Late yesterday afternoon, a strange press release came our way. This release was strange for a couple of reasons – first, for what it was announcing – Savant’s founder Robert Madonna was returning to the CEO role, replacing “outgoing” CEO William Lynch. Second, it was strange because it gave no reason for this dramatic change of CEOs; and, third, it was strange because of where it came from – a PR firm that the company hasn’t been using for a couple of years.
Manufacturers
Crestron Pursues Deeper & More Innovative Integrations with Partners
Crestron Embraces Sonos, Amazon, & Others
At CEDIA 2016, one of the top themes we identified was companies seeking more and better integrations with other companies’ technologies. In most cases, this expressed itself with companies seeking to have their product lines properly interface with the major control companies. But at CEDIA this year, Crestron took that concept to new heights and in a new direction with their enthusiastic embrace of newcomers to the CI channel…Sonos and Amazon Alexa.
See more on Crestron’s innovative integration solutions… [Read more…] about Crestron Pursues Deeper & More Innovative Integrations with Partners
Russound Formally Launches 70V Line at CEDIA 2016
To Help Integrators ‘Expand Your Marketplace’
Although previewed to the media last month, dealers and the media finally had the opportunity to physically see and touch the all-new Russound 70-volt light commercial line in the flesh at last week’s CEDIA 2016. The line, which the company intends to continue to develop and expand, launched with three models in the line, including a music streamer/amplifier, a volume control wallpad, and an outdoor speaker.
See more on Russound’s new marketplace expanding 70v line… [Read more…] about Russound Formally Launches 70V Line at CEDIA 2016
LG Launches 77″ OLED, Spectacular in Image and Price
LG Electronics launched a new 77-inch OLED display with a stunning image…and a price point to match. Unveiled for the first time at CEDIA, it was not only an impressive product, it was equally impressive that LG chose CEDIA 16 for its unveiling – a sign of real commitment to the channel for a premium product such as the LG Signature OLED TV OLED77G6P.
See our first impressions on this remarkable LG OLED display… [Read more…] about LG Launches 77″ OLED, Spectacular in Image and Price
New, Smaller, More Focused Kaleidescape is Back
In a letter to dealers sent Thursday evening, Kaleidescape CEO Cheena Srinivasan says the company is back in business, but in a leaner, lower overhead way. The news, which the industry rumor mill was buzzing about all day Thursday, is a bit of a surprise considering the company was completely shut down just a couple of weeks ago.
See more about the new Kaleidescape… [Read more…] about New, Smaller, More Focused Kaleidescape is Back
Panasonic Going Global With…Wait for It…OLED TV
Is Panasonic Back in the Consumer TV Business?
Panasonic Corp., in a sharp departure from its previous TV strategy, launched an OLED TV in Europe last fall, using panels procured from LG. At the IFA 2016 show in Berlin that just wrapped up this week, Panasonic announced that they would start making their OLED TVs available in other markets, starting next year.
This is a big announcement.
See more on this new player in the OLED game… [Read more…] about Panasonic Going Global With…Wait for It…OLED TV
Auro Technologies’ StormAudio to Launch at CEDIA16
Auro Technologies Launches Hardware Brand to Support all Advanced Surround Formats
The creator of one of the top three advanced immersive movie surround sound formats, Auro Technologies (Auro3D), is launching a new venture called StormAudio to market a high-end, high-performance line of processors and amplifiers that supports all of the advanced surround formats – including its competitors Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The launch will officially kick off at this month’s CEDIA16 show in Dallas, TX from September 15-September 17 in booth #6628.
See more on this StormAudio and its products… [Read more…] about Auro Technologies’ StormAudio to Launch at CEDIA16
Sharp in Negotiations to Buy Back Building Sold Only Months Ago
New Owner’s Moves Continue to Confound the Japanese Media
News comes out of Japan that the new owners of Sharp are in the process of buying back a building the old management sold off when seeking to improve profitability by reducing overhead. Now, new management – made up of former Foxconn executives – are doing an about-face and looking to repurchase the building, in a move that has Japanese media scratching their heads.
See more on this new course reversal from Sharp’s new managers… [Read more…] about Sharp in Negotiations to Buy Back Building Sold Only Months Ago
Russound Says Time to Hop on the 70-Volt Boat
As we recently told you, Russound has announced that it would be launching a line of 70-volt products designed to facilitate integrators’ entry into the commercial market. Now the company has released more details on just what their 70-volt offerings will include – and it appears to be a solid first step into the more commercial business.
See more on the new Russound 70-volt commercial line… [Read more…] about Russound Says Time to Hop on the 70-Volt Boat
Factory Tour: James Loudspeaker, The Inside Story
Factory Tour Shows James Loudspeaker To Be More Than You Realized
In our work lives, we all try to project the most positive image of ourselves. Sometimes the only way to really get to known someone is to visit them in their home. Here, you can find a lot of clues to their true selves.
So it is with companies as well. Polished marketing and great looking products can give you an impression of a large, professional, smoothly-running operation. But, as we can attest from direct experience, that simply is not always the case.
And sometimes, as in the case of James Loudspeaker, you get surprised.
