Integrator Finds The Sound Of Success With Niles Cynema Soundfield In-Wall Soundbar

International custom electronics integrator Jim Beaumont of HomeTech Europe has installed hundreds, if not thousands of different products throughout his career, and he’s never seen anything quite as unique as the Niles Cynema Soundfield in-wall soundbar from Core Brands. As the first of its kind, the Cynema Soundfield naturally has some ‘wow’ factor to it, but according to Beaumont it’s the practical application of a high-quality soundbar that virtually disappears that’s making it fly off the shelves.

“When I heard about the Niles Cynema Soundfield I knew some of my clients would love it, but I didn’t think I’d sell 10 of them in the first month!” Beaumont said. “Niles recognized that homeowners want good sound to match their attractive wall-mounted TVs, but they also want it to be as unobtrusive as the TV itself. With TVs getting thinner and thinner, the TV manufacturers have run out of room for good speakers, and the only solution when your TV is an inch off the wall is to put the speakers into the wall itself.”

Beaumont says his clients and the designers he works with immediately see the value in a soundbar that can be painted over and literally disappear into the wall. For years, in-wall speakers have been the preferred solution of integrators and interior designers because they blend into the room, but they can be expensive and difficult to install in an existing room because of wiring and additional components such as amplifiers and AV receivers. The Cynema Soundfield solves this issue because it requires just two wires, one for audio signal and one for power, and it can be installed in less than an hour by a certified Niles installer, even if the TV is already hung on the wall.

“It’s easy to sell because it can be used in retrofits, new homes, board rooms and even retail locations like hotel lobbies, without anyone even knowing it’s there,” Beaumont continued. “Several of my clients were so excited when I showed it to them that they bought multiple units for multiple rooms. I think the market for this innovative premium sound solution could be huge, and I’m going to sell as many of them as I can.”

And it’s easy to complete the home theater experience with one of Niles’ small, powerful subwoofers and wireless kit, so the sub can go anywhere the homeowners want without running wires. The wireless kit hooks right up to the Cynema Soundfield’s amplifier, so there’s no separate amp or receiver necessary.

What makes the Cynema Soundfield so unique is its rail system; the only thing that gets cut into the wall is a thin metal rail that sits flush with the drywall, and then the three individual speakers and the amplifier simply lock into the rail. With such a fast installation time, models that match TVs of all sizes, plenty of power and fidelity (30W RMS per speaker, three speakers per soundbar) and the ability to paint the grill and make the speaker invisible, the Niles Cynema Soundfield is a hot item for electronics integrators and design-conscious homeowners everywhere.

The Cynema Soundfield includes inputs for optical audio, HDMI and analog audio, and can also be integrated into a multi-room audio system. It features autosense turn-on so that no separate remote is required, and it simply turns on whenever it receives an audio signal from either the TV or a connected multi-room audio system.

Design Studio Of The Future Features AV And Control From ELAN, Niles and Sunfire

Kris Turnbull Studios, one of Europe’s leading interior designers, recently demonstrated his belief that contemporary home design must incorporate integrated AV and control technologies. He did so by opening a new flagship design studio in Belfast, Ireland that features the ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System, complete with multiple zones of Niles® and Sunfire® high-fidelity speakers. The innovative interior designer makes modern technology an integral design element in many projects and recognizes that chic, life-enhancing electronics add value to a luxury living environment.

“My luxury-minded clients desire breathtaking interiors that break convention and delight the senses,” Kris Turnbull said. “Modern design has reached a confluence between architecture, decoration and technology that provides an unprecedented level of comfort, security and enjoyment, seamlessly blending environment with enhanced home functionality. My experience in the modern design industry has led me to embrace the new realities of home living that require a ground-level understanding that technology is often as vital to a homeowner’s satisfaction as the furnishings, window dressing, accessories and lighting.

 

“This beautiful new showroom proves that AV and integration technologies can add significant value to any living space while remaining nearly invisible. The open layout of the showroom highlights my expertise in creating uniquely attractive and comfortable arrangements, and the installed technologies provide all the modern conveniences that today’s homeowners and homebuyers desire. ELAN, Niles and Sunfire make top-quality products that blend into any décor.”

