Essential Install December 2023

DECEMBER 2023

THE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE AV AND SMART HOME INDUSTRY

ACOUSTIC TREATMENT AESTHETIC AUDIO

HVAC INTEGRATION

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

AUTOMATION & AI MAXIMISING MACHINES

NEW PRODUCT

HDBaseT™ Matrix with Advanced Audio Integration We are pleased to announce the launch of three feature rich HDBaseT™ Matrix, the HMXL88ARC, HMXL66ARC and HMXL42ARC-KIT. Using CSC technology, these powerful HDBaseT™ matrix support 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 resolutions over distances of 40m over a single CAT 6 cable. The new HMXL42ARC-KIT, HMXL66ARC and HMXL88ARC come into their own with advanced audio features specifically designed for maximising the integration of all AV sources in the modern home. Enhanced audio routing is achieved through the integrated independent audio matrix. This enables the audio both from displays (via ARC) and all other sources to be embedded and routed through the system at the users discretion.

These ARC and audio routing features enable our installation partners the ability to create a truly immersive AV experience throughout the home.

NEW

HMXL88ARC 8x8 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix

NEW

HMXL66ARC 6x6 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix

HDCP 2.2

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering distribution of video and audio over a single CAT cable J Advanced Colour Space Conversion (CSC) supports HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification including HDR J 26 x 8 Audio Matrix independently controllable from the video

HMXL42ARC-KIT

HDCP 2.2

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering distribution of video and audio over a single CAT cable J Advanced Colour Space Conversion (CSC) supports HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification including HDR J 20 x 6 Audio Matrix independently controllable from the video

NEW

4x2 HDBaseT™ CSC ARC Matrix including Receivers J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering distribution of video and audio over a single CAT cable J Advanced Colour Space Conversion (CSC) supports HDMI 2.0 18Gbps specification including HDR J 8 x 2 audio matrix that is independently controllable from video.

HDCP 2.2

NEW

UNCOMPRESSED

18Gbps

PRODUCT

OVER

Uncompressed 18Gbps HDMI Over HDBaseT™ Set The HEX18G-KIT HDBaseT™ extender set is an industry leading uncompressed HDMI 2.0 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 HDCP 2.2 solution utilising the

HEX18G-KIT

latest in HDBaseT™ technology. The HEX18G-KIT supports bi-directional IR, RS-232 and PoC up to lengths of 100m over a single CAT cable.

NEW

HEX70ARC-KIT HDBaseT™ ARC Extender Set - 70m J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering uncompressed video and audio with zero latency J Extends HDMI 1080p up to a distance of 70m over a single CAT cable J Supports 4K UHD video up to 40m (3840 x 2160 @30Hz 4:4:4, 4096 x

2160 @24Hz 4:4:4, and 4K @60Hz 4:2:0)

1080p up to 150m

HEX100CS-KIT

HEX150CS-KIT

HDBaseT™ CSC Extender Set -100m

HDBaseT™ CSC Extender Set - 150m

J Advanced HDBaseT™ technology offering CSC scaling with zero latency

J Supports ARC from display via HDMI and optical digital inputs

J Supports 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 UHD video up to 70m

J Supports 4K 60Hz 4:4:4 UHD video up to 100m

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47 36 16

CONTENTS

December 2023

4 FROM THE EDITOR’S CHAIR

50 INSTALLER ACADEMY

7 ESSENTIAL NEWS

52 SMART THINKING: SOFT MACHINE

AI, friend or foe?

Yule time tidings

14 TOGETHER FOR CINEMA Another new project!

16 ESSENTIAL REVIEW: KALEIDESCAPE Optimus Prime?

The art of risk appetite

Mathias Johansson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Dirac

56 ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY: FINITE SOLUTIONS Waterworld is a winner!

63 ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS Winter wonderland

18 IS IT TIME FOR 8K HOME CINEMA? Joe Carri, Director at Prestige Audio

20 ESSENTIAL CUK

Support from Erard Pro

30 DbM

Meridian Audio excellence

FEATURES HVAC INTEGRATION 22 TURNING UP THE HEAT

Dave Robinson, Managing Director, Sensible Heat

Supporting All www.avoke.co.uk | av@avoke.co.uk

22 56 29

50 Proud Media Partners of

There’s more to Essential Install 26 IN THE ZONE

Matt Emberson, Sales and Marketing Director at Faradite

29 MASTERING HVAC INTEGRATION Steven Crocombe, Director, Imperium

VOICE CONTROL, AUTOMATION & AI 34 WHAT’S AI GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Phil Pini, Director of Residential Sales (UK) Crestron

36 AI AND THE SMART HOME

Jeff Hayward, presenter, The Integrated Home Podcast

37 HOW AI COULD REVOLUTIONISE OUR INDUSTRY IN 2024

42 COMPANY FOCUS: SNAP ONE The latest Partner support

ACOUSTIC TREATMENT 44 ORCHESTRATING THE SOUNDSCAPE IN ACTIVITY-BASED OFFICES Sharp/NEC and Abstracta

47 FORM MEETING FUNCTION Steve Thomas, Director, EQ Acoustics

48 SOME SOUND ADVICE

Joe Carri, Director, Prestige Audio

Cliff Stammers, founder of Clever Rooms

38 WAVEFORMING

David Meyerowitz, Technical Sales Manager International at Trinnov Audio

Your AV Needs www.avoke.co.uk | av@avoke.co.uk

DECEMBER

TIME TO TAKE STOCK

So it is that time of year again as 2023 draws to a close and the Yuletide season is upon us. It is a natural time for reflection, but also for looking forward.

2024 sounds a little bit like something out of a science fiction novel to someone of EI’s generation, still here we are but has technology kept up with our expectation of where it might be at this point in time? In a way no, but that is probably because we were looking in the wrong places. Many of the predictions that were around say 50 years ago concentrated on areas such as transport, jet packs, flying cars etc; spin forward to today and although some progress has been made, the way humans move around has not changed significantly in that time.

Inside the home however it is perhaps a different story. The things we can do in our homes now do live up to some of the predictions that have been made in the past. Compare the average living room in the ‘60s and ‘70s with what is available today in terms of entertainment, communication, and automation and we are genuinely in a different era.

We also stand on the edge of significant changes brought about in our home and working lives with the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These concepts have been around for a long time in the mind of sci-fi writers as well as computer experts and scientists. Frank Herbert published Dune in 1965, a novel that was set in a universe following a galactic war fought between those who supported the idea of super intelligent machines controlling society and those who believed humans should control their own destiny. Pretty heavy stuff, but the theme is relevant for today.

Back in the real world, the very first AI program was created in 1951 by Christopher Strachey, later director of the Programming Research Group at the University of Oxford. Christopher’s draughts program could play a complete game of draughts, and people were pretty impressed.

Today’s artificial intelligence and machine learning programmes are of course way more powerful than this. It is really

04 DECEMBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023

THE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE AV AND SMART HOME INDUSTRY

early days to accurately predict how much and how fast these types of technologies will change our working lives and leisure time in the coming years. They will certainly have an impact in our own sector, producing more accurate models to control better outcomes and more efficiency in building technology

directly

into

homes

and

ACOUSTIC TREATMENT AESTHETIC AUDIO

HVAC INTEGRATION

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

AUTOMATION & AI MAXIMISING MACHINES

businesses. In the areas such as health and environmental modelling it is also easy to envisage some really positive aspects here

GETTING IN TOUCH

as well.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In wider society there is of course debate around the more negative impacts these technologies might have on jobs and human agency over their own lives and destiny. The crucial part of this debate will of course come down to human beings maintaining choice over whether and how much these technologies enter their lives.

The problem of course in the first quarter of

Daniel J Sait, dan@allthingsmedialtd.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Ian Kitchener, ian@allthingsmedialtd.com

GROUP AD MANAGER

Claire Talty, claire@allthingsmedialtd.com

PUBLISHER

David Kitchener, david@allthingsmedialtd.com

STUDIO MANAGER

the 21st century is that some people have

Mark Weller, mark@allthingsmedialtd.com

more ‘choice’ than others, a lot more. How

ACCOUNTS

this interaction plays out will be one of the defining social characteristics of this period.

Coming back to the present, everyone at EI wishes to send our very best Yuletide greetings to all of our readers and all of our contributors. We sincerely hope you have a happy time over the seasonal break, and if you are working, we hope all goes well.

susan@allthingsmedialtd.com Essential Install magazine, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8UD T: +44 (0)1634 673163 F: +44 (0)1634 673173 www.essentialinstall.com

See you all in 2024!

SOCIALS /INSTALL_MAG /ESSENTIALINSTALL The editors and publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication. Whilst we make every effort to ensure that everything is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.

In all matters, the editor’s decision is final. Editorial contributions to Essential Install magazine are welcomed, and the editor reserves the right to alter or abridge text prior to the publication. All articles are copyright and remain the property of Essential Install magazine.

Proud Media Partners of

BRING THE CONCERT HOME

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Book a demo in London, Paris, or Los Angeles.

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NEWS

NEWS ISE 2024 TO HIGHLIGHT THE BEST IN PRO AV AT ITS BIGGEST EVENT YET ISE 2024 takes place at the Fira Barcelona Gran

• Content Production & Distribution (Hall 4)

Via from Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2024. This special 20th

• Digital Signage & DooH (Hall 6)

anniversary edition is set to be the biggest yet, say

• Audio (Hall 7)

organisers as ISE celebrates two decades of pro

• Plus ISE Sound Experience with Audio Demo

AV and systems integration excellence.

Since it began in 2004, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) has grown in size, strength and influence to become an industry-defining event, says the event’s creators. Every year, ISE brings together professionals, innovators and thought leaders across multiple industry sectors from around the world.

Over the past two decades, ISE has served as a catalyst for groundbreaking technological advances, fostered meaningful connections and dialogue and propelled the systems integration industry to new heights.

Mike

Blackman,

Managing

Director

at

Integrated Systems Events, said, “This special

Rooms in Hall 8.0 ISE’s conference programme is designed to inspire and equip attendees with the information

TAKE CONTROL

and tools required to lead an organisation.

It’s also a great opportunity to network with the people and companies shaping the global AV industry.

With nine specialist conferences taking place during the show, visitors can enjoy a host of immersive demonstrations, speakers and panel discussions. There will also be free-to-attend sessions taking place throughout the day, running concurrently with the conferences.

20th anniversary edition of ISE will be our biggest ever event, with an expanded show floor which is

Bookable Conferences:

already 17% bigger than last year, two new halls,

• Smart Building Conference (Tuesday 30 January)

over 80 new exhibitors currently confirmed and

• Control Rooms Summit (Tuesday 30 January)

several special features and attractions to mark the

• Smart Home Technology Conference

occasion, including an Anniversary Treasure Hunt.

“We also are planning a number of special activities throughout Barcelona, including extending our partnership with the Barcelona Llum lighting festival – watch out for more news in the coming weeks.”

New for 2024, ISE has grown into Halls 1 and 4 of the Fira Barcelona Gran Vía. Hall 1 becomes the new home of Lighting & Staging, while Hall 4 provides a new location for Content Production & Distribution while also allowing the MultiTechnology Zone to be extended.

The show floor is designed to easy to navigate, set out across seven Technology Zones to provide visitors with the full spectrum of pro AV and systems integration required for every event

(Tuesday 30 January – Friday 2 February) • Content Production & Distribution Summit (Wednesday 31 January) • Digital Signage Summit (Wednesday 31 January) • Smart Workplace Summit (Wednesday 31 January – Thursday 1 February) • Education Technology Summit (Thursday 1 February) • Live Events Summit (Thursday 1 February) • Sustainability Workshop (Friday 2 February) Free-to-Attend Sessions: • Tech Talks Español (Tuesday 30 January – Thursday 1 February)

and installation.

• Tech Talks

• Lighting & Staging (Hall 1)

• Smart Home Technology Stage

(Tuesday 30 January – Thursday 1 February) (Tuesday 30 January – Friday 2 February)

• Residential & Smart Building (Hall 2) • Unified Communications & Education Technology

ISE

(Hall 2) • Multi-Technology (Halls 3, 4 & 5)

iseurope.org

HR40 Remote 3.1” HR Touchscreen Control media, lighting, shades, climate, security Touch / View / Voice

Readers can secure FREE registration for ISE 2024 using this code: essentinstall

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/Essentialinstall

DECEMBER 2023 07 CUK_strip_ad-270x60 Nov23.indd 3

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STAND 2C700

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STRAIGHT TO THE

SOURCE The ci series incorporates cutting edge technologies and audio quality from the world-renowned PMC studio monitors that have been responsible for countless hit records and movies, in the ultimate slimline, high-performance on-wall and in-wall loudspeakers.

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ci30

ci90

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The ci140 and ci140sub are on-wall designs.

The other models are in or on-wall, thanks to the Qikfire™ fittings, bezel-less grille and stylish cabinet sleeve.

NEWS

CONNECTED CINEMAS FROM CONNECTED DISTRIBUTION Connected Cinemas is a new concept from established CI distributor Connected Distribution.

The purpose is to focus on the provision of the ‘Cinema In The Home’ model for domestic cinema installations, which was introduced at EI Live! 2023.

The launch coincides with the completion and opening of the dedicated ‘Cinema In The Home’ demonstration facility at Connected’s Cheltenham office. This state-of-the-art cinema has been designed to present the mainstays of the company’s cinema offering – Aurea loudspeakers and Acurus electronics – to installers, retailers and their more discerning clients.

The 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos cinema has been built to show off the impressive audio performance that this combination of products achieves. As Connected Cinema’s Mike Bonnette explained, “We set out to build a facility that would enable us to showcase our ‘Cinema In The Home’ offering, which differs from practically all other home cinemas as it genuinely delivers true cinema performance in the home, so much so that we don’t refer to it as ‘home cinema’.

“The Aurea cinema speakers are designed using exactly the same criteria for dispersion, SPL, intelligibility and timbre as the company’s professional cinema speakers which are used in such locations as Odeon Leicester Square and BFI Imax.

Mike added, “Combine them with Acurus processors and amplifiers, whose remit is to take the encoded film soundtrack and process it without compromise, and the result is a domestic solution that is as close to the experience of being in a commercial cinema as is possible.”

The Connected Cinemas demo facility is permanently equipped with the Aurea In-wall series 6+6 model for the LCR channels, IW 5+5 model for the side and rear surrounds and the Coaxial 5 model for the four height channels. Two Sub 12 in-wall subwoofers are employed, taking the LF response down to 23Hz. The total system

is capable of a maximum continuous SPL well in excess of the 105dB Dolby specification.

