Bringing back the legends

Cinebels, one of the oldest hi-fi retailers in the country and custodians for brands like Klipsh and Jamo is now adding not one but three feathers to their crowded hat-Onkyo, Pioneer and Pioneer LX. Arjun Agarwal, Director, Cinerama Pvt. Ltd., opens up about expectations and strategy to WHF Editor, Nishant Padhiar.

- Nishant Padhiar

Onkyo has had a rich history, especially in India, being the first mainstream hi-fi brand to set up office. How is Cinebels planning to start the “second innings” of the brand in India?

Onkyo has had a storied legacy worldwide, the challenges of the last few years notwithstanding. As we bring Onkyo back into India, we will use the same philosophies that we have honed with Klipsch and Jamo. We’ll leverage our social media channels to spread the word that Onkyo is back, and also work closely with key platforms like What Hi-Fi, both in print and in terms of shows (we’re excited for the Mumbai edition of What HiFi Show in May! ). Consumer education will be at the forefront of what we make visible through various communication channels, including exciting new features such as Dirac. Our countrywide network of service locations gives consumers the confidence they need that post-sales service will be taken care of. And finally, we have products at sensible prices, to provide consumers the best value for money.

From the consumer perspective, will there be a shift in the dealer/sales channels?

Our showrooms will act as high-end demo centres for Onkyo and Pioneer, with trained staff to work with consumers and partners who use our showrooms. We also have a dedicated and passionate sales team on the ground, providing support to all our channel partners including training, BoQ designing, installation, and post-sales service. So consumers will see Onkyo and Pioneer available both at our showrooms as well as with channel partners - but with a guarantee that no matter where they buy from, they will get the best pre and post-sales service possible.