Ambassador Grant

HOW IS YOUR ROOM SET UP?

The room is 6.8M long x 5M wide x 2.2M high. This is a dedicated domed conversion built as a music room. The listening position is a two seater sofa two thirds of the way down the room. Have storage for about 6000 vinyl 12 inch singles and LP’s and around 5000 CD’s. This room is only used for music, with a small desk in one corner when working from home.

We had the room built just to act as the music room as well as having a small desk for the times when I work from home. The room is probably smaller than your average buyers room and because of the build as a dormer there is one sloping wall, the Dirac Live processor has transformed the sound and friends with much more expensive systems are amazed at the sound quality. The ceiling height was restricted because of building regulations and was the highest we could have without having to get planning permission.

WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL WHEN LOOKING FOR NEW SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFERS?

The previous speakers were the Kef LS50 Meta with the KC62 subwoofer. Whilst these sounded very clear and the subwoofer added some much needed heft to the sound, I was always worried over driving them. I was after a pair of speakers that were detailed, with good bass and with good power handling. Bass was important, but it has to be precise. One track I always use to test bass is Hans Zimmer, Live in Prague, with the Track You’re so cool. Hans progresses across different drums, and the key is to be able to tell which drums he is on. Some speakers turn all the drums into one note.

WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?

YouTube and other reviews, was interested by the reported quality at the price point.

I believe the first was the Cheapaudioman review, however, I would never go on one review alone, and so watched a few others before placing the order. Including Steve Guttenberg.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ARENDAL SOUND?

The reviews were key, as there was no store to hear these in. Value for money was also a consideration, I have spent a lot of money over the years chasing the perfect sound, but I think these Arendal speakers have stopped my need to upgrade the speakers.

These replaced the Kef LS50 Meta speakers, which were excellent, however, I was always worried about overdriving them, so looked at a larger speaker that could handle the sort of listening levels that I listen to, probably not good for my ears, but at 64 years old the damage is done. Having watched the reviews, I was very impressed with the build quality and the use of high-density fibreboard.

YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE PRODUCTS?

I have had many speakers over the years, many models of these speakers are still revered to this day.

B&W DM12 Kef reference 101 speakers Kef Coda 2 Quad Electrostatic ELS 57 JVC zero 9 Eclipse Time Domain TD510 Eclipse Time Domain TD512 Magnepan SMGa speakers (upgraded crossover and woodwork) Rogers ls3/5a Gale model 4 speakers JR149 speakers B&W Team Solid Speakers ACoustic Research AR93 speakers Gale model 4 speakers Epos M5i Epos Es11 Kef LS50 Meta speakers Kef KC62 subwoofer

The Eclipse Time Domain speakers were superb at imaging, however, I feel that the Arendal speakers have surpassed these, with very precise imaging. The bass is precise and has real attack and punch without sounding bloated or slow.

The build quality and finish is second to none. The terminals on the speakers are certainly the best I have had on any of the many speakers I have had.

WHAT ELSE DOES YOUR SYSTEM CONSIST OF?

• Amplifier: Naim CI Uniti 102 amplifier, this is one day old and replaced a Naim NAC 282/NAP 250 amplifier, so far, it certainly controls the speakers very well.
• Source devices: Technics SL1210GR with Denon 103R cartridge, KEM fluid damper, Achromat and Funk Firm Houdini & Glanz MC transformers; WiiM Ultra streamer into a Douk U2 Pro Reclocker
• Subwoofer: SVS SB 2000 Subwoofer
• Other: Arendal 1723 Monitor S speakers; Minidsp SHD Dirac Live, this is needed as the dormer has a sloping wall on one side.
• Rack: recently changed the hi-fi rack so it’s more in keeping with the speakers’ aesthetics.
• Future upgrades: Probably no hi-fi upgrades other than a pair of tower speakers by Arendal and maybe an Arendal subwoofer.

HOW HAPPY ARE YOU WITH ARENDAL SOUND PRODUCTS?

Very pleased, the service was second to none.

I received the pair of speakers a couple of days before Christmas, the boxes were shrink wrapped so when receiving them from the carrier, there didn’t appear to be any damage to the box.

However, once I had unboxed them, I found a large hole in the bottom of one speaker (see photo). From the damage, it looks like a forklift hit them.

Got in touch, and Lukas arranged a replacement, it was delayed because of the Christmas break, so was listening in mono for around 10 days.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

Since I bought my first HiFi system in 1978, with my first wage packet, I have been a music lover primarily and an audiophile second. Over the years, I have had quite a lot of equipment go through my hands, as you can see from the list below. The Arendal speakers are one component that I won’t be upgrading anytime soon. In hindsight, I do wish I had bought the floor standing model, as these would have fitted in better visually in the room.