To create the showroom, Kris Turnbull transformed a former church into an open floorplan design center that features 10 distinct areas including living spaces, bedrooms, dining areas and a walk-in closet that each present a unique modern design aesthetic. Using the finest materials and furnishings from the likes of Fendi Casa, Kenzo Maison, Donghia New York and Christopher Guy, he presents a vision of modern living that appeals to a luxury-minded clientele.

 

“The studio reflects the luxury market. I am currently designing homes in London, Paris, Portugal, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bermuda and Montenegro, so there is a breadth of architecture and regional stylistic influence that permeates my work across the globe. The one constant, no matter what location, is that if a client desires modern technologies, they want them to be unobtrusive and so easy to use that there is no learning involved. Technology adds value to a living environment when it makes traditional activities simpler and more intuitive. All of the electronics in the new design studio exemplify this mindset by providing enhanced comfort and usability in every type of space.”

The system was designed, specified and supplied by Indigo Distribution, the leading custom electronics distributor in Ireland. Several of the design spaces feature Niles in-ceiling and in-wall speakers that seamlessly blend into the décor with fully paintable magnetically-attached grilles, allowing the studio to present an ultra-premium sonic experience that is heard, but not seen. In one area that includes a high-definition TV, Sunfire’s audiophile bookshelf speakers are used to envelop the guests in a 5.1 surround soundscape that rivals the power and clarity of a commercial movie theater. The design offices, which are located on the second floor, also feature Sunfire speakers for listening to music during work.

The ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System consolidates control of the design studio’s three TVs and multiple audio zones, which can be simply accessed and adjusted through two in-wall ELAN LCD touchscreens, two ELAN HR2 wand-style remotes with touchscreens, or the g!Mobile app for Android, iOS, PCs and Mac computers. In the spring of 2013, Kris Turnbull Studios will add Niles outdoor speakers that are designed to look like landscape lighting to complete the building’s audio system.

The award-winning Kris Turnbull Studios has grown to 16 employees in just six years and its work has been profiled in several major design and lifestyle publications. The company recently expanded beyond interior design with the addition of in-house architects and interior architects who provide creative input and technical designs, creating a full-service home design agency that can see a project through from conception to furnishing. For more information about Kris Turnbull Studios and to view a gallery of its work, please visit www.kristurnbull.com.

Photo 1:   From left to right: Simon Spears of ELAN Home Systems, Kris Turnbull and Matthew Booth of Indigo Distribution.

Photo 2:   The new Kris Turnbull Studios Design Center includes several areas that feature HDTVs and hi-fi home theater speakers and subwoofers from Sunfire and Niles.

Photo 3:   The new Kris Turnbull Studios Design Center launch party on February 9, 2013 drew more than 250 guests.

About ELAN Home Systems:

Founded in 1990, ELAN® Home Systems is an industry leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning whole-house entertainment and control systems that are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers and distributors throughout the United States, Canada and more than 58 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.

ELAN is part of the CORE® Brands division of Nortek, Inc. CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands.

ELAN is a subsidiary of Nortek, Inc., a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. Please visit www.nortekinc.com for more information.

CORE Brands Appoints Mitchell Witten Brand Manager For Niles and Sunfire

Strengthening its audio products management team, CORE® Brands today announced the appointment of industry veteran Mitchell Witten to the position of Brand Manager for Niles® and Sunfire®, according to an announcement made today by CORE Brands Audio Segment Director Mark Weisenberg, to whom Witten reports.

“The Niles and Sunfire brands are iconic to both custom installation dealers and consumers,” Weisenberg said today, “and now these great brands have a uniquely qualified brand steward who can ensure that they remain iconic for years to come. Mitch brings more than 20 years of strategic industry experience to our team and this experience is going to immediately benefit our many loyal dealers and consumers who expect the very best in innovation, performance, and value from Niles and Sunfire products.”

Witten comes to his new position at CORE Brands from Monster Products, Inc., where he served as Senior Product Area Manager since 2009 with responsibility for all aspects of audio and wireless technology product development. Prior to this, from 2005 through 2009, Witten was the owner of and principal consultant at 1 Bear & Associates, a Coronado, California based consulting company focused on the marketing and sales of high performance consumer electronics products and technologies.

Other industry experience includes serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, as well as Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning, at SONANCE, a division of Dana Innovations, over a period that ran from 2000 through 2005. He also served as Vice President of Business Development at Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc. from 1997 to 2000 and Vice President of Market Development at Infinity Systems (a Harman International Company) from 1992 to 1997. Additional experience was acquired at Faroudja Laboratories, Cinema Products Corporation, TEAC America, dbx, Lanier/Harris Corp., Third Century Marketing, and Tech HiFi & Audio Innovators.

