PJ HiFi Supply Superior Home Cinema Featuring Sony and Bowers & Wilkins

When electrical retailer PJ HiFi was asked to provide a high-performance audio solution for a South London home cinema, the client brief was clear – the audio technology should be invisible, concealed within the fabric of the room. The speakers and audio equipment needed to blend seamlessly within the cinema so as not to detract from the aesthetic of the client’s brand-new home entertainment complex. This entertainment space also comprises of a gym, pool, sauna, and office.

The Hidden Challenge

Working to an agreed budget and precise design requirements, PJ HiFi worked with AWE to source a sound system that would support immersive Dolby Atmos, work with the dimensions and construction of the cinema room, as well as meeting the client’s expectations on quality and performance.

“We worked closely with the client on the design and materials within the room to keep everything as discrete as possible, while ensuring compromises weren’t made on audio performance.” Explains Andy Taylor of PJ HiFi.

Discreet, yet Powerful

A combination of Bowers & Wilkins speakers, subwoofers and a Marantz AV Receiver (AVR) were selected for the project, available from AWE only to authorised integrators.

The Marantz SR8015, sets a robust and versatile foundation for the solution. This 8K 11.2 channel AVR has been tuned by world-renowned sound acousticians, for exceptional, audiophile-quality. It provides great capabilities for home cinema as well as gaming, including HDMI technologies such as 8K/60Hz pass-through or upscaling, various HDR format support including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma and Dynamic HDR, as well as the latest gaming technologies such as 4K/120Hz pass-through, Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode.

Andy Taylor comments “The Marantz SR8015 provides the driving force for the system, it’s a very economical AVR with the right power and performance to get the speaker package singing.”

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Heard, but not Seen

In terms of speakers, PJ HiFi specified three, Bowers & Wilkins CT7.4 – 2 Way Vented Box Speakers. The CT7.4, can be integrated within a baffle wall or within cabinetry. For this project, they were used for the left, centre, and right channels, along with two subwoofers positioned behind the acoustically transparent projector screen in a custom-made recess. Each CT7.4 speaker uses high-sensitivity Nautilus™ tube-loaded tweeters designed specifically for the reproduction of movie soundtracks along with first-order tweeter crossover filters for minimal signal degradation.

The CT7.4s were then partnered with two Bowers & Wilkins CTSW12 12-inch subwoofers. The CT SW12’s 30cm drivers [BD1] and sealed enclosure deliver serious bass from an easy-to-install design, helping to maintain the client’s hidden tech design request.

“When it comes to specifying discreet but ultra-powerful loudspeakers, Bowers & Wilkins is always our top recommendation.” comments Andy, PJ Hifi.

To create an immersive audio experience, eight Bowers & Wilkins CWM7.5S2 in wall speakers, with integrated back box, were selected to deliver a Dolby Atmos experience. The CWM7.5s were specified for side and rear channels, and Atmos height (ceiling) fronts and rears. Using only Bowers & Wilkins speakers provided synergy throughout the surround sound field, ensuring the voice and performance are matched.

The CWM7.5 houses a 130mm (5in) bass/mid-range Continuum cone driver plus a 25mm (1in) Carbon Dome tweeter, coupled to a forward firing Flowport™ for an outstanding bass response from a relatively small footprint. It has a critically formed baffle constructed from glass-reinforced ABS plus its own integrated backbox, ensuring optimum performance.

On Full Display

For picture quality on a par with the exceptional performance of the audio solution, Andy specified the Sony VPL-VW790es projector – predecessor of the VPL-XW7000, available from AWE – to complete the home cinema. Sony projectors deliver home cinema entertainment at its very finest, with native 4K resolution, advanced 4K SRXD Panels, powerful white & colour lumen output and TRILUMINOS™ display. Presenting the client with a superior cinema experience they desired for movie nights in their new entertainment complex.

“The client is extremely pleased with their new ultra discreet high-performance home cinema set-up. They are particularly impressed with the goosebump-worthy audio experience, which takes movie nights to a new level of immersive.” Comments Andy Taylor.

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