It’s October, so it must be time for our latest brand of the month! This month the spotlight shines on one of our very favourite audio brands – Ruark!
The History of Ruark
Ruark started out as a speaker manufacturer – Ruark Acoustics – founded by father and son team Brian and Alan O’Rourke back in 1985. Within a couple of years, their beautifully designed speakers are soon receiving rave reviews, gaining Ruark a reputation as a name to be reckoned with in the realms of high-end hi-fi loudspeakers!
Ruark started out as a speaker manufacturer – Ruark Acoustics – founded by father and son team Brian and Alan O’Rourke back in 1985. Within a couple of years, their beautifully designed speakers are soon receiving rave reviews, gaining Ruark a reputation as a name to be reckoned with in the realms of high-end hi-fi loudspeakers! Ruark were early adopters of computer simulation to aid the design of their speakers, although final tuning has always been carried out by ear – their philosophy is that there is no better development tool!
In the mid-200s, Ruark developed their first DAB radio – the compact R1. It made quite the splash – with the Sunday Telegraph calling it “the Aston Martin of DAB radios.” The R2 followed soon after, and was awarded What Hi-Fi’s Product of the Year for 2007! Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, with a range that now includes the R7 radiogram and the MR1 Bluetooth wireless speakers.
Ruark at HBH Woolacotts
We’ve long been fans of Ruark here at HBH Woolacotts. We stocked the Mkii R1 and R2 models as far back as 2013, with each new generation bringing additional features and functionality, without affecting the beautiful design. They’re a firm staff and customer favourite, thanks to their mix of elegant aesthetics, well thought out features and that signature Ruark sound quality.
Ruark have also attended each of our Cornwall Hi-Fi shows, each year delivering an incredible stand showcasing their current product range. with their team on hand to demonstrate the full range of features and the glorious full range audio that’s baked into every Ruark product, from the tiny R1 to the brilliant R7!
And now they’ve managed to improve the already brilliant R2…!
The all new Ruark R2 received it’s first ever showcase at this year’s Cornwall Hi-Fi Show! The original R2 launched back in 2007 and – as with all Ruark products – has seen new features and technologies added with each successive generation. But the new R2 Mk4 version – launching for sale soon – is the most radical revision to date! It features an all-new retro-inspired design with a smaller footprint than older versions and yet manages to squeeze in even more features! The Mk4 has: a colour display, Wi-Fi streaming, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, SmartRadio tuner (featuring internet radio, DAB/DAB+ and FM compatibility), USB-C connectivity, remote control via your smart device and – as you’d of course expect from Ruark – class leading enhanced stereo sound!
Of course, you can view Ruark products online and in store at HBH Woolacotts. Our trained sales advisers will be happy to demonstrate and compare the range for you, helping you make an informed purchasing decision. But regardless of which model you chose, with Ruark you know that you’re investing in a premium quality audio product, delivering incredible sound and finished with a beautiful design that makes for a stunning focal point in any room.
But don’t just take our word for it – come and see and hear them for yourself, or learn more on their relevant product pages:
- R1 Premium Bluetooth Radio
- R2 Smart Music System
- R3 Wireless Music System
- R5 High Fidelity Music System
- MR1 Bluetooth Stereo Speakers
- MRX Wireless Speaker
