May 2024 ertonline.co.uk


Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Head of Product


Circularity and Portfolio Planning at B&O, says the 9000c system is “not just a product, but a celebration of design, and craftsmanship”. Meanwhile, British-based Ruark Audio is a master at chic, retro-inflected design, as its latest R410 music system (pictured right) testifies. This trendy all-in-one is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aptX HD enabled, plays nice with Apple AirPlay2, and Chromecast, and offers high res music file support, up to 24-bit 19KHz. It also has HDMI eARC so that buyers can park it with their TV, instead of a soundbar. It’s also got the brand’s retro Scandi look.


There are two versions of the R410 to choose from, one with an all-encompassing eco-wood veneer enclosure, and the other in modernistic grey. Both share the same slatted wooden facia. While it’s clearly a looker, usability hasn’t been sacrificed. Rear-side connectivity includes an analogue phono input for turntables, while there’s also an Ethernet port, for wired networking, and USB-C plus the choice of DAB, DAB+, and FM radio.


Feeling nostalgic


For those looking for something even more definitive, Ruark Audio also has the R810. It shares many of R410’s design motifs, including the veneered cabinet and handcrafted grille, but stands tall on a polished chrome stand. It’s also a room filler in the grandest sense, with a 4.1 channel Class A-B amplifier and 180W amplifier. Behind the grille are two 30mm Ruark silk dome tweeters and a pair of 100mm paper cone woofers; a 200mm Ruark long throw paper cone subwoofer delivers deep bass. “The inspiration for our original R7 and now R810 came from the beautiful radiogram that my Grandmother had in her home,” says Alan O’Rourke, Ruark Managing Director. “As a kid I would spend hours listening to radio stations, playing records and dancing. R810 is our most technically advanced product to date, but a loving homage to those radiograms of yesteryear.”


Hamilton-based Tannoy is also feeling nostalgic. The


loudspeaker company is


marking its 70th anniversary by releasing a new iteration of its formidable Autograph speaker. Slavishly reflecting the original,


1954, buyers will be drawn to its handcrafted cabinet and luxury-looking rich walnut veneer.


launched in


Similarly, Danish loudspeaker specialist Audiovector has launched a new iteration of what was once its signature offering, the Trapeze. The Trapeze Reimagined takes the design of


the original, a compact trapezoid


cabinet, and updates it with the latest tech. Born in 1979, a creation of company founder, Ole Klifoth, the original Trapeze was an attempt to bring the sound of a live concert hall home. The design has the front of the speaker angled towards the listener, while its rear plane remains parallel to the wall. This not only helps eliminate standing waves, but makes installation virtually impossible to get wrong. Simply line up the back of the speaker with a wall, and there’s no additional toe-in required.


Build quality is gorgeous too; the Trapeze Reimagined (featured left) is hand veneered and available in a variety of hues. Inside, a thick layer of natural felt surrounds the mid and treble drivers, to better absorb reflected energy. There’s also a two-layer aluminium plinth with


built-in decoupling, achieved using carbon steel ball bearings and Audiovector spikes, to reduce distortion and any speaker/floor interaction. I’ve given the end result a thorough listen, and was left convinced that the £15,500 price tag was entirely reasonable!


Size matters


Not all good design is retro inflected. UK audio outfit Q Acoustics has rewritten the rulebook when it comes to mainstream Hi-Fi with its new M40 active loudspeaker line. Out go the imposing towers beloved by Hi-Fi geeks, but generally frowned upon by partners and families, and in comes the M40 micro-tower wireless audio system. Boasting a room-friendly form factor, and available in Black, White and Walnut, these 71cm tall enclosures should work with any decor and enhance the room they’re in. Compact they may be, but there’s no skimping on performance, with two 100 watts of Class D amplification on tap, and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD support. They also sport a turntable input, with a built-in preamp, USB and digital optical audio input. The M40’s fixed grille design not only looks slick, it minimises sound disruption patterns, enhancing overall sonic performance. By fixing it to the baffle, rather than having it removable, the speaker benefits from greater rigidity. >>


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Q Acoustics M40 loudspeakers. Above: Beosystem 9000c music system


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