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Audio Pro announces the launch of Addon C3 – a unique product that combines a top class portable speaker with multiroom functionality and voice control.

Exactly three years ago, after several years of development, Audio Pro launched a small but very powerful portable speaker with long battery life, Addon T3. Not only did this set a new standard for portable audio, the Addon T3 was also the proud recipient of several prestigious awards, including What Hi-Fi? “Product of The Year” 2015 and “Best Buy” 2016 and 2017.

 This was then successfully followed by the launch of the multi-room Addon C5 and C10 (award-winning connected versions of Addon T5 and T10, offering WiFi, multi-room functionality via the Audio Pro app and four preset buttons), Link 1 (that can make any existing stereo wireless) and the wireless subwoofer Addon C-SUB last year.

 In May 2018, the company has taken yet another step forwards, by launching a product that is unique in today’s marketplace. Addon C3 is based on the Bluetooth speaker Addon T3. The same award-winning sound quality and design, but further developed and equipped with WiFi and multi-room functionality, four preset buttons and “Works with Alexa” voice control via the Audio Pro app.

 Audio Pro’s 40 years of experience in acoustics and sound reproduction is reflected in Addon C3 – it has got a detailed and dynamic sound, with deeper bass and more power than its modest size would have you believe. A handle made out of genuine leather and details in solid aluminium are examples that Audio Pro invests a lot of effort into the choice of materials and design. It will feel like quality, just like it sounds like quality. 

Why WiFi in a portable speaker?

The thing with WiFi is that you can listen directly via the wireless network instead of having to connect your smartphone to the speaker via Bluetooth, and that brings about a number of advantages. The sound quality gets a little better, operation is more user-friendly and functionality is improved. For example, you can use Spotify or Apple AirPlay and use the Audio Pro app to control the speaker, either as part of a multiroom setup or as the only wireless speaker in the home. And should the phone ring when listening to music, you can take the call without interrupting playback. Where wireless networks do not exist, such as in the garden, on a boat or when travelling, the Addon C3 is also Bluetooth enabled to provide alternative audio connectivity. 

–      “Addon C3 gives you the best of both worlds. It is a fantastic portable speaker and also a multiroom speaker that can be used separately or in combination with more speakers. And as icing on the cake you can control it with your voice via Alexa in our app”, says Jens Henriksen, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Audio Pro.

Price & availability

Addon C3 is available in three ongoing colour options (Coal Black, Arctic White and Storm Grey).

UK distributors Hama UK Ltd, will be stocking the Addon C3 from mid-June 2018, with it appearing in major retailers and independent stockists later in the month. It will also be available online at audiopro.com from 22nd May.

Recommended price: £250 (incl. VAT)

 Specifications

For more info:

Hama UK Ltd.

0333 123 4262

25th April 2017 – Following their success in acquiring distribution of Scandinavian loudspeaker brand Audio Pro late last year, Hama UK are set to further demonstrate their growing commitment to the audio industry through the creation of another high-profile partnership. From 25th April 2017, they will be joining forces with revolutionary British sound bar manufacturers Orbitsound.

Understated, British, simple elegance, intelligent, unpretentious. These 5 core values have lay at the very heart of the Orbitsound brand since its inception in 2005 and have undoubtedly contributed to the rapidly expanding popularity of the brand within the UK market. Delivering exceptional audio through an entirely unique, patented airSOUND™ system, Orbitsound products passionately pursue founder and experienced audio technician Ted Fletcher’s original aim to ‘improve audio enjoyment’, whilst providing ‘superior sound that can be enjoyed by all’.

With Hama UK set to take over distribution of the Bar A70 and ONE P70 models and with the promise of new products in the pipeline to follow later in the year, there could be few people more enthusiastic about taking on the Orbitsound brand than Senior Product Manager and self-confessed technophile, Ben Jones. Speaking out about the impending partnership, he said: “Leading the way in British audio innovation, Orbitsound’s airSOUND™ technology has completely redefined the listening experience over the past decade, eliminating the traditional un-balanced sound from separate left and right stereo speakers and creating a complete panoramic sound experience. No more ‘sweet spots’, just exceptional, high-definition audio available at any location within the room. The technology is second to none and Hama are privileged to be a part of its legacy.”

