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 enterepreneur 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 structed 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 reproducess 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, frequencey response 90 Hz-22 kHz, sensitivity 91 dB. Colours available are mahogany, teak and rosewood. The SS 100 comes in two colours 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.