Processing is done using the Acurus Muse, a 16-channel processor that is devoid of unnecessary and often unused features found in other brands, allowing it to do nothing but decode the immersive audio experience to the highest possible levels of performance, says Connected Distribution. Power amplification comes from the Acurus M8 eight-channel power amplifiers, delivering 200W per channel.

The room has been calibrated using the Acurus AspeQT speaker parameter and EQ tool, a comprehensive four microphone system that enables the room to be tuned to the required target EQ curve.

In addition to the Aurea and Acurus brands, Connected Cinemas also specifies and distributes Euroscreen screens, Yamaha AVRs and Parasound amplification – a brand used in commercial movie production studios such as Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm. These products can also be demonstrated in the Connected Cinemas room.

Installers and retailers are invited to experience the new demonstration cinema for themselves.

MUSIC STREAMING MADE FOR CI

Connected Distribution connecteddistribution.com

Book your appointment by emailing cinema@ connecteddistribution.com

F.A.Z. INSTITUTE: DOORBIRD WINS QUALITY AWARD DoorBird took first place in the Smart Home solutions provider category in the F.A.Z. Institute ‘Highest Quality 2023’ study.

The quality of products and services is an essential factor for success for companies because it impacts how they are perceived and are therefore a major criteria when making purchasing decisions. On this basis, the F.A.Z. Institute (a company owned by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung publishing group) had data on more than 15,000 companies analysed for the ‘Highest Quality 2023’ study. One of the quality champions was DoorBird.

The manufacturer of high-quality, exclusive IP video door stations took first place this year among smart home solution providers and is thus one of the top brands in Germany.

To determine the rankings in the 363 categories, 7.4 million nominations were collected from more than 100 million online sources and analysed using artificial intelligence while focusing on the aspects of quality, product and service, customer satisfaction, innovation, ecological

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sustainability and recommendation rate. DoorBird was also surveyed and analysed with regard to the following: quality characteristics, returns and complaints, quality controls, service reachability, service processing, solution of the issue, service quality, quality certificates, quality management and increasing quality.

DoorBird doorbird.com

/Essentialinstall

High Audio Quality Integrates with all the leading home control systems Local support expertise

DoorBird takes top flight award

DECEMBER 2023 09 CUK_strip_ad-270x60 LODE Nov23.indd 1

17/11/2023 07:2

NEWS

CINEMA LUXE ANNOUNCED AS WINNERS OF THE ‘BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS’, ESSEX BUSINESS AWARDS 2023 Cinema Luxe was thrilled to be announced as the winner of the ‘Business 2 Business’ award at the Essex Business Awards 2023.

At the black-tie event held at the stunning Braxted Hall Estate nominated finalists from businesses across Essex, gathered to celebrate in their achievements and enjoy a night of entertainment and dinner before the winners of each category were announced.

The awards saw a record number of entries this year, with over 40 businesses competing in the Business 2 Business category alone. Each category was whittled down by a panel of industry experts to a shortlist of just three finalists.

Gareth Anderson from Allica bank, which was the headline sponsor of the event, and presented Cinema Luxe with the award said, “This was an extremely difficult category to judge. We had many entries with a very high calibre of responses.

However, Cinema Luxe really shone through with their excellent customer partnerships, market knowledge and achievements the business has shown in the last 12 months.”

Darren Barker, Design Director at Cinema Luxe, added, “We are delighted to have been chosen as the winners of this prestigious award. In an industry that is constantly evolving, we are proud to be able to support our partners and clients to deliver world-class cinema rooms both here in the UK and Internationally. We are lucky to have a great team

of people who are always diligent, personable and willing to go the extra mile to ensure we can be confident in our service and delivery so it’s thanks to them that we have won this award.’’

The Essex Business Awards have been established for 27 years and are a platform for celebrating the very best business successes in the area. These awards recognise the efforts of companies who have one thing in common – dedication to achieve excellence.

1000 SERIES ‘UTOPIA’ IW/IC MODELS

Cinema Luxe cinemaluxe.co.uk

(L-R) Maxime Carnegie-Riviere, Darren Barker, Zoe Kent, Patrick Monahan

NEXT GENERATION SMART COMMUNITY TO PIONEER ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIVING One of the smartest residential communities in the world near Stockholm will generate, share and optimise energy to reduce bills, and offer sustainable, modern living, say its creators. The homes at Brobyholm will be the first buildings to access one holistic smart home solution through a joint ABB-free@home and Samsung SmartThings system to ensure they can manage their households smoothly. All smart home products and devices will be connected via the Samsung SmartThings app or device.

The development of new family homes in Brobyholm, Sweden is set to become one of the smartest residential communities in the world due to the connectivity of the technology installed, claim the partner companies who have created the development. Able to generate, share and optimise energy, residents can expect lower energy bills, as well as improved sustainability credentials. Possible thanks to open technology, the application of industry standards, and vendors working together to innovate, never has so much technology been integrated and become fully interoperable in a smart home development, say the development’s creators.

The development is said to feature the first homes to integrate a fully holistic range of smart domestic appliances, devices such as blinds and HVAC, as well as solar systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging all in a single app. The energysmart community will use smart home and energy management and sharing technologies to become self-sufficient, energy cost and carbon neutral.

Energy sharing technology and systems will be a major element at Brobyholm. Energy sharing will see main electrical assets such as EV chargers and solar

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inverters in the community synchronised to optimise energy use through load management. Samsung’s smart appliances such as heat pumps, washing machines and dishwashers, can be programmed to operate when electricity tariffs are most affordable and when solar energy storage levels are sufficient.

Solar panels on each house will charge storage batteries for the whole community’s use.

With energy prices one of the leading concerns amongst leaders and populations across Europe1, the development also provides an efficient energy management system that details energy consumption measurement, automatic adjustments to interior lighting based on outdoor darkness and optimises cooling and heating systems in response to external temperatures or solar radiation.

Others involved include Scandinavian housing developers OBOS, Portuguese clean energy firm, CleanWatts, SMA, a global market leader in solar and storage system technology and provider of intelligent energy management and e-charging solutions, and Three Sweden, the global mobile network operator delivering 5G to the site.

ABB global.abb

Samsung SmartThings samsung.com

Audiophile technologies in five models for luxury stereo and home cinema applications

The Brobyholm community will have 500 predominantly single-family homes with potential expansion to 2000

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DECEMBER 2023 11 FOCAL_CUK_strip_ad-270x60 NOV23.indd 1

17/11/2023 07:3

NEWS

ESSENTIAL PEOPLE

12 DECEMBER 2023

Premium Audio Company is pleased to announce the immediate return of Robert (Rob) Vieira to a new role as Senior Director of AVR Brands, Category Ownership and Integrated Electronics for all brands.

Rob has more than two decades experience in home technology systems integration. In Rob’s new role, he is charged with owning every aspect of the multiple PAC brands worldwide when it comes to past, current, and future product development across all channels for electronics brands including Onkyo, Integra and Pioneer.

Rob will work to develop roadmaps, functions, and technical specifications. He will take the new products from concept to production, conduct key account meetings, trainings, and serve as a press and event spokesperson, and more!

“The entire team is thrilled to see Rob Vieira back in his new elevated role as Senior Director for all brands,” said Tommy Jacobs, President of Premium Audio Company, Americas. “Our dealers can expect to see heightened marketing initiatives, greater product innovation and ease-of-doing business improvements soon.”

Before leaving in early 2023, Rob held the position of Senior Global Product Manager for Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, Elite brands, where he was named The Professor for his technical product knowledge, music enthusiasm and fervent support for dealers. Rob is an artist, singer, songwriter, and musician. The company says it is safe to say Rob’s ears are highly qualified when it comes to evaluating high-performance sound.

Logitech International has announced that, following an extensive, global search, its board of directors has appointed Hanneke Faber as the Company’s new chief executive officer. She will take on the role effective December 1, 2023.

“We are delighted to welcome Hanneke as our new chief executive officer,” said Wendy Becker, Logitech’s chairperson of the board. “Hanneke is an exceptional business executive with proven

leadership experience at a global scale. She has driven growth and transformation across multibillion-dollar businesses at three of the world’s leading product companies: Unilever, Ahold Delhaize and Procter & Gamble. Throughout her career, she has focused on innovation across diverse portfolios, fostering a deep connection with end-users in both mature and emerging markets and is a world-class sustainability leader who shares Logitech’s values and mindset.

“Hanneke will continue to drive the innovation Logitech is known for, and advance the company’s unique culture, to unlock Logitech’s full potential for long-term growth and increased value for all our stakeholders. Her passion and strategic vision will lead Logitech into our next chapter.”

Wendy added: “I want to thank Guy Gecht for his strong leadership and guidance during his time as interim CEO. In the last few months, he has led the disciplined execution of strategic priorities, working closely with employees, customers and partners. He will continue as interim CEO until December 1, 2023, before resuming his board responsibilities, including leading the Technology and Innovation Committee.”

“I am deeply honoured to join Logitech,” said Hanneke. “It’s a well-loved global brand that stands for user-focused design, engineering and innovation with an enviable reputation in sustainability. I cannot think of a more exciting time to be a part of the company’s future growth.

Emerging technologies expand opportunities across hybrid work, video conferencing, gaming and streaming for Logitech and our users. I look forward to joining this strong leadership team, partnering with talented employees and engaging with our valued customers around the world to take the company to new heights.”

As CEO, Hanneke will initially be based in Logitech’s headquarters in Switzerland, before relocating to Silicon Valley next year.

Robert Vieira

Hanneke Faber

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ENTER THE IMMERSIVE WORLD OF INFRASONICS SMSG50, 50-inch Active Infrasonic Subwoofer

Beyond the audible range and the limits of traditional subwoofers, infrasonic frequencies add a new dimension to the experience of home cinema immersion. For years Ascendo Immersive Audio has been perfecting their delivery, overcoming huge technical and performance challenges to create a range of infrasonic subwoofers that generates pressure waves as low as 5Hz, reproducing the hidden frequencies and harmonics in your film and music content you don’t hear but feel all around you. In this way, Ascendo defines the difference between merely listening and being there!

Infrasonic models include THE 24 SUB (24-inch driver), THE 32 SUB (32-inch driver), THE 50 SUB (50-inch driver) and the THE 80 SUB (80-inch driver).

Further information:

01423 358846, info@karma-av.co.uk, www.karma-av.co.uk

ESSENTIAL TOGETHER FOR CINEMA

A CINEMATIC HAVEN FOR WE ARE BEAMS: TOGETHER FOR CINEMA’S HEART-WARMING INITIATIVE In the heart of Hextable, Kent, the We Are Beams project, is one of the latest projects undertaken

by Together For Cinema (TFC) in collaboration with Ideaworks, which saw a media wall/ cinema room installed, helping to bring a little joy to the disabled children and young people facing an array of challenges. We Are Beams serves children living in Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks and the surrounding area who have learning, physical or sensory impairment.

Established as a charitable organisation in 1996, We Are Beams has been on a mission to provide comprehensive support services to families navigating the complexities of raising a disabled child and young people, using their expertise to help them achieve more independence and control of their futures.

The journey towards creating a cinematic haven for We Are Beams began when Peter Alloway of Invision UK, a football coach with a long record of working with disabled children, introduced the idea to TFC’s founder, Ian Morrish. Project Manager Kevin Andrews of Ideaworks, a Platinum Level Charitable Partner of TFC, eagerly embraced the opportunity to take on the installation.

14 DECEMBER 2023

With the room needing to remain multi-functional, the team prioritised creating a media wall solution to meet the diverse needs of the We Are Beams facility. Ideaworks designed and installed a bespoke media wall featuring lighting and panelling to offer a versatile AV facility. The collaboration enlisted support from various companies who supplied product, including the Philips Hue Lighting system, Sony 100in screen, Lutron automated blinds, MC2 cabinetry, Officina Acustica acoustic panelling, Sonos premium immersive set and DVDs from TFC. The installation took place at the end of September and was completed in a single day to minimise the impact on the day-to-day running of the facility. The opening reception took place on October 25 with attendance from Ideaworks, Invision, CEDIA, Essential Install, We Are Beams staff, and the children who go there. Paul Kennedy, Deputy Head of Charity at We Are Beams, praised Kevin and his team for delivering a magnificent media wall, lighting scheme and automated blinds, expressing his excitement about the upcoming movie evenings for the residents.

L to R Ian Morrish, Founder TFC, Danny Bourke and Rich Harris, Ideaworks, Katrina Adams, Head of Charity, We Are Beams

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ESSENTIAL TOGETHER FOR CINEMA To our Charitable Partners, your influence is immeasurable. Your collaboration with Together For Cinema sets in motion a cascade of positive change.

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF PARTNERS IN OUR CAUSE While funding remains a crucial element in the journey of Together For Cinema, we deeply appreciate the support we’ve received thus far.

However, the need for additional Partners is apparent as we strive to secure our future and Official opening day for the cinema!

broaden our impact on the community.

We invite you to join us in making a tangible difference in our community by becoming one

“Kevin and the team at Ideaworks did an

power to create special, memory-making spaces

amazing job,” says Ian. “The installation was

that make a real difference in the lives of those

comprehensive and their approach was so

they touch.

considerate. There’s no financial return for anyone involved, but the ‘feel-good’ factor of being part of such a meaningful project is priceless.”

“This project has been the most rewarding

of our 2024 Charitable Partners. The available packages are as follows: - Bronze

£500

CHARITABLE PARTNERS: MAKING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT

- Silver

£1,000

- Gold

£2,500

- Platinum £5,000

At the heart of Together For Cinema’s mission

Our Partners receive a specially curated

endeavour we’ve ever undertaken,” adds Kevin.

lies the invaluable support of its Charitable

Charitable Partner Pack, acknowledgment

“It has been an absolute pleasure for us to be

Partners. Their steadfast dedication has

on our website, and regular updates, all while

part of it.”

been instrumental in bringing about positive

contributing to a cause of genuine significance.

This

installation

Together

transformations in the lives of those in need –

For Cinema’s 41st cinema room project,

from children bravely facing illness to disabled

For further details and to explore how you can

contributing to over £1,000,000 worth of

young adults and their devoted caregivers. We

make a positive impact, please contact Ian

installations for various charitable causes. The

extend our sincere gratitude to our Charitable

Morrish at +44 (0)7768 398007 or via email

commitment of Ideaworks and other sponsors

Partners for playing a pivotal role in the

at ian@ad-con.uk. Your involvement can truly

continues to underscore the industry’s united

realisation of our mission.

make a difference.

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DECEMBER 2023 15

ESSENTIAL REVIEW

OPTIMUS PRIME? After more than two decades in the movie server business, Kaleidescape has become an iconic part of premium cinema installs. Richard Stevenson assesses the brand’s Strato C 4K UHD player and new Terra Prime movie server solution.