Already established within several big-name retail outlets within the UK, Hama UK now hope to continue to drive the brand onwards and upwards through improved delivery to the independents, with the help of their regional on-the-road sales team, in addition to thinking ‘outside the box’ to target alternative areas of custom such as boutiques, schools, hotels and small businesses.

“We are joining Hama UK at an incredibly exciting time.” said Richard Williams, Managing Director of Operations at Orbitsound. “Orbitsound is at the forefront of innovation, bringing airSOUND™ technology to the Consumer technology market. Hama provides an unrivalled level of expertise and their Nationwide staff have the knowledge that comes from being genuine enthusiasts. We feel we have a distributor that understands our target and discerning audience, and will help us reach markets and customers we haven’t been able to in the past. We are confident that this new partnership will help our journey towards becoming a significant audio technology brand.”

7th December 2016 - In an extension of their long-term plan to provide dealers with a one-stop-shop portfolio of high-quality brands, Hama UK were today pleased to announce that they will be assuming full distribution of the award-winning Audio Pro loudspeaker line-up in the UK.  

Through the simple aim to ‘provide the best sound at the best price’, Audio Pro have achieved great things in past 38 years. Founded in 1978, the well-known brand has continued to grow at an exponential rate, now trading in over 30 countries across 4 continents and racking up a number of prestigious international awards to boot. But Audio Pro have never intended to be the biggest. For them it’s purely a matter of exceptional performance, combining their unique audio technology with on-trend aesthetics to bring high quality sound to the home or office environment.

Well revered in the press, the Addon T Series Bluetooth speakers have gained instant recognition with numerous accolades and outstanding 5* reviews from popular publications such as What Hi-Fi? and Hi-Fi World. Being bestowed with the esteemed title of ‘What Hi-Fi? Wireless Speaker Product of the Year 2015’ and nominated for the same award this year, there are few UK audio fans who are not familiar with the distinguished design of the Addon T3 speaker or the blossoming reputation of the Audio Pro name.

Available for immediate order from Hama, the Audio Pro range will consist of the portable, battery-powered Addon T3 and the larger, but equally popular, Addon T5 and T10 mains powered Bluetooth speakers. These will be joined by the mighty Addon Sub Subwoofer and T8L, T14 and T20 Hi-Fi speakers, also available to order, with the much awaited multi-room C5 and C10 connected speakers expected in Q1 2017.

Speaking of the range, Hama UK Senior Product Manager Ben Jones said: “With appealing shades such as ‘dirty pink’ and ‘military green’ to supplement the traditional black, white and grey it’s no surprise that these speakers have become something of a style icon in addition to a source of first-rate audio. Then there’s the little added extras and authentic details that truly set the speakers apart. Stocking this brand for us really was a no-brainer.”

Equally enthusiastic about the partnership is Audio Pro’s Chief Sales Officer, Jens Henriksen: “With their expertise in the consumer electronics category, we have great faith in Hama UK and their ability to propagate the growth of our brand within the market place. We look forward to the opportunities that 2017 will bring.”

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By Jo Couchman

Set to return to our television screens tonight for its sixth series, The Great British Bake Off is as popular as ever. A keen baker myself, this got me thinking about what I could do to mark such an event and tie it into the Hama range.

It all might sound a bit far-fetched considering Hama’s reputation as a large-scale electronics accessory distributor, but you would be surprised to hear that I didn’t have to look far to find products relevant to my cause.

My focus immediately fell to our Xavax range, an in-house brand specialising in over 1,200 high-quality kitchen and household accessories, including surface protectors, coffee capsule racks, kitchen scales and food storage. Yes, now I was sure that I was definitely on the right track!

