With a wealth of experience spanning two decades working for esteemed brands, Mike van Velzen joined Artsound with a strategic vision to expand the brand’s presence in export markets and cater to a broader consumer base. Proficient in both consumer and project sectors, Mike brings a seasoned professionalism to his role. In an exclusive interview with Smart Home World, Mike van Velzen sheds light on the latest product range and unveils plans for Artsound’s venture into the Indian Market

Artsound has been in the industry for around a decade, tell us about your journey so far. 

Artsound was established based on a deep understanding of customer needs. As the parent company distributed various brands across Europe, valuable feedback from dealers and end customers drove the inception of Artsound. Thus, 25 years ago, we embarked on the journey of designing and manufacturing our own speakers and electronics under the Artsound brand. With a philosophy that emphasizes the seamless integration of sound into everyday life, our products accompany consumers throughout their daily routines. Over the past 25 years, Artsound has evolved from a niche player to a comprehensive solutions provider. Today, our motto “We speak sound” reflects our commitment to developing devices that enable users to enjoy music at home, in the office, factory, or while on the move.

What potential opportunities do you foresee for Artsound in the Indian market, given your extensive industry experience?

With Artsound, we bring a wealth of audio expertise and innovation to India, tapping into the country’s rapid societal evolution and vast opportunities. Our collaboration with MZ presents a compelling proposition for our shared customers. Operating across three key sectors—Residential, Professional, and Industrial—we offer European-designed products renowned for their exceptional Price/Quality ratio. You don’t need a hefty budget to experience superior sound quality. Moreover, Artsound’s extensive range caters to diverse customer requirements, providing solutions for various settings including home, work, leisure, and on-the-go. Our flexibility ensures adaptation to the unique needs of the Indian market, delivering exceptional audio experiences wherever you go.

How do you plan to leverage your partnership with MZ to launch and establish Artsound’s presence in India?

We believe that the strong presence and experience of MZ in India, together with the extensive product range of Artsound will offer a multitude of solutions for Indian consumers and businesses. MZ has a proven track record, and holds tone of the DNA pillars of ArtSound: `listen before you talk’. Base your activities on what a consumer need. Be it in a home setting, offering attractive multiroom/multizone solutions, or in a business offering a relaxed atmosphere to both employees and customers. We are very happy with the partnership and 27 years of experience in India that MZ brings to the table. 

Can you elaborate on the range of audio products that Artsound intends to introduce in India through the partnership with MZ?

Artsound is committed to introducing products tailored to meet the demands of the Indian market. Currently, our focus lies on traditional installation solutions, particularly consumer home products such as our popular Happi 525 in-ceiling speaker. Additionally, we plan to unveil outdoor speakers suitable for both consumer and professional markets, catering to establishments like restaurants and sports clubs. Our 100V line of audio products holds significance for commercial installations, including hotels, shopping spaces, and restaurants. Artsound also provides mixing amplifiers and zone players to complement these solutions. Collaboratively, MZ and Artsound will meticulously assess the market to determine the best-suited products for India, potentially expanding our current offerings accordingly.

What are the unique selling points (USPs) of Artsound’s audio solutions, and how do you plan to differentiate them in the Indian market?

When designing products, Artsound always considers its intrinsic values. The product must deliver excellent value for money, be easy to install and use, and exceed the customers’ expectations, in whatever situation the product is used. We will not launch the most exclusive product in the world, but we will offer the best possible solution. The music needs to be enjoyed, wherever you are. Next to that we also support MZ with our 25 year history, we will train and support our distributors so they can do the same with their customers.  We will make sure the end customer receives the best option available to them at a reasonable price.  

Could you provide insights into Artsound’s multiroom Solutions and how they cater to apartments of various sizes and budget categories in the Indian context? 

Artsound offers various solutions for both residential and commercial. One of our most popular products is the Smart Hyde/Smart Stream. A small footprint amp that has a linkplay module built in and additional connectivity features. This will allow an installer or even an end consumer to easily create a music zone in the apartment. Depending on the network structures available in the structure, this can be expanded to more than enough zones for 99% of the jobs. Artsound also has a 4-zone amplifier and streamer that can be expanded and built into a rackmount. 

