Residential Systems - December 2025

VOLUME 26 NO. 12 | DECEMBER 2025

FEATURING • How to Humanize AI • Tech Showcase on Soundbars • Lightapalooza 2026 Preview

COMPANIES TO

WATCH

Industry Highlights From the Past Year — And What They Mean for the Next One

Review:

SurgeX Axess+ and DisplayPak Connected Surge Protectors

2026

12.25

14 COLUMNS

GEAR

FEATURES

8

24 Tech Showcase —Soundbars

14 Companies to Watch 2026

CEDIAline Designed to Work Together As homeowners demand more connected experiences, CEDIA and NKBA | KBIS show how collaboration delivers better results for every client.

10 Secrets of Success Humanizing AI

Smart tech alone isn’t enough; discover why 2026 belongs to integrators who blend digital tools with human judgment, culture, and creativity.

By Katye McGregor Bennett

11 VITAL Business Tips

Maximizing December Four critical areas every custom integrator should focus on before the calendar flips to 2026.

By Matt Bernath

12 Back to Business

The Raving Fan Factory How to create super-satisfied customers who are five times more likely to recommend your business.

By Henry Clifford

34 Going Forward

Lightapalooza 2026 Preview The fifth annual event moves to a new location but continues to provide a wealth of training opportunities.

By Anthony Savona

Soundbars may offer the simplest way to improve television audio, but that does not mean that all bars are created equal.

Manufacturers continue to roll out updated models with more features and increased sound quality and power. Here we look at some of the newest soundbars to hit the market.

The last month of the year is the perfect time to take stock of the past 12 months and ponder what they mean for the next 12. That these company wins throughout 2025, and there are quite a lot of them, manage to occur despite very interesting times worldwide, shows the resiliency of this industry.

Compiled by Anthony Savona

30 Review

26 Integration Guide to Buying Groups

SurgeX Axess+ and DisplayPak Connected Surge Protectors

During turbulent times, buying groups provide a lifeline to dealers by sharing their knowledge, advice, and deep vendor relationships. With so much to deal with in this somewhat chaotic environment, buying groups are reaching out with a variety of offerings.

By Karen Mitchell

With SurgeX Connect-enabled models, you not only have access to all the benefits of IP-enabled power devices, but you also get best-in-class power protection and filtration and industry-leading metrics that provide visibility into what is actually happening with the power.

By John Sciacca

DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Letter...........................................................................................................4 Showroom Spotlight: World Wide Stereo..............................................6

ON THE COVER Illustration by z_wei/Getty Images.

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And visit residentialsystems.com to read the interactive Digital Edition of this and past issues.

DECEMBER 2025

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EDITOR’S LETTER

The Sorry Optimist

BY ANTHONY SAVONA

I

was recently invited to be a guest on The Flywheel Effect Podcast, which is hosted by Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and VITAL’s Matt Bernath. It was a gracious invitation, but I accepted it with some trepidation — after all, I am the one who usually asks questions from the experts, and I am not used to the experts interviewing me.

It turned out to be a good time, and we covered my long professional history (spoiler alert: I am old), the state of business-to-business publishing, and current trends in the industry.

When we got to the trends section, I offered that I thought the industry was strong, basing that opinion on the results of last month’s “State of the Industry” story, discussions I had at CEDIA Expo, reports from the Fall buying group events, and other anecdotal conversations.

And while I remain steadfast in these beliefs, I apologized for being optimistic. Matt was quick to correct me, stating that optimism doesn’t cause problems, but pessimism can.

I suppose the reason why I am sheepish about my optimistic viewpoint for the industry is that I am not normally a glass-half-full kind of guy.

I am more of a let’s-lower-expectations-so-wedon’t-get-disappointed person. So, sunny-side up doesn’t feel all that natural to me. Plus, after years (and years) of being an industry journalist, I know accusations of “cheerleader” get affixed rather quickly.

Not that there is anything wrong with that: Cheerleaders are awesome, and they keep cheering for the team even when there is no chance of winning. As a NY Giants fan, I know this all too well. I am certainly not for encouraging losing strategies or poor performance, but, when discovered, I work with Resi’s expert contributors for solutions. And if it works, then we cheer…

In the more than seven years that I have directly managed this brand, we have seen some strange stuff. A pandemic that first shut us down and then quickly made us essential to homeowners. A (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime supply chain nightmare where pandemic port closures teamed with a blocked major shipping lane to grind distribution to a near-complete halt. A chaotic tariff plan that for a while there was changing on a daily basis.

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December 2025 Volume 26, Number 12

CONTRIBUTORS KATYE MCGREGOR BENNETT

Katye McGregor Bennett is chief strategist and CEO of KMB Communications and an avid podcaster. Podcasts include Connecting Tech + Design and AV Trade Talk.

MATT BERNATH

Matt Bernath is a CE veteran with more than two decades in retail, wholesale, CI, and business coaching. In 2021, Matt and a group of partners acquired VITAL, and Matt now serves as the company’s president/CEO.

Not only has this industry managed to survive, but it has thrived. Matt and Brent correctly attributed this to the resiliency of dealers in keeping their businesses going to support their employees and their families. But we have seen many small businesses close over the past few years, so there must be more to it than that.

There is: ingenuity. I am constantly impressed by the leaders in this industry and the ways owners adapt to changes. When the supply side nightmare finally subsided, there were new, streamlined inventory management systems that delivered products not just where they were needed, but when, at just the right time.

New product categories like lighting and power made the dealer more important not only to homeowners, but also to architects, interior designers, and builders.

That’s pretty smart.

So, thanks for the shot of optimism. I will try and pay it forward for as long as it lasts.

HENRY CLIFFORD

Henry Clifford is president of Livewire, an integration firm in Richmond, VA. He also serves on the CEDIA Business Working Group and writes a bi-monthly blog for www.residentialsystems.com.

KAREN MITCHELL

Karen Mitchell is a freelance writer based in Boulder, CO. She has written about the AV industry from both sides now — residential and commercial — for several years and still finds it most intriguing and fast paced.

JOHN SCIACCA

John Sciacca is a principal with Custom Theater and Audio, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In his free time, he blogs prolifically about the CE industry. cineluxe.com

DO YOU GET THE RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS SMARTBRIEF?

Find me online... anthony.savona@futurenet.com residentialsystems.com twitter.com/resisys facebook/resisys company/residentialsystems

DECEMBER 2025

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the Residential Systems SmartBrief brings you the latest industry news, product announcements, business tips, and exclusive articles straight to your inbox! To sign up, visit residentialsystems.com and click “Newsletter” on the right of the top menu bar.

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SHOWROOM

SPOTLIGHT World Wide Stereo

A circular building becomes an immersive showroom on Philadelphia’s popular Main Line.

The exterior

BY ANTHONY SAVONA

World Wide Stereo’s brand-new facility in Wayne, Pennsylvania, stands out before you even set foot into it due to the standalone building’s circular cylindrical shape.

"The building was a tire shop in the 1950s and ’60s, hence the round nature of it," says Andrew Davis, CEO and managing partner at World Wide Stereo. "It was even a well-known Starbucks at one point.

“I looked at the building for almost a year and just couldn’t get past the exterior,” confesses Davis. “Then I realized — wait, this makes me think vinyl. This is cool. We could actually do something with this.” What began as an exterior facelift ultimately transformed into a complete rebuild from the ground up.

“It's gorgeous — we have this round flow inside and have maximized every square inch. There are over 21 experiential talking points and systems in the space, starting from the parking lot on in.”

Round and Round The parking lot sets the stage with Coastal Source outdoor audio, Ketra lighting, and Sonance and James Loudspeakers powered by Bluesound.

Step inside, and you’re greeted immediately by a pair of speakers, a vinyl bin, and a Vestaboard smart display that ties into Sonos, showing cover art and track titles in real time.

At the heart of the circle, the reception desk stands before a striking gold tile wall. Here, discreet pendant speakers blend into the lighting, while a 65-inch LG OLED provides visuals and Sonus Faber in-walls provide sound.

To one side, a luxurious seating area features a Salamander cabinet, American Leather chairs, and a Sonus Faber Olympica Nova system. A few steps further, the mood shifts: a cozy fireplace anchors an intimate space with KEF Blades, a Sony TV framed by Leon, and a Marantz Model 10 receiver driving it all.

Across the open entryway, a dedicated 2-channel listening area showcases speakers starting at $7500/pair. From there, the scale expands again with a 163-inch Just Video Walls display paired with a hidden Theory Pro Audio surround system.

Beyond the vignettes, the first enclosed space is a working kitchen, complete with Samsung Frame TV, invisible speakers, and rich cabinetry supplied by World Wide Stereo’s sister company in Maryland, Gramophone Design Build. A dramatic home theater follows, outfitted with Sony’s BRAVIA 9 projector, a Stewart Filmscreen projection screen,

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The listening room

and Wisdom Audio speakers that create a 13.4.6 Dolby Atmos system.

The tour continues right outside the home theater with a headphone bar featuring Focal, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins, and McIntosh, then flows into a simulated outdoor space with pergolas, a SunBriteTV, colorchanging lighting, and a Coastal Source system. Rounding out the circle, a Crestron-powered conference room ties into Control4 and Lutron systems, while even the restrooms get the high-tech treatment with Séura smart mirrors and invisible Nakamichi speakers.

Spreading the Word Wayne is the epicenter of Philadelphia's Main Line, which links 17 different suburban towns just outside the city. In this busy area, the new experience center earns attention from drivers and pedestrians. Davis says that the entire time they built the space, people would peer in and try to open the doors. Fortunately for passers-by, World Wide Stereo welcomes walk-ins, sharing the highlights of its 21-stop tour.

"Our team's mission is to offer a presentation that knocks people's socks off,” Davis says. “People who are interested in buying something that we're showing will self-identify. What customers will experience here is a demo that shows them what's possible. Our products — and the best installation team in the area — make World Wide Stereo the company people will trust for all their technology needs.”

In its mission to connect with the community, World Wide Stereo is hosting listening parties and car shows, inviting people into the new showroom. They also welcome industry trade partners — from luxury home builders and architects to realtors and interior designers.

"If you're a specifier and you're remodeling or building a house — for anyone that's looking for something that's a notch above — then this is the showroom," says Davis. "It's going to open your mind to things you don't experience elsewhere."

The main entryway

The home theater

The conference room

The kitchen

The fireplace

J U LY 2 0 2 5

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CEDIALINE

Designed to Work Together As homeowners demand more connected experiences, CEDIA and NKBA | KBIS show how collaboration delivers better results for every client.

A new joint report from CEDIA and NKBA | KBIS provides one of the most comprehensive looks yet at how technology is reshaping home design, and how closer collaboration between design and integration professionals is becoming essential.

The Technology Integration in Kitchen, Bath, or Whole Home Report compiles insights from professionals across design, construction, and technology integration. The findings confirm what many integrators already see firsthand: homeowners are not only embracing connected living but are also driving demand for deeper, more functional technology throughout their homes.

The Budget Shift Toward Technology According to the data, homeowners completing projects that include smart technology are allocating an average of 20% of their overall budget to integration. For a typical whole-home project, that’s more than $41,000.

As consumers seek cohesive experiences across lighting, entertainment, comfort, and safety, designers, builders, and integrators are finding greater value in working together from the start of a project.

A Client-Driven Market Three out of four professionals surveyed said homeowners are the primary force behind requests for integrated systems. And with 61% describing smart technology as a “must-have” feature of future home design, the report makes clear that cross-trade collaboration will be key to delivering the experiences clients now expect.

What’s in Demand Now In kitchens, lighting control remains the leading request, followed by motorized shades, motion-sensor faucets, and connected appliances

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such as smart refrigerators. In bathrooms, comfort features dominate, like heated floors, towel bars, and steam showers, but the report uncovered a growing interest in smart exhaust fans for improved air quality.

Across the whole home, security continues to lead the way, with video doorbells and surveillance systems ranking highest, followed by wholehome audio as a top lifestyle feature.

What’s Next The research also highlights the technologies poised to shape the next wave of integration. In kitchens, smart countertops with wireless charging, connected small appliances, and water leak detection systems are emerging as new opportunities. In baths, digitally controlled showers and specialty cooling appliances for wellness and beauty are gaining traction.

Across the home, respondents predict an increase in smart furnishings with ergonomic, heating, and massage capabilities, along with broader adoption of air-quality and health monitoring systems as wellness becomes a stronger design driver.

The Path Forward The data reinforces a shared belief between CEDIA and NKBA | KBIS: Successful smart home projects depend on early, intentional collaboration between design and technology professionals. As consumer expectations evolve, so does the need for a unified approach that prioritizes aesthetics, performance, and reliability in equal measure.

The full Technology Integration in Kitchen, Bath, or Whole Home Report is available now in CEDIA’s Product Catalog at my.cedia.org/shop. The report is free to CEDIA members and $1995 for non-members.

SECRETS OF SUCCESS

Humanizing AI

Smart tech alone isn’t enough; discover why 2026 belongs to integrators who blend digital tools with human judgment, culture, and creativity.

B Y K AT Y E M C G R E G O R B E N N E T T, F O U N D E R & C E O , K M B C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

If I had a dollar for every brand, integration firm, trade pro, or association representative who’s quietly confided to me in some form or another, “We want to adopt AI tools, but we’re hesitant about choosing the wrong ones,” I’d have enough to fund more than a few pilot programs. That hesitation is real. The opportunity, though, is bigger. The path forward isn’t about chasing AI for speed’s sake. It’s about selecting the right tools, humanizing their outcomes, and investing in the people who turn those outcomes into revenue, relationships, and smoother operations.

AI can absolutely improve productivity, but outputs and outcomes are not the same thing. Harvard Business Review recently underscored this, noting that while generative AI “boosts immediate task performance,” it can “undermine workers’ intrinsic motivation.” Tools alone rarely differentiate a business. People and culture do. In our channel, it’s your team’s judgment, brand voice, and hands-on experience that create real value. The goal is to make your team more valuable and more human to clients and partners, not less.

Ready to give your 2026 strategy a running start? Here’s a field-tested playbook to explore, implement, and, most importantly, humanize AI in your business: 1. Run a Three-Week AI Discovery Sprint. Identify five revenuelinked workflows that bog your team down, such as proposal drafting, SOW/change-order creation, service ticket triage, inventory/ETA updates, outbound communications, and follow-up messaging. Time these workflows now, log error rates, and establish a baseline for future comparison.

