copyright 2014. WiFi Hifi is a registered brand of Melsa Media Inc. and
is published ten times each year. All rights reserved. The contents of
this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the
written consent of the publisher. The views expressed by advertisers
are not necessarily those held by the publisher.
Publications Mail Agreement Number: PM42710013
Business Number: 81171 8709
6|
www.wifihifi.ca
PUBLISHER’S
NOTE
Back when I was a teenager, most Saturday mornings saw me and my pals taking the GO Train from Port Credit
into Toronto. We’d walk from Union Station to Yonge and Dundas St., then spend hours going from Music World
to Sam the Record Man to A&A Records looking for Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Who and Supertramp albums. During
our trip back to the ’burbs, we’d devour the liner notes and the pictures of the bands on the sleeve. After dinner,
we would meet in Mike’s basement for marathon games of pool while listening to our new records. CDs were at
least three years away from their this-changes-everything debut.
Throughout high school, my friends and I were known for our knowledge of rock music, and our rather embarrassing
fashion sense, which came from trying to copy the look of our favourite bands. By the time I was 17, I had seen so
many concerts that we stopped collecting the ticket stubs.
I started my career in music retail, and then worked at Sony Music in artist marketing before getting into publishing.
Music has been my most important creative door; and I have a song for every significant moment of my life. UB40,
Roxy Music, Rolling Stones, The Smiths, Crowded House: you name it and I can tie a story to the song!
Oddly, I have never felt nostalgia for any particular music format. Quite the opposite: I have happily strolled
technology’s path from vinyl to CDs to digital audio without looking back. But lately, I have been feeling a bit sad
with my last migration.
Remember when Apple launched the iPod, with the promise of 5,000 songs in your pocket? I was all over that and
pushed my digital song library well beyond that number. Working at a music label for several years left me with
a 3,800-strong CD collection, which I did my best to rip to digital files (but not lossless) before my wife reminded
me that the CDs would not be moving to our new home with us. Back then, the size of the collection overruled the
quality of the collection; and now some of those compressed files have lost their magic.
Last week I bought my first turntable in over 20 years. I also bought 15 albums, since my childhood vinyl collection
is long gone. Gunnar Van Vliet at Planet of Sound in Toronto did an exceptional job up-selling me on what I
thought I wanted and showed great patience tutoring me on “everything turntable.” I was stressed to no end trying
to figure out what albums to buy and what would be the first song I’d play on my new ’table. I was downright
excited that my passion for sound had been rekindled.
What brought me to Planet of Sound in the first place was a Jazz Night presented by KEF a few nights previous
to launch the new Reference Series. Ever the showman, KEF Brand Ambassador Johan Coorg demonstrated his
company’s Blade and Reference 3 speakers using jazz tunes from his own library of uncompressed music files. The
sound was as true to a live performance as you can imagine. We all have our aha moments, and this was mine. I’m
late to the high-res party; but now that I have joined, there is no turning back.
This issue is a celebration of great sound. Gordon Brockhouse, who has been enjoying lossless digital audio
for several years, explains the potential of high-res audio, and how to get it. Christine Persaud shows us how
smartphones are becoming an essential perfect accessory for your home theatre system. In his first article for
WiFi HiFi, David Susillo takes a look at some great new turntables. This is is a great time to be into music and audio;
and what we hear is about to improve.
Enjoy the issue!
John Thomson
MY FIRST 15 VINYL RECORDS
John Coltrane Soultrane
Cannonball Adderley Somethin’ Else
Norah Jones Live From Austin TX
Oscar Peterson Trio Night Train
Eric Clapton Unplugged
Fleetwood Mac Rumours (first album played)
Neil Young Massey Hall 1971
Van Morrison Moondance
Hank Mobley Soul Station
Miles Davis Kind of Blue
Dire Straits Dire Straits
Billie Holiday Strange Fruit
Louis Armstrong Plays W.C Handy
Grateful Dead American Beauty
Ray Charles Modern Sounds in Country
and Western Music
The genesis for the TORRENT’s revolutionary magnetic application was our conviction that a driver could be made without using any active or passive crossover parts in the signal path of the woofer section.
The TORRENT offers striking accuracy both on- and off-axis while projecting unsurpassed clarity and phase correctness, resulting in the most genuine musical experience. / totemacoustic.com
SHORT BITS
Sonos on Wi-Fi: New Sonos
customers can now use a network of
connected speakers via traditional Wi-Fi,
no Bridge required. All speakers just need
to be within range of the Wi-Fi router.
The Sonos 3.1 and 5.1 home theatre
setups still require a wired connection,
and Playbar owners should still use it for
the low-latency connection that enables
seamless Sonos 5.1. Coming soon will
also be the Boost, a new $109 accessory
alternative to the Bridge that will offer
“enterprise-grade wireless capabilities
to serve challenging home Wi-Fi
environments.” The Bridge will continue
to sell in Canada for $60. Sonos.com
The newest products from the business of digital.
Dialing Down the Apple Watch: Sleek. Sexy. Customizable. Multi-functional.
Apple fanboys have been salivating since early September following the reveal of
the Watch, which will offer everything from smart notifications, to device and app
control, health, fitness, and activity tracking, cool customizable faces, and mobile
wallet functionality. One of the key design features is the digital “crown,” a rotating
dial on the side that can be used to scroll through menus, select items, and return to
home. Have we come, shall I say, full circle back to the Click Wheel days? The watch
will come in three different designs with a host of cool bands to go with it. But they
won’t be under any trees this year: it’s not available until early 2015. $349 Apple.ca
An Uncommon Case: If you’re looking for a smartphone
case that’ll help you stand out among the crowd, check out
some of the latest models from Uncommon, distributed by
Cesium Telecom. There are designs from the likes of Paul Frank
to Muhammad Ali ($100), and cool throwbacks with images
like a rotary phone, cassette tapes, two-lens camera, and vinyl
albums ($35 ea.) Want something more personal? Upload your
own pics to get them printed on the back of a case, or choose
from a number of stock images. Getuncommon.com
Tennis Gets Smart: Want to improve your tennis game?
Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor records data, then gives real-time shot
visualizations on a Bluetooth-connected iOS or Android mobile
device, along with recorded video and shot metrics. Vibration
analysis mechanics analyze shot count, ball impact spot, swing
speed, ball speed and ball spin, and even multiple swing types like
topspin forehand and volley backhand. It will be compatible with
select tennis racket models by manufacturers like Wilson, Prince
and Yonex. Single and double player matches or practice sessions
can be shared via social media. You’ll have to wait to become the
next Federer, though – it won’t be available until the end of January
2015. MSRP $200 Smarttennissensor.sony.net/na/
Read on the Beach: Books are going digital, which makes it difficult to read
them on the beach or while snuggled in a cozy bath. Until now. Kobo has made
its latest e-reader, the Aura H20, fully waterproof, dustproof, and anti-glare so you
can read it on the beach, poolside, or even snuggled up in the tub. It uses Carta
E Ink technology, and has a 6.8” HD screen, 1GHz processor, 4GB of onboard storage
(expandable to 32GB), and a battery that lasts for up to two months. Available in
October. $180 Kobo.com
8|
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A Super SoundTab: Talk about an all-in-one
device! The Hisense SoundTab MA-317 is an
Android tablet (4.2.2) combined with a Bluetooth
speaker (two 5-watt speakers and two 5-watt
amps), Internet radio and TV device (Wi-Fi access),
and a magician that can turn a “dumb” TV into a
smart one. Using HDMI out, users can connect it
to any HDMI-equipped TV to access Google Play
apps on the big screen. A 0.3 MP front-facing
camera can be used for video messaging. It runs
on a Cortex A9 processor and built-in lithium-ion
battery, and has 1 GB of DDRII RAM and 4GB
storage. It’ll be available in November. $230
Hisense-canada.com
A LENS SYSTEM AS
D E D I C AT E D T O C A P T U R I N G E V E R Y D E TA I L
AS YOU ARE.
Capturing outstanding images
begins with outstanding lenses.
That’s why every lens in our system incorporates the
most advanced optical technology for the imaging power
you need in a compact and portable design, so you’ll
never miss a shot.
Our complete lineup of prime, macro, telephoto,
splashproof, dustproof, wide-angle, and fast aperture
zoom lenses offer you the perfect choice for every
shooting occasion. A worthy complement to the awardwinning OM-D series.
And now it’s easier than ever to build your system with
our Stackable Savings Program. Save on lenses when
purchased with an OM-D. Learn more at
www.getolympus.com/ca/en/stackable
.getolympus.com/ca/en/stackable
OM-D E-M10
OM-D E-M5
OM-D E-M1
Image shot with the Olympus OM-D
E-M10 with the M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 lens
by Olympus Trailblazer, Laura Hicks.
Move into a New World
SHORT BITS
Motorola Takes a 360: At first glance, you wouldn’t think the Moto 360
is anything but a regular watch. And I guess that’s the point. But beneath the
backlit, Gorilla Glass 1.56” screen are some pretty smart functions, including
notifications from a connected smartphone, voice control capabilities, and alerts
on everything from traffic, to weather, and flight status. Powered by Android
Wear and a TI OMPA processor and water-resistant (IP67), it’s also a fitness
tracker, with a pedometer and heart rate monitor, and partner app for setting
and tracking goals. A charge lasts for about a day, and the watch can be charged
using the included dock. This smart watch will work with most Android devices
running 4.3 and higher. Available in the fall; $280 Moto360.motorola.com
Who’s Your Pop Icon?: Alcatel Onetouch’s Pop Icon is a “value”
smartphone that runs Android 4.4, has a 5” qHD (960 x 540) IPS display, and is
powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. There’s a
VGA front camera, plus 5 MP camera with autofocus and LED flash. The 2,000
mAh battery offers up to 8 hours of talk time or 660 hours standby. There’s 1 GB
of RAM and 4 GB of storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB. Prepaid from
Telus for $150. Telus.com
Lock & Load With the a5100: Sony’s a5100
compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera,
which replaces the NEX-5, can lock focus and snap
a photo in just 0.07 seconds. It employs technology
from the a6000, including a fast hybrid autofocus
system, 24.3 MP APS-C size Exmor CMOS sensor,
and Sony’s BIONZ X image processor. Other features
include a 3” 180-degree tiltable LCD touchscreen,
pop-up flash, and full HD video recording, with the
ability to simultaneously record a lower-resolution
MP4 file for sharing online. It also has built-in Wi-Fi,
can connect to an Android or iOS device, and has
NFC for touch-pairing. MSRP $730 for a kit that
includes a 16-50mm motorized zoom lens. Sony.ca
Mipow Playbulb: So you’re sick of seeing app-controlled lighting
products, right? Probably not. And I bet you haven’t seen one like
the Playbulb from Mipow (distributed by Cesium). It’s a Bluetooth
smart LED speaker light (yes, speaker) that screws into any standard
E26/E27 lamp socket. Then, control it from the iOS or Android app.
You can dim the light using a finger-controlled dial or by shaking the
device, and manipulate music playback from your phone’s library, or
streaming radio. Use it as a wakeup alarm by setting it to turn on and
play music at a specified time. As an alarm or background tunes, and
for sheer cool factor, it shines bright. $60 Playbulbs.com
Quiet Comfort on Your Ears: Getting ready for your next
business flight? Bose’s QuietComfort 25 acoustic noise canceling
headphones have microphones both inside and outside the
earcup, a more finely-tuned active EQ, and TriPort technology for
delivering detailed low notes. The headband was designed to sit
closer to the head. There are leather ear cushions, and the earcups
feature a soft-touch TPE bumper and cast zinc pivot. They fold
and fit in an ultra-small carrying case, and are powered by a single
AAA battery that lasts for up to 35 hours. No fear if the battery
runs out – you can still use the headphones as regular ‘phones,
minus the noise canceling function. There’s also an inline
remote and mic. $330 Bose.ca
10 |
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Shomi the Money: Netflix, watch out. Rogers
and Shaw are coming for ‘ya with shomi, a new
streaming service that will offer more than 11,000
hours of past season TV shows, including plenty of
exclusives like Modern Family and Sons of Anarchy,
with the ability to access them from mobile devices,
computers, Xbox 360, and set-top boxes. You’ll
find features like intelligent recommendations, and
the ability to add up to six profiles per account.
Streaming bandwidth will still count toward your
data usage. $8.99/mo. Shomi.com
SHORT BITS
Stand Tall: The Sanus WSS2 speaker stand is designed specifically for Sonos’ Play:1 and Play:3
speakers. The WSS2 stand places the speaker at the height and angle recommended by Sonos for
optimum dispersion and bass response. It allows for many different configurations of the Play:1
and Play:3 speakers, which are part of Sonos’ multi-room music system. The Play:1 speaker can be
mounted vertically to the WSS2 stand, while the Play:3 can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
Available in black and white finishes, the WSS2 has wiring channels through the column and base
for hiding cables, and is supplied with custom brackets for mounting speakers without blocking
power or Ethernet ports. $110. www.sanus.com
Envy My Printing: HP is making it
Epson Moverio BT-200: These super-cool augmented reality
glasses use dual screens that are capable of both 3D and 2D viewing
and project a virtual display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 23-degree
field of view. The glasses project see-through overlays of digital content
onto the real world, in the centre of the smart glasses’ field of view.
Being an open-source platform, third-party developers can take full
hold. The glasses are already being used with DJI’s Phantom Drone:
the pilot can watch streaming video from the drone camera directly on
the glasses to frame shots and control it while never losing sight of the
device as it soars through the air. $700 Epson.com
easier to print directly from smartphones
with its Envy 7640 e-All-in-One, which
features direct printing from Android
and iOS devices. Other features include
25-page document feeder for scanning
and copying, dedicated photo-paper
tray, and automatic two-sided printing.
$200 Hp.ca
Going Steady With Xperia T3: Available from
Bell, Virgin, SaskTel, and unlocked from Sony Stores,
the Sony Xperia T3 is an Android “Kit Kat” device
that’s being targeted particularly to the student
crowd. It has a 5.3” HD TRILUMINOS display, Mobile
BRAVIA engine, 1.4 GHz processor with 1 GB of RAM,
and 8 MP camera with Exmor RS HDR and SteadyShot
for mobile, and a number of photo features found in other new Xperia devices, including
AR Effect, Timeshift Burst, and Creative Effects, plus a feature called Portrait Retouch
which includes real-time makeup and deco frames. $50 on a two-year term. Sony.ca
Super Smart Car: Intelligent Mechatronic Systems’ (IMS’)
Connected Car is powered by DriveSync, and gets insights
from wearable technology that can anticipate driver
behaviours. For example, sleep patterns, glucose monitoring
levels and abnormal heart rate detection can signal driver
drowsiness and potential health risks. It analyzes weather
and traffic information to predict expected road conditions,
and provides audible coaching when unsafe behaviours are
observed, like speeding, harsh cornering and tailgating.
The usage-based insurance (UBI) system provides automotive
incident detection, first notice of loss, claims management,
green driving reports and integrated roadside assistance.
Infotainment services enable access to e-mail, text
notifications, music and social media. Intellimec.com
A Different Kind of Ironman: The timeless (pun intended)
company Timex is delving into the world of smartwatches with
the Ironman One GPS+, which can function on its own, without
being connected to a smartphone. It has e-mail-based messaging
capabilities, and tracking to communicate the wearer’s location,
including a custom-built “Find Me Mode,” which allows users
to send an alert with exact location in case of an emergency.
Developed in partnership with Qualcomm, it also tracks speed,
distance, and pace in real-time, is water-resistant up to 50 meters,
and has a built-in music player with 4 GB of memory; tunes can
be played via Bluetooth headset. $400 with one-year of data via
AT&T. Timex.com
October 2014
| 11
For those passionate
about great sound.
For more than 40 years, Canton has been
developing and producing high-quality
loudspeakers that impress with their sound,
design and quality.
Offering more than 500 models, Canton is
making the world sound better every day.
Learn more about us and discover your
own personal sound at:
www.canton.de
Today’s flat panel televisions deliver outstanding
picture resolution, but they still come up short on
sound quality.
Canton’s powerful 2.1 virtual surround systems
Digital Movie DM 9
A slim, wall-mounted soundbar that provides
impressive front surround for your home theatre
and music systems. Available in black or white.
provide the ideal solution to satisfy your passion
for great sound.
