Happenings

Power Electronic Industries, pioneer designers and developers of Home Theatres in India, working on the development of Home Theatre Packages for the past 8 years. First when Mr. M.J. Thankachan, Founder of the company, developed a Home Theatre pack, there wasn't much demand, as now, in India. The fact was people's lack of awareness on home cinema systems. While in West, they have stepped into the next building block to the ultimate home theatre. Room space, Screen width, high definition, speaker size, sub woofer output, don't matter-they say. They have none component mounted at the base of their seat - the Bulticker - acoustic transducers. You can enjoy the real movie effect still better avoiding noise pollution. But to Mr. M.J. Thankachan's surprise, those who aren't technically wise too, speak about DTS packages. Home Theatres are the talk of the town. Thanks to all his efforts, Torvin Minipack, an innovative H.T. package, is one of his best outputs in 5.1 Channel Home Theatre Set-up.

The right way to begin is to tell what actually a home theatre is...

People who have not yet embarked their journey into a H.T can say a TV set with connected external speakers effects one such. But isn't there something technically special that designers and developers break their hand all day purely for customer's satisfaction? What happens really when you connect a TV set with external speakers? Consider one such with a stereo amplifier and two speakers. The speakers typically are aimed diagonally across the room and the listener sits at a point where these two speaker sounds mix. This is fine when only audio is taken into account. When we add video, things change. The watchers watching characters on his screen with eyes wide open, expects the dramatically effective voices to come from their location on the screen. Unless the speakers are apt for the television system, they are not capable of fulfilling the actual needs. This is way people, first connecting their unmatched speakers to the TV set, then get hatred, jump on the H.T packages.

In the past, H.T stood for interesting  effects and bad sound, something of very little interest to music lovers. Today with rapid improvement of surround decoders, H.T. packages rush into the market. Still Torvin Minipack promises the possibility of fidelity indistinguishable from that of others, with easy on the pocket. Torvin has always led to innovations with 100 percent indigenous products ushering an international level quality and service backup. Torvin Minipack H.T system has 5 speakers and a Sub woofer, you can experience the full impact of 5.1 channel cinematic sound. Five speakers - two front speakers for better stereo imaging, two surround speakers for dynamic reproduction of surround sound effects and one center channel for natural reproduction of dialogues. The amazing Sub woofer delivers deep bass, which can be felt physically rather than just heard. The system ensures really deep and hard - fitting bass reproduction. Reproduces 5.1 channel surround sound output not only from 5.1 channel system, but also from 2 channel source like TV, VCD, Video cassette and Cd's too.

Power Electronic Industries, pioneer designers and developers of Home Theatres in India has been working on the development of Home Theatre Packages for the past 8 years. First when Mr. M.J.Thankachan, Founder of the company, developed a Home Theatre pack, there wasn't much demand, as now, in India. The scenario is different now. To Mr.M.J.Thankachan's surprise, those who aren't technically wise too, speak about DTS packages. Home Theatres are 'the talk of the town'. Thanks to all his efforts, Torvin Minipack, an innovative H.T. package, is one of his best outputs in 5.1 Channel Home Theatre Set-up. Torvin Minipack H.T system has 5 speakers and a Subwoofer, you can experience the full impact of 5.1 channel cinematic sound. Five speakers - two front speakers for better stereo imaging, two surround speakers for dynamic reproduction of surround sound effects and one center channel for natural reproduction of dialogues. The amazing Subwoofer delivers deep bass, which can be felt physically rather than just heard. The system ensures really deep and hard - fitting bass reproduction. Reproduces 5.1 channel surround sound output not only from 5.1 channel system, but also from 2 channel source like TV, VCD, Video cassette and CD's too.

