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Russound’s Ingenious Powerline Audio System to Debut at EHX
In person, the Collage looks and operates beautifully—just as promised by Russound. See it for the first time at EHX Fall. Hand Model: Walt Zerbe
Sadly, few CEDIA-goers actually got to see the marvel, which was shown to select guests behind closed doors.
Russound will present its first public demonstration of Collage at the Electronic House Expo Fall, Nov. 5-7 in Long Beach, Calif.
I raved about Collage even before I saw the demo at CEDIA, lauding the product for its sleek design, impressive features and, most importantly, its huge potential for the retrofit market.
Russound is using HomePlug technology (provided by Arkados) to deliver audio, intercom and surveillance video throughout the house.
The electrician simply taps into the powerline to connect a module that bridges the high-voltage Romex to the low-voltage Collage system. Integrators connect the Collage touchpad with the pigtails left by the electrician, and the system is nearly complete.
The only "real" wiring that has to be done is to run speaker wires from the touchpad to the speakers.
The touchpad – including a click wheel and quarter VGA display – includes a 30-watt amp, FM tuner and a CPU that runs the system. No central hub is required.
Sources including iPods, analog music devices, Web/network-based servers, and CCTV cameras join the network via Collage modules that can plug into any AC outlet in the home.
The architecture is genius, but I had to try it for myself to make a proper assessment.
The verdict: the interface is as beautiful as promised, and intuitive to boot. From the pictures, it looked like the touchpad might be too bulky, but it is in fact petite and barely protrudes from the wall. Still, the display is ample for interacting with the system and viewing surveillance cameras.
It would be worth the trip to EHX just to see this gem.
Enjoy a preview via the Collage slideshow from CEDIA.
For a complete run-down of the product, revisit our feature story, "Russound Collage: Music, Intercom, Surveillance & Control over Powerlines."
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Slideshow · CCTV · Retrofit · Wireless A/V · EHX Fall · Multiroom Audio · Cctv · Wireless Av · Retrofit ·About the Author
4 Comments
I have a new customer with a Russound system installed. He called and said he couldnt get ahold of the guy who put it in. His SMS3 250 server needs a system disc and I dont posses one. My rep said I could dont load it from Russound but havent been able to get in touch with them. I need help a.s.a.p. Any help would be appr.
What a wierd comment WoW. Russound is offering us the easiest to install system I’ve seen in years, and you’re already writing it off? These are tough times, manufacturer’s are doing things they normally wouldn’t, but does that mean we should reject their hard efforts and force them into the big box stores? It seems to me it’s attitudes like this that force companies like Russound into other market channels. Even if this product does end up there, it still offers us the opportunity to make money, afterall even big box stores sell for a profit. Remember! We offer a service that the chains don’t. It’s what we’ve been doing for 25 years; let’s not abandon the good ideas before we even give them a chance. I say three cheers for Russound for taking the time, and spending the money to bring us the type of product we’ve been waiting for.
Does Menard’s sell Russound?
Who cares? Just another piece that will be put into Menards or Electrical supply houses soon.