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New Mystery: Has Classé Closed?

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Fact? or Fiction?

Classe logoLess than a week after we reported that B&W Group President Doug Henderson had been summarily dismissed from the company he has been a key executive at for more than a decade, the rumor mill has fired up again with word that Classé has been closed down. Classé, like B&W Loudspeakers, is owned and distributed by B&W Group Ltd., a company recently acquired by EVA Automation. Multiple sources are suggesting that EVA owner Gideon Yu has decided to cease operations at the high end manufacturer of audio electronics.

See what we found out from B&W Group about Classé… [Read more…] about New Mystery: Has Classé Closed?

Reformulated Russound is Ready to Rumble

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Russound logoIn an extended meeting with Russound CEO Charlie Porritt and Vice President of Product Development Colin Clark, Strata-gee had the opportunity to learn details of the relatively dramatic developments at the company – many taking place behind the scenes – that management has undertaken over the last few years to better position the company for the future. Like a fighter with a new trainer who has put him on a strict diet and rigorous training regimen, Russound has emerged from an at-times painful multi-year process leaner and meaner…and ready to rumble.

Find out what we learned about the meaningful changes at Russound… [Read more…] about Reformulated Russound is Ready to Rumble

Bowers & Wilkins Notifies Dealers of Henderson’s Departure

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STORY UPDATE

B&W logoShortly after we published our BREAKING NEWS report on the Bowers & Wilkins dismissal of President Doug Henderson, we obtained a copy of an email that was apparently sent by the company to all B&W dealers explaining the situation. We’d like to be able to say this note answered all questions surrounding the upheaval their actions caused, but it raised as many questions as it answered.

See the email Bowers & Wilkins sent to their dealers on Henderson’s departure… [Read more…] about Bowers & Wilkins Notifies Dealers of Henderson’s Departure

Management Turnstile Turns Again at Thiel Audio

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BREAKING NEWS

Photo of Thoma Malatesta
Tom Malatesta

We learned this week that Thiel Audio (Thiel) has had another significant round of layoffs, including CEO Tom Malatesta, Chief Revenue Officer Stuart Levine, Director of Music Industry Relations Mark Mason (no relation to engineer Mark Mason who left much earlier), as well as two other lower level staff – who have all been let go within the last six-to-eight weeks. Furthermore, Chief Brand Officer Rebecca Abrahams, who led the launch of their Aurora live music performance and streaming studio, left the company in January of this year. No reason was given for any these separations and, true to form, Thiel has made no official public announcement regarding the dismissals.

See more on this new turn of the turnstile at Thiel… [Read more…] about Management Turnstile Turns Again at Thiel Audio

Gibson Brands Takes Control of Onkyo Corp.

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BREAKING NEWS

onkyologo

In a filing with Japan’s JASDAQ stock exchange, Onkyo revealed this week that at the end of June, major investor Gibson Brands became the largest shareholder for the first time since its relationship with the Osaka-based manufacturer of higher-quality electronics began in 2012. This small announcement portends a potentially significant change in the relationship between the two entities.

See more on this news out of Japan about Gibson and Onkyo… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Takes Control of Onkyo Corp.

AudioControl Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation

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AudioControl 40-year logoAudioControl, the Seattle,WA-based scrappy manufacturer of specialty audio electronics for both the automotive and residential markets announced that 2017 is their 40th Anniversary, marking a somewhat remarkable journey from outsider accessory maker to a brand of growing significance to many in the mobile AV and residential custom integration communities. And to what does the company attribute their success? It’s all about reliability, performance and value…

See more on this remarkable milestone for AudioControl… [Read more…] about AudioControl Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation

PE Firm General Atlantic Sells Its Stake in SnapAV

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BREAKING NEWS

SnapAV logoSnapAV announced today that General Atlantic, its private equity partner, has sold its ownership interest in the company to San Francisco-based Hellman and Friedman, another private equity group. The move, while unexpected, is not unusual in the world of private equity – especially in the case where a portfolio company transitions stages of growth that move it beyond the the investment strategy of the PE partner as compared to when the investment was initially made.

See more on this big change at SnapAV… [Read more…] about PE Firm General Atlantic Sells Its Stake in SnapAV

CEDIA to Pay 6-Figure Annual Tax Penalty to Build HQ in Fishers

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Photo of Dennis ErskineIndianapolis, IN-based CEDIA announced this week that it will build a new headquarters building in the neighboring town of Fishers, IN, after “more than 18 months of research, financial analyses, and due diligence.” This new “global headquarters” is the “best solution” as determined by the “CEDIA Board.” The announcement projected the project will cost $13.7 million.

But, the announcement did not reveal one significant additional cost… [Read more…] about CEDIA to Pay 6-Figure Annual Tax Penalty to Build HQ in Fishers

CEDIA Refuses All Strata-gee Interviews; New Process Invoked

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Another Troubling Hit to Transparency

cedia logoIn a disturbing sign of a further retreat from transparency, CEDIA has notified Strata-gee that it will no longer accept any interviews. This policy appears to apply only to Strata-gee, and no reason was given…at least initially.

Will this new policy inhibit Strata-gee’s ability to cover CEDIA? Read on… [Read more…] about CEDIA Refuses All Strata-gee Interviews; New Process Invoked

Strata-gee Talks to New AVAD President Fred Farrar

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AVAD logo 2017AVAD, one of the custom integration industry’s leading distributors, is in the process of going through a major transformation, out from under the – some would say – clueless shadows of its previous owner, monster I.T. distributor Ingram Micro…to a more focused posture under new owner Kingswood Capital Management. Now being managed by CEO Tom Jacoby and President Fred Farrar, the company has begun a series of initiatives to transform their geographic footprint, business model, and push to higher revenues.

We spoke with new President Fred Farrar to find out what’s going on at AVAD… [Read more…] about Strata-gee Talks to New AVAD President Fred Farrar