The CEDIA Expo is next week and our annual CEDIA Survey is now closed for responses. Thank you all who participated – we truly appreciate those of you who took the time to respond. Results are in and we have to say, just when we think there are no surprises left…we get surprised again.
Shows & Events
Tell Us What YOU Think – Take Our 2013 CEDIA Expo Survey

September is just days away and those of us in the custom integration channel knows what this fact means: it’s time for the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association’s (CEDIA) Expo – this year being held in Denver, Colorado from September 26-28. As this annual trade show is such a key event – and given the fact that it provides a barometer on the overall health of the custom integration industry – for several years now, we’ve been conducting a survey to learn your thoughts about the event itself.
See what’s new this year… [Read more…] about Tell Us What YOU Think – Take Our 2013 CEDIA Expo Survey
Joe Knows (High Performance) Video
One of the highlights of Audio Associates Dealer Expo in New Jersey last week was a key seminar on video screens given by none other than Joe Kane, one of this industry’s best known and most respected video technology experts. Kane’s presentation was supposed to cover how to select the best screen for the installation – but the enigmatic Kane couldn’t help himself and covered – rapid-fire – several topical industry subjects for an engaging presentation that went well past its scheduled 60-minute time slot.
See more on the at-times irreverent Kane’s presentation of a variety of video subjects… [Read more…] about Joe Knows (High Performance) Video
Soundcast Casts a New Expanded Role for Itself

Earlier this week during the Audio Associates Dealer Expo held in New Jersey, we had an opportunity to meet with Mike Weaver, President of San Diego-based Soundcast Systems, Inc. Soundcast, a manufacturer of wireless outdoor speakers has been around for quite some time and although it seems to have achieved some recognition for good quality products, the company has been a little sleepy and unremarkable…until recently, that is.
With new money from the founders, a new team of executives, and recently launched new products – Soundcast has definitely cast a new expanded role for itself in the industry…
See more on the dynamic new growth trajectory the company is on, below… [Read more…] about Soundcast Casts a New Expanded Role for Itself
NY Dealer Expo Surprise: Pervasive & Palpable Positivity
New York manufacturers representative company Audio Associates wrapped up their 2013 Dealer Expo on Tuesday and company executives said they were thrilled with the results this year – its largest dealer event ever. Audio Associates “upped the ante” by investing in a major upgrade in facilities for the Expo this year – far exceeding an upgrade the previous year by holding the event at New Jersey’s exclusive Seaview Hotel and Golf Club.
One surprise: even bad weather failed to dampen the palpable positivity of the dealer attendees…even though most were from New York’s ravaged retail market… [Read more…] about NY Dealer Expo Surprise: Pervasive & Palpable Positivity
With Expo Just Days Away, NY Rep Announces Addition of Joe Kane Seminar
Audio Associates, a prominent New York Metro and Mid-Atlantic sales representative company, announced that it will offer a seminar from well-known video specialist Joe Kane of Joe Kane Productions to the line-up at its upcoming dealer Expo scheduled for August 12 & 13 at The Seaview Hotel in New Jersey. The news dramatically ups-the-ante of the Expo’s educational sessions and will offer NY Metro and Mid-Atlantic dealers an opportunity to hear the industry’s leading expert on video technologies speak on key trends and topics.
See more on one of New York’s largest dealer events below… [Read more…] about With Expo Just Days Away, NY Rep Announces Addition of Joe Kane Seminar
Does the Sound Pop’s Sound Really Pop? Or Is That Sound Just Their Bubble Bursting?

When I first learned about AudioSource’s new Sound Pop – a small, relatively inexpensive (around $40 street price) Bluetooth speaker – I assumed it was just like all of those thousands of other Bluetooth speakers introduced over the last couple of years. You know: convenient, portable, maybe a cutesy design and…sounds like crap. Later, I got a press release and saw some specs. They look promising but, still, I remained…shall we say…skeptical.
Then, at CE Week last month, I met AudioSource’s CEO Tom O’Mara. He gave me “the pitch” and – perhaps sensing my skepticism – beseeched me to “Just listen to it” as he handed me a little box not much larger than a Rubik’s Cube.
See what happened when I “Just listen[ed] to it”… [Read more…] about Does the Sound Pop’s Sound Really Pop? Or Is That Sound Just Their Bubble Bursting?
Prominent NY Metro Rep Firm Audio Associates Sets Expo for Aug. 12/13
Audio Associates, one of the more prominent sales representative companies in the New York Metro market (and the Middle Atlantic market) has announced its annual dealer Expo is set for August 12 & August 13. The company has been holding this event every year for the last seven years and it has become quite popular with area dealers.
And this year, Audio Associates kicks it up a notch by holding the Expo at the posh Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey near the ever-popular Atlantic City.
See more on this event including important sign-up deadlines… [Read more…] about Prominent NY Metro Rep Firm Audio Associates Sets Expo for Aug. 12/13
AudioSource: Keeping the Foundation, But Building a Whole New Business
The theme for CEWeek this year – as far as we’re concerned – was “CHANGE.” There were very few “traditional” products shown or updated – and a plethora of new products and categories, such as wireless systems, mobile devices, innovative [predominantly mobile] accessories, new app concepts, and more. And one interview we conducted – with AudioSource CEO Tom O’Mara – seems to embody that sense of change, as he seeks to – while keeping the company’s foundation – build a whole new (and changed) company.
See the dramatic changes at AudioSource as their smallest product has the biggest impact… [Read more…] about AudioSource: Keeping the Foundation, But Building a Whole New Business
What Did He Say?!?! Strata-gee.com’s Ted Green Featured on AVWeek Netcast
For those of you familiar with AVNation’s AVWeek netcast or podcast, you are used to witty repartee as guests discuss various topical issues that are meaningful to the AV industry. And this week’s Episode 99 It’s a Fun LinkedIn, was no exception.
But one thing was different about this week’s issue – it featured an AVWeek newbie…Strata-gee.com’s very own Ted Green.
See more on the interesting topics they discussed where you can hear the podcast for yourself…
[Read more…] about What Did He Say?!?! Strata-gee.com’s Ted Green Featured on AVWeek Netcast