Back in the early 2000s, when DVD was emerging as the big thing for home cinema, I wrote extensively about Kalediescape’s pioneering ‘DVD-ripper’ that created a local HDD-based library of movies. The interface was so much slicker and quicker than loading your DVD player and waiting long enough to make a cup of tea for the disc to play and it pioneered convenient multiroom AV. I really wanted one.

In today’s media-free era of home movie entertainment, with big suppliers like Netflix,

16 DECEMBER 2023

Disney, Apple and Amazon offering mass content distribution over broadband, is there still room in the market for local content storage at all?

Kaleidescape thinks so and has cleverly moved its prime message from convenience to quality.

Having formed partnerships with over 30 movie houses and publishers, the system allows you to purchase and download near uncompressed versions of movies (up to four times the file sizes of Blu-ray) from a vast library and then play them as a local source when you like.

A two-hour movie on Netflix will be around 15GB of data with a video throughput of around 10Mbps with sound running at a paltry 0.5Mbps, or MP3 quality across multiple channel sound. The same movie on Blu-ray will be approximately 45GB with a video throughput of 50Mbps and 6Mbps sound. Kaleidescape movies are typically 70 to 80GB, with some titles being over 100GB in size and run from the Strato C player to display at an average of 65Mbps video and 6Mbps audio. The result is a much better picture and sound quality.

If your customer is spending serious money on their home cinema installation, will they pay for the best quality movie source available?

Quite likely, but is it good enough to justify Kaleidescape’s significant cost of entry?

Our review system comprised the Strato C player (£4485.00 retail) and the new Terra Prime Server in 8GB SSD spec (£9750.00 retail). While the Strato has been around a little while, the Terra Prime features an all-new board design with faster processing power and a faster network to make it the only dedicated movie server with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. The new servers are available with either highcapacity hard drives or fast solid-state drives from 8TB HDD (£4925.00 retail) to 88TB HDD (£24,240.00 retail).

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ESSENTIAL REVIEW Kaleidescape is keen to point out that all the drives are thoroughly tested for compatibility and longevity (engineering time). All drives also have custom firmware included to reduce acoustic noise - essentially these are high-performance drives customised for Kaleidescape.

Connection to the network is ideally straight to the router over Cat7/8 to achieve the 2.5 Gig ethernet speed, but the Kaleidescape worked just fine on my 1 Gig system and a switch.

HDMIs need to be top-spec, particularly if you are running longer lengths. First attempts here with coupled 10m + 5m cables didn’t cut it, but an 8m 8K spec cable direct to the projector and a 5m cable from the Strato C’s ‘audio out’ HDMI port to the AVR proved ideal.

The set-up interface can be accessed by the IP address of each device directly or via a rather handy QR code on a set-up sheet in the box.

This interface is neat and clean with a trafficlight based system (well, Red, Amber, Green plus Blue for ‘everything OK’) on the quality of the HDMI connection, Network and parameters of the image transfer to the display such as colour gamut, resolution and frame rate. This is a very slick way of identifying niggly little issues with the cabling or ancillary equipment set up, and can be accessed remotely via Kaleidescape support.

The Strato C comes with a neat remote control reminiscent of an Apple TV device and an app, both of which offer browsing, buying and playback controls. On-screen, you get a raft of display and interface options, but I had to go with Kaleidescape’s iconic home page featuring a full screen of movie covers.

For the second EI review in a row, I was absolutely blown away with the performance of our review sample to the point I am working out how to afford it! The picture and sound are off-the-charts better than anything from Netflix

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and significantly improve on Blu-ray. Video clarity, depth, image punch and detail are all frankly outstanding, and I seriously didn’t realise my Sony VPL-XW7000ES projector was capable of such a stunning output.

KEEP IT KALEIDESCAPE

Playing the original Matrix in 4K from the Kaleidescape back-to-back with the Apple TV 4K stream is eye-opening, with the Kaleidescape lifting a veil from the lobby scene, revealing exceptional detailing in both Neo’s matt black coat and Trinity’s gloss black PVC suit. No artefacts, no colour banding, no noise even in the darkest areas and a notable increase in perceived contrast. The sound is perhaps an even more dramatic advert for the higher bitrate version of movies over streaming, with the soundstage scale becoming larger, effects clearer and more detailed and LFE getting significantly tighter and deeper.

Switching to Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall in 4K HDR is jaw-dropping, with superb sound and black background levels that allowed my projector and screen combo to give an OLED a run for its money. All the meta-data and flags were fully intact on all movies and content I tried, triggering correct audio codecs and projector video modes, and this extends to automatic screen masking systems if the installation has them.

Having seen an image comparison slider on almost every TV manufacturer’s website comparing ‘our screen vs their screen’, I am more than sceptical about these marketing tools.

There is one on Kalediescape’s site (https:// www.kaleidescape.com/compare/) comparing Kaleidescape vs Streaming, and I would urge you to take a look and show your customers. It is the first genuinely accurate comparison slider I have seen and shows just what is possible from

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having your movie source in the largest, least compressed format possible.

Kalediescape’s UK movie store library is vast and purchasing new movies is very slick. However it is important to note that the VPN method is against the SLA that users sign. The download time is a function of broadband speed, but unless you are in a serious hurry, forward planning and overnight downloading are the way to go.

Once the movie is purchased, it can be deleted from the Terra Prime server if you are running out of space and downloaded again for free at any time.

At roughly £20-£30 per movie purchase, it’s not cheap, though, and adding in the hardware cost, which could mount up if the user wants multiple players in different zones and a larger Terra Prime server, makes Kaleidescape a premium service. Yet, the Kaleidescape system we tested here is almost the same hardware price as the Sony projector and offers a simply staggering AV performance upgrade over streaming services.

For customers who demand the best, Kaleidescape is an easy to demonstrate and extremely compelling proposition – and I still really want one.

DECEMBER 2023 17

SMART THINKING

IS IT TIME FOR 8K HOME CINEMA? Joe Carri, EI regular and Director at Prestige Audio takes a look at the current situation with 8K.

We are often asked when is the right time to transition into new technologies to enhance the performance of home cinema and media room systems. A question that is coming up currently is, ‘Is the time right to move into 8K capable home cinema systems?’ The short answer is no; read on to find out why.

The simple reason for our position is that the technology necessary to make this happen is not mature enough at this point to deliver the reliability that must be built into every system.

As a rule, we always wait for a technology to be developed enough for us to be sure that it will work all of the time, every time.

4K capable systems are now common and the preferred standard for most cinemas.

However, there were issues when the concept was first introduced including some manufacturers producing ‘4K capable’ products that were in advance of the format being formally established and standardised. This meant that some of that equipment was not compatible with other products in the system and the dreaded blank screen resulted from issues such as failed ‘handshakes’ between equipment.

Waiting until the 4K standard was established properly, and there being a good choice of reliable and high-performance products available, paid dividends because those installation companies that followed this path maintained the reliability and credibility of what they were offering. Even at this point, there can be issues with 4K, particularly when dealing

18 DECEMBER 2023

with streaming services where content can look below par even under ideal circumstances, with a strong network and properly connected highperformance products. Systems can be at the mercy of the streaming broadcasters, who do not always deliver the very highest standard possible. While streaming services are certainly very popular it is still possible to argue the very best way to get a good reliable 4K signal is from a Blu-ray disc.

It is also worth remembering what we are actually asking the equipment and the broadcasters to do. It is not a small step: 8K means quadrupling the resolution of the current 4K world, so we are asking the equipment to make a very significant leap.

As we can see, new technologies take time to bed in and responsible installation companies wait until an acceptable level of reliability is in place before offering them to customers.

THE ISSUES WITH 8K

The first thing to highlight is there is little or no native 8K content available. It is possible to create 8K content and load it onto YouTube or Vimeo, but this is not the professional-level broadcast-quality content that we would use in a home cinema.

Currently, there is one broadcast channel in Japan issuing a native 8K signal and in terms of broadcast level quality for the globe, that is it.

Amazon Prime Video, Google, IMAX and Roku

are all members of the 8K Association, so we can assume they have ambitions in this area but at present, there are no concrete plans.

There is also an issue with equipment.

There are a number of TVs that are 8K capable and currently JVC has a projector capable of upscaling 4K content to 8K. Currently, as far as we are aware, Digital Projection is the only maker producing a natively compatible 8K projector. With little or no content to display, this equipment relies mostly on upscaling existing 4K signals to an 8K quality. In the case of JVC, the projector is not 8K native capable but only has the ability of upscaling a 4K signal to 8K. Equipment-wise, 8K will be part of next-gen gaming systems. Sony and Microsoft have said PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S and X consoles will be upgradeable in the future to support native 8K, but again that is in the future - at the moment we could find only one game that is 8K. So currently even if you have a piece of equipment that is 8K capable, you are going to be watching an upscaled 4K picture, not true 8K. Some of the results here are impressive, but we are still a very long way from a true 8K infrastructure.

A universal standard has also yet to be agreed for the format. The term 8K is still generic and usually means any resolution with a horizontal pixel count of around 8,000. Different 8K resolutions have been standardised by various organisations, so currently, there is no globally agreed standard for broadcasters and content makers to adhere to, which is not ideal. To add to the situation, the 8K Association has stated that the Blu-ray disc format will not extend to 8K because of the industry’s move to streaming rather than physical media. Potentially this could push an 8K world back even further.

One final thing to consider here is that content creators often take time to get used to using a new format effectively. 4K content has not only needed time to bed into the equipment but also into the way that content is produced.

Taking the step into 8K is another huge leap – it will take time.

Taking all of this into consideration, our current advice to customers is if they want to buy a TV or a projector that is capable of upscaling to 8K, some good results can be had from that, however we are still a very long way from a native 8K world.

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ESSENTIAL CUK

THE SMARTEST WAY TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN YOUR INSTALLS Designed for single person install, Erard Pro’s innovative range of AV equipment supports makes multiple installations a synch says CUK MD Stuart Thomson.

At CUK we’re always on the lookout for innovative brands which boost quality and durability in the shortest time possible, saving our customers precious time and adding value. Having supported thousands of commercial and residential projects, we know just how laborious and time consuming the unglamourous aspects of any project can be, especially in the final stages, when for instance, you’re confronted by the task of mounting and securing hardware in multiple locations.

So, with this in mind, we’re delighted to offer integrators arguably the most innovative, wideranging and competitive line of AV equipment supports available.

SECURE AND EASY TO USE

Established for over six decades, Erard Pro has evolved a design ethos dedicated to reducing the labour cost of installing and maintaining AV hardware. With a range of labour-saving designs, many for single-person install, Erard Pro cuts time on site while improving access to hardware. It offers the widest range of VESA-ready mounts for all screen sizes and types, as well as enclosures for screens, totems/kiosks, projector mounts, mobile carts, projection screens and connection systems for discreet and harmonious integration. There’s a huge choice of innovatively engineered products for every CI application, but perhaps the most innovative of all is the new DO-IT line of TV mounts.

JUST DO-IT

Exemplifying the brand’s desire for practicality and durability the DO-IT range is created for easy, single person installation with an integrated spirit level and off-centre spacers to correct horizontality after drilling. Simply fit the bracket to the TV according to the VESA spec and lift it into place on the wall mount.

Once locked securely in position the display can be released for removal via a simple pull cord which is stored behind the screen away from prying fingers. Genius. Designed in steel for screens from 19 to 85in and safety tested to weights exceeding 120kg, the FIXIT ultra-thin fixed wall mounts and TILTIT tilting wall mounts (25° tilt) secure the screen just 16mm from the wall surface, while the TWISTIT tilting and swivelling wall mounts offer 25° tilt and 180° swivel.

20 DECEMBER 2023

From the same range, the BOXIT model includes an integrated ‘pop-out’ rack for the vertical mounting of AV devices such as STBs/ Sky Q etc behind the screen. Additionally, the STANDIT design is an elegant, heightadjustable mount cleverly conceived to stand securely flush with the wall (aided by an adjustable stabilising pad), avoiding drilling altogether. It’s the perfect choice where drilling is unwanted or impractical: into glass partitions for instance.

ONE STOP SUPPORT SHOP

The other big time saver is the reach of all this innovation under one roof. Whether you need a simple low-cost solution for mounting tens of screens in a large house and night club (use the CLIFF range), fixed or tilting wall mounts for the heaviest displays (INTEGRA is specified up to 120kg), rotating mounts, mobile floor stands (KANA for instance) or even outdoor kiosks (OUTDOOH), Erard Pro is the go-to resource for integrators wishing to complete any job securely and in a fraction of the time. And when the widest range of accessories is also available for mounting all types of ancillary kit: cameras, soundbars etc, chances are that if you think it, Erard Pro will already have it. If not, Erard’s experienced R&D team is ready with a proven record in developing bespoke solutions for commercial and residential clients. In other words, when you’re asking for reliable, time-saving solutions for any CI design challenge, Erard Pro and CUK can help you with the answer.

For screens from 19 to 85-inch and safety tested up to 280kg, the beautifully simple FIXIT range makes secure installs quick and easy

The BOXIT wall mount includes a pop out rack for integrating AV boxes behind the screen

Visit Erard Pro at ISE: large selection of products at stand 3N800 Erard Pro in practice: view the FIXIT video

https://bit.ly/46jmUaI

For further information, please contact: +44 (0) 141 440 5333, enquiries@cuk-group.com, cuk-group.com

The elegant STANDIT mount is designed to secure the screen to a wall without drilling, making it perfect for glass partitions for instance

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ESSENTIAL HVAC

Mixed heating methods and some modern design layouts create challenges for HVAC

TURNING UP THE HEAT Following up a ‘Smart Thinking’ comment from earlier in the year, Dave Robinson, Managing Director of Sensible Heat Ltd, examines some important issues impacting HVAC controls and finds a sector facing increasing complication.

The biggest issue impacting our part of the smart building market in recent times has definitely been the cost of energy. The HVAC system in a house is by far the biggest user of energy – for space heating, domestic hot water heating, swimming pools, comfort cooling and ventilation. In some cases, the annual energy bill for a substantial property can now easily exceed £100K/per year, and in some extreme cases could run close to seven figures. Amounts like these are now (often for the first time) on the radar of high-net-worth property owners and they are wondering what can be done to lower them. This presents an opportunity to us all for up-selling.

HVAC controls have rarely been ‘sexy’, they are usually fairly low down on the list of an enduser’s list of ‘must haves’, often considered to be a dull essential or a grudge purchase, like a fire alarm system. However, unlike an alarm system, they do in fact potentially have a payback, both in terms of increased comfort, but also significantly in energy-saving terms. We’ve found that we are spending loads more time

22 DECEMBER 2023

discussing energy usage, and how this might be eased, with both owners and the teams supporting their properties. Incidentally, isn’t it interesting that when specifications and drawings are prepared for a new build or major refurbishment, there is little or no reference to projected running costs for the completed building? Consequently, we’ve increasingly been drawn into discussions prompted by the client who has been shocked by the first tranche of energy bills. One wonders, for instance, when the issue of a cover for the swimming pool was discussed, was energy even mentioned? A pool without a cover looks so much slicker in the architect’s portfolio pictures, but it could easily be a £25k per year decision to not use one!

