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New Tech for the

Smart Home CEDIA Expo Returns In-Person to Indianapolis in September with a Full Slate of New Residential Tech

By Anthony Leo

CEDIA Expo 2021 is the in-person venue where residential technology integration, designers, and construction professionals connect, learn, and engage with national and international brands. This year’s lineup not only includes the more traditional collection of audio and vendor brands, but an increasing number of lighting-related tech products as well as specialized solutions serving the home network, home health, outdoor living tech, and much more.

Here is just a sampling of some of the new products and companies that will be on display in Indianapolis or virtually for CEDIA Expo, September 1-3.

Origin Acoustics, a company respected for its architectural audio process, is introducing their new Acoustic Landscape 3-channel AS51 System, AS51SYS. The new system has bigger satellite speakers, a more powerful subwoofer, and a dedicated DSP amplifier. The base package includes two left and two right AS5SAT satellite speakers, an AS51SUB subwoofer, and a DSP3150 DSP amplifier.

The company upgraded its previous outdoor satellite speaker drivers from a 4-inch to a 5.25 inch and capped them with a one-inch titanium tweeter. This change provides more bass and more volume, without losing audio reproduction quality.

The DSP3-150 amplifier provides 150w per left and right channel, and a total of 300w summed in mono for the subwoofer. With preinstalled DSP profiles for this system and more, it’s easy to set and dial in this system in any environment.

DMF will showcase its creative approach to lighting and offers technology that sets the bar for performance, quality, and flexibility. The company will offer new Round housing for the DID series that provides the same flexibility as the OneFrame and easier installation. There also will be non-fire rated versions of Round and Square housings to accommodate installation that don’t require fire rating (this is a lower cost version of our fire-rated housings). The all-new Round and Square Remodel housings allow installation of DID fixtures without the need to access ceiling joists.

DMF also has redesigned its flangeless trims for both standard ceiling and wood ceiling applications. They have also expanded trim colors to include Bronze trims and new Clear Diffuse and Warm Diffuse trims that use a proprietary paint blend that resists smudges and dirt.

The Acurus Aragon brand is introducing a long-anticipated 2-channel preamplifier, called the Tungsten. A new addition to the luxury audio Aragon Elements Collection, the Tungsten preamplifier completes a 2-channel audiophilelevel listening experience when combined with the Aragon Iridium monoblock or Titanium dual-monoblock Class A/B amplifiers. The Tungsten is packed with a generous array of both analog and digital inputs, supports an internal DSP engine, boasts powerful and pristine DACs, and has tri-amp capability. The Tungsten preamplifier is housed in a beautiful industrial design which matches perfectly with its companion Aragon amplifiers.

Screen Innovations brings beautiful motorized shading to the outdoors with the introduction of Zen 2. The first décor-minded outdoor shading solution, the Zen 2 cassette that holds the shading motor and fabric boasts a compact, customizable, architecturally-friendly design that transforms decks, gazebos, patios, and other outdoor areas into comfortable, stylish living spaces as the shade fabric lowers into place. The Zen 2 cassette is available from SI in a range of complementary colors or can be painted in any hue. Hundreds of fabric choices are available, as well, allowing Zen 2 to blend in seamlessly with its surrounding environment.

INTRODUCING VOICEPLAY™

Streaming Audio with Voice Control Has Never Been Easier

Introducing the new Amplified Keypad with Alexa Built-in. Our new elegant system features a 2 channel amplifier built directly into the keypad and can deliver crystal clear sound to 2 loudspeakers while being powered via the V-PS-2 60W Power Supply. We also ensured that installation can easily utilize previous audio systems as typically these systems use a home run to connect the speakers in that particular room or zone. This makes the VoicePlay system perfect for any new installs or to quickly and easily update any existing system to add the best of streaming audio, app, and voice control.

The Clear Choice for Light Commercial or Residential Audio Solutions

NOW SHIPPING

*Service availability varies by region.

New Russound VoicePlay App Now Available!

