AudioControl, the scrappy specialty manufacturer for both home and mobile electronics, announced today that it is launching the M5 Preamp-Processor as part of its popular Maestro home theater processor line. The M5 appears to be a worthy contender for one of the best values in a high-end, if not audiophile, preamp-processor with all the right stuff at a reasonable price.
News
Josh.ai Launches New Hardware Solution – Josh Micro
Josh.ai, the high-end voice control solution that created quite a buzz at last year’s CEDIA show, announced today that it is launching its first hardware product, Josh Micro. Josh Micro includes a home control processor, far-field microphone array, and a superior user interface in a small package that “fits in the palm of your hand.” It also disconnects Josh.ai from the need to talk into your smartphone…or to a nearby Amazon Echo.
See more on Josh Micro… [Read more…] about Josh.ai Launches New Hardware Solution – Josh Micro
Savant Throws Some Shade on Competitors
Savant Systems announced today that it is launching a line of shades and brackets, entering a new category for the home automation company. This new line is known simply as Savant Shades and the company says they are “innovative” and “design-forward” shades with a unique “fascia-free” design that eliminates the unsightly window box that exists to conceal wires, screws or fasteners on traditional and competitive shading systems.
See more on this new line from Savant… [Read more…] about Savant Throws Some Shade on Competitors
Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?
Moody’s Hits Gibson Brands with Another Credit Downgrade
Moody’s Investors Service, one of the largest credit rating services in the world, has downgraded the credit rating for Gibson Brands, the Nashville-based parent of Gibson Guitar, Onkyo, Teac, KRK, Philips, Stanton and more. Moody’s has set their rating on Gibson Brands debt to Caa3, down one step from Caa2.
The move caused Wall Street investment analyst The Street to raise the specter of the possibility of Gibson Brands defaulting on their debt.
See why Moody’s says the Gibson Brands situation is unsustainable… [Read more…] about Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?
Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee
New CEO Outlines a New Future for the 40-Year Old Brand
You practically need a scorecard to keep track of the revolving group of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have come and gone from Nashville-based Thiel Audio. The specialty speaker company has had five CEOs in four years – leading to an unending series of disjointed actions from a disconnected group of high-powered executives, each with their own vision of where to take the company.
Now it is new Thiel CEO Elyse McKenna’s turn…and she has a plan… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee
B&H Photo Pays $3.2M to Settle Federal Charges
BREAKING NEWS
Just over a year ago, we told you about the Federal government bringing charges against popular retailer B&H Foto & Electronics Corp., better known as B&H Photo Video, alleging discrimination, bias, and harassment of workers at its Brooklyn Navy Yard warehouse. Filed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the action by the government told a seamy tale of material mistreatment of certain employees at the company, a Federal contractor subject to specific rules governing treatment of workers.
See more on the costly conclusion of the matter by B&H… [Read more…] about B&H Photo Pays $3.2M to Settle Federal Charges
They’re Back – Amazon to Present a CEDIA 2017 Keynote
CEDIA announced today that like last year, Amazon will offer a sponsored keynote presentation at the upcoming CEDIA 2017 show in San Diego. The Amazon keynote will take place on Thursday, September 7, from 2:00PM – 3:00PM in the San Diego Convention Center Ballroom 20A.
See more on this Amazon CEDIA keynote… [Read more…] about They’re Back – Amazon to Present a CEDIA 2017 Keynote
Huge Management Transition at Lenbrook; End of an Era
Lenbrook International announced this week a major transition in their management team in what it said was a carefully thought-out “succession plan.” Lenbrook, parent company to the Bluesound, NAD, and PSB brands, will restructure their senior management team in the wake of a form of retirement of two of its most prominent leaders – Lenbrook Americas President & CEO Dean Miller; and Chief Brand Officer John Banks. It is not an overstatement to call this the end of one era and the beginning of a new one.
See more on this change at Lenbrook… [Read more…] about Huge Management Transition at Lenbrook; End of an Era
Dana Innovations Appoints 2 Regional Sales Managers; Both Ex-B&W
BREAKING NEWS
Dana Innovations announced this morning that it has appointed two new regional sales managers – Marc Schnoll and Dan Dusek. Both Schnoll and Dusek come to Dana Innovations from Bowers & Wilkins.
See more on these new Dana Innovations appointments… [Read more…] about Dana Innovations Appoints 2 Regional Sales Managers; Both Ex-B&W
Sales Schism – Multiple B&W Regional Managers Resign
BREAKING NEWS
Multiple sources have confirmed to us that several B&W regional managers have resigned from their positions with the company this week. In a move that one source indicated has been coming since the moment the company terminated President Doug Henderson, the regional managers all turned in their voluntary resignations in the same week.
