Sphere Custom

06/05/2024

Why is calibration important? Just think of your projector setup as a painting - a canvas (your screen), and your paint (projector). If the canvas was an off white colour - white simply wouldn't be white, would it? Similarly if it was white, and your paint said red on the tin, but it wasn't actually red - rather a random shade of red, then whatever you painted wouldn't be red.

Video calibration is much like this. You have to make sure you have an accurate canvas, and accurate colours. Then preference sets in. Charl Lotter and myself are the only two PVA Certified calibration specialists in Southern Africa, and we're the only ones with a kit bag of equipment capable of making sure you get the best possible image from your setup.

if you have questions on Calibration, or the service we offer, feel free to give us a shout - you know where to find us :-)

03/05/2024

Design Done Right. Now Available to Everyone. ⁣
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For a long time we've offered our design service through dealers and installers within the industry, but we've realised that getting lost in translation really is a thing, and that there can be too many cooks in the kitchen. ⁣
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Continuing with the cooking theme - in our industry we're seeing less and less focus on quality ex*****on - less Michelin star, and more Saturday night takeaway. Don't get us wrong, both absolutely have then their place, but there is no chance you're mistaking one for the other within their settings. Certainly not when it comes to getting what you paid for. ⁣
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Alas, with everyone competing to be the head chef, and no sign of there being a Chef de Partie doing any actual work; it's all air-fairy sales talk and fluffy promises, mostly resulting in underperformance and deflating experiences - the guests at the table get food, but not at all what they thought they'd ordered, or were sold from the menu - mostly because there's been far too little emphasis placed on correct design and ex*****on. Sometimes both sides of the tables are also missing a few kahunahs, spines or lightbulbs, whether they be singular or grouped. ⁣
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As a distributor of product to the trade, previously, we're highly aware that there will always be sales pitches and preferences, but our professional perspective is that you simply can't argue with engineering and maths when putting together a design which utilises the best products in the marketplace.⁣
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As a representative of manufacturing partners, we know everyone wants to move product - boxes pay bills - but we all also realise that these products only perform at their peak when designs have been well thought through, and when compromise is addressed in a sensible way. ⁣
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As an end user, many times the technical details aren't explained, or they are conveyed properly, or not even documented - the person trying to nail down that sale isn't even remotely interested in helping you understand why; because they're purely focussed on what they need to do to sell-sell-sell, and how that product makes you or them or the experience special; so they can get their hands on your money. ⁣
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But none of those address the why factor. We are focussing on delivering a product-neutral, unbiased, technically-proficient and fundamentally functional set of design documents that focus on specification and performance, and less on brand and price, and from there, everything else is straightforward.

Why? because clients deserve to understand what they are getting.
Why? because we want to instigate change.
Why? because there should be no other way besides correct, effective, and efficient design.

We're starting afresh and throwing down the gauntlet; we're offering our services direct to the end users now. We have a sister business in Cinema Lusso based out of the amazing new Foundry demonstration facility - currently serving clients on 6 our of the seven continents (ps if you know anyone at a research station on Antarctica in need of a cinema, let us know!) ⁣
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So, without further ado, let's be more inquisitive, let's be more rigorous in our acceptance of standards, and let's not allow carelessly planned poor design to rule the roost. ⁣
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If you've got something special you want to build, reach out, get in touch; we're only an [insert communication method of your choice here] away!

02/05/2024

The story of Foundry, like many others, find its beginnings amongst friends sharing a beer. long has there been a discussion about standards and to set the scene this particular discussion, and sharing of beers amongst friends, takes place just after Covid in the street seating outside of a quirky London pub.

But let's rewind first. My background, and the business of sphere custom, started as an integration company focused on beautifully engineered, well designed, bespoke home cinema solutions. Over the years that changed to encompass distribution of products, given our limited - saturated - market in South Africa.

Of course we built a beautiful showroom - one based around showcasing performance and what could be achieved when one removes the impediments of budget and brand from the equation. We set out to do this more than 10 years ago, and just for perspective that's pretty much pre-Dolby Atmos.

We were frustrated, specifically in our market - although I've come to realise this is applicable across all markets - that the integration firms were effectively shilling for distributors. There was never discussion about performance targets, or recommended metrics, specifications, functional design or ergonomics. There was no design. There was a lot of product. There was a lot of price.

This has stuck with me over the years, it's one of the primary reasons I found appeal in the kindred spirits and friendships which stemmed from the CEDIA RP 22 group. We spent the majority of Wednesdays during Covid discussing technical details and putting together an amazing resource for the industry that is based around the 99% who can use the document as a reference to improve their offering to their clients.