The Perfect Light Commercial Mixer Amplifier

NOW SHIPPING

The MIXAMP-60 is an all-in-one solution with built-in audio sources and support for multiple inputs, pre-amplifier and mixer power amplifier all in one unit, making it an excellent one-box solution for most typical audio installations. Rack-mountable mixer amplifier with MP3 Audio, FM & Bluetooth®

Rated power output at 60W

Speaker output of 100V, 70V, 4Ω, 8Ω, and 16Ω

3 x mic/line inputs, 2 x RCA line inputs, 1 x TEL input and 1 x RCA line output

XLR input with switchable +48V phantom power

Short-circuit, clip, overload and high temp protection

Just Add Power, a leader in video-over-IP distribution, will showcase its new 2GΩ/3G ST1 Sound Transceiver, a product that shipped early in 2021. An audio-only component that functions as either an input or output, the ST1 allows integrators to easily add a stereo audio source to any Just Add Power system or extract stereo audio from an existing transmitter.

PoEWit Technologies was founded by custom electronic manufacturing veterans with more than 40 years of combined experience. PoEWit’s founders Victor Pak and Dusan Jankov also ran Pakedge Device and Software, a very successful networking company which later they sold to Control4. PoEWit’s mission is to revolutionize how high voltage products are powered and networked by using Power-OverEthernet (PoE). Their solutions portfolio includes PoE Smart-Cloud Outdoor Security Lighting, PoE Smart-Cloud Recessed Lighting, and PoE Smart-Cloud Networking Switches and UPS.

Modulus’ new UHD 4K Optical Drive adds full UHD 4K Blu-Ray playback and import capability to the company’s M1 “ultimate entertainment powerhouse.” The slender, elegant-looking 4K drive, which has been available since March, plays and imports 4K movies along with standard Blu-Ray video discs, DVDs, and music CDs. Owners can connect as many as three 4K drives to their M1 allowing them to import several discs simultaneously and quickly access all of their content from the M1’s 12 TB internal storage. Modulus’ UHD 4K Optical Drive may also be used with the company’s Mx1 Mini for remote access to 4K or other disc-based media.

Colorbeam Lighting delivers low-voltage lighting systems that create immersive and controllable lighting experiences for residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces. With its patented GATEway Processor, Colorbeam is building new innovations in human-centric lighting, the tunability of light, and flicker-free dimming that gives users complete control over lighting their spaces.

RTI will be releasing RTI Music (MS-3 Music Streamer) designed exclusively for custom integrators, enabling them to deliver an exceptional streaming experience with native control through any RTI control system. RTI Music enables easy delivery of Hi-Res Audio (24bit/192kHz) into any room or every room with a simple tap on a touch panel or remote. Whether the client is streaming music from their favorite platform or from their local NAS, the MS-3 elevates the audio experience.

Garden Light LED Micro Series fixtures have been designed to project powerful light from a small source in areas like stairs and steps, discrete overhangs, handrails, trees, potted plants, water features, and garden landscapes. Available in five different beam patterns, the Micro Series fixtures are miniature, measuring only 1.3 inches (w) x 1.5 inches (l) x 0.5 inches (h).

AutoSwing is the first automatic door opener for residential swing doors with an app and built-in Alexa skill set. The system can be installed on existing or new doors. The technology can be combined with the company’s privacy software to create a touchless entry and exit for the bathroom at home or at the office.

This will be the first CEDIA Expo for Orro, whose Smart Living System transforms any home with automatic human-centric and wellness-oriented smart lighting, home-wide control, energy savings, and home monitoring capabilities. With Orro, professional installers

can offer their customers a unified smart home solution that aligns with any budget, unlocking new opportunities to sell more and grow their business to meet the rising demand for professionally-installed systems at mainstream price points.

SVS has two subwoofer launches that bring reference bass to the micro and in-wall category for the first time. Both models include SVS subwoofer control and DSP smartphone app and are tailored for integrators wanting deep, immersive sound with minimal visual impact.

Allterco Robotics US Shelly allows you to control virtually any electrical system in a home or office. Shelly’s sensors and energy metering products let you incorporate power consumption and environmental data into automation solutions. Native integrations, thirdparty licensed drivers, community-supported integrations, and the ability to use CoAP, REST, or MQTT let you connect your circuit to virtually any control system. All Shelly products also allow full local control with locally stored timers and schedules, and the ability to actually control other Shelly products or any device that accepts REST commands when specific events occur.

