Hi-Fi

A radical change has being made recently to our Rayleigh store. It has reverted to being a specialist hi-fi store with staff relocated there whose prime interest is the reproduction of quality music in the home. The range of hi-fi stocked and on demonstration is now amongst the very best in the U.K. - and with the experienced, dedicated staff to match. Our other stores continue to stock a selected range of hi-fi and a full Audio Visual choice. However, the best range and the hi-end selection of the very best hi-fi available is on demonstration at Rayleigh. Andy Page, the Store Manager at Rayleigh, originally joined the company because of his love of music and his hi-fi knowledge and expertise is exceptional. The Store Managers at Chelmsford (Rob Goddard), Colchester (Iain Martin) and Southend (Paul Broughton) remain the main hi-fi contacts for their locations.

Choosing a Hi-Fi System

Music - The Real Aim of Hi-Fi. Our aim must be to buy a hi-fi system that will prove musically satisfying, reliable and deliver true value for money. If the system doesn't excite you musically you've wasted your money. What is even worse is that you may not even realise you've bought a bad egg – you'll just switch the TV on instead and your desire to listen to music will gradually atrophy. Have you ever been in a pub or club and been aware that it's very difficult to conduct a conversation, even to the extent of being really tiring? A poor quality system continuously distorts but that doesn't mean it necessarily reaches the point of audibly breaking up. With a top quality system you can play music very loudly and still hold a conversation because it's free of distortion. A poor system is tiring to listen to even when it's played at low volume. If you want proof, go into a shoe or clothes shop where they play background 'music' and try to enjoy listening. It's odds on you'll fail.

Rayleigh Hi-Fi started out as a specialist hi-fi dealer because the owners, above all, love music. The managers and staff still spend a large portion of their time listening to music and comparing systems to get the best possible results. They know the component combinations which don't gel together and, conversely, they know the combinations which give the best performance within a given price range. But they all also know the system must suit you and they are therefore committed to putting the customer first. Our idea of 'selling' is to discuss your requirements, offer advice, give you the best options, then play the systems for you and allow you to be the judge. Listening to your choice of music in a peaceful, separate demonstration room, you may be surprised and, almost certainly, relieved to discover how easy it is to hear the differences between components and between systems. You'll be able to make a clear and informed decision about what to buy. It comes down to trusting your own judgement rather than the opinion of a reviewer you've never met …and who won't refund your money if you're not satisfied or be at the end of a phone or call in to sort out any problem you might encounter. We'll also install it in your home, make sure it sounds great, and make sure you're entirely happy with the way it works. This is why a high proportion of our custom comes through people who have bought from Rayleigh Hi-Fi before, either directly or by recommendation. It's vital to us to get it right for you.

Home Cinema

Choosing a Home Cinema System

Selecting and purchasing a home cinema system that you will be thrilled by requires some careful thought as there are a number of factors, besides the cost, to take into account. The size, volume, shape and furnishings of a room all make a significant difference. For example, a square room is not ideal although the problems this causes can be somewhat offset by the room furnishings and the system settings. Sound will bounce around an empty room but sofas, carpet and curtains will absorb it. Speaker positioning again will make a real difference. For example, speakers placed high on a wall near to the ceiling will usually deliver their optimum output above your head when you are sitting down. Size of screen, viewing positions and distance from the screen, and even lighting, will all have a bearing on the experience. Our experts can help you select from LCD, Plasma, or projector and screen based systems, and will help guide you to choose a system that delivers a level of performance to suit your individual requirements.

We would have no enthusiasm for supplying a home cinema system that delivers a very poor audio performance for a film. A high quality recorded soundtrack, and most modern films have one these days, makes a huge contribution to your enjoyment of a film. To effectively use that potential, you need a well-balanced system that is suited to your room and properly installed and set-up. The system will also need sufficient amplifier output, and suitable speakers to handle the output, to deliver the full-range of a soundtrack without running into distortion.

Rayleigh Hi-Fi Sound & Vision regularly caters for Home Cinema systems at the highest level and will design, supply and install to meet the most demanding of standards, including dedicated, purpose-built Home Cinema rooms.

Multi-room & Custom Installation

Rayleigh Hi-Fi is able to specify and install a tailored system to suit almost everybody’s specific requirements. Every home is different and every individual has differing personal tastes and needs. Systems are therefore customized to meet these very specific requirements – but this part is standard service in all our stores. However, it is the installation, or building-in especially of control systems together with linking cables or wireless networks, where our custom installation service comes into its own. Because of the rapid growth in this field, we now have a Custom Installation Advisor in all our stores. Over the years, Rayleigh Hi-Fi has supplied and installed multi-room systems in many of the most exclusive homes in Essex and surrounding counties, and our specialist Custom Installation Dept. will undertake installations to meet the most exacting standards.

Using our expertise, you can totally integrate hi-fi, home cinema, lighting, security, communications, home automation and PC systems in any room in your home. We can link together these technologies so they’ talk’ to each other, and it remains easy to use. The most important element is having the correct cables installed in the right configuration to take advantage of the latest system developments. We will advise, design and install a system that meets your exact requirements.

