It kind of goes unsaid, but the custom installation industry owes a great deal to the audio market.
If it weren’t for consumer audio and audiophiles and their interest in good sound, the custom installation market may not have developed into its growing status of almost mainstream acceptance as a service industry.
Today, categories such as smart home, wellness and security may grab more headlines, but audio, through subcategories such stereo, whole-house audio and home theater still serves as the foundation of the custom installation market.
Over the years, consumer audio has evolved from its early days of low-power tube amps and high-efficiency loudspeakers to today’s streaming audio and immersive audio technologies.
Unlike the musical instrument (MI) market, which is in the midst of tubes and analog vs. DSP (digital signal processing) modeling technologies debate, the consumer market has embraced all its many technologies.
These 10 manufacturers help showcase the audio market’s vast array of products and should not be missed by those attending CEDIA Expo 2019:
- AudioControl booth #1813
- Bowers & Wilkins booth #3701
- Dynaudio booth #943
- Harman Luxury Audio Group booth #1313
- KEF America booth #3301
- Lenbrook (NAD, Bluesound, PSB Speakers, DALI) booth #2520
- M&K (Audio Gear Group) booth #4143
- Meridian Audio booth #3030
- RBH Sound booth #SR-3
- Torus Power booth #2533
10 Audio Companies You Won't Want to Miss at CEDIA Expo 2019
Taking a quick look at these companies, each one brings something unique to the market through their respective product lines and technologies.
AudioControl offers a range of consumer and pro gear that includes amplifiers for whole-house audio and home theater applications. The company’s amps utilize proprietary technologies that do not sacrifice power or sound quality for the sake of convenience.
M&K is part of the Audio Gear Group family of brands. M&K’s gear can be found in pro recording studios and some of the most impressive home theaters around the world.
Bowers & Wilkins designs and manufactures a range of in-room and architectural loudspeakers that range from its affordable 600 Series of products to its high-performance 800 Series of loudspeakers that employ its Nautilus tweeter technologies.
Dynaudio is a go-to manufacturer in the pro sound market with many top recording studios using its products. The company also offers high-performance audiophile products and a growing range of custom install products.
Harman Luxury Audio Group is the umbrella for Harman’s Mark Levinson, Revel, JBL Synthesis, Lexicon and Arcam brands. These companies offer loudspeakers and electronics for whole-house audio, stereo and home theater applications.
In addition, sharing its legendary research knowledge, Harman’s Kevin Veocks and Kevin Kent will take part in CEDIA Expo’s Tech Talks. The duo will discuss the latest in acoustics and Harman’s digital audio technologies during a panel discussion that takes place on Friday, Sept. 13 from 2:40 to 3:10 p.m.
Related: 5 Can’t-Miss Education Topics at CEDIA Expo 2019
KEF has one of the most identifiable technologies in the entire world of home audio. The company’s Uni-Q driver array is its patented take on coaxial driver technologies, and the company uses its Uni-Q technologies throughout its entire product line to provide consumers at all levels access to this high-performance driver array.
One of the most technologically aggressive companies in home audio is Lenbrook and its NAD, PSB, and Bluesound brands. These manufacturers offer some of the best value in consumer electronics through their dedication to research and development (R&D).
Meridian is a benchmark manufacturer of digital A/V products and technologies. At CEDIA Expo 2019, the company will show its latest whole-house audio solutions that incorporate proprietary Meridian digital audio technologies such as its new 210 Streamer that offers MQA compatibility and wireless Bluetooth options.
Residing in Utah, RBH Sound is a 40-year-old company that is transitioning into new ownership. The heart of the company remains strong engineering and marketing teams that have a legitimate passion for music and movies.
Speaking of legit companies, Toronto’s Torus Power uses toroidal-based isolation technologies, allowing the company to provide a range of power isolation/protection products that are all third-party tested to deliver high levels of quality.
Take a look at the slideshow to see the latest products from these companies!
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