Torvin's latest best seller is SS1000, a 6-channel Home Theatre System specifically designed for the budget conscious. The system gives you total music / movie immersion. The music mode results in reproducing a wide stereo image and the movie mode results in reproducing a wide stereo image and the movie mode results in reproducing accurate dialogues. The cost in Rs. 5500. A new introduction is the innovative 5.1 channel home theatre package comprising of a six- speaker system and a DVD player at around Rs. 22000. Power Electronics has proved its outstanding sucess in servicing many world-wide recognized brands of audio systems from its 2500 sq.ft. well-equipped facility. Call 28587256 / 28414815

If Thankachan, the moving force behind power electronics was born in Japan or USA, he would probably have built another Philips or Sony empire. This enterprising technician who once worked for Philips as a service personnel, learnt very early why imported sets failed in the Indian scenario. So when he started building speakers and later on entire systems he took care not to repeat the faults. This may not be possible for a world player, who looks at the global perspective and may not find it practical to add extra reinforcements to the equipment going to India alone. The biggest challenges in India are voltage fluctuations and heavy and rough usage. The entrepreneur acknowledges that some hi end components and accessories in his products are not manufactured in India. The Torvin TP42 Fr and the TP52FR with its minimum output of 150-200W RMS power in 4feet tall speakers ensure optimum yet stunning performance.

A carefully structured cabinets designed by Thankachan weigh a lot you can not lift them with a single hand. The rear is shaped in a triangular or trapezoidal manner so that they can recess into the corners, saving space. Internal bracing and damping materials are selected for near - ideal resonant behaviour. The crossover design lends accurate bass effect and true sound reproduction. The three way system reproduces sound in stunning sequence. Recently they have introduced the home theatre package called the SS1000 for a very affordable Rs.5500. When we heard a trial demo by hooking the system to a TV playing the Haunting, it was a ground shaking experience. Other specialities of Torvin and Thasun - the ball shaped bottom bushes replace the traditional spikes, both for safety of the floor and for acoustic requirement. All the binding posts are gold plated. The crossovers use a 12dB Witx link. There a re five drivers Dual 8" LF driver, dual 5.25 mid bass, intended for high end and home theatre. These are priced at around Rs45,000. Power handling is 400 W RMS, impedance 4 ohms, frequency response 90 Hz-22 kHz, sensitivity 91 dB. Colors available are mahogany, teak and rosewood. The SS 100 comes in two colors blue and brown. You can even get them to visit your home measure the space and custom design the speakers.

So was all that very confusing? Don't get taken in by the highly technical terms and don't get carried away by the sales talk. Hear and experience it before you decide. Truly good sound is hard to replicate . And don't go for the looks alone.

Chennai-based  Power Electronic Industries has unveiled a range of sub-woofers, sub-woofer - amplifier combinations and sub-sats. The sub-woofers range from those that come with a compact 6-inch driver to the big 12 inch model. The top-of-the-line sub-woofer-amplifier model, named the Thunder Blast, is capable of handling frequencies between 30 to 350Hz/ The unit has twin 8" woofers, which are housed in a vented box measuring 17"x27"x18" (HxWxH)/ A 20"x1.75" front vent relieves acoustic pressure build-up inside the box, besides helping produce deep bass. The unit weighs 50 kg. Torvin's own MW 300 amplifier is optimised to operate with the Thunder Blast. 

The sub-woofer-amplifier range includes the TSS-300, which includes sub-woofer that has a twin 8-inch woofer, which can handle up to 200 watts RMS of power. The Torvin TA 300 amplifier is optimised for use with the TSS 300. The TSS 100 is a compact version of the TSS 300, and is an 11x11x11 cube that comes equipped with an 8-inch dual voice coil woofer. The system is capable of handling up to 100 watts RMS of Power. This unit is optimised for use with Torvin's TA 100  amplifier.

The Torvin SS 6040 is a powered sub-sat system that includes a sub-woofer capable of handling 60 watts RMS power and two satellite speakers that can handle up to 20 watts RMS of load. The sub-woofer's input selector allows you to choose between the two inputs. Torvin's range of powered sub-woofers goes under the "SW" tag, and is designated SW 160, SW 180, SW 1100 and SW 1150. The SW 160 comes with a 6-inch woofer, the SW 180 has an 8-inch woofer, the SW 1100 has a 10-inch woofer and the SW 1150 has a 12-inch woofer. This range is available in Black, Greek Slate, Teak and metallic painted finishes.

