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Friday, July 29, 2016
Why Don't We Record Listening Demos For Our YouTube Fans?
To the regular reader of this site it may sound crazy that we have to write an article on why we don't do listening demos on our YouTube channel. But, we get this question all the time from our YouTube followers who want to "hear what we're hearing". To find out the reasons why we don't do these demos, you're going to have to read this article and watch our related YouTube video discussion. We also discuss the best way to demo equipment to help you make wise purchasing decisions.
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Thursday, July 28, 2016
How to Protect Your Home with Surveillance Cameras
If you’ve ever thought about adding a surveillance camera to your home, you might want to consider broadening your scope by having multiple cameras installed. You’ll be able to getting a better perspective of what’s happening in the house—not just the back yard or the front porch—but the entire property, both inside and outside.
Blink, a manufacturer of battery-powered wire-free smart HD home monitoring and alert systems, says that multi-
Blink’s multi-unit systems range from $149 for two cameras to $299 for five cameras. The wireless home monitoring system includes no monthly fees and can be purchased on Amazon or Blink’s website, www.blinkforhome.com.
Using the free Blink Home Monitor app for iOS and Android devices, Blink allows users to instantly gain insight into their home or workplace from any location via live HD video and recorded video clips when motion is detected.
Suitable for homeowners, renters, and businesses, the Blink camera’s sleek design and compact size fits into any décor. Its unique industrial design allows the camera to stand on its own or be mounted with an included bracket. Equipped with features, such as an adjustable sensitivity motion sensor, low-light illuminator, built-in microphone, temperature sensor and free cloud storage, Blink provides a comprehensive, customizable and user-friendly solution for home security.
Along with multi-system support (where a single account can access and manage multiple systems in one or more locations), Blink is also working on a battery-operated alarm, scheduled arming, and IFTTT support.
The post How to Protect Your Home with Surveillance Cameras appeared first on Electronic House.
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Touchpanel Doubles as a Tiny TV
Touchpanels are one of the sexiest tools for interacting with a home’s electronic systems. From it you can peruse your iTunes library, monitor and adjust the states of the lights, security system, and more, and launch strings of commands to thermostats, electronic door locks, motorized draperies … really anything that derives power from electrical current or a battery. This same screen, if it’s designed appropriately, can also display your favorite TV shows, the news, movies, even views from surveillance cameras. This was the thinking behind the development of RTI’s new KX10 in-wall touchpanel.
Designed to bring simple control and automation to A/V, environmental, and security systems, the KX!- combines the capabilities of a control device and a high-definition video display into one powerful interface.
“The advanced engineering of our new KX10 in-wall touchpanel makes it more than just a command device,” says Mike Everett, vice president of sales and marketing, Americas, RTI. “With its large, high-resolution LCD users also have a convenient place for viewing HD video via the unit’s HDBaseT input and well as analog video sources through the composite input port.
The KX10’s 10.1-inch, 1280×800 WXGA-resolution LCD is programmable to the finest detail and provides ample screen real estate for the ultimate user interface. Developed to be an elegant solution that allows users to efficiently engage with their surroundings, the touchpanel features built-in intercom support, a proximity sensor that brings it to life when a user approaches, and an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on the room’s lighting conditions.
RTI’s KX10 in-wall touchpanel is available through authorized RTI dealers.
The post Touchpanel Doubles as a Tiny TV appeared first on Electronic House.
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7 Top Smart Home Trends
Emerging technologies including 4K Ultra HD and the Internet of Things (IoT), will drive the U.S. consumer technology industry to $286.6 billion in retail revenues in 2016 ($224 billion wholesale), according to new research by the Consumer Technology Association. A new report says these emerging categories will boost consumer-technology revenues 1.3 percent over last year.
*** pull out***CTA Report: Shipments of 4K displays will double; smart-home devices will jump 29% in units sold; and the really young category of virtual reality (VR) will quintuple.