Witten is a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He is a former member of the CEA Audio Board and CEA MRAV Board and remains very active in the CE and CI industries, often acting as a corporate representative, volunteer, instructor and public speaker for the CEA, CEDIA, HTSA, PARA, PRO, HES, NATM, DAA, ERA and IPRO. A founding member of the Academy for the Advancement of High Performance Audio & Video, Witten has also received numerous industry association and publication design and engineering awards.

Niles Brings New Meaning To Architectural Sound In Luxury California Home Theater

Some home theaters are nothing more than a flat screen TV with a couple of speakers placed randomly giving the illusion of a true surround sound experience.  Then there are others, like this recently completed luxury home theater in Thousand Oaks, California, that feature only the best of the best, from personalized motorized recliners to an invisible surround sound system with Niles® legendary architectural speakers that give viewers incredible audio that is heard, but not seen.

The homeowners had one specific request for Thousand Oaks-based custom integrator Wilshire Home Entertainment, and it was that all the electronics besides the projector and screen needed to be completely hidden from view.  They utilized in-wall subwoofers, a total of seven Niles in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, and hid the system components behind acoustic panels under the screen to give the owners exactly what they were looking for: an over-the-top home theater that completely engulfs the viewer into whatever they are watching.

According to Wilshire Home Entertainment’s Project Designer Bennett Bowman, “The clients were very hands-on when it came to the actual interior design of the theater. They wanted to continue the ornate décor and style of their home in the theater, without compromising the aesthetic with bulky speakers and electronic components. Every fabric, every color and every decorative item in the room was selected by the clients and our design team to create an “over the top” look and feel.  The only way to deliver the sound quality they deserve without making it visible was to use Niles speakers.  The painters went right over the speaker grilles like they were part of the ceiling, and that’s exactly how Niles designed them to be used.”

 

Wilshire Home Entertainment chose the ideal components for every aspect of the theater, installing three Niles IW2670LCR architectural speakers behind the screen and four Niles IW770FX surround channel architectural speakers in the rear and sides of the room to deliver a true seven channel audio experience.  As the clients requested, the only pieces of equipment visible in the 400 square-foot home theater are the Runco® VX-22d Projector and the Stewart® CineCurve™ Screen.

The theater’s interior elements and designs were provided by Boca Raton, Florida-based Cinema Design Group International.  The chairs, designed by First Impressions Theme Theatres in North Miami, Florida, are motorized recliners and include the clients’ family crest. The family crest can also be found on the remote control screen.

With unique touches like running lights, illuminated lions’ heads at the end of the chairs’ armrests and ceiling stars that fade and brighten with a push of a button, the homeowners have a theater unlike any other, one truly worthy of the title “home theater”.  The equipment within the home theater also controls the audio and visual systems throughout house, which allows the client to listen to music and watch DirecTV channels in any room.

About Wilshire Home Entertainment
Wilshire Home Entertainment is a Thousand Oaks, Calif. company specializing in high-performance home entertainment and commercial audio/visual installations. Established over 55 years ago in Los Angeles, it takes pride in creating some of the most advanced, yet easy-to-use systems available--whether the project is a custom home theater, a business application or government installation. Its experienced team works with clients to develop the ideal design through a combination of experience, support, value and state-of-the-art technology. It has earned an unmatched reputation for providing the finest audio and video technology, and a level of customer service that is second to none. For more information, call 805-497-7536 or go to http://www.wilshirehe.com/. 

About Niles®

California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. Niles is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world’s leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. To that end, Niles pursues a mission to provide solutions for end users that enable simple and easy access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, Internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments. Niles conducts its business with a promise to treat its customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders with fairness and respect and to foster teamwork, innovation and a commitment to be the best in everything it does. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com.  Niles is part of the CORE Brands division of the Nortek Technology Solutions Segment (www.nortek-inc.com).  CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech®.

