Raumfeld - the Sonos killer??

[bigboss]

Interesting press release from this little known company:
Raumfeld Launches Breakthrough Multi-Room Audio System in the UK
* hi-fi for the digital age: simultaneously control all your music around your home * wireless, WiFi-enabled remote control and studio-quality speakers * network your entire digital music collection, traditional hi-fi, and internet radio * special launch offer includes one-year free Napster Unlimited subscription to listen to 10 million+ full-length tracks

May 14, 2010 -- Raumfeld, the Berlin-based multi-room audio specialists, today announces the UK availability – and launch of a new online shop, www.raumfeld.co.uk – of its next-generation hi-fi system.

Raumfeld pools all of your digital music (be it on Mac, PC or NAS drive) and streams it around your house to studio-quality, WiFi-enabled speakers. Add to this a striking touch-screen remote control and you can simultaneously control the music in every room of your home: techno for the kitchen, classical for the bedroom... A particular playlist for one room, and your complete collection on 'shuffle' for another...

Designed with both ease-of-use and sonic excellence in mind, Raumfeld is hi-fi for the digital age. CDs are no longer needed, as the world has moved to MP3. Multiple devices are no longer needed as your entire music collection can be controlled centrally, and remotely. Laying cable between rooms is no longer necessary as Raumfeld components connect wirelessly. You can even integrate your physical music collection – CDs, vinyl, etc. – by adding the Raumfeld Connector to your traditional hi-fi.

Raumfeld launches in the UK with a special offer in conjunction with one of the biggest names in digital music: all systems bought in May will come with a free one-year subscription to Napster Unlimited (www.napster.co.uk). With Napster, Raumfeld customers can use the Raumfeld Controller to directly listen to 10 million full-length songs from 790,000 artists across the Napster catalogue. All Napster Unlimited music comes in full-length, without paying per track. Additionally a variety of Napster’s music discovery features can be accessed on the Raumfeld Controller, including expertly programmed playlists, radio stations and the latest releases. Further info on this and other partnerships and apps will be announced in the near future...

Raumfeld is a modular system, making it easy and cost-effective to buy, expand and enhance. The system comprises four main components:

1. Raumfeld Controller
The heart of your multi-room audio system, the Raumfeld Controller gives you the power to choose what you hear and where and how you hear it. Wherever you are in your home at any moment, you have complete control over your music. Unlike other multi-room audio systems, Raumfeld does not limit the size of your music library.

2. Raumfeld Base
You do not need a computer or external data storage device to enjoy your music collection – audio files can be stored on the Raumfeld Base and managed from any location in your home. This is a key differentiator as competing multi-room audio systems do not offer a storage solution. All file formats are supported (MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG Vorbis, ASF, WMA, M4A(containing AAC and apple lossless)). You can also use your existing iTunes music library as a shared music source.

3. Raumfeld Speaker S / Speaker M
There is no need for additional speakers or amplifiers from other manufacturers: Raumfeld Speakers M and S are wireless-based systems with built-in amplifiers. Speaker M is developed in alliance with ADAM Professional Audio, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality studio monitor speakers.

4. Raumfeld Connector
It is simple to incorporate your existing equipment into the Raumfeld system: you can use the Raumfeld Connector to integrate your stereo or home cinema system. Internet radios from other suppliers can be managed comfortably through the Controller and gain a new lease of life.

Unlike other multi-room audio systems, Raumfeld is standards-based and open. This enables it to integrate existing devices (such as a UPnP-based internet radio) and means it can be easily extended and networked throughout your home using standard WLAN equipment and routers.

Pricing and Availability
Designed and engineered in Berlin, Raumfeld has been on sale in Germany since December 2009. On 10 May 2010, Raumfeld is available to buy in the UK via www.raumfeld.co.uk and all orders will come with a free one-year Napster Unlimited subscription allowing you to listen to more than 10 million songs. Prices start from £1,085.40 for an entry-level system comprising Controller, Base and two Connectors. A full price list is available at www.raumfeld.co.uk, including 10% and 15% discounts for two- and three-room bundles.

About Raumfeld
Established in 2008, Raumfeld develops and sells WiFi-based, multi-room audio systems. Its innovative hardware and software enables listeners to experience their music from digital and analogue sources in several rooms simultaneously. Designed and engineered in Berlin, Raumfeld's focus is on usability and sound quality, and it partners with businesses from the pro studio sector such ADAM Professional Audio. Raumfeld products are available exclusively online at the Raumfeld online store. For more information, please visit www.raumfeld.co.uk

 

[Clare Newsome]

Sounds interesting, doesn't it? They're coming into the office on Monday....

 

[bigboss]

It certainly sounds interesting! Please keep us posted about the outcome of the meeting & whether they're providing you with a review sample.

It's just been too long for Sonos to not have a strong competitor (I really don't think Logitech has managed to challenge its supremacy) . A healthy competition will ensure better products at cheaper prices.

 

[daveh75]

It does look interesting...Not keen on that Controller though.

 

[bigboss]

Yeah.....looks like a volume knob on a remote control

............never seen one before!

 

[The_Lhc]

Looks interesting, it also looks expensive, even compared to Sonos, so it's going to have to be good.

Thoughts, I don't want their speakers, I want my own and was it NAIM or LINN saying just the other day that their latest none-HDD music had been brought out because so many of their customers were telling them that they wanted to use their own generic NAS's instead of having a built in HDD that may or may not be upgradable?

And I prefer the way Sonos looks, although the S5 will be available in black at some point I hear.

 

[bigboss]

Looks like you can connect an external HDD or NAS to the Raumfeld base unit.