2. Select “No Regrets” Tools That Integrate. Prioritize platforms that natively connect to your CRM/PSA/PM stack, support role-specific permissions, and provide transparent data usage policies. PSA: If a platform vendor can’t tell you exactly where your data lives, who can see it, and how long it’s kept, move on. Bonus points for audit trails and controllable tone settings to keep copy on-brand.

3. Appoint an AI Editor (Not Just an Admin). Equip a sharp, trusted team member as your AI editor. Someone who knows your brand, understands client sensitivities, and isn’t afraid to say, “We’re not publishing that.” Their job is to tune prompts, police tone, edit out confidential content, and keep every output aligned with your unique voice and completely on-brand.

4. Build a “Humanize the Output” Checklist. Before anything goes to a client, require edits for: • Brand voice and regional vernacular • Real-world details from your projects • Fact-checking and removal of hallucinated claims and poor-quality source citations • Guarantees and clear disclosures (“Rendering, subject to field verification”)

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This is how you make AI outputs truly sound like you while also protecting your brand.

5. Set Practical Guardrails Now. Simple, workable policies beat legal tomes. Draft a “do-not-paste” list (confidential drawings, addresses, client names, etc.). Update NDAs and service agreements for AI tool usage and privacy. Make sure your AI editor knows what never goes public. Have a system in place for double- and triple-checking content, especially when it is of a sensitive nature (client confidentiality, site confidentiality, etc.)

Early missteps can be costly if policies aren’t defined upfront.

6. Measure What Matters (and What Sells). Track leading indicators such as time efficiencies gained, draft quality and/or volume improvement, ticket triage accuracy and expediency, and clearer comms. Also measure lagging indicators such as conversion rates, project values, change-order revenue, and NPS. If a tool saves time but not dollars, keep iterating or move on. Operational efficiency is great; revenue growth is better.

7. Pilot → Prove → Scale. Test three micro-pilots (proposals, service triage, campaigns). Assign owners, define success metrics, and set sunset dates. If it works, templatize and scale. If not, fail fast and cheaply.

8. Use AI to Drive New Revenue. Let AI comb through tickets and past proposals for upsell signals. Look for clues like rooms lacking window treatments, racks without remote power, and networks needing monitoring. Build “next best offer” lists and let your team call, not just email. AI serves up the data; your people close the deal. PSA: Be sure client information and addresses are masked to protect your client, and always use only platforms that will not use your uploads to train models. That last part is crucial.

9. Upskill Your Rainmakers First. Outfit sales/design teams early. Teach them to storyboard, price, and deliver clean visuals for ops to execute. AI won’t crawl a crawlspace at 2:00 AM, but it will help sellers put a better rack on “Page One” — and get on-site sooner.

10. Keep Your Culture Centered. Everyone’s reading AI headlines, but your team needs the “why.” Remind them that AI exists to take the grind out so you can do more of the human stuff, like listening, designing, and solving.

Not just “rah rah” talk; this is how you retain top team members. People who feel their judgment matters bring better judgment to your clients.

As 2026 comes into focus, here’s the bottom line: Don’t just buy AI. Build an advantage, choose the right-fit tools, empower a skilled human to guide outputs, and wire those outputs directly to results. The market buzz will keep humming, but your play is simple: Give your team superpowers and the editorial authority to use them. This way, you not only hit your goals, but you spot new ones and close them.

Don’t let this stress you out, but do take action so you stay ahead of the curve. Need help getting this started in your organization? Drop me a line and let’s discuss. katye@kmbcomm.com.

VITAL BUSINESS TIPS

Maximizing December Four critical areas every custom integrator should focus on before the calendar flips to 2026.

B Y M AT T B E R N AT H

December is that weird month where everyone’s simultaneously trying to get projects done before the holidays, close out the year, and somehow still run their business. Holiday parties, year-end vendor calls, and family obligations all compound into a blur of activity that leaves little room for the strategic thinking your business actually needs.

The businesses that thrive work smarter during December, although it can feel like they’re working harder. They use this natural transition point to clear out the clutter, tighten up operations, and position themselves for a stronger year ahead. Here are four critical areas every custom integrator should focus on before the calendar flips to 2026.

1. Start With Subtraction We have this tendency as business owners to constantly add new software, new processes, new reporting requirements, new data points to track….

We layer on systems and steps with good intentions, but rarely subtract.

Over time, these layers accumulate into a complexity that nobody questions anymore: Your team collects data that nobody reviews; they follow steps that made sense three years ago but serve no purpose today; they navigate systems that create work without creating value. Here’s your December audit: Data Collection: What information are you tracking right now? Who actually uses this data? How does it create value for customers, margins, or team development? If you can’t answer both “who” and “how,” stop collecting it.

Process Layers: How is each step or process adding value, and to whom?

Which steps exist “just to be safe” or “because we’ve always done it”? Each one is a candidate for elimination. When you strip away the noise, what remains are the processes that matter. Those that serve your customers, protect your margins, or develop your people.

2. The Hidden Profit in Your Expenses Next, we will focus on the money going out the door. You probably know your big expenses: payroll, insurance, and rent. But what about all those recurring charges that hit your credit card every month? Here’s your December homework: Pull up every recurring expense from 2025 and then ask two questions about each: [1] What value is this adding to the business? [2] Am I getting a return on this spend?

Be ruthless in your responses. That software you tried for three months and never fully implemented? Cancel it. That training tool you signed up for but never use? Cut it. That association membership where you haven’t attended a single event? Gone.

Then look at your vendor relationships: Are you maximizing every program available? Are you in a buying group, and, if so, are you aligned with the right vendors and programs? Have you reviewed terms and pricing recently?

Most integrators leave money on the table here because they don’t

regularly review what’s available. For every 1% bottom-line profit improvement through better vendor terms, eliminated waste, or optimized spending, you gain $10k for every million dollars in revenue.

Small improvements in spending discipline compound, and December is the perfect time to find them.

3. Collections Conversation Nobody Wants to Have Let’s look at accounts receivable, because this is where a lot of integrators get themselves into trouble. You’ve done the work. You’ve sent the invoice (or maybe you haven’t yet) and now it’s sitting there…30, 60, maybe 90 days past due. You tell yourself you’ll follow up next week, but next week becomes next month, and suddenly it’s Q1 of 2026 and you’re trying to collect on work you did last summer.

Collecting overdue invoices gets exponentially harder with time. What felt urgent to them in October feels optional by February. December matters. Before the year closes, you need to have the collections conversation. Do it clearly and directly, without damaging the relationship.

While you’re in collection mode, tackle the other side of the ledger: bad debt. If you have invoices from 2024 or earlier that you know you’re never going to collect, write them off and get them out of your books.

4. Planning 2026 With Actual Data Most business owners approach planning for the new year with some combination of hope and guesswork. Here’s a better approach (and the one we use at VITAL): Add your total backlog of unbilled revenue (unfinished work) to your last six months’ total of new projects signed.

That number gives you a solid estimate for your revenue in 2026. Why does this work? Because it accounts for both your forward momentum (the backlog you’re carrying) and your current sales velocity (what you’ve actually closed recently). Once you have that projection, you can make real decisions.

If your 2026 estimate is higher than 2025: Do you have the team to handle that growth? Where will bottlenecks show up? Do you need another project manager? Another installer? Do you have systems to manage increased volume?

Growth is great, but unmanaged growth destroys businesses. Plan for the capacity you’ll need before you need it.

If your 2026 estimate is lower than 2025, then it is a harder conversation, but also the more important one. If revenue is projected to decline, you need to right-size your team before the cash flow problems start. I know this sounds harsh, but running out of cash in Q2 because you waited too long to make hard decisions is harsher. Your responsibility as a leader is to ensure the business survives and thrives.

The businesses that win in 2026 will be the ones that used December to create clarity: They cut what wasn’t working, optimized what remained, collected what was owed, and planned based on real data.

DECEMBER 2025

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BACK TO BUSINESS

The Raving Fan Factory How to create super-satisfied customers who are five times more likely to recommend your business.

BY HENRY CLIFFORD

It’s easy to lose sight of a simple reality inside the CI space: A happy customer will tell three people, while unhappy customers tell nine. When we spend all our time chasing new customers, we can fall prey to ignoring the end result. In straight economic terms, creating a raving fan costs practically nothing because we’re already working with labor already set aside to finish the job. It’s just a matter of optimizing those resources.

Shifting to a culture of “Finish Strong” has a huge payoff, with raving fans easily worth five times more than a “merely satisfied” customer. Let’s explore what it takes to reorient our mindset from selling new business to manufacturing new raving fans.

Integrators tend to focus disproportionately on lead generation, deal flow, and top-line growth. Further, as our businesses scale, we find out quickly that what got us here won’t get us there. We celebrate jobs sold, but not necessarily delighted customers. Closed won business is tempting to celebrate because it’s so easy to measure. In a culture that is hyperfocused on the top of the funnel vs. what’s coming out the other side, we can inadvertently end up producing a poor product and find out about it only after it’s too late.

Merely satisfying a customer won’t grow your business. Satisfied customers are quiet, while raving fans are loud. The headwinds toward this shift involve unwinding cultural norms around how we keep score. For us to change our thinking, we have to change the scorecard. Becoming a raving fan factory means defining what a raving fan looks like, measuring progress weekly, and encouraging all members of the team to lean in together.

Implementing We can’t manufacture raving fans unless we can easily discern what they look like. Common hallmarks of a raving fan include willingness to host events at their home, participation in case studies, or unsolicited introductions to friends and family. Let’s unpack each of these traits: • Unsolicited referrals — Develop a referral program inside your business to make it easy for customers to send new business your way.

Feeding these opportunities into your CRM means they can now be easily measured.

• Leaves glowing public reviews — Another easy-to-measure metric.

Ask each of your clients face-to-face for a review at the end of each job. Four- or 5-star reviews should be responded to immediately, and anything 3 stars or below gets a phone call from a manager to address the friction quickly.

• Forgives small mistakes — You’re going to screw up occasionally, and raving fans will let you slide. Don’t use this as a crutch, but these are the people who will always assume good intent first. There’s an old saying that goes, “When you don’t like someone, you can’t stand the way they hold their fork. When you like them, they could spill their entire dinner in your lap and you’d laugh.”

• Chooses you again (even if you’re not the cheapest) — Another easy

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metric to measure. A customer coming back for more drives down your customer acquisition cost substantially.

For “Finish Strong” to work, each team member needs to feel connected to manufacturing raving fans. In some ways, that’s the beauty of building a raving fan factory vs. a sales-focused organization. Sales-obsessed organizations exclude vast swaths of the company from believing they have anything to do with driving success. A raving fan factory can draw a straight line from any department (accounting, purchasing, system design, or project management) to the raving fan experience. This shift in stance from reactive to proactive focuses on controlling the controllables and will make the initiative relatable to everyone as opposed to a select few.

Nothing will kill a project or an initiative faster than making it overly complex. Here’s a “no new tools” framework that can sit on top of what you’re already doing:

The Raving Fan Scorecard Template Place the following categories at the top of each column: • Week Ending: Enter the date.

• # of 5-Star Google Reviews: Count only new reviews posted that week.

• # of Reviews Mentioning Staff by Name: Count how many of those reviews include a team member’s name.

• # of Referred Leads: Count new leads that came from a past client or were marked as a referral.

• # of Repeat Clients: Count clients who closed a new job this week and have had work done before.

• Total Fan Score: Add up the columns for a single weekly total. Set your targets around measuring the current 30-day trailing average score and setting growth goals from there.

Best Practices • Kick off a quarterly “Ownership Thinking”-style Rapid Improvement Plan around creating raving fans. Assign a lifetime value to a newly created raving fan and create tiers around the value created to develop a self-funded incentive plan.

• Update the scorecard every Friday.

• Review weekly with the team in a huddle or all-hands meeting.

• Use the score to spot trends and share raving fan stories.

• Create rituals around reflection: Ask, “Did we create one today?” during huddle calls, check-ins, and all-hands meetings.

Here’s the rub: If you do nothing, nothing bad will happen right away.

Instead of being fired, however, you just won’t get asked to do the next thing. By choosing to become a raving fan factory, you’re delivering customer experiences that are above anything your competitors are cranking out. Over time, both approaches (Finish Strong vs. Status Quo) will impact your business. One path leads to customers worth five times more than your current set, while the other path leads to mediocrity.

FEATURE

COMPANIES TO

Illustration: z_wei/Getty Images

WATCH 2026

Compiled by Anthony Savona

T

he last month of the year is the perfect time to take stock of the past 12 months and ponder what they mean for the next 12.

That these company wins throughout 2025, and there are quite a lot of them, manage to occur despite very interesting times worldwide, shows the resiliency of this industry.

This list is compiled through a combination of marketer contributions and analysis of the top news and product stories of the year. If you don’t see your favorite companies on this list, there is no need to fret — some are still here, just listed under their parent companies, while it is not unusual for some to skip a year while their new products and services are in development.

Abode: In 2025, Abode continued expanding its DIY smart home security platform with major ecosystem updates, including the launch of its Apple TV app and an enhanced Android TV app. Users can now arm systems, view live or recorded video, and control devices from any screen in the home. These additions rounded out Abode’s full-suite app experience across mobile, desktop, and TV, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to platform-agnostic control.

ADI: ADI continues to build momentum as it further integrates the Snap One business under its motto, “Even Better Together,” delivering greater value to customers. In 2025, the company launched 500-plus exclusive brand NPIs, significantly expanded cross-sell efforts with 5000-plus third-party SKUs, and

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Our annual look back at the wins of the past year and how they will impact the next one.

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earned recognition with more than 80 industry awards. ADI grew its footprint with six new combined storefronts, with additional locations planned, and celebrated the opening of its 41,000-square-foot Support Center in Charlotte, N.C. ADI further enhanced its digital presence by upgrading its online sales platform to deliver a smarter, faster, and more seamless experience. Looking ahead, ADI plans to separate from Resideo and operate as a standalone business, enabling greater strategic focus and even more customer value.

AiSPIRE: AiSPIRE had a very busy 2025, adding to its VENTRIX modular linear lighting, power, and control system and introducing its QUARTUS Recessed Collection right before CEDIA Expo. Then, at the show itself, the company debuted new, all-in-one 4-inch and 6-inch Astro Basics Retrofit Recessed Downlights that feature horizontal and beam adjustments, as well as Dim-toWarm illumination from 3000K to 1800K. Alfred International: Alfred is redefining residential and multi-family access control with a portfolio of smart locks designed for professional installers.

With deep OEM roots and decades of hardware expertise, Alfred creates advanced, code-compliant solutions that blend security and style. Its lineup includes advanced smart locks like the DB1 Pro, which delivers enterprise-grade encryption, flexible connectivity, and quick installation, and the Interconnect Kit, an industry-first retrofit solution for fire code compliance and single-motion egress. Supporting Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi, Alfred inte-

FEATURE

grates into professional automation systems.