Homeowner Doesn’t Skip a Beat with Niles® Speakers Indoors and Outdoors

As a successful businessman, homeowner Gino LaVerghetta knows that using the most reliable, highest quality equipment can be the difference between an enjoyable experience and a frustrating one.  That’s precisely why he chose Niles’® legendary loudspeakers for his new home theater and outdoor audio system, which provide audiophile quality sound whether he’s watching his favorite film or entertaining guests in the backyard.

 

“I’ve been in several homes with indoor/outdoor distributed audio systems, and I was always amazed at the drop in sound quality when we went outside,” LaVerghetta said.  “So I asked Dave Febbraio, owner of Stuctured Home Solutions, LLC, what I should do, and he said Niles’ new GS Garden Speakers were the perfect solution.  He was right!  If I turn the indoor and outdoor speakers on at the same time and then walk outside, it sounds like I’m just stepping into the next room, with music that has the same power, clarity and definition as indoors.  I’m especially impressed with the in-ground subwoofer because it helps deliver the full soundscape of my favorite music without putting a big box in the yard.”

The pros at Structured Home Solutions, LLC built LaVerghetta’s jealousy-inducing home theater sound system with five Niles HD Series LCR in-wall speakers and a Sunfire® HRS8 subwoofer, then continued the audio excellence outdoors with four Niles Garden Series GS4 satellite loudspeakers and a Niles GSS10 in-ground 10-inch subwoofer.  With all the speakers covered by Niles’ industry-leading lifetime limited warranty, LaVerghetta knows that his system will provide years of unparalleled sound both indoors and outdoors.

LaVerghetta’s home also features the ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System to make the audio system simple and easy to control.  The g! system allows the whole family to use their iPhones, iPads, Android mobile devices, ELAN in-wall touchscreens and eight ELAN HR2 remotes to control the home’s music, TVs, Lutron® lighting, Aprilaire® HVAC, Jandy® pool and spa controls, ELK® security system and seven Panasonic® PTZ IP surveillance cameras.

According to Febbraio, the project grew exponentially after LaVerghetta saw the quality of Stuctured Home Solutions’ work and recognized the value and potential of a professionally installed home control system.

“After working for Gino for a short time and seeing the quality of the house he was building, I knew he would not settle for anything less from my company or the equipment we installed,” Febbraio said.  “I knew the Niles outdoor set would be a perfect fit for the large space we needed to cover and that he would be happy with the result.  These speakers compliment the 46” Sunbrite TV we installed and comprise the 16th audio zone in the house all controlled by the g! system.  Keeping quality consistent and exceeding the client’s expectations allowed us to expand this project from a simple four-zone audio system to the 16-zone AV control system with fully integrated home automation that it is today.”

When considering the control possibilities, LaVerghetta recognized that in the next five to 10 years most homes of comparable size will have automation systems and extensive AV systems, so he wanted his home to be ahead of the curve.  “There are so many benefits of integrated home technologies, from energy conservation to enhanced security and peace of mind, and of course being able to control it all remotely.  Whatever you invest in the system you absolutely get back through savings in energy, time and hassle.  I love sitting down to dinner with my family and then using my iPhone to turn on some music without getting up from the table.

“The whole system has quickly become an integral part of our home.  For instance, part of my nighttime routine is using the touchscreen in my bedroom to make sure that all the lights are off or dimmed, the alarm is set, the garage is closed and all the TVs and audio systems are off.  And with the ability to dim and set timers for our lights, the kids never have to wander around in the dark to find the bathroom at night.  The system offers so many conveniences that I’m still finding new ways to make my home easier to use every day.”

Niles CM Ceiling Mount Architectural Loudspeakers Awarded 2012 Resi Award For Best In-Wall Speaker

Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced that it has been awarded a 2012 Resi Award by Residential Systems magazine in the category of Best In-Wall Speaker for the new CM Ceiling Mount Architectural Loudspeakers at the 2012 Resi Awards CEDIA EXPO Reception in Indianapolis, Indiana.
 

“It’s a great honor to have the CM Loudspeakers recognized by Residential Systems,” said Paul Starkey, Chief Marketing Officer at Niles. “These speakers deliver a high performance sound quality and are able to blend discreetly into any environment, making them the perfect choice for any residential application.”

Each year, Residential Systems magazine presents the prestigious Resi Awards to honor the best products exhibited at CEDIA EXPO, based on their industrial design.

