Here at Audio Affair we pride ourselves on our in store range, and the ability to offer friendly demonstrations of a wide variety of equipment. While our website may be a big part of what we do, many of our key products we have on demonstration for you to come and listen to and try out, and even if we don’t, we may be able to get it for you to try! What makes us stand out from the masses of internet businesses is our in-store presence, our knowledgeable friendly staff and our ability to tailor your demonstration and experience. We are happy for customers to bring their own equipment to truly grasp the improvements or upgrade a particular piece of kit might have, and we also offer a 30 day money back guarantee should you get something home and change your mind!
This blog is to shed a little light on some of the great kit and quality brands we have on demonstration in our Birmingham showroom. Why not pop in for a cup of tea and a demonstration and see how good your music can really sound!
KEF
KEF are a reputable British loudspeaker manufacturer, who have made a name for themselves in the industry over the past 50 or so years as one of the mainstays of quality hi-fi speakers. As one of the UK’s KEF Reference Dealers, we offer a wide range of KEF speakers on demonstration, and they are a key part of our instore product range.
The formidable KEf Reference 207/2 and KEF R700 on display in our showroom!
With speakers to match every taste, requirement and budget, we offer much of KEF’s range to try in store. Ranging from the award-winning KEF Q300 Bookshelf Speakers to the behemoth Reference 207/2, we offer a variety of KEF speakers to demo, and are always happy to accommodate any pairings or comparative demonstrations you might require.
KEF Reference 203/2 Speakers in Racing Red!
With news of KEF’s new jaw-dropping Reference range announced at the Munich High End Show this month, we can’t wait to get our demo stock in. The premium Blue Ice White and Copper Black Aluminium finishes are breathtaking, and we will be sure to get some of our demo models in these finishes!
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The new KEF Reference 5 in Copper Black Aluminium. The LS50 clearly having its influence on this finish!
In recent years, KEF celebrated their 50th anniversary with the release of the KEF LS50 Speakers which took the hi-fi industry by storm. Based on the iconic LS3/5a monitor, the LS50 has been one of our best-selling products since its release, which is impressive at £800, and it gathered considerable momentum following its release as stellar reviews and awards flew in from the hi-fi press. The LS50 is permanently on demonstration, so if you haven’t yet heard them, you owe it to yourself to try them!
View the KEF range here.
ProAc
ProAc are something of a staff favourite at Audio Affair, and a brand we like to have on demonstration simply because they (very) rarely fail to impress on audition. From the diminutive ProAc Response D1, right up to the formidable D40R, all the models we have offer something a little bit different.
One thing which images will rarely do justice to, and a key reason why we like to have ProAc products on demonstration, is the incredible craftsmanship and build quality that goes into these speakers. The cabinets are hand-made from solid wood, and are finished impeccably – not the wood veneer or shoddy cabinets that some speakers utilise. Their premium finishes such as Ebony and Rosewood are truly exquisite, and ideal for the more adventurous customer!
The ProAc Response D1 in the exquisite Ebony finish.
The ProAc Response D18 Speakers redefined what a floorstander can do at the £2000 mark, and have won multiple awards due to how impressive they sound. The recently released ProAc D20R Speakers have taken the D18’s successes, and thrown in ProAc’s incredible ribbon tweeter to offer a loudspeaker which has an incredibly sweet and accurate high end, and images like no other. Articulation and separation of instruments is impeccable – we have the D20R on demonstration, and it is hard to have to ever unplug them they sound that good!
The ProAc D30R, D20R and D18 all on display in our showroom!
ProAc speakers’ motto is ‘Just Natural’, which is very apt considering how they sound. Very neutral and accurate, without being fatiguing, the whole ProAc range do what a good loudspeaker should – nothing. They add nothing to the sound, and take nothing away. ProAc are regarded as being a very good partner fro Naim equipment, and we like to demonstrate the two together to show how good the two can sound together!
View the ProAc range here.
Music On Vinyl
With the “vinyl revival” very much underway, we like to offer a wide range of vinyl records in store to compliment some of the turntables and analogue products we offer. While we offer some Classic Records and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL), we have recently taken on a huge range of Music On Vinyl titles, available both online and in store.
Some of the Vinyl Records we have in store!
Ranging from golden oldies like Miles Davis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to more modern titles such as Kings of Leon, Jamiroquai and Michael Jackson, the Music On Vinyl range has something for every taste, and the quality of the pressings is excellent. All done on 180g audiophile vinyl, Music On Vinyl seek to obtain the best possible source from which to master their records, unlike some brands which master from CD.
View the Music On Vinyl range here.
Cyrus
Cyrus is one of those brand names which people equate with proper hi-fi and high end audio. With over 30 years of experience making some of the finest hi-fi products available, the Cyrus range are instantly recognisable by their half width cases and unique design. Cyrus design, manufacture and support their products from the UK – which is rare, but demonstrates Cyrus Audio’s commitment to superior quality and standards.
Some of the Cyrus Signature range on demo.
Cyrus, like many other high end manufacturers, hold to the belief that separating what can be separated results in a better sound. Where some brands see a CD player, Cyrus prefer to offer a separate CD Transport, DAC and Power Supply in three separate units. While they do offer integrated solutions, one of Cyrus huge benefits is the incredible amount of upgradability and options to add more to your system. We stock a big selection of Cyrus products in store, all available for demonstration.
