They are styled better and incorporate technology designed to deliver high quality sound and vision. The only stumbling block with the strategy is that consumers may find the devices a tad pricey.
This week Russound moved further into the high end of the Multiroom audio business with the planned launch of its E Series, which includes a 12-source, eight-zone controller/amplifier and the company's first media server. Marantz and Denon are also set to launch offerings this year.
The inaugural series also includes a double-gang in-wall controller with iPod-like scroll wheel, hard LCD display and hard keys. A series expansion is planned. The series will be sold only through certified dealers.
The SMC-E5 Smart Media Console is the company's first media server, which is based on Intel Viiv technology and the Windows Vista operating system. Because the console was built exclusively for custom-install applications, the console's OS was stripped of applications, including Web browsing, that aren't related to audio or video, the company said.
The SMC-E5 console incorporates 1TB hard drive to store music and video, and it drives a 7.1-channel home theatre system while simultaneously distributing music or video to other zones in the house via an Ethernet network. Music can also be distributed through a Multiroom audio system controlled by in-wall controllers such as the KLK-E5 scroll wheel model.
