Lenbrook International used CEDIA 2017 in San Diego to reveal several new product developments in its BluOS platform, Bluesound wireless speakers and NAD receivers.

Among the products on display by Greg Stidsen, director of technology and product planning for Bluesound and NAD Electronics, are:

• New Bluesound soundbar in white to match the Bluesound wireless speakers
• New BluOS software update that will allow the Bluesound speakers to do Dolby surround. “This is something our customers have been asking for. So by adding a pair of Flex speakers to the soundbar, you can now do Dolby surround,” says Stidsen.

Meanwhile, the BluOS operating system has now been extended beyond just Bluesound to other Lenbrook brands. Two new NAD Master Series AVRs—the T 758 V3 and the T 777 V3—feature Dolby Atmos, 4K video, Dirac Live room correction, and BluOS multiroom audio.  

BluOS offers complete compatibility across an audio ecosystem to permit stereo listening, home theater viewing or multi-room audio listening. NAD also has several rack-mountable units targeted specifically at the custom installation channel.

First, the NAD CI 580 offers four stereo zones in a single 1U size. Available as a digital or analog output, the CI 580 is accessed through the BluOS Controller App or via a control system.  

Second, the NAD  CI 720 adds a powered zone for network audio. It can support upt to 64 zones and provides access to local music libraries, Internet radio, streaming music services and can be controlled by a third-party smart home system, such as Crestron, RTI, URC, Elan or Control4.

Leveraging BluOs, the CI 720 integrates with Bluesound players. It uses HybridDigital amplification technology to drive any speaker. NAD also makes a custom rack accessory to house up to six CI 720s in a 3U space.

“With Bluesound and NAD, the focus has always been on the highest levels of audio performance,” says Stidsen. 

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