ADDRESSING THE REDUCTION OF ENERGY

There are of course things that can and should be done to the building fabric: better insulation, control of air infiltration, sympathetic use of both passive solar heating and solar shading

to prevent overheating, for example. There are also advances in heating and cooling plant (heat pumps being the obvious example), but there are also many things that better heating and cooling controls can do to mitigate the use of energy. The ways to reduce energy consumption using advanced heating controls boil down to three basic topics: • Better temperature regulation, to avoid any spaces overheating (or over cooling) • Shutting down areas of the house when they are not in use, or shutting down the whole house when the property is empty • Ensuring that the heating and cooling plant is maintained properly and is operating to its design parameters Taking each of these topics in turn, how might we apply our skills and technology to help? Firstly, accurate control of heating is very important – allowing a space to overheat by only 1 degC can increase energy usage by 10%. So, proper control valves and temperature controllers are

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available at

Elegant HVAC for Smart Home Integrators

Aurea Acurus

ESSENTIAL HVAC a must. For radiators, the mechanical thermostatic valve is notoriously ‘approximate’ in its ability to control temperature – that’s why it has numbers one to five, instead of temperatures. Products like the Honeywell EvoHome radiator controller can help. With its motorised actuator, built-in sensors and control algorithms, it will achieve high degrees of accuracy and repeatability and it is ideal for retrofit or new-builds. Similarly, for underfloor heating, accurate control is challenging – but for different reasons. For this application, you need a premium controller product to cope with the large thermal mass of the floor to avoid unstable cycling. We use the Honeywell EvoHome underfloor heating controls because we find their sophisticated fuzzy logic, self-learning algorithms give accurate control over a large range of different floor types and room sizes. Zoning the building so that every room is separately controllable is essential to maximise energy savings – now we can make ‘live’ only the rooms that are being used, whilst keeping other rooms on ‘standby’ at a lower temperature. I experienced this for myself last winter – for the first time. I used the system in my own house (which is an 18th century, poorly insulated property) to concentrate heat in the rooms we were using (at 21-22 degC), and run circulation spaces and unused bedrooms etc at a lower temperature (around 16 degC). It really worked; despite there being standard doors and lath-and-plaster walls between rooms, it was possible to maintain the temperature differential and make an energy saving of some 45% over the previous year. The third area, that of ensuring the HVAC plant is working at maximum efficiency, is often the most challenging, because it needs not only to monitor the plant’s performance, but also analyse the monitored data and interpret it.

For instance, to identify a likely stuck valve, or failed actuator. Maybe the overall control strategy for the plant needs to be revised? Good, detailed knowledge of HVAC plant is a prerequisite, so forming a partnership with a good HVAC specialist is a good idea! With tools like North’s Commander Hub we can access HVAC systems remotely via a North cloud-based server. No dedicated VPN is needed, the only requirement is that the Commanders on site can access the internet. They then automatically contact the cloud server periodically to save data and receive any changes to settings etc. The cloud server also records all of the data point values from the site (temperatures, setpoints, status of plant etc) and these can be seen historically in graphical form. The data can be complex and require some interpretation, but as a tool for professionals this is a powerful resource.

In conclusion, we feel that increasingly we’re finding the introduction of fresh regulations and new technologies mean that the challenge of getting HVAC control right is challenging and application knowledge is crucial. So, it’s a good idea to make an HVAC specialist part of your team by partnering with a specialist.

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Improving energy efficiency is a huge issue

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DECEMBER 2023 25

ESSENTIAL HVAC

Images courtesy of an IndigoZest

IN THE ZONE Matt Emberson, Sales and Marketing Director at Faradite, examines the advantages of zoned heating.

Zoned heating offers a host of benefits that enhance both comfort and energy efficiency in a home. One of the primary advantages is the ability for the homeowner to tailor the temperature in different areas of the building to individual user preferences. This means that each room can be set to its ideal temperature, and where required, its own schedule, eliminating the need to heat or cool the entire house uniformly.

We can further enhance the zoned heating system by integrating motion sensors with the HVAC system. In most cases, we think of motion sensors as being a great technology for turning on lights as we enter the room. This works well as lighting can be brought on instantly, and turned off just as fast when the room is no longer occupied. Trying to use motion sensors in the same way to control heating would be utterly useless as warming a room can be a slow process depending on the thermodynamic properties of the space.

But motion sensors linked to HVAC can offer some very powerful automation solutions.

For example, a motion sensor does not only provide automation based on presence, it can be equally powerful providing automation based on absence. For example, a zoned heating system where the schedule is due to

26 DECEMBER 2023

bring the living room, kitchen and dining to the comfort temperature at 5pm could be linked to the motion detectors on the smart home system to override this if no motion has been detected in the home for the past three hours.

The smart home would essentially know that the home is unoccupied and therefore not ramp the heating up to the comfort temperature, saving energy and money for the homeowner.

Should the homeowner return home during this period, motion sensors can be configured to detect they have returned home and override the remaining schedule up to the comfort temperature. Again, it’s important to stress that with smart, well designed systems heating is not turned ‘on’ and ‘off’. Instead we have a schedule that moves between different modes, which are essentially different set points throughout the day.

There are other sensors that, in my opinion, should absolutely be considered when designing HVAC systems, such as door/ window contacts. Typically these little devices are thought of as alarm sensors, but they are capable of more, so much more. Linking window contacts to a room’s heating system is a smart and efficient approach to managing indoor climate control. Window contacts, which can detect when a window is opened or closed,

provide valuable information to the heating system. By integrating them, the heating system can respond intelligently to maintain optimal comfort and energy efficiency.

When a window is opened, the heating system can temporarily reduce or even pause heating to prevent energy wastage, ensuring that warm air is not lost to the outside.

Conversely, when a window is closed, the heating system can resume its normal operation, maintaining the desired temperature. This is a practical way to create a more responsive and environmentally-friendly heating system that works harmoniously with the whims of the occupants. Well designed automation systems should dynamically respond to users ad-hoc changes without system conflicts or errors, instead the smart system should detect the change in pattern and adjust accordingly.

There are more reasons than ever to make sure heating systems are working as efficiently as possible. Our carbon footprint is something we should all be aware of and working to reduce it where we can. An intelligently automated, zoned heating system can help achieve this and if it saves a bit of money in the process - well that should certainly leave homeowners feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

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STANDiiT

INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT SUPPORTS Multiple installations can be completed securely and to a high standard by a single person in a fraction of the time taken up by conventional mounts.

• ‘FIXiT’ ultra-thin fixed wall mounts • ‘TILTiT’ (25° tilt) • ‘TWISTiT’ (25° tilt, 180° swivel) • ‘BOXiT’ with pop-out’ rack for AV devices • STANDiT height-adjustable wall mount no drilling required

For further information please contact CUK. 0141 440 5333 • enquiries@cuk-group.com • cuk-group.com

ESSENTIAL HVAC

MASTERING HVAC INTEGRATION WITH HOME CONTROL SYSTEMS A guide on how to achieve optimal results when integrating HVAC with home control systems, courtesy of Steven Crocombe, Director at home technology specialist, Imperium.

The world of custom installations has seen a seismic shift in the last decade. As homes get smarter, so too does our approach to integrating the multitude of systems within them. Among these, the fusion of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems with home control systems stands as a pinnacle of seamless home automation. When done right, this union offers homeowners unparalleled comfort, energy efficiency and ease of use. However, integrating these systems can sometimes feel like merging two different universes. So, how can a custom install company achieve the best results?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLATFORM

It begins with selecting a home control platform compatible with a broad range of HVAC systems. A platform that provides robust support ensures that the integration process is smoother, regardless of the HVAC equipment brand or type. While there are many options in the market, research those with proven track records in HVAC integration and positive user reviews. Choose brands with interfaces geared towards a user-friendly experience.

USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACES

A crucial aspect to consider is the user interface. For homeowners, a system that’s hard to navigate or understand can nullify any other benefits the integration might bring.

Touchscreens, mobile apps and voice-controlled systems are currently the trend. The aim is to provide intuitive control, allowing users to easily adjust temperature, humidity and other settings. This ensures homeowners can tailor their environment precisely to their preferences without needing an instruction manual at hand.

SELECTING COMPATIBLE SYSTEMS

The foundation of a successful integration lies in compatibility. Ensure that the HVAC control hardware seamlessly aligns with the chosen home control system, chose systems that use compatible communications protocols such as

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KNX or BACnet and learn how to leverage these protocols effectively. Thoroughly research and consult a Building Management Systems (BMS) controls specialist and BMS manufacturers to make well-informed decisions in this regard.

ENGAGE WITH THE HVAC CONTROL (BMS) SPECIALIST EARLY

The controls specialist will have a broad understanding of all M&E equipment across the property and will understand the best ways to control the equipment to meet regulatory and safety requirements, as well as to provide the best possible comfort and convenience for the end user. Working alongside the controls specialist early in the project will allow any potential hurdles to be dealt with early and save future headaches!

EMBRACING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Homeowners are increasingly environmentally conscious, making energy efficiency a top priority. The synergy of HVAC and home control systems offers a unique opportunity to enhance energy savings.

For instance, integrated systems can automatically turn off the air conditioner when windows are opened or reduce heating in rooms that aren’t in use. Current trends also include zone-based systems which heat, or cool specific rooms based on occupancy, ensuring that energy isn’t wasted on empty spaces.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION SMART HOME FEATURES

The real magic happens when HVAC control becomes just a part of a more comprehensive home automation setup. Imagine a scenario where the blinds automatically lower during the hottest part of the day, the air conditioning starts as the room reaches a particular temperature, and lights adjust to the time of day — all working in tandem with the HVAC system. This level of integration is where the future lies, creating an ecosystem where every element complements the other.

Integrating HVAC with home control systems is not just about combining two technologies.

It’s about creating an environment where comfort meets convenience and efficiency intertwines with innovation. As custom install companies, embracing the current trends and technologies, from integrated HVAC control systems to data-driven predictive analysis, is paramount. By doing so, you offer homeowners a living experience that’s truly in tune with the 21st century.

LEVERAGING DATA AND PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS

Modern integrated systems are goldmines of data. They constantly collect information about user preferences, outdoor and indoor temperatures, humidity levels and more.

Advanced home control platforms utilise this data for predictive analysis. This means the system can anticipate user needs based on past behaviour, ensuring optimal comfort without the user having to lift a finger. This ‘thinking ahead’ feature is one of the newest trends driving the sector forward.

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Imperium reports good results when integrating the Basalte platform with HVAC systems

DECEMBER 2023 29

ESSENTIAL DBM

DbM AND MERIDIAN Meridian is a British audio technology pioneer. For more than 40 years, Meridian has pushed boundaries, disrupted norms and engineered products that have shaped the industry. As it breaks new ground through research, Meridian will continue to challenge convention to enrich people’s lives and redefine how customers experience sound.

THE MERIDIAN STORY Since 1977, Meridian has been crafting innovative, elegant, high performance audio solutions. From its flagship DSP loudspeakers with integrated amplification, to its discreet and powerful range of in-wall loudspeakers, the manufacturer delivers easy to install, high resolution audio systems for home cinemas and whole home solutions.

Meridian products are sold by custom integrators and audio specialists in more than 80 countries, worldwide. The company also works with many of the world’s leading brands enabling millions of consumers around the world to experience authentic, lifelike and natural sound throughout their homes, and in automotive and airline settings – ultimately transforming the way people experience sound, wherever they may be.

DBM AND MERIDIAN JOIN FORCES DbM is the distribution arm of Meridian. The manufacturer started partnering with other brands in 2017 to provide its customers with a wider range of solutions. In 2020, Meridian formalised this division by announcing the rebrand and development of DbM. “DbM is an extension of the Meridian Audio experience, giving manufactures who share our desire for greatness more options,” comments Katy Bradshaw, Director of Marketing at DbM. “DbM helps our dealers provide authentic and exceptional home theatre experiences for their clients.”

30 DECEMBER 2023

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

When it comes to standout surround sound, Meridian Audio’s Architectural range of loudspeakers incorporates resolutionenhancing technologies for the ultimate listening experience. The Reference range includes the DSP750 and DSP730 In-Wall Loudspeakers, delivering hi-res audio and offering the very best in dynamics and clarity. The Performance range features the DSP640.2 and DSP520.2 In-Wall Loudspeakers, the DSP320.2 In-Ceiling / InWall Loudspeaker and the DSW600 Digital Active In-Wall Subwoofer, delivering fast, powerful, dynamic and accurate bass.

• Bass Augmentation Partner a Meridian in-wall DSP loudspeaker with the DSW600 subwoofer to offer seamless, full range performance from a twobox full-range system. This allows the sub to fill in the lower registers of bass, leaving the loudspeaker to handle the frequencies above 80Hz. This not only increases the bass performance, but the overall headroom too – resulting in a big sounding system that offers an amazing sound stage, huge power and absolute clarity and fidelity, but with a small visual impact that only requires a 100mm installation depth.

With DSP technology, this is simple, easy and acoustically transparent. Bass Augmentation is incredibly simple to set up from the Meridian app and our engineering team have managed the bass integration without group delay, for repeatable results in every project.

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• High-Power Array When designing home cinemas, integrators have peak SPL targets to hit - based on industry best practice guidelines. As the room gets larger, the challenge is the requirement for higher and higher SPL from the loudspeakers, due to the way volume reduces over distance.

High-Power Array (HPA) is a patented Meridian technology that enables the use of three Meridian architectural loudspeakers per channel, arranged in a close-proximity array configuration. The HPA technology eliminates the comb filtering usually associated with three speakers placed closely together, ensuring minimal interference and spectral variation between speakers. This results in an even response with incredibly high SPL (up to 125dB at 1m!) so that every listener in the room gets to experience Meridian’s signature high-resolution sound and fidelity.

This installation method also enables the integrator to maintain the 100mm mounting depth, and the additional channels don’t require any extra equipment in the rack.

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ESSENTIAL VOICE CONTROL, AUTOMATION AND AI

WHAT’S AI GOT TO DO WITH IT? Phil Pini, Director of Residential Sales (UK) Crestron assesses the AI situation.

Artificial intelligence is having quite a moment: from ChatGPT’s ability to fake its way through a student essay to Hollywood actors striking to prevent deep fakes from replacing their livelihoods, the news around the technology seems to waffle between wonderment and terror. In the immortal words of Douglas Adams, “Don’t panic.” First things first: When it comes to the smart home, it’s worth noting that...