Amp Genie: Amp Genie delivers touch-free AVR control. As the world’s only signal-sensing automatic AVR remote, it bridges any audio source with any supported AVR for instant, seamless playback. No remotes, no menus — just music. Launch an app, speak a command, or drop the needle on a record, and Amp Genie automatically configures your system for stereo sound. Offering a low-cost alternative to expensive universal remotes and control systems, Amp Genie delights clients and professional installers with its simplicity, reliability, and exceptional performance.

Apex Technologies: The Apex Technologies portfolio spans cinema-grade entertainment systems, immersive and dynamic LED-based lighting that enhances ambiance, and advanced power quality solutions that optimize the uninterrupted enjoyment of home technology and modern lighting. With a consultative approach, Apex Technologies collaborates closely with integrators to craft bespoke designs for cinema, specialty lighting, and power quality infrastructures.

Arlington: Arlington Industries was founded in 1949, and in its early years served the electrical industry as a regional supplier of zinc die-cast fittings.

The company was acquired by its present owners in 1956 and has become a leading manufacturer of traditional metallic and non-metallic fittings and connectors, while remaining an industry leader in the development of unique and innovative electrical and communications products. Arlington is committed to new product development, and the company has introduced more than 500 new or unique products in the last ten years. After multiple plant expansions, its Scranton, Pennsylvania, facility encompasses five acres under roof.

ASCENDO Immersive Audio: ASCENDO took 2025 by storm with proven audio innovation and performance. Not only did the company introduce THE28 SUB SQUARED, which took home top honors (like our own Best of Show award at ISE 2025), but it made waves for ASCENDO’s unique 28-inch composite sandwich cone that has the cone area equivalent to a 32-inch round subwoofer. The company also introduced what are now the world’s largest subwoofers, THE64 and THE100 infrasonic models, and continues to set the standard for infrasonic bass in home cinema. Finally, ASCENDO recently introduced THE HALO speaker, which delivers the audio excellence of the company’s flagship BLACK SWAN in a flat, round cardioid design.

Audio Advice: In addition to hosting another successful Audio Advice Live event in August, the integration company made two big moves in the back half of 2025. First, it expanded into the Nashville market with its new location in the fast-growing area of Franklin, just south of Nashville, hiring former Imagine Audio Video executive and Bravas general manager Ed Simonton to lead that location. Then Audio Advice announced its acquisition of The Sound Room, a leading St. Louis-based audio, video, and home automation company founded in 1983 by David Young.

AVPro Global Holdings: AVPro had a busy year with product introductions, but its biggest news hit at the end of May with the announcement that the company had acquired Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI), adding the automation company to its roster of brands that also includes AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, ThenAudio, and Murideo. Later in the year, RTI released the ISR-AB Advanced Base remote control, which offers a builtin Wi-Fi access point and programmable control buttons, plus a Find-My-Remote feature.

AWALL: Florida-based video display manufacturer AWALL is on a roll, expanding its presence with both dealers and end-users. Not only did its MicroLED display turn heads at CEDIA Expo, earning a Best of Show Award from Residential Systems, but it is also part of a permanent installation at the hightech retail store tmr:w located in Times Square in New York City.

Azione Unlimited: The buying group’s busy year included the significant ex-

ASCENDO

pansion of its educational initiatives, which launched new learning opportunities across multiple disciplines. More recently, it launched the Azione Collective, a women’s circle dedicated to fostering connection, mentorship, and empowerment within the Azione community that is led by Nicole Riddle, director of membership at Azione Unlimited.

Blackwire Designs: Blackwire Designs was recognized by Residential Systems with the Best of Show award at CEDIA 2025 for the new VideoWall Pro driver, which streamlines the installation and control of video wall systems with native integration for the Control4 platform. Compatible with leading AV-over-IP systems, it provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface that eliminates the need for complex custom programming. In 2026, the company plans to deepen partnerships with leading names in the residential industry and continue driving innovation, finding smarter ways to make installs more efficient and cost-effective.

Bond: One of the surest ways to identify when a company is doing things “right” is when they are chosen by brand after brand to partner with. That defines what has been happening for Bond. The list of partnering brands has grown significantly, with dozens of motorized shade manufacturers now in the Bond universe, along with a similar number of ceiling fan brands. The adoption rate for Bond will continue to expand into 2026.

Bowers & Wilkins: Partnerships were the name of the game for the high-end audio manufacturer, which announced a limited-edition speaker series in conjunction with Abbey Road Studios and continued its relationship with the McLaren Formula 1 Team, becoming its official audio partner. It also released the Px7 S3 and the Px8 S2 wireless headphones.

CEDIA: CEDIA has made remarkable progress in raising awareness of the custom integration channel across government, consumer, and design & build audiences. On the advocacy front, CEDIA’s annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., engaged legislators on tariffs, workforce development, and licensing — and supported a major policy win, with 529 savings plans now eligible for trade education and certifications like CEDIA’s. The association’s first-of-its-kind consumer campaign is helping members connect directly with homeowners and elevating industry visibility. Meanwhile, the CEDIA and NKBA|KBIS research, along with Smart Home Day, are deepening relationships with the design & build community and showcasing the growing demand for integrated smart home technology.

Cleerline Technology Group: The Cleerline Technology Group introduced two new fiber installation accessories for residential and commercial integrators: the LC multimode and single-mode UPC connectors, which are available in 2-packs, and updated versions of the LGX-compatible rack enclosures that feature improved cable management. It also debuted the SSF-2x8POE-RUGGED, a 2×8 switch that is engineered for extreme environments. It includes two SFP Gigabit ports with eight ports of Gigabit Ethernet and can deliver eight ports of PoE+ (30W per port).

Coastal Source: 2025 marked a transformative year for Coastal Source. Through its Native by Design partnership with Lutron, the company unveiled VIA — a DECEMBER 2025

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new line of fixtures integrating Lutron’s Ketra and Rania Intelligent Lighting technology, with pre-orders opening in 2026. The collection pairs Coastal Source’s signature durability with Lutron’s precision and beauty, bringing seamless indoor-to-outdoor control and natural light to all environments. Coastal Source also debuted Ovation, its first in-ceiling outdoor speaker that expands audio ecosystems with discreet, high-performance overhead sound.

Cogent360: In July, Cogent360 launched a new sales tool called SmartShowroom360, which is an immersive 3D experience that is custom-branded for individual integrators. SmartShowroom360 enables prospective clients to better visualize possibilities as they explore realistic residential spaces and learn about numerous smart home solutions.

Crestron: Crestron continues to drive home automation innovation with the launch of the Cevo Mini Remote, featuring refined ergonomics, customizable interactive cells for scenes and favorites, tactile vibration feedback, and both wireless charging and USB-C compatibility. The latest Crestron Home OS update added native Apple Music streaming, expanded third-party integrations, and deeper personalization for a seamless, unified control experience. Heading into 2026, Crestron plans to expand its Configure Pro tool and advance the Crestron Home OS platform to deliver even greater customization and efficiency for integrators.

CRESTRON

D-Tools: With the recent $12 million investment led by former Snap One CEO John Heyman’s AI firm StellarIQ, D-Tools is now primed to deliver new features at a rapid pace, such as its new Interconnect Diagrams feature for D-Tools Cloud for mapping system connectivity that is fully integrated with the BOM and product catalog. Also, the new native mobile apps for both the System Integrator and Cloud platforms enable greater field efficiency. But the most impactful advancement is the AI agent embedded into D-Tools Cloud that empowers integrators to streamline quoting, design, and documentation, enabling faster, more accurate workflows.

Daisy: Started in 2024, Daisy now ranks as the leading national home and small business technology installation and services company, with more than 20 locations across the country. The company was founded to help homeowners and small businesses manage their technology with reliable, consistent support from an experienced nationwide team of professional integrators.

Daisy has achieved this by equipping its partner companies with a comprehensive suite of tools for service and support, ranging from technology systems and marketing materials to employee recruiting, development, and sales coaching. In less than two years, Daisy has made remarkable progress, with locations reporting significant recurring revenue, streamlined workflows, and greater operational efficiency. Beyond its rapid growth, Daisy has emerged as a thought leader in the integration industry, sharing insights and best practices, including its proactive strategies for helping companies navigate evolving trade and tariff challenges.

Dirac: Dirac marked an exceptional year in 2025, further solidifying its leadership position through a variety of high-impact collaborations. Its standout partnership with NIO saw the debut of Dirac’s reference room mode in the new ES8,

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recreating the acoustics of world-class studios and concert halls throughout the vehicle’s cabin. The company also expanded Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) to a wide range of Denon and Marantz receivers, bringing advanced room optimization and low-frequency control to broader audiences.

DMF Lighting: 2025 was a milestone year for DMF Lighting, marked by the debut of Artafex PhaseX and Artafex Linear, both honored with major industry awards, including two CEDIA 2025 Smart Home Awards. The DMF team expanded, the website and dealer portal were fully revamped, and support for CI partners was strengthened through robust training. In 2026, DMF will introduce next-generation digital lighting solutions with an expanded presence at Lightapalooza.

Draper At Home: In 2025, Draper At Home expanded its battery and low-voltage universes, introduced solar recharging for outdoor shades, and added child-safe cordless Uplift shades. Draper purchased a majority stake in U.K. shading provider Guthrie Douglas, and two new GD products are already part of DAH. The company also expanded its CI leadership team to include a technical sales manager. The growth and product expansion curve will continue in 2026 as Draper adds proprietary DC motors and controls, and more.

Environmental Lights: Environmental Lights made strides in the Eluxtra line, introducing the Eluxtra 5-in-1 LED Strip Light and the Eluxtra ProFlex.

The 5-in-1 LED Strip Light provides lighting designers with an expanded color palette. Designers can mix RGB with 2400K and 6500K, or RGB with Amber and 6500K, to create bolder colors and more pastel variations. Eluxtra ProFlex is available in two form factors: LED Strip Light and LED Neon. To cater to a wide range of applications, LED Neon is available in a classic neon profile, as well as a wide-top profile that is wider and taller, enhancing visibility from all viewing angles.

Epson: Epson raised eyebrows in August with the introduction of its Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 4K HDR 3LCD laser projector, which has an MSRP under $4000. Even with the lower price, it does not skimp on quality, offering proprietary 4K Display Technology with HDR10+, delivering 8.29 million pixels on-screen for a 4K UHD picture.

Flex Automation: WTS (Window Treatment System) is an all-in-one smart sensor for direct control over blinds, awnings, curtains, screens, and lifts without the need for additional hubs or converters. It reacts in response to real-time wind speed, direction, sunlight intensity, temperature, and humidity measurements. Designed for both residential and commercial applications, WTS merges environmental intelligence with energy-saving automation by controlling lighting and air conditioning levels to achieve comfort with the lowest electricity bills.

Fortress: Fortress introduced the CineMilano theater chair to address a specific market segment. CineMilano’s clean lines, aggressive pricing, and inclusion of the most requested accessories included have made it the company’s most popular chair in 2025. In 2026, Fortress will see the rollout of designs by Sheba Kwan of Red Theory Design. The first theater chair is the Aspen, designed exclusively for Fortress.

Furrion: Just in time for CEDIA Expo, Furrion released the Aurora Partial-Sun 2 4K UHD LED outdoor smart TV. Built on the foundation of the original Aurora Partial-Sun TV, the fourth-generation model introduced several improvements in performance and durability. Specifically designed for partly sunny outdoor settings, the Aurora Partial-Sun 2 offers a viewing experience that combines advanced display quality with long-lasting construction.

FutureCare Solutions Group: FutureCare Solutions Group brings heart and intelligence together to reimagine how we care for those we love. Its smart, sensor-based platform quietly watches over daily life, learning patterns, noticing changes, and sharing meaningful insights with families and caregivers.

The goal isn’t just data, but peace of mind and independence for older adults who want to age safely at home. As the sister company to Global Wave Integration, FutureCare combines luxury-level technology with genuine compassion, creating environments that feel both connected and human. Its mission: To make wellness technology simple, supportive, and deeply personal across every home and community.

Global Wave Integration: Global Wave Integration (GWI) merges design, wellness, and innovation to create intelligent environments that inspire. From private theaters to wellness-driven resorts, GWI integrates lighting, audio, automation, and AI to elevate how people live and feel. Its pioneering Wave of Wellness platform and sister company, FutureCare Solutions Group, extend this expertise into health and senior living, bringing smart, human-centered technology to homes and communities.

Recent accolades include multiple CEDIA awards for innovation and design excellence.

Grimani Systems: Grimani Systems had a major product launch in 2025 and saw its founder, Anthony Grimani, receive the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from CEDIA. The company introduced the MP-84 2-way active DSP bi-amplified mini-port ceiling speaker in May, which features full-range sound with deep bass and crisp highs, as well as wide dispersion for smooth coverage and consistent quality.

Harman Luxury Audio Group: Harman Luxury Audio had a monumental 2025, marked by the launch of the JBL Summit Series and Mark Levinson 600 Series, plus new ARCAM Radia+ models and JBL Synthesis SMA amplifiers. Parent company Harman also acquired Sound United, expanding its leadership in premium audio. In 2026, Harman Luxury Audio will celebrate key brand milestones — 80 years of JBL, 50 years of ARCAM, and 30 years of Revel, while unveiling new innovations, including the forthcoming JBL 4369 flagship studio monitor.

Hisense: Television screens continue to increase in size, and Hisense certainly contributes to the trend. In September, Hisense launched its largest ULED MiniLED TV yet, the 116U75QG. Measuring 116 inches, the new U75QG model brings ultra-premium performance to the U7 Series, bridging the gap between Hisense’s mainstream ULED and flagship UX TV lines.

Home Technology Association: 2025 was a year of progress for the Home Technology Association. Phase I of a dynamic website redesign was completed, featuring immersive imagery and video that highlight luxury technology installations from HTA Certified integrators and supporting brands through a new homepage slider and “Inspiration Gallery.” These updates make the HTA site a more engaging resource for architects, interior designers, and builders. Looking ahead to 2026, the HTA will expand its outreach to the design and build trades, emphasizing the advantages of engaging qualified technology integrators early in the design process, advancing its mission to

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COMPANIES TO WATCH 2026

strengthen collaboration and raise the standard of excellence across the home technology industry.

