The smart home industry is poised to explode and helping to light that fuse, the CEDIA Expo 2024 trade show in Denver on Sept. 5-7, served as the platform to launch many of the solutions that homeowners will use to meet their lifestyle requirements. Of the literally thousands of products at the event, there were several standout products that need to be highlighted.

Since it’s not realistic to spotlight all of the great products that were on display at CEDIA Expo 2024, the next best thing we can do is look at a handful of those standout products. These components range in cost, application and product category, but the one thing that is common with all of these products is they all add value and performance to a modern smart home.

8 Standout Products for Home Theater, Lighting, and Outdoor AV at CEDIA Expo 2024

This list of products will start with AV before featuring a couple of lighting or environmental products that have really become symbolic of what people typically think of when they talk about smart home systems.

Amp Genie

Developed by an integrator—Brian Staller—the Amp Genie is a device that he says works like the “Works with Sonos” technologies, but unlike that platform Staller asserts, the Amp Genie is a purpose-built microcomputer built on a Motorola ASIC CPU with a preprogrammed IR Macro database and three types audio triggering inputs (Digital Optical/Toslink, Digital Coax/SPDIF, Analog). Using dip switches that are located on the side panel of the component, integrators can configure the Amp Genie to automate volume; to selects input, and the $399 unit is supported with proprietary companion cables to facilitate its installation.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

2024 Lighting Controls and Fixtures Report

Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.

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DALI Guardian Outdoor Speaker

Looking at the next of these standout products, the Guardian from DALI incorporates a pair of passive radiators, along with a 5 1/4-inch midrange driver, and a single tweeter. The IP67-rated speaker features a contemporary industrial design, and a unique bracket mounting system that eliminates the need for traditional speaker connections. DALI offers the Guardian in a choice of black or white finishes.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

SVS Ultra R Evolution Subwoofer

Call it a soft launch or whatever you like, at the just completed CEDIA Expo 2024 the popular home audio company displayed its latest subwoofer. The sub serves as a companion to SVS’ new flagship Ultra Evolution loudspeakers, which are also standout products in the speaker category. The sub incorporates a 17-inch woofer with a dual-voice coil design. Powering the sub is a dual-mono amplifier, and SVS states that Ultra R Evolution Subwoofer utilizes advanced DSP processing and the sub includes its own, internal power regulation.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

Crestron NAX Wall Plates

The popular smart home systems company has bolstered its NAX line of AV-over-IP solutions with its new selection of wall plate accessories. Available in versions that provide XLR, RCA, USB and Bluetooth connectivity options, the new Crestron accessories allow integrators to integrate a variety of components into their clients’ NAX whole-house AV systems.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

Epson Q Series Projectors

Stepping up to diversify its line of projectors, the new Q Series was featured in several system demos within Epson‘s exhibits at CEDIA Expo 2024. These standout products provide a choice of three models that range in price from $7,999 to $29,999, and the products are designed to reside in modern home spaces through their industrial designs, high-brightness capabilities, and overall picture quality capabilities. Epson also states the line of products offers proprietary image processing technologies, 4K and HDR compatibility, and lens options to help the products integrate into a range of home settings.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

Quantum Media Systems MicroLED Video Walls

This choice isn’t exactly breaking news because the company has garnered plenty of buzz over the past few CEDIA Expo shows, but what maybe overlooked with the buzz is the level of commitment the company has towards producing cinema-level images. Quantum’s video walls can be configured in a choice of sizes and aspect ratios to meet whatever consumer demand the company encounters. Quantum Media Systems stresses that its products are manufactured under its strict quality control standards and they employ its proprietary processing technologies. The bottom line the company boasts is that its product line can deliver Hollywood-like brightness levels for SDR, EDR and HDR content to support reference quality images.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

Hunter Douglas Aria Soft Blinds

Providing homeowners with an alternative to traditional wood blind products, the Aria Soft Blinds employ fabric to provide homeowners with a stylish means to control the natural sunlight that enters their homes. The large window coverings company points out that its latest blinds have been tested for long-term exposure to UV light to ensure their durability, and homeowners can easily clean the blinds with a duster. Supporting its new shades, Hunter Douglas also offers solar charging capabilities that include the ability to cover north-facing windows.

Photo credit: Bob Archer CE Pro

WAC Lighting Landscape Colorscaping Outdoor Lighting

Wrapping up our look at some of CEDIA Expo 2024 standout products is WAC/AiSPIRE Lighting’s new Colorscaping Landscape Lights. WAC explains that when outdoor lighting is set at correct color temperatures homeowners can transform the look and feel of their properties. The line of products deliver lighting temperatures from a warm 2700K to a cool 6500 Kelvin. WAC/AiSPIRE adds the line’s Smart Transformer Control Panel connects to a system quickly and provides immediate testing. The control panel is available in a choice of 150-watt and 300-watt capacities, and control options include the WAC WallStation, and the My WAC App.

Photo credit: WAC/AiSPIRE

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