Strategy in TECH...
At CEDIA Expo 2026, Sonance announced the all-new James Natural Collection, a design-forward line of on-wall speakers that set a new standard in both audio and visual performance. Utilizing high-quality premium natural materials, the Natural Collection delivers a truly superior performance that looks as though it was literally designed for that home.
I continue to be impressed with the stream of new Marantz products coming from the Sound United team, which doesn’t appear to have skipped a beat since it was acquired one year ago by Harman International Industries, a division of Samsung Electronics. This week, the company announced the launch of a new music system called the MCR 60n. A compact combination component designed to appeal to music lovers everywhere, the 60n looks to hit the sweet spot of high-quality build, audio engineering excellence, technology features contemporary with today’s market, and an above-average ease of use that enhances the listening experience.
For a few years now, I’ve been writing about the surprising and durable increase in the rate of growth of revenues generated from what some refer to as “retro” physical media, as tracked by the Recording Industry Association of America. Now, the New York Times is noticing it as well. While streaming still remains the leading format, it is impossible to ignore the massive growth rates for physical media such as vinyl, CDs, and others.
As our industry has transitioned from the retail consumer electronics trade to the more sophisticated, professionally installed home automation and smart home systems based on IP networks with sophisticated and sensitive control systems, the game has changed. Sensitive equipment like the electronics being installed today can be susceptible to power supply quality issues. This can lead to system performance problems, equipment failures, reduced system lifespans, unhappy clients, and profit-robbing additional truck rolls to try to solve often vexing, intermittent conditions.
Now integrators can offer an affordable and effective solution called Wavecrest that prevents these problems from occurring in the first place.
Marantz, a Sound United brand, and both of which are part of Harman International Industries, Inc., which itself is part of Samsung Electronics, announced today that it has launched a new series of the popular Cinema Series AV receivers (AVRs). This new “Series 2” builds upon the technologies and techniques of the original series, as well as moves the ball down the field with several new advancements.
Savant Systems, Inc. (Savant), a leading smart home and smart energy solutions provider, has been selected by real estate developer U.S. Development to be the exclusive smart home technology provider for two of its ultra-luxury residential complexes. These two complexes are both based in Florida, and they are Salato Pompano Beach and Viceroy Residences Clearwater Beach.
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).
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.
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.
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™.