“This awards program is unique in its focus on the creativity and artistry from manufacturers exhibiting on the show floor this week in Indianapolis,” said Jeremy Glowacki, Residential Systems’ managing editorial director. “Our goal is to honor those who focus not only on engineering, but also functionality and how a product more elegantly solves a problem.”

The CM Loudspeakers’ thin-bezel and ultra-low profile provides a crisp, clean finish, and the magnetically attached grilles greatly reduce installation time. The series includes round grilles standard and square grilles are available. The grilles can be painted to coordinate with any surrounding décor for added installation flexibility. The grilles are rust-resistant, eliminating service calls for loudspeakers installed in moisture-prone areas such as saunas, bathrooms and even outdoors under eaves.

 

Niles’ patent-pending spring-loaded mounting clamps compensate for a number of environmental conditions that would cause the mounting surface for the new CM series to expand or contract, such as high heat and humidity. The mounting clamps help to prevent material compression and stripping of screws by providing tactile feedback during the installation process to indicate when the installer should stop drilling.

All speakers in the line feature the same premium components found in Niles’ DS Directed Soundfield series including copper caps, high-level crossovers and Kapton voice coil formers to deliver the exceptional sonic performance expected from Niles loudspeakers. Additionally, the loudspeakers have been voiced specifically to handle dynamic content from Blu-ray discs as well as compressed music from sources such as iPods, Pandora and Rhapsody to ensure the best in audiophile performance from virtually any source.

About Niles:
California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. The company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world's leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com. Niles is part of the CORE Brands division of the Nortek Technology Solutions Segment (www.nortek-inc.com). CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands.

Niles® Introduces New Outdoor Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer at CEDIA EXPO 2012

Underscoring its commitment to developing superior quality, high performance speaker solutions for outdoor environments, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the CEDIA channel introduction of a new line of outdoor speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, which all feature rugged construction, long-lasting materials and deliver superior audio fidelity for all residential outdoor applications. The new GS Garden Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer deliver Niles’ legendary high performance sound quality and the speakers’ rugged construction gives dealers an ideal, long-lasting outdoor audio solution.

 

The announcement was made today by Paul Starkey, Chief Marketing Officer at Niles at CEDIA EXPO 2012 in Booth #902 of the Indiana Convention Center.

“We’re thrilled to be showcasing our amazing outdoor speaker line to the CEDIA audience. Our new speakers allow homeowners the opportunity to have a powerful, high fidelity outdoor audio system fit into their outdoor environment with minimal visibility.” Starkey said.

Housed in UV-stabilized, long-lasting ABS plastic, the Niles GS4 4” Satellite Loudspeaker ensures years of trouble-free performance that can withstand Mother Nature’s toughest extremes, even surviving temperature extremes of -50 degrees to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. The GS4, with its wide dispersion characteristics, allows users to enjoy the best outdoor audio experience with the ultimate flexibility in speaker placement. 

Also included is the Niles GSS10 10” In-Ground Subwoofer, designed to bring deep, rich bass to the outdoors from an enclosure that disappears into the landscaping. The GSS10 can remain totally hidden from view, giving homeowners the opportunity to provide the powerful bass of a 10” Niles subwoofer without affecting their outdoor design. The GSS10 also features a 10” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer and can output frequencies from 25Hz to 110Hz at up to 110dB.   

About Niles:
California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. The company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world's leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com. Niles is part of the CORE Brands division of the Nortek Technology Solutions Segment (www.nortek-inc.com). CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands.

Niles Introduces New Line of Durable Audiophile-Quality Outdoor Rock and Planter Speakers at CEDIA EXPO 2012

Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the CEDIA market introduction of its next generation of rock speakers designed to deliver an audiophile-quality performance to any residential outdoor setting, in a case that is strong enough to stand up to anything that Mother Nature can deliver. Featuring Niles’ signature rugged design and long-lasting materials, the Niles GeoRealistic™ Pro Series Rock and Planter Speakers are engineered to deliver the highest quality audio fidelity and weather any outdoor climate.

The announcement of the new speakers was made today by Paul Starkey, Chief Marketing Officer at Niles at CEDIA EXPO 2012 in Booth #902 of the Indiana Convention Center.

“These new speakers were designed to fit into any residential outdoor setting, without compromising aesthetic design. Our development team traveled the country to find real rocks that matched the look we wanted for our speakers, and specialized custom molders were then handcrafted to match them. Only Mother Nature could do better.” Starkey said.