HTSA: At the HTSA Spring Conference in April, executive director Jon Robbins said, “I anticipate a good year, if things come to their senses.” While the latter part of that sentence is debatable, the group still came out on top, with Robbins saying at October’s Fall Conference, “We are having a growth year this year. Last year was our first flat year in eight years, but we’re up again this year in overall group purchases versus last year. We’re anticipating that that’s going to maintain.”

Hunter Douglas: Hunter Douglas continues to pair cutting-edge technology with design versatility. In 2026, the company will roll out new tools and resources designed to make specifying and selling automated shading easier than ever — reducing complexity while elevating profitability. Dealers can look forward to expanded training opportunities, enhanced support, and fresh incentives that recognize success. Built on feedback from the field, these updates reflect Hunter Douglas’ ongoing commitment to helping integrators grow confidently with solutions that unite performance and design, empowering them to deliver exceptional experiences for every client.

HYPERSUB: After years of designing and calibrating reference-grade theaters, Nyal Mellor of Acoustic Frontiers identified a persistent shortcoming in the market: subwoofers that measured well on paper often failed to perform predictably once installed. They lacked integration, linearity, and composure when interacting with real rooms. To bridge that gap, Mellor partnered with Harbottle Audio, a Canadian OEM known for its transducer and amplifier engineering. Together, they developed the HYPERSUB subwoofer that would unite in-room acoustic expertise with electro-acoustic mastery, engineered not just for output, but for scientific consistency and system integration.

Integra: Integra introduced its all-new Professional Amplifier Series, designed for reliability, precision, and high performance. Created with custom integrators, this series delivers accurate amplification with intuitive controls for residential and commercial installations. Four models — 4125DSP ($1900), 8125DSP ($3700), 4500DSP ($3600), and 8500DSP ($6000) — support 70V or 8-ohm configurations, optional wall controllers, an online setup GUI, and rackmount integration. Installation can be simplified with the optional wall-mounted Zone Controller. Each unit includes a five-year warranty. Partnered with Q-SYS, C4, RTI, Crestron, Symetrix, AMX, and URC, Integra amplifiers feature built-in software tools for setup and control.

HARMAN LUXURY AUDIO

Josh.ai: In 2025, Josh.ai unveiled AI X OS, a breakthrough in AI-powered automation, a new 10-inch Josh Touchscreen, and started shipping its hard-button Josh Edge remote. AI X OS embeds advanced intelligence across device capabilities, unifying Josh.ai’s touch, text, and voice interfaces. These innovations highlight Josh.ai’s evolution as a leader in home automation and its commit-

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ment to over 2200 certified dealers, delivering modern and personalized control for the connected home.

Just Add Power: Just Add Power developed its Advanced Matrix Programmer (AMP) to support switches from both Niveo Professional and Ruckus. AMP is designed to simplify the setup process for individual Just Add Power devices, discovering them on the local network, presenting them in a list, and allowing installers to name them, configure their IP addresses, and assign channels to transmitters, then later assisting with desired updates when new firmware is released. Once the Just Add Power system is configured, AMP also provides a user interface that can be used to control source switching.

Just Video Walls: Not only did Just Video Walls have an eye-catching astronaut floating above its CEDIA Expo booth, but the company also debuted five New MicroLED Solutions, including the industry’s first WYSIWYG source management interface, a trio of new trim solutions, a 0.7mm pixel pitch MicroLED wall, a fine-pitch outdoor MicroLED, and a partnership with Leon Speakers.

JVC: JVC partnered with Control4 to make the control system compatible with all JVC D-ILA projector models, including the four high-end JVC D-ILA home projectors — DLA-NZ900/DLA-RS4200 and DLA-NZ800/DLA-RS3200.

Kaleidescape: Kaleidescape expanded its Strato movie player lineup in 2025, adding two new models. In the spring, it announced the Strato M, an entry-level player with lossless audio and reference 2K video. It also launched the Strato E, a new entry-level 4K movie player offering lossless audio and reference 4K video for a premium home cinema experience. Recently, Kaleidescape introduced kAI, an AI-powered discovery feature for its movie store.

KEF America: KEF had an exciting 2025, with multiple new product launches, including the XIO Soundbar, a color refresh of its Blade Meta Series, the next generation of the Muo portable Bluetooth speaker, and the Coda W, its latest wireless HiFi system. The XIO transforms viewing with Dolby Atmos and 5.1.2 spatial audio. The Muo translates the sculptural ambition of KEF’s iconic Muon speakers into a compact unit that can fit into your bag but be powerful enough to fill a room. The Coda W, inspired by the original Coda Series, is an all-in-one system that makes high-fidelity sound more accessible. The Coda W blends timeless design with cutting-edge acoustic technology.

Klipsch: Delivering legendary American sound since 1946, Klipsch will proudly celebrate its 80th Anniversary in 2026! This year saw category-defining Klipsch products introduced — including new generations of the Heritage loudspeakers La Scala and Klipschorn, and the Flexus Core 300 Soundbar. The new Klipsch Courtyard Landscape Speaker System wowed attendees and won multiple Best of CEDIA awards. Klipsch continues to expand its premium audio reach in the automotive, RV, and marine markets with world-class partners, including Infiniti, Airstream, and Ikon. CES attendees are invited to visit Klipsch in Central Hall, Booth 17204, to learn more about its plans for 2026.

KMB Communications: KMB Communications is growing and so is what it delivers for brands, integration firms, and associations. The agency has evolved from PR to a full-spectrum, strategic growth partner operating at the intersection of tech and design. In residential CI and commercial AV, KMB blends brand strategy, storytelling, and top-tier support. Founder, CEO, and brand strategist Katye McGregor Bennett is regularly invited to speak at interior design and design/build events about technology’s expanding role in well-designed spaces.

Kordz: Voted “Most Popular Manufacturer” by the industry in 2025 in Connected Magazine, Kordz continues to set the benchmark for professional connectivity solutions designed and engineered by integrators, for integrators. Every product, from HDMI and USB-C to outdoor-rated Cat6 and speaker cabling, is optimized through the company’s “Kordzification” process, ensuring speed, reliability, and repeatable results in the field. Kordz also serves as a trusted

COMPANIES TO WATCH 2026

industry resource, helping integrators stay ahead of the rapid evolution of AV technology through education, training, and thought leadership. This year, Kordz expands its ecosystem with an upgraded HDMI range and new USB-C and outdoor cabling solutions.

L-Acoustics: L-Acoustics received plenty of attention at CEDIA Expo for the demonstration of its hard-to-describe HYRISS (Hyperreal Immersive Sound Space) technology. The system features several L-Acoustics products, including a combination of Soka loudspeakers and SB10i subwoofers for surround channels alongside compact X4i models for height channels. Anima, the company’s audio source dynamic spatialization feature, was embedded within the L-ISA processor, and it was driven by L-Acoustics LA7.16i amplified controllers.

Legrand | AV: The Legrand | AV brands provide dependable infrastructure mounting, storage, networking, video, and power solutions for the spaces where people live, work, and play with products from C2G, Chief, Da-Lite, Luxul, Middle Atlantic, On-Q, SANUS, and Vaddio. Plus, they’re backed by free network design, award-winning support, and industry-leading warranties, so you can complete the job with confidence.

Lenbrook: Lenbrook America had a busy year that was well-summarized with its new-product-filled demo room at the Toronto Audiofest in October. There, the Roksan Caspain 4G amplifier was demoed on BLOK furniture and powered the PSB T65 Tower speakers. The NAD M33 V2 and M23 V2 combo powered the DALI EPIKORE 9 speakers, while the Bluesound POWERNODE, along with the PULSE CINEMA MINI Dolby Atmos soundbars, were also set up for demo.

LG: LG’s biggest news — its televisions — arrived at the beginning of 2025 with the announcement of its 2025 OLED evo lineup, including the world’s first true wireless OLED evo M5 and OLED evo G5 models. The new models all feature LG’s latest α (Alpha) 11 AI processor Gen2 at their core.

Lighthouse Design Studio: Lighthouse Design Studio combines nationally recognized excellence in outdoor lighting design and a savvy awareness of the many integrators around the country that are well-positioned to provide elite outdoor lighting systems to their affluent clientele. However, almost all integration firms lack the lighting experience to do so, as well as the highly trained installation teams to accomplish it. LDS can supply both and — very importantly — remain agnostic to product choices. Now, with top-notch reps on the job and media coverage spreading the word, LDS designs and installations will indeed be lighting up the CEDIA channel in 2026.

Loxx Boxx: Loxx Boxx is setting a new standard for package protection around the connected home. In 2025, the company expanded nationwide availability of its steel-anchored, app-enabled parcel boxes, offering smart access control, real-time tamper alerts, and the industry’s only Safe Receipt Guarantee. As package theft continues to rise, integrators and builders alike are discovering Loxx Boxx as a timely, value-adding solution for smart home clients. With new models, channel partnerships, and builder-focused initiatives on deck for 2026, Loxx Boxx is poised to become the go-to brand for residential parcel protection, with flexibility to place their solution anywhere around the home or community.

Lucetta CI: Lucetta CI recently introduced the LINAIRE Flex RGBW line, combining seamless diffusion with powerful RGBW color to deliver stunning results. These new lighting solutions give integrators and designers more control, flexibility, and performance. Products include LINAIRE Flex Top Bend, a top-bending RGBW light for fluid, architectural lines; LINAIRE Flex Side Bend, providing side-bending flexibility with vibrant, full-spectrum output; and LINAIRE 3D, which bends all directions for unlimited creative freedom.

Lucetta CI designs, engineers, and manufactures in Reno, Nevada.

Luminii: Luminii, a Chicago-based leader in specification-grade architectural LED lighting, has launched its new AV Lighting Configurator and Quoting Tool,

designed to empower AV dealers and integrators. The platform streamlines quoting, ensures accuracy, and simplifies lighting design, addressing the industry’s challenge of managing complex, time-sensitive projects. Alongside the tool, Luminii introduces new residential lighting innovations: the Stenos micro-optics range for minimalist, high-output downlighting and compact track systems; Kurba flexible linear lighting for seamless integration into curves and coves; and Mkya, the brand’s most compact linear system, offering high CRI and smooth dimming for AV racks, cabinetry, and under-shelf illumination.

Lutron: Lutron had another big year of product debuts — from new keypads to new form factors for the Rania and Lumaris Series — but one of its biggest bits of buzz came from the announcement of the Native by Design program.

This new initiative natively integrates Lutron technology into best-in-class products from leading luxury brands. One of the first collaborations was with Coastal Source, resulting in VIA — a new line of Coastal Source fixtures that seamlessly integrate Lutron’s Ketra and Rania intelligent lighting technology, which will be available for pre-order early 2026.

KEF AMERICA

Luxury Integrated Technologies (LIT): Luxury Integrated Technologies focused on bringing the value of the independent representative back into the channel by hiring six technical sales engineers. The team’s deep understanding of all solutions allows LIT to be the first round of technical support for both its dealers and manufacturers. LIT expanded its dealer partners’ business with its in-house design services; focused on controls, lighting, shading, and AV in conjunction with becoming the technology consultant for the specification community. In 2026, LIT plans to expand and launch new dealer support resources (LIT Studio) and deepen manufacturer alliances to ensure integrators can offer seamless, design-forward technology experiences. madVR Labs, LLC: madVR Labs was just named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for the second year in a row, underscoring its continued growth and innovation in high-end video processing. At CEDIA 2025, madVR Labs earned 13 industry awards, including CEDIA’s Best New Global Hardware Award and Residential Systems Best of Show. The company just announced the industry’s only full 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1-capable video processors — the Envy Core MK2, which is a more accessible powerhouse, and the luxury Envy Extreme MK3, both offering next-generation low-latency gaming performance with VRR support up to 360 Hz. Magnetar USA: In 2025, Magnetar continued to define excellence in high-end home entertainment with the debut of its MKII Series at CEDIA Expo 2025.

The upgraded UDP900MKII and UDP800MKII universal disc players are built on Magnetar’s legacy of premium performance, featuring refined audio circuitry, expanded format compatibility, and enhanced features. Looking ahead to 2026, Magnetar is poised to further elevate the home cinema experience with news and partnerships that celebrate craftsmanship, cinematic fidelity, and the enduring power of physical media.

McIntosh: It was a fairly quiet year for the luxury audio manufacturer, but it DECEMBER 2025

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did introduce the DS200 Streaming DAC in February. Compatible with Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and Google Cast, the DS200 is equipped with two Wi-Fi antennas and one Bluetooth antenna for stable wireless connections, as well as an Ethernet port for wired connections.

Modern Atomics: From knowledge and need comes true innovation. Michael Braithwaite is the visionary behind Modern Atomics and its technology that is turning the power supply game on its head. A fast look at the numbers will give you some idea of the impact of this ingenuity: 50% less costly than competing power supplies, 80% less space required for installation, and saves 99% of the quiescent (or wasted) power. The Modern Atomics team is committed to sustainability and innovation, and developing AI-driven power supply solutions for the motorized shade industry.

MAGNETAR USA

Monitor Audio: Monitor Audio had three big product launches this year, starting with the Vestra Subwoofer Series, which uses the company’s proprietary C-CAM cone technology (Ceramic-Coated Aluminium Magnesium). Then came the five-model Bronze 7G Series and, finally, the Creator Series In-Wall Large speakers, which come in Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 levels.

Moovia: Moovia is decisively defining a new category in home furnishings: the luxury media suite. The company is uniting three key demands without compromise: First, unparalleled comfort with features like powered recliners and lumbar support. Second, designer-led aesthetics, offering full customization in European leathers, velvets, and fine hardwoods. Finally, Moovia delivers integrity built to last, with robust construction that avoids the pitfalls of hollow-core frames and synthetic materials.

Morel: Morel returns to the CI and Hi-Fi conversation with a clear promise: sound shaped at the source. For nearly 50 years, the company has designed and hand-built its own drivers in-house, keeping R&D, manufacturing, and quality control in one place. That end-to-end approach ensures consistency across its home, car, and lifestyle lines. Morel’s proprietary technologies — including oversized Hexatech aluminum/titanium voice coils, Acuflex hand-coated soft domes tweeters, composite one-piece cone structures, Uniflow aerated chassis, and ASW anti-standing-wave architecture — deliver natural tonality, smooth dynamics, low distortion, and high power handling. Because Morel builds its own transducers, form factor and performance can be tailored for partners and custom installations.

Neptune Outdoor AV: In July, Peerless Industries appointed Earl Naegele and Tom La Porta to lead the continued growth and channel development of its Neptune brand of outdoor AV solutions. The company has kept busy since then, naming both Convergence and Rio Grande Reps as manufacturer sales reps.

