I will call this another music streamer which is partially true. Innous is brand came about around year 2009. Not so old brand for hi-fi. For the last decade streaming platforms have pop up all over the world like mushrooms. I am not just talking about music streaming but any kind of streaming services is like a must have this days. For hi-fi there is no escape from this as well.
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June 2, 2024
Another music streamer
May 6, 2024
Listening to the Imposing Frank AB-2 Tower Sub Loudspeakers
Posted by Tan
Our very own Malaysian hifi maven Frankie Voon, the head honcho of the Frank Acoustics outfit, rolled out his Frank AB-2 Tower Sub loudspeaker system in late 2020. I have always wanted to have a listen to these loudspeakers personally, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation then, I never had such an opportunity. Until recently that is.
The owner of a Frank AB-2 Tower Sub installation invited a few of us for a visit to his home for a live listening session of his system. Finally my years-long wait was fulfilled.
When I first came across the Frank AB-2 Tower Sub system design, I was definitely impressed by its versatility. It is a pair of tower loudspeakers incorporating two 9in Scanspeak woofers per side. The towers are tall, at 6ft 6in (almost 2m), they are taller than any person I know (An audiophile friend of mine likes loudspeakers that are taller than him, these Frank AB-2 towers would surely fit the bill 😜).
The Frank AB-2 has a built-in cavity at its mid-section for the owner to place a bookshelf loudspeaker of his choice (as seen in the photo above) to cover the mid and high frequencies. Frank Acoustics can also supply you with a pair of their monitors if you so preferred.
A built in crossover routes the bass part of the audio signal to the woofers, and the mid and high to the bookshelf loudspeaker. You can also choose to run the bookshelf loudspeakers full range, i.e., not have the AB-2 crossover filtering out the bass frequencies to the bookshelf speakers, in which case the AB-2 would be adding bass on top of the bookshelf speakers to augment and extend their bass performance. There is also an ambiance tweeter at the back of the tower to convey the air in the recordings.
The Frank AB-2 Tower Sub's height and size gives it an imposing presence in any mid to even large size listening room. I bet any visitor would be mighty impressed seeing them in your listening room, I know they did that to me during my visit.
"Wow, this is a big sound." that was the first thought that popped into my head at my first listen. Yes indeed, like its imposing stature, this Frank AB-2 based system conjured up a big sound, with a soundstage that covered wall to wall. I was surprised that having the mid and highs handled by a pair of bookshelf speakers but the bass played through the bass towers, it seemed to have freed up the sound tremendously. This loudspeaker system could play a volume level that would definitely stress almost all if not all bookshelf loudspeakers. This system also sounded dynamic, speed and attack were handled with aplomb. It was an exciting listen on drum and electronic music with lots of bass line.
On the other hand, this system also showed a saturated and vivid tonal color, rather than the somewhat bleached tonality that plagued some modern HiFi equipment. Vocal, may it be male or female, was served very well.
I believe the overall sound of a Frank AB-2 based system would be influenced by the bookshelf loudspeakers you choose to pair with the Frank AB-2, therein lies the versality of this design. You can retain the use of your favorite bookshelf speakers by incorporating them into the Frank AB-2.
I am sure the Frank AB-2 Tower Sub approach would give you an excellent upgrade path if you are a bookshelf speaker user. Given how hifi equipment is priced nowadays, this is definitely a bang-for-the-buck upgrade too.
Interested to know more about the Frank AB-2 Tower Sub loudspeakers? Click this link to the Frank Acoustic website to get more design details, pricing and contact info -> click here.
May 2, 2024
Northern International Audio & Visual Show Penang 2024
The Northern Audio & Video show in Penang that has just concluded recently. Like any other show, some pretty faces shown at the entrance to one of the showroom. The show is held in Amari hotel in Penang.
This is a brand from Kiwi Land. The speaker is some what an open baffle design for the bottom 2 woofers. The amplifier itself is pretty unique to be able to select up to 8 different colors to suite the buyer.
