Acoustic Platform Solutions - Give Your Bookshelves Some Weight

When I visited the APS shop in Amcorp Mall, I first thought it was a business take over of the previous ATS hifi rack shop. However, after a chit chat session with Dino and George, there was more than just it brightly lit shop and array of wooden solutions for your racking needs. Their vision is to offer the local hifi fraternity, products that is fully backed up by high technical standards.

Before setting up the shop, APS collaborated with one of the local university to run tests on various materials including metal, acrylic, wood and composite. Dino, who has a Physics education background, is using the basis of design of reducing resonance and dissipate vibration as quickly as possible from the source. Using CAD and acoustic lab set up, APS have found that rubber wood seems to be the material that shows the best result. Wood, being (or used to be) a living organism, have a random cell arrangement that helps to dissipate vibration faster. APS is also is in partnership with a Danish design company that is based in Bangkok. The prototype was designed and built there. This arrangement will continue to cater for the demand from consumer. According to Dino who is also in charge of international market, there is also a plan for the product to be sold in UK through Richer Sounds and Superfi. Besides the material, APS also looked into various elements such as the number of pillars required, thickness of plinth, optimum angle for rack platform and even optimum number of screws required to assemble the stands.

When they offered me to review the pair of speaker stands, I quickly said yes. Its been a while since I listen to a pair of bookshelves speakers since my last EPOS M12.2. I can now also get to see how much of APS design can deliver its claims with regards to making music sing.

I have tried a few speakers with this stands, mainly SVS Prime Satellite, a full range DIY speakers and Mission MV-2. I settled with the Mission to give the final review.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Clearaudio Concept TT
• Musical Fidelity M1 ViNL
• Musical Fidelity M6i integrated amp
• Musical Fidelity M1 CLiC
• Mission MV-2
• Vermouth Audio Black Pearl speaker cable 

THE TRACKS

• Special arrangement by Alfonso Soliano (LP)
• Money for Nothing by Dire Straits (LP)
• Hotel California by The Eagles (hi res 24/192)

First track up was this special arrangement by Alfonso Soliano of a local folklore. The first thing that hit me was how clean the sound was. The wind instrument used on this track, previously can sound a bit thin and harsh on the highs. But this time around, it sounded more full and weightier. Gone was the feeling that it will sound really ear pinching when high notes were played. The APS stands somehow open up the track more by allowing the track to come out sounding weightier. I would not say the stands add a more defined low ends but I guess the stands allow more music to flow through the speakers.

Up next was one of my favourite track from Dire Straits.The drums intro on this track sounded really bold and with quite a good bass texture for a small bookshelf speaker. Each hit of the toms sounded fully embodied with bass coupled with the roaring guitar intro, the overall sound was a natural and it really sings. Somehow, the dissipation of vibration allows more music to come out from the speakers.

The final track was to see how the speaker stands perform with a hi res digital as source. Playing Hotel California at 24/192, the overall presentation was definitely more natural than what I have heard before. The guitar intro, eventhough a bit on a high side, again the speaker stands managed to somehow allow the music sounded livelier with a good exposure to some low end notes and vocal transparency.

CONCLUSIONS

Is your bookshelves speakers sounding a bit dull and restraint? Or even too muddled? Set it free with a proper set of speaker stands. Not just any stands. Do try APS stands and experience how your music can be set free. Hear more by reducing those unwanted vibrations. This pair of speaker stands from APS does give a positive impact on sound delivery of your speakers. Music sounds livelier from bookshelf speakers with a good bass texture and natural vocals. It 'cleans' up some of those harsh high notes as well.

For its price, (starting at RM650), it definitely affordable to a lot of people in this hobby. 

If you are interested to give it a try, they are located at Lot 223, 2nd Floor, Amcorp Mall.

Give George (012 2955266) or Greg (011 39300083) a call.

From Blogger to Vlogger - Vermouth Audio Black Pearl Speaker Cable

Hi fellow readers... I am trying something new here. Currently, I am reviewing this speaker cable but for the introduction, I have started a video blog (vlogger) and this is my first attempt of doing a video review.

I will still provide the full write up but just trying something new.

JVC DLA-X Series Projector Launched!

I have always loved the picture quality from JVC projectors eversince I was first introduced to the RS series a few years back. My attempt to install one in 2014 did not fall through due to the design of my hall. Nevertheless, my interest and wish to install one in my home have not diminished completely. So, when Tony and James of AV Designs invited me for this event to launch the new DLA series projector by JVC, I quickly said yes.

It started with a simple Italian lunch, talking about the local economy and the market in general. The usual crowd of Mr. Dick Tan, Willy Low and Lam Seng Fatt were also there and also, the rep from JVC, Mr. Steve.

It was a very informal launch where it started with Tony and James explained some of the features of the new DLA series projectors ranging from the DLA-X5000 to X7000 and to the flagship model X9000. JVC have now introduced an even better specs than the RS series. With the range of brightness between 1700 to 1900 lm, JVC is confident that the visual displayed will have richer of blacks with finer details. This new series is catered for the upcoming 4K UHD medium, compatible with HDMI standard 4K60P and HDCP 2.2. It is also compatible with HDR content and has a contrast ratio up to 1,500,000:1

  

We were then brought into the first demo room where the X5000 model was installed and equipped with Pioneer AVR and Bryston speakers.

 

With this entry level model, the detail and black level was already much of improvement compared to the RS 49 or 48 model. Sharper images in dark scenes and even better during a bright scene. The new eShift4 4K technology also helps in bringing more solid visual. And this was just using standard BD. I cant wait when we actually have the official 4K UHD player and BD.

But this was just a taste of what things to come. We were then brought into AV Designs flagship home theatre room where the top model of X9000 was installed. Now, I have always been impressed with this room but this time around, I was totally immersed in the visual displayed from this projector. I was mesmerized more on the visual compared to the full PMC and Bryston  audio system.

With this top model, there is no doubt that it emphasize even more on ensuring that the black level is presented in more depth and detail. 

Now, AV Designs existing customers whom have bought the previous JVC projectors models, PAY ATTENTION!

AV Designs is offering a trade in mechanism for those whom is interested to upgrade to this DLA series. So, if  you are ready to get onto the upcoming 4K UHD bandwagon, please contact James or Tony from AV Designs.

For those who wants to start afresh, the X5000 model will be sold at an RRP of RM 19,999 including GST and the X9000 model will be sold at RRP of RM39,999.

For me.... if I can find a solution to my hall set up, I would buy the X5000 model without even blinking an eye. I cant wait to see the Batman vs Superman 4K UHD BD when it comes out on this projector. 

Klipsch Is Back - But Was It Ever Away?

Very recently, I received an invite from Mr. Kenny Sea of WKH (WorldKlassHifi) to attend a Klipsch Reference Premiere launch event in his new outlet in Bandar Sri Damansara. Without hesitation, I accepted the invite especially that it is really near my home.

As I arrived the place, I was greeted by Kenny himself. The event was attended by Mr. Dick Tan, Willy Low and a couple of other industry gentleman. The highlight of the event was the talk and discussion with Mr. Chuck Chen, the rep from Klipsch Group Asia. The event was fill with the latest update on Klipsh wireless speakers (2.0 up to 7.2) and their limited edition 'reissue' of Heresy and Klipschorn speakers to celebrate their 70th anniversary.

There was also an array of TEAC products on the shelf.

If there are any queries about Klipsch or TEAC products, WKH can be contacted at 03-62700035.