NERVE: Based in Park City, Utah, NERVE has evolved from custom theaters to a full‑spectrum offering that includes private cinemas, whole‑home systems, multi‑sport simulators, shading, wellness, and networking — all engineered to seamlessly blend tech and design from concept through completion.

By pairing intentional design and craftsmanship with advanced engineering,

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NERVE creates immersive, beautifully integrated environments that perform and endure. Collaborating early and often with interior design and design/ build teams to align aesthetics, performance, and usability, NERVE delivers showcase‑worthy spaces that elevate client experiences, strengthen trade partnerships, and stand the test of time.

Netgear: At CEDIA Expo, Netgear announced the WAX610W, a compact, wallmount Wi-Fi 6 access point designed to deliver high-performance, cost-effective connectivity for hospitality environments, multi-dwelling units, and education settings. Created to simplify deployment and management while enhancing the guest and resident experience, the WAX610W combines enterprise-class performance with cloud-managed simplicity.

Nice: Nice spent a good portion of 2024 building up its C-suite, and that trend continued in 2025 with the addition of Donnie McVicker as its chief sales officer and Jeff Shaw as its chief product officer. Of course, the company had several new product announcements, including the Gefen Gen3 AVoIP box and the 2GIG GC Touch panel. Nice also held a series of 2GIG GC Touch Roadshows, which brought live demos, product training, and peer-to-peer networking directly into key markets.

Nightscaping Outdoor Lighting: Nightscaping was founded by Bill Locklin in 1959 and now has more than 2 million installations accomplished under that moniker. In 2025, Nightscaping introduced The Locklin Series, which is a family of fixtures completely engineered with a modular design and a Twist-&-Lock, tool-free connection that is patent-pending. Capable of morphing into hundreds of different fixtures with little more than a dozen parts, adjustable at the touch of a button, and connectible via a 1/2 twist of a waterproof connector, the Locklin Series will light up the landscape of the CEDIA channel in 2026.

Oasys Residential Technology Group: In June, Oasys announced that it was expanding its educational offerings with new initiatives designed to support workforce development and long-term growth in the custom integration industry. The expanded training strategy included onboarding education through IntegrateU, hands-on lighting instruction via the Lighting Excellence Dojo, and continued investment in digital learning through CEDIA Learning Academy.

One Firefly: In October, One Firefly unveiled two solutions — ConciergeIQ and Luxepost — that were designed to help integrators elevate their marketing, enhance their client experience, and drive measurable growth. The two tools are designed to merge intelligence, creativity, and performance to help integrators stand out and succeed in today’s crowded marketplace.

OneVision Resources: This year, OneVision launched ProVision Conversations, which is a conversational support tool built specifically for integrators. The software brings essential service capabilities into one place, including a unified messaging inbox; detailed client service history; easy access to transcripts and recordings; and robust site notes and documentation. Conversations is fully integrated into the company’s ProVision software suite, which also includes a service CRM, on-call management tools, and RMR/subscription management.

Onkyo: As Onkyo prepares to celebrate its 80th Anniversary next year, the company introduces the all-new Icon Series, a Hi-Fi lineup that unites cutting-edge technology with refined, modern design. Going beyond sleek aluminum and glass meters, the Icon Series delivers high-current, high-speed, high-resolution performance. Each component produces ultra-pure, powerful sound from a resonance-resistant chassis. The series includes the Icon A-50 integrated amplifier, P-80 network preamplifier, M-80 power amplifier, and C-30 Hi-Fi CD player.

Origin Acoustics: Origin Acoustics likes to make noise at CEDIA Expo — both figuratively and literally — and this year it did it with the Ambisonic Systems Hexagonal Landscape Speaker collection. Its hexagonal design, inspired by natural honeycomb geometry, offers a bold architectural statement while

COMPANIES TO WATCH 2026

delivering acoustically optimized performance. Available in Midnight Black, Stargazing Silver, and Champagne finishes, the speakers blend seamlessly into luxury outdoor spaces.

OSD: The OSD Nero DueVoce DualX8 subwoofer offers bass extension below 40 Hz, and the built-in amplifier can power the subwoofer to high SPL levels of 107 dB with only 1% distortion. Adding this subwoofer to a soundbar will allow you to hear the full frequency range that is on the soundtrack, but the Nero DueVoce Dual8X is also designed for small desktop or bookshelf speakers.

Paradigm/GoldenEar: Effective January 1, 2025, GoldenEar joined Paradigm, Anthem, and MartinLogan as part of PML Sound International. It now operates as GoldenEar Studio Inc. and continues its legacy of delivering premium audio experiences while benefiting from PML Sound International’s expertise in engineering and manufacturing.

Portal.io: Portal’s been busy, starting with the launch of its completely redesigned mobile app, bringing full proposal functionality to the palm of your hand. The company doubled down on its AI Proposal Builder, eliminating placeholders and automatically using each dealer’s preferred products and labor items. Portal also introduced its brand-new Invoicing functionality at CEDIA, streamlining payment collection and invoice management. It recently announced a native Zoho CRM integration in beta with Salesforce and Monday.com in development.

Powerhouse Alliance: In 2026, successful dealers will be those who shift from reactive to proactive strategies. If 2025 taught us anything — from looming tariffs to the AWS outage — it’s that stability is an illusion. In a market defined by disruption, PowerHouse Alliance gives dealers the edge with access to 250+ leading brands, 70+ fully stocked locations, and nationwide hands-on training. Its broad product mix and deep expertise help dealers forecast smarter, navigate disruptions, and capitalize on new opportunities so they stay competitive, agile, and ready for whatever comes next.

Pro Audio Technology: After celebrating PRO’s 20th anniversary, 2025 has been a year of reflection and improvements. PRO took a good look at its lineup and challenged the engineering team to take the existing models to the next level. Between driver and component enhancements to new and improved speaker presets, in 2025, many of PRO’s models received mini makeovers (for example: LFC-24sm, SR-28212ai, SR-12ai, S-12sm, and SR-8ai). The speaker voicing resides in its loudspeaker controllers, which means a firmware update brings that improvement to your PRO project with a few mouse clicks. Best of all, improvements are free.

Procella Audio: This year, Procella Audio introduced two new subwoofers, an architectural speaker, and a surround speaker. These new products were announced at CEDIA Expo, where Procella drew crowds by demonstrating a 135inch 4K HDR 120 Hz COB LED screen that was driven by Procella P628 Above Screen loudspeakers for the main channels, complemented by the P5 series for surrounds, all powered by the FORZA amplifier line.

ProjX360: Over the past year, ProjX360 delivered game-changing enhancements — from advanced proposal builders with mass-edit and product-swap tools, to new invoicing flows that align with integrators’ real accounting practices. Its inventory management, scheduling, and reporting have all seen major upgrades. Coming in 2026, ProjX360 will harness AI to write proposal scopes of work and generate work order summaries, plus release a scheduling Gantt chart and a client portal for seamless communication.

ProSource: ProSource had several vendor partner announcements this year, but one that stood out was the addition of SureBright as a new service partner. SureBright enables U.S. and Canadian retailers to launch turnkey product warranty and shipping insurance programs in as little as 10 minutes, with zero upfront cost or operational lift. It’s a plug-and-play platform that embeds

protection options natively in the checkout flow, unlocking a new stream of high-margin revenue while deepening customer trust.

Quantum Media Systems: Quantum Media Systems continues to raise the bar in luxury home entertainment with its new XDR4-8K Extreme LED Wall — the AV industry’s first 8K Digital Cinema-compliant display purpose-built for residential spaces. Boasting an ultra-fine 0.7mm pixel pitch, 2000-nit brightness, and 100% P3 color accuracy, the system delivers true studio-grade performance in any environment. With access to Bel Air Circuit first-run movies and seamless integration for custom installers, Quantum’s innovations have earned numerous industry awards, setting a new benchmark for cinematic realism and redefining what’s possible in private theaters and media rooms as the company heads into 2026.

RoseWater Energy: RoseWater Energy is redefining how systems integrators are viewed by designers, builders, and architects, transforming them from subcontractors brought in late to install rack-level power protection for AV gear to essential contributors to a home’s overall efficiency, comfort, and resilience of all home systems. With RoseWater Energy’s panel-level approach, power quality and protection have become a foundational element of a home’s infrastructure, on par with plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. This panel-level strategy earns integrators a seat at the table early in the design phase, where they can collaborate directly with architects and builders. Here, they can establish technical authority, ensure whole-home reliability, and solidify their role as indispensable partners in luxury residential design.

Salamander Designs: In the final days of 2024, Salamander Designs announced Scott Srolis, previously its senior vice president of sales and marketing, was promoted to company president. The executive personnel changes kept rolling on into 2025 with the naming of Cat Toomey as VP of marketing and Chris Discotto as VP of Sales.

Samsung: At CEDIA Expo 2025, Samsung showed its Micro RGB TV, which features a micro-scale RGB LED backlight behind a super big and fully immersive 115-inch screen. The TV is built with the company’s proprietary Micro RGB Technology, which arranges individually controlled red, green, and blue micro LEDs — each less than 100µm in size — in an ultra-fine pattern behind the panel.

Savant: Savant leaned into its growing power offerings as it added Virtual Power Plant (VPP) capabilities with the latest software release, SavantOS 11.1.

In partnership with Virtual Peaker, a software platform that connects energy management systems to utilities, Savant Power Storage systems can now support the grid by dispatching stored energy during peak demand periods.

This integration will accelerate Savant’s collaboration with utilities across the country, enabling homeowners to participate in regional VPP programs, help reduce strain on the grid, and earn significant rebates where available.

Screen Innovations/Shade Innovations: Shade Innovations (SI) leaped window coverings with the launch of Nino 2, its all-new line of motorized shades powered by proprietary SI-designed motor and control technology. Alongside its award-winning KAOS Outdoor High-Wind Projection Screens and Shades, engineered for minimal wind movement, distortion-free imagery, and rugged durability, SI continues to provide high-performance shading and screen systems — indoors and out.

Severtson Screens: Severtson Proteus Series screens are the product of several years of research and development. The Proteus Series screens allow users to quickly and quietly transform the screen to accommodate the industry’s most common aspect ratios (16:9 and 2.39:1) without the visible gray bars that can distract from the viewing experience. With Proteus, you can watch TV programming and sports in 16:9 format without any projection bleed-over or visible gray bars, then switch to 2.39:1 for movies at the push of a button.

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COMPANIES TO WATCH 2026

ducing a lineup of new automation products and protocols and by providing access to wholesale pricing and dedicated support. From lighting and automation to energy management and home monitoring, Shelly delivers high-performing solutions that enable integrators to offer more affordable and diverse control systems. Shelly’s extensive and growing portfolio of smart relays, lighting controllers, energy meters, and sensors integrates seamlessly with Control4, Crestron, ELAN, Josh.ai, RTI, and URC and supports Wi-Fi, Z-Wave Long Range, Zigbee, and Matter for flexible, future-ready system design.

Skyworth USA: Not one to sit out the big-screen TV trend, Skyworth USA introduced the Canvas Elite Art TV line, featuring the world’s largest Art TV at 100 inches. This addition to Skyworth’s Lifestyle Series offers custom integrators and discerning consumers massive scale, cutting-edge performance, and refined elegance. The Canvas Elite line also includes an 86-inch model.

Sol-Lux: Sol-Lux continues to accelerate its growth in the custom integration channel with the launch of its MiraSol drop screen system and the expansion of its dealer Demo Kit program, which allows partners to recoup demo kit costs on their first sale. Representation has grown in key markets, including the Southeast, Florida, and Mid-Atlantic regions, with more to come in 2026.

Looking ahead, Sol-Lux is exploring collaborative partnerships and deepening engagement with dealers through events, training, and tools that highlight the growing opportunity in retractable outdoor shading solutions.

Somfy: Somfy continues to give integrators true freedom of choice. Powering everything from interior window treatments to exterior shades, Somfy motors support PoE, Zigbee, and RS-485 technologies, delivering versatility, lifting capacity, and reliability. Backed by a global network of fabricators, Somfy stands apart as the backbone of motorization, empowering integrators to deliver the right solution for every project, from residential interiors, outdoor applications, and commercial environments. Somfy is leading the way with innovative technologies that blend performance, flexibility, and seamless integration across third-party control systems.

Sonance: Sonance enters 2026 with purpose and momentum, deepening its commitment to partner success through innovation, business enablement, and immersive brand experiences. Its product roadmap is marked by cutting-edge driver and tweeter technologies across categories, supported by expanded design resources and dealer tools that help articulate value to the most discerning clients. At the center, the Sonance Studio and Design Gallery continues to be a dynamic hub for engagement and education, elevating the complete family of brands: Sonance (including its new Blaze amplification line), James, and IPORT. Sonos: The big news from Sonos this year came in the form of a change in executive leadership. In July, the company announced that Tom Conrad had been appointed as chief executive officer. Conrad, who had served as interim CEO since January 20205, remains on the Board of Directors. Under Conrad’s leadership as interim CEO, the company launched new software enhancements to its flagship products Sonos Ace and Arc Ultra.

Sony: On April 1, Kathleen Thomas took over the position of head of custom integration sales at Sony Electronics from Jeff Goldstein. In 2026, the company will release its highly anticipated version Mini LED RGB, whose implementation, Thomas says, “is unique and built on the innovation that blew everyone away in last year’s Bravia 9 backlight demonstration.”

SoundTube Entertainment: SoundTube is expanding its resimercial lineup in 2026 with new Cherry Bomb landscape speakers, modern-design rock speakers, and new Dante-enabled in-ceiling models that blend architectural style with networked performance. These next-generation designs deliver smarter integration, faster setup, and consistent coverage across connected environments.

Stealth Acoustics: The company continues to ride the wave of design-centric

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installations with its Stealth Patio Theater and the LineaRadiance (L-RAD) family of speakers and subwoofers.

SOL-LUX

Steinway Lyngdorf: Steinway Lyngdorf enters a new chapter of strategic expansion with the completion of an enlarged manufacturing footprint — marked by the opening of a state-of-the-art facility and the acquisition of Siga Design. This move brings CNC craftsmanship and lacquer finishing fully inhouse, enhancing the brand’s ability to deliver precision-engineered, bespoke solutions at scale. Innovation remains a core driver, underscored by the integration of the Nexgentec Audio-over-IP platform. A newly established Swiss branch now leads the development of next-generation AoIP technologies, supporting integrators with future-ready solutions.

StormAudio: StormAudio released the Core 16+ this year, an enhanced version of its Core 16 processor. The Core 16+ introduced expanded channel capability and includes the company’s most advanced features as standard.

