Control4 Corporation, a leading global provider of smart home solutions, today announced the acquisition of Triad Speakers, Inc., a leader in advanced audio technology with best-in-class, customizable speaker-solutions. Nearly the entire Triad team will be joining Control4, including founder Larry Pexton, as well as the Triad’s R&D, manufacturing, and custom-services employees, all of whom will continue operating from Triad’s existing facility in Portland, Oregon. What does this mean for Triad? Read on to find out.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monitor Audio Introduces Garden Speakers
Monitor Audio’s Climate Series outdoor wall-mounted speakers have been around for a while, bringing high-performing, whole-house audio to outdoor spaces. Now the British audio company has introduced its Climate Garden system. The company says its latest speaker system provides homeowners with an in-ground/above ground subwoofer/satellite speaker combination that delivers mono or stereo sound to garden spaces of any size.
Included in the Climate Garden system are the CLG-140 satellite speaker and CLG-W12 subwoofer.
Monitor Audio says the satellite speaker’s horn-shaped enclosure helps the speaker to project sound into free spaces. The speaker can be spiked into the ground or it mounted to trees, walls, and other surfaces via an optional mounting bracket.
The passive CLG-W12 subwoofer features a bandpass configuration that includes a 12-inch C-CAM driver that 
Monitor notes the sub provides 70v/100v line options to enable cabling runs over 30 feet, and configurations that require multiple subwoofers.
Elaborating on some installation options, Monitor says that setting an amplifier’s crossover at 100Hz supports the sub/satellite combination’s ability to deliver a smooth frequency response of 30Hz to 30kHz.
The outdoor sub/sat duo are complemented with Crown Amplifiers‘ CDi series of two-channel amplifiers. The CDi series includes the CDi1000, which produces 500 watts of power, and the CDi200, which produces 800 watts of power.
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Seura Outdoor TVs Brighten the Picture Automatically on Sunny Days
Seura is taking TV calibration to the outdoors, with the introduction of Adaptive Picture Technology, available in its Storm Ultra Bright outdoor TVs. The company says the technology automatically adjusts a TV’s backlight brightness and picture settings to optimize picture quality in the ever-changing landscape of the great outdoors. Seura offers the Storm Ultra Bright outdoor TVs in a choice of 42-, 47-, 55-, 65- and 84-inch sizes.
Seura’s patent-pending technology incorporates 110 “picture mode variations” that adapt to the varying lighting conditions televisions experience throughout the day.
“Consumers naturally expect their outdoor technology to work the same way their indoor technology works—meaning they don’t even need to think about it—it just works,” says Keegan Coulter, vice president of sales and marketing for Seura. “Viewers outside want the best possible picture regardless of what time of day it is. They don’t want to have to constantly adjust picture settings as the sun is changing positions or clouds move to still enjoy watching their favorite show.”
The Storm Ultra Bright outdoor television line of products offers integrators a choice of 42-, 47-, 55-, 65- and 84-inch screen sizes, and the products are engineered to withstand temperatures ranging from -30 degrees to 122 degrees, while producing brightness levels as high as 700 nits.
In addition, the Wisconsin-based company states the 65- and 84-inch models provide 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD 4K resolutions, and all of the models feature anti-reflective, anti-glare safety glass to further ensure comfortable viewing in outdoor settings.
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Corian Countertops Designed to Charge Your Wireless Devices
I spent some time this week at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, ostensibly to lavish in mid-century modern architecture, but hopefully to pick up some tips for incorporating smart-home technology into this favorite style of mine.
So imagine how excited I was to see Corian’s “wireless charging solid surface” on display at the main gathering place!
You take this timeless brand of countertops – the envy of every kitchen designer – and simply place your mobile phone upon it. Blammo, the phone charges up! No need to plug anything into an outlet – including an unsightly wireless charging pad. The surface is the pad.
Well, not exactly.
The material is not endowed with any special powers, so to speak. It’s just regular ol’ DuPont Corian (or Zodiaq Quartz).
Sadly, this is not it.
On the other hand, there is some spectacular architecture in Palm Springs if you’re into mid-century modern.
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Monday, February 27, 2017
Fluance AB40 3D Surround Soundbase Preview
It's a soundbar- No! It's a T.V. stand- No! It's a soundbase! Fluance made it's contribution to the dwindling array of soundbases recently with their AB40 Soundbase. For those of you not familiar with soundbases, they're kind of like a soundbar, but your T.V. sit on TOP of them instead of the speakers sitting in front of the T.V. or behind. With 3D surround sound from a larger sturdier enclosure and a price point of $200, The Fluance AB40 might be right for your small space- if your T.V. will fit on it.
