AWE hosted its annual exposition earlier this month, welcoming more than 200 industry professionals to a series of events that took place over four days beginning on May 14.
The expo was hosted at AWE’s Epsom-based headquarters and show apartment in London, where attendees got a first chance to look at the latest, most innovative new products from the company’s distributed brands. They were treated to multiple product overviews, live demonstrations and exclusive previews, before settling down to enjoy AWE’s sizzling hog roast.
For the first time at this year’s event, AWE showcased a dedicated Music Room that saw demos of the most innovative new audio products from brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Classé, Denon and Marantz. Taking center stage in the room were five innovative Hi-Fi setups involving new products from those brands, with prices ranging from a budget-friendly £600 to over £50,000 for the most immersive, high-end audio experience money can buy.
During the expo, AWE announced that it will become the U.K. distributors for U.S. AV company Stealth Acoustics, which has specialized in plaster-in speakers since 2003. At the event, attendees were treated to a sneak preview of that company’s next-generation LineaRadiance invisible speakers, which represent the eighth generation of its flat radiating diaphragm speakers.
Another highlight at AWE Expo 2024 was the revamped Reference and Performance Cinema Rooms, which showcased a number of novel cinema setups at a variety of price points.
According to AWE, the Performance Cinema was updated with Marantz power amplification and Dirac Live Calibration. AWE showcased a 7.4.4 configuration setup featuring the Bowers & WIlkins CI700 series speakers, demonstrating the possibilities for cinemas willing to invest between £30,000 and £50,000, with a series of example configurations. The full setup employed four Bowers & Wilkins ISW-8 12-inch in-wall subwoofers that were powered by DSP-optinmized CDA02HD amps, combined with Epson’s high-end EH-LS12000B true 4K laser projector to deliver a truly immersive combination of images and surround sound.
As for the Reference Cinema, this hosted state-of-the-art gear valued at between £200,000 and £300,000, depending on the exact configuration. It’s a highly-immersive 15.4.6 channel audio system powered by an advanced Marantz AV10 processor with two AMP10s and four Bowers & Wilkins CDA-2HD amplifiers set to BTL mode.
Installed within the Reference Cinema were 15 Bowers & Wilkins CI800 Diamond Series in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, plus three of Sony’s most advanced 4K laser projectors, including the hugely powerful, 10,000 lumens Sony GTZ-380. The advantage of Sony’s laser projectors is that they can be switched easily and are more than capable of filling out the entire ADEO MovieMask LR screen.
Last but not least, AWE showcased technologies for media rooms, home offices and corporate boardrooms. Within the Boardroom, attendees got to see custom cabinetry from Digital Furniture housing a Bowers & Wilkins CI600 Series 3.2 audio system, with a Marantz Cinema 60 AMP and an 85-inch Sony Pro Bravia display sitting as the focal point.
AWE Managing Director Stuart Tickle hailed what he said was “another great year for AWE Expo”, expressing thanks to everyone who helped to make it happen.
“The whole team at AWE are really pleased following our hard work to expand our portfolio and upgrade our first-class space to demonstrate what our industry does best – it’s been an extremely rewarding experience,” he said. “If you missed AWE Expo, we invite you to book a private visit to our show apartment, where we look forward to showing you, and your clients, the latest solutions.”