Distributed in Canada exclusively by Smartketing
1-866-370-6006 • info@smartketing.ca
www.smartketing.ca
SHORT BITS
Super Light: There are 33 new SKUs in Manfrotto’s Pro Light series of camera and video
bags (available through Gentec International), deemed the lightest in the line, and including
features like the Camera Protection System and Advanced Harness System. There are eight
photo backpacks and four holsters; two video backpacks, four cases, and three rolling
organizers for lighting equipment; and one camera strap, four camera raincovers, and seven
video raincovers. The 3N1 backpack stands out with a quick-draw option for rotating the bag
to the front of your body for quick access, and with three carrying options: right or left sling,
or cross-position. Gentec-intl.com
Ignore No More!: Sick of your tween/teen ignoring your texts and
Get a Clearview: The new Panther series of
HD-AVS cameras and DVRs, available through
SF Marketing, provides a 1080P/720P signal (AVS)
through the use of a standard coaxial cable. The
cameras can be used in a conventional analog
CCTV system, and can be set to act as a regular
720 line analog camera, but later switched to full
HD when the recorder is upgraded. Sfm.ca
Interactive Kiosk, No Strings Attached:
These interactive touch screen kiosks powered
by United Visual Products (available from
Stampede) come with lifetime software licenses
(with no annual renewal fees), and the necessary
hardware. Remotely manage content in one or
multiple locations, or trigger them at specified
times. Display static advertisements, videos,
commercials, news and weather forecasts, RSS
feeds, and QR Codes. There’s also a built-in media
player for storing and playing content like videos,
scrolling text messages and animated graphics.
Third-party software and media players such as
BrightSign, SCALA, Four Winds Interactive, and
BroadSign are fully compatible with these kiosks.
Stampedeglobal.com
14 |
www.wifihifi.ca
calls? Ignore No More, created by Texas mom Sharon Standifird, lets
parents lock their kids’ phones if they fail to reply to calls and texts.
Only once they reply will they get the unique four-digit lock code that
lets them back into their devices. Until then, access to messages, social
media profiles, games, the ability to call friends, post status updates or,
gulp, Tweets, are all blocked. The child will, of course, always have the
capability to call 911, emergency contacts and, of course, his parents.
It’s the app parents love and the one kids hate. Dare you download?
It’s currently only available for Android devices, but chances are a
version will reach iOS soon. US$1.99 Ignorenomoreapp.com
Single Cup or Four?: There’s no need to choose between
a single cup of coffee or a pot of four. Keurig’s 2.0 machines
can brew using individual K-cups, or new K-Carafe brand packs
and a thermal carafe. New Brewing Technology enables the
brewer to recognize the inserted Keurig pack and optimize the
brew to the recommended, customized setting for that particular
beverage. There are three series available (K500, K400, and K300)
with water reservoirs ranging from 60-80 ounces, and up to 10 brewing
sizes (nine with the K400 and K300). But beware, as DRM-like technology
means the systems will only brew approved K-cup brands. $140-$190 Keurig.ca
Keep the Propane Going: Ever realize just before guests arrive
for a BBQ that you’re out of propane? You could have sworn you just
replaced the tank! The Smart GasWatch Scale is a doughnut-shaped
device that sits under the tank and monitors its weight, then sends
an alert to advise when you’re running low. It provides an idea of
how much cooking time is left with alerts at 20%, 15%, and 10%.
Not planning on BBQ’ing again until next summer? The GasWatch can
also be used with propane-fueled patio heaters during the cold winter
months. The TVL 216 ($25) features a digital readout fixed to the circular
baseplate; and the TVL 214 ($30) includes a 4.5-foot wire to connect
the baseplate to a remote digital readout.
The
Ultimate
Display
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SHORT BITS
Fetch Boo Boo, Fetch. Now Record: These days, you can
mount a GoPro camera to pretty much anything. And now, you can
add pets to that list. The Fetch dog harness has two mounts for Hero
cameras: one for the back or overhead shots, and another on the
chest for field-of-view. It’s designed to fit dogs from 15 to 120 lbs.
It is water and dust proof, which means it can be washed after a
puppy’s messy roll in the mud. A tether keeps the camera secured
in place. $60 Gopro.com
In Da Club: Pioneer’s SE-MX9
headphones are based heavily
on the company’s HDJ-2000 DJ
headphones, with the same 50mm
drivers for increased bass for a
“club-like” response. The on-ear
‘phones comes in three elegant
colours: bright silver, indigo black,
and bright copper with urethane
head pad and ear pads, both of which are wrapped in synthetic “protein leather.” They come with a
1.2 metre tangle-free and detachable D-shaped cord with a built-in mic and remote for controlling music
playback and answering incoming calls from a connected smartphone. MSRP $330 Pioneerelectronics.ca
A Serious New Pen: The Olympus EPL-7 compact
mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras has a 3” LCD
touchscreen that flips down for snapping selfies, and an
81-point FAST autofocus system: in sequential shooting
mode, it can record 20 RAW images, or an unlimited
number of JPEGs, at 8 fps. To sync the camera with a
smart device running Olympus’ OI.Share app, scan a QR
code to get a LiveView window on the mobile device,
take pictures, and transfer images. The app also lets users
geo-tag information. A leather body jacket ($60) and lens
cover ($45) complement the camera’s retro aesthetic.
$600 body only, $700 for a kit that includes the M.Zuiko
Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R lens. Olympuscanada.com
Rugged Like a Cat: The Cat mobile B15 is a super rugged smartphone
that’s designed to operate in harsh environments with a 4” dustproof and
scratch-resistant screen. It can survive drops up to 1.8 metres, and can be
submerged in up to a metre of water for up to 30 minutes. The touch screen
can even track wet fingers. It operates on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), has a
dual-core 1 GHz processor, and a 2,000 mAh removable battery with up to
16.3 hours talk time. Additional features include built-in GPS, a 5MP rear-facing
camera with continuous shooting, 720P video recording, 4GB storage,
3G network connectivity, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. $99 on a two-year talk, text,
and Internet plan with Rogers. Catphones.com
Grip Your Big Smartphone Tight: Joby is making it possible
for users of large-sized smartphones (2.7-3.9” wide, with or without a
case) to still be able to mount them and shoot great, shake-free pics.
The GripTight Mount can work with a stand, like the GripTight Micro
Stand or GripTight GorillaPod Stand, or without, sitting atop any tripod.
It’s designed with a durable steel inner frame and rubber grip pads
that hold the phone securely in place, even when rotated sideways
or upside down. MSRP $20 Daymen.ca
16 |
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360 Robot Cleaner: Dyson’s 360 Eye vacuum is
powered by the V2 Dyson digital motor, and uses Radial
Root Cyclone technology to separate dust and dirt. The
360-degree camera and infrared sensors stealthily take
in the environment, build a detailed floor plan, and
intelligently navigate around a room and track position.
Patented carbon fibre brush bar technology removes fine
dust on hard floors, and stiff nylon bristles agitate and
clean carpets. The vac can run for about half an hour on a
single charge, and self-docks when the battery is running
low. But the best part? Using the iOS or Android app, you
can schedule the machine to run when you’re not home.
Sweet! Fall 2015. Dysoncanada.ca
So SMART… It’s BRILLIANT
www.hisense-canada.com
THE GOLDEN SOURCE:
Bringing the Studio Master Home
Given the popularity of high-res audio among male boomers,
it’s not surprising that many download sites have a hefty offering of
classic rock albums by groups like Led Zeppelin in high-res. But you’ll
pay 50% more for a high-res version of a Led Zep album than you will
for a CD, and twice as much as you’ll pay for an iTunes download.
BY GORDON BROCKHOUSE
GREG STIDSEN THINKS AUDIOPHILES ARE LIVING IN A GOLDEN AGE. “I’ve been an audiophile most of
my life,” says Stidsen, Director of Technology and Product Planning for the Lenbrook Group, parent company of
NAD, PSB and Bluesound. “For me, the dream has always been to own a copy of the studio master. Now you can.”
Stidsen is referring to high-resolution digital files that are audibly indistinguishable from the tracks laid down
in recording studios. Available from online merchants such as HDTracks, Super HiRez and eClassical, these tracks
have greater-than-CD resolution.
Not all of the albums on these services are high-res. Many are encoded at CD resolution: 44.1kHz sampling rate,
16-bit word length. But these services also offer thousands of albums at higher sampling rates and bit depths: to
192kHz/24 bits and occasionally higher.
There’s a cost to going high-res of course. High-res files are bigger than CD-resolution files, and much bigger
than compressed formats like MP3 (used by Amazon) and AAC (used by Apple’s iTunes store). Bigger files take
longer to download, which can be an issue if you’re buying several albums. And the albums cost more. A 96/24
version of Led Zeppelin II Remastered costs US$20 on HDTracks. On the iTunes store, you’ll pay $10 for a lossy AAC
download. Amazon.ca sells the CD for $15.
THE PAYOFF
Is high-resolution worth the cost, in music and in the equipment you need to play it? Stidsen thinks so. “With
high-resolution, I hear more detail, but with smoother textures,” he says. “Smooth-sounding instruments sound
smoother. Instruments with bite have more bite. The space is bigger. It’s easier to listen to, because your brain is
doing less work to fill in the missing parts.”
18 |
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The Story
High-resolution audio offers major
advantages over compressed downloads
from Apple and Amazon, and can also
sound better than CD.
To fully realize the potential of high-res
audio, you need special player software,
as well as a high-performance audio system.
Despite the technical hurdles, the audience
for high-res digital audio is steadily
expanding beyond its male boomer base
to encompass younger customers.
Specialty brands have been supporting
high-res audio for many years. Now
mainstream brands like Sony and Denon
are getting involved.
GET YOUR
EARS READY.
No matter where you are or what you’re doing, the amazingly
pure sound of Hi-Res Audio can be there with you. From home
entertainment systems to wireless speakers to headphones,
Hi-Res Audio will change the way you listen forever. Once you
hear it there’s no going back and with this range of products,
you’ll never have to. sony.ca/sound-evolved
®Sony and Hi-Res Audio logo are registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
HIGH-RES AUDIO
That translates to more enjoyable listening
experiences, notes Andy Moore, Product Manager for
Cambridge, U.K.-based Arcam, which manufactures
DACs, amplifiers and other audio components. “We
use the same reference points for reproduced sound
as we do when crossing the road,” Moore says. “The
closer it is to being real, the easier the process is to
identify the sound.”
Just about anyone can hear the benefits of
high-resolution audio, says Karol Warminiec,
BIT BY BIT:
Making Sense
of Digital Formats
IF PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE CONFUSED about highres audio, it’s not hard to understand why. Apple
and Amazon both sell digital downloads with bitrate
of 256 kilobits per second (kbps). HDTracks charges
far more for its 96kHz/24-bit and 192kHz/24-bit
digital downloads.
But isn’t a 256kbps download better than a
192kHz download, and way better than a 96kHz
download? What we’ve got here is a classic case
of apples versus oranges.
In the case of Apple and Amazon, the
specification refers to the number of bits per second
required to store and transmit the digital audio.
Apple and Amazon use “lossy” compression to
reduce file sizes and download times; Apple uses a
codec called “AAC,” while Amazon uses MP3.
These schemes work by losing information
deemed to be inaudible, such as quiet sounds that
are masked by louder sounds in the same frequency
Central Region Training Manager for Sony of
Canada Ltd. During the summer just past, Sony
took its high-resolution audio products to musical
events such as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the
Edgefest Summer Concert Series in Toronto; then
followed these with Frosh Carnival visits to 19
Ontario universities and colleges. In a 10x20-foot
trailer, visitors were invited to compare high-res
and iTunes versions of different songs through
premium Sony headphones.
band. That’s the theory; but in fact, the effects are
quite audible as a loss of fine detail and spatial
information. At very low bitrates (below 128kbps),
there are often artifacts like ringing and buzzing.
In the case of HDTracks (and other high-res
services as well), the specifications refer to the
number of samples taken each second during
recording, and the number of digital bits used to
quantify each sample. To calculate the bitrate, and
thereby create an apples-versus-apples comparison,
we need to multiply the sampling frequency by the
bit depth, and then multiply again by two in the
case of a two-channel stereo recording.
The chart here shows the bitrates for different
types of downloads, as well as CD. As you can see, a CD
contains 5.5 times as much information as a 256kbps
AAC or MP3 file. A 96/24 file contains 18 times more
information than an Apple or Amazon download.
High-res services offer music in different
formats: uncompressed WAV (for Windows) and
AIFF (for Mac), as well as lossless FLAC and ALAC.
FLAC and Apple Lossless both employ compression
to reduce download times and file sizes; but unlike
MP3 and AAC, FLAC and ALAC are lossless formats.
The files are fully reconstituted during playback.
APPLES TO APPLES: BITRATES FOR DIGITAL AUDIO FORMATS COMPARED
FORMAT
BITRATE FOR TWO-CHANNEL STEREO DOWNLOAD
AAC
Varies by source; downloads from the iTunes store have bitrate of 256 kbps
MP3
Varies by source; downloads from the Amazon MP3 store have bitrate of 256 kbps
CD (44.1kHz / 16-bit PCM)
1,411 kbps
96kHz / 24-bit PCM
4,608 kbps
192kHz / 24-bit PCM
9,216 kbps
DSD 64 (2.8224MHz / 1 bit)
5,645 kbps
DSD 128 (5.6448MHz / 1 bit)
11,290 kbps
20 |
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Apple’s iPods and iPhones don’t support
high-res files, but there are some portable
players that do, including Sony’s new
High-Resolution Walkman. Priced at $750,
the Android-powered NWZZX1 has 128GB
of solid-state storage.
About 75% of participants noticed a difference,
Warminiec says. “People had aha moments with
songs they had heard thousands of times. They
heard stuff they’d never heard before.” But that’s
comparing a high-res version – always the highest
that Warminiec could find – with a lossy AAC version.
It’s safe to say that the differences between a
lossless CD-resolution file and high-res file would be
much less dramatic. But going beyond 44.1kHz/16bit CD resolution can deliver audible benefits,
audio manufacturers say. “The biggest difference
is dynamics,” comments Lionel Goodfield, who
manages Marketing and Media Relations for Simaudio
Ltd., a manufacturer of premium two-channel audio
gear based in Boucherville, QC. “When I listen to a
high-resolution file, there’s an effortlessness to the
way it conveys loud and soft passages. You hear micro
information that’s buried with 16-bit recordings.”
Of course, high-resolution is no guarantee of
a great listening experience; musical performance
and recording quality trump bit depth and sampling
rate every time. Some high-res files are created
by upsampling the files used to make CDs. These
are no better than CD-resolution recordings, and
sometimes inferior. Others are painstakingly created
by going back to the original masters, and can deliver
revelatory listening experiences.
“I’ve heard 192/24 files that weren’t much
better than Red Book [CD Resolution],” comments
Paul Belanger, Product Manager, North America for
D+M Group, parent company of Denon and Marantz.
“I’ve heard others that blow away any version
you’ve ever heard.”
THE NUMBERS
There are solid technical reasons why high-res sounds
better than CD. However, there is also a point of
diminishing returns beyond which there’s no audible
payoff for increasing resolution.
Bryston
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ima$e of a lone vocalist, these ampliƜers created ma5imum emotional impactǽȋ Larry Greenhill, Stereophile
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HIGH-RES AUDIO
Linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) encoding,
which is used for CD and in almost all recording
studios, works by sampling the audio signal
thousands of times per second, and then assigning a
numerical value that corresponds to the signal level
at that instant. The more often the signal is sampled,
and the more precisely its level can be quantified, the
more faithful the recording will be.
With digital recording, the highest frequency
that can be recorded is half the sampling rate. So
for CD, which has sampling rate of 44.1kHz, the
highest frequency that can be encoded is 22.05kHz.
Sounds above that frequency have to be filtered out,
because otherwise they’d cause interference at lower
frequencies, a phenomenon known as “aliasing.”
“ In our demonstrations of highresolution audio, people had aha
moments with songs they had heard
thousands of times. They heard stuff
they’d never heard before.”
Karol Warminiec
Central Region Training Manager,
Sony of Canada Ltd.
Announced at the High End Show in Munich in June, Simaudio’s
Moon Nēo 430A headphone amplifier is available with an internal
DAC that supports PCM audio to 384kHz/32 bits, and DSD up to DSD
256. It will ship in the fourth quarter.
effects happen well above 40kHz, where there’s
no energy, because microphones can’t capture it.
Beyond 96kHz, there’s no advantage.”
Like many observers, Siau believes that bit depth
is more significant. With its 16-bit word length, CD has
a dynamic range of 96dB, well below the capability
of our ears. Human hearing has a dynamic range
of 130dB, the difference between the threshold of
hearing (0dB) and threshold of pain (130dB). That
corresponds to a word length of 22 bits.
“Anything above 22 bits is overkill for
distribution,” Siau maintains. “24-bit systems have
an extra 12dB of noise margin, which never hurts.
96kHz/24-bit audio has the ability to be entirely
transparent to the human ear.”