A full rack of Cyrus Components in all its glory!
Cyrus recently announced and release what must be one of the finest all-in-one hi-fi systems available, the Lyric 09 (and its smaller sibling the Lyric 05). Cyrus believe the Lyric 09 is so capable that it can offer performance levels akin to a high-end Cyrus 8 Series separates system. Featuring a CD Player, Streamer, FM, DAB+, Internet Radio, Bluetooth and a DAC, the Lyric systems have been very well received, and deserve all the praise they have been given.
View the Cyrus range here.
Naim Audio
No British hi-fi showroom would be complete without Naim kit. Naim Audio is a name which seems inseparable from discussion of the British hi-fi industry, and Naim have been at the forefront of the industry in their relentless pursuit of the perfect sound. They have produced some iconic kit over the years, much of which is still used and serviced today – a testament to their designs and build.
Naim Audio
Naim are not afraid to innovate or challenge the status quo in achieving the best possible sound – manual CD loading drawers and proprietary cable connections to name just a few examples. With a rich heritage and history of pioneering products in the hi-fi industry, Naim have cultivated a brand which is synonymous with the pinnacle of hi-fi, as well as the values and quality of British hi-fi and manufacturing. Naim Audio is designed and manufactured in Salisbury, UK and their relentless pursuit of sonic perfection has seen a host of awards and stellar reviews. Naim offer a range of integrated amplifiers, pre amplifiers, power amplifiers, CD players, streamers, CD players, DACs, loudspeakers and accessories.
We have the vast majority of Naim equipment on demonstration in our showroom, and are always happy to arrange to get anything that is not out! Pictured below is one of our stands of Naim equipment.
A stand of our Naim kit.
We were visited by Hi-Fi Choice Magazine recently, and it is no coincidence that the high end system we chose to demonstrate used Naim amplification. The formidable Naim NAP 250 and Naim NAC 252 Power and Pre Amplifier combination offers a weight, impact and grip that few other contendors can, and when partnered with Naim power supplies and sources, the synergy and pure musicality is undeniable.
They said of our system that ‘The way it can go from outstanding delicacy to pile-driving force in an instant without losing tonal accuracy or shrinking that phenomenal soundstage is deeply addictive.’ (Hi-Fi Choice Magazine)
View the Naim range here.
Soundbars
What is the point of a swanky flat screen HD television if the sound you experience is tinny, small and flat? A soundbar can solve this! Featuring an array of speakers, some as many as 22 individual drivers, a soundbar can provide expansive, dynamic and room-filling sound to bring you much closer to your movies, sports and music, compliment the calibre of your television and let you enjoy your multimedia the way it should be experienced!
Some of the soundbars we have on demonstration in store!
We have a range of the best soundbars on display in our Birmingham showroom, all connected and ready to try! Pop in and have a listen – we guarantee you’ll be impressed by the difference a good soundbar can make!
Headphones
We offer a wide range of headphones available to demo in store, as well as matching headphone amplifiers – ranging from portable to high end desktop models. We also stock a wide range of in ear headphones, sports headphones and gaming headphones to suit any requirements!
A taste of the headphones we have on demonstration.
We really do have something to suit everyone with headphones, from ear buds ranging right up to top of the range models such as the Sennheiser HD800 or Grado PS1000. All of these are ready to listen to and try for yourself at your convenience.
Some of our high end headphone amplifier.
As well as a large range of headphones to demo, we also have a variety of headphone amplifiers to suit all budgets, ideal to get the most out of your headphones.
Active Speakers & Small Systems
Great sound shouldn’t have to break the bank, nor should it take up acres of space. We have a variety of solutions for budget or compact systems, ranging from small active wireless speakers to mini hi-fi systems.
We offer models such as the Q Acoustics BT3 Wireless Active Speakers, Ruark Audio MR1 Bluetooth Active Speakers or the Yamaha NX-B55 Bluetooth Desktop Speakers. All of these offer something different at different budget, and all will give you a good start in great audio quality.
The Store
This blog just highlights a few of the brands that we offer in store, and is just a drop in the ocean of the range we offer both online and in our showroom (we only have so much space in a blog!).
Some of our range of speakers on demonstration. Some Libratone in the background, KEF Reference 207/2, some Dali, ProAc, Tannoy, more KEF and Focal!
Some of the other brands we have on demonstration but haven’t mentioned include:
– Focal
– Roksan
– Pro-Ject
– Tannoy
– Audiolab
– Icon Audio
– Dali
– Sugden
– SME
We also have a massive range of cables, accessories and other kit that might be of interest, from brands such as Chord, QED, Black Rhodium and Ecosse. We have plenty of vinyl accessories and turntable accessories to help setup your turntable perfectly and have it performing as well as it possibly can!
If you needed any more reasons to come in and have a listen, the following is what separates us from the pack:
– Internet prices in store
– Friendly, knowledgeable staff
– Try or demo before you buy
– 30 day money back guarantee
– 0% Finance Available
– Generous part exchange or trade in for old kit!