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BFA Announces Sound and Vision Show Awards 2006 (14/3/2006)

Focal, KEF and NEAT Adjudged Winners in Close Contest with Excellent Contributions Throughout

The British Federation of Audio is pleased to announce the results of its second BFA Sound and Vision Show Awards held at this yearÕs Bristol event. The three awards were presented to the delighted winners on the Sunday morning of Show.

The judges visited every room and booth at the show at least twice during the event and took advice from various trade and press visitors - just in case the visit to a room had been during an Ôoff momentÕ. In addition the BFA had commissioned a poll of public visitors to the show. The standard of demonstrations and product display was very high.

The three awards were:

Best Two Channel Demonstration
Best Multi-Channel Demonstration
Best Looking Exhibit

These were judged with weighting given on the parameters below, which had been thought to be of primary importance by BFA members.

1. Sound Quality of Demonstration
2. Appearance of Room
3. Graphical explanation of products
4. Room Atmosphere
5. Presentation of the Brand Image

After much consideration, discussion and thought the Awards were as follows:
Best looking Exhibit - Focal
Best Multi-Channel Demonstration - KEF Audio
Best Two Channel Demonstration - Neat Acoustics

Other companies such as Naim Audio and NHT came very close but the judges concluded that Neat Acoustics, with its simple well displayed room, good choice of music - played at a sensible level - just edged ahead. Focal, with two styles of room; one themed on a Euro living room and the other on a British living room had improved on last year and was just ahead of Naim with its excellent ÔChill outÕ room. Both Focal and Neat Acoustics were winners last year and were particularly pleased to receive recognition once again.

The Best Multi-Channel demonstration was a close-run thing with KEF Audio winning the award, due in the end to the judges being so very impressed with the presentation of Johan Coorg, not to mention the quality of the system demonstrated, especially considering its budget price. Two other previous winners delivered great multi-channel demonstrations namely Meridian and Naim Audio and were strong contenders for an Award.

www.bfa.org.uk