At enki, we love when technology meets design. When just as much innovation goes into, of course, the high-tech specs, but also a how a product effortlessly blends into a room. And independent audio experts Ruark do just that. Crafting sound systems full of clean lines and timeless material palettes; made to be enjoyed for a lifetime of sound celebration.
“Our whole product philosophy is built around evolution rather than revolution.”
With a passion for music and sound that stemmed from his father who worked with pioneers of the British Hi-Fi industry during the 60s and 70s, Ruark’s founder Alan O’Rourke vividly remembers the arrival of true stereo as the Flying Scotsman or Concord roared through their front room. And then while making their own loudspeakers started as a hobby, 1984 saw Alan and his father take their designs to the market where Ruark became well-known among Hi-Fi connoisseurs.
We chat to Alan about Ruark’s ongoing legacy for the optimum sound experience at home, and how design and sustainability are at the forefront of each and every system…
What separates Ruark from the rest?
“What I really like about what we do is that from the beginning it has never felt like a job! We’ve always designed and made products that we ourselves would be proud to own and it’s the passion for our products that drives us. In this respect I think that most good designers and artists have a similar view. I often quote Ed Sheeran as an example, saying that even if he was still an unknown and not the huge success he is today, he would still be writing and playing music, as it’s the art and creation that drives people like us and him.”
Why is design such an important consideration for Ruark?
“I’ve always loved design and in particular studying how fashions and trends have come and gone, but one thing that stands out to me is how great design can become timeless if done right! Even with our early speaker designs, we always paid attention to the aesthetics, as we understood that for many of our customers, good sound was important, but also they wanted products that fitted well into their homes.”
“These days this factor is even more important, as we live in an era where even more people are wanting their homes to be stylish, so we design products that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the ear. In fact, people often tell us that our music systems are an inspiration for their interior design and this we love to hear.”
Where do your materials and components come from?
“As is the way of manufacturing these days, the materials and components for our products are sourced from all over the world, but we ensure that everything is ethically sourced, particularly the wood and packaging which all have FSC certification. Indeed with our packaging we are making a big effort to drop the use of expanded polystyrene which is hard to recycle and move entirely to card and packaging that can be easily recycled.”
Talk to us about the longevity of a Ruark system.
“Our whole product philosophy is built around evolution rather than revolution. Typically, each of our products have a lifespan of at least 5-6 years before a new model or update is introduced and with our evolutionary ethos, a visible link can be seen between the old and new model. We also spend much time considering the technology we use inside. For instance, voice control is not a technology we plan to adopt as we believe that this is a technology that will quickly date, but with both Apple AirPlay and Google Cast built into our latest products, it is easy to add this feature if needed. At the end of the day, our aim is to make products that provide the best musical reproduction that we hope customers will enjoy for many years to come.”
An essential Ruark product you’d recommend for those who aren’t sound experts?
“From our current line-up I think I’d have to recommend two products. I’ve always loved listening to the radio and believe that as a form of entertainment it is still one of the best, so I’d highly recommend our R1 as a day-long companion and it makes an excellent bedside radio too with its programmable dual alarm. For a complete music solution, I’d recommend our R3S. Designed to fit nicely on a shelf or sideboard, this little system provides all the entertainment most people are likely to require and produces a scale of sound that you simply would not expect from such a compact design.”
Can you tell us about your latest offerings?
“Our latest offerings are our all new 100 Series products, which include the R410 Integrated Music System and R810 High Fidelity Radiogram. We also have a new model called R610 which we are hoping to launch later this year. We are very excited about this product, as in many ways it is taking us back to our roots.”
“We believe in evolutionary design, but also understand that to keep things fresh, sometimes a leap must be made, and this is exactly what we set out to achieve with 100 Series. With the best streaming technologies built-in and with a stunning 70s inspired look, 100 Series has been designed for customers who want the best in design and sound and are certainly our most desirable products to date.”
A Ruark playlist recommendation?
“On the journal page of our website we regularly feature a playlist. The aim of this is to hopefully introduce our customers to music they may not have heard before. What I really love about music is that it is a universal language that brings people together and that is why I love what we do.”
What’s next for Ruark?
“Whatever we do in the future our ethos will remain the same, but with so many people who have not yet heard of us, we know that we have plenty of room for growth. Being family owned and privately run is important to us as it gives us the freedom to choose where we want to go and what we want to do. There is no real hierarchy at Ruark, but we have a great team who are totally passionate about what we do in making unique products that customers will love to use and cherish.”
To learn more about Ruark’s music systems or to discover a new playlist, visit ruarkaudio.com.
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