As convenient the world of hi-fi can be right now, there's still no replacement for the warm, lush sound of the oh-so-elaborate, yet oh-so-delicious valve sound.

At Audio Affair we love that valve sound just as much as you do. and our friends at Icon Audio produce some of the finest valve products around. Since we've refit the showroom, we've got a huge range of Icon Audio products on display. If you'd like to hear any of these impressive bits of kit, then head on down to the Audio Affair Showroom

When KEF gave their engineers free rein to create the best speaker they could, they came up with the revolutionary Concept Blade prototype - the world's first single apparent source loudspeaker. Its sonic capabilities were so impressive that KEF created an edition that serious audiophiles could actually own.

The KEF Blade 2 is modelled after the multi-award winning Blade speakers with all the same acoustic prowess and iconic design on a slightly smaller scale.

The Blade 2 is a rare thing, in fact,

Speakers, speakers, speakers. They come in every shape and every size imaginable, so it's no wonder they can be perceived as confusing. When you're adding the crowning jewels to your system - which type of speaker do you go for? Well, it obvious mostly boils down to personal choice, but having a little bit more information on what the differences are in the first place can't hurt, can it?

In order to answer yet another of hi-fis greatest questions - we've put together a little guide to help you make

There's a great deal of variety in hi-fi - there are even several variations on the humble tweeter! This high-frequency-driver comes in many shapes and sizes, but the two most distinct are the standard tweeter, and the ribbon tweeter. We've already given drivers as a collective our attention, now it's time for the tweeter's moment in the limelight.

What is a (Standard) Tweeter?

A tweeter is a driver (i.e. an individual transducer which converts an electrical energy into a soundwave - driving the

What do speakers do? They convert and drive the amplified signal to a soundwave and into yours - the listener's - ears. And beyond. But how exactly does it do this? Well, there are a few different technologies at play (of course) but a crucial element is, of course: the driver.

But what does a driver actually do? How do they work? What are the different types and why do some speakers have more of them? Well, that's what we're here to answer today.

Let's start from the top...

What do drivers

When you work in retail (of any sort) and you particularly like a product, you make sure you get plenty of that product in, because you know that the world will like it as much as you do. Sometimes this happens so well, you find yourself with the very last of the stocks.

That's now the case for us with the two Sansui items that we stock - we quite literally loved them to their deaths.

Okay, we're being a little dramatic there. We loved them to their discontinue-ment (?!). But that's good news for

This week in the showroom we are mostly drooling over... These speakers!

KEF Reference 3 Foundry Edition

'Fantastic sound and looks from KEF's high end floorstanding speaker - now in special edition colours, Black and Orange, or White and Blue'

KEF Reference 5

'The KEF Reference 5 sets the benchmark in how a floorstanding speaker should sound, yet remains easy to listen to without being overpowering'

Focal Sopra 2

'Think they look good? Just wait until you hear them!'

On the evening of July 30th we'll be running an exclusive event which will bring together three huge names...

Linn, Lamborghini and Pink Floyd.

Linn will be telling us the story behind the music, giving you a chance to enjoy the iconic band on some of the finest hi-fi available.

You'll also be able to see some impressive supercars up close, as well as be in with a chance of winning a variety of goodies on the night.

Spaces are VERY limited, if you'd like to attend then please book your tickets

How many of you have visited our showroom? Okay... how many of you would like to? Well, if you've been kicking your heels about actually getting dragging your butt down to Birmingham and actually taking a look - we have to tell you: now is a very good time to stop thinking about it, and get it done.

This month's theme is all about speakers, largely because we've had some exciting new upgrades in our showroom department. What better way to let you know all know what we've got, than by telling you