Areal has appointed 2M Audio as its distributor for Switzerland, handling the SR1 spatial reference headphone and Upmix Engine. The partnership gives customers across Switzerland local access to both product lines, supported by 2M Audio’s experience in pro audio system design, integration and support.
After being established around the distribution of d&b audiotechnik, the company has developed a carefully selected portfolio of professional audio brands and works with specialist retailers, systems integrators and rental companies across the Swiss market. Based in Remetschwil, the company has worked in professional audio for more than 35 years.
Alongside product distribution, 2M Audio supports projects from initial system design through to commissioning, with expertise spanning sound quality, speech intelligibility, noise management and network integration. Its approach is built around long-term system performance, reflecting the reality that professional audio installations may remain in place for ten years or more.
Developed at Areal’s headquarters in Belgium, SR1 is a portable spatial reference system designed for professional immersive monitoring on headphones, supporting multichannel sessions up to 7.1.4 for applications including music production, postproduction, broadcast and education. The Upmix Engine is a real-time hardware processor that expands stereo sources across multi-speaker setups while allowing artists and engineers to retain their existing stereo workflow. Applications span concerts, festivals, clubs, venues and other complex live and installed sound systems.
‘Immersive audio has moved from special projects into the everyday work of many of our customers, and Areal fits that development perfectly,’ says 2M Audio owner and MD, Manuel Suter. ‘What impressed us most is how the Upmix Engine respects existing stereo workflows while opening up multi-speaker systems – exactly the kind of practical solution our rental and installation customers are looking for. SR1 makes immersive monitoring possible wherever a session takes place.’
‘2M Audio stood out to us because their approach goes well beyond supplying equipment,’ says Areal Commercial Director, Kristof Jeuris. ‘The company understands the complete system around a product, the technical questions that need to be answered and the importance of supporting customers throughout the life of an installation. That makes it a particularly strong fit for Areal, especially as we continue to develop the Upmix Engine across live sound and installed applications while also growing the market for SR1.’
2M Audio will support sales, demonstrations and technical enquiries for both SR1 and the Upmix Engine in Switzerland. Customers will also be able to experience Areal’s technology in a dedicated Soundscape demo room, where a 15-speaker immersive system provides a practical environment for evaluating spatial positioning, room emulation and system behaviour before project specification. The companies will also work together on local marketing, events and market development as the partnership grows.
The appointment continues the expansion of Areal’s European distribution network, with the company building a selected group of partners combining local market knowledge with strong technical capabilities and long-term customer support.
More: https://www.2maudio.ch