Ishrath Jaigirdar,
Dubai, UAE
Home to nearly 70,000 millionaires, Dubai occupies the 20th position in the World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2023. The city has branded itself as the prime haven for the wealthy and the elite with its glittery façade, cordial hospitality, and opulence lifestyle, alluring them to reside and explore its myriad offerings. Whether it be owning an expansive apartment in the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, or spending around a whopping Dh82,400 per night at the Royal Suite in Burj Al Arab, one of the UAE’s landmark hotels whose interiors are gilded in 24-carat gold, the affluent society is spoilt for choice.
Besides captivating the rich with its buoyant real estate industry, the city also offers a variety of options to upgrade and enhance homes. From entertainment to smart automation, homeowners can integrate technology into their lifestyles. Envisioning a tech-infused future, Dubai has transformed itself into the ideal hub for technology and digitisation to thrive. It hosts an exclusive market that caters to luxury-lovers. However, much of the market is unexplored. MKB Bespoke Audio, a tech firm that specializes in providing premium audio-visual solutions, has emerged as one of those few to benefit from the potential of the market to prosper as the high-net-worth-individual population expands every year in Dubai.
The company offers a range of top-quality audio-visuals systems that deliver heightened sensory experiences to the users. It specializes in home entertainment systems such as private home cinema that can be installed in villas, mansions, and yachts. Bhavin Kachalia, founder of MKB Bespoke Audio, expanded his business to Dubai in 2012. His passion for audio visual technology drove him to launch his flagship venture in India which is running for 25 years. Dubbing Dubai as “a rich boy’s playground”, he tells Gulf Property why the vibrant city is home to his first international branch.
“The UAE is a luxury destination. It is a mature market which caters to a diverse community coming from different parts of the world. They understand the value and quality that our products and solutions provide, hence there is much demand.”
Besides audio-visual systems, MKB Bespoke Audio also offers comprehensive services such as networking, security, lighting, seating, and smart home automation solutions to elevate lavish living at home. Commercially, it provides hotel room solutions and outdoor entertainment services. The company has partnered with renowned international brands like KEF, Sony, Huawei, LOEWE, DENON, Bec Akustik, VIDEOTREE, Taga, Episode, Sherwood, Devialet, and Alta Labs networking among others. It boasts a host of products that range from Dh5,000 to Dh5 million, depending on the customer’s requirements.
Bhavin has noted a rising trend in luxury purchases, driven by a number of factors.
Watching a movie in the comfort and privacy of home has influenced many to install home cinemas that deliver the same sensory experience of a movie theatre. The demand for home cinema installations appreciated during the pandemic when cinemas were shut down and the trend continues. In fact, the global home audio market is expected to grow from US$11.7 billion (Dh43 billion) in 2022 to US$14.58 billion (Dh53.5 billion) by 2028, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.7 percent.
Bhavin also noted the interest in customization or personalization among clients. In addition to selling, MKB Bespoke Audio also curates tailor-made solutions, which often calls for customization. From embedding initials to choosing colour and size, clients look to adorn their homes with unique product editions. One can opt for Swarovski branded keypad that controls home systems, whether that be lighting, audio, or temperature, with just a turn of the knob, blending both technology and luxury.
Premium products come at premium prices that guarantee premium value. Luxury is not limited to a fancy exterior; it also emphasizes the longevity of the product’s service. Bhavin says, “Compared to regular products with a service life of maximum 2 years, a top-quality product lasts up to 8 years and comes with the option to upgrade. One can reap additional value at the cost of ownership.”
MKB Bespoke Audio serves a wide clientele primarily from the GCC and parts of Africa. Following its success in the Dubai market, it is opening its second international branch in Saudi Arabia to cater to the needs of the growing number of high net worth individuals in the Kingdom.
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Also read: MKB Bespoke Audio brings premium AV solutions to the Middle East
