Sound and vision specialist Sevenoaks has a reputation nationwide for being accessible and having a knowledgeable and helpful team.
James Gilbert, franchise owner, tells us more about the business
“Sevenoaks was started in Kent in1972 and there are now 26 shops across the UK. We specialise in the sale and installation of hi fi, home cinema and customer installation solutions – anything to do with technology in the home… including multi room audio vosula solutions, networking, lighting control, CCTV and the control of whole house systems”
Shopping at Sevenoaks is as much about the service as the product. You can test-drive equipment beforehand in their demo rooms, and once a decision is made, they will follow through the whole installation from chasing out walls and burying cables to replastering. Their work is in period houses as well as cutting edge homes; in single rooms or in a whole property. As for customers, they have as many older as younger clients – Seniors, says James, are often enthusiastic about music, appreciate quality sound and are grateful for guidance in the available options.
So what are the ultimate sound and vision solutions now?
There are a few key technogies that are proving popular:
Streaming – where music is centrally stored and controlled from a tablet. “We rip CDs for clients too so all of the client’s own music is installe. Then music cam be played wirelessly from all rooms of a home.
Control 4 – An all-in-one home automation system where multipe systems and devices are controlled from a laptop, iPad or smartphone, from anywhere as long there’s an internet connection. You can also program heating to come on house lights to turn off etc- “It’s handy when on holiday.”
Dedicated home cinema rooms with:
4K UHD TV – Four times higher resolution than standard HD “ The picture clarity is breathtaking. They are on the cusp of releasing 4K content from streaming service like Netflix too.”
Dolby Atmos – There are extra speakers – either in your ceiling or on top of your existing set-up which give a totally immersive surround sound.
“We do it all” says James, “we use it, we understand it, we sell and install and we advise appropriatel to meet the client’s brief and budget.”
Finally for the record, there’s also a resurgence in Vinyl.
Sevenoaks might be hi end and hi tech, but in store they are just as likely to play good old school LPs – and of course, sell the turntables and al the necessary accessories to get the best out of a cusomer’s valued collection
Sevenoaks Sound and Vision, 22 Lower Road, 01923 287060 www.ssav.com.