According to the CTA report, U.S. Consumer Technology Sales and Forecasts:
- 4K Ultra High-Definition (4K UHD) ecosystem: 2016 will be a flagship year for 4K UHD TVs, driven in part by the market introduction of next-generation technologies like HDR. CTA expects shipments of 4K UHD displays will reach 15 million units (a 105 percent increase), and revenue will exceed $12.9 billion (a 69 percent increase). New to the market in 2016, 4K UHD Blu-ray players will further build the 4K UHD ecosystem with 700,000 units sold and $63 million in revenue.
- Wearables: Driven by the popularity of fitness activity trackers, unit sales of all wearables in 2016 are forecast to reach almost 48 million units (a 39 percent increase). Fitness activity tracker volumes will hit 28 million units in 2016 – a 60 percent increase from 2015 – with revenues reaching $2.2 billion – a 62 percent increase. After a year of strong growth, smartwatch unit growth is slowing, while revenue will decline for the first time. Units are expected to increase 15 percent to 12.2 million units, earning $2.8 billion in revenue, a decline of eight percent.
- Smart Home: CTA projects the smart home category – including smart thermostats, smart smoke and CO2 detectors, IP/Wi-Fi cameras, smart locks, smart home systems, and smart switches, dimmers and outlets – to reach 9.5 million units sold (29 percent increase). Revenue will grow to $1.3 billion (24 percent jump).
- Drones:Drone sales are expected to reach record heights, topping 2.4 million units (up 112 percent from 2015) and $799 million in shipment revenues (an 80 percent increase from 2015). CTA’s forecast also delineates expected U.S. drone sales for units below and above 250 grams, the FAA’s threshold for mandatory drone registration, expected to reach 1.6 million units (below 250 grams) and 825,000 units (above 250 grams).
- Virtual Reality (VR): With several global tech leaders introducing VR headsets to the consumer market in 2016, CTA expects this to be the tech sector’s overwhelming leader in year-to-year growth. Unit sales will increase by 296 percent over last year, reaching 800,000 units sold. Total revenues are projected to reach $432 million, a 332 percent increase this year.
- Digital Assistant Devices: This is the first year the semi-annual CTA report has included projections for voice-activated device that provides a cloud-based artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant, such as Amazon’s Echo. Sales are projected to reach 2.2 million units (up 32 percent) in 2016 and earn $392 million in revenue (increasing 32 percent).
- 3D Printing: Ever-expanding 3D printing capabilities will drive the sector’s unit sales growth to increase 56 percent from last year, to reach 171,000 units sold. Total revenues will reach $148 million, a 35 percent increase.
The Old Faithfuls
Meanwhile, the five largest categories of the tech industry, including smartphones, tablets, LCD televisions, laptops and desktop computers, will collectively contribute $114 billion – or 51 percent – to the tech industry’s revenue this year, and smartphones and TVs will be responsible for most of that growth in 2016. However, in 2017, for the first time in several years, these five categories combined will account for a little less than half of industry revenue.
- Smartphones: CTA projects unit shipments to reach 183 million in 2016 (up five percent), while revenues will reach $55 billion (a four percent increase). As tremendous innovations in smartphone hardware over the past few years have lengthened the replacement cycle, 2017 will be the first year smartphones see a slight decline in unit sales and revenue.
- Televisions: The TV market will remain on par with 2015, with unit sales estimated to reach 39.7 million units in 2016 (down one percent) and revenues expected to reach $20 billion (a three percent increase). LCD TVs, the category leader, will contribute 38.8 million units (a one percent decline) and $19.2 billion (two percent growth). Key areas of growth are large screen sizes, 4K UHD and smart TV displays.
- Tablets:After momentous growth and widespread adoption over the past five years, tablet sales will decline again in 2016. CTA expects sales of 65 million units in 2016, a two percent decrease, and revenues of $19 billion, down five percent.
- Laptops: Unit shipments of laptops are expected to reach 25 million units in 2016, a six percent decrease. Revenues are expected to reach $15.8 billion, an eight percent drop.
- Desktops:Amid an accelerated decline, desktops are projected to sell seven million units (13 percent decrease), earning $4.6 billion (a 15 percent decrease).