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Friday, February 24, 2017
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Rain Bird Launches Smart Irrigation Wi-Fi Sprinkler System Timer
Even if you own an irrigation system, setting up a schedule for the system to follow can be a real pain. The control box is usually located in the garage, for starters, and programming it has never been an easy task. Rain Bird Corporation aims to make watering the lawn as easy as tapping a few buttons on your smartphone or tablet with the release of its Smart Irrigation WiFi Timer. The app works on both Android and Apple mobile devices.
Simply install the Rain Bird Smart Irrigation WiFi Timer, download the free Rain Bird Mobile App, answer a few questions and start saving water, time and money. The easy-to-use App lets you customize each sprinkler zone and uses your WiFi network to access local weather conditions. By turning on Automatic Seasonal Adjust, the controller’s daily watering schedule will change based on the season, as well as local weather, temperature, and humidity. Automatic Seasonal Adjustments can reduce water usage by as much as 30 percent, conserving water and saving homeowners money all year long.
“Watering the same amount each day as the weather changes doesn’t make sense, but some sprinkler timers have been difficult to understand and program. This new timer will automatically adjust watering schedules based on actual weather to help conserve water,” says Ray Peppiatt, marketing group manager, Rain Bird Consumer Products Division. “It takes the guesswork out of programming and controlling your irrigation system, and continues Rain Bird’s commitment to develop products and technologies that use water efficiently.”
The indoor timer retails for $149 and includes an easy-to-read LCD screen and the ability to manage up to eight watering zones. The outdoor version will retail for $179 and is protected by a heavy-duty all-weather case. Both irrigation timers are available now at home centers, hardware stores, and online retailers.
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Apple 4K TV Set for Launch Later This Year
Apple has struggled to penetrate the TV industry the way its founder Steve Jobs had hoped, according to a recent Bloomberg article. Before he died, Jobs claimed that he had finally found a way to solve all of the issues users commonly find with using their TVs, although the company has never been able to put the founder’s plans into action.
Bloomberg blames the inability to secure deals with Hollywood studios and TV networks as the biggest roadblock in Apple’s plans.
Then there’s the plethora of 4K set-top boxes now available from manufacturers like Amazon, Nvidia and Roku – making Apple’s box a hard sale.
Despite the struggles, a 4K Apple TV could be unveiled later this year. Considering Apple just announced that WWDC will be taking place June 5, it could launch around then. The last Apple TV debuted in September 2015, meaning it’s already woefully out of date.
The new 4K Apple TV is internally code-named “J105,” according to Bloomberg, and should do more than just offer a bump in resolution. The report claims that it will boast more vivid colors, which could mean HDR support is also on the way – although whether there will be any other big new features remains to be seen.
Apple has been renewing its push towards the TV market in recent years. The fourth-generation Apple TV was supposed to be the beginning of a new era, which Tim Cook said would be defined by apps on TV. It hasn’t quite panned out that way, with sales of the fourth-gen model having decreased year-over-year during the 2016 holiday period. Research also suggests that the Apple TV has been losing market share when compared to its competitors.
The fifth-generation 4K Apple TV could be the answer to all of the iPhone maker’s problems, although it will enter a marketplace filled with tough competition.
Despite that, Apple is building up its war chest – which now includes the new head of Apple TV, Timothy D. Twerdhal. He joins Apple from Amazon, where he was head of the Amazon TV business.
This article originally appeared on CE Pro Europe.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Yamaha RX-A860 AVENTAGE 7.2 Atmos/DTS:X A/V Receiver Review
There's a lot to like about the Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A860 7.2CH Atmos/DTS:X AV receiver. It's packed with excellent, easy to use networking features, especially MusicCAST which allows you to manage all of your music via mobile or from your PC. It supports the latest in immersive audio formats, and has a wonderful easy to use GUI and mobile App. However, the RX-A860 does fall short in some key performance areas such as power delivery that gives us some reservations on how best to use this product. Read our review and check out our test report and recommendations to find out more.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Fluance Signature Series Speaker Contest Giveaway!
To show some love to our loyal Audioholics readers, we’re partnering with Fluance to give away one pair of their Signature Series Hi-Fi Three-Way Floorstanding Speakers. Simply register to receive the Audioholics and Fluance newsletters, and reply to the prequalifier questions in our related forum thread for your chance to win these brand new tower speakers. Deadline to enter is March 20, 2017. Remember, you gotta be in it to win it!
