Audio technology company Areal has appointed Remetschwil, Switzerland-based professional audio specialist 2M Audio GmbH as its official Swiss distributor. The partnership gives customers local access to Areal’s SR1 spatial reference headphone system and Upmix Engine hardware processor, with support from 2M Audio’s experience in system design and integration.
Developed at Areal’s headquarters in Belgium, SR1 is a portable system for professional immersive monitoring on headphones. It supports multichannel sessions up to 7.1.4 and is designed for music production, post-production, broadcast and education. The Upmix Engine expands stereo sources across multichannel speaker setups in real time, while allowing artists and engineers to keep their existing stereo workflow. It is intended for live sound and installed systems, including concerts, festivals, clubs and other venues.
2M Audio has worked in professional audio for more than 35 years. Established around distributing d&b audiotechnik, the company has since built a portfolio of professional audio brands and works with specialist retailers, systems integrators and rental companies across Switzerland. It supports projects from system design through commissioning, with expertise in sound quality, speech intelligibility, noise management and network integration.
SR1 makes reliable immersive monitoring possible wherever a session takes place
2M Audio Owner and Managing Director Manuel Suter
Areal Commercial Director Kristof Jeuris pointed to the distributor’s system-level. “They understand 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,” he said. “That makes them 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 Owner and Managing Director Manuel Suter said immersive audio had become part of customers’ everyday work. “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,” he said. “SR1 makes reliable immersive monitoring possible wherever a session takes place.”
2M Audio will handle sales, demonstrations and technical inquiries for both products in Switzerland. Customers can also try Areal’s technology in 2M Audio’s 15-speaker Soundscape demo room in Remetschwil, designed for evaluating spatial positioning, room emulation and system behavior. The companies will work together on local marketing, events and market development.
The appointment is part of Areal’s expansion of its European distribution network, which the company says is focused on partners with local market knowledge, technical capabilities and long-term customer support.
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