THE SWEET SPOT
Given that human hearing tops out at 20kHz, a
sampling rate of 44.1kHz (meaning that the highest
recordable frequency is 22.05kHz) should be more
than adequate. However, anti-aliasing filters typically
allow some energy above 22.05kHz to pass through,
notes John Siau, Vice President of Benchmark Media
Systems, Inc., a Syracuse, NY-based manufacturer of
home and professional audio equipment. That can
cause spurious frequencies in the upper region of
the audible spectrum. “CD’s 22.05kHz limit is a bit too
close to the limits of our ears,” Siau says. “When you
increase sampling frequency to 96kHz, those aliasing
The Marantz PM7005 integrated amplifier has a built-in DAC that
can accept PCM streams to 192kHz/24 bits, as well as single- and
dual-rate DSD (DSD 64 and DSD 128).
22 |
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Many online stores offer resolution beyond 96/24,
though most top out at 192kHz/24 bits. Compared
to a 96/24 file, storage requirements and download
times are twice as great for an album in 192/24;
and the 192/24 version usually costs $5 to $7 more.
Stidsen thinks you should save your money. “Going
to 192kHz, you’re pushing more energy though the
chip,” he explains. “Noise performance can be worse.
I would say the sweet spot is 96/24. That’s where the
AES [Audio Engineering Society] has landed.”
Goodfield of Simaudio has a similar view, which
he’s discovered during the process of digitizing his
LP collection. “I’ve ripped a lot of vinyl over the years,
and for my purposes, I’ve found that 88.2/24 [88.2kHz
sample rate, twice that of CD, with 24-bit resolution] is
the sweet spot.”
What about DSD (Direct Stream Digital), the
digital codec used for the Super Audio CD (SACD)
format? DSD is a single-bit format with a very high
sampling rate: 2.8224MHz, 64 times that of CD. There
are variants with sampling rates twice, four times
and even eight times as high as standard DSD (DSD
64), abbreviated respectively as DSD 128, DSD 256
and DSD 512. But at this point, files in DSD 128 and
higher are very rare.
“DSD is equivalent to a 20-bit system operating
at 95 to 100kHz,” Siau says. “But its quality degrades
very quickly when processed. DSD is entirely
inappropriate for recording and studio production
work. DSD is only appropriate as a distribution
format, but it is cumbersome. The file size is large,
and it is difficult to apply volume control and soft
mute functions in the playback hardware without
significantly degrading the quality.”
Goodfield, on the other hand, is a fan of DSD. “DSD
has a certain uncanny smoothness that vinyl enthusiasts
appreciate,” he states. “We support both formats. They
both give a different perspective on the music.”
Comments D+M’s Belanger: “I’ve got some very
good DSD files of artists I love. I also have some great
PCM files of artists I care about. It’s about getting the
music I love in the best resolution available.”
Whether it’s DSD or better-than-CD PCM,
the promise of high-resolution audio is the same:
absolute fidelity to the studio master. “The beauty
of high-resolution is that we’ve essentially got the
master tapes,” says Arcam’s Moore. “Now we have the
golden source, and all we have to do is minimize the
losses afterward.”
“ The beauty of high-resolution is
that we’ve essentially got the
master tapes. Now we have the
golden source, and all we have to do
is minimize the losses afterward.”
Andy Moore
Product Manager,
Arcam
GETTING IT
So what do you need to start enjoying high-res audio?
First, and most obviously, you need the music itself.
As an addendum, anyone serious about audio quality
should rip their CDs in uncompressed (WAV or AIFF)
or lossless (FLAC or Apple Lossless) format, rather
than a compressed format like MP3 or AAC.
But you need more than music. Typically, people
use their computers to download high-res files; and
HIGH-RES AUDIO
they use their computers to play these files as well, at
least at home. In that case, an outboard DAC (digitalto-analog converter) is highly desirable, so that
audio processing can be performed away from the
electrically noisy interior of your computer. “The DAC
is hugely important,” Goodfield says, “not just the
DAC chip itself, but the power supply before it and
the analog stage after it.”
You’ll also need special software. Standard
music-player software like iTunes and Windows
Media Player isn’t suitable for high-res music. An
audiophile program like Amarra (Mac), Audirvana
Plus (Mac), BitPerfect (Mac) Foobar 2000 (Windows)
Bryston’s new BDP-1USB Digital Music Player is a Linux-based
dedicated music computer for playing files on external and network
drives. Shipping in Canada in October for $1,795, it supports all
high-res formats, including DSD.
or JRiver Media Centre (Mac and Windows) will take
over control of music playback from your computer’s
operating system, and provide much better results.
Their respective developers offer free trials.
An alternative is to use a dedicated music server
to store and play digital files. These are available
from companies like Bryston, NAD and Sony. Sony’s
HAP-Z1ES ($2,000) and HAP-S1B ($1,000) have their
own built-in storage and DACs. They import music
files stored on your computer over a home network,
and then manage playback. Bryston’s Digital Music
Players play music stored on external and network
drives, then send it to an external DAC. NAD’s Masters
Series M50 Digital Music Player has a built-in 3TB hard
drive and CD transport, so you can rip files from your
CDs, as well as importing them from computers over a
local network. It too requires an external DAC.
The advantage of a dedicated digital player like
the M50 is that it’s built with a single purpose in
mind: playing music, Stidsen says. “It’s a very pure
environment with very clean execution. For computer
engineers, audio is not nearly at the top of the list.”
“ The next generation of audiophiles
is here. They just haven’t heard it yet.
Five years from now, everything will
be high-resolution.”
Greg Stidsen
Director of Technology
and Product Planning,
The Lenbrook Group
It’s worth noting that audiophile player programs
for PCs and Macs will prioritize audio, and provide
bit-perfect playback of high-res files. Even so, the
operating system will sometimes get in the way,
Stidsen notes, arbitrarily changing system settings
and disrupting bit-perfect audio until the proper
settings are restored.
The rest of the system – amplifiers, speakers etc.
– also has to be up to the task. “This is huge,” Siau
says. “Everyone focuses on the transmission format,
HIGH-RES AUDIO
but very few people are looking at the impact of the
playback hardware. There’s no point in 24-bit audio
if the playback system is only capable of CD-quality
signal-to-noise.”
“ Everyone focuses on the digital
format. There’s no point in 24-bit
audio if the playback system
is only capable of CD-quality
signal-to-noise.”
John Siau
Vice President,
Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.
To that end, Benchmark has just introduced its
AHB2 power amplifier (US$2,995), which uses THX’s
Achromatic Amplifier Technology to achieve signal-tonoise ratio of 130dB and unmeasureably low distortion.
This matches the limits of human hearing, and fully
realizes the potential of DSD and 24-bit PCM files.
All listening rooms have ambient noise. Won’t
this mask some of the detail in high-res recordings,
and defeat the point of ultra-quiet amplifiers?
Not so, Siau maintains. “The human ear can
resolve tones that are up to 30dB lower than the
ambient noise. At 130dB signal-to-noise ratio, our
equipment and audio distribution formats are just
reaching or slightly exceeding the threshold of total
transparency to the human ear.”
WHO GETS IT?
Clearly, high-res audio is more complicated than
listening through an iPod and downloading music
from iTunes. This can be a barrier for some musiclovers. “There is a vast number of people with money
to spend and the desire for a good audio system, but
not the time or technical background to pursue it,”
Siau comments. “The industry has suffered terribly
because there’s such a big hurdle for understanding
the technology.”
Even those who hear the difference don’t
necessarily appreciate it. “You have to be into music
and audio to even care at all,” Belanger says. “The
audience for high-res audio is very narrow, mostly
males 35 and older who are not into their first stereo
system. It may be a narrow audience, but it’s a
relatively large one. On a global basis, our business in
two-channel hi-fi is nothing to shake a stick at.”
But as Warminiec confirmed during Sony’s
summer high-res tour, there is real interest among
younger buyers in quality audio. And Sony is trying to
expand the base, through online ads like the “Get Your
Ears Ready” clip running on YouTube (it had received
250,000 views by early September), and ads in movie
theatres that will run through the holiday season. “Our
biggest goal has been to reach out to as many people
as possible in that target demographic,” Warminiec
says. “We’re getting tons of eyes across Canada.”
Adds Stidsen of Lenbrook: “The next generation of
audiophiles is here. They just haven’t heard it yet. What’s
really been missing is the convenience factor. Five years
from now, everything will be high-resolution.”
WHERE TO BUY HIGH-RES MUSIC
THERE ARE SCORES OF STORES on the Internet
selling high-resolution music. I’ve purchased high-res
music from the seven following services; and have
generally been very satisfied with the experience.
They all work well once you figure out their quirks,
such as the download software that you have to
install before you can purchase music.
HDTracks.com: Founded by Norman and David Chesky of
the audiophile label Chesky Records, New York-based HDTracks
is the largest and best-known high-resolution music store. Many
genres are represented, as are all the major labels and many
independents. The service is now officially available in Canada;
but unfortunately HDTracks is not licensed to sell content from
Universal Music Group in the Great White North.
Super HiRez Downloads: This offshoot of the
Kansas-based online record store Acoustic Sounds covers most
genres, but is heavy on classic rock and jazz. While it offers highresolution PCM files, it’s unusual in its focus on DSD-encoded
24 |
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music. At presstime, it had 803 albums available for Canadians,
including some from the Universal labels, but not Sony Music –
which is available to Canadians from HDTracks. Go figure.
eClassical.com: This European site has a great catalog
of classical music from independent labels like BIS and Harmonia
Mundi, which it offers in FLAC and MP3 format. This store is
unique in having per-second charging for downloads, and the
option to purchase just the tracks you want.
Qobuz.com: Based in France, this service has a huge
assortment of music spanning all genres, including many
unusual items in world and jazz, and many independent labels
as well as the biggies. There are some country restrictions
that affect Canada, including the Universal labels. Qobuz has
launched a lossless CD-quality streaming service in Europe.
Channel Classics: This Dutch label has a superb catalog
of classical music, with no restrictions for Canadian customers.
There’s a generous assortment of high-res PCM content; and
not surprising given this label’s support of the SACD format,
there’s a lot of DSD content as well, including some multichannel recordings.
Hyperion Records: Located at hyperion-records.co.uk,
this independent British label has a wide and imaginative catalog
of classical music. Much of it in CD-resolution, but there’s also a
hefty assortment of high-res content. The site also carries music
from other labels, including Linn Records, Gimell, and LSO Live
(the label of the London Symphony Orchestra).
There are several other online stores that I haven’t
used, but look very promising. These include British
classical labels like Chandos and Linn Records; and sites
specializing in DSD releases like Blue Coast Records
and Native DSD Music. Neil Young’s Pono Music Store
is due to go live in October, but there’s no word yet
if it will be accessible to Canadian consumers.
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A GAME-CHANGER:
The Launch of Dolby Atmos
The first Dolby Atmos Blu-ray title is Transformers: Age of
Extinction. It was the first movie to be mastered in Dolby Atmos
from start to finish, said Remixing Engineer Greg Russell during
a CEDIA panel discussion. “It was the most fun I’ve had mixing
a movie in a long time.”
GOOSEBUMPS: THAT’S WHAT PAUL BAWCUTT GOT when he first fired up the Dolby Atmos theatre at
Yamaha Canada Music Ltd.’s head office in Toronto. It was the week before CEDIA Expo, and Bawcutt, Key Accounts
Manager and Product Specialist for Yamaha Canada, had just received the first Atmos demo Blu-ray Disc from
Dolby Laboratories.
Bawcutt and Service Manager Matt Hubbard had spent the earlier part of the week putting the demo room
together. At the heart of the system was Yamaha’s new flagship AV receiver, the Avantage-series RX-A3040, which
had just been updated with new firmware to enable its Atmos capability. The receiver’s preamp outputs were
connected to a MX-A5000 11-channel power amplifier, driving seven free-standing speakers surrounding the
listening chairs, plus four more in-ceiling speakers. Two subwoofers completed the system. In Dolby’s new parlance
for surround sound, this was a 7.2.4 system.
Never mind that the demo disc contains just a few animated clips, a couple of scenes from blockbuster movies,
and a music video. It got the point across. In one of the animated clips, a mop-haired character “conducts” sound
effects that seamlessly move above, behind, beside and in front of the listener. In another, a maple key tumbles
from a tree and whirls about the room before plunging into a pool in the left front.
That was enough to give Bawcutt goosebumps, and convince him that Dolby Atmos is a game-changer in
the home theatre market. “It was like when Dolby Digital first came out,” Bawcutt says, comparing Atmos to the
introduction of digital surround sound in the mid-1990s. Along with the launch of DVD, Dolby Digital ignited a
home theatre boom that lasted the better part of a decade.
26 |
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The Story
The big story at CEDIA Expo was Dolby Atmos:
a new surround-sound codec that creates a
three-dimensional soundfield that envelops
the listener.
Dolby Atmos lets mixing engineers create
objects that move all around the room.
The AV receiver maps these objects to the
speaker configuration in real time.
Overhead effects can be produced by
in-ceiling speakers, or by Atmos-enabled
speakers that bounce sounds off the ceiling.
Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Discs will work on a
standard player. They can be played through
existing home theatre systems, but without
the additional overhead effects.
Onkyo is among the first to deliver the exciting Dolby Atmos® multidimensional surround-sound
experience to your home theater. Dolby Atmos transports you from an ordinary moment into an
extraordinary experience with captivating, multidimensional sound that fills your room and flows
all around you to move your mind, body, and soul.With the widest selection of products
supporting Dolby Atmos; from A/V Receivers to Pre-amp Processors to Home Theater Systems,
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HOME THEATRE
Denon’s AVR-X4100W 7.2-channel AV receiver supports Dolby
Atmos right out of the box. Its dual Analog Devices Sharc processors
allow it to perform Dolby Atmos processing and Audyssey room
correction simultaneously.
GOOSEBUMPS ALL AROUND
Fast-forward a week and change the scene to CEDIA
Expo in Denver, CO, and everyone’s got goosebumps.
There were lots of important stories at CEDIA, but
none bigger than Dolby Atmos. There were no fewer
than 11 Atmos demos, all eliciting admiration from
attendees, and some concerned questions as well.
Dolby Atmos is a new surround-sound
technology that places sound all around the listener:
not just in front, beside and behind, but also
overhead. The first Dolby Atmos theatre opened
in June 2012, and there are now several hundred
cinemas worldwide with Dolby Atmos. This year,
Dolby Atmos is moving to the home theatre.
Atmos-capable AV receivers and processors are
now available from Denon/Marantz, Onkyo/Integra,
Pioneer and Yamaha, all of whom had Atmos demo
theatres at CEDIA. So did several specialty brands.
The most impressive was Harman Luxury Audio’s
JBL Synthesis theatre, which included 12 on-wall
surround speakers along the sides and four in the rear,
12 height speakers on the ceiling, three floor-standing
speakers in the front, and eight subwoofers – all driven
by eight power amps with 19,000 watts total output.
Together with the Digital Projection projector and
Screen Research screen, the total value of the system
was US$200,000.
Along with the clips from the Dolby Atmos demo
disc, Harman played scenes from Gravity and The
Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Words can’t do justice
to the impactful way this system rendered the scene in
Gravity when satellite debris strikes the space station,
or the scene in the The Hobbit when the dragon is
awakened. Both scenes sounded absolutely staggering.
For this demo, Harman used a JBL Dolby D
Cinema processor, which is quite a different beast
from most home systems. While the JBL Synthesis
system demonstrated at CEDIA had 35 speakers,
Dolby Atmos Cinema processors support up to 64
speaker feeds. Dolby Atmos for the home supports 24
traditional ear-level speakers plus 10 more speakers
for the height channels.
from Dolby Digital and DTS to Dolby TrueHD and
DTS-HD: Master Audio – are channel-based systems.
To create soundtracks for these systems, mixing
engineers record sound into discrete channels, mixing
or panning them as necessary.
Dolby Atmos is an object-based system. A
Dolby Atmos soundtrack contains discrete or “bed”
channels: 7.1 channels for home applications, 9.1 for
cinema. In addition, sound engineers can include up
to 118 “objects” in a scene.
An object could be a helicopter taking off, a
child crying or a bird flying. Using an Atmos-enabled
version of the Pro Tools sound-editing suite, mixing
engineers use a joystick-like control to assign
attributes to these objects, describing how they move
in three-dimensional space.
“ Dolby Atmos is very easy to
implement. With just four more
wires, you get a change that’s
as dramatic as anything you’ve
ever heard.”
UNDER THE HOOD
The addition of height speakers is the most visible
aspect of Dolby Atmos, and it certainly transforms the
surround-sound experience. “We’ve always put sounds
around you,” said Remixing Engineer Greg Russell
during a panel discussion at Dolby’s CEDIA press
conference. “Now we can put sounds above you.”
One of Russell’s recent projects was Transformers: Age
of Extinction, which is the first Dolby Atmos movie to
appear on Blu-ray. “It was the most fun I’ve had mixing
a movie in a long time,” Russell commented.
