In Conversation with Marc Walpe, Global Sales Director at Pulse-Eight and Gallo Acoustics

In an interview with Smart Home World, Marc Waple discussed Pulse-Eight’s Ultra HD distribution and control products, as well as the distinctive features that differentiate them from other manufacturers in the industry. The discussion also covers Pulse-Eight’s pre-amplifiers, which provide large format multizone DSP signal processing, and Gallo Acoustics’ spherical loudspeaker system. Additionally, he highlights PulseEight’s ability to adapt to changes in the audio industry, particularly with the growing demand for high-definition video and audio.

What are some of the unique features of your range, and how do they set you apart from other manufacturers in the industry?

Pulse-Eight has a unique advantage in the industry. We are one of the few manufacturers, and we design and manufacture all of our products in the UK, which is rare for consumer electronics, and even rare for video and audio signal management products like ours. This gives us complete control over the manufacturing process, allowing us to micromanage our quality and output, and conduct extensive testing beyond what our competitors do.

One of our key unique selling points (USP) is our ability to integrate Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) features. This technology allows users to control devices connected to our products using the infrared remote control that came with their smart screen, saving money on control systems and simplifying the user experience. By manufacturing our own products, we have the flexibility and adaptability to integrate new and unique features like CEC.

Additionally, owning our own factory has allowed us to navigate the challenges presented by the pandemic more effectively than some of our competitors. We were not reliant on other people’s factories that may have been closed down due to COVID, nor did we struggle with supply chain disruptions caused by shipping problems. Our ability to manufacture our products in-house gave us an edge in navigating these challenges and ensuring our customers receive high-quality products in a timely manner.

How do your audio solutions, such as audio matrixes and audio manipulation, enhance the listening experience for your customers?

At Pulse-Eight, we are one of the few manufacturers in the world that produce large format multi-zone DSP signal processing pre-amplifiers. We offer a range of products that can manage signals for audio management, signal conversion, and room correction, with the capability to manage anything from 8-zone to 1280-zone signal management. This allows our customers, whether they are residential or commercial, to tailor their listening experience to the user and client. For instance, our products can be used to manipulate and control the audio requirements for a large hotel lobby, including different areas such as the bar, restaurant, reception, and lounge.

Can you talk about the design philosophy behind Gallo Acoustics’ spherical loudspeaker system and how it improves upon traditional speaker designs?

Gallo Acoustics’ design philosophy for our spherical loudspeaker system is centered around the idea that sound should not be trapped or muffled within a speaker box. Traditional square or rectangular speaker boxes can create echoes and reverberations in a room, which can negatively impact the quality of the audio.

By contrast, our spherical loudspeakers allow for sound to be pushed in a circular pattern until it reaches the listener, driver, or port. This means that the sound is not trapped inside a box, but instead travels freely in a 360-degree pattern, resulting in superior audio quality.

Furthermore, our spherical loudspeaker system also offers a unique aesthetic solution for customers. The spherical design is not only visually appealing, but it also has the added benefit of being able to blend seamlessly into any room.

It’s important to note that we are not saying that rectangular speakers are inherently bad. However, our spherical design offers a superior audio experience and a visually unique solution for customers. We believe that our design philosophy sets us apart in the industry and provides a truly exceptional listening experience.

How has Pulse-Eight evolved and adapted to changes in the audio-visual industry, particularly with the increasing demand for high-definition video and audio?

Pulse-Eight has always been at the forefront of the audio-visual industry, constantly evolving and adapting to changes in technology and consumer demand. As members of the HDMI Forum and HD BaseT Alliance, we play an active role in shaping the evolution of video and audio formats. We are proud to have contributed to the development of these formats and have helped ensure that they meet the needs of consumers and manufacturers alike.

One example of our commitment to innovation is our recent launch of the HD BaseT Video Matrix. We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer a range of HD BaseT 3.0 matrixes, which offer uncompressed, bitperfect 4K60 4:4:4 video. This means that we can deliver the highest quality video without any compression, ensuring that we do not lose Dolby Vision HDR or any other important features.

We are excited to be launching our HD BaseT Video Matrix in India through Electronics Mart India Limited, and we believe that this will provide consumers with an exceptional viewing experience. As always, we are committed to staying at the forefront of the industry, and we will continue to innovate and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in developing and manufacturing your products, and how do you overcome them?

The biggest challenges we face in developing and manufacturing our products are the component shortages that have been evident in the consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, and IT industries over the last three years. This shortage has resulted in companies not having their full ranges or portfolios that they did pre-pandemic. For instance, a tiny component such as a $2 resistor not being available can cause a delay of up to six months for the latest AVR from a company. We overcome this challenge by redesigning the board and substituting the unavailable component with something that is available, which allows us to continue supplying products to our customers without any delay or extended lead times.

How do you ensure that your products meet high standards of quality and reliability, and what steps do you take to address any issues that may arise?

To ensure that our products meet high standards of quality and reliability, we follow a three-tier testing process in our factory. First, we test the board when it comes from our production line to ensure that it meets the requirements of the job it was designed for, such as input, video, output, video, IR, or audio. After the board passes the initial test, it is assembled into the finished product, and we test that all the boards work with each other. Finally, we take the finished product and test it on a jig. For example, if it’s a video matrix, we will run ten TVs, ten 100 meters cable runs, and ten sources through the video matrix at full resolution, maximum distance, and full throttle for an extended length of time. Only when the product passes this rigorous testing process is it serialized and shipped to our customers. We perform these three tests with every single product we produce to ensure that our products meet high standards of quality and reliability.