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4 Smart Kitchen Appliances: Equipped with Artificial Intelligence
For some reason, the kitchen has been the last frontier in the smart home ecosystem. Our family rooms are well equipped with universal remotes, surround-sound systems, and 4K TVs. Even our bedrooms and bathrooms incorporate at least a few pieces of technology. But the kitchen? Not so much. And it’s surprising considering the vast amount of time we spend there. It’s the hub of the house, yet it comprises very few pieces of tech.
There is hope, however. Smart refrigerators and ovens are making their way into the marketplace, but chances are you won’t buy one of these appliances until your old ones die. An easier, more affordable way to raise the IQ of your kitchen is to invest in smart utensils and cookware that have been equipped with artificial intelligence. Oh… we also included an oven; we just couldn’t help it.
SmartyPans is a smart cooling pan that tracks nutrition of food being cooked in real time and integrates with fitness apps and devices. The SmartyPans app understands voice commands—as you tell the app which 
The June Intelligent Oven promises to take the guesswork out of 
Hello Egg teams up with the Eggspert app to plan your weekly meals according to your dietary preferences and 
Chefling is a free app that helps you manage your kitchen more efficiently. It keeps track of what’s in stock in your pantry and freshness levels. It provides a shopping list with items automatically categorized to streamline your time at the grocery store. High quality recipes can be accessed based on your food inventory.
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Target Sells IoT Products at its Open House Store
Target has put a bullseye on the Internet of Things (IoT), and it’s good news for consumers interested in adding technology to their homes.
The giant retailer has just completed a major overhaul of its Target Open House store in San Francisco, which first opened in July 2015. For the past seven weeks, the store has been closed for renovation, finally opening February 10.
The new store features an area called the Garage where companies can showcase or launch their connected home products, while also receiving quantitative and qualitative feedback from Target shoppers. The space will preview 16 products that will rotate every month.
The newly redesigned store also has an enhanced personalized experience within the “acrylic home installation” area. It now more effectively demonstrates the potential of various connected products for the user. Guests will be asked to answer a series of questions, which allow the house to show a personalized example of how connected products could fit into their lives.
The interactive area has also been updated to vertically mounted touchscreen monitors. In all, the new space features around 70 IoT products.
Lastly, there are now enhanced feedback and analytics available for the manufacturers, including the ability to do A/B testing, the ability to view product interactions and comparative engagement data, see event recaps and receive qualitative feedback from shoppers.
Gene Han, vice president of Consumer Internet of Things (IoT) and head of Target’s innovation office, says the store had 150,000 guests during its initial 18-month run prior to the remodel.
“The feedback helped us more clearly understand what consumers need and want when it comes to IoT,” he says, adding that the connected home is “equal parts exciting and confusing” for many consumers.
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Whole-House Surge Protection: Why It’s Important to the Residents of Lake Tahoe … and You
Northern California is a popular ski destination for many, but the mountainous region creates problems for those living near Lake Tahoe communities. Harsh weather coming in over the mountains, ski lift operation, and an outdated power infrastructure all contribute to frequent surges and poor power quality that puts technology in nearby homes at risk.
Regional integrator Powersurge Electric and Integration protects its customers against these threats with wiring and surge protection. The company’s owner, Igor Reoutt, explains; “High winds and heavy snow or rain are usually a recipe for power troubles in our area. The second challenge is the old infrastructure and utilities but a lot of that is because we’re up in the mountains, it’s a challenging environment and something we need to find work arounds for often.”
Blizzards Blamed for Surges
Jimmy Paschke, manager, residential sales for surge elimination company SurgeX, explains the effects that weather can have on power quality: “Harsh weather and high winds can absolutely impact power conditions. Electrical lines can be at the mercy of high winds and if the force is great enough to whip them around or cause downed trees, those can cause surge events within an environment.”
Ski Lifts Put a Strain on the Electrical Grid
An outdated power infrastructure is a common, understandable culprit for poor power quality, and operation of the large ski lifts at resorts is a contributing issue. “These places require a lot of power, more than I’ve ever seen,” comments Reoutt. ”When these big ski lifts fire up and start moving, they can create power imbalances that affect the surrounding area.” Paschke explains how this occurs, “We’re all sharing the same power grid. The motors used to get the chairs up and down the mountain are heavy duty and cause in-rush current. When these motors turn on, they can suck voltage away from other equipment, resulting in a voltage sag. While it eventually equals out, they could definitely cause surge events to a surrounding area sharing the same power grid.”
