Welcome back folks. It’s that time of the week again, and with CEDIA Expo 2025 well and nearly wrapped, I think we can all take a collective breath for the time being. The holiday season is on its way, and I think that little slowdown after this big event is one that we can all appreciate. But also: how appropriate that we have all this product news to sift through from Denver.
There’s still a little bit of busy work left on the table around here. Some leftover news from the show is still rolling out, and the editors on the other side of the monitor are still working on their recaps of the show so you folks back home can get all the product info and business insights you might have missed last week.
Honestly, if you’re looking for some exciting new products to ogle, this Playback may just be the best one for you yet. We have Bob Archer giving out his top product picks from the show, as well as some killer new developments from Kaleidescape and Coastal Source.
For that reason, I won’t hold you up that much longer; we all have work we have to get back to. Without further ado, welcome to this week in Playback.
SimpliSafe Cracks into the Custom Integration Channel
radio82 – stock.adobe.com
Among the number of consumer-focused manufacturers looking to go pro, SimpliSafe threw its own hat into the ring at CEDIA Expo this past week.
The company is bringing is full suite of security products to custom integrators for the first time, with a special focus on its AI-powered Active Guard Outdoor Protection service.
While SimpliSafe has not yet detailed integrator-specific programs or pricing, the company states its entry into the channel offers integrators an opportunity to diversify their portfolios.
Other traditionally DIY-focused brands, such as Aqara and Shelly, have also been expanding pro-centric offerings to meet dealer demand for features such as interoperability and ease of installation.
Read the full article: SimpliSafe’s Breakout at CEDIA Expo 2025
CE Pro’s Product Expert Names His Top Picks from CEDIA Expo
Nick Boever
Senior Editor Bob Archer named his top five picks for new and emerging products following his return from CEDIA Expo 2025 in Denver.
According to Archer, the show wrapped up strong slate of AV product launches leaning more toward evolutionary updates over transformative breakthroughs.
Notable introductions included Trinnov Audio’s Altitude CI Processor, a fully networked AoIP solution with proprietary calibration technologies.
Other standouts in Archer’s opinion include microLED audio systems, ALR screens, streaming amps and a striking 4K projector.
Read the full article: Bob Archer’s Standout Products from the CEDIA Expo Show Floor
Spotify Finally Rolls Out Lossless
Image/Ilchenko Oleg
After teasing the market for years, Spotify has—at last—begun rolling out its premium lossless audio feature to subscribers.
Premium subscribers in more than 50 markets, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, and Australia, will receive the update with wider availability expected through October 2025.
The new feature allows users to stream music in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC and includes custom quality settings for Wi-Fi, cellular, and downloads.
“We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step, so you always know what’s happening under the hood,” says Gustav Gyllenhammar, VP Subscriptions, Spotify.
Read the full article: Spotify Launches Lossless Audio Options in U.S. and Other Markets
AI in Media Servers?
Kaleidescape
Kaleidescape joined the AI revolution on Tuesday with the launch of kAI, an AI-powered discovery tool now available on the web version of its Movie Store.
According to Kaleidescape, the feature allows users to search for movies, concerts, and TV shows using natural-language prompts, with results refined by context such as setting or age appropriateness.
The company says the feature is designed to make browsing more intuitive for users, building off of its past updates to interfaces.
The launch follows recent hardware releases including the Strato M HD and Strato E 4K movie players.
Read the full article: kAI is Kaleidescape’s Shot at Making Media Discovery More Intuitive
Coastal Source Gives a Standing Ovation
Coastal Source
Unveiled at CEDIA Expo, Coastal Source formally announced its new in-ceiling speaker line on Tuesday.
Designed for covered spaces such as patios and cabanas, the speaker features a patented elliptical design that accommodates an oversized driver for fuller sound while maintaining a compact grille footprint.
“For years, dealers, integrators and homeowners have asked for a true in-ceiling solution that delivers the uncompromising Coastal Source performance they know and trust from our landscape and on-wall solutions,” comments Franco D’Ascanio, CEO of Coastal Source.
The ovation marks the company’s first true architectural audio solution for the outdoors.
Read the full article: Coastal Source Enters New Category with Ovation In-Ceiling Outdoor Speakers
Catch Up on CEDIA Expo 2025
Nick Boever
CEDIA Expo 2025 is over, but that doesn’t mean the coverage has stopped. As news keeps rolling in for the post-show, the CE Pro editors will be digesting all the we got to see and hear while in Denver.
Whether you couldn’t attend this year or just needed to take a break to process everything you saw at the show, take this as an opportunity to catch up with anything you might have missed.