But there’s more to Atmos than overhead
speakers; it’s really a radical rethink of surround
sound. The surround systems we’ve used to date –
Andrew Jones
Director of Speaker Engineering,
Pioneer Electronics/TAD Labs
Atmos’ object-based design allows for more
intelligible sound effects, Russell said. “We can move
sounds away from each other, so your ears can separate
them better.” Even music can be a sound object. Russell
told of mixing choral elements so they come from
overhead. “It was almost angelic,” he said.
It’s worth emphasizing that Dolby Atmos doesn’t
assign sound objects to specific channels: it plots
their location and movement in three-dimensional
space. During playback, a Dolby Atmos processor
maps these objects in real time, creating a customized
mix for the speaker configuration, whether it’s a
64-speaker cinema or eight-speaker home theatre.
BRINGING IT HOME
The height channels in Dolby Atmos home theatres can be produced by in-ceiling speakers (left) or by upward-firing Atmos-enabled
speakers. The two diagrams here show recommended placement for a 7.1.4 system consisting of seven conventional speakers, a sub, plus
four height speakers.
28 |
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Theoretically, a Dolby Atmos AV receiver could map
a Dolby Atmos soundtrack into a conventional 5.1- or
7.1-channel system. While you’d hear everything on
the soundtrack, the experience would not be nearly as
compelling. “Overhead sound is crucial to the Dolby
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HOME THEATRE
Pioneer’s Elite SP-EB73 is an integrated Atmos-enabled speaker,
combining a front-firing two-way bookshelf speaker and upwardfiring concentric height speaker in one cabinet. The speaker has a
second set of terminals for the height channel.
Atmos experience,” said Brett Crockett, Senior Director,
Sound Technology Research for Dolby Laboratories
during his company’s CEDIA press conference.
Dolby illustrated the point in its CEDIA demo
theatre, playing a couple of clips with thunderstorms
and forest sounds. The clips switched back and
forth between conventional 7.1-channel and 7.1.4
playback, with four height speakers added to the mix.
With the height speakers engaged, the sound was
completely enveloping. With straight 7.1 playback,
the soundfield collapsed to ear level.
To describe speaker configuration, Dolby has
adopted a new nomenclature. Instead of the familiar
two-digit designation for speaker layout, we now
have three numbers. The first two are the same as
before: the number of floor-level speakers in front
of, beside and/or behind the listener, followed by
the number of subwoofer channels. The third is for
overhead speakers, which can be as few as two in a
home system, though Dolby recommends four. So
a system with seven floor-level speakers, a sub, and
four overhead speakers would be described as a 7.1.4
system, pronounced “seven-dot-one-dot-four.”
The obvious way to implement the height channels
is with in-ceiling or on-ceiling speakers. For theatres
with four ceiling speakers, Dolby recommends that the
speakers be placed approximately 45 degrees away
from a direct overhead position, in front of and behind
the main listening position. For installations with two
overhead speakers, Dolby recommends installing the
speaker approximately 10 degrees in
front of the main listening position.
As Crockett noted, there are many situations
where in-ceiling speakers are impractical. “We had
to come up with a new way of rendering height
information,” he said. The solution is what’s called
“Atmos-enabled” speakers: upward-firing speakers in
the front of the room, and rear as well in systems with
four height speakers.
Atmos-enabled speakers bounce sound off the
ceiling and back toward the listener. The drivers are
angled 20 degrees off vertical. For the technology to
work properly, the ceiling should be reflective and
flat (not vaulted). “We recommend a ceiling height of
eight to 10 feet,” Crockett said, “but we have tested it
with ceilings 14 feet high.” It’s important that energy
from Atmos-enabled speakers not fire directly forward
into the room, so there are guidelines for dispersion
and other parameters. Atmos-enabled speakers will
have to be certified by Dolby Labs.
Atmos performs a nifty trick to make sounds
from floor-mounted speakers seem like they’re
coming from above. In the real world, sound is
filtered differently by our outer ears (our pinnae, to
use the correct anatomical term) when it comes from
overhead. With Atmos-enabled speakers, the AV
receiver filters the sound in the same way, applying
what’s called a “head-related transfer function” (HRTF).
Integra’s DHC-80.6 THX Ultra2 Plus-certified AV preamp/processor
has Dolby Atmos processing out of the box. Like Integra’s Atmoscapable AV receivers, it has Zone 2 HDMI and HDBaseT connectivity,
allowing it to send HD video up to 100m over Cat5e/6 cable.
So how well does this acoustic sleight-ofhand work? Very well indeed, judging by three
demonstrations I heard at CEDIA. In its demo theatre,
Dolby switched between two 7.1.4 presentations, one
with ceiling-mounted speakers, the other with floorstanding Atmos-enabled speakers. The effect with the
Atmos-enabled speakers was completely convincing.
Sounds seemed to come from overhead, with no
artificial sonic artifacts marring the presentation.
I had the same impression in the Pioneer and
Definitive Technology exhibits.
“When you listen to it, it just works,” said Andrew
Jones, Director of Speaker Engineering for Pioneer
Electronics and TAD Labs. “Test tones appear to come
from the speaker. But actual content just envelops
you.” The technology makes Atmos much more
domestically practical than it would otherwise be,
he added. “Dolby Atmos is very easy to implement.
With just four more wires, you get a change that’s as
dramatic as anything you’ve ever heard.”
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Yamaha’s flagship AV receiver, the Avantage-series RX-A3040, is Atmos-capable. While it’s a 9.2-channel model, it processes in 11.2 channels,
allowing for 7.2.4 or 9.2.2 configurations with the addition of an external amplifier. Rated power is 9x150 watts.
30 |
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It’s possible to mix-and-match in-ceiling and Atmosenabled speakers in the same system, employing
Atmos-enabled speakers up front and in-ceiling in
the back, or vice-versa. The greatly expanded range
of speaker configurations will make receiver setup
more complex. The receiver has no way of detecting
HOME THEATRE
whether in-ceiling or Atmos-enabled speakers are
being used, so users have to specify this in setup
menus. If they’re using Atmos-enabled speakers,
the receiver will apply HRTF filtering to create the
overhead effect. But HRTF filtering isn’t needed with
in-ceiling speakers, because the listener’s ears are
already doing this.
Atmos-enabled speakers can be offered
as separate modules that sit on top of (or near)
existing floor-standing speakers. These speakers
are connected to the height-channel outputs
on the AV receiver. Manufacturers can also build
integrated speakers containing front-firing drivers
for the main channels, plus upward-firing drivers
for the height channels. These will have two sets of
speaker terminals: one of which is connected to the
appropriate floor-level output, and the other to the
appropriate height output on the AV receiver.
At D+M’s Atmos demonstration, a concerned
installer raised an interesting point. With theatres
installed in open-concept living spaces, in-ceiling
speakers are often used for the surround channels.
One other change with Dolby Atmos is that
all channels are full-range, not just the LCR array
at the front. Since full-range speakers are hardly
ever practical for overhead applications, and often
impractical for surround channels as well, that
makes bass management very important. Therefore,
a subwoofer is required for Dolby Atmos.
Arriving in October, KEF’s R50 Atmos-enabled speaker is designed to sit
on top of a freestanding or shelf-mounted speaker, and reproduce the
height channels in Dolby Atmos soundtracks by bouncing sounds off
the ceiling. It employs a KEF UniQ driver, with a 1” vented aluminum
dome tweeter at the acoustic centre of a 5.25” aluminum mid-woofer.
“A lot of jobs don’t have four walls,” the installer
noted. Can theatres like this be upgraded to Dolby
Atmos? Jeff Cowan, Vice President Training for D+M
Group, gave a classic good-news-bad-news answer.
In an Atmos theatre, ceiling speakers definitely cannot
be used for the surround channels. The good news
is that theatres like this already have the height
speakers for Dolby Atmos.
WHO’S PLAYING?
Atmos capable products began appearing during the
summer, and more will be launched this fall.
Denon has already begun shipping two Atmos
receivers: the 7.2-channel AVR-X4100W and
9.2-channel AVR-X5200W. Both allow the addition
of an external stereo amplifier, so that the X4100 can
be used in a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 configuration, while the
X5200 can be used in a 7.2.4 or 9.2.2 configuration.
The Marantz SR7009 is a 9.2-channel receiver with
11.2-channel processing, allowing for 7.2.4 or 9.2.2
configurations with an external amp. Marantz has
also announced an 11.2-channel Dolby Atmos AV
processor, the AV7702.
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HOME THEATRE
At CEDIA, Definitive Technology demonstrated an Atmos system with
A60 elevation modules installed atop its BP-8060ST floor-standing
bipolar speakers. The A60 modules produce the overhead effects in
Dolby Atmos soundtracks by bouncing sounds off the ceiling.
All models can process Dolby Atmos out of the
box, without a firmware update. That’s because of
their use of dual Analog Devices Sharc processors.
Cowan says the dual Sharc processors gives D+M’s
Atmos products enough processing horsepower to
perform Atmos processing and run a full version of
Audyssey room correction.
Onkyo has three 7.2-channel Atmos-capable
AV receivers plus a 9.2-channel model and an
11.2-channel processor. The 9.2-channel THX-certified
TX-NR1030 receiver and 11.2-channel THX-certified
PR-SC5530 have Atmos built-in; and Onkyo has
already issued a firmware update enabling Atmos
functionality in the three 7.2-channel receivers.
Onkyo also has a 5.1.2-channel HTiB system that
includes integrated Atmos-enabled speakers for the
front channels. Also available is an add-on Atmosenabled speaker module.
Onkyo’s sister brand Integra offers three
7.2-channel Atmos-capable receivers. Coming in
October are a 9.2-channel and 11.2-channel receiver,
and 11.2-channel processor. Firmware updates enabling
Atmos functionality for the 7.2-channel models have
already been released. The 9.2- and 11.2-channel
products will support Atmos out of the box.
Yamaha has two Atmos-capable 9.2-channel
network receivers in its premium Avantage series: the
RX-A2040 and RX-A3040. Firmware updates enabling
their Atmos capability have already been released.
The RX-A3040 has 11.2-channel processing, allowing
for 7.2.4 and 9.2.2 configurations with the addition of
an external amp.
Pioneer offers three Atmos-capable 9.2-channel
receivers in its premium Elite range, all with
11.2-channel pre-outs, allowing for 7.2.4 and 9.2.2
34 |
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Atmos configurations with an external two-channel
amplifier. Firmware updates enabling the receivers’
Atmos capability were expected by the end of
September, Tony Verni, Director of Sales for Pioneer
Electronics of Canada, Inc., said during CEDIA. An
advantage of Pioneer’s Atmos receivers is their Class
D3 amplifiers, which allow delivery of full power to
all channels, Verni added. “You need more power for
the height channels with Atmos-enabled speakers,
because the sound has to travel further and reflect
off the ceiling.”
Pioneer is also introducing two Elite-series
integrated Atmos speakers: the SP-EB73 bookshelf
speaker and SP-EF73 floorstander. Both employ
upward-firing Coherent Source Drivers with a
1” soft dome tweeter at the acoustic centre of a
4” aluminum mid-woofer.
Atlantic Technology, Definitive Technology,
KEF and Onkyo have all announced Atmos-enabled
add-on modules. Def Tech’s A60 Elevation module
($630 per pair) is designed to snap on top of the
company’s BP-8060ST floor-standing speaker, forming
a unified whole.
WHAT’S PLAYING?
A perennial question around any new AV format is
content, and we got the glimmerings of an answer
at CEDIA. Already, 150 movies have been made or
announced with Dolby Atmos soundtracks, Crockett
said. These include titles like the forthcoming The
Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, last summer’s
Guardians of the Galaxy and Gravity from 2013.
For home consumption, Dolby Atmos content
will be available in two forms: on Blu-ray and through
streaming services. Streaming services will include
a Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack, plus sound objects
encoded as metadata. At its CEDIA press conference,
Atlantic Technology’s 44-DA Atmos-enabled speaker combines a
5.25” woofer and 1” silk-dome tweeter. The upward-firing speaker
is designed to fit on top of Atlantic Technology’s 4400LR speakers.
Priced at $999, Onkyo’s HT-S7700 is a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos-capable
home-theatre system with front left and right speakers containing
an upward-firing Atmos-enabled module for overhead effects.
Dolby said Vudu plans to offer Dolby Atmos content;
but Vudu is not available in Canada.
Blu-ray Discs with Atmos soundtracks will contain
a 7.1-channel Dolby TrueHD soundtrack, plus object
data encoded as metadata. According to Dolby Labs,
Warner and Paramount will both offer Atmos titles
on Blu-ray. At presstime, the only Atmos disc that had
been announced was Transformers: Age of Extinction,
which was slated for September 30 release.
Atmos discs will play on any current Blu-ray
player with bitstream output enabled. When
connected to an Atmos receiver or processor, the
full Atmos soundtrack will play. When connected
to a non-Atmos playback system, a conventional
soundtrack will play.
Dolby Atmos receivers and processors will also
upconvert existing two-, 5.1- and 7.1-channel content.
“Everything sounds better with Atmos,” D+M’s
Cowan said at CEDIA. “It’s so much more immersive.
Customers shouldn’t let the absence of Atmos
content stop them from an Atmos receiver.”
That’s one reason why Dolby Atmos represents
such a great opportunity for home theatre dealers,
he added. “It’s an opportunity to excite and energize
a customer base that looks at the AV receiver as
an appliance.”
In late August, Yamaha Canada presented Dolby
Atmos to its dealers during a tech tour at its Toronto
head office. “After the tech tour, we had calls from
some dealers with customers requesting quotes,”
Bawcutt says. “Atmos is going to be niche-y compared
to the soundbar market. But dealers are already
talking about allocating space to Atmos, which is
really exciting to hear.
“I think the situation is like the 1990s, when
home theatre was kind of exclusive,” he continues.
“There’s a lot of confusion right now, not just about
Atmos, but about 4K Blu-ray and HDMI 2.0. The next
few months are going to be a gold mine for home
theatre dealers.”
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THE GROWING IMPORTANCE
OF THE AVR APP
DSP Parameter Adjustment in Yamaha’s AC Controller app,
shown here being used with the RX-A3040 AV receiver, lets users
manipulate DSP soundfields in real-time with the swipe of a finger.
BY CHRISTINE PERSAUD
MUSIC, TV, MOVIES, AND GAMING are central to my household activities. As in many homes, an AV receiver
sits at the heart of our living room setup, which includes several source devices.
We use a fantastic Logitech Harmony Touch universal remote to control everything. But we sometimes also
use our smartphones and tablets to switch inputs and control volume, no matter where we are in the house, thanks
to the app that’s available for our Marantz AV receiver. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what
an AVR app can do.
An app has become something of an expectation for a network AV receiver. It’s no longer just a nicety.
This tech-savvy generation wants convenience, and wants to be able to control their equipment in a way that’s
most familiar to them. The mobile app fits perfectly into the equation.
“People are actually asking questions about the control app,” says Paul Bawcutt, Key Accounts Manager &
Product Specialist, AV Group, Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. “I don’t even think it was a talking point three years ago.”
When Yamaha first launched its AVR app in 2011, there was just 650 downloads, many of which Bawcutt admits
came from dealer events. But by 2012, the cumulative number reached almost 6,800, and by 2013, it jumped to over
22,000. When we spoke in late August, Bawcutt was forecasting that app downloads would reach almost 40,000 by
36 |
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The Story
While AV receiver apps can function as
remotes, allowing users to power the device
on and off, adjust volume, and switch inputs,
they are most often being used in multi-zone
setups and with streaming music.
The mobile app wasn’t even a talking point
three years ago, and today, it is actually
influencing buying decisions.
It’s essential that an app can be
demonstrated live in store, and that
requires an active wireless connection
and an intuitive and reliable app.
MOBILE WORLD
the end of that month. That’s more than 488% growth
in just two years.
“[Apps have] gone from a talking point to being
used,” says Bawcutt. “They’re really being used.”
Paul Belanger, Product Manager, North America
for D+M Group, agrees.
“Customers more and more are basing their
purchasing decisions on how well the app does.”
Nicolas Levesque, Senior Representative,
Electronics & Home Automation at Stereo Plus &
Design Cable & Son in St-Hubert, QC, says that most
of his customers don’t ask specifically about the app,
but when a salesperson introduces it, the customer’s
curiousity is piqued, and they want to know more.
Most, if not all, AV receiver manufacturers have
by now developed a companion app that can be used
to perform simple tasks like powering the receiver
on and off, adjusting volume, and input switching,
as well as more complex functions like tweaking
soundfields, balance, and emphasis.
But the most useful functions of a network AVR
app relate to controlling streaming music and multizone setups.
“ People are actually asking
questions about the control app.
I don’t even think it was a talking
point three years ago.”
Paul Bawcutt
Key Accounts Manager
& Product Specialist, AV Group,
Yamaha Canada Music Ltd.
