HiFi & Audio
A Platinum Finish: Monitor Audio PL100II Speaker Review
Recently, AVForums.com mounted a full review of Monitor Audio’s PL100II bookshelf speaker. This speaker is part of our luxury lineup of Platinum speakers which includes tower speakers, center channel speakers, and subwoofers perfect for the best in hi-fi audio and home theater for the most demanding listeners.
The Platinum lineup, since its introduction in 2016, has already stacked up major considerations from reviewers. In a year’s time, there are 11 positive reviews and the coveted “Product of the Year” from Absolute Sound for the PL500II floor standing speakers. We are confident in this line of product to meet the standard of our clients with demanding taste.
Ed Selley of AVForums.com had these high points of the PL100II bookshelf speaker:
- “…the PL100II is an altogether more luxurious object.”
- “… the more you listen to them, the more impressive they become.”
- “…the Monitor Audio has exceptional bass extension.”
- “…is packed with detail and texture.”
Selly sums up his review
This is an attractive, exquisitely assembled and very forgiving speaker that delivers a truly outstanding performance across a huge variety of music. This incredible set of abilities garners the PL100II a Highly Recommended badge.
The full review can be found at AVForums.com.
See the Platinum lineup at Monitor Audio.
Control Systems
Elan Integrates Voice Control w/ Amazon Echo
Some in the home automation space are calling the Amazon Echo with voice control one of the most exciting things to happen to home systems integration in a long while. Some consider it as big as the introduction of affordable touch screens. There is no question that reliable voice control has been long awaited. That’s where the Amazon Echo comes in.
Fresh News
New Service Van
We are excited to see a new service van hit the road to serve our integration and electrical customers. This 2016 Ford Transit van should be on the road for many years ensuring our technicians and electricians arrive at jobs around the Chattanooga area.
Home Theater
3D Sound with Dolby Atmos
Dolby Laboratories introduced Dolby Atmos, the object oriented surround sound technology, in mid 2012. This technology allows sound to be placed in a room three dimensionally (3D). Interestingly, this technology does not replace earlier versions of Dolby’s surround technology, which is channel based, but appends the 3D sound with additional “height” speakers. As with most new standards in the A/V business, it has taken some time for the product space to mature and be widely available to consumers. Now, many movies are being released with a native Dolby Atmos soundtrack and the hardware side has caught up as well with manufactures like Yamaha, Pioneer, and Speakercraft leading the way.
Dolby’s marketing tag line for Atmos is “Hear the Whole Picture”. That goes to say that with a good system setup, the object oriented surround is lush and compelling. Here are some of the benefits from Dolby: Read More
Fresh News, Outdoor
Video Wall & Outdoor Audio
We completed a “retro” installation in Ringgold with some unique features that should allow the homeowner many seasons of enjoyment. The new system included installation in the “man house” (pool house/garage), the main house, and outdoor area at the pool. Here’s a break down of the complete system installation. Read More
Fresh News
Our 3D 360 Degree Virtual Tour via Google
Have you ever visited our showroom on Ringgold Road? Not yet? You can tour the showroom right from your web browser with Google. The 360 degree virtual tour will give you an idea of what to expect when you come by for a demonstration. We can demonstrate lighting, home theater, multi-room audio, automation, and the rest of our services and product line from our facility. If you are building a new house or looking to upgrade what you have, you’ll be glad you came by.
To see the 3d virtual tour:
- Search Google for AV Simplified Solutions and click the See Inside link on the right.
- Or go straight to the tour by clicking this link.
HiFi & Audio, Home Theater
Auditioning Hegel Power and Triangle Speakers
We have brought in two new manufactures of luxury audio gear to audition in our showroom. These brands are well known through out the hifi world, so we thought we would give them a try to see if they offered anything for our clients. Hegel, a Norwegian power company, has a well established brand with many patents that is evidence of their commitment to sound. And there is Triangle, a French manufacturer and one of Europe’s leading brands.
