Wireless audio is one of the most competitive categories for custom integrators. Integrators know that many customers are seeking out consumer-grade brand names for their home streaming audio solution, but Lenbrook’s Bluesound system has carved a loyal following in the CE Pro channel.
Audio Innovations in Danvers, Mass., is among that loyal flock. The eight-year-old company focuses on high-end solutions that are easy to use and integrate well. Bluesound touches all those bases.
“The main reason we settled on Bluesound is mostly for the quality of audio,” says Jon Herbster, co-owner at Audio Innovations. “The performance is fantastic. It far exceeds other products in the category. It integrates very well with the Crestron and Control4 automation systems that we install on almost every project that we do. We have heard from so many other companies that they integrate well but when you get down to doing the installation, they kind of fall flat.”
“Bluesound is really the most affordable product line of High-Res Audio streamers on the market,” says Matt Simmonds, product manager for Bluesound, a division of Lenbrook Americas. He notes that one primary reason integrators are having so much success with the product is because Bluesound is part of a wider ecosystem with its sister brands NAD and PSB, along with other brands using the BluOS platform like DALI Loudspeakers and Monitor Audio.
Jon Herbster also lauds the stability of Bluesound on the network. If the product is the cause of a network problem, that can be very bad for the homeowner and the integrator. According to Matt Herbster, the Bluesound line is the most consistent across all types of networks.
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“One of my favorite aspects of the Bluesound line is the app,” says Matt. “It is super easy to use, and gets you to your sources really quickly. To us and our clients, that ease of use is paramount to their use of the system.
“Another aspect that was extremely important to us is its ability to stream High-Res Audio, because we are focused on providing the highest performance products we can,” says Jon. “HRA is something we require in this category and there are very few products that do HRA.”
Matt Herbster also complimented the service group at Bluesound, which he says is responsive and helpful.
Lastly, Simmonds discussed the new Bluesound wireless Pulse SUB+ subwoofer that was just launched by the company. The Pulse SUB+ can be used on the network versus having a point-to-point connection with other Bluesound devices.
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