THE NEW REMOTE?
First, it’s worth noting that while an AVR app can be
used to operate basic controls on the receiver, most
consumers still prefer to stick to their traditional
remote for these functions.
“The big problem with mobile apps in general is
when someone is sitting in his living room, he doesn’t
necessarily want to pull out his phone, turn it on, and
enter a lock code just to power on an AV receiver and
change a channel,” says Belanger.
“Most of our users are using this for zone two,”
concurs Bawcutt, who adds that battery issues with
38 |
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mobile devices can deter people from using their
smartphones for basic remote functions. And, he
adds, “The last thing a customer wants to experience
is that dreaded app-hopping, where they’re opening
up one app to get their content, and then another
to control that content and manipulate volume and
sound settings.”
quick) setting adjustments; and then they’re back
to enjoying the content.
However, Murphy admits that a customer
would have to be on board with IoT, and connect
enough devices to the receiver and app, in order
to warrant substituting a smartphone or tablet for
the remote.
IT’S ALL ABOUT MULTI-ZONE
& STREAMING
Users can customize the home screen of the Marantz Remote App to
highlight inputs they use most often, and delete ones they don’t use.
Levesque says very few of his customers use an
AVR app as a remote in the main room, except to
browse music.
That being said, there are glimpses that with
the Internet of Things (IoT) gaining ground among
mainstream consumers, smartphones and tablets will
be central to this experience.
In Andrew Murphy’s household, the smartphone
is a large part of the living room setup. “AVR apps,”
says Pioneer Canada’s Director of Marketing,
represent a “great way to change the way the
consumer operates the product. It’s no longer about
the traditional remote control with a bunch of
silkscreen buttons and trying to figure out the logic
behind the key sequences that you need. Now you’ve
got a tablet, you’ve got this dynamic visual interface
that can lead you to all the types of control functions.”
Using a mobile device as the primary control
piece means you can now place components
discreetly away in a cabinet, affording a more
desirable look.
Another advantage of using a smartphone in the
main room, notes Murphy, is that you can fine-tune
features of the receiver without a pop-up menu
interfering with what’s on the screen.
He disagrees with others on the issue of
battery life, stating that it’s not a concern since
most customers engage the apps to do simple (and
Everyone with whom we spoke agreed that
multi-zone setups are where AVR apps are most
appreciated by customers.
You can access speakers in your backyard,
kitchen, living room, or bedroom from wherever you
are in the home, says Pioneer’s Murphy.
“You stream music to your backyard,” adds
Bawcutt, “and you’re controlling it with one device.”
Murphy points out that Pioneer’s iControlAV5
app even allows users to control an AV receiver
through up to five devices at the same time. “This
works well,” he explains, “if you have one person in
the kitchen listening to one source in one zone, and
then the home theatre is used in another room.”
Two of four modes in Pioneer’s iControl AV5 app allows the user to
tilt an iPod or iPhone to adjust balance and emphasis in speakers.
Users can manipulate the entire home from
a single screen in D+M’s apps, which include the
Remote App for both Marantz and Denon receivers.
“We allow you to customize the home screen of the
app,” Belanger explains. “If there are inputs you don’t
use, you can delete them. If there are ones you use
often, you can make them more prominent on the
main screen.”
With IoT becoming more apparent, music
streaming is becoming more popular. And receiver
apps can make it easy to stream content from a
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phone’s library of music, using AirPlay, a home server
through a technology like DLNA, or Internet radio
stations, anywhere in the home. HTC Connect is
another feature that makes it easy to stream content
from HTC smartphones. Both Pioneer and Yamaha
have integrated the technology into many of their
latest models.
“Music services, Internet radio, and network
streaming browsing is probably as quick as it gets
from an AVR application,” says Belanger. “As soon as
you’re out and about in the home, the mobile app
usage is greater.”
For customers with multi-zone setups in
particular, a salesperson’s ability to effectively
demonstrate the control features of the app could
make or break a sale. More on that later.
sound is still at the front.” When the game resumes,
steer the sound back to the main viewing area.
Two of the four modes in Pioneer’s iControl AV5
app are Balance and Emphasis, whereby the customer
can use an iPod or iPhone’s accelerometer to
independently adjust speakers for the desired sweet
spot for listening.
COMPATIBILITY
TWEAKING AUDIO SETTINGS
Another advantage of an AVR mobile app is the
capability to tweak audio. This includes fairly standard
settings like balance, EQ, and sound mode. But
manufacturers are going above and beyond just
allowing for those simple adjustments.
With Yamaha’s AV Controller app, for instance,
you can use DSP Parameter Adjustment to
manipulate DSP soundfields in real-time. Swipe your
finger to populate a bubble, then pinch in or expand
out and the sound in the room will match what your
finger is doing.
“ Most customers are using AVR
apps on tablets not smartphones,
yet it’s sometimes obvious that
the app GUIs don’t support the
higher resolutions.”
Nicolas Levesque
Senior Representative,
Electronics & Home Automation,
Stereo Plus & Design Cable & Son,
St-Hubert, QC
An example of when this might come in handy,
Bawcutt explains, could be during a basement
gathering where there’s a big projector with full
surround. During half-time, the group congregates
at the back of the room near the bar and pool table.
“Through the app,” he explains, “you can steer most
of the sound to the back of the room, even though
40 |
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NAD’s AVR Remote app, introduced in 2013 for
iOS devices, works with a number of the company’s
receivers. Users can customize Audyssey room
equalization, tweak presets, and fine-tune tone
controls and trim levels. There’s a multi-screen mode
that allows the user to control up to five different
music zones from any room.
The ArcamRemote app, which works with the
AVR380, AVR450, AVR750, and AVR950 receivers, is
particularly suited for the larger-screened iPad, with
plenty of settings that can be manipulated, from
audio modes to video adjustments.
New features are being added to apps all the
time, enabled by the products themselves.
The ability to tweak audio settings and control streaming music
throughout the home are key advantages for mobile apps like the
Onkyo Remote App shown here.
“You can get in and fine-tune many of the
features of the receiver,” says Murphy. “For those
types of features, it’s easier with a more graphical
interface. You can adjust the EQ, or the listening
position in the room, or adjust settings for streaming
audio or video.”
With video, users can do things like adjust scaling
up to 4K, or modify properties like noise reduction
and colour temperature for each input. “You can get a
full status of what the product is doing and what the
input and output source is through the application.”
The app can also control compatible Pioneer
Blu-ray players. (In fact, most apps can control other
AV gear, not just the receivers. For example, the
Marantz Remote App can also be used to control
mini systems and network audio players from the
company. Yamaha’s can also be used to control its
Blu-ray players.)
“You can interact with all of the audio parameters
through one simple menu,” Murphy notes, “[that
drives] all of those controls.”
A new feature this year in Pioneer’s app is Eco
settings, which lets the user put the receiver into a
less power-hungry mode depending on the type
of listening. Or you can program the receiver to do
things like automatically shut down after a certain
period of inactivity.
Most AVR apps are available for both the iOS and
Android platforms. Some, like Yamaha’s, can also
work with the Kindle Fire, which can access apps from
the Google Play store. With D+M, there’s also built-in
Web control, which means that essentially any device
that can open a Web page can control the AVRs.
In most cases, the app interface will appear much
the same, whether it’s an iOS or Android device the
customer is using.
Users can adjust audio settings
like tone defeat and trims
with NAD’s AVR Remote app
for iOS devices.
“We’ve worked really hard to make sure that you
get the same experience from any of the platforms,”
says Bawcutt.
Backwards-compatibility with older model
receivers is also important for manufacturers.
“It takes a lot of time and resources to work
on something you probably aren’t going to get a
return on at least in the short term,” says Bawcutt.
“But backwards-compatibility is really a key thing for
Yamaha. The core functionality of our app can go
back about five years.”
MOBILE WORLD
Arcam’s ArcamRemote
allows for fine-tuning audio
and video, and is designed
for full-resolution display
on an iPad.
The Onkyo Remote 2 and Integra Remote apps
can both work with network-capable receivers dating
back to 2010.
Pioneer has revamped its app ecosystem to
offer a seamless experience across platforms, but
also to deliver the same experience down the
product line. “Even down to the VSX824 $429
receiver, we’ve been able to give the consumer the
best-in-class experience while making one common
app for virtually all of Pioneer’s products,” says
Murphy. “It’s really made the experience easier.”
The iControl AV5 app works with all receivers
dating back to 2012. “So it’s now three generations
of product that work with the latest app,” he adds.
D+M does the same. “We’ve been integrating the
apps with every model of AVR and mini system we bring
out. Some of the competition is releasing a new app
every year for every model, generation, or product.”
Most manufacturers try and stick to one app
update per quarter, depending on what new products
may have been released. D+M’s last update, for
“ When people see how visually
appealing it is, how simple it is to
adjust things such as the source and
volume in various zones of your house,
and the content you can push to the
receiver and home theatre…that is
when you see their eyes light up.”
Andrew Murphy
Director of Marketing,
Pioneer Electronics of Canada, Inc.
example, was in May to add support for all new
models, and the most significant recent update was
to add universal iPad support last October. It will be
interesting to see if any manufacturers look for neat
ways to tailor their apps to the Apple Watch once it
becomes available next year.
DEMOS & TRAINING
There’s no better way to demonstrate the features,
functions, and capabilities of an AV receiver than to
make use of these sexy, intuitive mobile apps.
Which makes dealer training essential, along
with building capabilities in stores for salespeople
to easily connect to demo equipment. “[A store
needs to have] a strong network commitment on
the sales floor, wired and wireless,” says Levesque.
And an app needs to connect reliably: some dealers,
and user comments in app stores, indicate that
some apps have issues consistently disconnecting
with a network.
Thankfully, most apps have a demo mode so that
even if there isn’t a live connection, the salesperson
MOBILE WORLD
can still walk a customer through the key functions
of the app.
“It’s a heck of a lot easier to first, explain
technology through an app,” says Bawcutt, “and
second, engage the user” versus using the receiver’s
own font-based, on-screen display.
At its dealer events, Yamaha may spend 25 to
30 minutes during a one-hour seminar just talking
about the app.
Pioneer’s app even includes videos that walk
customers through how various features work.
Levesque notes that it’s mandatory for Cable &
Son salespeople to use tablets for every audio and
video demonstration.
He suggests manufacturers focus their efforts on
responsiveness of the app, as well as graphic design,
pointing out that while mobile apps were once upon
a time being used predominantly on smartphones,
BEYOND THE RECEIVER
MOBILE APPS FOR AUDIO CONTROL in the home
go way beyond just the AV receiver, aside from the
obvious dedicated wireless music systems like Sonos,
of course. Manufacturers are developing apps that
work with other gear, too.
Yamaha is currently working on developing an
app for its soundbars and sound projectors. The HT
Controller app will work through Bluetooth, which will
make it easier for customers to set up a connection,
and retailers to demo it in store without having to
worry about adding another device to the Wi-Fi
network. Consumers can pair their phones directly to
the device to try it out. With the YSP sound projectors,
for example, the app would allow users to control the
beams of sound.
Yamaha’s HT Controller app for its
soundbars and sound projectors
works over Bluetooth, and lets users
control the beams of sound.
“That will be pretty exciting,” says Paul Bawcutt,
Key Accounts Manager & Product Specialist, AV Group,
Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. “We’re just starting to put
the same amount of resources into that app as we did
with our AV Controller app three years ago.”
Another interesting option is SongPal from Sony,
a mobile app that works with many of the company’s
wireless audio devices. Using the app, customers can
browse and play back music from a compatible device
connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This includes music
42 |
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from a CD, USB drive, smartphone, NAS drive (using
DLNA), or music streaming services. Users can also
tweak audio settings, like the equalizer.
Using Sony’s SongPal app,
owners of compatible wireless
audio products can control
music playing from a Bluetooth
or Wi-Fi-connected device.
most customers today use them on tablets with
higher display resolutions. “It’s sometimes obvious
that the GUI of these applications doesn’t follow this
trend,” he notes.
Ian Mclean, Technician at Toronto’s Sound Designs,
says IP control through the app is a particularly useful
feature to offer for custom integrators.
“The most powerful way to demonstrate the
app is by having it in front of you, and seeing the
engaging interface,” says Pioneer’s Murphy. “When
people see how visually appealing it is, how simple
it is to adjust things such as the source and volume
in various zones of your house, and the content you
can push to the receiver and home theatre, it is really
amazing. That is where you see their eyes light up.
That’s where you see the enthusiasm. That’s where
the sale can be made.”
It’s the app, adds Murphy, that really makes
the AV receiver personal. Customers really begin to
appreciate what a receiver does, and how they can
benefit from it in their own homes.
“ Music services, Internet radio, and
Even headphones are getting in on the app
action. With the Jabra Revo headphones, users can
download the Jabra Sound App, which allows you to
add Dolby headphone processing to playback, even
YouTube content. You can create and share playlists,
and adjust the equalizer, saving your own custom
settings for different types of music.
These few examples only scratch the surface of
how apps are getting involved in home audio control.
Learn more about new trends in hifi and wireless
whole-home playback in Gordon Brockhouse’s
features elsewhere in this issue.
The Jabra
Sound App
works with the
company’s Revo
headphones,
allowing users
to add Dolby
headphone
processing
and adjust EQ
settings.
network streaming browsing is
probably as quick as it gets from
an AVR application.”
Paul Belanger
Product Manager, North America,
D+M Group
DON’T OVERLOOK THE APP
“If you look at comments on Apple’s App Store
or Google Play,” says Bawcutt, “Canadians are
suggesting that the app is going to influence the
overall buying decision. It might not be the most
important, but it’s certainly a part now.”
Murphy calls an app the “most must-have
feature” in an AV receiver as suppliers realize how
powerful the experience is.
Harman Kardon refers to its Remote app as being
“the centerpiece of your Harman Kardon ecosystem.”
“Functionality hasn’t changed a great deal [over
the last few years with apps],” notes Belanger. “What
has changed is the need to have a good and stable
app available for your product.”
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Hipstreet has a dedicated 1-800 support line, handled by a Level 1 support team of 16 in the Philippines,
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October 2014
| 43
lets you create playlists that integrate music from
all these sources. However, Sonos does not support
high-resolution audio. You’ll get an error message if
you try to stream anything above 48kHz/16 bits.
Currently, Sonos uses its own mesh networking
technology to send music throughout your home.
The advantage is that every Sonos device is a
repeater, which can improve coverage and reliability.
However, Sonos is changing the network topology
of its multi-room system to allow it to use the home’s
wi-fi network (See Short Bits).
ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE
IN RECENT YEARS, wireless connectivity
has become a pivotal part of how people listen
to music. We use Bluetooth to beam music from
smartphones to wireless speakers or headphones.
We use Wi-Fi to send music from an iPhone or iPad
to AirPlay-equipped speakers and AV receivers.
Powerful as they are, these technologies are
limited. Bluetooth is a one-to-one technology,
able to send audio from one device at a time.
With Wi-Fi and AirPlay, you can send music to one
device or to several, and control the volume for
each device independently.
But what if you want different music in
different rooms in your home? What if you want to
use the same system for home theatre and wholehouse music? What if you want to play the same
music throughout your home, but have it perfectly
synchronized? What if you have a library of high-res
music that you want to share throughout your home?
Bluetooth and AirPlay can’t deliver those
benefits, but there are wireless multi-room systems
that can. All of them use Wi-Fi technology, but offer
more flexibility than AirPlay. All are controlled by
Android and iOS apps, and let you play music from
PCs or Macs, or from streaming services. These
systems let you send different music to different
rooms, send the same music to a group of rooms,
or play the same music throughout your house.
Here are six options.
44 |
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SONOS
PROS: A proven system with a very broad range of
products that includes a subwoofer and soundbar.
Support for many streaming services (though not all
are available in Canada). Robust mesh networking
connectivity.
CONS: No support for high-res audio. For surround
sound, you need to hard-wire one Sonos device to
your router.
BLUESOUND
Sonos basically invented the wireless music category
when it launched a decade ago. It’s the undisputed
market leader, and has the broadest array of hardware
products. These include three self-contained powered
speakers (priced from $219 to $449), the Sonos
Connect:Amp ($599) for those who wish to use their
own speakers, and the Sonos Connect ($399) for
integrating Sonos into an existing stereo system.
You can group two Sonos Play speakers together
for stereo if you want a wider soundstage. You can
combine the Playbar ($749), Sub ($749) and two Play
speakers to create a 5.1-channel system; the app will
automatically set the right crossover frequency for your
configuration. The Playbar can be connected to your TV
for home theatre, and to the Sonos network for music.
