AudioControl, a specialty electronics manufacturer of residential, commercial, and mobile audio products, had several announcements at last week’s CEDIA Expo Virtual. While many of those were announcing, for example, the shipping availability of previously announced products, one announcement in particular caught my eye. And it’s not about a product at all!
Technology
Has Sonance Solved the Last Mystery of Invisibility?
New Invisible Series Speakers Rivals Performance of Visible Models
At the dawn of the custom integration industry (then custom installation industry), it became clear to many that there was strong consumer demand for a more custom solution that allowed clients to reclaim floor space lost to big box speakers. This demand led to the creation of in-ceiling and in-wall speakers. Certainly, for many consumers, this was a dramatic step forward in regaining control of their interior design. Yet as time went by, it was clear that what many clients really wanted was…completely invisible sound.
But invisible speakers generally don’t match the sound quality of traditional visible in-ceiling/in-wall models – a major performance compromise that causes many integrators to refuse to offer them. But in a press conference at the CEDIA Expo Virtual this week, Sonance told the gathered media that they have solved the conundrum of the sound quality compromise of invisible speaker performance.
See the innovative new Sonance Invisible Series…
[Read more…] about Has Sonance Solved the Last Mystery of Invisibility?Crestron Invites You to Leave the Now, and Head to What’s Next: Crestron NEXT
Creston, one of the industry’s largest and most respected brands of control and automation solutions for the residential and commercial channels, is holding their Crestron NEXT virtual event next week – and it looks extremely interesting. Taking place over two days – September 15 & 16 (yes, during CEDIA’s virtual show), there are two versions: residential and commercial.
See more on why you should plan on attending Crestron NEXT…
[Read more…] about Crestron Invites You to Leave the Now, and Head to What’s Next: Crestron NEXTAudio Advice Launches Free Home Theater Design Tool
Specialty AV retailer and e-commerce site Audio Advice today launched a comprehensive – and free – home theater design tool targeted for consumers looking to craft the perfect theater for their home. Featuring an interactive 3D interface, Audio Advice’s Home Theater Designer makes it fun and easy for consumers to create plans for an acoustically correct home theater system – including precise placement of speakers, TV or projector, and seating.
Learn more on the new Audio Advice design tool…
[Read more…] about Audio Advice Launches Free Home Theater Design ToolSmall Headphone Specialist Koss Corp. Attempts to Slay Giants Apple, Bose & Others in Court
Milwaukee, WI based Koss Corporation (NASDAQ:KOSS) last month launched a significant litigation effort against several major industry brands in an effort to assert and protect its IP portfolio rights. On July 22, 2020, Koss filed lawsuits against each of Apple, Inc., Bose Corporation, PEAG LLC dba JLAB Audio, Plantronics, Inc., and Skullcandy, Inc. Each of these auspicious brands, Koss says, are infringing on their patents covering wireless headphones and speakers.
See more on this audacious move by Koss…
[Read more…] about Small Headphone Specialist Koss Corp. Attempts to Slay Giants Apple, Bose & Others in CourtCorp. Comms. Expert Crestron Launches Flex MM for Growing WFA* Future
*Work From Anywhere
By now, most in the industry know that Crestron Electronics, the widely renowned luxury residential electronics systems manufacturer, is also a large major supplier of high quality and mission critical solutions for the corporate commercial and industrial markets. Today, the company is announcing that their two divisions worked together to create a new product called the Flex MM – a unique, flexible, unified communications solution that is just about perfect for the new Work From Home…or as Creston likes to call it…the Work from Anywhere…remotely distributed workforce.
See more on this new solution from Crestron…
[Read more…] about Corp. Comms. Expert Crestron Launches Flex MM for Growing WFA* FutureAudioControl Introduces Dirac Live Bass Control Technology in Cinema Line
Specialty electronics manufacturer AudioControl and advanced digital room correction technology provider Dirac have teamed up to bring Dirac’s latest Dirac Live Bass Control technology into AudioControl’s line of high performance AV receivers, preamp/processors, and amplifiers. The perfect marriage of technology and application, this partnership will help spread Dirac’s technology throughout the custom integration community where AudioControl has a strong and supportive network of dealers.
See more on the AudioControl & Dirac partnership…
[Read more…] about AudioControl Introduces Dirac Live Bass Control Technology in Cinema LineLenbrook Agrees to Pay Royalties to End Sonos Patent Lawsuit
Sonos Inc. and Lenbrook Industries announced today that they have reached a settlement agreement bringing the patent litigation brought by Sonos to a close. The agreement is confidential, so no terms were disclosed.
Another win for Sonos; Read on for more…
[Read more…] about Lenbrook Agrees to Pay Royalties to End Sonos Patent LawsuitIs the Residential Wellness Segment About to Explode?
A New National Rep Group is Counting On It
A national network of sales representatives have formed a group to promote and sell products supporting the residential wellness segment – sometimes known as the “healthy home” segment. Called the PureTech Alliance, the organization was conceived and formed by two former founding members of another national group – this one of regional specialty A/V distributors – known as the Alliance of Value Added Distributors (AVAD).
AVAD went on to become a successful $200 million national distributor that helped drive the growth of the custom installation channel and was ultimately acquired by Ingram Micro. Will lightening strike twice?
See more on PureTech Alliance and residential wellness…
[Read more…] about Is the Residential Wellness Segment About to Explode?Crestron’s Partnership Universe Expands Creating New Experiences for Users
Launches HomeTime Integrated Home Conferencing WFH Solution
No doubt about it, Crestron is on a roll. They have recently had a series of announcements – not of the ho-hum type, but of the more meaningful, perhaps industry-changing type. Now we learn about another new partnership being announced – Crestron is working with Logitech and Zoom to deliver HomeTime, an upgraded home video conferencing solution perfect for this strange new work-from-home (WFH) world in which we all find ourselves.