Shelly unveils a massive rollout of pro channel resources. Savant marks a major milestone in its energy management offering. And Christie releases a projector so powerful that you can run a planetarium on it. But, first, and most importantly, we want to take a moment to recognize some of the great women of this industry with our Women to Watch awards.
That’s right, in all the chaos and madness that is the lead-up to CEDIA Expo 2025, CE Pro’s 40 Women to Watch have been announced, and in case you missed it this week, well consider this your reminder to pop over to the article we have up on the site to check out who got nominated.
These people have had careers defined by hard work, determination and passion, so much so that our panel of judges see them as having changed (or have the potential to change) the industry, based on that work. So, amidst the mad rush this week and next, take a second and give your thanks and congratulations to these great individuals.
And if you happen to be one of the folks nominated, pat yourself on the back.
Now, with that being said let’s get back to the news with this week in Playback.
Dio Looks to Alleviate Common Smart Speaker Pain Points
ImageFlow – stock.adobe.com
Newcomer to whole-house audio, Dio, debuted its flagship product, the Dio Node, ahead of CEDIA Expo 2025.
The Wi-Fi–based multiroom audio system leverages local area networking to deliver what it’s calling a far more robust system compared to traditional wireless products.
According to Dio each speaker can be installed in under a minute, integrates with Apple AirPlay and more than 100 other audio platforms, and delivers lossless audio over Wi-Fi.
The speaker also excludes voice assistants and built-in microphones to give users a far better sense of privacy.
Christie’s Next-Gen Projector
Christie
Christie unveiled the Eclipse G3, the third generation of its Eclipse projection platform, featuring a 6DLP design with pure RGB laser illumination, up to 30,000 ANSI lumens output, and a sequential contrast ratio of up to 20,000,000:1.
The projector supports native 4K resolution at up to 120Hz, active 3D at 60Hz per eye, and covers about 98% of the Rec. 2020 color gamut, with an expected lifespan of 50,000 hours.
Christie will demonstrate the Eclipse G3 at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025 in Denver as part of a $1 million home theater showcase in Sound Room 7 alongside Seymour-Screen Excellence, while also presenting additional projection and LED solutions in partnership with Alcons Audio and ASCENDO.
Pete Baker Named Director of Residential Control Sales AV Pro Global
Photo/AVPro Global
AVPro Global Holdings LLC, parent company of brands including AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, RTI, ProControl, ThenAudio, and Murideo, has appointed Pete Baker as director of residential control sales.
In the role, Baker will oversee integration, market development, and revenue growth for RTI control and automation products, reporting to Chris Kane, vice president of residential sales.
His responsibilities include dealer engagement through training, presentations, and system design support, as well as ensuring AVPro’s sales teams and manufacturer representatives are equipped with the latest technical and sales expertise.
Savant Notches Major Milestone in Energy Management
Savant
Savant has added Virtual Power Plant (VPP) capabilities to its platform with the release of SavantOS 11.1, enabled through a partnership with energy platform Virtual Peaker.
The update allows Savant Power Storage systems to dispatch stored energy from home batteries during grid peak periods, giving homeowners the opportunity to contribute power back to the grid and qualify for rebates in select regions.
Savant is already participating in Green Mountain Power’s Bring Your Own Device program in Vermont, offering rebates of up to $10,500 for approved storage systems.
The company is also expanding partnerships with solar providers, including a recent agreement with Sunder Energy, to position its smart energy products earlier in the homebuilding and design process.
Shelly Launches Dealer Program
Shelly Group
Shelly Group has launched a new Shelly Dealer Program and expanded U.S. distribution to strengthen its professional integrator offerings.
The program provides vetted dealers with wholesale pricing, direct ordering through an installer portal, and dedicated support across Shelly’s product portfolio, which includes smart relays, energy meters, lighting controllers, and sensors.
In addition, Shelly products are now available through DOW Technologies’ six U.S. warehouses, broadening an existing distribution network that includes AARTech, ameriDroid, Blackwire, Digital Bay Tech, GigaParts, and Home Controls.
The company has also announced upcoming training, installation guides, and integration tools to support applications in energy monitoring, low-voltage control, safety, HVAC, and irrigation, with details to be showcased at CEDIA Expo 2025 in booth #1529.
CE Pro’s 40 Women to Watch Announced
CE Pro – Emerald
CE Pro has announced its 2025 40 Women to Watch (W2W) list, honoring women professionals who are making significant contributions to the smart-home and custom-integration sectors.
This year’s selection was informed by a diverse committee—including staff member Bob Archer alongside industry leaders Maryellen Oswald (Somfy), Sarah Dresher (Luxury Integrated Technologies), and Katye Bennett (KMB Communications).
Criteria ranged from current impact to career trajectory and long-term potential.
Additionally, CE Pro and Emerald (owner of CE Pro and CEDIA Expo) will host a panel during CEDIA Expo 2025 on Thursday, September 4 at 4:00 p.m., featuring a discussion with the honorees on career development and industry opportunities.