The new PSB speakers. Small but with pretty big sound.
JW Speaker Lab from “tanahku, Malaysia”. It’s also sold as DIY if someone who love to give it a go to build a speaker.
This is a speaker for “Star Wars” fan. With its color , this looks very close to a tie fighter in the movie.
The million dollar club setup of Dali Kore and CH Precision gears. Setup for the elite.
Some down to earth brand like Wiim amp and streamer. Also the most recently hot brand like Eversolo on display.
Mofi and Fender turntable. Limited edition. This is the guitar brand Fender combine with Mofi producing this unique turntable with the plinth like the body of the guitar.
The Mofi bookshelf speakers with the Mofi / Fender Turntable and Hifi Rose integrated amplifier.
PS Audio had recently launch their first speaker. No surprise with PS Audio now have a complete hardware from amp, power regen, source players and now with speaker.
CCY engineering class “A” power amplifier. All design and made in Malaysia.
CCY amplifier with Xavian speaker on demo.
The prowess of the elite Air Tight with Tannoy. Pure eargasm for the hifi enthusiasts
The ATC speakers and pre-amp. This is what I called the muscle speakers
The line of B&W from the entry to the upper range of diamond floor standers. Real eye candy.
For the HT enthusiasts, ranges from AVR to pure processors and power amps from Marantz
Lots of blink-blink from this one. The most eye catching is the green glowing tube.
Borresen and Aavik matches up like a great couple.
The east meet the west. British speaker Monitor Audio with the Japanese Michi pre and power amps.
MSB DAC and Amps with the Marten speakers. Is a class on its own.
The familiar golden family of Accuphase hardwares with Sonus Faber speakers.
A well known combo of Naim with Focal Sopra speakers couple with dual REL subwoofers.
Cayin tube integrated amp with Audio Vector speakers and Chord Dave DAC.
Classic looking NAD integrated amp pairing the PSB bookshelf.
The Frame
Is a very unique name given to this beautiful piece of “Art” which is non other than the Samsung Frame TV. The name frame does reflect the purpose of this TV for any home and any space in the home. The thing about creativity of interior design decoration really doesn’t have the limit. It’s always been a challenge for designer to make the TV less ambitious especially in the living room. There are other that goes to length to hide TV when not in use. The thing is TV is an essential item and more likely it will sit in the center of the home. Is great entertainment and most certainly works well for family and friends to gather for some good movies or games. The obvious will come when the TV is being turn off or when not in use. Is seating this big black box like a center piece of the room. The problem is not the case when you have the room with some nice featured wall with nice pieces of furniture and carpets making the room look with the feel of comfy. The black box (TV) just sticking out like a sore thumb. The workaround solution is to either hide it or try to design something around it. Unless everything in the room is pretty dark colour or black, what ever the design is will still be looking at the black box.
Samsung comes to the saving with its idea of why not turning a TV into an art work or another piece of deco to go with what you have in design. The name frame given to the TV is there to tell that this is a photo frame or art frame that can be easily hang on the wall and set up with some good quality pictures to blend with the rest of the room. Being design the TV like a picture frame is no doubt the TV comes with inter changeable bezel. With simple white or black colour to walnut wood finish. Options to allow to blend with other photo frames or picture frames. Personally, white is my favourite, it just gives the feel of the border between virtual and the real world from the wall behind it to the display on the TV.
January 13, 2024
Northern International Audio & Visual Show Penang 2024 is ON!
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Northern International Audio & Visual Show Penang is ON! |
As the title goes, we are happy to announce that the Northern International Audio & Video Show Penang 2024 is confirmed to be held at Amari Spice Hotel Penang from 26-28th April 2024.
As this show is co-sponsored by the Penang state government, show entrance is FOC, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the latest in Audio & Visual has to offer! Not only that, for 3 nights consecutively there will also be after show concert by regional & top local bands.
The show is aimed to be family friendly, so do bring them along as there will be something for all in the family. See you all in Penang this coming April!