After we wrangled all the wires and connected a digital source from our Autonomic Mirage Media Server, we sat down for our first listening session. First up is our Monitor Audio Platinum II 300 speakers paired with the Hegel H160 stereo receiver. We have been listening to these speakers for quite sometime paired with a nice Yamaha Aventage stereo receiver, so we are very familiar with the sound signature. First impression: Simply amazing. Read More
HiFi & Audio, Home Theater
Monitor Audio Loudspeakers Decorated at CES
The CES 2016 show in Las Vegas came and went this year with Monitor Audio receiving a Jimmy Award. Jim Saxon of Audio Beat awarded the Platinum II 200 floor standing loudspeaker from the flagship Platinum II series the best bedroom system of the year. From our perspective, if you are putting this speaker in a bedroom, you have done something! Having said that this award is given to products that, quite simply, grant the listener pure enjoyment and happiness.
“Instead of parsing the sound of every system, I let the senses rule. Upon detecting artistry, I felt happy. If not, I felt impatient. In rooms with silent displays, I let the old bond trader in me sniff value for money. Most importantly, I did not let outrageous price tags arouse my animosity. I simply applied the Saxon Happiness Index (SHI) and all was well.”
– Jim Saxon, The Audio Beat
Ultimately, Jim had this to say about the loudspeaker:
“Their six-foot-tall Platinum 500 II loudspeakers commandeered the living room. Although the display was fine, on the way out my ear caught a more ingratiating melody from the bedroom. There, the diminutive floorstanding Platinum 200 II was mated to Cyrus electronics to sterling effect.”
“At a conversational volume level, the Platinum 200 II was tonally balanced and sweetly detailed, a panacea for overburdened auditory ossicles.”
“My guess is that Cyrus’s Stereo 200 amplifier ($3499) contributed greatly. The Stereo 200’s clever impedance-detection circuitry enables the class-D amplifier to adjust the output where the speaker needs it most. A speaker-tracking power amp!”
“For Best Bedroom-Sized Stereo System, Monitor Audio shares a Jimmy Award with Cyrus Audio.”
– Jim Saxon, The Audio Beat
You can read Jim’s full write up on his awards for CES 2016 here. Happy days!
Control Systems
Home Builders Benefit from Home Technology
Technology Integrator recently ran an article that confirms what we have long suspected, Home builders are seeing larger profits with homes that feature home technology integrated at the construction of the home. As technology fuses with our everyday lives more and more, home owners are demanding more and more from their homes. Builders and system integrators are stepping up to make sure they get it.
The most popular features for new construction are home theater, monitored security, and structured wiring. A key technology that is seeing more gains is home automation. With smart phones and tablets becoming ubiquitous, it only makes sense that home buyers want to control their electronics, lighting, comfort with those devices. We are seeing higher demand for more powerful control systems that more than ever.
One-third of U.S. home builders say they have experienced revenue increases due to home technology installations, according to the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) 14th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study.
According to the study, since 2009, the number of builders reporting revenue increases has risen more than 10 percentage points, proving that installed home technology has helped the home builder industry bounce back from the recession.
…“This is an area of opportunity where builders, suppliers and sub-contractors can partner to promote smart home technologies to consumers before construction starts.”
Other key findings from the study include:
— Among new homes, structured wiring, monitored security and home theater systems remain the most popular installed home technologies in new home construction. In addition, several key technologies saw gains in new home installations last year, including: stand-alone video surveillance system home automation and energy management systems.
Given the widespread ownership of smartphones and tablets, builders report more than two-thirds of homeowners want to control their smart home remotely; either with a touchscreen or an app on a mobile device.
— Builders increasingly cite buyer/architect specifications and the need to remain competitive as top reasons to install home technologies. Profit potential is also a key factor.
— The number one way builders find installation contractors is through referrals such as architects, real estate agents and other builders.The 14th Annual State of Builder Technology Market Study was designed and formulated by CTA Market Research.
Read the complete article at Technology Integrator.