SurgeX: SurgeX launched the Axess ELITE+ power management system in 2025. Combining Advanced Series Mode surge elimination technology with IP outlet control and remote monitoring, the rack-mounted Axess ELITE+ delivers best-in-class power filtration and management to protect costly AV equipment.

Sutherland AV Marketing: Sutherland AV Marketing (SAVM) — North American distributor of highly differentiated luxury AV products — has had an amazing year with accelerated growth for its brands, including ASCENDO Immersive Audio, Moovia, Quest Acoustical Interiors, and Christie Digital. In 2025, SAVM — founded by Todd Sutherland — added three new team members to help manage this expansion, including industry veteran Steve Grod in sales, Kamron Troy in operations, and Adam Pelz for technical leadership.

SVS: The two new subwoofers in the SVS 5000 R|Evolution Series utilize the technology platform previously developed for the brand’s flagship 17-Ultra R|Evolution subwoofers, bringing reference performance to lower prices and smaller enclosures.

The Guild Integrators Alliance: The Guild Integrators Alliance appointed Liz Birch as its first-ever executive director. The move formalizes professional leadership for the organization — pairing an annual, rotating president from a member firm with a continuous executive director. Together, this dual leadership structure is designed to strengthen The Guild’s impact, visibility, and value to its members, partners, and the broader design and construction community.

Theory Audio Design: Theory continued to grow in 2025. This year alone, Theory began shipping a dozen new products (+ software), including AutomatorIP, a new version of Theory’s Automator software that provides installers the ability to deploy Theory and third-party surround sound systems (up to 7.1 or 5.1.2) using the 8-channel Theory DLC-250.8 loudspeaker controller and the Theory ic5 5-inch in-ceiling loudspeaker, little brother to the ic6. In 2026, Theory has many more new products in store, including expanding its popular

COMPANIES TO WATCH 2026

loudspeaker controller lineup, and adding a 9-inch coax that more than challenges the status quo.

Torus Power: As AV technology evolves, the need for clean, stable electrical power becomes increasingly critical. Torus Power’s portfolio spans compact isolation transformers to robust all-in-one units that combine power isolation, conditioning, and distribution in a single chassis. These systems are now a staple in luxury media rooms, private cinemas, and professional studios, where multiple circuits and voltage requirements demand precise, noise-free power delivery.

TPI Aerospace: As dvLED video walls surge in popularity among luxury homeowners, TPI Aerospace is empowering integrators with a breakthrough innovation: the TPI Movement system. Movement is a loudspeaker system engineered with aerospace precision specifically for large-scale dvLED displays in luxury residential environments. At the heart of the system is the patent-pending DVC Movement Controller, a fully discrete Class A processor that manipulates timing, gain, and wavefronts to create a phantom audio image that is adjustable in height and aligned with on-screen action. With Movement, TPI Aerospace has created a product that blends cinematic sound with the grandeur of dvLED, available to professional integrators exclusively from Apex Technologies.

Trinnov Audio: This year, Trinnov Audio reinforced its reputation as the go-to for high-performance home theater processing with the launch of AltitudeCI, an all-new, fully networked, audio-over-IP processor designed specifically for the custom integration market. Complementing that hardware debut, Trinnov also delivered major software updates to the Altitude 16 and 32 processors, introducing a refined user interface and expanded immersive-audio recoding capabilities. Looking toward 2026, Trinnov 3.0 begins to take hold with a new Paris headquarters featuring an anechoic chamber, variable/active acoustic labs, and demo and training spaces, all fueling innovation across Optimizer, WaveForming, and AoIP workflows to further elevate integrator efficiency, scalability, and real-world performance.

URC: URC’s calendar is filled with innovations. Launching with circadian lighting, Total Control will feature expanded, AI-driven utilities designed to simplify dealer programming and enhance user experiences. URC Voice, its proprietary voice platform, launches with the MX-1400 and expands into Total Control. Additional voice advancements will include an expanded global collaboration with Comcast, built on URC’s voice automation integration. Expect continued evolution in user interfaces, delivering smarter, more intuitive, and contemporary experiences.

Vanco: With new launches across audio, video, and infrastructure, Vanco is equipping integrators to bridge the gap between residential and commercial projects. The next-generation EVO-IP 2.0 AVoIP system brings enterprise-grade flexibility and remote management capabilities to projects ranging from homes to large-scale commercial deployments, while new Beale Street Audio matrix processors and PA-series mixing amplifiers simplify installations from sports bars to conference rooms. Combined with Vanco’s deep catalog of TAA-compliant solutions, integrators can trust the brand they rely on for residential projects to help them expand confidently into new, fast-growing markets in 2026.

VITAL: VITAL has introduced two powerful programs: VITAL Ascend and the VITAL Business Blueprint. VITAL Ascend empowers integrators to transform their operations using nine proven systems that unlock time, profit, and freedom. Participants collaborate with peers, share best practices, and stay accountable through expert coaching and a supportive growth network. The VITAL Business Blueprint is an intensive four-session program that helps integrators pinpoint hidden financial leaks and create a clear, actionable

12-month profit plan — designed to increase earnings, improve efficiency, and reduce stress for long-term business success.

Wall-Smart: Wall-Smart continues to cultivate a category-rich smart home microcosm through its custom flush wall and ceiling mounts for many of the industry’s leading brands. Renowned for its ability to synchronize new product launches with those of its partners, the company consistently delivers timely, design-forward solutions for integrators. Having established a strong foothold in luxury interiors, Wall-Smart now brings its precision engineering, aesthetic elegance, and performance to outdoor spaces with a breakthrough flush mount for the iconic Ring video doorbell. Preserving all the functionality and security of the Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro, the mount enables integrators to offer a sleeker, more refined alternative to traditional surface-mounted solutions.

Wisdom Audio: In 2025, Wisdom Audio added a new speaker category to its lineup: the Outdoor All-Weather Sage Series Line Source products. The new line of custom Outdoor Line Source Speakers can be ordered as On-Wall or On-Ground Mounted. They can be custom powder-coated to blend with any landscape and deliver low-frequency response from a 10-inch to an 18-inch woofer without needing a separate subwoofer.

World4Solar: World4Solar empowers luxury homeowners with complete energy independence through its whole-home solutions, anchored by the HelioWing by World4Solar, a solar-powered canopy with integrated energy storage to power an entire home. As smart homes, backyard amenities, and electric vehicles drive rising energy demand, reliable, cost-efficient power is essential.

The HelioWing intelligently generates, stores, and distributes energy to avoid peak rates, keeping critical systems like HVAC, security, and connectivity operational during outages. With modular, highly efficient designs, World4Solar transforms available space into a visible statement of a green, future-ready home — putting AV/CEDIA integration businesses at the forefront of residential innovation and setting them apart.

XGIMI: Introduced at IFA and beginning shipping in October, the XGIMI HORIZON 20 Series— HORIZON 20, HORIZON 20 Pro, and HORIZON 20 Max —deliver 4K visuals, cinema-grade brightness, and true color accuracy powered by XGIMI’s all-new X-Master Red Ring Lens, the brand’s most advanced optical system to date. The flagship HORIZON 20 Max achieves 5700 ISO lumens, making it XGIMI’s brightest consumer projector yet.

Yamaha: Yamaha returned to CEDIA Expo this year, where it showcased its portfolio of technologies and audio solutions, including the new True X Surround 90A flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar.

Z-Wave Alliance: The Z-Wave Alliance launched the 2024B Z-Wave Specification Package in February 2025 and also introduced a new Accelerator Membership Level aimed at empowering startups and young companies in the IoT ecosystem. The Accelerator Membership Level offers a tiered fee structure and access to all Z-Wave Alliance materials and working groups, ensuring new members have the tools and knowledge to succeed.

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FEATURE

TECH SHOWCASE

SOUNDBARS

Whether it’s helping television dialog stand out or improving the overall sound, these bars offer plenty of options for dealers.

Soundbars may offer the simplest way to improve television audio, but that does not mean that all bars are created equal. Manufacturers continue to roll out updated models with more features and increased sound quality and power. Here we look at some of the newest soundbars to hit the market.

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Bang & Olufsen Beosound Premiere

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Samsung HW-Q990F

Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Premiere soundbar introduces Bang & Olufsen’s new patent-pending Wide Stage Technology, which uses custom-designed signal processing to create the illusion of having added external speakers, making the soundstage wider and taller than it is. The seamless aluminum chassis is pearl-blasted to create a matte satin finish.

Achieving this compact form required precision engineering by aligning extruded aluminum with cut end caps to maintain a slim profile while simultaneously housing ten powerful drivers. One of the most eye-catching features is the upfiring tweeter, placed right in the center of the soundbar.

The flagship Samsung HW-Q990F soundbar features Dolby Atmos sound from 11 front and surround channels, one subwoofer channel, and four upfiring channels. It ships with a newly redesigned compact subwoofer that’s half the size of its predecessor, while improving bass performance.

The soundbar also leverages AI and embedded sensors to personalize audio based on where you’re listening and what you’re listening to. SpaceFit Sound Pro Plus uses algorithms to calibrate the soundbar’s output to the layout, shape, and dimensions of the room. Plus, you can enable Samsung Q-Symphony to synchronize the audio between a Samsung TV, the soundbar, and a Music Frame to create a more robust and nuanced sound experience. New for 2025, Q-Symphony can now recognize the exact position and angle of your Music Frame and optimize its audio for sound that is tailored to the specific room.

3

Bluesound PULSE CINEMA

Bluesound’s PULSE CINEMA is a 3.2.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar featuring 16 speaker drivers, upfiring speakers, and BluOS multi-room streaming, delivering expansive sound for 55-inch TVs and up. The PULSE CINEMA is a 47-inch multi-room streaming soundbar built for cinematic performance, featuring 500 watts of total system power and a driver array that

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includes a dedicated center channel, dual 4-inch woofers, and dedicated upfiring speakers.

4

NextLevel Acoustics Fusion Frame 2.0

5

Yamaha True X Surround 90A

The Fusion Frame 2.0 represents the next iteration of NextLevel Acoustics’ Frame-style soundbars and features dual high-output 2.5inch drivers at a reduced height of 5.2 inches on-wall or 5.65 inches through-wall. This second iteration of the Fusion Frame soundbar was created with only one goal in mind: provide a high-end framed audio solution for various models of Frame- and Art-based displays. At only 1.75 inches deep on-wall or 1.27 inches deep through-wall, the Fusion Frame 2.0 complements the look and feel of what makes Frame- and Art-focused displays popular. Choose from a variety of framing color options, including Black, White, Brown/Modern Brown, Teak, and Beige, as well as custom paint match. They are available in LCR, Stereo, or Center Channel configurations.

The Yamaha True X Surround 90A is the company’s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar. Powered by Yamaha-developed technologies, the 90A features newly developed front-channel speakers, proprietary sound beam height speakers, and exclusive Surround:AI for real-time spatial sound optimization, as well as MusicCast streaming, multi-room audio, and app control. The 90A is also the world’s first soundbar to support Auro-3D, an immersive audio format that is especially beloved by audio enthusiasts for its prowess with upmixing stereo content to rich, 3D soundfields with remarkable realism.

KEF XIO 6 KEF has launched the XIO soundbar, which delivers hyper-realistic sound through technologies that include Uni-Q MX, P185 LF driver with P-Flex, patent-pending Velocity Control Technology (VECO), and the Music Integrity Engine (MIE) for Cinema. Supporting Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, the XIO is powered by a 5.1.2 configuration (five main channels, one subwoofer channel, and two overhead channels) with 12 Class D amplifiers. The XIO includes Intelligent Placement Technology, which is a built-in calibration tool automatically adapts the audio output based on the objects around the soundbar. The XIO has a dedicated Dialog Mode to ensure every word is heard.

FEATURE

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SOUNDBAR CONCEPTS

6 9

At CES 2025, both XGIMI and Dynaudio showed intriguing concept soundbars that remain unavailable, but will hopefully hit the market soon.

XGIMI Ascend

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar offering immersive surround sound, clear dialog, and a wireless subwoofer with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X. With Sony’s upmixer technology, listeners can experience three-dimensional surround sound with surround sound formats and stereo content. For clear dialog and a precise sound image, a dedicated center speaker ensures crystal-clear voice reproduction even in the busiest scenes. Paired with a compatible BRAVIA TV Voice Zoom 3 powered by AI machine learning that recognizes human voices and amplifies or reduces their volume so even faint dialog sounds loud and clear.

8

Klipsch Flexus Core 300 — Walnut Finish

9

SoundTube Teatro TSB3.0

The Klipsch 5.1.2-channel Flexus Core 300 – Powered by Onkyo soundbar with Dirac Live Room Correction Technology is now offered in an optional Walnut finish. The Flexus Core 300 sits atop the Flexus Series range, above the Core 200 and Core 100 (which are also offered in Walnut).

Offering an immersive audio experience with its Dolby Atmos and DTS:X presentation, the Core 300 features two 2.25-inch upfiring and two 2.25inch side-firing drivers, complemented by four front-firing 2.25-inch drivers tuned by expert acousticians. With its four 4-inch built-in subwoofers, the Core 300 delivers powerful bass from a relatively small footprint.

The SoundTube Teatro TSB3.0 Soundbar is a three-way, 3-channel ultra-thin soundbar designed for clarity and full-range sound. Featuring EVT Intelligibility Control, it enhances dialog and detail, ensuring every word and note is delivered with precision. Available in both standard and Dante-enabled versions, the TSB3.0 offers flexibility for traditional or networked installations. Its low-profile design blends with modern interiors while delivering the dynamic sound typically associated with larger speaker systems.

The XGIMI Ascend blends a motorized Ambient Light Rejection screen and two premium Harman Kardon soundbars in a seamless, motorized, compact design. The Ascend concept introduces a 100-inch motorized floor-rising screen. Ascend pairs seamlessly with the AURA 2, XGIMI’s latest ultra-short-throw projector. Engineered to function both as a cinematic screen and an ambiance-enhancing display, Ascend offers versatility, allowing users to adjust the screen to just one-third of its height, creating a cozy, fireplace-like ambiance that transforms the room. Alternatively, it can extend to its full 100-inch display, delivering a true cinematic experience. With a wide-viewing angle and advanced contrast ratio enhancement that rejects ambient light, Ascend provides clarity and vibrancy across various lighting conditions, making it ideal for any space.

Dynaudio Symphony Opus One The Dynaudio Symphony Opus One is a preview of the company’s vision for the future of all-in-one home audio. The solution has a 73inch wingspan, so it integrates with 83-inch TVs and houses Dynaudio sound technology for music, movies, and gaming. Symphony Opus One has 72 motorized wooden fins that move independently to display the current listening mode and serve as a unique design element.