The post 7 Top Smart Home Trends appeared first on Electronic House.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Oppo Sonica Wi-Fi Speaker Review
Audioholics reviewed the new Oppo Sonica Wi-Fi speaker this week and the old adage “Good things come in small packages” couldn’t be truer here. This $300 Hi-Fi wireless speaker has elegant styling and great sound and is easy to set up and use. But, can it compete in a crowded market of name brand companies like Sony and Bose? Read on to find out and be sure to watch our YouTube video review.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Epson Launches New 4K Projectors
Epson has introduced two new premium video projectors, the Pro Cinema 6040UB and Pro Cinema 4040, the first in Epson’s line of projectors to feature 4K Enhancement Technologyand high dynamic range (HDR) support. These newly designed Pro Cinema projectors deliver up to 2,500 lumens of color brightness and 2,500 lumens of white brightness and an expansive color gamut to display the entire sRGB and DCI color spaces. The projectors are engineered with up to 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and display high dynamic range content, with eye-popping bright colors and Ultra Blacks for a fully immersive large-screen experience.
“With mesmerizing resolution, up to a million-to-one dynamic contrast ratio and a full range of premium cinema features, the new Pro Cinema projectors are nothing short of amazing,” says Rodrigo Catalan, senior product manager, Projectors, Epson America. “Moreover, the flagship Pro Cinema 6040UB offers a level of performance that challenges any 4K projector currently available on the market. Viewers will enjoy stunning quality 4K UHD movies whether delivered from a UHD Blu-ray disk or streaming services.”
Designed to deliver brilliant, color-rich performance, the Epson Pro Cinema projectors’ expansive color gamut is capable of displaying the full sRGB color space, even in the brightest mode, as well as the entire DCI color gamut – the digital cinema standard — in Digital Cinema Mode. Both projectors include an enhanced optical engiHine and a new, all-glass cinema lens engineered to deliver excellent sharpness and color uniformity with remarkable clarity across the entire screen. Installers and customers can also take advantage of the projectors’ powered lens position memory, which enables users to preset up to 10 positions for motorized zoom, focus and lens shift for both standard projection and wide cinema ratios. In addition, a wide lens shift range offers exceptional installation flexibility, with both projectors delivering a super-wide range of up to ± 96.3 percent on the vertical axis and ± 47 percent on the horizontal axis. The projectors also include a new, non-inverting optical engine design, which utilizes an additional high-quality relay lens for Epson’s best color field uniformity to date.
The Pro Cinema 6040UB meets the ISF Certification standard. It features independent image calibration tools, plus lockable memory modes that prevent mis-adjustments that may inadvertently happen following installation and calibration. Installers will benefit from other features, including the ability to electronically lock calibration settings. Additionally, Red and Green pixels can be turned off for making adjustments without using a special filter.
The Pro Cinema 6040UB ($3,999) and 4040 ($2,699) will be available in August through authorized CEDIA dealers.
The post Epson Launches New 4K Projectors appeared first on Electronic House.
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Frozen Pipes No Longer an Issue with Roost Freeze Detector
One of the most damaging events that can happen in your home is a flood. Be it from a malfunctioning sump pump or a frozen pipe that has burst, the problems that can ensue are serious and costly. An ounce of prevention can go a long way when it comes to safeguarding your home against flooding, freezing, and other potentially harmful environmental conditions.
“We are excited to introduce the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector, and expand our ability to offer consumers safer and smarter homes,” says Roel Peeters, Roost CEO and co-founder. “Our unique technology delivers consumers tangible solutions that are simple to install and at affordable costs. Roost provides essential alerts and notifications that enable consumers to take faster action when it comes to home emergencies, saving the trouble and cost of repair work or major home loss. With the new Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector, Roost now provides the ability to manage the all too common water leak or freezing pipes situation that we’ve all experienced in our homes at some point.”
