TPVision, a principal licensor of the Philips brand of upscale TVs in Europe, announced today that is has partnered with Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) in a new multi-year agreement for a new line of products representing the finest in video and audio quality. The announcement noted the reputation both companies enjoy for excellence in engineering and suggests this partnership will set a new reference standard for visual and audio performance in televisions.
Manufacturers
NY Times Tech Reporter: Cryptocurrency ‘Scams are Everywhere Online’
We did NOT say that Monster Money was a scam in our article. We DID say that cryptocurrencies are risky, risky investments to be approached with caution. The prevalence of several large scams in the supposedly safe world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies serve as a stark reminder of this need for extreme caution when investing in something new.
See more on this cryptocurrency cautionary tale in today’s Times… [Read more…] about NY Times Tech Reporter: Cryptocurrency ‘Scams are Everywhere Online’
Distributor Rutherford Audio and Thorens Cut Ties
High-end audio distributor Rutherford Audio announced this week that its relationship with Thorens, a prominent European turntable manufacturer, has come to an end. As a result of this news, Rutherford is telling dealers they can no longer accept orders on Thorens’ products.
See more on this cutting of ties between Rutherford Audio and Thorens… [Read more…] about Distributor Rutherford Audio and Thorens Cut Ties
What It Means to Have Your Showroom Certified by Control4
When you first pull up in front of Total Home Technologies in Roseland, NJ, it looks pretty much like any other small town store, blending in perfectly with the feel and flavor of this humble little borough of about 5,800 people located twenty miles west of New York City in a picturesque hilly section of Essex County, New Jersey. That feeling persists when you first walk over the “Welcome” mat and enter through the front door to find a comfortable living room on your right and, somewhat surprisingly, an outdoor backyard scene on your left.
You have just entered a Control4 Certified Showroom, and the show’s about to begin…
[Read more…] about What It Means to Have Your Showroom Certified by Control4
Gibson Hits a Sour Note with Philips & Creditors
Gibson, as Strata-gee previously reported, filed for bankruptcy protection on May 1st in a pre-negotiated package with principal noteholders of the company’s substantial debt – debt that was now in default. But while that deal suggested a smooth path for the case through the bankruptcy court, it did not take into account the position of unsecured creditors, and especially Philips who describes itself as the largest unsecured creditor in the matter.
See more on the discord in Gibson’s bankruptcy proceedings… [Read more…] about Gibson Hits a Sour Note with Philips & Creditors
AudioControl to Launch 70-Volt Amp at Its First InfoComm
Move to Drive Share of Commercial Channel
AudioControl, a scrappy and innovative maker of electronics solutions for residential, commercial, and automotive applications, said today that it will show its commercial products at InfoComm 2018 taking place next week in Las Vegas, NV. Although the company has been involved in the commercial market for years, this is the first time they’ve displayed at InfoComm in a bid to further build their share of the commercial channel.
See more on this bold move by AudioControl… [Read more…] about AudioControl to Launch 70-Volt Amp at Its First InfoComm
Sonos Cuts Nearly 100 Employees or 6% of Staff
BREAKING NEWS
Sonos Inc. confirmed late yesterday that it has cut 6% of its staff, or 96 employees, just days before a highly anticipated public offering expected as early as next month. The cuts are said to have been across all department and at all levels.
See more on what we know about the Sonos staff cuts… [Read more…] about Sonos Cuts Nearly 100 Employees or 6% of Staff
Painting the Gibson Bankruptcy by the Numbers
We have been closely following – first Gibson Guitar and then Gibson Brands – from their decision in 2012 to shoot for the stars by using OPM (other people’s money) to make highly leveraged…and highly questionable…acquisitions of various consumer electronics brands (a category in which the CEO and his team had no experience) to their recent 2018 bankruptcy. Gibson was trying to diversify their musical instrument business into something that now former CEO Henry Juszkiewicz called a music lifestyle brand. Instead, they wound up in bankruptcy.
Let’s look at what some of the numbers in the Gibson filings reveal… [Read more…] about Painting the Gibson Bankruptcy by the Numbers
Leon Acquires Terra Speakers, Expanding Assortment
Leon Speakers announced this week that it has acquired Terra Speakers in a transaction that is said to offer Leon a greatly expanded portfolio of high performance products targeted for the outdoor and commercial segments. The company says this acquisition provides “new residential and commercial business opportunities” with a company renown for rugged, all-weather outdoor speakers.
See more on this Leon and Terra transaction… [Read more…] about Leon Acquires Terra Speakers, Expanding Assortment
Docs Show Gibson Bankruptcy Bigger Than You Think
Founded in 1894, it is a mark of their long-term brand success that Gibson has become such a large and far-flung international organization. In a cursory review of documents submitted to the court as part of their bankruptcy filing shows, legendary performers such as Muddy Waters, BB King, Elvis Presley, Pete Townsend, Keith Richards, Duane Allman, Elvis Costello, Lenny Kravitz, Slash, Dave Grohl, Joe Bonamassa all used various Gibson products that, in some cases, became a signature of that performer. And yes, the bankruptcy filing promotes these iconic names.