Everything is controlled by a rich app for Android
and iOS, or from a PC or Mac. You can play music from
a handheld device, PCs and Macs (up to 16), Internet
radio, or a large array of streaming services. The apps
A new brand from Canada’s Lenbrook Group,
Bluesound incorporates technology from two
other Lenbrook brands: NAD electronics and PSB
loudspeakers. So not surprisingly, the company touts
sound quality as a key advantage for Bluesound.
But it also promotes the BluOS software that’s the
foundation for the system, and the rich, functional
app that runs on iOS and Android. You can also
control your Bluesound system from a PC or Mac.
While it has no surround-sound option, Bluesound
has an impressive hardware lineup, including the Pulse
powered speaker ($800) and Powernode amplifier
($800), both of which use DirectDigital technology
borrowed from NAD’s acclaimed C 390 DD amplifier.
The speakers in the Pulse were developed by PSB,
as was the Duo subwoofer/satellite speaker system
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BOSE SOUNDTOUCH
($1,000), designed for use with the Powernode.
For adding Bluesound to an existing audio system,
Bluesound offers the Node adapter ($600).
A unique component in the line is the Vault
($1,200), which combines a CD transport and massive
3TB hard drive, so that you can rip your CDs without
using a computer. You have a choice of MP3 or
FLAC (lossless) formats. Files on the Vault can be
played through a connected amplifier, and by other
Bluesound devices.
For dyed-in-the-wool audiophiles, Bluesound
functionality is built into NAD’s Masters Series M50
Digital Music Player.
Bluesound devices can also play music stored
on PCs, including high-resolution files to 192kHz/24
bits. With an optional dongle, you can beam songs
from a wireless device via Bluetooth. Other music
sources include Internet radio and a growing
number of streaming services, including Spotify,
Rdio and Slacker. An interesting addition, scheduled
for later this year, will enable users to purchase
high-res music directly from the Bluesound app for
download to the Vault.
PROS: A distinguished pedigree that includes
two major audio brands: NAD electronics and PSB
loudspeakers. A good assortment of products,
including a CD player/ NAS drive, so you can rip CDs
without a PC. Support for high-res audio. A rich,
functional app.
CONS: No surround-sound option. Supports fewer
streaming services than some competitors. Pricy
compared to other systems.
46 |
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Ease-of-use is the calling card of this system. As the
name implies, you can cue up a streaming service or
playlist just by touching a button on a SoundTouch
device. These included three self-contained
SoundTouch powered stereo speakers, priced from
$450 to $750; a SoundTouch version of the famed
Wave Radio ($650); SoundTouch versions of Bose’s
46” and 55” VideoWave home theatre packages
($5,599 and $6,599 respectively); a SoundTouchequipped music system that combines a subwoofer
with two tiny “Jewel Cube” satellite speakers ($1,300);
a SoundTouch-equipped amplifier ($550), and two
outdoor stereo speaker systems ($829 and $949).
A SoundTouch adapter is also available for Bose’s two
Lifestyle 5.1-channel home theatre systems for $100.
All these products stream music over an existing
Wi-Fi network. The SoundTouch Wave Radio and
powered speakers have six buttons on the top, which
can be programmed using the SoundTouch app
(available for iOS and Android) to play a favourite
Internet radio station or a playlist of music stored on
your computer. Or you can press and hold any button
to store the current station or playlist. SoundTouch
products also support Apple AirPlay for streaming
from an iOS device.
Similar functionality is offered by the nifty
SoundTouch Controller ($110), a round device with
OLED display; it also has volume, on/off and play/
pause controls. The Controller, which connects via
Bluetooth, is included with the SoundTouch music
system, HDTVs, amplifier and outdoor speakers.
Listeners who want more functionality than the
presets offer can use the SoundTouch app to stream
music from a computer or smart device, to one room
or to several.
PROS: Very easy to use. A comprehensive range of
products that includes HDTVs and outdoor speakers.
CONS: Very limited support of streaming services.
DENON HEOS
This summer, Denon launched its own wireless
multi-room system. The HEOS lineup includes three
self-contained powered stereo speakers ranging in
price from $329 to $699; the HEOS Amp, rated at
2x100 watts and priced at $599; and the HEOS Link
for connection to an existing audio system ($399).
There’s also a wireless range extender.
Denon is an acclaimed audio brand, so
predictably the company cites sound quality as a
key differentiator of the HEOS system. Among the
benefits cited by the company are “state-of-the-art
synchronization” and DSP optimization of the wireless
speakers, using technology provided by Waves Audio.
A well designed app, for iOS and Android, makes
setup very easy. Streaming services supported for
Canadian users include TuneIn Internet radio, Spotify
and Deezer. In the U.S., Pandora, Rhapsody and
Napster are also supported. But the list of supported
streaming services will grow quickly, Denon says.
You can stream music from your smartphone
or tablet to one HEOS device, or to several. Users
can also stream music stored on PCs (or other DLNA
devices), but currently there’s no support for highresolution files. With files above 48kHz/16 bits, you’ll
get an error message. If you want to stream from a
Mac, you’ll have to install a DLNA server application
on your Mac first.
PROS: Very attractive styling, and well designed app.
CONS: No home theatre or outdoor options.
No support for high-res audio (though this is
reportedly in the works.)
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HARMAN/KARDON OMNI
Harman Kardon’s Link products will be available
in Canada in November. At launch, supported
streaming services included vTuner Internet radio,
Deezer and Mix Radio.
PROS: Flexibility – you can combine two wireless
speakers for stereo, or five for surround sound.
Supports high-res files. Neat follow-me feature.
CONS: Limited product selection to start. Support of
streaming services is also limited.
At the IFA Tradeshow in Berlin in September,
Harman/Kardon announced a wireless music
system based on technology developed by Blackfire
Technology. Note that HK’s Omni system is quite
different from Polk’s; and the two are not compatible.
HK’s Omni lineup includes two self-contained
powered speakers, which will retail in Canada for
$250 and $380, plus an adapter for connection to
an existing audio system, selling for $170.
The system has some neat features. For one thing,
you can combine two wireless speakers for stereo,
or five for surround sound. And there’s a follow-me
feature that lets you switch music from one room to
another as you move about your house. You can send
the same stream to multiple speakers by pushing the
Link button. Holding the Link button puts the whole
system in party mode, where the same music plays
throughout your house. Unlike all the other systems
here, except for Bluesound, HK’s Omni system supports
playback of high-resolution files, to 96kHz/24 bits.
DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY W
& POLK OMNI WITH PLAY-FI
In October, these two affiliated brands are introducing
wireless music distribution systems based on DTS’s
Play-Fi platform. Definitive Technology will offer the
W7 and W9 self-contained powered stereo speakers,
the W Studio soundbar-subwoofer package, the W
Amp and W Connect adapter. Polk, meanwhile will
offer the Omni S2 powered stereo speaker, plus a
similar rechargeable weatherproof model; the Omni
SB1 soundbar-subwoofer package; Omni A1 amplifier,
rated at 2x75 watts; and Omni P1 adapter.
It’s an impressively broad range of products,
made even more impressive by the fact that products
from these two affiliated brands can interoperate.
And not just these two brands. I’ve received
information that some major computer and audio
brands are planning their own Play-Fi products, and
these would also be compatible with the Def Tech
and Polk models.
You can stream music from a smartphone or tablet,
or from a PC or Mac, to one Play-Fi zone, or to several.
The Definitive Technology and Polk apps will have EQ
curves for their respective companies’ speakers.
At launch, support of streaming services will be
limited. Canadian options will include Internet radio,
Spotify, Deezer and SiriusXM (Android only). Sirius XM
for iOS and Songza will follow in November.
PROS: Part of an open platform; products from
different brands can interoperate. Other audio and
computer vendors reportedly planning Play-Fi
products. A comprehensive range that includes
outdoor speakers and soundbar-subwoofer packages.
CONS: Limited support for streaming services.
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Davos? the illuminati? billionaire summits?
they’ve got nothing on the power of this place.
When it comes to gatherings of powerful people who shape business and innovation,
CES is in truly elite company. Best of all, you don’t have to be incredibly wealthy to be here.
Then again, the contacts you make here might just get you in that club. Register at CESweb.org.
JAN. 6-9, 2015
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CESWEB.ORG
#CES2015
TALKING SHOP
BY WALLY HUCKER
DEALERS DISCUSS HIFI DEMO EVENTS
How important are special demo and education
events when it comes to hi-fi gear?
“It’s the only way to get people into the stores,”
says Al Beischer, Audio Manager of Advance
Electronics in Winnipeg.
Mark Macdonald, a former rep for 15 years,
now a partner in the resurrected The Sound Room
in Vancouver, agrees. “Although we are new at
this, I expect to do around six to 10 events a year.
It’s imperative for the success of a business to do
educational nights.”
“It’s not only a way for customers to learn about
new products and technologies,” says Igor Kivritsky,
partner in Vancouver’s Hi-Fi Centre, “but it’s also a
great way to get them back into the store.”
KEF Canada’s Ian Brown poses with the Reference 1
speakers and a Pro-Ject turntable at a recent “Jazz Night”
event at Planet of Sound in Toronto.
Andrew Austin, Manager at Audio Excellence in
Vaughan, ON, says the high-end shop puts on many
audio/video events throughout the year. “Even if
we don’t make a sale, we think we can inspire in the
guests the same passion for our products, and this
will keep this industry alive.”
According to our dealers, events are generally,
but not always, structured around the release of a
new product. “Events are important,” Austin sums up,
“to inform public of new products, and new ways of
reproducing sound.”
50 |
www.wifihifi.ca
Macdonald seized on the latter aspect, even
for ‘traditional’ hi-fi. “Two-channel audio,” he asserts,
“is now being served up by streaming devices like
Sonos and Bluesound, or higher-end devices like
Moon’s 180 Mind, Cyrus X Stream or Devialet.
“We need to take away the fear of ripping,
downloading, and streaming, so that the average
customer can truly enjoy HD music.
“Then,” he continues, “there is surround sound
and [Dolby] Atmos. Or video with 4K UHD, both
of which are generating buzz, but also a lot of
confusion. It’s our job to simplify and instruct, so
the experience is as good as, if not better, than
their expectations.”
Not only did these dealers stress demonstrating
new gear and technologies, but had reached the
consensus that they must do the same with old
technologies. Turntables, they observe, have become
popular again, especially among young buyers. Beischer
summed it up neatly. “Turntables have a ‘cool’ factor.
“Young people didn’t grow up listening to
CDs,” he says. “That was their parents’ source.
They download, and vinyl appeals to them too, and
a lot of alternative and punk music is being issued
on vinyl. They want the newest and the oldest. Our
best-selling receiver of late is a $500 Yamaha digital
set, with Internet and radio, plus a phono stage.”
Analogue audio has advanced as well as
digital, Austin reminds us, and these advancements
should be extolled to the public. He notes the
developments in air-supported platters. And software
for aligning and calibrating turntables and arms, has
revolutionized the accuracy of these adjustments.
Macdonald elaborates. “Tracking force, azimuth,
cartridges with different loads and gains, and other
variables, can become a minefield for the average
person. We need to be the ones separating the forest
from the trees. This can only be done,” he states,
“by educational sessions offering instruction by
industry professionals.”
Accessories can make for interesting, and
profitable demo sessions. “Some of our most
successful events,” Austin allows, “have been for
power conditioners. They are more important than
interconnects or cables, for both digital and analogue.”
Beischer and others note the ready-made market
for accessories among turntable buyers. From brushes
and cleaning kits, to styli, cartridges, and tonearms,
there are enthusiasts ready to buy.
Events can range from the extravagant to the
simple. Planet of Sound’s recent KEF Jazz Night in
Toronto is an example of the former. It featured $33,000
Blade speakers demonstrated by a KEF executive from
the UK, Johan Coorg. He was accompanied by the
world-renowned Tom Szczesniak Quartet featuring
singer Heather Bambrick playing live, catered nouvellecuisine scoffs, and an open bar serving beer and wine
to over 100 people.
Angie Lisi, a week or so earlier, held a double
celebration just north of Toronto to mark the official
opening of The Annex, her used, clearance and
software shop, as well as the second anniversary of
Angie’s Audio Corner. This gathering too, featured
food, drink, and live music. The Whiskey Jack Band
sang with a roots and bluegrass flavour, and some
acoustic instruments.
On the simpler end, Beischer recollects a recent
event in Advance Electronics’ parking lot. “We had
coffee and Timbits. We ran a new and used vinyl sale.
Three fellows who buy and sell vinyl set up with about
2,000 records.
“We also ran a turntable trade-in offering a
minimum of $50, regardless of condition, against a
new Pro-Ject turntable, starting at $379. We advertised
At a dealer event at Toronto’s Planet of Sound in September,
KEF Brand Ambassador Johan Coorg demonstrated the
flagship KEF Blade and new KEF Reference 3 three-way
floorstanding speakers, playing lossless music stored on
a hard drive connected to a Mac notebook. Powering the
speakers was a big Accuphase integrated amp.
Evolution wishes to thank each of the
60 dealers, suppliers, reps and staff, who made
this year’s CEDIA Expo VIP Dealer Dinner
such a wonderful, inspiring event
filled with great ideas and laughter.
Here’s to 2015!
For dealer enquiries, call 416-603-9090 Ext. 304 or email orders@evolutionhomecorp.com
TALKING SHOP
on radio, and had a very good turnout.” Scores of
turntables were sold, plus accessories like brushes.
Vendors and reps are generally more than happy
to participate in such events, new products or not.
Naim rep Stuart Pringle did two seminars on digital
streaming at Advance’s event. Beischer advertised
it in the newspaper, and sent e-vites to clients. Fred
Pinnsoneault of Audioquest also flew from Montreal
to do cabling seminars.
Less may sometimes be more. “We’re planning
on holding Vinyl Fridays,” says Macdonald. “Just bring
your own disc.”
“Recently,” recalls Kivritsky, “B&W gave 100 or
so of our invited customers a rare chance to listen
to their Nautilus speaker.” B&W brought their iconic
speaker “and a rack of Classé amplifiers. People were
very impressed.”
Kivritsky pinpointed a prime reason for demo
events. “It’s boring to just hear someone speak. You want
to have fun experiencing the products for yourself.”
THE SOUND ROOM ON SOUND FOOTING
Still, admits Macdonald, “it’s been long hours, six
and seven days a week.”
The first order of business at The Sound Room
was new carpeting, paint and fixtures. “We wanted to
bring it from the 1990s into 2014.
“Next,” he continues, “we called all the
manufacturers we were doing business with to
commit and lock down. Then we looked for holes.
“For example,” he says, “there was not much
in turntables, so we expanded. Turntables by
Nottingham and Pro-Ject have both done fabulously.
We have moved an amazing amount. We have also
sold a few cartridges too!
“Our focus is definitely on audio.” The Sound
Room now stocks Totem and GoldenEar speakers, and
Lehmann and Teac amplifiers.
Headphones by AKG, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica
and Focal are proffered. Smaller Bluetooth speakers
are also available.
“Sonos,” Macdonald enthuses, “is a big category
for us. It’s a gateway drug to real audio.”
While audio may be at the forefront of The Sound
Room’s product mix, video has not been overlooked.
Panasonic, Sharp and Sony are the main new lines
here. “We repopulated our two theatres with new
screens. One is a high ambient light set-up featuring
a Screen Innovations’ Black Diamond screen and
an Epson LCD.
“The other is a controlled-light room, with a JVC
X500 projector on a Pure Edgeless backlit LED screen,
also from Screen Innovations.”
Building on a customer base 30,000 strong,
The Sound Room has been enticing those customers
to return and see the new look, and built a new
Website to lure others. Macdonald says they’ve been
“We made the right move,” says Mark Macdonald,
one of the new owners of The Sound Room in
Vancouver. “The numbers are great.” Macdonald,
in partnership with Garth Mossop, Paul Jasich and
Reiner Teklenburg, took over the shop in May after
previous owners Ezio Lazzari and Paul Wong decided
to close its doors.
Now, four months later, Macdonald, known in
the industry for his previous 15 years as a sales rep,
is reveling in his new role as “the face of The Sound
Room. And I’m the jack of all trades here: purchasing,
marketing and selling.”
He is aided by Alan Tomasky and Scot Menard,
both veterans of Vancouver’s high-end audio scene.
Tomasky worked with La Scala and Sound Plus, while
Menard was a fixture at Commercial Electronics and the
Bang & Olufsen store. Chris Adams of CGM Electronics
(a north Vancouver retail and custom shop, which The
Sound Room’s other three owners also manage), has
come in as a partner, and works part-time.
Four months in, and The Sound Room is already seeing
major changes, including new carpeting, paint and
fixtures, and a wider selection of turntables, with plenty
more changes to come.
52 |
www.wifihifi.ca
Adrienne Surtees and Angie Lisi step outside for a quick
photo at a recent celebration that marked the official
opening of The Annex, Lisi’s used, clearance and software
shop, and the second anniversary of Angie’s Audio Corner.
shocked at the number of people walking in the
door asking if it’s a new shop, what happened to the
other guys, et cetera.