MACHINE LEARNING IS NOT AI The terms are squishy and often (incorrectly) used interchangeably. While machine learning is a subset of AI, the two terms have very different definitions. Yes, the former does use historical data to execute a function – but it’s not trying to mimic human behavior and solve complex problems. It doesn’t have the capacity for deep neural learning that AI has.

For years, smart thermostats have been referred to as devices that employ AI to learn and mimic climate settings that humans prefer in buildings. All these thermostats are doing is imitating HVAC patterns that humans have previously set so the device can adjust temps automatically throughout the day.

The thermostat has no concept of ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ per se – nor can it truly differentiate between users or perform a myriad of other functions that might make it seem more ‘human-like.’

34 DECEMBER 2023

And therein lies the difference: AI is constantly learning to become more human-like.

At this moment, AI is impacting more commercial installations than residential integrations. Cameras powered by software that can recognise individuals and texts that can fill in late-arriving attendees as to the content (and even tone) of the meeting they’ve just joined are all quite possible now – even though their legality may be up for debate.

So how does all that translate to the home?

Setting privacy concerns aside for the moment, let’s think of the potential for these technologies in the residential space.

An environmental and entertainment experience curated for each resident in a home.

Imagine a smart home system that recognised you, the individual, and cued up the genre of music that you’re most fond of enjoying at the end of your day. Now add the ability of the system to take certain cues from you and understand your mood on a given afternoon – are you up for Mozart or Metallica? Getting ready to turn in or gearing up for a night out?

Now, expand that concept to everything from climate to lighting and you begin to see how a home’s AI could adapt to your every mood.

A SMART HOME THAT’S PREDICTIVE, NOT REACTIVE

How about a residence that’s constantly scanning its own subsystems, looking for

issues, and alerting the owner – or even fixing – the issue? Yes, there may come a day when a home might not just be able to recognise a faulty outlet but actually shut it down and repair it.

AN ASSISTANT THAT’S MORE THAN VIRTUAL

While the first thing we may think of is an automated life of leisure, the potential for robotics driven by AI to positively impact those with special needs cannot be overstated. From assisting with physical tasks to even recognising when a user needs a calm, empathetic voice to lift the spirits, these technologies may one day have the ability to become truly transformational for those in need.

Eventually, even the machines themselves will be able to craft custom solutions for the home – but we’re not quite to the point yet where the gadgets themselves come up with the ‘Next Big Idea’. From modernisation to maintenance, the artificial can’t grow and be trusted without its human counterparts, creating and nurturing the programs and machines – and keeping them from running amok.

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ESSENTIAL VOICE CONTROL, AUTOMATION AND AI

AI AND THE SMART HOME AI is everywhere in our lives today. As well as being all-pervasive, it’s changing fast, evolving in new directions seemingly every day. AI is already having an impact both on the solutions that integrators can offer clients and the way that integrators design and install systems.

Jeff Hayward, presenter of The Integrated Home podcast, highlights some of the industry talking points presented by AI. In the latest episode of The Integrated Home

Chat GPT and come back with very plausible

effort in designing systems for customers as

podcast, we caught up with two luminaries from

and reasonable movie answers to such an

well as in programming and maintaining them

the CEDIA Tech Council, Peter Aylett and Rich

ambiguous query and ask would you like me to

for clients.

Green to find out their take on all things AI. It was

play that movie for you now? At this point, AI

a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation,

becomes much more interesting and useful.”

leaving us with plenty of food for thought.

“AI is a marketer’s dream,” according to

In the podcast, Rich outlines why AI is

Peter. “But, as an industry, we still need to go

nothing less than a huge change in the course of

back to our customers and inject humanity into

human evolution with profound implications for

it and figure out how might we use technology

how we live our lives.

in the built environment to enhance the human

“At present, it may not feel much more than

condition. I don’t think we as an industry really

a parlour trick,” says Rich. “It’s a way to push

know what it means apart from that it’s probably

buttons on control systems, but you use your

quite cool.”

voice to push the buttons. So big deal. That

What’s clear from listening to Rich and Peter

doesn’t excite me or throw me terribly. What

is that we’re at the beginning of a journey on

does get me excited is when you start to see

how AI can be enabled to improve the customer

conversations about generative large language

experience. And, as an industry, we need to

models where the control system that uses

embrace it.

We’re sure that many exhibitors at ISE 2024 will be showcasing how AI is playing a bigger and bigger role in product and technology innovation. We’re also excited to see that CEDIA will be addressing AI in its Smart Home Technology Conference programme at the event with two sessions.

‘How AI Language Tools Can Revolutionize Workflows For Technology Integrators’ will explain how AI large language model tools are changing the game for integrators, enabling them to work faster, smarter, and better.

‘AI Threats & Cybersecurity for Smart Home Professionals’ will explore the intricacies of network security, data protection, and threat

voice to push buttons can actually answer more

The podcast conversation then moves on to

complex and abstract questions. For example,

look at AI and its implications for how integrators

mitigation, and the immediate and evolving

when you can ask, “what was that movie that

work. Rich and Peter both agree that AI will have

dangers enabled by AI.

had that star that had a stutter and I think he

a huge effect here. It offers a path for installation

You can find out more about this programme

was flying an airplane?” AI can reach out to

companies to save vast amounts of time and

and register for your place at www.iseurope.org.

36 DECEMBER 2023

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ESSENTIAL VOICE CONTROL, AUTOMATION AND AI

HOW AI COULD REVOLUTIONISE OUR INDUSTRY IN 2024 Experienced automation professional Cliff Stammers, founder of Clever Rooms and EI regular contributor, offers his insight into the future of AI, with some help....

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into custom electronic installations will, in the coming 12 months, undoubtedly herald a significant leap forward in the deployment and management of integrated technologies which are currently associated with the smart home and commercial installation industry. AI’s impact is poised to revolutionise the way electronic systems are designed, installed and managed, ushering in a new era of seamless automation, personalised experiences, and enhanced efficiency. AI is poised to streamline the design and implementation process of custom electronic installations in some significant way.

Advanced AI algorithms can already analyse floor plans, user preferences, and building structures and from that can generate optimised designs for smart systems. These systems can include integrated audiovisual setups, lighting controls, security systems, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and more. AI-driven design tools also enable rapid prototyping and simulations, allowing installers to visualise system behaviour before physical implementation gets under way.

One of the most significant impacts of AI in custom electronic installations is intelligent automation. AI algorithms will learn user

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behaviour and preferences over time, allowing for automated adjustments and predictive actions. For instance, smart homes equipped with AI can adjust lighting, temperature and music preferences based on the occupants’ habits and schedules. These systems optimise energy usage, enhance comfort and adapt to changing conditions without any manual intervention whatsoever.

AI-driven custom electronic installations prioritise the user experience by offering intuitive interfaces and personalised interactions.

Voice-controlled assistants, powered by AI, enable seamless communication and control of smart devices within the installation. Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms enable these systems to understand and respond to verbal commands, making interactions more conversational and user-friendly.

Moreover, AI-driven recommendation engines suggest personalised settings or content preferences based on user habits and external factors, creating tailored experiences within the installed electronic systems.

AI’s predictive capabilities extend to maintenance and system optimisation. AI algorithms can analyse data from sensors embedded in electronic installations and will

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predict equipment failures or performance issues before they occur. In fact, they’re already doing it. This proactive approach to maintenance reduces downtime, prevents system failures, and prolongs the lifespan of installed devices.

Additionally, AI-driven analytics will continuously optimise system performance by adjusting settings, identifying inefficiencies, and recommending improvements. These optimisations ensure that electronic installations operate at peak efficiency while minimising energy consumption and operational costs.

Despite its potential benefits, integrating AI obviously will present some challenges. Privacy and security concerns will arise due to the vast amount of data collected and processed

by AI-driven systems. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures and implementing privacy safeguards will be crucial to protecting user data and preventing unauthorised access to smart systems.

Furthermore, there might be a learning curve for users adapting to AI-driven interfaces and functionalities. Providing adequate user training and intuitive interfaces is essential to maximise the benefits of AI-powered installations.

All in all, AI’s integration into custom electronic installations holds immense promise for creating intelligent, responsive, and personalised environments. From streamlining design and implementation to enhancing user experiences and predictive maintenance, AI is reshaping how electronic systems are conceptualised, installed and managed.

Embracing this technology while addressing associated challenges will pave the way for a future where smart spaces cater to individual needs while maximising efficiency and convenience.

And if you still don’t believe that AI is going to be a game changer right across the board, it may interest you to know that everything you have read in the paragraphs above was automatically generated using a popular AI online text generation product in less than 20 seconds.

Where does all of this, leave all of us?

DECEMBER 2023 37

SMART THINKING

WAVEFORMING EXPLAINED David Meyerowitz, Technical Sales Manager - International at Trinnov Audio gives EI readers a detailed rundown of the company’s recently unveiled WaveForming technology, designed to deliver next-level audio performance. Part one, with part two to come next issue.

After six years of fundamental research,

The next challenging element is in the

to-seat consistency between 20-100Hz. The

Trinnov Audio introduced its WaveForming

time domain. Simply adding more subwoofers

first graph below is the frequency response

technology to the industry at ISE 2023.

doesn’t address the time aspect of low frequencies. You can get all frequencies to

measured in different locations within the

A lot has happened since then and today, multiple speaker manufacturers, distributors,

play at the same level for that one seat easily

and dealers are now equipped with this

enough, but those frequencies will likely have

groundbreaking technology. Trinnov Audio has

widely different decay times. This leads to bass

now released its Early-Access program, which

notes that are still louder than others that decay

enables qualifying showrooms and end-user

at different rates. The result is a colored sound

projects to gain access to the software. These

that calls undue attention to certain frequencies

projects must comply with Trinnov’s subwoofer

as they linger far too long.

placement recommendations and dealers

It’s easy to understand this by visualising

must go through a dedicated WaveForming

the problems graphically. Let’s first look at seat-

room without any bass optimisation (Before).

The second graph shows how much closer the seat by seat responses become after applying WaveForming (After). This means that each listener is hearing all frequencies at nearly the same level regardless of where they sit! In the before graph, you are looking at swings of ±10db, or more, and in the after, it’s closer to ±2db variation.

training prior to the installation.

Before getting into the how, let’s look at the why. Why do you need WaveForming and what problems is it designed to solve?

The majority of home cinema integrators will tell you that bass is the most difficult aspect of getting sound right. This is due to the laws of physics and how the long wavelengths of low frequencies influence the sound in small rooms, which by definition, includes virtually all home cinema rooms. There are few welldocumented methods to mitigate the impact of standing waves or room modes. However, there has not been, until now, a way to eliminate these issues entirely. The accepted method is to strategically place multiple subwoofers around the room to fight the fundamental room modes.

Broadly speaking, the greater the number of subwoofers, the more even the overall frequency response will be across the seating area. But this process, which requires extensive, time-consuming tuning for reasonable results, still does not resolve the large swings in frequency response found at different seating positions. This is because the room modes are simply distributed more evenly in the room, not removed. Relatively speaking, it’s easy to get a moderately flat frequency response at a single

reference

seating

position,

but

accommodating a larger seating area becomes increasingly challenging.

38 DECEMBER 2023

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SMART THINKING Let’s now look at the next graph below, which displays the time domain. These graphs are designed to show three different things in a two-dimensional graph. The vertical scale here is from 10 Hz up to 400 Hz; time runs left to right; colour shows how loud the sound is at any combination of frequency and time, with red being loud and blue being quiet (according to the scale on the right side).

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Here you can see that the decay time is longer for some frequencies than others. This results in bass that is likely boomy or muddy. These long decays mask the recorded sound, not only at low frequencies but they also affect how we hear the mids and highs. In the After graph, you can see that the decay time is both drastically reduced and linear once WaveForming is applied. Now all the frequencies are the same volume while

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also having even decay. This results in unrivalled precision and control of the bass frequencies in a home cinema.

Now that we understand the problem, it’s time to look at the solution. Come back next issue to find out how WaveForming actually works!

DECEMBER 2023 39

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COMPANY FOCUS: SNAP ONE

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A POWER MANAGEMENT PUNCH Snap One’s WattBox power management range seriously strengthens an integrator’s offering to clients. It can provide an effective solution for any project, big or small, alongside seamless integration with the OvrC remote monitoring and management platform. Angus Murray from Snap One Partner, New Wave AV explains.

Today, good power management is a critical part of the integrator’s toolkit. Every job needs power. That’s a given. WattBox is a versatile line-up of IP based power distribution units (PDUs) in different form factors that help us complete a job and provide a reliable power management backbone.

In particular, we’re making great use of the WattBox 800 Series 8-way rack mounted PDUs on our projects as well as the WattBox 250 2-way PDUs for smaller jobs, or on secondary hub locations, where an additional power distribution unit is needed in a different location to the main rack. This form factor versatility is a great problem-solver in so many applications.

One of the other key attractions of WattBox is the native integration the brand offers to OvrC. We’re committed to offering exceptional levels of service and support to our clients. Like many integrators, we operate a remote model where easy access to the systems we install is hugely important to the service level we provide.

We absolutely have to be in a position where we can remotely manage the power supplies to products on a system. WattBox allows us to do just that. And, because WattBox is a Snap One brand like OvrC, all the power management features are presented automatically and directly within OvrC, making configuration so quick and easy. It’s a delight. Because the outlets are individually controlled, we can then carry out advanced troubleshooting and remotely reboot single devices, without disrupting the entire system or making unnecessary site visits.

We also like the pro-active, self-healing functionality of the WattBox products we install.

They continuously monitor connectivity and automatically reboot troubled devices, such as, network routers or Sky boxes, when the connection is lost. This functionality is a major benefit, saving us time and hassle.

Our clients value professional power management for their system. Network uptime is a critical home utility to allow reliable working from home as well as for the effective provision of entertainment and streaming services.

Using WattBox products, we can maintain this connectivity and bring significant benefits. As a result, we’re re-visiting existing clients and upgrading projects with WattBox solutions because it makes sense for us and our clients.

To find out more about the comprehensive WattBox power management range, existing Partners can go to dealer-emea.control4.com.

To apply to be a Snap One partner, visit control4. my.site.com/SnapOne/s/newpartnerapplication.

More information on New Wave AV can be found at newwaveav.co.uk.

42 DECEMBER 2023

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SAY GOODBYE TO SERVICE CALLS

The reboot has been reimagined.

Pair WattBox power products with OvrC, the industry’s #1 remote management platform, and extend device servicing from anywhere. Whatever the time of day (or night), WattBox power products automatically keep status of your devices so that if one goes unresponsive, it will reboot it automatically. It can also be programmed to power-cycle at a specific time each week, saving you time and money. Now available in EMEA.

