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VAF’s new Soundwall: by Ross Tester The speaker is history Spot the speakers in the above home theatre photo. Can’t see them? Think they’re Gone With the Wind? You’re right: they are! S cheduled to begin shipping in the USA very soon (and available here in Australia shortly after) is a revolutionary new product from Adelaide-based VAF Research. It’s difficult to describe it as a speaker, because that instantly evokes images of the ubiquitous box in the corner of the room or on the bookshelf. And those images would be plain wrong! But a speaker it most certainly is – it’s just not a “conventional” speaker. We’re talking about VAF’s new Soundwall. It combines art, interior design and architecture – along, of course, with some pretty advanced technology. For a start, there’s the size – each Soundwall module is 600mm square and just 120mm thick. It doesn’t sit on the floor or shelf; instead it (or more likely they) mounts direct to a wall, eliminating clutter and more than likely creating a visual statement in its/their own right. Second, each Soundwall module is powered by a digital 10  Silicon Chip amplifier rated at better than 150W RMS. Therefore in a simple, two-panel (stereo) installation there is more than 300W available; in a 7-channel surround-sound system that increases to more than 1000W! Both balanced and line-level inputs are provided, making the Soundwall compatible with “just about any” home theatre component available today or tomorrow. Soundwall performance is right at the “hi” end of hifi, with a response from 35Hz to more than 20kHz (±2dB) and, importantly, extremely wide dispersion – with ±3dB from on-axis out to 45° off axis (vertical or horizontal) over most of the frequency range. Incidentally, an unpowered version of the Soundwall, which can connect to almost all current hifi and home theatre amplifiers, is already available in Australia. Improves room acoustics Each SoundWall Acoustic Treatment Module contains siliconchip.com.au separate part of that immortal scene from the movie – and the result is simply stunning. It’s not just for home theatre use that the VAF Soundwall is finding willing new users: everything from the boardroom to clubs, indoor sporting venues, art galleries . . . in fact, the list is unlimited. Architects and interior designers are going ga-ga over them because they virtually become part of the wall (in fact, you can fill a wall with Soundwall modules if you want!). But more than that, the flexibility of being able to colour or even print the front “panel” of each Soundwall means that the designer can either match or complement existing colours and decors, or even make the speakers into the focal point of a room. VAF claim the Soundwall system is very easy to install due to a self-aligning mounting system, fewer connections and in-built cable management. If you decide later that you want to add to or modify your Soundwall, that’s simple too. Every Soundwall is packaged with a mounting system allowing installation on a timber, brick, plaster or SC plasterboard wall. For more information, contact VAF Research, 52-54 North Terrace, Kent Town SA 5067 Phone (08) 8363 9996; Fax (08) 8363 9997; or via their website: www.vaf.com.au The Soundwall basic colour is black or white but the front “panel” comes off, to be painted or printed with what ever you like! Here a 3 x 3 Soundwall has a plasma TV mounted in front. a combination of a “quadratic residue diffuser” and an “acoustic attenuator”. These provide the ability to both scatter room reflections and absorb them. Sophisticated response equalisation and active crossovers are used to ensure the best control possible and far greater freedom from distortion. Extended low frequency response ensures that substantial installations, including large-scale home theatre systems, can be created without the use of additional subwoofers. Any Soundwall combination is possible to suit virtually any application, from a single speaker module to act as a surround channel speaker, through to an entire wall surface combining ATM’s (Acoustic Treatment Modules) as well as Speaker Modules for stereo or surround sound. In VAF founder and managing director Philip Vafiadis’ words, the powered speaker module makes sound, while the acoustic treatment module fixes sound. It “repairs” room acoustics, making the Soundwall something that has to be experienced to be believed. Just imagine, if you will, a large-screen Plasma TV occupying centre-space of a home theatre system. Now imagine behind that Plasma TV, a whole wall of VAF Soundwall modules. Talk about a new meaning to “home theatre experience” – audio performance would arguably exceed that of the best theatres with banks of speakers mounted behind the screen. And even if you frankly, my dear, don’t give a damn, check out the photo of VAF’s “Gone with the Wind” Soundwall installation of 7 x 3 modules occupying a whole living room wall. Each Soundwall module is printed with a siliconchip.com.au This 5 x 3 Soundwall Module installation makes a real statement! And with more than 2kW of audio power available that statement is certainly going to be heard! June 2007  11