At the forefront of The Sound Room’s online
pitching is its Google Adwords campaign. A YouTube
channel is also in the works.
“We are very optimistic,” he states. “When more
dollars are flowing in, we will add more staff.” Part
of being fiscally responsible is not making changes
for changes’ sake. “The Sound Room had been doing
business for so long, it knew what works for it.
Mark Macdonald (middle) has brought on Alan Tomasky (left)
and Scot Menard, veterans of the Vancouver high-end audio
scene, to help bring The Sound Room into the 21st century.
“Business is strong, but we need six months
to make significant changes.” One change coming
soon, as Macdonald alluded to in May, is an increased
emphasis on custom integration. “We will be
installing a Savant Control System in our showroom
this month,” he says, “with both audio and video
switching. The plan is also to integrate Lutron
RadioRA lighting control, and of course shades.”
A grand opening, complete with ribbon-cutting,
was planned for October 2.
TALKING SHOP
OBITUARY:
JACK WAYMAN, FOUNDER, CES
Jack Wayman, founder of the International Consumer
Electronics Show (CES), passed away on Saturday,
August 30 of natural causes at the age of 92.
Wayman developed and produced the very
first International CES back in 1967, which had
100 exhibitors and 17,000 attendees. Today, as the
most influential technology showcase in North
America, CES hosts upwards of 3,600 exhibitors
and 160,000 attendees.
His many honours include being inducted
into the inaugural class of the CE Hall of Fame. But
beyond Wayman’s involvement in the industry, he
was also a decorated U.S. veteran, having served in
Europe during WWII as a combat infantry company
commander and fought at the Normandy Invasion
and the Battle of the Bulge, earning multiple
accolades including a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple
Heart with Cluster, and two Presidential Citations,
among many others. Last year, he was inducted
by the Government of France as a chevalier for his
military service.
He leaves behind five children, 13 grandchildren
and 10 great-grandchildren. Read more about his life
in our tribute at WiFiHiFi.ca (Search “wayman”)
HART STORES INC. opened a new
15,000-square-foot store in Beresford, NB,
marking the 61st in its chain. Hart Stores are
mid-sized department stores in secondary and
tertiary markets in Eastern Canada. Among the
store’s offerings are fashion apparel, footwear,
home furnishings, electronics, small appliances,
giftware, toys, and seasonal goods.
HOME DEPOT ENTERS HOME AUTOMATION
Home Depot showed off its Wink wares at a five-storey
home in downtown Toronto in mid-September.
The Wink app, available for iOS and Android devices,
can control a number of products, from lighting to
thermostats, blinds, air conditioners and security.
Shortcuts can be created, so that all of the lights come
on and the air conditioner kicks in just as you’re about
to arrive home from work everyday. Wink currently
works with about 70 products from about 10 brands,
including Philips, Chamberlain, Dropcam and Lutron,
among others.
Along with selling many of the devices that can
be controlled by the Wink app, Home Depot also sells
the Wink Hub for $89.99, which plugs into a home’s
router and allows users to control and customize
automation using different protocols, including
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and ClearConnect.
Products that work out of the box, with or without the
Hub, will be clearly marked.
If two or more Wink operable products are
purchased at the same time, the retailer will knock
$40 off the price of the Hub. There aren’t any
recurring fees, and Wink offers 24/7 support.
One protocol not supported thus far is that of
Nest Lab’s smart learning thermostats and its smoke
detectors. Wink spokesman Matt Mcgovren told WiFi
HiFi that talks are underway.
Ron Cleary, Merchant for Electrical, Home Depot Canada
(left) and Wink’s Matt Mcgovren pose beside a Lutron
lighting control panel and Honeywell thermostat in a
Toronto smart demo home. The devices are two of many
that can connect to the Wink Hub and app for remote
control through a single interface on a mobile device.
Richard Barbeau, a city councillor in Bathurst, NB, has been collecting money to be forwarded to
COSTCO as membership fees in the giant “buying club” to show that the area is serious about getting such
a big box. In general, Costco won’t look at communities with under 250,000 residents, and Bathurst, in the
northern Miramichi region, has only 15,000. But Barbeau believes shoppers will flock to Bathurst from
Quebec to the north, and from other areas of New Brunswick. However, many local merchants feel this would
be the death knell for them. Shoppers appear equally divided, with some for and some agin. If Costco doesn’t
come, the money will be returned to Bathurst’s citizens. So far, Costco is silent on the proposal. Stay tuned.
VIZIO has formally announced its entry into
the Canadian market through an exclusive
partnership with Best Buy and Future Shop.
The stores now offer a selection of Vizio TVs
and audio systems at all 200-plus locations,
plus online. At Best Buy, in-store displays
feature up to 32 feet of dedicated Vizio space.
Pricing for the TVs is about 20-25% higher
than what you’d find in the U.S., ranging from
$230-$1,800 for the value E-series LED TVs
and from $600-$2,200 for the step-up M-series
models. Sizes start at 24” (in the E-series) up
to 70” models in both series.
October 2014
| 53
TALKING SHOP
SHARP CANADA TURNS 40
Barbara Hagan is another long-standing
employee, having served several presidents during
her tenure, up to Sharp Canada’s current President,
Carmine Cinerari. Cinerari holds the prestige of
not only being the youngest acting President,
being appointed at the age of 40, but also the first
Canadian-born individual to take the helm of a
Japanese subsidiary.
“I have seen many Sharp ‘firsts’,” Hagan recalls,
“but none compares to the personal pride and the
excitement at CES when Wayne Gretzky promoted
the Sharp ViewCam, and then again when SECL
launched our first 37-inch Aquos at the Royal Ontario
Museum in Toronto. At the time, that was truly a
big-screen TV.
“Working within the executive area,” she
continues, “I was privileged to meet many celebrated
individuals. One guest remains my favourite. True
to his portrayal in the media, the Right Honourable
Pierre Elliott Trudeau had a charismatic nature and
was a pleasure to host at SECL.”
WiFi HiFi congratulates Sharp Electronics of
Canada Ltd. on 40 years of positive contribution to the
consumer electronics industry, and we look forward
to many more decades of fulfilling collaboration.
www.wifihifi.ca
STAPLES will close 140 more stores this year in
the U.S. and Canada. In March, it vowed to close
225 North American stores. “The store closure
plans discussed during our Q2 earnings call are
part of that initial announcement,” a Staples
Canada spokeswoman told WiFi HiFi. It has already
shuttered 80 so far this year. At least one store in
the Toronto area has been closed.
Sharp Canada’s TV showroom, as it looked in 1985.
IKEA now offers free Wi-Fi in all of its stores, so customers can surf the IKEA Website
or access the app without using their precious mobile data. Shoppers can scan
bar codes, see special offers, check stock availability, create shopping lists, locate
products in the self-serve warehouse, make purchases from their mobile devices,
and download the digital version of the new 2015 IKEA Catalogue or the Catalogue
App from the IKEA showroom. By accessing the Catalogue’s extended digital content,
customers can check out image galleries, 360° views, slideshows and the “place in
your room” feature.
54 |
Photo: Wally Hucker
It took 62 years after the foundation of Sharp for the
Japanese electronics giant to open shop in Canada.
Sharp’s corporate roots date back to 1912, and the
promise of an “ever-sharp” pencil.
But when we think of Sharp now, we think of
large LCD panels both in homes and public spaces.
Sharp is also a major supplier of photocopiers and
other office equipment.
Even before the company released its
foundational ever-sharp pencil, it had invented a
mechanical snap belt buckle that required no holes.
Developed in 1912, that design is still used today.
Sharp celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012.
In 1953, Sharp became the first Japanese
manufacturer with mass production of TVs; and in
1962, it became the first Japanese company with
mass production of microwave ovens.
In 1976, Sharp combined two technologies
that are the pillars of the company today, launching
the first solar-powered LCD calculator. In 1988,
Sharp developed the world’s first large-screen
colour TFT LCD panel. The 14” screen was enormous
for an LCD back then. In 2001, Sharp launched its
Aquos sub-brand that forms the core of its flat-panel
business today.
Ten years after its formation in 1974, Sharp
Electronics of Canada Ltd. (SECL) broke ground in
what was then a farm in Mississauga, ON. Today,
the Britannia Rd. location has one of the highest
concentrations of corporate offices and warehouses
in the greater Toronto area.
Sharp Canada has eight employees who have
been with the company for over 30 years. With 37
years tenure, Executive Assistant Wendy Wigner is
Sharp Canada’s longest-serving employee.
In early September, a notice on the door of
MERKLE CAMERA & ELECTRONICS at 2555
Victoria Park Ave. in Toronto named MNP Ltd.
as Trustee in Bankruptcy. The shop was run by
brothers Royce and Peter Merkle. It was a member
of the Foto Source cooperative. The retailer was
founded 30 years ago by the late Art Merkle,
formerly the manager of Toronto Camera.
See expanded versions of many of
these stories and more retail industry
news at www.wifihifi.ca
TALKING SHOP
D&H CANADA hosted a packed house during the three-hour exhibit floor period of its 2014 Technology
Show in Mississauga, ON in early September. Resellers came to check out the latest in computing, wearables,
and connectivity from the more than 40 D&H partners, including Garmin and its VIRB wearable camera,
Targus’ laptop docking stations, Kensington’s line of rugged tablet cases, D-Link’s outdoor HD cameras, and
more. Suppliers offered special one-day pricing. More than 400 resellers attended, an increase of about 20%
over last year, says Greg Tobin, General Manager. D&H Canada reported double-digit growth for its fiscal
year 2014, and recently moved to a new, larger facility in Brampton, ON as further evidence of the success.
Read more in our full report at Wifihifi.ca (Search “garmin virb”)
From l-r: Shawn Snobelen, National Manager, Retail/Etail Sales, Jeff Davis, Senior Vice President of Sales and co-owner, and
Greg Tobin, General Manager of D&H Canada pose outside the exhibit show floor at the company’s 2014 Technology Show.
WHO’S DOING WHAT?
Martian Watches has partnered with GUESS Watches to develop interactive,
voice-command wrist accessories. Martian, along with SEQUEL AV – which has
exclusive distribution rights for GUESS Watches worldwide – plan to announce
specific products by early 2015. The Martian line is represented in Canada by
Todd Taylor, Owner, Dream Team Canada, todd@dreamteamcanada.ca.
Xcel Source Corp. will distribute NYNE accessories in Canada, including
portable Bluetooth speakers like the Cruiser, which can be mounted on a bicycle’s
handlebars, the Aqua waterproof “floating” speaker, and the
TT speaker, the company’s modern
take on the ghetto blaster
of the ‘80s.
Canadian electronics manufacturer Knoll Systems has appointed Distinct
Distributors, based in Blackstock, ON, as its exclusive Canadian distributor.
Distinct will distribute Knoll’s line of projectors, multi-room audio systems and
distribution electronics across Canada, through territory sales reps and from
its Ontario and BC warehouses.
Electrolux will be paying US$3.3B to acquire General Electric Co.’s appliances
business in the largest ever acquisition for the company. The move would help
Electrolux double its sales in North America, and better compete with the likes
of Whirlpool and others.
Pioneer will be selling its AV business to Onkyo in exchange for a 14.95%
stake in the Japanese company. That would make Pioneer Onkyo’s third-largest
shareholder. The decision was made to better compete in a changing home
AV market, which is shifting from analog equipment to digital, where music
is being played back on computers and digital audio players. The agreement
will reportedly be finalized by October, with the integration of the two brands
completed by some time next March. Paul Wasek, National Marketing Manager for
Onkyo USA Corporation, told WiFi HiFi in early September that: “How distribution
in various regions is to be operated is the subject of ongoing discussions,” but
added that the goal is to “have all the brands operate as they are and expand their
presence in various countries.”
Gem-Sen has been appointed Canadian distributor of
Denmark-based Dynaudio home and car audio speakers.
Gem-Sen will oversee the sales and service of Dynaudio
consumer loudspeaker products, and will ship product from its
corporate office and warehouse in Concord, ON. Dealers can also
expect an increased Canadian presence of
the brand at national and international
tradeshows and exhibitions, financing options
including third-party financing, and product
training support via regional sales agents.
CANADIAN TIRE “money” was introduced as paper currency over half a century ago, and it was finally brought into the
digital age on September 9. The new digital offering, called My Canadian Tire Money, will launch in Nova Scotia on October
10, and nationally on October 28. Customers can collect and redeem digital Canadian Tire Money for online purchases as
well as automotive purchases, in-store, and gas bar buys, gift cards and hard goods. The digitized reward money can also
be donated to Canadian Tire’s JumpStart children’s sport participation charity. The digital currency is also available and
redeemable at sister retailers Sport Chek, Mark’s, PartSource, L’Equipeur, as well as on Canadian Tire Home Services. Those
with a Canadian Tire Options MasterCard get a 10x bonus for “qualifying purchases.” Members will also receive exclusive
bonus offers on their smartphones.
October 2014
| 55
TALKING SHOP
WHO WENT WHERE?
Garth Mclauchlan will fill Cantrex Nationwide Group’s newly created post of Vice President, Member Development. Mclauchlan was previously at
BSH Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group. Prior to working with BSH, he was a partner for four years in Eyez-On, a high-tech start-up specializing
in Internet-enabled security. He has also worked as a national sales manager, retail for Sony Canada, with The Brick when it entered the market in the
‘80s, running a small retail chain, and in the telecom and IT fields. In his new position at Cantrex, he will work from the Ontario regional office to nurture
and develop current member relationships, and collaborate with them on various marketing and merchandising initiatives.
Halo Metrics Inc. has hired Ron McMurray for the new position of Field
Service Manager, where he’ll be responsible for helping the company
develop and strengthen its growing service capabilities. McMurray
spent 19 years at Checkpoint Systems, and most recently managed
installation with Stanley Black and Decker Inc. He will support all of
Halo’s product lines, with a specific focus on Checkpoint’s EAS solution
base. He will work from the Halo Metrics Mississauga, ON office.
Haier America has appointed three key new business
leaders. Gina Copeland joins the company as Senior
Vice President, Air Quality; Sanjay Gupta as Vice
President, Product Platform Development, Major
Appliances; and Paul Riley as Vice President, Sales
& Marketing, Major Appliances.
The Home Depot has named Craig Menear its new
President and CEO, effective November 1, 2014.
Menear, a 34-year veteran of the retailer, was elected
to the company’s board of directors, and currently
serves as the retailer’s President, U.S. Retail, a
position he’s held since February of this year. Current
Chairman and CEO Frank Blake will remain Chairman.
Francois Thibault is now
Eastern Canada Outside
Sales Rep for Provo Ltd.
Previously, he was eastern
Canada senior account
manager for AVAD Canada.
Torus Power has appointed four new Canadian
representatives: Wired with Sound - James Drew,
President in Ontario; Griffin Audio, James Griffin,
Principal (Quebec); Mark Owen Agency, Mark Owen,
Principal (British Columbia); and Jason Hay, Principal
of Grand Prix Marketing for Alberta.
Michael Garchinski has been named Vice President, Consumer Electronics and Photography for Cantrex Nationwide. He comes to Cantrex after
decades at Sears Canada, where he was most recently divisional vice president of hardlines, which includes CE and major appliances. Reporting to
COO Jeannine Ghaleb, he will be responsible for the long-term growth and success of the electronics and photography categories, leading initiatives
to optimize the merchandising and marketing efforts of retailers across Canada, and collaborating with vendors to provide premier service to members.
The position had been vacant since Mike Bittman departed in mid-January after eight years in that job.
Bruce Schepers and Evolution Home Corp. have
concluded their relationship. Schepers tells WiFi HiFi he
looks forward to exploring new opportunities within the
industry and can be reached by cell at (416) 407-2753 or
via e-mail at bruceaschepers@gmail.com.
Gem-Sen has hired industry veteran Phil Bryant to serve as
National Sales Manager for the recently-formed Home Audio
division. Bryant has vast industry sales management experience,
and a known passion for all things hi-fi. He can be contacted
directly via e-mail at philb@gemsen.com.
Traveling on a budget for business? Both AIR CANADA and WESTJET have added $25 fees for your first checked luggage
for certain flights. With AC, the added fee will apply to customers buying the lowest economy Class Tango fare for travel on
or after November 2, 2014 on domestic flights within Canada and to and from the Caribbean and Mexico. With WJ, it will
come into effect for travel on or after October 19 via Econo fares to all travel within Canada and between Canada and the
U.S. Fees for other flights will not change, and parents will still be able to travel with car seats and strollers without having
to pay extra. Carry-on, it is!
56 |
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SAVE THE DATE FOR CANADIAN INDUSTRY NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 • THE BANK NIGHTCLUB AT BELLAGIO
Mark your calendar for the night the Canadian industry gets together at CES in Las Vegas.
