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Crestron Partners with Origin on New Audio Line

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When two power players decide to create something new together, the result could potentially shake the earth and be felt by all in the industry – especially by their competitors. Such was the first thought that came to mind when I learned that Crestron Electronics and Origin Acoustics – one, a home automation and integrated systems Jedi Master…and the other, a leading brand in premium architectural audio solutions – came together to create a new line of residential audio products under the Crestron brand.

Learn more about this Crestron/Origin partnership…

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Pres. Biden Orders Supply Chain Review; This Might Not End Well for Tech

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all-electric Cadillac design at CES 2021

Auto Makers Now in the Driver’s Seat

Late last week, multiple news services reported that US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order directing a “broad review” of the supply chains for critical materials – critical materials that include, by the way, semiconductors. The fact is, this might not end well for Tech…

See why supply chain concerns are heightening…

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CEDIA Expo & CE Pro Owner Emerald Expo Books $633.6 Million Net Loss

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Emerald Expositions logo

That an exposition company lost money in 2020 is not surprising. That an exposition company (Emerald) that has cancellation insurance to cover lost revenues on every show they own that was cancelled during the year – and still lost $633.6 million in fiscal 2020 – is surprising.

See the Details Behind This Big Loss at Emerald…

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With Direct Sales Expanding, Sonos Reports Record 1st Qtr Fiscal 21 Results

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On Wednesday after the close of markets, Sonos announced that it had turned in a record first quarter in their current 2021 fiscal year with revenues up, profits up, long-term debt down and new records set in several performance categories. In fact, actual performance came in so much stronger than the company had originally anticipated, that after just this first quarter of the year they announced they were revising and raising their guidance for their anticipated revenues and profits for the remainder of the fiscal year.

But were there any dark clouds in the super sunny Sonos report?

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Savant Integrator Summit Celebrates 2020 & Kicks Off 2021 with Big Ideas

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Photo of J.C. Murphy, president of Savant
J. C. Murphy, President of Savant

At the end of January, Savant held their popular annual Integrator Summit – its 15th summit ever…but its first such summit held online as a virtual one. In a Zoom meeting with industry media following the summit, President J.C. Murphy recapped the event which is held privately with only Savant integrators in the room.

Savant had a lot to talk about.

See more on the Savant 2021 Integrator Summit…

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Sony’s Strategic Shift From Hardware to Services Pays Off; It Now Projects Record Profits

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Like the hero in their anime movie Demon Slayer, Sony has blown away investors with their latest (and probably last) revision to their fiscal year net profit estimate. Announced on Wednesday, the company now says that it forecasts that it will set a new all-time record net profit for the fiscal year that ends in March. The major reason? A shift in focus away from hardware to services and content revenues and profits.

See more on this latest report from Sony…

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Long Time Bryston VP Partners with Colquhoun Audio to Acquire Company

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Bryston BR-20 preamplifier
New Bryston BR-20 preamplifier

This week, high-end specialty brand Bryston announced that long time company Vice President James Tanner had partnered with Colquhoun Audio Laboratories, Ltd. to acquire the company. The news was a bit of a surprise and appears to be connected to Bryston CEO Chris Russell’s decision to retire from the company.

See more on this big change at Bryston…

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How is SnapAV Doing? Moody’s Gives Us a Glimpse

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SnapAV logo

Moody’s Investors Service is one of the world’s largest credit rating services that offers ratings used by many investors who target debt investing, such as buying corporate bonds or equity investors. Moody’s rating can literally impact – positively or negatively – the interest or coupon rate companies offer their debt at – and therefore can be critical. Recently, Moody’s published a credit rating decision on Wirepath LLC – the company behind SnapAV.

How did Moody’s rate SnapAV? Read on…

See Moody’s opinion on how SnapAV is doing…

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Forecasting What to Expect in 2021 When There are So Many Unknowables

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2021 forecast - Famous New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra

Famous New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra once said, “Forecasting is very difficult, especially when it’s about the future.” Yet another wise saying from one of history’s most quoted sages. Even so, lately many regular Strata-gee readers (some of my favorite Strata-gists), have been asking me to do just exactly that – predict the future.

That is such a risky business…only a fool would take such a challenge.

See this fool’s forecast for 2021…

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CES 2021: Sony Evolves From Hardware Maker to Experience Creator

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Sony Airpeak drone
Airpeak drone

“Please join us in looking forward as we continue to evolve as a ‘creative entertainment company,'” said Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony Chairman, CEO and President to kick off Sony’s presentation to the media on CES 2021’s press day this past Monday. It was a carefully crafted opening, with words of particular significance that contrasts strongly with previous company characterizations. Sony is changing.

Has the train jumped the tracks? Or has Sony hit the hyper-drive taking us to a new and exciting unexplored planet?

See more from Sony’s press presentation…

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