Velodyne Appoints New Management Amid Changes

By Joseph Palenchar On Aug 6 2012 - 4:01am

MORGAN HILL, CALIF. – Subwoofer supplier Velodyne Acoustics appointed a new executive team to shepherd the company’s entry into new audio product categories, including headphones, and launch a new channel strategy.

The new executive lineup includes Stuart Woods as executive VP/GM, George Manlove as sales and channel marketing VP, Devon Bergman as marketing and consumer sales VP, and Jack Travis as key sales team leader, the company said.

They join president Marta Hall and founder/CEO David Hall.

 

 

B&O Readies Networked-AudioProduct Releases

By Joseph Palenchar On Aug 6 2012 - 4:02am

DEERFIELD, ILL. – Luxury brand Bang & Olufsen is expanding its selection of networked- audio products with the launch of a $425 device that adds wireless-network capability to any of the company’s active home speakers.

The Playmaker became available in Bang & Olufsen showrooms at the end of July.

D+M Brands Expanding Customer Base

By Joseph Palenchar On Jun 4 2012 - 4:01am

MAHWAH, N.J. – The company that owns Denon, Marantz, Boston Acoustics and McIntosh unveiled a new logo, new tag line, a subtle name change, and new products designed to expand the company’s customer base and target new growth opportunities.

D&M Holdings becomes D+M Group to underscore the “common vision” of its brands and their operation as a single group rather than seven independent businesses in a holding company, executives said during a press briefing last Tuesday.

Nortek To Realign Brands Into 3 Groups

By Joseph Palenchar On Jun 4 2012 - 4:01am

CARLSBAD, CALIF. – The new Nortek group that consolidates the company’s AVC Group brands with the previously independent SpeakerCraft/Proficient and Panamax/Furman brands will realign all nine brands into three business groups to reduce product and R&D duplication and deliver programs with higher impact, a group executive told TWICE.

Tabletop Audio To Air During CEA's CE Week

By Joseph Palenchar On Jun 18 2012 - 4:01am

NEW YORK – Tabletop audio systems will dominate the selection of home audio products on display at next week’s CE Week.

iPod-docking speakers, Bluetooth speakers, soundenhancing speakers for flat-panel TVs, and wireless multiroom audio systems using tabletop players will go on display, some with new features not revealed before and others with newly finalized price points and ship dates.

SpeakerCraft Fires Up TV Speaker

By TWICE Staff On Jun 18 2012 - 4:01am

NEW YORK – SpeakerCraft will bring its first active speaker for flat TVs to CE Week.

The $599-suggested Protégé CS3 packs multiple drivers into a chassis that doubles as a TV pedestal. It also features stereo Bluetooth to stream music from mobile devices and PCs.

The speaker, which ships in the summer, features dual 5.25-inch subwoofers, four 2.5-inch midrange drivers and dual 1-inch silk-dome tweeters. Simulated surround- sound processing creates realistic 5.1-type effects, the company claimed.

Audio Component Choices Abound For PCs, TVs, Mobile Devices

By Joseph Palenchar On Jul 2 2012 - 4:01am

NEW YORK – Audio products that connect to TVs, PCs and mobile devices dominated the audio introductions here at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Line Show, but audio components also put in an appearance.

AirPlay Comes To Multi-Room Audio Systems

By Joseph Palenchar On Jul 16 2012 - 4:01am

FORT COLLINS, COLO. – Multi-room audio supplier CasaTunes is integrating Apple AirPlay technology into its next-generation music servers to deliver music through a combination of custom-installed wired speakers, wireless AirPlay speakers and other AirPlay-equipped devices.

Audio Briefs

By TWICE Staff On Jul 16 2012 - 4:01am

Energy Expands Power Series

INDIANAPOLIS – Energy expanded its Energy Power series of speakers with two compact powered subwoofers, joining a multimedia speaker system and two active soundbars.

The Klipsch-owned brand also plans sometime next year to add affordable passive speakers to the Power series, which is focused on more affordable alternatives to the brand’s Veritas and Connoisseur speaker series.

Soundbar Sales Tide Lifting All Boats

By Joseph Palenchar On May 21 2012 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — Active soundbars have turned into a key growth category for suppliers and retailers.

Sales are surging at all price points, including upperend models priced around $1,000 and more. Average selling prices so far this year are rising, and the category is expanding the home audio market, suppliers and retailers told TWICE.