Then there it was. Beckoning me over from the Xavax display in the corner of our showroom was the 00111354 Xavax Baking Set. If the name didn’t win me over then the products soon did, with the well-provisioned little kit containing much of what I need to get started with my spontaneous baking project.

1 x 3L mixing bowl

1 x 1L measuring jug

1 x ½ cup (125ml) measure

1 x 100ml measure

1 x 50ml measure

1 x tablespoon measure

1 x teaspoon measure

1 x pinch measure

With Xavax Baking Kit in hand and wooden spoon wielded high it came down to the next question – what should I bake?

Feeling I should stay true to the spirit of Xavax brand, my attention was drawn to the very first thing that caught my eye – the startling vivid blue and white of the brand logo. I think I had my theme.

Flashes of white and blue running through my mind, I was drawn back to thoughts of my daughter’s 3rd birthday cake,  who, following in the footsteps of many of her friends, demanded a Frozen inspired glitter-dusted double-tier creation running to a similar blue and white colour scheme. The top tier, a 5-layer blue-white gradiated sponge cake, appeared to be a success. Perhaps if I could change the gradual blue-white gradiation into stark, alternating blue and white horizontal bands then it might be adapted to fit the bill?

The recipe I used was this delicious looking Lemon Layer Cake found on FineCooking.com: http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/triple-lemon-layer-cake.aspx

To help cut down on cooking times, I used the Wilton Easy Layer Cake Pan Set from Lakeland, which allowed me to bake all 5 layers in a single batch. It also create a more even finish between layers.

To colour, I used Wilton Blue Food Colouring Paste (available from Hobbycraft), which provides a much richer hue compared to the watery liquid colourings from the supermarket. 

With the baking underway, I soon stumbled across the first useful feature of the Xavax Baking Set: Where measuring spoons for cup measures would usually have to be purchased separately from those for standard spoon sizes (tablespoons, teaspoon etc.), Xavax had included both on the same set of spoons. This is the first time I have ever seen these different units of measurement together like this, and it really did save the the usual hassle of digging for various sets of measuring spoons in my cutlery drawer. This was especially useful considering the cup measures of this American recipe. 

Though I didn’t require it this time, I also thought it was nice to be able to quantify the term ‘pinch’, which regularly appears in recipes but could probably vary quite considerably person to person! 

Another feature I liked about the Xavax Baking Kit was that the handle of the measuring jug (which I used for gradual addition of the milk in this recipe) and both the handle and base of the mixing bowl all have a rubberised coating to help improve grip. In fact, previously possessing only heavy glass and ceramic mixing bowls, it was pleasant change to have a light, non-slip bowl that could easily be grasped or tucked under the elbow when beating together ingredients by hand. It would be almost impossible to grasp the weighty, slippery glass or ceramic bowls with the same comfort or ease, and the plastic really did come out on top here allowing me to mix ingredients thoroughly. 

My 18 month old daughter come chef de patisserie, seems to have taken up permanent position on my kitchen counter top as of late, including during the entire making of this cake, so I can report from first hand experience that plastic bakeware is considerably more resilient if the kids want to get involved! Especially when launched across the room...

Adapting the recipe to the blue and white theme, before apportioning the mixture between the layer tins, I split it into 2 separate bowls in the ratio 2:3. To the larger quantity of mixture I added enough blue gel colouring to give it a vivid blue colouring (around 1/4-1/2 teaspoon perhaps), gently folding this in so not to beat all the air out of the egg whites. The other bowl, I left the mixture as it was, though I would have added white colouring if I had had more time to acquire some.

Using a spoon I transferred the cake mix into the tins, with the blue mix split between 3 tins and the plain mix split between 2. These went into the oven at 180⁰C for 20 minutes until they were firm, golden around the edges and a skewer came out clean.

