Ronald’s Audiophile Journey

Next up in our series is Audiophile #223, Ronald, whose passion for movies, gaming, and home cinema has driven him to create a truly remarkable setup. Let’s dive into Ronald’s audiophile journey and explore the incredible system he’s crafted to deliver the ultimate audio-visual experience.

Ronald Van Dijk

From a young age, Ronald has harbored a deep passion for movies, gaming, and home cinema. This enthusiasm has driven him to continuously seek out and build the ultimate entertainment setup, refusing to settle for anything less than perfection. While many opt for the convenience of a soundbar, Ronald knew early on that this wouldn’t suffice for him. He craved a richer, more immersive experience—something that could truly bring his favorite movies, games, and music to life.

Over the years, Ronald has gone through several setups, each one better than the last. But it was five years ago that he finally achieved what he considers his best system yet. His goal was clear: to build a system that could support all modern formats, both visually and sonically, such as Dolby Vision and HDR for stunning picture quality, and Lossless Audio, including Dolby Atmos and DTS.

Master, for a fully immersive audio experience.

At the heart of Ronald’s setup are his Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) speakers, chosen for their musicality and aesthetic appeal. Despite their slightly bright sound, Ronald found the perfect balance by pairing them with the Marantz SR7011, a top-of-the-line receiver known for its warm and laid-back sound. This combination creates a system that is not only visually stunning but also delivers a rich, warm, and musical audio experience.

To bring the magic of Dolby Atmos into his home, Ronald opted for the KEF R50 speakers—officially licensed and some of the best Atmos-enabled speakers available at the time. He chose the firing option, which, while slightly more diffuse than in-ceiling speakers, creates an expansive soundstage that envelops the listener in a bubble of sound. The upfiring speakers sit atop his tower speakers, extending the soundstage upwards and creating an incredibly atmospheric experience, whether he’s watching a movie or gaming.

For the low end, Ronald selected the B&W DB3D subwoofer, the most expensive piece in his system and a true masterpiece of engineering. The dual woofers deliver fast, musical bass that is perfectly integrated with the rest of the system. It’s not about shaking the room but adding a subtle, powerful layer of low-end sound that enhances the entire experience. The subwoofer, which can be calibrated and controlled via an app, performs exceptionally well in both movies and music, providing that extra kick without becoming boomy or overwhelming.

When it comes to sourcing content, Ronald relies on the Dune Real Vision media player, which supports all the latest formats. He believes that even the best home cinema setup is only as good as its source, so he watches a lot of 4K Blu-rays and regular Blu-rays that support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos/DTS

Sound Perfection: Ronald’s Audio Showcase.

 

Master. This ensures that he experiences movies exactly as the director intended, with stunning visuals and immersive sound. To keep his setup clean and clutter-free, Ronald keeps all his media players hidden behind his cinema signs.

Ronald uses a Harmony Elite remote to control his audio system. With one button, he can turn the system on and get it ready for watching movies, playing games, or listening to music. It’s really easy to use and makes it a snap to enjoy his favorite activities.

In addition to his home cinema, Ronald is also an avid gamer, with the latest consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X—both equipped with extended storage and pro controllers. His high-end gaming PC is used for everyday tasks, video editing, and gaming, and for those times when he wants to escape to another reality, Ronald turns to his Oculus Rift, complete with three room trackers and high-quality controllers, for an immersive 3D virtual world experience.

Ronald’s love for audio extends beyond his home cinema, as he also has a small but impressive headphone collection. Whether he’s outdoors, at the gym, or enjoying late-night listening, Ronald has the perfect pair for every situation, including the B&W PX8, Sony WH-1000XM3, B&W PI7 earbuds, and the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset for gaming.

When asked what impresses him most about his system, Ronald points to the soundstage. Everything is in perfect balance, creating a seamless and immersive audio experience where the sound is not localized from any speakers. Instead, it feels as if the speakers are turned off, but the room is filled with dynamic, vibrant sound. Friends who visit often compare the experience to that of a high-quality IMAX theatre but with the added comfort and convenience of being at home. The combination of great sound and stunning visuals makes it an incredible way to enjoy movies, music, and gaming, proving that Ronald’s passion and dedication to his hobby have truly paid off.

“Have any questions for Ronald? Feel free to ask in the comment section below! And don’t forget to leave a reaction—if you love Ronald’s setup, make sure to give it an upvote!”