Previous components: Akai AM2400 amplifier, Leak 3020 speakers, Technics SL1600 turntable, Goodmans DB50 pro speakers, Audio Linear TD4001 Turntable, Kef reference 101 speakers, Lentek MC to MM phono stage, Naim NAC12 preamp, Naim NAP 160, Naim SNAPS, NAIM NAC 42, Technics SL110A turntable, Musical Fidelity The Preamp, Kef Coda 2, Quad 405 mk2 power amplifier, Quad Electrostatics els 57, Naim unitiqute 2, Naim Atom, Naim NAP 250, Naim NAC 72 with Ryan Sound Lab cards, Pioneer PD1 CD player, Technics SL p 10 CD Player, Philips CD104, AR 94 Speakers, Denon D90 midi system, Mitchell synchro turntable, Rega r300 arm, Linn LK140 power amp, Cyrus smart power amp, Slimp3 player, Logitech squeezebox 2, Logitech squeezebox 3, Logitech squeezebox touch, JVC Zero 9 speakers, B&w dm12, Dali Lektor 1, Hafler dh110 preamp, Nad 3020, Technics SE-A5 mk1 power amplifier, Magnum MP150 / MF150 Pre – Power Amplifier, B&o CDX CD player, Sony MDS JE520 minidisc full size, Sony MZR-30 minidisc Walkman, Sony Walkman Pro Wm d6c, B&o Beogram 1700, Boothroyd Stuart Meridian 101 Control Unit Pre Amplifier, Akai tape deck CS F110, Technics tape deck rsb 85, Lecson AP1 AC1 amps, Technics SLP 333 CD player, Sharp RT10, Eclipse Time Domain TD510, Eclipse Time Domain TD512, Magnepan SMGa speakers (upgraded crossover and woodwork), Thorens TD160, Thorens TD150, SME Series 3 tone arm, Stax SR5 Electrostatic Headphones, Pioneer A400, Marantz PM 40, Denon tuner TU 260, Angle Audio phono stage, Lentek phono stage, Audiolab 8000, Rogers ls3/5a, Gale model 4 speakers, JR149 speakers, B&W Team Solid Speakers, Quad 303 Power Amp, Audio Note Kit 4 amplifier, Fons cq30 turntable, STD 305 turntable, Mayware Formula 4 tone arm, Syrinx pu 2 tonearm, ACoustic Research AR93 speakers, Trichroic Dino mk1 phono stage, Tricord Dino mk2 phono stage with NC power supply, Gale model 4 speakers, Epos M5i, Epos Es11, Teac Reference 500 series system midi amp, cd, tuner and mini disk, NAD 3020a amplifier, Rega Planer 2, Rega Planer 3, Rega Planer 5, Inspire Audio Turntable, Nytech 252 Amplifier, Avondale Monoblocs, Audiolab 600CDT transport, Naim Supercap, Naim Headline, Mofi phono stage, Sony WM R202 Walkman, iPod classic 160gb, Sony MZ -R30 minidisc Walkman, Teac 500 reference system, Pro-Ject Preamp Pre Box S2 Digital Black, Naim Dac V1, Naim Flatcap 2X, Hifi Rose RS150, Schiit Modius DAC, Arendal 1723 Monitor S speakers, Kef LS50 Meta speakers, Kef KC62 subwoofer, Naim Supernait 2, Dali subwoofers x 2, Naim Hicap, Sonneteer Sedley phono stage, Naim Stageline K phono stage, Naim NAP 250.2, Naim NAC282 & Teddy Pardo PSU’s, Fosi Audio ZA3 x 2 mono mode

The vinyl storage solution needs to have a rethink perhaps a custom built unit rather than Ikea Kallax so I can fit more vinyl in. The CD collection shown is only half of my collection. My musical tastes are 70’s and 80 soul, Disco and Jazz and Jazz Funk. I am a big collector of 12 inch singles as I always thought these gave me the best audio quality for my type of music. My wife and I share a love of the same music and so our happy place is a Friday evening once I have finished work, chilling, listening to music with a couple of Pastel de nata (custard tarts) and a bottle of Port. I still buy new vinyl, trying to support artists that I have met in person as well as up and coming artists. I go to many live gigs in the UK. The next one will be to see Azimuth, the Brazilian Jazz Funk band who have been turning out releases for over 40 years.

Setup details