Once fully cooled, I removed from the tins and layered them one on top of another alternating the colours. Between each layer I spread a very thin layer of the icing in addition to the lemon curd that is suggested in the recipe, as I found this helped to minimise ‘slippage’ between layers.

In terms of decoration I was time limited, so kept it fairly simple with the lemon butter icing (as in the recipe) which I applied in a thin ‘crumb layer’ as suggested, allowing this to set in the fridge for around 1 hour before applying the top layer and modelling the Xavax logo from fondant. A little water was enough to adhere this to the cake for the finishing touch.

Easy to wipe clean and fully dishwasher safe, the Xavax Baking Set was soon back in the cupboard and ready for my next adventurous bake. 

There was nothing left to do but to tuck in!

The Xavax Baking Set is available for purchase here at Amazon.co.uk.

22nd July 2015 – Hama UK, the UK arm of the leading European accessory giant, today announced the planned expansion of their UK sales team in a strategic move to improve services to the independent sector on a national scale.

Due to take place this quarter, the upcoming expansion involves the recruitment of two new Regional Area Sales Managers, both with extensive experience across the independent sector. Kevin Hurford, based in Lincoln, is set to cover the East of England, whilst claiming the South West region will be Steve Tucker, based in Torquay.

As former employees of UK technical accessory supplier Vivanco, Hurford and Tucker are already well-recognised within their respective areas, bringing to Hama an in-depth knowledge of their customer base along with combined experience of over 35 years within the consumer electronics industry, in particular AV.

With over 20 years of heading up Vivanco himself, Hama UK Country Manager, Paul Irish, remains enthusiastic about welcoming the new starters to the company: “Having previously worked with both Kevin and Steve, I have every confidence in their capabilities. These are honest, hard-working salesmen with strong customer service values that have earnt them the respect of many of their customers, as well as mine. Their comprehensive area knowledge and industry expertise is certain to prove invaluable as Hama UK look to bring more independent retailers into the fold.”

Set to join Hama on 29th July 2015, Hurford and Tucker will be working alongside Hama’s three existing RAMs, Richard Boote (London and South East), Steve Green (Wales and Midlands) and Drew McCall (Scotland & Northern Ireland) in the creation of a 5-strong on-the-road UK sales team. At the forefront of the business, this fully operational team of RAMs will be collectively responsible for putting forward Hama’s extensive 8,000 product range, including photo, AV/TV, PC and white accessories, to independent retailers across the UK.    

“Call me old-fashioned, but I remain a strong believer in face-to-face customer service.” said Paul Irish. “Our customers appreciate the fact they can put a face to a name where sales is concerned. Taking a little time out of our day to pop in and have a chat about business and evaluate the customer’s needs, that’s the essence of our work here at Hama.”

Above: New RAMs Kevin Hurford (left) and Steve Tucker (right)

If you would like to contact your local Hama sales rep, please find contact details below:

London and South East - Richard Boote 

Tel: 07768761849, Email: [email protected]

East of England - Kevin Hurford (from 29th July)

Tel:  07768701706,  Email: [email protected]

Scotland and Northern Ireland - Drew McCall

Tel: 07885310900, Email: [email protected]

Wales and the Midlands  Steve Green

Tel: 07768761852, Email: [email protected]

South West - Steve Tucker (from 29th July)

Tel: 07768701706, Email: [email protected]

or alternatively contact our main sales office:

Tel: 0333 230 4262, Email: [email protected]

30th June 2015 – Bringing high-quality optics to the UK for over 15 years, Hama UK is a name well-recognised for their contribution to the successful establishment of brands such as Tasco and Celestron within the optics marketplace. Now, in an exciting new collaboration, Hama UK are pleased to announce their distribution of world-leading amateur astronomy brand, Meade Instruments, from 1st July.

Originating in the early 1970s as a small supplier of optical accessories, Meade Instruments has seen astronomical growth over the past 40 years, successfully diversifying into the in-house engineering, manufacturing and distribution of their own advanced range of telescopes, sports optics and accessories from their state-of-the-art North American facility.