From Snap One, the company that brings you Control4

Current partners can learn more on the Control4 Dealer Portal, to apply to be a partner scan here.

Copyright ©2023, Snap One, LLC. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are registered trademarks or trademarks of Snap One, LLC or their respective owners.

ESSENTIAL ACOUSTIC TREATMENT

ORCHESTRATING THE SOUNDSCAPE IN ACTIVITY-BASED OFFICES Recognising the acoustic challenges of open plan office designs, Sharp/NEC has partnered with soundscape specialist Abstracta to provide outstanding audio-visual experiences.

Activity-based offices with open landscapes provide the environment for more agile working styles to flourish. Moving away from assigned desking and allowing workers the freedom to choose the space that best fits their task or activity is an approach which complements the hybrid working model.

By designing the office environment with appropriately equipped spaces to cater for the activity, whether that be team collaboration, informal interaction, ad hoc meetings, focused work or private calls, workers are empowered to manage their workday to maximise productivity.

This approach is proving successful in enticing workers back to the office where they can enjoy a sense of community amongst their colleagues whilst benefiting from the tools available to them.

WITH VIDEO, COMES AUDIO For certain, whatever the type of activity, video-enablement is essential. Every meeting or gathering, from huddle space to town hall auditoria, there will almost always be remote participation. Hand in hand with videoenablement is the audio experience, which, in an open plan office environment, can present acoustic challenges.

Modern open plan office environments with minimalist interiors often favouring expanses of glass present significant challenges in terms of noise levels. Sound waves bounce against hard surfaces such as windows, walls, ceilings, and floors, reverberating and creating echo. By incorporating sound absorbing materials and design elements, noise levels can be managed and controlled to suit different activity zones.

Acceptable noise levels can vary depending on the tasks and work being undertaken with the aim to minimise noise disturbance between workstations and enhance the quality of proximity conversations.

CREATING FAVOURABLE SOUNDSCAPES

Recognising the acoustic challenges of open plan office designs, Sharp/NEC has partnered with soundscape specialist Abstracta to provide improved audio-visual experiences.

Anders Säterö Jansson, Global Sales Manager at Abstracta, says, “At Abstracta, we work with organisations to address the acoustic implications of open plan office designs to achieve the ideal environment for creative productivity. We manufacture sustainable solutions such as the Agile mobile project screen and the Zen PodTM quiet

room to create favourable soundscapes. Our partnership with Sharp NEC Display Solutions means we can now integrate industry-leading display technology into our furniture for interactive collaboration.”

SECURING SUSTAINABLE SOUNDSCAPES

When you’re in the business for human well-being, you cannot ignore the well-being of future generations. This is why Abstracta only uses long lasting materials. All of Abstracta’s products are module-based to be easy to repair, easy to reuse and easy to recycle. The sound absorbing acoustic filling is made using recycled materials such as textile waste and polyester made from PET plastic bottles.

Gunnar Kyvik, Business Segment Lead for meeting and conferencing solutions at Sharp/ NEC, says “Our partnership with Abstracta means we can give our customers peace of mind as they plan their office landscapes, specified to best support their hybrid workforce. Designed and manufactured in Sweden using sustainable materials, Abstracta’s office solutions perfectly complement our reliable, long-life technology meaning our customers can fitout their offices with certainty.”

Home offices and shared spaces all benefit from improved acoustics

44 DECEMBER 2023

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ESSENTIAL ACOUSTIC TREATMENT

FORM MEETING FUNCTION EI spoke with Steve Thomas, Director at EQ Acoustics, who explained the company’s credentials and ambition to move into and offer something qualitative to the residential installation market in partnership with distributor CAVD. How has it been going so far? What is on offer?

Tell us a little about the background of the company EQ Acoustics has been going for 23 years.

We started as a computer music software developer. In the early days we were producing music creation software and Daniel Bedingfield had a number one single using one of our products. So that meant we enjoyed some success other artists wanting to use our software. We got more involved in studio technology on off the back of that and had lots of questions from customers about how to make audio sound more polished which in general had a lot to do with their acoustically poor playback/monitoring environments, so we got involved designing and specifying acoustic treatment products from there.

We used to outsource panel production, but moved it in-house once we adopted polyester-fibre. Known as ‘friendly Fibre’, it doesn’t have the itchy, dusty issues that glass fibre and rockwool can have, so we were happy to work directly with that in-house. We have invested significantly in machinery over the years and now have an experienced team offering a mature and agile manufacturing process. We do a lot of R&D, in fact we never stop.

What types of customers have you worked with?

We have developed a wide client group ranging from our original customers who were mainly musicians and small independent studios all the way up to places like the Ministry of Sound

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and The Royal Irish Academy of Music. We have also worked with companies like BBC 6 Music, Pioneer, Pioneer DJ, Dolby and the British American Racing F1 team. We have done lots of studio rollouts including last year for the University of the Arts in London. A high value project, requiring very precise acoustic specifications and sound isolation performance.

We also have developed many great relationships with people like Roger Mayer who hand-built guitar pedals for Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. He used our music software and has always been very helpful technically feeding back on our acoustic design and engineering stuff. Really, it’s lots of organic growth and natural progression that has led us to where we are today, ready to offer products and expertise into the residential space.

Knowledge that we have acquired over the years combined with local interior designers, artists and photographers is now allowing us to combine the design element that allows attractive interiors to flourish but also deal with the acoustic challenges that a wide range of domestic projects present. It is a conscious decision on our part to make this move as we have been involved in an increasing number of domestic projects dealing with areas such as swimming pools, listed buildings and working with organisations like English Heritage.

We got introduced to CAVD by a local AV reseller and the relationship has just developed from there.

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We had some good conversations at the recent EI Live! show learning about the needs of the sector and there are already some projects underway. The main difference between our commercial work and this sector is maintaining an overall experience where the aesthetics of the room are just as important as the performance. With new initiatives such as CEDIA’s RP 22 coming out, this allows us to use all of our experience and the technology at our disposal and deliver something that deals with all of the needs these types of projects produce.

There is also definitely a role for acoustic treatment in other areas away from AV spaces, particularly in living spaces with lots of hard surfaces. We can take people’s favourite artwork and reproduce it as a panel or create something bespoke, so people don’t need to know that it is doing an acoustic job; to them it’s just an attractive feature of the room. Working with interior designers, photographers and artists enables us to tick lots of design boxes.

It’s also important to note that all of our products are fully tested and meet all of the necessary building regulations including fire resistance as well as being hypoallergenic. Our products are typically made from 70% recycled materials and so are less environmentally impactful. The core material doesn’t break down over time in the way that rockwool can and the material is also moisture, mould and mildew resistant. Since this type of material has first been introduced, the agility of what can be created has advanced massively. Not only can we create thin attractive panels, we can also surface print and create almost any shape. Products can resemble steel, concrete or wooden beams anything needed to sympathetically merge with a space, stealth acoustics, if you like.

Moving forward I think the key is to get some projects under our belt, and we can evolve our offering from there looking at areas like speed of installation as well as increasingly different and inspiring finishes. We are a well-established company and are looking long-term, aiming to build a long and successful partnership with CAVD. Our ambition is to build an agile service that considers the many different demands each project has and create a genuine marriage between form and function.

DECEMBER 2023 47

ESSENTIAL ACOUSTIC TREATMENT

SOME SOUND ADVICE Joe Carri, Director at Prestige Audio, offers some insight into getting acoustic treatment right and also recognising its full market potential.

Everyone working in the sector should now be fully aware of the improvement and impact well controlled acoustics will deliver. I strongly recommend learning how sound actually works so you have a full and rounded appreciation of how these systems operate and why they are important.

Acquiring a basic knowledge of how sound waves actually work and how they behave works does wonders for your ability to deliver in this area. Phenomenon you need to be aware of include the size and shape of the room; this has a big impact on how sound will behave and what you need to do to combat any potential issues. Absorption and reflection are key areas to examine and understand why they are important and what techniques are used to make sure audio is focused and pleasant to experience. Speaker placement is also important; understanding why speakers perform better in certain positions will also inform your knowledge and enable you to overcome obstacles when they arrive. Noise isolation to an extent is a separate issue, it is not the same as acoustic treatment within a space, but it is still

48 DECEMBER 2023

worth having a working knowledge of some of the techniques used to limit sound bleed from one space to another. Seating arrangement is another area that has an impact on audio - in a lot of spaces seats are organically placed roughly where they are the most acoustically optimal but it’s still worth understanding what impact they can have.

Once you move into actually dealing with some of these issues, getting to know the different types of acoustic treatment that are available is crucial. There are many more types than there used to be and it is also important to understand that these products can now be an aesthetic enhancement to the space as well as dealing with audio issues. Adding to these types of physical treatments these days there are lots of software platforms that can also help to improve audio. Lots of installers will have their favourite platform and it will depend perhaps from job to job, but what is really important is learning how to use these systems properly. In the right hands they can be really transformative, but when used poorly or in lots of cases we have encountered, not at

all, the industry is really missing a trick. When it comes to equipment it’s worth remembering here that although some manufacturers have some really good room correction software, using high quality AV systems on their own will not always produce a good result. You must take into account the acoustics of the room and take appropriate steps.

Also make yourself aware of the standards and regulations that go with these types of treatments and make sure you are using ones that conform. Also remember there are different rules for domestic and commercial spaces.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We all want to get our home cinemas, media rooms and multi room music systems sounding great, but don’t forget there are opportunities in all areas of a property in creating acoustically pleasant environments. We have customers who like to go into their cinema just to read because inside the space the atmosphere is one of calm. They probably don’t know it is because the space is acoustically treated, but we can create the same condition for lots of other areas

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ESSENTIAL ACOUSTIC TREATMENT too. Creating acoustically sensitive spaces for home offices could be a good area to be looking at. Lots of modern interiors can be open plan with many hard services, and aesthetically this may be attractive, but acoustically they are often quite poor - another area full potential.

Solutions for these types of areas really don’t need to be that expensive. We work with some products that are very reasonably priced but have a good outcome and look great.

Also, don’t forget commercial spaces.

Many businesses like restaurants suffer from bad acoustics and they lose custom over it.

Creating a cosy, intimate atmosphere for businesses such as this is another area where the industry can prosper. We have a customer who has a dining area in one of their buildings which really suffers from these types of issues.

We got involved with another project like this and were able to solve all of these issues relatively straightforwardly.

Another area to really think hard about is the idea of mixing aesthetics with acoustic treatment. This was perhaps harder in the past, but the options available now really allow installers and also interior designers to create something beautiful that also has the practical applications we’re looking for. So the customer is getting two for the price of one: beautiful looking interiors that sound amazing, appreciating the potential here for each project is something to really keep in mind.

Getting acoustics right in media rooms and home cinemas is both a science and an art. You could argue to some degree it’s technology that we should understand because cultures in the

past definitely did. Recently it’s been discovered that some mosques hundreds of years old had ‘Helmholtz resonators’ built into their structures using glass bottles built into the walls to improve acoustics. Roman and Greek entertainment spaces, it would seem by design, were often built around sound acoustic principles, as were Victorian theatres. It’s our job to relearn this type of appreciation for this important aspect of our built environment.

So, in conclusion, by understanding the basics and delving into advanced concepts, installers can create immersive and high-

quality acoustic environments for clients.

Furthermore,

opportunities

abound

in

other areas of the home and various types of buildings, allowing for the creation of pleasing acoustic conditions that enhance the overall experience and functionality of these spaces. Acoustic design has become an indispensable component of modern living and working environments, ensuring that sound complements our experiences rather than detracting from them. It presents a real opportunity for our industry.

As well as AV and home cinema spaces, opportunities exist elsewhere

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DECEMBER 2023 49

ESSENTIAL INSTALLER ACADEMY

THE ART OF RISK APPETITE: TECHNIQUES FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE David Fell, former system integrator with in-depth knowledge of technology, business development, and business strategy on a global scale, continues his ‘Installer Academy’ series exclusively for EI. In this article, I’ll look to explore some of the key strategies for developing a healthy risk appetite and how they can help you take your business to the next level with confidence.

Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, the art of risk appetite is an essential skill.

Risk appetite is the amount and type of risk a business is willing to take to achieve its goals.

It is an essential element of business growth because, without risk, businesses cannot innovate or grow. Risk appetite is also important because it helps businesses to achieve a balance between risk and reward.

A healthy risk appetite is one that is aligned with the business’s goals and objectives. It is not about taking unnecessary risks, but rather taking calculated risks that have a reasonable chance of success. A healthy risk appetite also involves identifying and mitigating potential risks rather than ignoring or avoiding them altogether.

50 DECEMBER 2023

THE ROLE OF RISK MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPING A HEALTHY RISK APPETITE

Effective risk management is essential for developing a healthy risk appetite. Risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks. It also involves developing a risk management plan that outlines how the business will respond to different types of risks.

One of the key benefits of effective risk management is that it helps businesses to identify potential risks before they become a problem. This allows businesses to take proactive measures to mitigate those risks and avoid the negative consequences of failure. Effective risk management also helps businesses to make more informed decisions by providing them with the information they need to assess the potential risks and rewards of different courses of action.

IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESS RISKS

There are many different types of risks that businesses face, including financial, operational, legal, reputational and strategic risks. Each type of risk requires a different approach to management.

Financial risks, for example, involve the potential for financial loss. This can include risks related to cash flow, credit and investments. To manage financial risks, businesses need to have a solid understanding of their financial position and develop strategies for managing cash flow and investments.

Operational risks involve the potential for disruptions in business operations. This can include risks related to supply chain management, IT systems and employee safety.

To manage operational risks, businesses need to have contingency plans in place for different scenarios and ensure that their employees are trained to respond to emergencies.

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ESSENTIAL INSTALLER ACADEMY

To be successful, a healthy relationship with risk is needed

Legal risks involve the potential for legal actions against the business. This can include risks related to contracts, intellectual property, and compliance with laws and regulations. To manage legal risks, businesses need to have a solid understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to their industry and ensure that they are in compliance with those laws.

Reputational risks involve the potential for damage to the business’s reputation. This can include risks related to customer service, product quality and social responsibility.

To manage reputational risks, businesses need to have a strong brand and reputation management strategy in place, and they need to be transparent and accountable to their customers and stakeholders.

Strategic risks involve the potential for failure to achieve business objectives. This can include risks related to market conditions, competition, and changing consumer preferences. To manage strategic risks, businesses need to have a solid understanding of their market and their customers, and they need to develop strategies for adapting to changing conditions.

account factors such as their financial position, their market position and their competitive environment. One strategy for assessing and measuring risk tolerance is to conduct a risk assessment. This involves identifying potential risks and their likelihood and impact and then developing strategies for mitigating them.