As you do when CEDIA put on a lovely event in person (because this is now let-your-hair-down and get-out-of-the-house post-Covid), you go. You attend. You relish in open Society, fresh air, and in the ability to speak to, and interact with other human beings again.

After bumping into each other in person, one such kindred spirit, Ben Goff from Cinema Lusso, realised that the voice and image via the zoom call was now actually only living five minutes down the road. I had during the Covid pandemic effectively moved lock stock and barrel to the UK, settled in a small town 25 minutes from central London.

And this probably sets the scene for that discussion that transpired at the pub in London a few weeks later. The reiteration and rejuvenation, a reimagining of the concept that I pioneer in those early days in Cape Town.

The concept of Foundry is not new. We know many companies have showrooms. Many distributors have spaces where they can showcase the brands that they represent. Many manufactures assist in building those spaces and filling them with product. This is but the nature of the beast. but for us the challenge was different. The challenge was; where you go to experience something without the immediate prejudice of a brand or a budget?

So the target was defined, and what was set in motion that afternoon has had both Ben and I, and our partners, put in the literal blood, sweat, and tears, to make sure this space is one of a kind.

Foundry is not your average showroom. It's not a space where you'll see brand logos or lines of product, stacks and boxes. Foundry is a space that's been thoughtfully designed, ergonomically engineered. Foundry aim to push the boundaries of performance, and innovative aesthetics together in such an unobtrusive manner that it doesn't seem designed at all. Would like to think that data rams would be proud.

Foundry is a space where you can experience the extraordinary, and I know that sounds cliche, but we truly have created a space unlike any other.

So here's to those fortunate enough to get an invite; we look forward to sharing the magic that we have created.

22/03/2024

Fab Dupont (also known as "Fabulous" Fab) is an award-winning French Mixing Engineer and Record Producer. He has worked with an extensive list of internation...

29/11/2023

Sphere Custom have been avid and loyal supporters of Trinnov since 2015. We were privileged to bring the brand to South Africa and be a part of their global growth.

We continue to be enthusiastic fans of the experiences that the Altitude range of processors allow us, together, to deliver to clients. It is with great sadness that we confirm that our distribution agreement has reached its conclusion.

We were surprised to see the leaked announcement of the new distributor yesterday afternoon, having just hours before reached an accord with Trinnov’s senior management, on, amongst things, how it should be publicly communicated.

We wish our friends at Trinnov every success in their new partnership.

07/09/2023

RP22 launches today 📢📢

This is the first time that system performance metrics are defined by four distinct levels.

The new recommended practice for immersive audio design (RP22) will elevate our industry to the highest professional standard.

Download the document now: https://bit.ly/3r6YpPq

24/02/2023

For those who missed Trinnov's Redefining low frequency reproduction webinar - you can catch up here;

Following on from a hugely successful launch of our new technology at ISE we wanted to offer those that could not attend the show the opportunity to learn how our technology works. We will be discussing how the technology works and what this means in terms of low frequency reproduction. We will also...

24/02/2023

The new SL Architect F-1 is a full-range single-source speaker designed primarily for multi-room applications.

It shares the same performance as the popular CPH-5 loudspeaker, meaning high quality, full range and dynamic audio without the need for a subwoofer.

See full product specs by visiting our website. https://www.artcoustic.com/sl-architect-f1

22/02/2023

From the ISE show floor… to your local door ;-)

We coexist in houses filled with technology we no longer fully understand or fully control; what defines smart, what defines the experience of a connected ho...

21/02/2023

In case you missed one of the biggest, craziest news items of recent; Trinnov’s new active bass management technology!

Don't miss our exclusive webinar tomorrow, we'll discuss over 90 minutes our new patented technology and answer all your questions !

Registration link: http://ow.ly/1sNa50MT8KY

08/02/2023

Our challenge to our South African dealers still stands - not a single one has been able to achieve this level of professional, and beautiful, client installation. Well done Wakefields Smarter Home technology!

But… If they did, we’d pay for an full blown Artcoustic cinema in their showroom! Come on SA, let’s make that happen in 2023!!

08/02/2023

New post on our website - head over to the link below to catch up on the latest news :-)

The Art of the Demo By admin2023-01-302023-01-31Business With ISE looming – kicking off with all the song and dance tomorrow, here are some of my thoughts, well, my biggest, main thought on the show as it stands and how it may impact not only the products, the manufacturers and the integrators (in...