- Water damage due to leaks from broken pipes, appliances, and basements leaks
- Frozen pipes water damage
- Molds and mildew damage caused by high humidity conditions
- Inefficient energy use due to abnormal home indoor temperature, caused by problems with heating and cooling systems, power, or gaps in home seals or windows to the outside.
The Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector are ideal for homes as well as second or vacation home properties. Unlike some home water leak detectors, the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector does not require the addition of a communications hub. It is battery operated (more than 3 years of battery life), which means it can be placed in locations where there is no power outlet. It will be available in the fall for $49.
The post Frozen Pipes No Longer an Issue with Roost Freeze Detector appeared first on Electronic House.
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Smart Lighting: Are you Ready to Add Color to Your House?
Smart lighting seems to have hit its stride in the consumer marketplace. A few years ago, you might be hard-pressed to find many households that had made the switch from incandescent to LED bulbs, much less household that had incorporated light bulbs with built-in smarts. But according to a new nationwide study, thee Sylvania Sockey Survey by LEDVANCE, 65 percent of consumers are now familiar with fixtures or bulbs that are Wi-Fi controllable for producing color, providing dimming capabilities, or evoking scenes or moods.
Further, the survey indicates a 40-percent increase in one year of the percentage of Americans who own “smart lighting.” In addition, the study shows that 60 percent of Americans believe smart lighting fits their lifestyle, and 55 percent confirmed they’re likely to purchase smart lighting when they need new bulbs. The survey also shows that 76 percent of Americans agree smart light bulbs will eventually replace regular light bulbs.
“The LED revolution is changing not only how we light buildings and homes, but what light can do for us overall. Lighting is more than just illumination. Now we have smart connected devices that not only save energy, but also can evoke emotions, make our lives easier, and ultimately help create a better quality of life,” said Jes Munk Hansen, CEO, LEDVANCE.
The survey also reveals an upswing of LED lighting adoption as it continues to gain popularity, with nearly 70 percent of Americans having purchased at least one LED bulb. Plus, 48 percent have purchased at least one LED bulb in the last 12 months, a 17 percent increase over last year. According to the survey, 38 percent of consumers have switched to LEDs since the phase-out of incandescent bulbs, making LEDs the number one replacement option for Americans. This is a 27 percent increase compared to last year.
Easy Lighting Control Made Possible by Smart Home Control Systems
Download this guide to learn about Smart Lighting Control.
Get the Free GuideAdditional findings of the 2016 SYLVANIA Socket Survey include:
- 65 percent of consumers have heard of smart lighting, placing it in the top tier of smart technologies along with thermostats (68 percent), and house alarms (66 percent).
- 80 percent of Americans say there is some space in the home that could benefit from smart lighting
Those more likely to purchase smart lighting include Americans who:
- Get lighting information from the Internet (68 percent),
- Already own LEDs (61 percent),
- Earn more than $100,000 (64 percent),
- Are under the age of 35 (63 percent).
The post Smart Lighting: Are you Ready to Add Color to Your House? appeared first on Electronic House.
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Monday, July 25, 2016
Can I Use Regular Speakers as Dolby Atmos Upfiring?
We've received numerous emails from our readers asking if they could repurpose ordinary speakers they have laying around as Dolby Atmos Upfiring units as opposed to purchasing specific Atmos-enabled speakers. We talk about what is in a Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker and whether or not they are better suited for the task than regular speakers. Of course we always recommend direct firing speakers for height channels, but as a last resort, what should one do? Read on to find out and be sure to watch our related YouTube video on Atmos-enabled speakers.
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Saturday, July 23, 2016
Friday, July 22, 2016
Speaker Cable Length Differences: Do They Matter?
More often than not, I see the common question pop up in our forums regarding speaker cable length differences between two or more speakers. Folks often wonder if the cable length between the main front channels need to be identical. They are often misinformed by exotic cable vendors or cable forum cult hobbyists that cable lengths need to be kept identical to a void amplitude or phase/time delay differences between the two. They even go so far as to claim transmission line effects can be seen at audio frequencies. This article and related YouTube video serves to demystify the nonsense surrounding this topic.