Behind these fins are 24 drive units — six softdome tweeters, 14 mid/ bass drivers, and four dual-diaphragm forcecanceling subwoofers. The drivers are powered by 1500 watts of digital amplification and processed by proprietary Dynaudio spatial-audio processing algorithms. The big difference between the new updated version of the Symphony Opus One concept and the previous iteration is that all that amplification and processing is now included inside the soundbar. This design enhancement results in a more straightforward installation process, as it eliminates the need to buy, house, and connect external components, thereby reducing the complexity of dealing with additional wiring.

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HTSA members gather at the group’s 2025 Fall Conference.

A SUPPLEMENT TO

MAGAZINE

THE INTEGRATION GUIDE TO

BUYING GROUPS

IN TURBULENT TIMES, BE A GROUPIE

Buying groups tackle the industry’s current challenges head-on.

By Karen Mitchell

D

uring turbulent times, buying groups provide a lifeline to dealers by sharing their knowledge, advice, and deep vendor relationships. With so much to deal with in this somewhat chaotic environment, buying groups are reaching out with a variety of offerings.

“Most of our communications are self-serving, as we find there will never be a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Patrick McCarthy, executive director, Azione Unlimited. “Headwinds come in all shapes and sizes, so we alleviate pressure from as many pain points as possible with a buffet of information. Weekly dealer-direct newsletters, Slack communications, conference panels, and ad hoc peer groups have been major drivers of information. Still, we are also fortunate that our membership clients are very resilient to tariff and shipping uncertainties. We noticed a surge in purchasing at the beginning of the year for jobs in hand, but we still see full pipelines across the country.”

So, with tariffs and shipping mostly handled by Azione members, what

26

are their primary concerns? “On the surface, the number one dealer concern is that the middle market has largely dried up,” McCarthy adds.

“What this really indicates is that many dealers have not insulated their cash flow with RMR and client services. So, while they may see projects in a specific income band disappear, the solution shouldn’t be ‘squeeze harder’; it should be ‘plant a new tree.’”

At Oasys, there are always concerns around talent gap/staffing, but right now, the buying group is hearing more about economic headwinds and even large projects being rebid and scaled back a little. “With some help on interest rates in the coming months, everyone feels there could be some relief, but it’s still a concern for most dealers,” says Hank Alexander, director, Oasys. “The question of reaching out feels like such an old and tired one. We addressed it at our Spring Conference, and, even then, most dealers were in the mood of ‘appreciate the information, but we’re all in it, and it’s a moving target, so let’s move on.’”

Communicating with ProSource Membership is a challenge in a

BUYING GROUPS SUBWOOFERS dynamic business environment, according to ProSource CEO Jim Pearse.

“Throughout the summer, we worked to leverage all our relationships to understand the challenges our members, vendor partners, and, most importantly, the customers are experiencing,” he says. “We then curated our message to focus on the essential and useful information to help navigate the markets and execute strategies that maintained growth.

The primary member concern that we are addressing is increasing efficiency and execution in their day-to-day business processes. Most of the challenges our members face stem from maintaining a high level of efficiency and the resulting profitability.”

At HTSA, the two most consistent concerns heard are related to people: finding qualified staff to complete projects at all levels and attracting new talent into the custom integration channel as a career path. “These are not short-term challenges; they’re structural issues across the trades,” says Jon Robbins, executive director, HTSA. “That’s why we’re investing heavily in education and professional development initiatives, helping members train, retain, and elevate their teams for long-term growth. We’ve always been about collective strength; the power of shared knowledge, trust, and collaboration between members, vendors, and industry partners. In times of uncertainty, that foundation becomes even more meaningful.

Our members know that they’re part of a community that supports each other, stays ahead of trends, and moves forward together. That spirit of unity continues to define HTSA and drive our success.”

Members hear from HTSA every single week through its “Java Notes,” a unique, ongoing dialog that’s become a hallmark of the HTSA experience.

“These communications keep our community connected and informed, not just about industry challenges, but also about opportunities and

successes that can inspire,” Robbins explains. “With an open rate consistently above 90 percent, ‘Java Notes’ has created a cultural rhythm within the group where members feel in touch and engaged, even when external conditions are unpredictable.”

Tips for the Trade “Education is the cornerstone of what we do, and we’re constantly expanding the depth and range of our training,” Robbins says. “Whether it’s technical instruction, business strategy, project management, sales development, or the integration of emerging technologies like AI, we’re committed to ensuring our members are ahead of the curve. Our best advice to dealers is simple: Never stop learning. The industry is evolving at a remarkable pace, and those who lean into education and skill development, especially in new categories like lighting and control, are positioning themselves for sustained success.

On an optimistic note, lighting fixtures continue to be the standout category, leading growth across the board at HTSA. “What’s exciting is that members who have developed real expertise in lighting design and specification are also seeing stronger performance in their legacy categories such as audio, video, and control,” explains Robbins. “The earlier engagement we’re seeing with builders, designers, and architects has opened the door to more holistic conversations about technology integration, allowing members to influence projects much earlier in the design process.”

Azione’s best tip is to focus on your vendor partnerships and work closely with them. “You will always get better support from partners with whom you have built strong relations,” McCarthy says. “That’s the magic

ProSource CEO Jim Pearse addresses members at the group’s 2025 Fall Conference.

28

of an association like Azione, as we provide the platform not only to meet the decision-makers on both ends of the deal, but also to encourage a stronger partnership by focusing on supporting each other.”

The good news is that Azione is seeing a significant increase in largescale projects, indicating that premium products remain at an all-time high. “This is a carryover from last year, where many of our luxury-aligned vendor partners saw some of their best years ever,” says McCarthy. “Of course, lighting is still the darling of the industry, and our newly minted lighting committee is now, more than ever, giving our membership the confidence to become more profitable. I am also keeping an eye on energy management as a breakout category as more of our established partners settle into the space. Azione will also be leaning heavily into the service and RMR side of the business to help further drive profitability to our members.”

In addition to its annual summit, Oasys has expanded its online courses and vendor-led workshops throughout the year. “Those are all tied to the Oasys Education Trifecta: CEDIA online learning, IntegrateU hands-on training, and the Lighting Dojo program with Bruce Clark,” Alexander says. “On top of that, every Oasys Summit, Town Hall, vendor visit, and regional meeting now includes structured educational content; not just product knowledge, but also business development, leadership, and marketing strategies.”

His best dealer tip is to make education part of your culture. “Don’t wait for a slow season to train,” Alexander advises. “Invest in your team year-round. Assign one person to own training and track certifications.

Encourage your techs and sales staff to take advantage of manufacturer and industry resources because it pays off in professionalism and profitability. The integrators who commit to continuous learning are the ones who grow the fastest and build the most resilient businesses.”

ProSource is evolving its training and engagement strategies to ensure an increase in the level of collaboration between vendors and members.

“We also have a principle to increase our vendor partners’ ROI when they engage with our membership,” Pearse says. “Sometimes this means less is more as we focus on productive engagements.”

On a more optimistic note, he adds, ProSource is seeing strong growth in the brands and products that are focused on supporting the specialty retail and custom integrator verticals in the consumer electronics channel. “These vendors are listening to the challenges our members face and are taking the steps to adjust their strategies to best meet the needs of this critical channel.”

The Bottom Line According to McCarthy, the key to any successful business right now is picking your partners wisely. “Colleagues, peers, vendors, dealers, builders, architects, associations, and even clients need to be constantly reviewed for their value,” he says. “It’s very much a ‘you get out what you put in’ kind of world, which can feel like a burden in a fast-paced, projectbased industry like CI; however, working on the business and not in the business is where dealers can become profitable and overcome any impact. We are carefully adding partners and sharing in the success of collaboration from the top down.”

Members meet one on one with their vendors at the HTSA Fall Conference.

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Listed for Air Handling Spaces

PRODUCT REVIEW

SurgeX

Axess+ and DisplayPak Connected Surge Protectors

I

f you’ve been in this industry a while — at least going back to the early 2010s — then you might recall the amazing booth demos that SurgeX put on at CEDIA Expo. In hindsight, I believe this is the closest thing to AV Torture Porn our industry has ever reached. (I’ll allow that the CEDIA Amp Toss event was a close second.)

You’d be walking down the aisles on the show floor, and then you’d hear a sudden, jarringly loud WHAAAP! which was then often followed by some nervous laughter or even cheering. If you were close enough to the SurgeX booth, then you might notice a thin whisp of smoke and catch that unmistakable aroma of toasted electronics.

Back in the day, SurgeX used to bring this large transformer to their booth that they would slowly charge up to 6000 volts. The energy build-up to 6000 volts took a bit of time, building this delicious bit of palpable tension among the onlookers, worthy of the Willy Wonka “The suspense is killing me…” meme.

Why 6000? Besides just being a high amount of voltage, that is also what the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) determined to be the maximum surge voltage that would be experienced within a building (also, 3000 Amps and 90 Joules of energy). But if 6000 doesn’t sound like a lot compared to the energy in a full lightning strike, the math for a

30 r e s id e ntial s y st e m s.co m

typical 20-microsecond surge would work out to 4.5-Mega-Watts of peak power!

Once the transformer hit 6000, a green light would come on, and the SurgeX employee would press a button, and there would be the loud WHAAAP! followed by a bright spark as the violent burst of electricity was sent into the SurgeX device plugged into the transformer. The video monitor protected by the SurgeX never showed as much as a flicker or dropped frame.

Once the competitor’s sacrificial lamb was connected to the transformer, the energy would rebuild, and then the discharge would happen, and after just a single blast, the surge’s display would show things like “Fault Condition. Transfer Relay Weld” or just go dark, often with a wimpy Pop! followed by wisps of gray-black smoke roiling out of their backs. And then the smell, the burnt electronics of the circuit boards and sacrificed Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV) that are used by a majority of other surge protectors.

I chatted with SurgeX at this past CEDIA, where the company released two new products: the DisplayPak+, a compact, 2- or 4-outlet WiFi-enabled protector, and the Axess ELITE+, the company’s flagship rack-mounted power management solution. Even more exciting, CEDIA was also the official launch of SurgeX Connect, a cloud-based control platform that will enable SurgeX dealers to monitor all of their installed devices across multiple sites from a single

DECEMBER 2025

dashboard. Connect will not only provide the kind of outlet control offered by others, but will also offer a host of analytics and power monitoring data that can be used to diagnose power-related equipment issues at a jobsite.

First Impressions While I requested a review sample of the new Axess ELITE+, they actually sent the SX-AP-129 Axess+, not the ELITE+ introduced at CEDIA. They offer identical power protection and are functionally very similar, but, at literally twice the MSRP ($2859 for the ELITE+ versus $1429 for the Axess+), the ELITE+ does have a few additional cool tricks tucked into its 12.4-pound chassis that I’ll mention later. They also sent the new SX-DPP-104, the 4-outlet version of the DisplayPak+.

With a metal chassis and weighing over 10 pounds, the Axess+ feels solid. The front panel has no controls, rather multiple LEDs to indicate power and status of all the connected outlets, as well as a front power connection. If you needed a quick power connection in the rack — say for a laptop when programming — this would be handy. The rear has eight NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) power connections, a detachable power cable, a resettable fuse, a 10/100 Ethernet connection, and a Micro USB connection. There are also two pinhole buttons for performing either a software

PRODUCT REVIEW

By John Sciacca 800-654-9721 AMETEKESP.COM

KUDOS Best protection you can get; fantastic amount of analytics and configuration options

CONCERNS

No way to dim front LEDs; outlets spaced closely on Axess+

PRODUCT SPECS Axess+ SX-AP-129 Patented Advanced Series Mode surge elimination technology with zero letthrough voltage Nine individually switchable IPcontrolled NEMA outlets Remote turn on/off, power cycling, and sequencing Advanced scheduling, AutoPing, and threshold-triggered events Remote power management and a full suite of power analytics Integration with third-party control systems, including AMX, Crestron Home, Crestron SIMPL, Elan, Extron, RTI, Control 4, Q-Sys, and URC Lifetime warranty on SurgeX product; five-year warranty on connected products Dimensions: 17.4 x 1.73 x 9.85-inches (WxHxD) Weight: 10.2 pounds DisplayPak+ SX-DPP-104 Dimensions: 7.09 x 1.73 x 4.23-inches (WxHxD) Weight: 1.2 pounds

or hardware reset. The system has a total AC load rating of 12 amps.

My only real concern with the layout was that the outlets on the rear panel are a bit close together.

If you’re connecting traditional power cords, this won’t be a problem, but if you have any 90-degree or angled plugs, amps with super beefy plugs, or are connecting power supplies, you might have some overlap. Like all of SurgeX’s component-

sized units, the Axess+ can be rack-mounted using the included ears.

The DisplayPak+ is really a miniaturized version of the Axess+ with all of the same connections, albeit fewer of them. The front of the unit has the power LED indicators, plus an additional LED to show Wi-Fi link status, along with the detachable power cable, Ethernet, Micro USB, and pinhole reset buttons, with the four NEMA power connections in the back. Smartly, the two outside rear outlets are rotated 90 degrees away from the two middle connections, meaning you should have plenty of space even with power supplies.

At just 7.09 x 1.73 x 4.23 inches (W x H x D), the DisplayPak+ would easily install inside a VersaBoxstyle enclosure, if it couldn’t just slip behind the display itself. It can also be wall-mounted using the included bracket.

The only documentation included with either unit is a small card with a QR code to scan for the instruction manual/quick start guide, with a separate QR code to connect to the SurgeX Connect site. The 29-page online user manual for the DisplayPak+ is very thorough, detailing every feature and setting.

SurgeX Models and Protection There are quite a few different models in the SurgeX lineup, so choosing the correct model might feel daunting. However, it really boils down to the form factor required — rack-mount, flat/wall-mount, vertical, branch/circuit — the voltage, 120 or 240, the amperage, 15- or 20amp, the number of outlets needed, whether you want remote access/monitoring, and the level of protection.

Models with a “+” designation are compatible with the new Connect platform, so start there if

you want remote access/monitoring.

As mentioned, the Axess Elite+ offers some specific bells and whistles not featured on the Axess+. This includes two relay outputs, a contact closure input, an included temperature and humidity sensor, and RS-232 serial control.

This offers a variety of configurable options, such as turning on a rack fan if the system gets too warm or turning the system off if an alarm panel sends a trigger. The ELITE+ is also scalable, allowing you to connect and manage up to 16 units from a single interface, and has a front-panel locking on/off switch. For what it’s worth, the ELITE+ also weighs 22% more (2.2 pounds) than the Axess+.