Chennai-based Power Electronic Industries, the designers and manufacturers of Torvin brand of audio systems, a home-theatre speaker package that includes the TP42 front right and front left towers, the TP4 rear surround speakers, the TP23 center channel and the SW180 sub-woofer. The Torvin TP42 is a two-way design that integrates two 6½ -  inch polymer coated drive units and a 1-inch fabric dome-tweeter. The TP23 center channel houses two 5¼ -inch woofers combined with a ¾ - inch dome tweeter. The woofers are magnetically shielded to prevent any distortion or discoloring in the TV images when placed next to it. The TP4 rear surround speakers is the combination of a 6 ½ -inch polymer coated drive and a 1-inch fabric dome-tweeter. The SW180 subwoofer is equipped with two 6½ - inch low frequency drivers. This 80-watts subwoofer has a built-in amplifier. System specifications include 100x5 watts RMS at 4 ohms. The package is priced at Rs 35,000 (+ taxes). For more information e-mail powerel@md3.vsnl.net.in.

Chennai-based speaker and amplifier brand Torvin has introduced the Euphonious, a eight-inch, two-way, floor standing speaker that is ideal for those who love their music with a lot of bass. The Euphonious, which means sweet enunciation of sound uses an eight-inch polymer-coated, low frequency driver and a Ferro-fluid cooled, one-inch fabric dome tweeter. The cabinet is constructed out of 19mm compressed particle wood with sufficient internal bracing. A gold-plated binding post completes the connection at the back.

The speaker is rated at 150 watts RMS and can be had in variety of finishes including Teak, Black Walnut, Rosewood and Cherry Red (with grains). A pair of Euphonious’ cost Rs 16,000. Torvin is a subsidiary of Power Electronics Limited.

Chennai-based Torvin is at it again. Close on the heels of the Millennium Tower speakers (which we showcased in the March 2001 issue) come the Tripole Force 2 speakers.

Technology:

• The Tripole Force 2s are floor-standing, three-way speaker systems that have been designed to extend the accurate bass and create a visceral impact on the listener. The Force 2s stand 50-inches tall (4 feet 2 inches) and their cabinets come with carefully designed and fabricated internal bracing and selected damping materials for near-ideal resonant behaviour.

• Torvin has introduced ball-shaped bottom bushes for these speakers. These are said to achieve acoustic isolation for the speakers and provide them with maximum stability. Gold-plated binding posts ensure the connectivity for the speakers. The Force 2s use 12dB Linkwitz crossovers.

• The Force 2s use a total of five drivers including a pair of 8-inch LF (low frequency) drivers, a pair of 5 ¼ inch mid-bass drivers and one 1-inch fabric dome tweeter. All drivers are ferro-fluid cooled, and all cone papers are polymer coated. The drivers are sourced from Peerless Fabrikkerne (India) Ltd.

• The Force 2’s are intended for high-end live performance and home theatre applications. They are available in glossy and semi-glossy laminated finish in Rosewood, Teak-wood and Mahogany colours. The manufacturer undertakes custom-made colour and finish in special cases.

There is a sound revolution brewing in Chennai. It’s pretty muted, but we guess it won’t be long before the rest of the country hears of the Torvin brand of speakers. We heard some of their stuff recently in Chennai, and we are convinced that with a little more market savvy, Torvin can make quite a splash in the market. Torvin Audio Systems (TAS) is the brainchild of M J Thankachan, who runs Power Electronic Industries (PEI), one of the biggest service centers for A/V products in Chennai. Thankachan set up his own service center after years of working as a service engineer with Philips. Having always been passionate about the aesthetic and physical aspects of audio and video products, he clubbed hands-on experience with A/V equipment and his passion to create something new. The first Torvin speaker was produced over a decade ago. Since then, he has gone on to manufacture a range of speakers. His latest is the Millennium range, named after the year of its birth.

The tall standing Millennium speakers are impressive both visually and sonically. When we auditioned the Millennium at Torvin’s offices, we subjected the speakers to a torture test and they performed impeccably. The setup for the audition wasn’t reference grade, and we were using an off-the-shelf LD player connected to an A/V receiver for the purpose. The room was untreated. First in was a LD pressing of ‘ Terminator 2’ and the Millenniums faithfully translated the slam and punch of the action sequences. The bass and mid-bass were tight and had thud and the higher frequencies had zing. The sound didn’t distort, no matter how much power we fed the speakers. Next in was a CD, Mani Ratnam’s ‘Alai Payuthe’, where the vocals sounded solid and well modulated. For a more sober feel, Mr. Thankachan slipped in a devotional recording of K J Yesudas. It is here that the Millenniums really came into their own, suggesting that they are best for sober listening.