In March Artsound will also introduce the Smart Evo and Smart Single. Both are based on the same platform, the versatile Evo can be placed with a TV as it has HDMI ARC built in, so directly becomes a go-to product for any room with a TV that requires a small form factor product. From a living room to a board room. The single is an active in-ceiling speaker that has multiroom functionality built into it. Just connect it to power, if needed expand it with a second speaker, and you have your zone. 

How does Artsound ensure scalability and customization options for multiroom setups to meet diverse consumer needs?

ArtSound is built by passionate people. Which includes a personal follow-up, very fast reactivity, and absolute flexibility.  Flexibility is in our DNA. We are a great little small team that works together with our customers in providing solutions. You can start with one and don’t require a central hub. You can expand that to the number you need. Either, by multiple at the time, or in singles. The only limit is the quality of your network. 

I understand that Smart EVO, Smart In Set, Smart Zone, 4 AMP, and Smart Hyde are some of your popular product ranges. Could you elaborate on each of these and their USP? 

ArtSound is a family, and so is the Smart range. It means, everything connects with every device, whatever the architecture is. And they remain an open window on all the streaming devices of this world. Everywhere, anytime. They all work with a streaming solution that is available to a multitude of bigger and smaller manufacturers. This means the consumer has the flexibility to choose different products that can work together. It also means that with a larger installed base, you will have the advantage of faster and better updates. The products are also easy to install and reasonably priced compared to others in the industry. Also, control is easily done. Either via the app or via KNX systems if the total system is more complicated. 

Which streaming protocols are Artsound’s Audio Systems compatible with, and how will it enhance the user experience in Indian homes?

Artsound’s streaming protocols are Spotify Connect, AirPlay 1 or 2, Tidal Connect, DLNA, UPnP, Qplay, Internet Radio, Qobuz, Napster, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, vTuner, SoundMachine, RadioParadise, Calm Radio, QQ music, and QQ Fm. Either via Wi-Fi or a wired network. You can also use a Bluetooth connection. These can be controlled via apps on Android or iOS.    

How does Artsound ensure seamless connectivity and integration with various smart home ecosystems prevalent in India?

So currently our products support the Linkplay platform, as do many other manufacturers. We also support the KNX ecosystem. We will work together with our partners to expand the number of ecosystems that we will support, and course closely monitor the developments of new platforms like Matter. 

Does Artsound accommodate customization orders from clients in India, and if so, how do you manage such requests while maintaining efficiency?

Artsound has very good ties with the supply chain and can cater to that. If there is a client-specific requirement that can be fulfilled by adapting our current offering then we can do that if it makes sense to all the partners involved in the supply chain. Artsound can develop and produce smaller production runs. As we have done for a hospital in Belgium. 

In your opinion, how will advancements in IoT, AI, and cloud computing impact the evolution of consumer audio technologies in the Indian market, and how is Artsound preparing to stay ahead of these trends?

We will need to manage all these new technologies and keep a close look at these developments. But we will do it in a ‘safe mode’. What I mean is that the second mouse eats the cheese. Not the first one. With early adapters, you can create some press audience, but with a reliable, well-thought-out and tested approach, you create loyal clients. It is certain that connected products, that we also supply, will be parts of a bigger scheme and could be addressed. So. AI will help in the design of new products and consumer preferences, as long as it adds value to our customers we will follow these trends closely. 

Could you share Artsound’s long-term vision and objectives for its presence in the Indian market, including any milestones or targets set for the coming years?

India holds significant importance as a market for us, driven not only by macroeconomic factors but also by the demands of its young population. As this demographic enjoys increasing spending power, there is a growing need for solutions that cater to their needs and preferences. By offering products across various price brackets, we aim to ensure accessibility and cater to a wider consumer base. We firmly believe that MZ is the ideal partner to help us expand our presence in India, spanning both consumer and commercial segments. Together, we are poised to meet the diverse needs of Indian consumers and businesses effectively.