Engineered with a focus on durability, the GeoRealistic™ Pro Series speakers feature a new NoFade™ Protective Finish and a new four-layer fiberglass weave, ensuring that the speakers are at least five times more durable and long-lasting than the current model of rock speakers, even under the most extreme UV conditions. The advanced conformal coatings on the crossover boards will protect the speakers against moisture, dust, and chemicals, assuring proper electrical connections even in the harshest environments.

 

The Niles Planter Speakers are designed to perfectly blend into any outdoor environment. Available in two types, the PB6Si Pro rectangular box shape, and the PS6Si Pro circular planter, each speaker is available in two colors, terracotta and weathered concrete. 

About Niles:
California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. The company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world's leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com. Niles is part of the CORE Brands division of the Nortek Technology Solutions Segment (www.nortek-inc.com). CORE Brands combines the product and marketing strengths of ten iconic audio, power management and control brands into a single business unit that includes ATON®, BlueBOLT®, ELAN®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands.
 

Niles® Unveils Two New Powerful High Fidelity Compact Subwoofers at CEDIA EXPO 2012

Expanding its line of powerful high-fidelity subwoofers, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today announced the CEDIA channel introduction of two new stylish compact subwoofers engineered with designers in mind, the SW6.5 and the SW8.  The announcement was made at CEDIA EXPO 2012 in Booth #902 of the Indiana Convention Center.

“With these new stylishly-designed compact subwoofers, installers can place a high-powered, highly attractive and easily concealed subwoofer virtually anywhere for a home theater or home audio system,” said Paul Starkey, Chief Marketing Officer of Niles. “These subwoofers outperform their larger rivals and offer superior sound quality and design for all residential installations.”

The SW6.5’s and SW8’s ultra-compact sizes and fingerprint-resistant piano-black finishes present an aesthetically pleasing profile that is easy to blend into any décor.  Pairing a long-throw front-firing woofer with dual long-throw side-mounted passive radiators, the compact subwoofers deliver the power of subwoofers four times their size, making them perfect for any setup requiring more bass in less space. 

In addition to the designer-friendly features, the SW6.5 and SW8 have even more technical features that make them perfect for the custom installation industry.  They both feature automated turn-on via 12 volt trigger or audio signal sensing and include a built in CAT5 balun to enable audio delivery over easy-to-use CAT5 cable.  Additionally, both models come with a built-in bracket-mount that is compatible with the optional OmniMount® 30.0 ST-MP to allow easy wall or ceiling mounting, making it perfect for all residential installations. Installers can further increase the subwoofers’ placement flexibility by going wireless with the optional Niles SW-T wireless transceiver and SW-R receiver that easily attaches to a built-in mounting port on the rear of the subwoofers.

As for the audio, the SW6.5 produces 200W RMS power and up to 800W peak power through a 6.5” active driver and two 6.5” passive radiators with a frequency response of 42-200Hz. This unbelievable power is delivered from a cabinet that is smaller than 10 inches-cubed and weighs only 11 pounds.

The SW8 ups the ante, producing 300W RMS power and up to 1200W peak power through an 8” active driver and two 8” passive radiators with a frequency response of 36-200Hz.  Once again, this room-filling bass performance comes from an amazingly small cabinet about 12 inches-cubed that weighs only 16.5 pounds.

The subwoofer’s long throw active drivers feature a black anodized aluminum cone that provides superior rigidity compared to conventional paper cone designs.  The dual anodized aluminum cone passive radiators provide additional driver surface area that combine with the active driver to produce higher output than a larger single active driver.  Both models include both LFE and stereo line level inputs and unbuffered stereo pass-through line outputs, allowing up to four subwoofers to be wired from a single receiver output. The adjustable frequency control features a bypass positions, eliminating low pass filtering within the subwoofer, and variable phase control (0°-180°) allows for precise phase matching with the main speakers.

About Niles®:

California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®.  Niles is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world’s leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. To that end, Niles pursues a mission to provide solutions for end users that enable simple and easy access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, Internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments. Niles conducts its business with a promise to treat its customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders with fairness and respect and to foster teamwork, innovation and a commitment to be the best in everything it does. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com.