On entering their fifth decade within the optics industry, the Meade brand continues to flourish, supplying ground-breaking optical designs to dealers, distributors and customers in over 30 countries worldwide as a globally recognised brand.

“Putting the needs of their customers at the forefront of their business, Meade’s long-term vision is much in-line with ours” said Paul Irish, Country Manager for Hama UK. “By focusing together on the same core values of quality, performance and affordability alongside ground-breaking optical design, Meade and Hama plan to capture the attention of the optics industry. This is a trusted brand with fantastic potential in the UK marketplace.”

Unrivalled in the field of amateur astronomy, Meade have continued to lead the way and improve user-experience through the continual development of revolutionary optical concepts. From the development of the first commercially successful GoTo telescope system in the 1990s to the Meade customary, ultra-high transmission optical coating still used today, the company has a long history of outstanding innovation.

Designed as perfect starter telescopes, ideal for nurturing a lifelong interest in the night sky, the Meade Polaris and Infinity series aim to make amateur astronomy more user-friendly and enjoyable regardless of skill level or experience. Hama will initially be distributing these models in the UK, with a view to bringing in GoTo computerised telescopes in the near future. In addition to these, Hama will also offer Meade’s high-quality sports-optics range, including Mirage, Rainforest Pro, TravelView and Wilderness Series binoculars, all undergoing rigorous Meade quality control procedures to ensure unparalleled viewing capabilities.

Speaking of the new partnership with Hama UK, President of Meade Instruments, Victor Aniceto, said: “We are very excited to be working with Hama UK to bring our products to the UK market. Hama have an excellent reputation within the industry along with many years of experience that can be drawn on to help mutually grow our brands.”

To celebrate National Running Day we asked Product Manager of Outdoor and Fitness, Lorna Searle, what her 5 top tips were for achieving that perfect mile. A keen runner herself, Lorna has been keeping pace both on the road and cross country for many years and has successfully competed in Basingstoke Half Marathon, Race for Life 10k and the St Michael’s Hospice 10k.

1. Give yourself something to strive for – In running motivation is key, so don’t be afraid to set yourself a challenge. Book yourself into a race to give yourself something to work towards. There are many different distance races so start with something small, such as 5k, and build your way up to a full marathon.

2. Keep Energy Supplies Topped Up – Not only is it vital to remember to drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated during your run, it is also important to eat well too. Make sure you eat something several hours before you run to give your body has time to process it. No one likes to run on a full stomach! Dried fruit, nuts or a slice of wholemeal toast are all great snacks for slow release of energy.

3. Use Music to Set the Pace – Running to the rhythm of a regular beat is perfect for keeping up the pace. Try and pick tracks with a similar tempo to keep consistent. MP3 and phone cases, such as the Hama Marathon Armband Case, are ideal for taking your music with you on a run, especially when you are short of a pocket or two. It’s also worth investing in a decent set of sports headphones, such as Thomson EAR5020 Sport Clip-On Headphones, which are specifically designed for the active lifestyle and won’t slip out of your ears.

Thomson 5020 Sport Clip-On Headphones (00131837)

4. Stay Safe – If running alone or on an unfamiliar route, stay safe and take your phone with you. Make sure it is fully charged in case of an emergency - portable powerbanks are the perfect way to do this. The Fresh ‘n Rebel 2600 mAh Powerbank can be slipped in your pocket and is capable of providing a full recharge for your smartphone in the event of a dying battery.

Fresh ‘n Rebel 2600 mAh Powerbank (00155683)

5. Plan Ahead – Plot out your route the day before if you can. For long distance or cross country runs make sure you pack essential food, water and safety items and that you keep these with you at all times in a comfortable backpack or kit bag. Select a robust model with well-padded straps to minimise friction. Something like the CAT Project Backpack would be ideal.

CAT The Project Backpack (00119538)