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Sennheiser has introduced the new AMBEO Soundbar Mini as part of its existing AMBEO series, catering to the Indian market. This compact soundbar is designed to offer an immersive audio experience and boasts several impressive features. Here’s a closer look at its specifications and capabilities:

AMBEO Soundbar Mini: Key Features

The AMBEO Soundbar Mini distinguishes itself by its compact design, measuring less than half the cubic volume of the larger AMBEO Soundbar Plus. This makes it suitable for various settings, including living rooms and bedrooms. It incorporates four full-range drivers and dual 4-inch subwoofers, delivering a robust 250W audio output for deep bass and clear sound quality.

This soundbar supports advanced audio technologies, including:

• 3D Sound: Similar to other AMBEO soundbars, it offers 3D sound for a more immersive listening experience.
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: These audio formats enhance spatial audio, making it feel like sound is coming from all directions.
• Codec Support: It is compatible with MPEG-H Audio codecs and 360 Reality Audio formats.

The AMBEO Soundbar Mini features four microphones for AMBEO room calibration, powered by AMBEO|OS. This innovative technology scans the room and adjusts the audio output based on factors such as room size, reflections, and textures. Additionally, the soundbar is equipped with built-in Alexa support and also offers compatibility with Google Assistant and Siri through Chromecast Built-In and AirPlay, respectively.

Vijay Sharma, General Manager of Sennheiser Consumer Business India, highlights the immersive capabilities of the AMBEO technology, providing stunning 3D sound from a single source for various home entertainment spaces. This compact soundbar offers both exceptional features and dimensions suitable for any room.

The soundbar offers various audio modes, including content-specific presets, a Voice enhancement option, and Night mode for enhanced flexibility. It provides connectivity options such as HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.2, allowing users to stream music from popular apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Additionally, it can be paired with up to four AMBEO Subs for added bass reinforcement. Users can conveniently manage the soundbar and access its features through the Sennheiser Smart Control app.

Price and Availability

The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini is priced at Rs 74,990 (though it’s available for Rs 64,990 on the company’s website) and can be purchased from Amazon and various leading retail stores. This soundbar aims to provide a high-quality and immersive audio experience in a compact form factor.

For More Information: en-in.sennheiser.com

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DEFUNC, a global audio brand based in Stockholm, has entered the fast-growing Indian audio products segment. The Swedish firm has introduced a range of products that include multi-room, smart Wi-Fi home speaker solutions and a range of truly wireless stereo (TWS) Earbuds and EarPods. The company has made a strategic alliance with Delhi headquartered Salora International Limited, a leading consumer electronics company in India for brand’s sales and Marketing distribution in India.

Mr. Johan Wahlbäck, CEO and Founder, Defunc said “For Defunc products, India is a strategically important market and a natural step on our expansive journey for the brand into new markets. We see great potential here and have offered competitive products for Indian consumers. With these launches, Defunc continues to keep up with its vision of introducing exceptional home speaker technology offerings to consumers.”

To begin with, Defunc has launched two versions of WI-FI HOME SPEAKERS & 5 models of EARBUDS in India. The Wi Fi Home Speakers comprises small (40 w) and large (100 w) sizes with two colour options in grey and black, which are compatible with all music genres and audio types. These include Coloured Speaker Fronts, Custom Printed Fronts, Adjustable Floor Stands, and Wall and Corner Mounts. The users can select from a range of accessories, including floor stands, mounts and coloured fronts. The Defunc earbuds are namely Defunc True Basic, Defunc True Talk, Defunc True Sport, Defunc True Audio, and Defunc True Music. These variants are meant for basic conversation, sports activity, music and entertainment and gaming respectively.

The company has developed these products along with top Swedish audio engineer and acoustics expert Henrik Isaksson.

The Defunc Home Speakers, launched in black and white colours, are sleek in design and come with features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Aux-In connectivity, Application control and Bass reflex.

