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U.K.-Based Lithe Audio to Enter U.S. with Wireless AiO Speaker Systems

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Lithe Audio, a London, U.K.-based designer and manufacturer of unique, all-in-one, wireless streaming music solutions announced on Wednesday that it is entering the U.S. market for the first time at CEDIA Expo 2022. The company is experienced in supplying products to European commercial and residential channels since its founding in 2014 and is now expanding its distribution here in America. With a unique line of products, such as all-in-one powered in-ceiling/in-wall, surface mount, and outdoor speaker solutions, the company offers a new approach to system configurations.

See more on Lithe Audio solutions now available in the U.S.

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Gettin’ Tough Out There – Sony Cuts Net Profit Outlook for Current Fiscal Year

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Sony PlayStation 5 games

Late last week, Sony Group announced that they were cutting their net profit forecast for the current fiscal year, fiscal 2022 which ends March 2023. Why are they trimming their profit expectations? It appears that Sony is experiencing its version of a post-COVID Peloton/Netflix sales decline as video game sales are weakening and its costs related to a recent acquisition are rising.

See more on the declining profit forecast at Sony

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Yamaha Corp Warns of Continuing Chip Shortage

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Shizuoka, Japan-based Yamaha Corporation – the world’s largest musical instrument maker that also offers pro, commercial, and residential audio gear is warning markets that the global chip shortage – while improving marginally lately – is still creating challenges that constrict manufacturers’ ability to achieve production goals. It is the first such warning I’ve seen from a company well known for acoustic pianos – but whose electronic instruments and audio gear generate more revenue.

See more of what the Yamaha President had to say about chips

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Tiny Koss Scores Big Win over Giant Apple in Patent Dispute Settlement

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Koss Corporaton headquarters in Wisconsin

Expects $10-$14 Million in Licensing Fees in Current Quarter

Back in August 2020, I told you about Koss Corporation filing patent infringement claims against Apple Inc, Bose Corporation, PEAG LLC (JLAB Audio), Plantronics, and Skullcandy. It seemed like an improbable journey for the relatively small specialty headphone maker, but they plunged ahead anyway confident that their wireless audio patents had been unfairly infringed.

This week, after two years of legal battles that had intensified in 2022 and on the eve of a jury trial with mighty Apple, Inc. the two parties reached an agreement settling all disputes in a deal that looks really sweet for Koss.

See more on the big win for Koss

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Turmoil Returns to Krell; COO Walter Schofield is Out Without Explanation

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Krell Solo 375 amplifier

Several Krell-related sources, such as dealers and others, reached out to me on Monday to share the surprising news they had just received in that morning’s email – top Krell executive Walter Schofield has left the company. Other than that basic fact, dealers didn’t know much more as the terse communication from Krell contained very little information. Speculation is running rampant…

See more on what I’ve learned about developments at Krell

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Senate Finally Takes Action on CHIPS Act, Setting the Stage for Its Passage

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Photo of semiconductors or chips, the Senate finally takes action
[Photo: REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration]

More than a year after its initial introduction, and in the wake of chip manufacturers threatening to scale back their U.S. projects, the United States Senate finally took action on Tuesday to move forward on the bill known as the CHIPS Act. After months of at times heavy discussion/arguing, the stage is set for both the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote on its passage, perhaps as early as next week.

See more on this development with the CHIPS Act

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Crestron Announces Spotify Connect Upgrade for DM NAX 8-Zone Amplifier

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The Crestron DM NAX 8-Zone Streaming Amplifier

Crestron Electronics, Inc. (Crestron) announced today a firmware update that adds Spotify Connect to its growing selection of streaming music services available through its recently-launched DM NAX 8-Zone Network Streaming Amplifier. With Spotify Connect in the DM NAX’s firmware, users get “an elevated music experience” the company says, with control available directly through the Spotify music service or via any Crestron interface.

Learn more about Spotify Connect on Crestron DM NAX

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VOXX Fiscal ’23 Q1 Results Decline; Blames Chip Shortage, Retailer Over-Inventory

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Screenshot of VOXX website

VOXX International Corp. announced its fiscal 2023, first-quarter results late Monday, reporting that it saw sales declines, deepening operating losses, and a swing to a net loss in the quarter. Shares in VOXX declined 9.44% in value in trading Monday – and after-hours trading in the early evening pointed to another nearly 3% decline in shares. By comparison, the S & P 500 saw overall shares decline 1.15% on Monday.

Learn all about the VOXX FY2023/Q1 results

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Snap One Offers ‘Partners’ Advice to Protect Them from Fraud

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Snap One By integrators for integrators

Snap One, the entity originally founded as SnapAV, and a company whose motto is “Founded by integrators for integrators,” recently demonstrated how they strive to be a better partner by providing their dealers with some really solid and helpful advice. One of their appreciative dealers forwarded me an email he had received from the company containing useful information on how to protect his business from fraud.

See how Snap One sought to protect dealers from fraud

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Chip Makers Threaten to Scale Back U.S. Plans Citing Inaction by Congress

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President Biden meets with industry leaders and chip makers
President Biden meets with business leaders to discuss building semiconductor production in the U.S. [Photo: AP]

Major American and Asian chip makers warned this week that they may scale back their planned investments in building U.S. semiconductor production if Congress doesn’t finally move forward and pass the CHIPS Act. The CHIPS Act is legislation the administration seeks to build up a more robust U.S.-based semiconductor supply chain.

Learn more on chip makers pulling back on U.S. fab projects

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