From what I can see, Raumfeld does not have a ZP120 equivalent. The Raumfeld connector acts like the ZP90.

 

[The_Lhc]

bigboss:Looks like you can connect an external HDD or NAS to the Raumfeld base unit.

Yes you can, has a 160Gb HDD in it as well. The price for that isn't that bad, however it's a box you basically don't have to buy with something like Sonos, as there is no equivalent unless you considered something like a Zonebridge providing the wired connection to your router to be sort of playing the same role (and you could plug a NAS into that as well). They're only 70 quid though...

From what I can see, Raumfeld does not have a ZP120 equivalent. The Raumfeld connector acts like the ZP90.

Yes looks like you're right, the speaker systems are active and wireless, still limits things a little.

Weird coincidence, I was sitting here humming Chris Moyles' Kylie parody, Chihauhau, click on the link for the Controller and on the screen is "Guiltless Chihauhau", what are the chances of that happening?

Like I said it's interesting, wish they'd comes up with a snappier name though, probably means something in German (Baum is tree I believe, Baumgartner is not what you think at all!) but I'm now thinking of an advertising campaign along the lines of "Have you had your Baumfeld?".

 

[Anonymous]

I wonder if it will as easy to use as Sonos.However, it seems to support all types of Flac files unlike the Sonos

 

[The_Lhc]

duff2010:I wonder if it will as easy to use as Sonos.However, it seems to support all types of Flac files unlike the Sonos

Not quite, the DAC is only 96Khz, so it won't support the uber-FLAC 24-bit 192Khz files. But yes, other than that you're right, shame I can't see anyway of integrating it into my existing system without buying at least a Base and Connector and then I'll have three wireless networks in the same room.

 

[PJPro]

the_lhc:
.....But yes, other than that you're right, shame I can't see anyway of integrating it into my existing system without buying at least a Base and Connector and then I'll have three wireless networks in the same room.

And you say you have no kit worth mentioning?

 

[The_Lhc]

PJPro:the_lhc:.....But yes, other than that you're right, shame I can't see anyway of integrating it into my existing system without buying at least a Base and Connector and then I'll have three wireless networks in the same room.
And you say you have no kit worth mentioning?

Well, yeah, a wireless router and Sonos, those are the two networks I currently have, it's not that exciting is it? I'm just not convinced having a third (the Baumfeld) network would be beneficial, you'd almost certainly end up with interference I'd have thought.

 

[bigboss]

Not sure about interference, but it makes no sense for someone to buy a Raumfeld if they've already invested in a Sonos system unless there's something about the Raumfeld which will compel them to get rid of their Sonos completely (which is unlikely)!

 

[The_Lhc]

The only thing that's attracting me is the 24-bit support, although it doesn't go up to 192kHz, so I'd probably pass anyway. Currently I'm going on the assumption that Sonos will provide support for 24-bit files eventually (even though they've never mentioned it), even if it's via new hardware, so I'm happy to wait for that.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Looks interesting indeed. Another definate for a WHF wanted reviews list!

 

[Simon Lucas]

Visited by a couple of Raumfeld representatives today and very nice they were too. Dem'd the set-up with both pairs of speakers, talked through the system and took it away again. I'm hoping they'll get me a review sample before the week is out, as I'd like to put it in the August issue.

 

[bigboss]

Simon Lucas:Visited by a couple of Raumfeld representatives today and very nice they were too. Dem'd the set-up with both pairs of speakers, talked through the system and took it away again. I'm hoping they'll get me a review sample before the week is out, as I'd like to put it in the August issue.

 

[bigboss]

Simon Lucas:Visited by a couple of Raumfeld representatives today and very nice they were too. Dem'd the set-up with both pairs of speakers, talked through the system and took it away again. I'm hoping they'll get me a review sample before the week is out, as I'd like to put it in the August issue.

Any update on the review, Simon?

 

[Anonymous]

Well it's kind of difficult to just it just by looking at in on the internet. I'll be very interested to read the review when we see one. Personally I really like my Sonos system, but do welcome some strong competition in this area - it can only make things better.

 

[DrizztDan]

hmm but Napster and not Spotify?

I understand ownership is gone now. But does this player support spotify? sounds like Napsters way of getting a foothold.

Im still unsure as how this is different to sonas apart from the integrated amp on speakers?

def wanted WH review!

 

[bigboss]

Just finished reading the review in the latest issue.

 

[woodster]

I just dont get it, ok, it does what sonos does, but hey its so much more expensive and how ugly......it looks like something sir clive sinclair might have invented in the eighties.

I honestly would be ashamed to have that in my shed, let alone my house.

Sonos sounds great, yes I know I have not heard the raumfield, but it would have to be utterly fantastic to entice me.

 

[bigboss]

It's not exactly that much more expensive, if you compare the individual units side by side. The main drawback is that you cannot use your ipod Touch / iPhone as a controller. So you'll have to buy theirs. They have their own advantages over Sonos as well.

I find them quite smart looking actually.

But yes, I haven't found a compelling reason to sell my Sonos gear for this one. For new buyers who haven't commited to a particular system, Raumfeld is a great alternative.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree that it doesn't look so good but it does support 24 bit music up to 96kHz which certainly entices me.

 

[Anonymous]

I looked at the Raumfeld before I got my Sonos. As I understood it all the signals go through the base which would be situated near the router, rather than creating a mesh as in the Sonos system. I'm probably wrong though. I have poor wifi in parts of the house, so decided against it. I liked the idea of storage as part of the system but the hard drive is quite small. As for pricing even if you take into account the cost of a NAS. The Raumfeld is quite a bit more expensive than the Sonos (if you can get hold of BU250 bundle).