THE KEY SPECIFICATIONS:

Defunc Home multi-room speaker system is a network of speakers connected via Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), as opposed to one speaker connected via Bluetooth. These come with in-built Alexa and AirPlay 2 and support Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect for streaming. Additionally, it supports Amazon Music, Apple Music (iOS), Deezer, iHeartRadio, Napster, Qobuz, and TuneIn. These can receive commands via Alexa Voice Service (AVS). The possibility of connecting multiple speakers to create a network of home speakers makes the Defunc multi-room home speakers are more stable and delivers higher quality audio connection and sound. Being independent of the location of the sound source, these can stream music either from a smartphone or a computer. Users can group and ungroup speakers to play the same track everywhere or choose different tunes in different rooms. And the speakers can connect directly with the user’s preferred streaming service and can be controlled with an App.

In terms of connectivity, these speakers support Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 and AUX IN. The speakers support a variety of file formats, including AAC/HE-AAC, AC3, AIFF, ALAC, APE OPUS, FLAC, MP3, MP4, OGG, Stereo PCM and WAV.

While the small speakers have a frequency range of 30 to 20,000 Hz, the large speakers have a range starting at 50 Hz. Small and large home speakers are 200 mm and 300 mm in height and width, respectively. While the small speakers weigh 1.6 kg (speaker and stand only), the large speakers weigh 3.9 kg (speaker and stand only). Targeting users with an aesthetic sense, the company offers coloured fronts to match the colour of the walls and cabinets.

PRICE DETAILS:

The small Defunc smart home speakers are priced at Rs.21,999

Th large Defunc smart homes speakers are priced at Rs.36,999.

TWS DEFUNC EARBUDS:

Ergonomically-designed TWS earbuds come in different formats and six different colours in each of these variants, namely:

• Defunc True Basic & True Music as entry level earbuds with excellent Sound Quality.
• Defunc True Talk is Fortified with the Pure Voice Bone Conductor Sensor Technology.
• Defunc True Sport has been designed for people involved in sports activity and it has high water resistance.
• Defunc True Audio is designed for gaming and streaming. It can be connected via app and provides best audio Quality. Through the mobile application, the user can adjust the equalizer to their own preference or use our pre-set settings for different kinds of music; R&B, Rock, Classical, Pop, or Dance Music. Defunc Earbuds come with IPX 4 and 5 waterproof rating, are sweat-resistant and offer a truly immersive music experience. The technology creates an advanced version environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), providing users the best possible conditions for conversations in noisy or windy surroundings.

Each earbud variant offers slightly different talk time (5-6 hours) and total play time (20-30 hrs). All other variants offer a talk time that fall within this range. The Defunc earbuds support fast charging and can be play-ready within a short time. These come with a charging case and USB-C cable and Silicon ear tips. Only Defunc True Sport comes with additional Silicon sport wings. For connectivity, these come with Bluetooth 5.2 and can be voice-controlled.

“Being connected and having access to great sound is a large part of our lives. Our products deliver on both design and function. In this light, the home environment and personal entertainment matter. Through the launches, we are enabling the consumer to seriously expand the sound experience in the home environment by adding multiple units for a more powerful sound experience and making it match the home interior. Our TWS earbuds will offer the opportunity for entertainment while one is mobile.” added Mr. Johan Wahlbäck, CEO and Founder, Defunc.

PRICE DETAILS:

The price of TWS earbuds start with Rs 2,499 (True Basic and True Music) and goes up to Rs 5,499 (True Audio, True Sport and True Talk).

Users can accessories the speakers by buying customised fronts, mounts and floor stands as per the requirement for small & large speakers. A Defunc floor stand comes in two colours — white and black.

Commenting on the tie-up with Salora, Mr. Johan Wahlbäck added, “It is a delight to enter the huge Indian market with such a strong and experienced partner. It will be exciting to follow the brand’s journey in the Indian market going forward.”

Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, CMD, Salora International, commented on this partnership, saying, “We are delighted to partner with Defunc in India. We have a good idea of what Indian consumers are looking for, we have a very strong distribution at the place. Our ability to market it, build awareness and distribution. We’d like to think of ourselves as the brands proxy in India”

The newly launched products will be available across premium offline retail stores across all major cities in India by the end of the year 2022. Will be available in around 100 premium retailers in India and will add another 500 retailers by the end of March 2022. The products can also be found across all major online channels including Amazon and Flipkart soon.

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