"The response from customers was overwhelming, especially in view of the generally lower key atmosphere surrounding this year's show, and the Red Square Audio stand was clearly a target destination for those looking to judge for themselves whether VQ sounds as good as reports suggest. Some visitors had first heard VQ Series at last year's show and were returning with a specific order requirement in mind, particularly in view of the new VQ Live system now being available," said RSA's managing director Paul Nicholson.
He added: "Both customers and press commented on our stand being one of the busiest in the hall, certainly where audio's concerned. We were always confident of attracting some serious interest in the VQ Live product, but the response over the four days has been even more positive than we could have anticipated. We've provisionally taken orders for seven VQ Live systems, as well as a serious enquiry for a VQ Series fixed install - with a host of other interested parties having heard the capabilities of VQ for the first time."
While Red Square Audio only handle distribution of the Live version, Tannoy also had their latest additions to the VQ Series installation range on the stand, including new modular Mid-High horn patterns and subwoofer enclosures with which system designers can configure tightly packed, scalable point-source arrays for just about any installed application.
Nicholson went on to say: "Tannoy's VQ created a lot of buzz for us at the show. Whether it's from a live sound perspective or for install, the acoustic performance of the system has redefined expectations and when you consider the fact that you need far fewer boxes compared to an equivalent line array system, it offers incredible value on every levels - it's an easy choice to make."
Red Square Audio have teamed up with audio and lighting equipment broker GearSourceEurope, to offer a unique deal whereby customers can trade in their existing system against the purchase of a brand new VQ Live system. "Bearing in mind VQ Live is a self-powered system, this allows full trade-in of both loudspeakers, amps, and DSP resulting in an exceptionally low net upgrade cost from a typical ARCS system, for example," the company says.
"For an equivalent coverage pattern but with far more power and clarity the VQ Live costs £21000 less than the ARCS system and even when selling a second hand ARCS system and replacing it with VQ Live, the rental company will typically have around £5000 left over from the deal," said Nicholson. "I see the VQ Live as a direct ARCS replacement, but having won shoot-outs against line arrays and used the system at large rock festivals as the main FOH system, we have a product that is capable of cutting it in any application, from full-on dance music to classical, and everything in between."
Nicholson certainly seemed delighted with the reaction to VQ Live at the show and is extremely positive about business prospects over the coming year as he aims to persuade the key players in the rental sound market of the merits of this remarkable new system.
(Lee Baldock)