Niles Introduces New Line Of Five Systems Integration Amplifiers At CEDIA Expo 2012

Reaffirming its commitment to meet the growing market demand for powerful, customized audiophile-quality home theater and multi-zone audio systems, Niles®, The First Name In Custom Installation®, today introduced a new line of five Systems Integration Amplifiers® that includes the re-tooled SI-1230 Series 2 Amplifier, the successor to the SI-1230 that was inducted to the CEDIA Hall of Fame in 2011.  The new line of powerful multi-zone amplifiers provides CI professionals the ideal solution for every application.  The introduction was made at CEDIA EXPO 2012 in Niles’ Booth #902 of the Indiana Convention Center.

According to Niles Chief Marketing Officer Paul Starkey, “Niles has a long tradition of designing and marketing audio components of the highest quality, and that level of precision and care has resulted in this new line of five high-power, reliable, and installation-friendly amplifiers.  With a full line of Systems Integration Amplifiers, CI professionals now have a Niles amplifier for every installation, whether it’s a home theater, a whole-home multi-zone system, or a restaurant or office audio system.”

The three new 2-channel Niles Systems Integration Amplifiers, the SI-250, SI-2100, and SI2150, feature audio circuitry constructed using the finest materials available, including 1% metal film resistors, high quality capacitors and oversized heat sinks that ensure proper cooling without the need for a noisy fan.  In order to provide tremendous bass and dynamics to every speaker, the amplifiers deliver 50W, 100W, or 150W RMS per channel at 8 ohms and 100W, 220W, or 270W RMS per channel at 4 ohms respectively.  For applications requiring high output, such as subwoofers or rock speakers, each of these amplifiers can also be operated in a bridged mono configuration, resulting in the delivery of 225W, 400W, or 550W respectively.

What’s more, each amplifier channel features an independent level control enabling precise volume matching to the rest of the system.  They also feature gold plated stereo inputs, cascade stereo outputs, and five way binding posts to ensure perfect connection without corrosion for years to come.

The SI-1230 Series 2 Systems Integration Amplifier is a fully configurable 12-channel power amplifier that provides 30W per channel (80W when bridged) and features a unique BusMatrix™ selector that allows each channel to be set to left bus, right bus, left plus right bus (summed stereo), or the channel’s dedicated input.

The new Niles SI-1650 16-channel amplifier features a unique web browser configurator that allows each channel to select from any of the 16 inputs or combination of inputs. The powerful and versatile amplifier delivers 50W per channel and includes a high power mode that produces 100W per channel for 8 channels.  The amplifier’s high pass and low pass filters allow it to be used with subwoofers and make it ideal to match with Niles popular line of GS Garden Speakers.

All five Niles Systems Integration Amplifiers come with a two-year limited warranty, include a removable line cord and rack mount ears, and feature three turn-on modes: Music Sense, External Voltage Trigger, and Manual Turn-On via the front panel switch.  They also each provide a 12V DC output whenever the amplifier is on, allowing operation of voltage-triggered devices like motorized screens and curtains.

The 2-channel models measure 438cm wide by 56cm high by 344cm deep and fit in a single rack bay.  The 12- and 16-channel models measure 438cm wide by 145 cm high (including feet) by 411cm deep and require three rack bays.

About Niles:
California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. The company is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world's leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. To that end, Niles pursues a mission to provide solutions for end users that enable simple and easy access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments. Niles conducts its business with a promise to treat its customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders with fairness and respect and to foster teamwork, innovation and a commitment to be the best in everything it does. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com.

Nortek Launches New "Core Brands" Group

Providence, RI, August 27, 2012 – Nortek, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTK), a global diversified company with leading brands and innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for residential and commercial applications, today announced the formation of Core Brands, a new group that combines the product and marketing strengths of 10 of the company’s formerly independent audio, power management and control brands operating within its Technology Solutions segment.

Including Nortek’s Aton®, BlueBOLT®, Elan®, Furman®, Niles®, Panamax®, Proficient®, SpeakerCraft®, Sunfire® and Xantech® brands, Core Brands has more than 190 years of combined experience in the residential, commercial and professional markets and over 4,300 direct customer accounts in multiple distribution channels in the U.S. and worldwide.

Core Brands will be based in Petaluma, Calif., with offices in Carlsbad and Riverside, Calif., and Marblehead, Mass. Bill Pollock, who has served as president of Panamax, will lead Core Brands. Dave Keller, vice president of sales and marketing for Panamax/Furman, will handle worldwide sales. Keith Marshall, president of SpeakerCraft/Proficient, will be in charge of channel management, and Paul Starkey, president of Elan, will lead marketing for all brands.