Séura Ultra Bright Sun Series Outdoor TVs are designed for full-sun outdoor applications, providing 2000-nit brightness for a remarkable picture in any outdoor lighting condition. Séura outperforms the competition with the best full-sun TV. The TVs features proprietary active heating and cooling elements to withstand -40F to 140F temperatures, and are available with sizes up to 85 inches and beautiful mirrored side panels.

Crestron returns to CEDIA Expo after a long hiatus, featuring its Crestron Home smart home platform that seamlessly manages all devices in the technology-driven homes of today. The beautiful user interface delivers an intuitive control experience either remotely from their mobile device or at home using touch screens, voice commands, or remotes. Crestron works with partners like Amazon Alexa, Delos, Josh.ai, Sonos, and Yale to deliver a connected smart home experience. Crestron Home is always evolving, and updates continuously enhance the system with new features, functions, and experiences.

iRoom’s touchDock turns any iPad with a 10” screen or larger into a flush-mount wall touch panel with easy motorized removal of the iPad for mobile use. The built-in control processor connects to all major professional control systems such as Crestron, Control4, Savant, RTI, URC, ELAN. With the docking station’s touch keypad users have instant access to often used control functions such as light, shades, volume, or music. Control works independently of the iPad. TouchDock features a built-in sensor package for room temperature, humidity, light, and air quality (CO2). IRoom’s iPad dashboard gives the user sensor status information at a glance. Third-party control systems can use the sensor statuses to trigger threshold-based alerts or control functions.

Designed to recess voice assistants, tablets, touchscreens, light switches, security cameras,

A family of solutions for every Application, Environment, and Experience.

IS8 Invisible Series Speaker

SA853 High Output Small Aperture Speaker

networking gear, and other devices flush with wall and ceiling surfaces, Wall-Smart’s line of mounting hardware delivers aesthetically friendly home tech-concealment solutions. Each mount in the portfolio has been customdesigned, -engineered, and -fabricated for a precise fit and finish of the specific device, and enables smart home devices to be flushmounted in new and existing homes, in all wall and ceiling surfaces, including solid-surface materials such as granite, marble, glass, wood, and metal. The mounts enable technology to be integrated into homes beautifully without compromising performance, combining functionality and aesthetics.

Magna Audio is debuting in the U.S. market at CEDIA Expo, with the Aura Series, which is a multipurpose speaker with integrated lighting (optional) that can be installed on walls and on ceilings. Aura Series is built from aluminum, IP65 rated, and is available in for sizes plus an eight-inch subwoofer. Each size can be configured in more than 400 finishes plus custom options. Aura 3 is ready to ship and Aura Mini, 4, 6, and Sub will be available in Q4.

Leon Speakers’ Terra LuminSound TrLs50 outdoor speaker features a slender, contemporary, aluminum cabinet that can be customized in any of six new finishes. The variety of color options help the LuminSound TrLs50 blend in beautifully with regional landscapes. The speaker goes a step further by incorporating an optional ring of warm white LED lighting wrapped around its perimeter. As the LuminSound TrLs50 delivers high-fidelity music, it illuminates walkways and accents the landscape. Music, lighting, and IP67-rated materials that stand up to Mother Nature – this trifecta of features makes the LuminSound TrLs50 a welcome addition to any outdoor area.

The Parts Express DAX88 is an 8-source 8-zone distributed audio matrix amplifier with app control. This product was designed to be used anywhere you would typically need a multi-zone audio system (homes, warehouses, retail businesses, restaurants, and breweries). The DAX88 allows you to have control over tone, balance, volume, and input/output for each zone. The DAX88 has an impressive 75 WPC @ 8 Ohms, intuitive app control, and integrated network audio streaming.