Please feel free to contact our Custom Installation Manager, Alan Dear to discuss your requirements, or call in at any of our stores and ask for the Custom Installation Advisor.

Alan Dear - Manager, Custom Installation Dept.

Rayleigh Hi Fi Sound & Vision, 44a High Street, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7EA

01268 776932
07932 613833

multiroom@rayleighhifi.com

Visit our Installation Gallery for examples of work undertaken. [click here]

What is a Custom Installation?

Custom Installation is the specifying, supply and installation of a bespoke system to meet the requirements of each individual client, normally for an individual property. Every home is different and every individual has differing personal tastes and needs. Systems are therefore customized to meet these very specific requirements. The skills and expertise required are very specialised, and in-depth technical knowledge is also required of a wide range of equipment to ensure clients are offered the most suitable options.

Custom Installation often involves whole-home control capability although it can also be an in-depth installation in one or two areas. Miniaturization of electrical components and the development of micro-processors, together with remote control systems, have provided the capability of installing home entertainment systems with awesome potential. A high quality sound system can be accessed from any room, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or master bedroom, and the radio can be listened to in one room while a CD is accessed in another, or even a different CD in another room - all at different volume levels. Video signals, such as provided by a Blu-ray / DVD player or satellite TV source, can be distributed for viewing in any room. The aim is to add fun, convenience and excitement to your lifestyle.

What do Custom Installation systems include?

Multi-Room Audio systems can be simple stand-alone solutions to those who want access to music wherever they wish in the home. They can also be linked to other home automation systems. There are a number of different multi-room control systems available and, with most of these systems, the only visible part visible in the room apart from the speakers, is a remote control or a wall-mounted keypad. The keypads are usually similar in size to a conventional light switch but they have the ability to control, for example, the hi-fi, home cinema, or lighting. Products are now available that can store hundreds of CD's in their memory, catalogue all the tracks automatically in seconds by connecting to a web site, and permit almost immediate retrieval of any track to play through the main system. Highly sophisticated, simple to use and excellent quality.

Home Cinema is an area that has expanded very rapidly over recent years. This can be a relatively simple system based around a conventional television, often with speakers located in the lounge ceiling, but installers are increasingly asked to design and specify a system for a dedicated room, often utilising a plasma screen or a projector and screen. There is no doubt that the advent of DVD, and now Blu-ray, has given a tremendous boost to this market, mainly because full feature films, together with superb sound tracks, are available on one CD sized disc.

Lighting Controls are now often included as an important part of customized systems. Good lighting can transform the ambience of a home, and smart lighting controls can facilitate virtually instant lighting scene changes within a number of different zones. There are a great many options available, including linking a lighting control system to motorised blinds and curtains, a home cinema system, or a touch-screen remote command panel.

Security Systems, Home Automation and Computer Networks are other technologies that are now often incorporated into Custom Installation systems. For example, security cameras can be linked to television screens to view at the touch of a button and many home control functions can be carried out automatically. Internet access, on-line streaming and other computer based technologies are also often part of a Custom Installation system.

Rayleigh Hi-Fi is a long-standing member of CEDIA, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association. This organisation is dedicated to keeping abreast of current technological advances and provides safeguards for consumers.

Part Exchange

We will also happily part-exchange your old items of hifi provided they are in good working order and are saleable - and we will offer you a very fair price that can be used in part-payment of new items. Let us offer you a price for anything you wish to exchange and you may well be very pleasantly surprised. We also sell some higher quality items on a commission only basis. Please ask for details. Because we part-exchange, this means we nearly always have an excellent selection of second-hand items at very fair prices - and guaranteed to work! This is often a very cost effective way to start or add to an existing system.

The Benefits Rayleigh Offer You

The benefits that Rayleigh Hi-Fi offer you include...

• BEST RANGE of quality products in Essex
• FREE demonstrations in seperate listening rooms
• Delivery and set-up available on all items
• PART EXCHANGE welcome
• FREE 3-year warranty on most items of hi-fi and home cinema
• Up to 5-years warranty free on vision products - please ask for details
• FINANCE - 0% Finance and Low APR Finance to make your purchase easier
• KNOWLEDGEABLE ADVICE - no commission sales staff - no "own" brands
• Home pre-ordering visit available - please ask for details
• THE BEST after sales service available

Members of BADA (British Audio Dealers Association) and CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) for your complete confidence and peace of mind.

The Best Range of Quallity Products in Essex

Our product range of quality hi-fi, home cinema and multi-room systems is by far the best in Essex. Our reputation has been established over 37 years of trading and we are recognised by all the leading manufacturers for our expertise. You will find the world’s leading brands stocked and on demonstration in our stores.

Knowledgeable Advice

Our staff are among the most highly trained and experienced in the industry. Frequent visits to key manufacturers for training ensure that our staff are up to date with the latest developments. None of our staff receive commission on sales; the advice that you receive will be unbiased, friendly and free. We do not stock any ‘own’ brand products which staff in some of our competitors’ stores are expected to recommend in preference to products from independent manufacturers.

Pre-Order Home Visits

Prior to ordering, we are happy to provide a home visit to discuss your specific requirements to ensure your purchase will meet your exact needs and be entirely suitable in your home.