From the High End show now taking place in Munich, Germany, Bluesound and NAD, two specialty audio lines leading the charge into high-res and high quality audio, made several interesting announcements about their efforts. Both brands are marketed here in the U.S. by Lenbrook America.
Brands
Deepening Investment, LG Display to Mass Manufacture OLED Light Panels
LG Display announced this week that it will invest in a production line to build OLED panels for use in lighting solutions. The move is seen as the company deepening its commitment to OLED technology and seeking new business segments to expand the popularity of the technology.
See more on this interesting new use case for OLED… [Read more…] about Deepening Investment, LG Display to Mass Manufacture OLED Light Panels
ProSource Sets Spring Meeting Details
ProSource, a national retail buying organization, announced this week the final details of their 2016 Spring Meeting taking place May 9-13 in Dana Point, CA. Taking place at the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa, the group says it plans to break the event into two segments.
See more on this fast approaching event… [Read more…] about ProSource Sets Spring Meeting Details
World Wide Stereo Re-Imagines Specialty Store Design
What a weird Spring we’re having in the Northeast. It can be 80+ degrees one day, only to be followed by two or three days of cold and rain. Such was the case last Thursday as we traveled to a pre-Grand Reopening event at Bob & Ron’s World Wide Stereo in Montgomeryville, PA. It was raining and in the low 50-degrees as we arrived for the early evening event, motivating us to turn up our collar as we exited our vehicle for a little extra protection from the cold and the rain.
But walking through the front door transported us to another world… [Read more…] about World Wide Stereo Re-Imagines Specialty Store Design
B&W Acquired by EVA Automation
BREAKING NEWS
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) announced this morning that they have been acquired by EVA Automation, a Silicon Valley-based technology company founded just two years ago by Gideon Yu. Yu is a well-known sports and technology executive that has launched EVA Automation with the expressed goal of “reimagining the audio/video experience by making products that will change how people interact and think about the home.”
He is also, apparently, a B&W enthusiast. See more… [Read more…] about B&W Acquired by EVA Automation
Legrand & Samsung Partner on IoT Light Switch
IoT Product Launches are Increasing, From Samsung & Others
Several announcements emerged this week from the Samsung Developer Conference being held in San Francisco – an event that has largely represented the launch of the first wave of Samsung’s assault on the Internet of Things (IoT) market. One announcement that caught our eye is the news that Samsung and Legrand have partnered on a new Thread-enabled lighting switch.
See more on this new IoT light switch and the partnership with Samsung… [Read more…] about Legrand & Samsung Partner on IoT Light Switch
Conflicts Force Aim High Audio to Split Rep & Distribution Businesses
Aim High Audio Sales & Marketing and AHA Distributing are separating, the company announced on Tuesday of this week. A prepared announcement from president and founder Chris Gilray, noted that the separation will allow each company to focus on its dramatic growth. Gilray will solely control the distribution business, while his partner Jon Perry will take over Aim High Audio’s representation business under the Precision Sales Group name.
We spoke with Gilray and learned about the competitive issues that drove this decision… [Read more…] about Conflicts Force Aim High Audio to Split Rep & Distribution Businesses
After Transfer to L.A., Monster vs. Beats Picks Up Again
Beats Won Round One; Monster Wins Round Two
It’s been ten months now since Beats Electronics, LLC won their motion to transfer the lawsuit brought against them by Monster, LLC, from San Mateo courts up in Northern California to their home turf of Los Angeles – a big win that reduces their costs and increases their comfort. But if Beats thought that their hometown courts would give them an advantage by being more favorable to their position in this case – they got a rude awakening earlier this month, when the LA judge offered a mixed ruling on several issues that mostly went against Beats’ desires.
See more on our update on this clash of titans in the headphone game… [Read more…] about After Transfer to L.A., Monster vs. Beats Picks Up Again
Gibson Brands Puts Assets Up For Sale
Just two weeks after we told you about Moody’s Investors Service downgrading Gibson Brands credit to junk status, the company has put two of their properties up for sale in an apparent effort to raise some much-needed cash. According to local reports, both properties contain warehouses and are located in redevelopment areas in downtown Nashville.
See more on this new Gibson development… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Puts Assets Up For Sale
After Year-Long Search, B&O Finds a Buyer…But Only One
Investors Who Bid Up Stock on News of a Buyer, May Be Sorry
Bang & Olufsen A/S, the well-known Danish premium technology brand that balances high performance with high design, has spent a year searching for a prospective buyer. The good news is that they were successful. The bad news is that they were only a little successful…they found exactly one potentially interested party. And as any businessperson can tell you, that there is only one bidder doesn’t bode well for sparking a bidding war to drive up the deal to ever more profitable levels.