We look forward to seeing you!
To be a sponsor of this fantastic industry event, please contact John Thomson at jthomson@wifihifi.ca or call 416-726-3667.
Don’t miss out! Join the growing list of companies who have already signed on as proud sponsors for 2015.
THE RESURGENCE OF VINYL
An Audio Format That Has Stood the Test of Time
BY DAVID SUSILO
TURNTABLE, PHONOGRAPH, GRAMOPHONE,
the huge black spinning disc “thingy” is literally the
oldest living audio format in the world. It’s a precursor
to other disc formats like LaserDisc, Compact Disc, and
Blu-ray that has stood the test of time.
Through the years, recording industry experts
have sounded the death knell for the turntable. All
have been proven wrong. Despite countless threats
to the vinyl format - whether it was commercial radio,
cassette tapes, Compact Discs or MP3s - LPs and the
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machines that play them have not only survived, but
often thrived.
Audiophiles swear by the unparalleled fidelity
of vinyl, and in recent decades, club disc jockeys and
hip-hop artists have transformed the turntable into a
musical instrument in its own right. In fact, in the last
several years, sales of turntable and vinyl discs have
gone up by as much as 500%, according to sources
like BMI/ASCAP (United States), SOCAN (Canada), and
KCI (Indonesia). This number truly shows that vinyl
is not only geared to the audiophile crowd, but also
the younger generation. It’s for hipsters and nostalgic
folks, alike.
ENDURING THROUGH HISTORY
The first turntable as we know it arrived in 1895 when
German-born American immigrant Emile Berliner
introduced a commercial version of a record player he
had been developing for seven years. Utilizing a flat
disc instead of a cylinder, the gramophone, as it was
called, garnered wide public acclaim. Unlike Edison’s
cylinders, gramophone records – made first from hard
rubber, then from shellac, and later from vinyl – could
easily be mass produced. As a result, the gramophone
dominated the consumer market, with companies such
as the Victor Talking Machine Company marketing
“Victrolas” to the public.
The invention of the low-cost radio in the aftermath
of World War I threatened to bankrupt the recording
industry. Ironically, however, radio technology led to
improvements in record-making, specifically through
the use of electronically amplified disc cutters. By
1925, all phonograph discs were being manufactured
utilizing this new technology.
During the course of its life, mostly in the 1930s
and 1940s, phonographs and phonograph records
continued to improve. In 1931, Columbia introduced
the first “long playing” record. Resembling the LP with
which we are now all familiar, the 12-inch diameter
disc was designed to be played at 33-1/3 rotations
per minute. Companies such as Stanton – which in
1946 began manufacturing an easily replaceable
phonograph stylus – made the turntable an even more
practical commodity for consumers. Still, throughout
the 1940s, 10- and 12-inch shellac-based 78-rpm discs
continued to prevail.
With the introduction of the modern LP and
the 7-inch 45-rpm disc, in the late ‘40s, the modern
turntable came into its own. Sales of record players got
a further boost when mass production of stereo albums
began in 1958. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, the affordability of
turntables – both standalone and console varieties –
made the device a fixture in most homes. Not even
the emergence of cassette tapes of various formats
(Compact Cassette, Elcaset, Digital Compact Cassette)
could dethrone the turntable as the centerpiece of the
typical audio system.
Nothing threatened the demand for turntables
more than the introduction of the Compact Disc in the
1980s. Even in that case, however, turntables and LPs
turned out to be the winner, although technically it’s
because mastering engineers did not yet know how to
mix for that newfangled digital recording format.
The modern turntable retains its preeminent
spot in the world of consumer audio, utilizing proven
functionality perfected in the past hundred-plus years
while keeping pace with (and often surpassing)
today’s fast-moving innovations.
October 2014
| 59
WHY GO VINYL?
While modern recording media has moved increasingly
towards convenience – often at the expense of quality
– astute music lovers have stayed faithful to the triedand-true ritual of dropping a needle onto a vinyl
platter and enjoying the distinctive sound only an LP
can provide.
For audiophiles, the warmth and clarity of
properly mastered vinyl thus far cannot yet be
surpassed by any digital successor. For musicphiles,
there are favourite tracks that were never converted
to CD, making vinyl the only way to get a hold of those
tunes of yesteryear. And for collectors, the size of the
album cover (usually 12.5” x 12.5”) makes it easier to
appreciate album art. In fact, companies like Umbra
make glass frames for showcasing an album cover
while still allowing easy access to the record inside.
Today’s turntable manufacturers have kept pace,
augmenting proven technologies with new features
that address the desires of contemporary users. The
new Pioneer PLX-1000 is a prime example. In addition
to emphasizing high-quality torque motors and ultrastable platters and tonearms, Pioneer turntables offer
such features as reverse play, up to 50% digitallycontrolled pitch adjustment, and various damping
mechanisms to minimize unwanted vibrations. Audio
Technica’s LP-60 USB turntables come bundled with
easy-to-use software, bridging the worlds of analog
and digital.
The beauty of vinyl is that there is virtually something
for everyone at any budget, and music tastes.
Here’s a look at five hot new turntables in various
price ranges that combine the enduring vinyl format
with high-tech design and features.
Audio Technica LP-60 USB
Audio-technica.com (Erikson Consumer)
PRICE: $150
WHO IT’S FOR: The masses and archivists
FIT & FINISH: Plastic everything with metal platter;
surprisingly rigid considering the entrance fee.
KEY FEATURES: Auto play, auto stop, selectable
phono pre-amp, selectable speed (33-1/3 and 45 rpm),
USB output, slip-mat AND a built-in dustcover.
PROS: Extremely convenient and easy to use, handy for archiving your vinyl collection.
CONS: Not as “audiophile” as other turntables, but still sounds extremely good compared to other
players (digital or analog) in the same price range.
MY TAKE: It’s perfect as a starter turntable, or even as a tertiary turntable. At its price, you can’t
expect pure audiophile quality. But it is good enough to produce enjoyable sound with easy (and fun!)
archiving capability via the USB output, to boot. In fact, I own one in my bedroom. At the very least, the
Audio Technica LP60 USB still sounds so much better than any one of my iDevices and CD players in the
same price range. Thanks to this turntable, I now have the digital backup of every vinyl album I own,
from Sinatra to Metallica.
Pro-ject Debut Carbon
Project-audio.com (Essential Audio Corp.)
PRICE: $450
WHO IT’S FOR: The hip and fashionable
FIT & FINISH: Multi-coloured glossy wooden
plinth, presentable even if you live at the
Museum of Modern Art.
KEY FEATURES: Ortofon 2M Red
moving-magnet cartridge, 33-1/3 and
45 rpm
r
playing speeds via repositioning of the turntable
belt,
belt Carbon Fibre arm, revised motor mounting (this time
mounted
using Sorbothane anti-vibration material), heavier platter.
mou
PROS: 7 colour options, from basic black to neon lime green; Ortofon 2M Red cartridge
PRO
is considered
to be at the high end of entry-level cartridges.
co
CONS: Prone to skipping, need to pick up the platter and reposition the belt in order to change speed.
CON
MY TAKE: This latest model offers great value. The rather fine Ortofon cartridge comes pre-fitted,
M
leaving
the user with just the counter and bias weights to install. As with any turntable, care in setup
le
is richly rewarded. Alas, I have to pick up the platter and move the belt to change speed from
33-1/3 to 45 rpm and vice versa. Also, the Debut doesn’t have any isolating suspension, other than
a set of compliant feet, so when my puppy jumps from the couch to the floor, the needle tends
to skip. I ended up having to add a set of Sorbothane feet purchased from eBay to counter this
problem. Of course, keeping the deck perfectly level and well away from the speakers is always
a good idea, too.
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Clearaudio Concept
Clearaudio.de (Tri-cell Enterprises)
Rega RP-6
PRICE: $2,250
Rega.co.uk (Plurison)
WHO IT’S FOR: Entry-level audiophiles and historians, alike
PRICE: $2,300
FIT & FINISH: Cosmetically hip, minimalistic and sturdily built like a German
automobile. Its simplicity is a big part of its charm and the not-so-glossy finish
makes it less dust-prone than its glossy counterpart.
WHO IT’S FOR: The entry-level audiophile
FIT & FINISH: Sturdily built with metal motor mount and high-density glass
platter. Perfect for those who like the understated look.
KEY FEATURES: Comes with an upgraded Rega Exact moving-magnet cartridge
and needle, improved tonearm, push-button selectable speeds of 33-1/3 or
45 rpm, and a dense glass platter.
PROS: Push-button selectable speeds of 33-1/3 or 45 rpm.
CONS: No 78 rpm option, requires some tuning and calibration out of the box.
MY TAKE: I would strongly recommend the Rega RP-6 to anybody, budget
permitting. Aside from looks, it is night-and-day different from the RP-3 or
even RP-3 with the Performance Pack. The dense glass platter has a greater
concentration of mass towards its rim, which increases inertia to improve
speed stability, resulting in lower wow and flutter, without adding too much
weight. Much like the Pro-ject Debut Carbon, there is hardly enough antivibration material on the feet of this turntable. The needle skips less than the
Carbon, but it still did not pass my “puppy jumping off the couch to the floor”
test. Sound quality, on the other hand, is quite a jump from Carbon, as it should
be considering the price gap. Most turntables at this price have high level of wow
and flutter, making me want to pull out my hair. But with this one, when listening
to an Anton Keurti piano performance, wow and flutter are really low so I can
actually enjoy the recording. For serious listening, the Rega RP-6 is the first on
the price ladder that meets my discerning minimum threshold of acceptability.
(Note that I’m also a pianist with 40 years of experience.) Keep in mind that
hearing acuity is purely subjective, though - everyone’s threshold is different.
KEY FEATURES: Fitted with the Clearaudio Auruom Classic cartridge,
Clearaudio Verify Tone-arm, switchable 33-1/3 rpm / 45 rpm / 78 rpm speeds
using rotary dial.
PROS: A near-perfect plug-and-play machine, as Clearaudio sets everything,
including cartridge weight and bias, before the turntable leaves the factory.
CONS: The industrial design isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (while I like it,
some find it unattractive). It does not have an easily removable needle for
78 rpm playback.
MY TAKE: The 78 rpm playback capability is a bonus, but bear in mind that
it’s more of a completist option - serious listening of any 78 rpm disc actually
require a completely different needle/cartridge combo with separate calibration
and a separate phono pre-amp to deal with the 78 rpm unique RIAA equalization,
which differs from the regular RIAA equalization used on 33-1/3 and 45 rpm
recordings. The Clearaudio gives better bass response and a roomier soundstage
than the Rega. But the Rega produces more thrilling dynamics
and more focused audio. If 78 rpm is a must-have, go with
the Clearaudio Concept.
Overall, I’d have a difficult
time choosing between
those two.
SPLURGE-WORTHY
WILLING TO PART WITH SOME SERIOUS DOUGH FOR A GREAT TURNTABLE? The Clearaudio Master Solution is my turntable of choice if only I owned
a much larger vinyl collection. It is built like a tank at more than 60 lbs., and has an industrial look with its own unique touch of elegance. It offers flexibility for
customizations, be it for its sound signature or its accuracy. It comes with a 3” acrylic platter, but no cartridge. Owners can install secondary and tertiary tone-arms.
It’s a plug-and-pray product: you absolutely need to know what you’re doing. You can get creative by
choosing a cartridge made by Benz Micro, or Koetsu to have a more taut bass line and more aggressive
higher frequencies. You can even fit a secondary arm if you choose to do so; something I would strongly
recommend if you want extreme accuracy between 33-1/3 rpm + 45 rpm records and 78 rpm records,
for example. Or even three arms: one for the more sonically complex music such as Stravinsky’s The Rite
of Spring or even The Dark Knight Soundtrack, another optimized for the more sparse recordings such as
Frank Sinatra, and a third specifically to play 78 rpm shellac discs. The price? With Clearaudio’s Satisfy arm,
it’ll set you back $7,130 to sit back and enjoy.
October 2014
| 61
HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
Lynda Kitamura Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA)
AS TOLD TO WALLY HUCKER
“I loved everything at high school;
math, English, languages, Student
Council, sports, organizing school
dances. It was an honour to be
Valedictorian.”
SCHOOL
Osprey P.S., Grey County, ON & Grey Highlands Secondary School, Flesherton, ON
Wilfred Laurier University (WLU), Waterloo, ON, Honours BBA
Society of Management Accountants of Ontario, CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, MBA
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Executive Development Program
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors: Director) certification
JOBS
1978 -1982 | Ski resort (weekends and holidays), Collingwood, ON
With husband Tom
by the Colorado River,
Grand Canyon.
1984 -1986 | Hewlett Packard Canada, through WLU co-op program
1986 -1988 | HP Canada, Business Analyst
Stopping on the ski
hill to snap a selfie with
her daughter Emily.
1988 -1990 | HP Canada, Accountant, Apollo Computer Inc.
1991-1993 | HP Canada, Administrative Supervisor
“Working with staff throughout the
U.S. and South America, I became
adept at working with and managing
remote teams.”
“I made my Asia calls in evenings,
European calls in the morning,
North and South America calls in the
afternoon, and often executive calls
on the weekends.”
“Sometimes those past lessons of what
not to do have been the most useful.”
1993 -1994 | HP Americas, Americas Pricing Manager (based in Mississauga, ON)
2000 -2008 | HP Canada, CFO and V.P., F&A
2008 -2009 | HP Canada, V.P., HP America Enterprises Business
2009 -2010 | Hewlett Packard, V.P., Finance, Worldwide Services Business
2012 -2013 | Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA), CFO, Toronto, ON
2013-2014 | EPRA, CFO & V.P., Operations, Toronto, ON
“I took a sabbatical in 2010 to be with
my mother who was coping with
Alzheimer’s, to do charity work, and be
with my family. My husband Tom and
children Emily and Jason are my delight.”
“I backpacked with my now husband
25 years ago through Australia
and New Zealand. It was exciting for
me to return this past February with our
daughter at University of Sydney.”
“Love the outdoors and weekends at our chalet in
Collingwood: skiing, hiking, boating, golfing, and tennis.”
th a kangaroo
LIFE LESSONS
“Your integrity is more important than your paycheque. Be prepared to do the right thing no matter how unpopular or difficult.”
“Gratitude, kindness and humour are a tonic on the toughest days; indulge in each liberally.”
“Know when to analyze and when to act.”
62 |
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“I waited and bussed tables at a
private club, finding time flies if you’re
busy and proud of your work. I saw
employees hiding to avoid work, and
they were the most miserable.”
“I discovered it is critical to learn about
other cultures and how to get feedback
from them. For example, in Brazil it is
disrespectful to disagree with superiors.
So the Brazilians would agree with
a plan and I’d fly home, but nothing
would happen.”
1995 -1999 | HP Canada, Operations Manager
PASSIONS & POINTS
s wi
t you cross path
Where else migh
?
ate
m
a,
ali
str
than in Au
“My prof at a Schulich School of
Business (York University) accountancy
course said I qualified to go to the
Harvard School of Business. Flattered,
but never having done anything just
for status, I entered the second year of
the Mac MBA program directly.”
“In 2002 there were two simultaneous
major mergers. HP acquired Compaq,
and integrated Intria (payment and
information processing) into the brand.
We tripled to over 3,000 employees.”
HOME IS WHERE
THE HI-FI IS
SP0BLKCA
MIKEYDIGILIGHTN
AP650WHT70V
D&H assembles a multi-category linecard, services and operations based on
customer needs and preferences to ensure value from doing business with us.
Every customer also has a dedicated sales rep to assist with their account. D&H
constantly enhances dandh.ca, improves communications, and reinvents programs
to make sure you can stay ahead of the market. We even have the D&H App for
iPhone® and iPod® touch for quick and convenient ordering.
D&H knows your business and makes it their #1 priority by bringing you a
diverse, cross-category product selection featuring solutions for every
market and every customer.
SC1411BTR
EXTDP141B
YOURR
NATIONALL
TECHNOLOGYY
DISTRIBUTORR
www.dandh.ca | 800.340.1008
* Phone not included
OMNI 20 - WIRELESS HD STEREO LOUDSPEAKER
OMNI 10 - WIRELESS HD LOUDSPEAKER
ADAPT - WIRELESS HD AUDIO ADAPTER
EVERY ROOM TOGETHER
IN WIRELESS HARMONY.
Enjoy beautiful sound from room to room with the touch of
a button. With unrivaled sound quality, simple wireless
setup and complete app control, your music never stops.
DISTRIBUTED ECLUSIVELY IN CANADA BY
21000 TransCanada
Baie D’Urfé • Québec • H9X 4B7
Tél.: (514) 457-2555 • Fax: (514) 457-5507
www.eriksonconsumer.com

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