The Hisense L9G Laser TV features a TriChroma laser engine that uses pure red, green, and blue lasers to achieve new levels of color performance, reaching 107% of the BT.2020 color space. The ultra-short throw projector, rated at 3000 lumens, produces images with improved detail and ultra-smooth motion at 4K resolution. Other features include Dolby Atmos, High-Speed HDMI, HDR10/ HLG, Filmmaker Mode, and WiSA certification. The Android TV platform grants easy access to more than 5,000 apps and built-in Google Assistant.

As a first-time CEDIA exhibitor, Blonder Tongue will showcase a range of new technologies and solutions to modernize and future-proof video infrastructure, including the soon-to-be-unveiled AIRCASTER AQT8 ATSC/QAM Receiver, IPTV Re-Multiplexor, and Trans-Modulator. AIRCASTER AQT8 is a 1RU solution to generate custom IP or QAM channel lineups from off-air and/or QAM input sources. AIRCASTER AQT8 can create a full lineup of up to 64 channels and distribute them through a home, campus, hospital, hotel, or gated community, while eliminating the need for countless digital converters, external splitters and legacy one-to-one solutions. Installation and management are effortless with remote monitoring and control, signal testing, and virtual mapping capabilities.

The Schneider Electric Square D Energy Center empowers consumers to take active control over their energy usage and provides insights to help them make better energy choices. This modular, compact energy manager brings together utility, solar, back up/generator power and battery storage, then pairs them with

a single app providing streamlined control to switch seamlessly between power sources and insight in power usage and costs, allowing homeowners to make smart decisions to optimize their energy usage. Users can make data-based decisions about how and when to reduce energy usage to save money and be green, saving users 8-15% in energy.

MantelMount is replacing the ProSeries MM700 with the MM710. It’s essentially the same mount, but now available with tilt. The company also will have another new addition, the MM720, which is similar to the MM700 except it has a longer arm for greater drop, can clear a wider mantel, has smoother travel and enhanced swivel.

Theory Audio Design is unveiling ic4 and ic6 high-output in-ceiling loudspeakers providing dealers, integrators, architects, and designers with two premium audio options for virtually any residential or commercial installation. As the first in-ceiling loudspeakers in the Theory product line, the ic4 and ic6 provide installation flexibility. Discreet and highly capable solutions, the ic4 and ic6 are ideal for residential or commercial installations, surround sound or distributed audio, and even outdoors when paired with Theory’s all-weather grilles. The ic6 can also be installed in openceiling and exposed environments when integrated into one of Theory’s upcoming pendant housings. Available in a tasteful and paintable matte white or matte black, and black gloss (with matching grilles), Theory’s pendant housings allow the ic6 to seamlessly blend into any décor.

Pro Audio Technology (PRO) has a new line of modular amplifiers. The MA-4242, MA9999, and MA-9900 provide integrators with a line of reliable amplifiers to power any PRO or third-party audio systems. PRO’s Modular Amplifiers pack four channels of up to 1000W each into a fan-less 2U chassis. When combined with PRO’s ALC-3316 loudspeaker controller/ processors, installers can use the MA amplifiers to quickly and easily power, apply high resolution DSP filtering, and calibrate any PRO sound system.

CEDIA 2021 will be the first time Samsung’s LED Wall (IWA Series) will be seen by the public. Its massive screen measures in at over 1,000 inches, creating a completely expansive canvas that can become an elegant centerpiece for any luxury residential property. Installers have complete control over design and creativity to meet customers’ vision.

The Wall can be installed in a variety of positions, including concave, convex, ceiling, hanging, inclined and L-type. The micoLED technology, which uses millions of self-emissive pixels, offers complete immersion and brilliant picture quality. The Wall also provides a new best-in-class brightness control, contrast and color precision through its revolutionary Black Seal, Ultra Chroma, AI Upscaling, and Quantum HDR technology.

Severtson Screens will launch the Cable Drop Series of electric motorized projection screens (model CDT). Now ready for order, the new line is available in multiple projection surfaces and sizes to meet the needs of large venue installations.The new line can be operated in multiple ways. The included wireless handheld RF remote control allows wireless control, the 5- to 12-volt trigger connection allows the Cable Drop Series to be automatically synchronized with the power cycle of a compatible projector, and RS-232 control enables advanced control of all screen functions.