Some may say brave, some might even say bonkers, but Reference Audio has opened its showroom doors during what many see as a testing time for retail. However, this new venture for Bob Stares and Adam Curtis just off the High Street in Witham aims to offer the very finest audio components available in the Southeast of England.

Bob comes from an architectural background and recently retired from running his own architecture company. An avid audiophile, he has owned a great deal of hi-fi over the decades and clearly remembers the first hi-fi system he bought in Walthamstow during the seventies. Bob is a knowledgeable enthusiast, and you'll find him in-store from Tuesday to Thursday.

Meanwhile, Adam comes from the automotive industry, specifically sales representing BMW, MINI and Land Rover. With a passion for customer service, he has a knack for matching customers with products and ran the sales operations for an audio retailer before forming Reference Audio.

Not ones to do anything by half, Adam and Bob invested in large detached premises that will enable them to fully demonstrate any system's potential, great or small. Furthermore, the building offers space to display products from such esteemed brands as Gryphon, FinkTeam, Bowers & Wilkins, SolidSteel, IsoTek, Nagra, and KEF, to name but a few.

Adam told StereoNET:

This is all wrapped up in a desire to make people feel at home and relaxed. We have good coffee, multiple seating areas and five demo rooms, including a large Laser Projector equipped Atmos cinema. We also have a huge private car park, and Witham station is just a 10-minute walk away.

Reference Audio is now open for demonstrations between Tuesday to Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to make an appointment by contacting them on 01376 526 070 or by emailing: sales@referenceaudio.co.uk.

We applaud Adam and Bob on their new venture and wish them the very best of luck. Having a hi-fi store on the high street where you can take your time to audition components in a relaxed atmosphere with knowledgeable staff on hand to assist is always a great thing to have in any town. We will undoubtedly be visiting as soon as we get the chance.