Strategy in TECH...
Crestron Electronics announced this week the launch of an all-new 80 Series Touch Screen line, its most advanced touch screen design ever. What specifically has changed in this series as compared to previous versions? According to a company source, only one thing has changed: everything!
Marantz, part of Sound United, which itself is now part of Harman International Industries, which itself is part of Samsung, announced two new models in what it calls its “reference quality” home theater component series. The all-new AV 30 and AMP 30 are serious, pro-grade audio components that elegantly blend dramatic industrial design with flexible feature sets – with a high-performance-first product design philosophy.
Products like these really warm the heart of this old audio guy!
I have to say that the team at Premium Audio Company (PAC), part of the VOXX division of Gentex Corp., does a nice job of paying homage to the long, 80-year history of technical innovation and market success of its Onkyo brand, while at the same time, launching innovative new models to propel the brand into a space-age future. While conventional wisdom might suggest otherwise, you could say that they prove that they can walk and chew gum at the same time.
ELAC, a leader in affordable high-performance audio solutions, has launched a new portable Bluetooth speaker it calls the NAVA100. The company says that NAVA100 embodies 100 years of exceptional sound innovation in a form factor responsive to how music lovers want to listen to music today, while they are on the go.
Crestron Electronics, a leading smart home and automation brand in residential and commercial custom integration, is introducing several exciting new products at CEDIA Expo 2025, such as new Cameo keypads, Horizon keypads, and the very cool-looking Cevo Mini Remote. But by far, my favorite launch is the Crestron Home Configure Pro system configuration tool.
Making what it calls a “renewed commitment to the American market,” Hamburg, Germany-based Velodyne Acoustics announced today that it has appointed Playback Distribution as its exclusive distributor for the U.S. market. The new partnership will kick off at the upcoming CEDIA Expo in Denver, CO, on September 4-6, 2025.
At the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, NV, earlier this year, show organizers employed expert builders/craftsmen/tradesmen/and installers who conceived, designed, created, and built a new $15.5 million modern custom home designed to set the standard for luxury living in 2025 and beyond. According to organizers, “The New American Home 2025 is a statement of what’s to come in the world of residential architecture. Join us as we redefine the standard of luxury living.” Savant and the Savant Power system were a major part of adding the luxury experience to this home.
Cambridge Audio seems to be single-handedly attempting to dispatch the intense summer heat by introducing two new products that are pretty darn cool – the Evo 150 SE Streaming Amplifier and the Melomania A100 true wireless earbuds. Both embody the traditional strengths of Cambridge Audio products with thoughtful component selection and matching, careful engineering, and extensive listening/tuning.
If you are a fan of premium loudspeaker maker Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), you are likely familiar with the fact that Abbey Road Studios – the famous London, England recording studio that was the studio of choice for mega groups like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Oasis, Lady Gaga, and many, many others – utilizes B&W models as monitor speakers for its recording engineers. Some of the most famous music singles and albums were tracked and mixed on 801s, offering superior sound quality and providing engineers and producers with a more accurate sound to produce a better end product…the music that you and I listen to every day.
This “enduring and influential collaboration” has existed for 45 years, and to honor this unique history, B&W has introduced a limited edition model of its top-of-the-line speakers, the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition Loudspeaker.
Something tells me these companies – Harman International Industries, Inc. and Voxx International Corp/Klipsch Group, Inc. aren’t going to be friends…or even friendly. I have learned that Harman has filed a significant 13-count patent infringement lawsuit against Voxx/Klipsch for copying its patented JBL PartyBox line in the creation of the Klipsch Gig XXL party speaker line.
Harman says Voxx/Klipsch continued its allegedly unlawful actions even after being notified of the infringement by Harman back in the fall of 2023.
