Strategy in TECH...
Marantz announced this week two new audio products that seek to advance its position in high-performance audio, along with modern usability designs to complement today’s user lifestyle. The new models include the Model 70 Integrated Amplifier (for international markets) and the CD 70 CD Player (for the U.S. market).
In a communication with dealers this week, Nice North America, the global holding company for many important custom integration brands, announced it has pulled out of the CEDIA Expo 2026. The company says this is a “strategic” move as it seeks to focus its marketing investments on “initiatives that deliver greater value…”
AVPro Edge, part of the AVPro Global family of brands, announced today that it has refreshed its popular MXnet switch lineup with the new P-Series. The company says that its MXnet 1G switches are its best-selling switch line. With the new MXnet P-Series, the company looks to push scalability to new heights.
Back in 2023, Strata-gee did a series of stories on Audio Research Corporation, a high-end tube amplifier manufacturer widely respected in the high-end community, but then going through financial struggles. In fact, when we last visited the Minnesota-based company, they had entered into a legal/financial process known as Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC), a form of receivership that is an alternative to bankruptcy. We revisit them now for an update.
In an announcement that shocked dealers, Dynaudio announced today that it intends to exit the North American market and shift its priorities to other global markets offering “the strongest strategic opportunities.” With this decision, the company will be permanently closing its U.S. subsidiary sometime in the “fall of 2026.”
Crestron Electronics, a global leader in smart home and home automation, announced this week that Configure Pro, originally announced a few months ago, is now available. This is great news for Crestron integrators, as the all-new system configuration platform is a substantial upgrade over the previous Crestron Home Setup application and offers greater approachability, easier and faster operation for more efficient and consistent installations, and so much more.
The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the US. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that sales of new single-family homes in May dropped for the second straight month. Many analysts believe this is a sign of a more enduring economic slowdown.
Audio Advice, a prominent smart home retailer and custom integrator based in Raleigh, North Carolina, announced today that it has acquired Sound Components, another well-known AV integrator based in Miami, Florida. This move joins two well-respected and popular integration industry players into one large multi-market integration business.
This week, ADI Global Distribution, currently part of Resideo Technologies but soon to be split off as an independent company, has sent an email message to Control4 dealers reassuring them that nothing is going to change when the company goes independent from Resideo. The email to dealers, which has been viewed by Strata-gee, reassured dealers that ADI’s commitment to Contro4 is stronger than ever.
But, is it?
Kaleidescape, a leading provider of high-resolution movie players and high fidelity movie content for the custom integration channel, announced today the launch of the all-new Strato K flagship movie player. The Strato K supports 8K movies as well as a new, higher fidelity format they call 4K Cinematic™.
