Strategy in TECH...
Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX), the leading online streaming service, said this week that it intends to launch a workforce reduction program that will cut around 1,000 employees from the company’s payroll. This cut represents approximately 6% of its entire workforce, a meaningful number, and comes as the company’s stock has stumbled this year.
Today, London-based Cambridge Audio announced the launch of Spira, a turntable that perfectly blends high performance with flexible features to deliver an exceptional and memorable performance for vinyl lovers everywhere. It is more than simply a base-level turntable; in fact, Spira contains features that old-time classic rock fans will find comfortably familiar, while today’s younger generations will delight in discovering its provision for simple interfacing with more contemporary system configurations.
Last week, Sony Corporation surprised many in the industry by abruptly announcing its decision to completely exit the mobile electronics business by the end of this year. Interestingly, the company chose to reveal this news via only one channel: through an emailed statement that went directly to dealers.
After conducting a relatively short executive search, the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) announced that it has selected Shaun Schuetz to fill the role of Managing Director of the industry buying group. The group also noted that it was expanding the leadership structure of the organization, including a promotion from within and another new addition to the team.
Last week, I ran a story about control technologies manufacturer RTI, now part of AVPro Global, launching a new line of amplifiers and zone controllers targeted for the commercial integration channel. The amps looked well-designed and configured, signalling a sincere effort to grow its commercial business, so I was upbeat about this development.
But sharp-eyed Strata-gee readers reached out to me to note that these amps looked familiar to them. Several readers noted that other brands have launched products with the same or substantially similar features and capabilities. They wanted to know what was going on with RTI and AVPro Global.
San Diego, CA-based Wrensilva, maker of high-performance, hand-crafted console music systems, has launched a new version of its Studio model console in an attractive White Oak finish. While this finish has been available on both their M1 and The Standard models for some time, this is the first time it is available for its Studio model, which was introduced earlier in 2026.
Just a little more than a year after being acquired by AVPro Global Holdings, leading residential and commercial custom integration brand RTI announced this week a dramatic expansion of its commercial amplifier lineup. This new series of DSP matrix amplifiers with accompanying zone controllers brings bulletproof technologies, expanded features, and helps RTI expand its beachhead in the commercial channel.
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.
Late last week, Emerald Expositions, now part of Forge, announced that the 2026 CEDIA Expo had a “verified attendance” of 9,653 people. The company put out a press release in which it called the tally “almost 10,000” attendees. However, this result is around 14.4% lower than the 11,270 attendees at CEDIA Expo 2025, which was also held in Denver, CO.
What does this mean for the future of the CEDIA Expo event?
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.