“The formation of Core Brands reflects the strategic refocusing currently taking place as we pursue new markets and new opportunities to serve our dealers, channel partners and end users,” said Nortek President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Clarke. “We expect that combining the unique capabilities of each of these 10 formidable brands will deliver new and powerful benefits they can only achieve as a group.”

“Operating as Core Brands will enable us to leverage economies of scale while strengthening our ability to invest in launching innovative technologies and a range of new marketing programs designed to increase the value, clarity and acceptance of each brand,” said Sean Burke, group president of Nortek’s Technology Solutions segment. “In addition, combining these market leading brands will allow us to deliver more localized and responsive factory training and product support expertise. These initiatives should position the brands not only to improve their business performance, but also to increase their penetration of un-served and underserved market segments during a period of generally improving business conditions in their respective distribution channels.”

About Nortek

Nortek* is a global, diversified company whose many market-leading brands deliver broad capabilities and a wide array of innovative, technology-driven products and solutions for lifestyle improvement at home and at work. The Company’s broad array of offerings includes audio/video and security solutions, digital display mounting solutions, ventilation products such as range hoods and bathroom fans, heating and cooling products, and air management systems.

*As used herein, the term "Nortek" refers to Nortek, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.  This term is used for convenience only and is not intended as a precise description of any of the separate corporations, each of which manages its own affairs.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "feel," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "should," or "would" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based on Nortek's current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors impacting such forward-looking statements include the availability and cost of certain raw materials (including, among others, steel, copper, packaging materials, plastics, resins, glass, wood and aluminum) and purchased components, freight costs, the level of domestic and foreign construction and remodeling activity affecting residential and commercial markets, interest rates, employment levels, inflation, foreign currency fluctuations, consumer spending levels, exposure to foreign economies, the rate of sales growth, prices, and product and warranty liability claims. Nortek undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please refer to the reports and filings of Nortek with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the description of "risk factors" set forth under IA in our annual report on Form 10-K, as updated on subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Niles GeoRealistic Pro Series Rock Speakers Awarded 2012 EXC!TE Award By CustomRetailer Magazine

Niles® today announced that its new GeoRealistic™ Pro Series Rock Speakers have been named a 2012 EXC!TE Award winner by CustomRetailer Magazine. The award will be presented to Niles on Sept. 6 at the 2012 EXC!TE Awards Party at CEDIA EXPO 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to Niles’ Chief Marketing Officer Paul Starkey, “Niles continues to lead the custom installation industry in product quality, selection and dealer support.  We’re proud to have Niles’ new GeoRealistic Pro Series Rock Speakers recognized by CustomRetailer Magazine for their outstanding sound, weather resistance and color selection.  For discrete outdoor audio installations in both residential and commercial settings, the Pro Series delivers above and beyond expectations year-round.”

CustomRetailer Magazine presents its annual EXC!TE Awards to the best product  s available to the industry. Each year, CustomRetailer invites nominations of products that stand out for being innovative, high-performing and solutions-oriented for the custom installation professional. Past winners stand out as particularly impressive, considering the unique challenges custom installers face every day on the job. The impact these products have had on the industry is felt in the installers' productivity, the dealers' profitability, the clients' satisfaction and the industry's vitality.

 

Engineered with a focus on durability, and designed to deliver an audiophile-quality performance in any outdoor setting, the GeoRealistic™ Pro Series is the next generation of high fidelity outdoor speakers. Featuring a new NoFade™ Protective Finish and four-layer fiberglass weave, the Pro Series speakers are built in a case strong enough to stand up to anything that Mother Nature can deliver, and are at least five times more durable and long-lasting than the current model of rock speakers, making them the perfect audio solution for any outdoor area. 

About Niles®:

California-based Niles® is recognized as The First Name in Custom Installation®. Niles is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and is guided by its vision to be the world’s leading provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems that delight their customers. To that end, Niles pursues a mission to provide solutions for end users that enable simple access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, Internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments. Niles conducts its business with a promise to treat its customers, employees, suppliers and stakeholders with fairness and respect and to foster teamwork, innovation and a commitment to be the best in everything it does. Additional information may be obtained by visiting www.nilesaudio.com.