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Thursday, July 21, 2016
Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Combines Elegant Design with Cutting-Edge Control
Lake Tahoe is known throughout the world as a second-home oasis that offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. When Mark Tanner Construction began building a beautiful new vacation home in Tahoe City, the goat was to create something that would reflect and complement the tranquil landscape — and provide year round views to the homeowner, even when he wasn’t there. To accomplish this, Mark Tanner Construction turned to long-time technology integration partner Epic AV Automation to enhance the unique space with a high-tech AV system built around ELAN home control system.
Managed by the ELAN System Controller, various media and entertainment options, security and IP cameras, thermostats, pool and spa systems, lighting, and irrigation systems can be monitored and controlled by the homeowner from a single application. ““ELAN has a single page menu that allows us to select whatever feature we are interested in using by selecting the touchscreen icon that quickly puts that feature on the screen.”
For security, three network cameras were strategically placed, so the homeowner can view the property at any time, from anywhere. “We installed some very high-quality cameras all around the property, but mainly to watch the homeowner’s boat dock from the shoreline,” Ruzich explains. “A few years ago, the Tahoe area had a very large storm, which shifted the homeowner’s boat dock to the far edge of his neighbors’ property! Through ELAN, he can now view his dock at all times, especially to check in after bad weather.”
To operate the system while at the residence, the owner can use any of several ELAN remotes docked throughout the home, along with an ELAN in-wall touchpanel centrally located in the home’s main entrance. Epic AV Automation and the interior design firm, Dal Bon Designs, discussed the location of the touchpanel as well as the speakers, cameras, and other AV equipment in depth prior to installation. The goal was to intertwine the advanced technology into all aspects of the home without conflicting with the design.
“This project evolved seeking a timeless presentation, one that honored the serene lakeside environment,” owner of Dal Bon Designs, Kaye Dal Bon, explains. “My focus, as the interior designer, was to find prideful artisans capable of quality workmanship that implemented our design goals. The owners continue to enjoy the ageless environment and the many amenities of current technology. The leading technologies woven into the interior and exterior design of this beautiful home do not distract visually, but increase the ease of livability of the residence, even from afar.”
A major highlight of the ELAN system is the ability to operate the entire home from anywhere in the world, using a single application. “I remotely view the camera footage, check the security system, turn on or turn off the lights, and adjust the temperature,” says the homeowner.
To further simplify the control process, Ruzich programmed ‘home’ and ‘away’ buttons into the ELAN system’s main screen. “These buttons easily prep the house prior to the homeowner’s, or a guest’s, arrival, as well as help expedite departure of the house,” Ruzich says. “When ‘away’ is clicked, the thermostat drops; every audio and video zone is turned off, and all of the security systems are armed, completely shutting down the home with only the press of a button.”
Vacations should feel like vacations, and the Elan system ensures that the owners of this luxurious Lake Tahoe home are able to fully relax, unwind, and enjoy their free time. Plus, the Elan system provides the peace of mind of knowing that their beloved house and boat are fine while the owners are away. It’s the best of both worlds: practical home protection combined with effortless operation lights, music, video, and everything else that contributes to the owner’s vision of a perfect getaway.
The post Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Combines Elegant Design with Cutting-Edge Control appeared first on Electronic House.
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Xbox Unveils 4K Ultra HD Streaming Console
Building on the introduction of its Xbox One S console last earlier this summer, Xbox announces a 2TB Xbox One S version, which will begin hitting shelves in select regions on August 2 (you can pre-order a 2TB Xbox One S through microsoftstore.com and select retailers).
In addition to a fresh new design, which is 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, Xbox One S is the first and only console that allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and stream video in stunning 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR). That means you’ll get to enjoy your favorite shows and movies in the clearest, most realistic video possible. With HDR support for video and gaming, Xbox One games like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, and Scalebound will look even better thanks to a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, bringing out the true visual depth of your favorite games.