Another strategy is to use risk management tools and techniques, such as risk matrices and risk registers, to measure and monitor risk.

Ultimately, the goal of assessing and measuring risk tolerance is to develop a risk management plan that is aligned with the

business’s goals and objectives and that takes into account its capacity for risk.

STRATEGIES FOR ASSESSING AND MEASURING RISK TOLERANCE To do this, businesses need to have a clear understanding of their goals and objectives, as well as their risk appetite. They also need to assess their capacity for risk, taking into

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DECEMBER 2023 51

SMART THINKING

SOFT MACHINE Mathias Johansson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Dirac, offers some insight into the burgeoning world of home acoustics software.

What do we mean by ‘home acoustics software?’

When discussing ‘home acoustics software,’ we’re referring to a variety of software tools designed to address and improve room acoustics. Most people don’t realise that the room acoustics of your listening space have a more significant impact on the sound of your Hi-Fi system or home theatre than any other component making up the system. Bass, for example, is particularly impacted by room acoustics.

Reflections, resonances and standing waves originating from the room can also lead to further sound degradation and I will now briefly explain each.

When sound waves produced by a home theatre system hit hard surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings, they can bounce back and create echoes or reflections.

Resonances are specific frequencies at which a room or its contents naturally vibrates or amplifies sound. These resonances can exaggerate certain frequencies, leading to an unbalanced sound quality. Resonances can also cause certain sounds to linger longer in the room, affecting dialogue clarity and making the audio muddier.

52 DECEMBER 2023

Finally, standing waves are created when sound waves bounce back and forth between parallel surfaces, overly emphasising certain frequencies. This can lead to uneven and boomy bass response.

However, with digital room correction technology, any sound system can overcome these issues and take audio performance to the next level.

The process is straightforward: First, measure the room acoustics with a microphone at several positions around the listening area.

Then, digital filters are tailored to match the unique characteristics of your listening space and then downloaded to a processor, such as an AV receiver or streaming amplifier. Typically, you can also adjust the tonal characteristics to your preferences and save multiple presets for different purposes like movie-watching or music. Throughout the room correction process, a user-friendly mobile or PC app will guide you, providing instructions on microphone placement and more. In recent years, this technology has become much easier to use and is now accessible even for those new to the world of audio.

A room correction system can address a range of audio issues, including non-ideal

speaker

placement.

Speaker

placement

often presents challenges in home theatre configurations, with speakers often situated at different distances from one another or asymmetrically

positioned.

Additionally,

when a speaker is positioned near a wall, the bass gets excessively amplified and muddy.

Moreover, room correction systems combat issues related to standing waves caused by room dimensions and tackle resonances, diffraction and early reflections originating from both speakers and nearby surfaces.

Dirac’s innovative Dirac Live Active Room Treatment software takes room correction a step further by addressing room decay and variations in sound quality across different listener positions.

Another common challenge is how to setup and integrate subwoofers to ensure they play in perfect harmony with the main speakers.

Dirac Live Bass Control leverages standard room correction measurements to co-optimise subwoofers with the primary speakers, making sure they play in perfect unison throughout the listening space.

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SMART THINKING

Can you give us some brief background on Dirac?

Dirac was established in 2001, originating from research conducted at Uppsala University in Sweden. Founded by two professors and four PhD students, the company pioneered the innovative concept that digital signal processing could address the hardware and acoustic limitations presented in various audio systems. Our mission was to make this technology accessible to a broad audience, recognising that digital optimisation had the potential to significantly enhance the performance of any audio system by minimising colorations and maximising its true capabilities.

In 2001, this idea was groundbreaking, as most audio systems were built on pure analogue principles. By 2004, BMW had embraced Dirac’s technology to enhance sound quality in their automobiles, and over time, Dirac expanded its expertise to encompass room correction for home audio setups.

We’ve also successfully applied our technology to headphones, smartphones and other sound systems.

With its university background, Dirac has continued to invest heavily in audio research, resulting in a comprehensive portfolio of digital technologies aimed at substantially improving the audio experience across various content and listening devices. Dirac has about 20 patent families and an employee base of around 100 people, nearly 20% of whom hold PhDs.

Dirac Live Active Room Treatment: tell us about your latest solution.

Dirac Live Active Room Treatment operates from a perspective similar to that of digital room correction. It aims to further improve the sound quality within a given room and speaker system, overcoming sound quality degradations posed by room acoustics. Digital room correction typically works on a speaker by speaker basis, with each speaker optimised and tuned to the room individually.

Active Room Treatment, on the other hand, expands on this concept by allowing all speakers in a system to help each other cancel out bad room acoustics. Consider an advanced home theatre system with seven front/centre/ surround speakers, four subwoofers and ceiling speakers. What if the sound from the left front speaker could be enhanced and get help from all other speakers in that system? That’s actually what Active Room Treatment does. Up to about 150Hz, all speakers capable of playing in that frequency range, support each main speaker. In effect, we build a super speaker by combining all of the speakers together through carefully tailored signal processing. Each speaker adds energy at just the right time and frequency to fully control the sound field in the room. It is similar to Active Noise Cancellation, where

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a speaker is used to generate ‘anti-noise’ to cancel out unwanted disturbances. With Active Room Treatment, the ‘noise’ is the unwanted room reflections. It results in shorter decay times in the bass, so you get a much tighter and punchier bass. It also removes the variations in the bass to create a unified experience regardless of where you sit and listen in the room. Traditionally, this level of bass control was only possible with carefully tuned bass traps, perfect speaker placements and very expensive and complicated installations. Active Room Treatment uses the available speakers instead, to create the same, or sometimes even better, results.

Active Room Treatment works with any number of subwoofers and speakers, regardless of their placements. It co-optimises subwoofers and/or full-range speakers up to 150 Hz. Above 150Hz, regular Dirac Live applies channelby-channel impulse response and frequency response correction. Active Room Treatment controls the sound field across all measured positions, evens out all spatial variations and reduces the room decay time. Main speakers, such as the Left Front or Surround Right, receive significant improvements through ‘support speakers.’ Each main speaker can also function as a support speaker and vice versa. Subwoofers typically serve as support speakers for all main speakers, and even the LFE channel can become a main speaker with other subwoofers and full-range speakers acting as support speakers.

The ART process is almost identical to the regular Dirac Live process. It uses the same measurements and the same procedure, but there are further control options to be able to decide which speakers should be supported by which speakers, and in which frequency ranges, etc. StormAudio has been our exclusive launch partner for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment.

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Very soon, other brands will follow. There are free online guides and training material available at Dirac’s web site. Training is also provided

by Dirac and StormAudio (for its processors).

Contact Dirac to learn more!

How will this sector change over the next few years?

In today’s landscape, streaming services are continuing to offer better and better audio quality, and new immersive formats are gaining rapid traction on the market. Consequently, the demand for superior audio quality and richer audio experiences is higher than ever and continuing to rise. The use of digital technology to elevate sound is now becoming mainstream, and its importance will only increase.

Innovations like Dirac Live Active Room Treatment hint at a near future where we can recreate completely realistic renderings of your favourite concert venue or the optimal sound studio right in your home or car.

Are there any particular consumer trends that will benefit from this technology?

There is growing consumer interest for rich, high-quality audio experiences. However, at the same time, design trends, characterised by more hard surfaces, increased use of glass, reduced carpeting and a decreased tolerance for bulky speakers or room treatments, are becoming more prevalent. Additionally, the increased use of multi-purpose rooms, where people eat, listen to music, socialise and watch movies, presents a significant shift in home design.

Given these new and emerging trends, technologies like Dirac Live Active Room Treatment will be increasingly called upon to help to ensure greater client satisfaction within the custom installation business.

DECEMBER 2023 53

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ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

WATERWORLD IS A WINNER! Lake District Cinema Room by Finite Solutions picked up the award for the Best Home Cinema Under 50K at the recent Smart Building Awards.

Matt Wayne, Senior Design Consultant, Finite

selected the general style and finishes he

Solutions, explains, “Our client’s brief was to

wanted to achieve.”

provide a dedicated cinema room for six to

3D visualisations of the proposed interior

eight people with a luxurious and comfortable

design and layout were signed off by the clients

interior

audio-visual

and the detailed build drawings then allowed the

performance of the best quality allowed by

client’s main contractor to build the appropriate

the budget.

soundproof shell, staging and boarding out

and

robust

reliable

“As the works were to take place in an

ready for the Finite Solutions team to complete

outbuilding which was to be redeveloped, we

the internal acoustic treatments, fabric wall

were able to define the ideal size and layout of

finishes and lighting installation. The total cost

the room (7m long x 4.5m wide x 2.8m high)

of the AV and control equipment, fabric wall

before planning was submitted and further to

finish and acoustic treatments, seating and light

demonstration at our show house, the client

fittings came in just under £ 49,000.

56 DECEMBER 2023

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LUXURY CINEMA SEATING AND ACOUSTIC DESIGN

THE ORSON

With over twenty-five years’ experience at the high-end of luxury cinema design, Pavone’s unrivalled expertise will support your cinema and media room projects to deliver the finest immersive experiences to your customers in partnership with CUK Group.

• Five luxury seating ranges • Four finishes • Ten colours • Three upholstery styles • Acoustic and interior design services

For further information please contact CUK. 0141 440 5333 • enquiries@cuk-group.com • cuk-group.com

THE STANLEY

ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

The cinema is a strong combination of aesthetics and performance

Matt explains, “Whilst we offer and often

interior and acoustic design, so the client was

complete full turnkey solutions to cinema

comfortable that the room would both look

builds, if a client has a team of contractors

great but also make the most of the equipment.

on site completing wider build works, sharing the cinema fit out works between basic and specialist works all completed to Finite Solutions design and this often represents the most cost-effective solution and we are always happy to discuss all the options available.”

GETTING IT DONE The company reveals it competed hard against several other firms to win the contract. The

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Matt explains, “We were also able to demonstrate speaker SPL and viewing angle conformity using The Cinema Designer, bass placement and management using REW software and acoustic treatment positioning and RT60 times using Vicoustic’s acoustic design services.

“Whilst time consuming, we do this for all cinema room projects and it was very rewarding that this client appreciated and understood the

team believes that success was down to the

details and wanted to use someone who did

essential combination of focus on the technical

things right, rather than the cheapest company

details in delivering optimised performance

hoping performance would be good simply

from the equipment supplied, and offering full

down to using good quality equipment.”

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DECEMBER 2023 59

ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

This award winning cinema has created more business for the company

60 DECEMBER 2023

Whilst the project overall went smoothly, there were a few challenges with power and internet connectivity. This was because link cables from the main house were destroyed during completion of ground works after the cinema was completed. This ultimately required a point to point Wi-Fi mesh solution using external access points on both buildings, but the team report this has worked extremely well and is very reliable.

Matt reveals, “We also didn’t anticipate the power being so unstable, meaning no UPS was included in our original specification, mostly to manage the budget, but as power outages seem to happen every couple of months, we added a Furman UPS to safely shut down the system and protect it from spikes which resolved the risk of damage to hardware.”

In conclusion, Matt reports, “The client couldn’t be happier and just loves the room’s style and performance. In testament to his satisfaction are the two cinema rooms we are currently working on for his friends who wanted to recreate the experience in their own homes after watching movies in this room.”

Congratulations to the Finite Solutions team for triumphing at this year’s Smart Building Awards, as well as creating a clearly very satisfied customer, which in turn has created more business!

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ESSENTIAL CASE STUDY

The seating was bespoke made by a local company

Essential Kit List

• JVC NP5 4K projector

• 3x B&W CWM7.3 S2 front speakers

• Panasonic Blu-Ray Player

• 4x B&W CWM7.5 S2 side and rear channel speakers

• Apple TV

• 4x B&W CCM7.5 S2 overhead channel speakers • 2x B&W CTSW12 subwoofers and SA100 amplifiers • Anthem MRX1140 integrated Dolby Atmos processor / amplifier

• Sky Silver 4K box • Projecta acoustically transparent 3.6m wide 16:9 screen • Lutron RA2 lighting control • Control4 control system • Middle Atlantik SRSR slide out AV rack

All seating was made bespoke by a local upholster and is a customised adaption of the seating in the Finite showroom. This allowed the client to have the level of personalisation that can’t be offered with the typical cinema seating brands.

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DECEMBER 2023 61

ONE

With solid high end construction, the R6400 and R6600 Series are a high quality solution for all of your AV and IT requirements at an affordable cost.

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Ideal for smaller installations or for home systems, these wall mount rack enclosures perfectly combine convenience and aesthetic with multiple features and a stylish finish.

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Explore the iO1 speakers versatility, perfect for outdoor & indoor use, with six mounting options QR to / 24”) Lockable door and removable side panels for security ● Available in 2 depths (400mm / 18” orScan 600mm including on-wall, in-corner, on-corner, pendant, countertop and ground spike. Available in active

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An incredible NEW flagship CI-FI Collection from Italy

Handmade in Italy by Sonus faber’s experienced Artisans of Sound, the Arena Collection delivers the acoustic power and dynamics required for hiperformance home cinema with the Natural Sound signature, definition, and details for which Sonus faber has been long admired. The Collection also includes new patented subwoofer technology.

F I N E S O U N D S A R E T H E U K D I S T R I B U T O R F O R M C I N T O S H & S O N U S FA B E R

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PRODUCTS

TUNE INTO THE TUBE SoundTube Entertainment has launched the XT850-Sub, an 8in outdoor subwoofer that uses a non-traditional 70/100v technology desinged to improve subwoofer performance.

The XT850-Sub features SuperT transformerless technology, which delivers impactful full range bass without the losses in low-end frequency performance due to traditional 70.7/100 Volt subwoofer transformer behaviour. This means that users can enjoy powerful bass to 30Hz with peak output of 112dB even in constant voltage applications without compromising on quality.

The XT850-Sub also features a sealed,

“We are excited to introduce the XT850-Sub

in-ground enclosure design that is IP55 rated,

the next generation of outdoor constant voltage

offering protection against dust and water

transformerless subwoofers,” says Ken Hecht,

and the XT850-Sub includes theft-resistant mounting hardware.

For

added

versatility

and

flexibility,

the XT850-Sub features a weatherproof two-position tap switch for 8 ohm or 70.7/100 Volt applications. As it is built to withstand the

Vice President of SoundTube and MSE Audio.

