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.
Lithe Audio takes a different approach in its system design. For example, they basically turn an in-ceiling speaker into a freestanding, all-in-one, streaming music system with power and full connectivity included on the speaker. Their first product was an in-ceiling model with a built-in Bluetooth 5.0 aptX receiver, 50w (RMS) Class D amplifier, featuring high-quality speaker construction that allows users to conveniently stream directly to the speaker from their favorite mobile device.
With a 30-meter range, Amazon Echo Dot/Google Home Mini compatibility, outputs for additional passive slave speakers, RCA connectivity for legacy devices, and Lithe Link connection for up to 3 master Bluetooth speakers – it is a pretty full-featured system. Yes, power needs to be run to it, but the company offers options to accomplish that without too much fuss. Now I haven’t heard it, but the specs look pretty strong and the company was recently cited with a Best New Hardware Award by CEDIA (2020 CEDIA EMEA Award for their Pro Series Multi-Room Ceiling Speaker).
Not Just an In-Ceiling Speaker, But an In-Ceiling Streaming Music System
That first Bluetooth speaker was introduced years ago and it is battle-tested. But the company has expanded the line since then with surface mount, WiFi, wireless subwoofer, and even outdoor speakers (they call them “garden speakers.”) There is a Multi-room in-ceiling speaker model and a Pro in-ceiling speaker model for more diverse applications.
Our first Bluetooth ceiling speaker hit the European market five years ago. Since then, we’ve been building our international footprint and bolstering our product lineup with a range of all-in-one multiroom audio systems that deliver unmatched flexibility, scalability, and ease of installation for integrators while providing their clients with the exceptional audio quality they expect. We’re thrilled to be bringing our unique solutions to the U.S. market and can’t wait to show integrators the advantages they provide in a range of applications — from single speakers in hotel bathrooms to large, multiroom distributed audio systems and even home theaters.
Amit Ravat, Lithe Audio Managing Director in a prepared statement
Single-Room and Multi-Room Solutions
Lithe Audio in-ceiling speakers feature woven glass-fiber woofer cones, titanium tweeters, Class D amplifiers tuned for in-ceiling performance, support for Alexa and OK Google, and more. The company say that its Bluetooth 5.0 Ceiling Speaker is the perfect single-room solution for streaming music in kitchens, bathrooms, and hotel rooms.
The company’s Wi-Fi Multi-room Speaker adds AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support for distributed audio system solutions. This model is available with drivers for Control4 and FIBARO control systems. The company says support for more manufacturers is “coming soon.”
Pro Series Should Interest Residential Integrators
The model I suspect will attract the attention of most integrators is the Pro Series Wi-Fi Multi-Room Ceiling Speaker. Lithe Audio targets this model specifically at the residential integration market and loads it up with tons of additional features. This is the model that won the CEDIA EMEA Award in the Best New Hardware category. Take all of the features of the Wi-Fi Multi-room model and add:
- Support for high-resolution audio at 192kHz/24-bit
- Optical input
- Ethernet ports (2) – one for a hard-wired network connection and one for daisy-chaining to another speaker
- Available PoE++ and WiSA bolt-on modules. The PoE++ bolt-on module delivers up to 70w to each speaker. the WiSA bolt-on module provides for integration into wireless Dolby 5.1/7.1/Atmos surround-sound home theaters
- Add on the optional 70W Wi-Fi Multi-Room Micro Subwoofer for those scenarios where more low-frequency oomph is desired.
Lithe Audio will be introducing these models to the U.S. market at CEDIA Expo 2022 in Dallas, TX. Expo this year runs from September 29 – to – October 1.
IO1 Offers Flexible Mounting Solutions
In addition to the above models, the company will also be introducing a new speaker, the IO1. The IO1 is technologically the same as their WiFi Multi-Room Ceiling Speaker but can be more flexibly mounted. For example, it can be horizontally mounted on a wall or flush-mounted in corners. In fact, it can even be mounted on a yard stake for outdoor use. Also at CEDIA Expo, integrators can see their Bluetooth Garden Rock Speaker.
Lithe Audio’s representative in the U.S. is The BIG Corp., a manufacturers representative firm and consulting agency.
While there are other solutions on the market that deliver high audio quality, and a few that offer either integrated amplifiers or connectivity, Lithe Audio’s solutions are unique in that they offer all three in one high-end speaker. By only requiring power, the company’s wireless audio systems make installing a speaker no more difficult than mounting a ceiling light, while their embedded technologies allow for the simple creation of distributed audio systems, surround-sound theaters, and more. They represent a truly unique solution, especially in retrofit installations where running wires can be an issue, and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce them to U.S. integrators.
Pete Baker, The BIG Corp. President
See Lithe Audio at CEDIA Expo 2022
Want to sign up with Lithe Audio or get more information? Contact Pete Baker of The BIG Corp. by phone at 952.270.3999 or by email at pete@thebigcorp.com.
Be sure to check out Lithe Audio products at CEDIA Expo 2022 in booth 29093.
Learn more about the company and its products by visiting www.litheaudio.com.
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