Xbox One S also comes bundled with the new Xbox Wireless Controller featuring textured grip, improved Xbox Wireless signal and added Bluetooth support. The controller can be purchased as a standalone item for $59.99 and will also be available on August 2. All Xbox One games, accessories, and Xbox Live services will work with Xbox One S.
The 2TB launch edition Xbox One S will be available in limited quantities for $399 on August 2. Other Xbox One S hard drive options are available: a console with 1TB and 500GB hard drives for $349 and $299, respectively, so you can choose the right console size console for you.
The post Xbox Unveils 4K Ultra HD Streaming Console appeared first on Electronic House.
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DIY Security System Recognizes Your Face and Voice
The Flare, developed by German start-up company BuddyGuard, may resemble a saucer-shaped smoke detector, but it watches for a lot more than house fires. The DIY security product, which the company claims sets up in just a couple of minutes, employs sophisticated technology to distinguish normal noise from suspicious sounds and your face from that of a stranger’s. Should Flare detect the face of an intruder, its built-in 1080p camera and microphone spring into action, sending a notification to your smartphone, or dial out to the authorities, or both. Meanwhile, the microphone enables you to listen in on the situation. If you or a family member that the Flare notices, it basically ignores you and keeps the camera off. The microphone, however, is there on standby to pick up any voice command you might bark at it, like “I’m leaving,” or “I’m going on vacation.” These commands could tell the Flare to monitor the house continuously until you come back home. If you forget to tell Flare that you’re leaving, it still knows based on the location of your smartphone, and can automatically adjust its security settings accordingly.
In addition to its incorporation of motion and temperature sensors, a speaker, and siren, a unique feature is Flare’s ability to use 3G cellular service during when Wi-Fi is spotty (the device is also Bluetooth 4.0-enabled). Plus, its battery keeps the Flare running for three days in the event of a power outage (the product can also be plugged into in electrical outlet).
The BuddyGuard Flare is available for pre-order on IndiGoGo for $349, and will begin shipping in November.
The post DIY Security System Recognizes Your Face and Voice appeared first on Electronic House.
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Sonos Opens First Retail Store in SoHo
New Yorkers walking through the trendy SoHo district starting July 19 will catch a glimpse of perhaps the most unique retail store in the audio market.
Sonos is opening its first retail store on 101 Greene Street, nicknamed 101G, with the goal of giving users and prospective customers an audio listening experience that they just can’t get anywhere else.
While it’s certainly possibly to hear a Sonos speaker in a store like Best Buy or Target, the experience will never be the same once the speaker is hooked up at home. Why? Because consumers don’t live in spaces that resemble big box, warehouse or department stores. The acoustics, shape and size of the space are all different, so the sound will be different too.
“It’s a very unusual experience,” says Dmitri Siegel, vice president of global brand and executive creative director for Sonos. “We’ve devoted almost all of the floor plan to these listening rooms. You’ll be able to go in there with whoever you come in with, and we’re going to leave you alone and let you listen to music.”
Each room is different than the next. The rooms range from staged kitchen and living room to bedrooms and studies, each are individually designed for aesthetics and acoustics and every one gives customers a different “feel” of being at home jamming out to some tunes.
Visitors are encouraged to play around with the Sonos software and queue up the music they love, alternating between different combinations of speakers and sound systems. The different “personalities” of each room allow visitors to hear Sonos sound on everything from home theater systems to turntables in the proper context.
The entire store is designed to reflect the rich musical history of its hometown. New York City was the birthplace of so many new sounds, from hip-hop to punk rock to disco. Legendary illustrators and painters like Mark Stamaty, Thibaud Herem, and Mark Chamberlain designed and hand-painted the wallpaper. Thurston Moore lent the store cassette tapes from the golden age of NYC cassette trading. Archivist Arthur Fournier put up rare selections from his classic zine collection. And right in the front of the store, an 8-foot portrait of Rick Rubin, famed record producer and Sonos board member, greets visitors coming in the entrance.
The post Sonos Opens First Retail Store in SoHo appeared first on Electronic House.
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Wednesday, July 20, 2016
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