Surges Suppressors a Necessity in Snowy Areas
To combat these unstable power conditions caused by the lifts and high surge activity from storms, Powersurge Electric and Integration installs surge protection in many of the homes in the area. Reoutt explains one instance, “My company was contracted for an install where we were responsible for the wiring and surge protection of one house, and another [integrator] took care of the wiring and protection of the house next door.”
Both homes were connected to the same power pole. For their installation in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, Powersurge Electric and Integration chose to equip the house with the SurgeX XR315 — outfitted with Advanced Series Mode technology and Impedance Tolerant EMI/RFI filtering. “As far as I am aware, the SurgeX technology is the only one out there capable of eliminating the surge energy and capable of doing so over and over and over again without degradation,” Reoutt explains. The patented technology enables SurgeX products to completely eliminate surge energy up to 6,000 volts without degradation, and without producing harmful side effects such as ground contamination or common-mode disturbances.
A Tale of Two Protected Homes
Shortly after Powersurge Electric and Integration completed the installation, the SurgeX equipment was put to the test by a storm that came through the mountains. “A surge event hit the house that wasn’t protected with SurgeX equipment and smoked the whole system, resulting in the customer losing their entire Savant (home automation) system,” says Reoutt. Coincidentally, the home with SurgeX installed by Powersurge Electric and Integration and the one without had the same owner, and both houses were hit by the massive storm surge. “Not too long after the storm destroyed his Savant system, that same client contracted us to go back [to] replace all of his Savant equipment and install SurgeX to protect it once he realized that one of his properties was okay but the other one wasn’t,” says Reoutt.
Professionally Installed Surge Suppression: A Clear Choice for High-Tech Homes
The importance of installing non-sacrificial surge elimination equipment like the XR315 was made clear when Reoutt and his team removed the surge protection component from the damaged property. Reoutt explains, “I know, based on what happened to the system on the other end of this piece of equipment that this [surge protector] is fried.” Reoutt notes that there was no visible evidence that the surge protector they removed was damaged. “For someone who didn’t know any better, they would think it’s still working fine because everything plugged into it works, and that’s dangerous.”
Based on this experience, Reoutt and his team make a point to explain to potential clients how surge elimination in their home can put them at ease. “Surge protection is one of those things that my clients always ask about,” comments Reoutt. “My response is always the same; I just tell them this story of the two houses and explain how the one we did was protected by SurgeX and the other one wasn’t, and I tell them what happened from there.”
Powersurge Electric and Integration requires SurgeX equipment in all of its installations; they see it as a hidden asset. “Every job we do has a SurgeX piece in in. For me, it’s nonnegotiable.” Reoutt explains. Power protection equipment goes a long way in safeguarding an automation, security or entertainment system; Reoutt continues, “If you don’t, and you have nothing in place to prevent disturbances like this, often times you’re left in the dark and you risk your investment in a system getting fried.”
There are many other brands of whole-house surge protection equipment available, some of which can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer. But as is usually the case, you’ll get better results by having a professional set up a complete system. The suggested retail price of the SurgeX XR315 surge suppressor is $899—a small price to pay to protect your home theater, home automation system, music system, and other smart home investments.
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Wireless Surround-Sound Speaker System Requires No Power Cord
Wireless speakers are widely available from many manufacturers. And although they all claim to be wireless, the truth is, they still require a power cord to operate. ONEaudio has changed all this with the introduction of 5.1 wireless speaker system, the ONEmicro surround, that employs DECT technology to completely eliminate the need for any cords.
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication), originally used in cordless telephones, is a delegated channel specifically assigned for voice communication. DECT operates in a 1.9GHz band, which precludes interference from other nearby wireless product and systems, like those operating on Wi-Fi.
A console box (also wireless) comes with the system. Operating like a music server, it streams music from iPhones and Android devices via Wi-Fi to the speakers. The console also has a 600 CD storage capacity and accepts Hi-Res audio files.
Due to ONEaudio’s bass-filling technique and twin driver subwoofer, a speaker can generate 3D sound covering up to a 250 square-foot room. The ONEaudio speakers can also be used outdoors.
For its ONEsurround system ONEaudio received a CES Innovation Award and DCET Innovation Award. The system will be available for about $680 this summer.
The post Wireless Surround-Sound Speaker System Requires No Power Cord appeared first on Electronic House.