While every other SurgeX connected product monitors energy usage based on all connected devices, the ELITE+ is unique in that it offers monitoring separately for each outlet.

If you have a customer who really likes to get granular on system usage and performance, the ELITE+ will give them data and insights for every piece of connected gear in the rack.

To understand how SurgeX protects electronics from surges, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of how traditional surge protection works, which relies on MOV technology. These release the majority of surge energy back to the ground, which can be okay for basic protection, but with modern electronics utilizing microprocessors that reference the ground for signal clocking, this ground contamination can cause lockups, reboots, and other system gremlins.

The other issue with MOV technology is that it degrades over time. Imagine a health meter in a fighting game; each hit drops that life level down. However, unlike a game where you can just check your remaining level, there

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PRODUCT REVIEW

December 2025

Vol. 26 No. 12

residentialsystems.com FOLLOW US twitter.com/resisys facebook/resisys CONTENT MD, Content, AV Anthony Savona anthony.savona@futurenet.com Contributors: Katye McGregor Bennett, Matt Bernath, Sam Cavitt, Henry Clifford, Dave Donald, Tim Fitzpatrick, Jason Griffing, Anthony Grimani, Karen Mitchell, Lisa Montgomery, Todd Anthony Puma, John Sciacca, Lisa Slayman, Gordon van Zuiden Production Manager Heather Tatrow Art Editors Matt Lochrie & Rosie Webber ADVERTISING SALES Managing Vice President of Sales, B2B Tech Adam Goldstein, adam.goldstein@futurenet.com, 212-378-0465 SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE To subscribe, change your address, or check on your current account status, go to residentialsystems.com and click on About Us, email futureplc@computerfulfillment.com, call 888-266-5828, or write P.O. Box 1051, Lowell, MA 01853.

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DECEMBER 2025

is no way of knowing how much life the MOV has left, and eventually it will fail, leaving equipment unprotected and users unaware.

Also, protectors relying on MOV technology can be overwhelmed by massive surges, as mentioned in the opening.

When it comes to protection, SurgeX essentially provides three levels: good, better, and best.

At the good level is Multi-Stage protection that uses non-sacrificial MOVs and gasdischarge tubes to suppress the surge and clamp any transient energy, allowing a harmless remnant of energy to be passed to equipment. This is the technology used in the DisplayPak+.

At the better level is Series Mode protection that SurgeX brought to market in 1995. This uses a surge-suppression circuit that filters high-frequency surges and stores low-frequency energy in capacitors, releasing it gradually without ground interference.

SurgeX described this as working “like the champagne tower at a wedding. [It] clamps the surge and slowly releases the energy.”

This is also non-sacrificial, meaning it offers an unlimited service life and consistent power delivery.

At the best level is SurgeX’s patented Advance Series Mode that utilizes inductive/ capacitive circuitry to totally eliminate, rather than suppress, surge energy. This uses air core inductors that work along the same principle as noise-canceling headphones, along with a clamping board to eliminate surge energy entirely up to 6000 volts without any let-through voltage or ground contamination, and these devices are rated to withstand up to a thousand 6000-volt surges. This is the surge protection found in the Axess+ and ELITE+.

Additionally, SurgeX products include additional protection such as Catastrophic Over/Under Voltage Shutdown, which automatically cuts power to equipment if voltage is detected outside safe operating ranges; EMI/RF (Electro-Magnetic Interference/Radio Frequency) filters to eliminate noise on incoming power; and Inrush Current Elimination, a “soft turn on” of devices that protects electronics from the momentary inrush of current that can occur when electronics are first turned on.

SurgeX also offers a variety of UPS solutions with zero transfer time to guarantee mission-critical equipment remains up and running, or allows time for a safe system

shutdown during a lengthy outage. One nice thing is that, in the event the internal battery(ies) fail, the UPS goes into bypass mode, simply passing power through to continue powering connected devices.

The company says it has a “PB&J” philosophy for effective power design: Protect, Backup, and Justify. Connect is the cornerstone of the Justify component, “providing advanced insights into power analytics. It helps partners demonstrate what is working, what isn’t, and where improvements can be made.”

Setup I installed the Axess+ in my main rack, where my “best” gear is located. I connected a Trinnov Altitude 16, two multichannel Marantz amps, two powered subwoofers, a Sony BRAVIA 8 laser projector, a Kaleidescape Strato, and a 16-channel Triad amplifier. This was also in close proximity to my main 24port network switch, making for a simple Ethernet connection.

I installed the DisplayPak+ in my testing room and connected a Sony LED TV, Klipsch Flexus CORE 300 soundbar, Kaleidescape Terra Server, and Kaleidescape 3U Premiere Server. I figured the many DisplayPak+ installs would be wireless, so I went with a Wi-Fi connection here.

You can either use a network IP scanner or look at network connections in your router to find the IP addresses of the SurgeX devices, or you can download the Ametek device discovery tool. Since it wasn’t on the network to be discovered, I used the mini-USB cable to connect to the DisplayPak+. The web server is always available through the USB port at https://169.254.10.100, which is handy if you don’t have full access to the network.

Once you log into the device’s local web GUI, you land on a homepage that gives a quick snapshot of current operation, showing Line Voltage (Volts), Current (Amps), and Power (Watts), as well as a quick system status (overall system, surge protection, voltage level), and total energy usage, since the device was connected to power. (This can be reset at any time.) You also see the status of the individual power outlets, and you can easily toggle them on/off, reboot them (with adjustable reboot times per outlet), and rename them. There is also a master button to reboot or power on/off all outlets.

To the left of the GUI are a host of setup and configuration options, including access

PRODUCT REVIEW to real-time and historic power readings, as well as time-stamped events.

Going into the Device Setup tab, you can adjust things such as the device name, nominal voltage, and frequency settings (typically 120 V and 60 Hz in the States), set a power-up delay time, and set how it should respond on Power Up or Shutdown Clean, either returning to the initial outlet state or running a sequence.

The Outlet Configuration tab allows you to name, set reboot time, and set the initial state the outlet will be during a startup or after a shutdown. Outlet Group allows you to define multiple outlets you can control at once, and Day/Time settings let you set how to retrieve the time and zone.

Network settings allow you to set a static IP if needed, and with the DisplayPak+, choose whether to use Wi-Fi or not, scan for and select available Wi-Fi networks (2.4 GHz only), and enter the security credentials.

If you don’t want your client to have full administrator-level permissions, you can create additional user logins and selectively give them the ability to configure triggers, device control, network settings, software updates, and add users.

You can create sequences, which are a set of actions that are performed in a specific order and with a specified delay time between each step.

You can select which outlets you want to turn on/ off or reboot, in what order, and how much delay to take between each step. Using sequences avoids manually performing each action or turning each outlet on or off individually.

Another very cool setting is Triggers, which defines event logging parameters and allows configuration to automatically control and protect connected equipment. There are three trigger types: Threshold with Samples, AutoPing, and Schedule.

Based on each trigger, you can define what to do when entering and clearing the alarm state, with options for doing nothing (logging

the event), powering On/Off/Reboot specific or all outlets, running a sequence, entering shutdown state, or clearing shutdown state.

An AutoPing trigger lets you ping a specific IP address and determine how many failed pings to initiate an alarm, followed by how many successful pings to clear it. Schedule allows an event to happen one time, daily, weekly, monthly, or annually at a specific time, say rebooting a modem every day at 4:00 AM. You can create Threshold with Sample triggers for when Line Voltage, N-G voltage, Current, Temperature, Frequency, Average Power, Crest Factor, or Power Factor fall outside of determined ranges, and how the system will respond when it exceeds or goes below your defined limits, and then what it does when the range is back in the green. You can also set how many faults are needed out of how many samples before the alert is triggered, so that a temporary blip doesn’t reboot your system.

Admin utilities let you update the firmware, backup/restore a configuration file, and per­ form a factory reset or a soft reboot.

The last important configuration is in the Cloud settings, which is what connects the device to the SurgeX Connect site. You first need to create a SurgeX Connect account, and then register it in Cloud Settings. For remote control capability, you need to enable device control under the device configuration settings. This whole process takes about a minute; once performed, it will display the connected time and successful cloud certificate status. Should you need to de-register a device, there’s a tab to do so.

Need more control? No problem. SurgeX offers loads of control drivers available for free download at its website. This includes AMX, Crestron Home, Crestron SIMPL, ELAN, Extron, RTI, Control 4, Q-Sys, and URC. Once integrated with your control system, you can execute custom programming based on a variety of events reported by the SurgeX product.

Performance It’s difficult to test the performance of a surge protector. We never had any surge events, at least that I’m aware of, while it was installed, and my gear didn’t have any lockups or issues while it was connected to the Axess+.

I can’t say as much for the DisplayPak+, as I’m pretty sure the unit I received might have been janky right out of the box. It kept falling offline even though it was just feet from my WAP. It repeatedly dropped the connection even when connected to the Mini-USB cable. It factory-defaulted itself once, losing all settings.

And then, after a hard power cycle to reboot it, it no longer powered on its four outlets. Stuff happens, and I think I just got a bum unit.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time for SurgeX to send a replacement before deadline.

What I can talk about is the performance of the Connect site and all of the data points collected. Remotely via the Connect site (surgexconnect.com), you have access and control of all your installed and registered units.

You can arrange them by jobsite, making it easy to keep track of all your projects and also create additional users to give them access to specific devices, as well as choose to have the system send warning or informational emails to clients.

Currently, you can do everything remotely that you can perform locally except for changing network settings and updating firmware; however, SurgeX says remote firmware updates will be coming.

The really cool bit is the pool information the system records, gathering 31 different metrics and taking timestamped readings six times per minute. (This can be adjusted from every two seconds to just once per day.) Over a four-day period, this resulted in over 30,000 readings. This data can be exported into an Excel file. SurgeX suggested you could plug that data into AI and have it analyze the readings to find anomalies in the power line.

By this point, we all know the benefits of IPenabled power devices, which can automatically reboot outlets to power-cycle the network on loss of connection and allow remote system reboots to hopefully eliminate a truck roll. With SurgeX Connect-enabled models, you not only have access to all of this, but you also get bestin-class power protection and filtration, and industry-leading metrics that provide visibility into what is actually happening with the power.

When a client’s system protection, reliability, performance, and longevity are important, SurgeX equipment should be a part of the conversation.

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GOING FORWARD

Lightapalooza 2026 Preview The fifth annual event moves to a new location but continues to provide a wealth of training opportunities.

BY ANTHONY SAVONA

As it has in its four previous runs, the fifth annual Lightapalooza will provide an assortment of education from top minds in lighting technology and design, as well as an exhibit floor of integration-friendly manufacturers and service providers. However, this year’s show will be the first one to include a waterslide.

While it is true that the event, taking place February 16-19, 2026, at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions near Austin, Texas, does feature a water park with rides such as the “Barrelling Baboon” and the “FlowRider,” the real action takes place at the opposite side of the resort where Lightapalooza will set up its conference program and exhibits.

“This venue fits us very well,” says Tom Doherty, the originator of — and mind behind — Lightapalooza. “It has the classroom and exhibit space that we need. We are purposely keeping the show floor curated — we will once again end up with around 62 exhibitors, but we could have had 90 easily.

“What’s nice compared to last year is that everything is right next to each other. So, the distances people will have to walk from the convention area to various education breakout areas are negligible. Plus, because it is a water park, the venue is able to serve big groups, and so there are many food options for attendees; there are four substantial restaurants, and we should be able to have something for everybody at the same time. There is also a big arcade, a bowling alley, and some other things to do there in the evenings.

Based on feedback from previous events, Lightapalooza 2026 will have a different cadence to the education program and a revised pricing structure.

“The majority of people are there for the education, and the types of passes purchased reflect that,” says Doherty, who, in addition to planning Lightapalooza is the director of technology initiatives for HTSA. “However, there is a segment that just wants to come in and walk the show floor. So, this year, we came up with a pass that just gets you on the show floor and provides access to the keynote session. Until December 1, that pass is only $50.

“We’ve also flipped the schedule in that the show floor used to open on Wednesday and Thursday, but this year we’ve moved it up, so the exhibit floor opens up after the morning keynote on Tuesday and remains open

PHOTO BY ISH-THIS PHOTOGRAPHY.

The crowds at the DMF Lighting booth at Lightapalooza 2025.

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DECEMBER 2025

throughout Wednesday, and then it will close, but the education program will continue through Thursday.”

As for the conference program, it is once again jam-packed with offerings that cover lighting design, lighting fundamentals, business growth, smart power, and certifications. The Academia Series, which invites university professors and researchers to deliver advanced technical courses in lighting science and design, returns to Lightapalooza this year after a successful launch at the 2025 event.

“All of the 2025 Academia presenters are coming back for 2026,” says Doherty. “There’s no event on the planet that brings experts like Drs. Craig Bernecker, Kevin Houser, and Mariana Figueiro together. Last year, they didn’t know what they were getting into — they are used to dealing with college or postgrad students. They had no idea that there was such a thing as an integrator, and that these professionals are trying to create awareness of how to have better lighting in people’s homes. They were blown away, and they loved that there was such an enthusiastic group of people who wanted to learn. So, they’re all back, they’re excited, and they’ve freshened up and updated their courses."

A new track on project management has also been added this year.

“The biggest barrier to growth for this channel is the integrators’ ability to execute what they’ve sold,” explains Doherty. “What we’re talking about is project management. It’s more challenging in lighting than when they started doing shades a decade-plus ago. So, we’ve got a whole separate section on project management and operations this year.”

For certifications, the show is once again working with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) to offer a minimum of four accredited sessions that deliver Learning Units (LU) with Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credit, providing credentials required for license renewal and addressing critical knowledge gaps at the intersection of lighting design, human wellbeing, and environmental responsibility.

The SHINE certification program is also returning, but with some new options. “For the last two years, the SHINE certification has been just on lighting fundamentals, but this year we have added two more areas: lighting control protocol and electrical power fundamentals,” says Doherty. “For lighting control protocols, there’ll be an assessment exam to see if they need to take the class or if they could pass without taking it.

The class is a four-hour session that includes topics like phase dimming 0 to 10, DALI, and DMX. We’re going to offer that class twice. And then we have the electrical power fundamentals SHINE certification, where we have worked with several of the power manufacturers to develop a full-day smart power education track, which is the only education that’s happening Tuesday morning.”

Lightapalooza 2026 takes place February 16-19, 2026, at the Kalahari Resort & Conventions in Round Rock, Texas. For more information and to register, visit https://lightapalooza.com/home.