How do you approach customer service and support, and what steps do you take to ensure customer satisfaction?

As a company, our approach to customer service and support is to prioritize the satisfaction of our customers.

To achieve this, we have established a dedicated customer support team that provides global support for all of our products. Our support team operates 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, to ensure that customers can get the help they need, regardless of their location or time zone.

For our Pulse-Eight dealers and distributors, we have a support line that they can call and speak with our representatives. We implemented this procedure during the pandemic to make it easier for customers to get the support they need without having to visit a physical location or work within a typical nine-to-five schedule.

While we are pleased to say that our customers rarely need to use our support services, we are happy to provide this resource when needed. Our goal is to ensure that all of our customers receive the help they need and are satisfied with our products and services.

Can you share any exciting new developments or products that Pulse-Eight and Gallo Acoustics have in the works?

Certainly, for Pulse-Eight, we debuted our new video over IP solution at ISC in February in Barcelona. Unlike any other video over IP solution, we are taking the approach to have a single-piece, single-skew multipurpose product, so customers don’t need to overthink the installation or specification with various different parts at each end of the IP video distribution string. We take a single piece that does every single job you want it to do.

So, the product we showed in Barcelona in February is our One IP transceiver. It’s called One because you only need one part, and that one piece will send video onto the network and then look for its buddy and receive video. But, at the same time, that sending unit will also receive video from other buddies on the system, and it’s the same one piece. Along with that, we work on a smaller, less expensive IT infrastructure, which makes it more attractive to our customers and therefore brings the cost down – less parts, less IT infrastructure, less cabling, less cost. So, that’s our big plan for Pulse-Eight’s new video over IP.

For Gallo Acoustics, we also took the opportunity at the same show to launch a brand-new range of products that utilize the design cues of our profile subwoofer. Our profile subwoofer is a ten-inch on-wall subwoofer that’s designed to fix the wall or fit under a couch. We take that same design queue and we’ve made on-wall solutions, various different sizes of rectangular speakers that would sit next to or below your panel TV or around the room in your Dolby Atmos configuration. And these are typically a few inches out of the wall, in black or white, with attractive grills to have a very minimal footprint but high-output audio. Both the Pulse-Eight Video over IP One IP solution and the Gallo Acoustics Profile range will be available towards the second half of this year.

How do you envision the future of audiovisual technology, and what role do you see Pulse-Eight and Gallo Acoustics playing in shaping that future?

A traditional video family of products is a hub and spoke video matrix, where everything connects to it and feeds the home or business. However, consumers are no longer giving us the rack space for these kinds of systems. All sources, including Apple TV and PlayStation, are now located near the TV, and game consoles need access to their controllers and other peripherals. Our IP solution decentralizes the rack, allowing us to place sources anywhere in a project and adapt our products to the customer rather than the customer adapting to our product. This is exciting because it enables our products to be more flexible and adaptable.

As for Gallo Acoustics, our profile lends itself to flat panel minimalistic designs with speakers to match. However, our unique spherical sphere design of products is not something we want to change too quickly as there is nothing wrong with them. We are, however, evolving some more products that I cannot disclose at the moment.

Overall, we see the future of audio-visual technology becoming more adaptable and flexible, allowing customers to have more control over their systems. Pulse-Eight and Gallo Acoustics aim to play a significant role in shaping this future by continuing to innovate and develop products that meet the changing needs of customers.

How do you see the Indian market for Smart Home Technology evolving, and what role do you envision Pulse-Eight playing in this market?

It’s an exciting opportunity for us to be working with our new distributor in Hyderabad, EMIL. With this partnership, we see huge opportunities not only with our traditional dealers who will be purchasing PulseEight and Gallo from Emil, but also with the retail spaces that the group holds, such as the Barrage Electronic Stores, Audio and Beyond Stores, and even the Easy Kitchen Stores. Partnering with these retailers is exciting for us as we learn about their pricing strategies, store openings, and other initiatives.

As for how the Indian market is evolving for smart home technology, I may not be the best person to answer that question. However, we are thrilled to have a new partner for both of our brands in India and look forward to playing a significant role in shaping the future of smart home technology in the country.

Overall, we see a lot of potential in the Indian market for smart home technology and are eager to work with our new distributor to bring our products to customers across the country. With our innovative solutions and commitment to quality, we believe Pulse-Eight can play a significant role in the growth and development of the smart home technology market in India.

How do you plan to showcase your products and speaker systems at Smart Home Expo 2023, and what can attendees expect

to see and learn from your exhibit?

For the upcoming Smart Home Expo 2023, we are excited to showcase our unique design cues for Gallo, including our custom finishes and new products such as the Profile speaker system. We also have a couple of other exciting new products that we will announce closer to the show.

In addition, we plan to demonstrate our traditional fixed format video matrix and audio distribution solutions for Pulse-Eight, as well as our new video over IP technology and multipoint transceiver. This dualpurpose transceiver allows for multipoint distribution of both video and audio, making it an excellent addition to our existing lineup.

Overall, attendees can expect to see a mix of both traditional and new products from Pulse-Eight and Gallo, as we strive to provide a balance between innovation and maintaining our existing customers’ familiarity. We are confident that visitors to our exhibit will learn a lot about our innovative solutions for smart home technology and be impressed by the quality and design of our products.