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Monday, February 20, 2017
KEF Ci5160REF $10k/ea In Wall Speaker Preview
Looking for a great in wall speaker for your better than cinema quality home theater? Check out the new Ci5160REF-THX in wall speakers from KEF. With four 6.5" bass drivers and KEF's awesome 5 inch MF/HF Uni-Q array this might be the speaker for your needs. But with a price point of $10,000 each are they worth it? Read on to find out.
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Friday, February 17, 2017
RSL CG3, CG23, Speedwoofer 10S 5.1 Home Theater System Review
We took the new CG3, CG23, and Speedwoofer 10S system for an extended spin and came away with our jaws ajar. RSL has done it again. Anchored by the patented Compression Guide technology and for almost half the cost, RSL's CG3 5.1 Home Theater System comes darn close to the performance and refinement of their acclaimed CG4 system. If you thought that a small-sized system couldn't pump out big, dynamic, and engaging sound then think again. You'll be disabused of any previous conceptions you might have. If you're an audiophile or cinemaphile on a budget, Christmas just arrived early for 2017. Read on and see why we liked this system so much.
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Thursday, February 16, 2017
10 Things to Ask Amazon Alexa
Voice. It’s the ultimate way to interact with smart home products. You just speak your mind and your home listens, thanks to products like Amazon Echo and its Alexa voice assistant technology. The Echo and Dot listen and pass along your wishes to products including light switches and thermostats to garage door openers and complete home automation and security systems. Here are 10 things we think you should ask Alexa, and the products to make it happen. Of course, on their own the Echo, Dot, and Tap devices can access streaming music services and information when you ask for the latest news or a favorite song, but the following tips build on these basic, out-of-box capabilities, giving you hands-free control over just about every aspect of your household.
“Alexa, lock the front door.” You’re all tucked in when you remember that you left the front door unlocked. No problem. Stay right where you are and tell Alexa to lock the August Smart Lock that’s been installed in place of the standard lock on your front door. Maybe before you lock it you should check to see if someone had already taken care of it. You can ask Alexa to report if the lock is unlocked or locked.
“Alexa, turn down the heat to 68 degrees.” Thermostats have become increasingly smarter over the years, even to the point of learning your habits and self-adjusting according to them. However, there are times, like when you’re hosting a party or simply feel unusually cold or warm, when adjusting the thermostat on a whim makes more sense. Here’s when you can tell Alexa to alter the settings of an Alexa-enabled thermostat like the ecobee3 adjust the thermostat on a whim.
“Alexa, close the garage door.” Again, it’s one of those nightly chores you sometimes forget to do before hitting the pillow. In addition to locking the front door via a voice command you do the same to close a Garageio garage door opener. Your voice can also open the door.
“Alexa, dim the living room lights.” Dim lighting is ideal for watching movies, intimate evenings, or just plain relaxing. With a system like the Caseta from Lutron, you can dim the lights without leaving the couch. Really, you can get the lights to do just about anything … all by issuing a simple voice command.
“Alexa, water the lawn.” You look outside and realize that the grass is parched. Rather than go to the panel in the garage that runs your sprinkler system to activate the watering cycle, just ask Alexa. The Rachio smart sprinkler controller will listen. When the lawn has been quenched, just tell Alexa to stop the Rachio system.
“Alexa, increase the ceiling fan speed to 75 percent.” An instant cooling effect happens when you talk to the Haiku fan through Alexa—perfect after a long run. Manufactured by Big Ass Solutions, the Haiku fan respond to your request to increase (or decrease) the fan speed, as well as to adjust the intensity of its built-in light, like when you want to meditate or watch a movie.
“Alexa, ask Neato to start cleaning.” Robotic vacuums are already easy to control, but the Neato Botvac takes it one step further by incorporating Alexa. Should you get a phone call and or just need a moment of peace and quiet, “Alexa, ask Neato to pause cleaning” does the trick. You can keep doing what you’re doing and control the vac hands-free.
“Alexa, go to CNN.” No longer do you have to grab a remote to change the channel. The Hopper DVR from Dish works with Alexa, so you use your voice to navigate through Dish’s electronic programming guide and on-demand content. Or, if you know that you’re in the mood for a comedy or a specific show, just ask Alexa to go there immediately. It’s truly effortless channel surfing.
“Alexa, turn on my house.” Up until this point in our list of suggestions, Alexa has been used to control individual products. By investing in a complete home control system, like those manufactured by Control4, one voice command can control multiple products—at the same time. For example, an “Alexa, turn on bedtime,” could tell the Control4 system to launch a string of commands to turn off lights, set back thermostats, lock doors, and close window shades, for example.
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