“We’ve engineered this speaker to deliver an unparalleled audio experience, combining the strength to withstand the elements with the performance of a true subwoofer.”

harshest outdoor conditions, the XT850-Sub is UV resistant, scratch resistant, chlorine resistant

SoundTube Entertainment

and weather resistant.

soundtube.mseaudio.com

The XT850-Sub comes in green or sandstone and is now available to authorised dealers globally

RUARK ROLLS OUT A REIMAGINED R810 A statement product designed to form the focal point of any room, Ruark’s new flagship model is a radical reimagining of a design icon, says the maker. With stunning sound, seamless connectivity, and expert craftsmanship, R810’s clean, precise lines and polished chrome stand echo the cutting-edge technology that lies beneath its elegant construction, says Ruark.

Enhancing its distinctive aesthetic is the special wood selected for the handcrafted grille and veneered cabinets, available in soft grey or walnut. Made from fast-growing sustainable woods that are spliced and reconstituted, the resulting grain patterns closely resemble slow-growing hardwoods without the ecological impact.

Completing the modern take on an enduring design, R810’s display provides the setting and source information needed, as well as faithfully recreating album artwork. Meanwhile, its portrait orientation emulates the way users view applications on smartphones.

R810 is optimised for streaming fans and vinyl aficionados alike. Able to decode the best

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quality audio streams, R810 supports Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect. Meanwhile, Apple AirPlay and Chromecast built-in allows

R810 features a high-capacity linear power supply coupled to a 4.1 channel Class A-B discrete component amplifier

for simple direct streaming from the likes of BBC Sounds, Amazon Music, Deezer and Qobuz as well as the ability to build a flexible multiroom system.

Music playback is refined with the new and improved RotoDial control system, offering tactile control. Also included with R810 is a matching rechargeable Bluetooth remote that feels good to hold and looks attractive left on display.

For those that still love vinyl records and CDs, these mediums can also be enjoyed by connecting a turntable to the dedicated phono inputs or a CD ROM to the USB-C socket.

Additionally, with its HDMI ARC/eARC connectivity, connecting R810 to a TV is easy.

Support for DAB/DAB+, FM and Internet radio completes the content picture.

Ruark ruarkaudio.com

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DECEMBER 2023 63

PRODUCTS

SONUS FABER SHEDS MORE LIGHT ON LUMINA RANGE Sonus faber has announced the launch of new additions to its Lumina collection. The Lumina II Amator and Lumina V Amator models feature technical improvements, as well as new finishes, all whilst staying true to the Sonus faber minimalist aesthetic. UK distributor for the brand is Fine Sounds.

The collection expansion aims to reach an even wider audience by offering higher power, especially in relation to larger environments and with special attention to price point.

The Lumina II Amator and Lumina V Amator take a step forward in style and performance, elevating the listening experience. ‘Amator’ is an evocative name, which has characterised all the special models by Sonus faber and has become synonymous with uniqueness.

Featuring a ‘Made in Italy’ bookshelf and a floor standing speaker, the simple, square design was an intentional choice, meant to emphasise the quality of materials used. The new Lumina Amator models further boast the core values of Sonus faber and the use of its iconic, natural materials, including new wood

front panels with a glossy finish enriched by a 45° angle wood veneer. Lumina II and V Amator are available in three finishes, Glossy Red, Glossy Wenge and Glossy Walnut. Multichannel systems and multimedia solutions are perfect for Lumina, offering excellent room coverage for audiences from every seat in the room. Due to updated technology, the maker says Lumina speakers are incredibly adaptable and sound excellent wherever they are placed—even close to a back wall or on a bookshelf.

New technical improvements include Lumina II Amator’s frequency of the crossover network is now up to 2600 Hz, with a +800 Hz difference compared to Lumina II and Lumina V Amator’s frequency of the crossover of is now up to 2850 Hz, with a +250 Hz difference compared to Lumina V. Many of the solutions adopted by the new special models are derived from those of the Amati G5 and Guarneri G5.

Sonus faber sonusfaber.com

Lumina II Amator and Lumina V Amator will be available in Europe in December 2023

Fine Sounds finesounds.uk

KEF TRIGGERS THX CERTIFICATION WITH CI5160RLM-THX AND CI3160RLM-THX The Ci5160RLM-THX and Ci3160RLMTHX achieved THX Certified Ultra designation, having undergone rigorous tests in output levels, frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio and distortion, ensuring it recreates high-impact cinema sound and best-in-class audio fidelity.

The speakers also benefit from another groundbreaking

acoustic

innovation:

Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT).

MAT is a highly complex maze-like structure Available with a paintable magnetic metal grille or a black cloth grille can be purchased as an additional accessory

that absorbs 99% of the unwanted sound from the rear of the tweeter, delivering a crisper, more natural treble performance.

Bringing high-definition sound to home audio,

reproduction since its launch in 1973. With

These two new additions are also designed

the KEF Ci5160RLM-THX and Ci3160RLM-

a paintable metallic grille, they blend into any

to be discreet in appearance and engineered

THX are introduced as high-impact in-wall

home décor and allow listeners to immerse

with

speakers, fuelling immersive sound experiences.

themselves in sound, hearing all the details

delivering an immersive soundscape while

These in-wall architectural speakers deliver

exactly as the artist intended, whether set up in

the speakers blend into the interior design.

large home theatres or living rooms.

The speakers come with a paintable magnetic

sound with unrivalled detail and depth and

best-in-class

acoustic

performance,

provide a new emotional level of entertainment

Incorporating a 12th-generation Uni-Q

metal grille which can be colour matched to a

when watching movies, playing games and

driver array featuring KEF’s ground-breaking

chosen interior style, or a black cloth grille can

listening to music, says the maker.

Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) the

be purchased as an additional accessory.

With decades of experience in acoustic

Ci-R Series speakers are intended to deliver the

The combination of innovative engineering

innovation and an ongoing quest for music

best experience to every listening position in the

and sophisticated acoustic design ensures

perfection, KEF has produced the Ci-R Series,

room. This fusion of cutting-edge engineering,

KEF architectural speakers offer the same

a direct beneficiary of the technological

design and precision craftsmanship delivers

compelling performance as its Hi-Fi speakers.

innovations developed for The Reference

every nuance and whisper as well as earth-

series that the maker says has continually set

shattering sounds with astonishing clarity and

KEF

the benchmark for loudspeakers and sound

impact, argues their creator.

uk.kef.com

64 DECEMBER 2023

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FLIP 900R

MUSIC STREAMING MADE FOR CI LODE AUDIO reclaims higher quality music streaming for CI by integrating seamlessly with familiar home automation systems to place all the power of design creativity, control and performance securely in your hands.

• Created for custom integrators by custom integrators • Designed and built entirely in the UK • High Audio Quality • Integrates with all the leading home control systems • Local support expertise

For further information please contact CUK. 0141 440 5333 • enquiries@cuk-group.com • cuk-group.com

Grow your Business with Sonos for Professionals Whether you want to design the ultimate home cinema, install a sound system in a business, or integrate speakers in a multi-unit development, Sonos makes it easy to create incredible listening experiences for every client and space.

sonos.com/trades

PRODUCTS

MAGICO MAGIC The Magico M7 begins shipping in Q1 2024 and is priced at £450,000 per pair (inc. VAT)

The new M7 from high-end speaker specialist Magico draws on the technology and engineering developed for the flagship M9.

The M7’s unique 164cm (5.5ft approx) tall enclosure weighs nearly a quarter of a tonne and is fashioned from a monocoque carbon fibre shell with aluminium baffles damped using aerospace composites.

A beryllium treble unit and five Gen 8 Nano-Tec bass, midbass and midrange drivers combine to deliver musical realism reportedly entirely unsullied by distortion and colouration.

The Magico M7 is a four-way, six-driver floorstanding loudspeaker featuring the latest Magico drive-unit technology, an organically shaped carbon fibre-and-aluminium enclosure, and the latest Elliptical Symmetry Crossover.

The M7 was conceived by Founder and CEO Alon Wolf as a more accessible version of the semi-active M9. The Magico engineering team was tasked with creating the all-passive M7, which the manufacturer claims is capable of sound quality never before achieved in a speaker of its size.

Magico leveraged tools such as a Klippel Near-Field Scanner and a Polytec Laser Doppler vibrometer, among many other advanced tools, along with two decades of design experience creating the industry’s most advanced speakers.

All M7 drivers were designed to eliminate music-related distortions in both the frequency

and time domains. Their design was optimised using the latest state-of-the-art FEA simulation.

Acoustic, mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal behaviours were examined on a single platform allowing simultaneous optimisation of each parameter.

The M7 uses the tweeter designed for the M9. This high-frequency 28mm driver utilises a beryllium diaphragm with optimised geometry.

The diaphragm is then diamond coated using a chemical vapour-deposition process to push the beryllium substrate ever closer to the theoretical ideal.

Magico engineers created a new neodymium-based motor system that results in the lowest distortion possible, massive dynamic capability, and even greater power handling than previous designs.

Lastly, the acoustical performance of the back chamber was improved with careful FEA modelling. The high-frequency detail retrieval of this driver is simply unmatched by any competing design, claims the manufacturer.

Absolute Sounds is the sole UK distributor of Magico loudspeakers.

Magico magicoaudio.com

PMC LAUNCHES MULTICHANNEL AMP FOR IMMERSIVE AUDIO The PMC power 750-8 is a versatile, eightchannel amplifier that complements the company’s range of passive loudspeakers, designed to meet the needs of the custom installation, home cinema and professional immersive audio markets.

Designed to power any passive PMC speaker, this 2U rack-mounted amplifier is well suited for use with PMC’s Ci series of slimline monitors, widely used for surround and ceiling channels in Dolby Atmos home cinema installations and professional studios, says the maker.

Available from mid November 2023, the PMC power 750-8 is an eight-channel amplifier that combines a transparent and neutral sound with impressive power output of 750W per channel. When bridged and configured as a four-channel amplifier, the power 750-8 can deliver 1,500W per channel.

In addition, the power 750-8 also offers fully featured DSP control for each of the eight channels. Inputs are selectable/switchable as either balanced analogue or Dante. Adjusting EQ for each channel is also incredibly easy thanks to System Engineer software that can be installed on any PC to control and set up any number of amps. PMC says this powerful yet intuitive software gives a full toolbox to allow users to configure each speaker to deliver its

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best performance according to room acoustics and position within the room.

The burgeoning market for high-end Dolby Atmos home cinema installations and music mixing has been a key factor in PMC’s decision to launch the power 750-8.

The maker claims its CI series speakers are now widely regarded as the standard reference for Dolby Atmos for music thanks to their almost limitless headroom, power capabilities,

pin-point accuracy and sonic fidelity, which ensures that they go well beyond Dolby’s minimum requirements.

The introduction of the new power 7508 amplifier means that the company can now deliver the final piece of the jigsaw to anyone wanting to install an immersive audio system.

PMC pmc-speakers.com

Mains voltage is auto switching for all countries and online manuals can be downloaded from the PMC website.

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DECEMBER 2023 67

PRODUCTS

A NEW EPISODE FROM SNAP ONE Snap One has announced the availability of an expanded family of Episode Home Theater speakers designed to deliver cinematic sound through high-performance components and support for the latest object-based surround sound technologies.

Included in the expanded family of Episode Home Theater speakers are two performance levels: Episode Home Theater and Episode Home Theater Reference.

The six Episode Home Theater Series models employ a common set of materials and components to ensure consistent performance when mixed and matched, even with products from different Episode product lines. This offers Snap One Partners the flexibility to build the best customised solutions for their customers.

The lineup includes a 6in tower speaker, 6in in-room monitor speaker, 6in in-room LCR speaker, 4in in-room/on-wall height speaker, and 4in on-wall LCR speaker.

The series features rigid MDF cabinets that limit vibration, carbon fibre woofers, lowdistortion 1in aluminium dome tweeters, second order Linkwitz-Riley filters and acoustically-transparent local magnetic grilles.

All in-room models are available in colour options of gloss black, gloss white and walnut veneer to match room decor.

For projects that demand even higher performance, Partners are hard pressed to specify a better solution than the Episode Home Theater Reference Series, says the maker. As the pinnacle of the Episode speaker portfolio, the Home Theater Reference line offers the highest fidelity possible without compromise,

faithfully

reproducing

sound

with an exclusive Coherent Source Module, upgraded crossovers, and an adaptable lineup of architectural in-wall and in-ceiling options.

The Reference Series enables truly immersive experiences for movies and audio at home with faithful reproduction of sound, so end users hear exactly what the artists and content creators intended. The series includes a 6in in-room tower speaker and 6in in-room LCR speaker along with a 4in in-ceiling LCR speaker, 6in in-wall surround speaker, 6in medium in-wall LCR speaker and 6-inch large in-wall LCR speaker.

Snap One snapone.com

New Snap One options for immersive audio

AUDIOSOLUTIONS BRANCHES OUT WITH FIGARO XL2 SPEAKERS

A sweet new option from AudioSolutions

AudioSolutions has added Figaro XL2 to its portfolio, an evolution of model XL – released more than six years ago.

The new XL2 is a heavily upgraded threeway speaker with advanced technologies taken from more expensive speaker lines in AudioSolutions portfolio.

68 DECEMBER 2023

The Figaro contains upgraded mini-horn loading tweeter and ER paper cones in its MID and BASS drivers. The mid-driver works in an extended band (crossover points 400-4000 Hz), avoiding crossover points in the region that is most sensitive for humans where slight phase shifts or delays can be detected by the ear, thus improving listening experience.

According to designer, Gediminas Gaidelis, the result “helps with crossover distortion perception and the listener gets uniform, unchopped sound coming from one driver with virtually zero phase shifts.”

Its cabinet system was taken directly from upper class Virtuoso speakers. This cabinet assembly technique is also used in flagship model, The Vantage.

The company founder comments, “the cabin-a-cab system eliminates virtually all vibrations by cleverly using light and a stiff inner box with an inert and heavy otterbox separated by a polyurethane damping layer”.

The Figaro is available in seven different colours in Bespoke Trim, offering brass metal accents as well as modern matt colouring of the speaker.

The new Figaro is designed by company founder Gediminas and, as with all AudioSolutions speakers, is manufactured in Lithuania. The speakers are being offered in Bespoke trim, however standard glossy trims without metal accents are coming soon. These are priced per pair at 20,000-25,000 Euros.

AudioSolutions audiosolutions.lt

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Crestron is not responsible for errors in typography or photography. ©2023 Crestron Electronics, Inc.

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Z50, 70 and 100 KNX Touch Panels

Custom configuration with any SIP based units

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• A/D inputs for presence detectors, temperature probe or dry contacts • Luminosity and proximity sensor • Available in white, gloss white, silver, and black finish

Get in touch and we will assist in creating tailored solutions for any of your projects Zennio UK Spaces, 100 Avebury Boulevard. Milton Keynes. MK9 1FH. United Kingdom e: info@zennio.co.uk w: zennio.co.uk

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