The baffles of the five-feet tall Millenniums are made of 19mm thick compressed wood. The inside of the baffle has sufficient internal bracing and is treated and damped to reduce box resonance. The Millennium comes with ball-shaped bottom bushes instead of spikes and Thankachan says that the design effectively isolates the speakers while providing extra stability. At the back of the speakers, one can find gold-plated binding posts and these can be custom-designed to be normal and bi-wirable.  The Millennium uses 12dB Linkwitz cross-overs, and a total of seven drivers including one eight-inch woofer, four numbers 5 inch mid-bass drivers, one four inch midrange driver and one one-inch fabric dome-tweeter. All drivers are ferro-fluid cooled and all cone papers are polymer coated. Peerless Fabrikkerne supplies drivers for the Torvin and also helps test and evaluate the finished product.

"Only a man whose life is a work of art can produce a work of art ’’, Mr.Thankachan, of Chennai is proof of the above words. He is the founder of Power Electronic Industries, which manufactures high-end audio equipment under the Torvin brand name. Mr. Thankachan started his business in tiny rented premises. Due largely to good customer service and his in-depth knowledge of audio technology, this tiny business soon flourished. Today, Power Electronic Industries is one of the largest service centers in India. The company is situated at Ritchie street (Radio Market), the heart of Chennai.

Thankachan is a structural audio engineer and audio enthusiast who upgraded his tiny service center into India’s largest such enterprise. His sound knowledge on the subject made this possible, and his individual research played a vital role in expanding his service center. His determination and involvement helped in handling national and international brands of audio/video systems.

Torvin Audio System

Thankachan’s abiding interest for audio technology encouraged him to research and develop the best possible audio system, which could match world-renowned brands. His goal was to manufacture a speaker system that could match the best in the world. Given the amazing advances made in audio technology over recent times, Power Electronic Industries are now increasingly mindful of the degree of convergence in technology. With an eye on these developments, the compatibility and connectivity of electronic products in the area of Home Entertainment, Studios and Auditoriums results in realistic sound to the consumer.

 

Product Range

Torvin premium products includes Torvin Euphonious series, Loudspeaker system for soft music and deep bass; Torvin IN50 (Indian 50) for Indian classical rhythm; Torvin  Concert series for auditoria; Torvin Force series for high-end home entertainment systems; the 5 feet Torvin Millennium Tower and 4.5 feet Torvin Majestic Tower are exceptionally designed for music lovers as front towers for home theatre purpose; and Torvins popular model TSS300 – Invisible bass module / sat speakers, where the invisible subwoofer reproduces only non-directional bass. One may not believe it, but it is true that the Tiny dynamite sat-speaker, which is slightly bigger than the palm of ones hand, can be placed anywhere in the room to provide sufficient sound of music for the entire room.

Torvin’s range of high-end amplifiers have been embraced by listeners and critics alike. Some of Torvins high-end amplifiers are the fully protected power amplifier, MOSFET power amplifier, microprocessor controlled power amplifier and the multi-zone amplifier, which are very special items in Indian market. In addition, Torvin offers a variety of subwoofers that deliver real theatrical sound with an almost live impact. The  careful handling of finishes, as also that of outlining each in detail, turns these amplifiers into a distinctive stylistic feature. The exceptionally designed matching speakers are available for DTS, Dolby Digital Home Theatre system, the world class amplifier stereo system and pro-audio set up for public and discotheques for a reasonable price. This reinforces Torvin’s commitment to offer full value for money for all its products. Power Electronic Industries keeps itself abreast of the changing technologies and equips itself with the latest technologies in its quest for excellence.

Technical Service

Power Electronic Industries offer technical services in areas like studios, cinema theatres, video theatres, shopping and entertainment centers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, auditoria and educational institutions.