Control4 announces no less than 14 Triad Distributed Audio series multi-room loudspeakers, with different sizes and configurations designed with builders, contractors and homeowners in mind.

Distributed Audio speakers feature pivoting tweeters in different sizes, as well as in-wall and in-ceiling configurations. All models ship with a white, round, low-profile grill, and Control4 also offers replacement square and round grills customers can custom-paint to blend into any décor. Installation promises to be fast and simple thanks to a mounting screw system and a tweeter bridge doubling as a handle.

The first set of speakers on offer is the Distributed Audio Series 1-- two multi-room speaker solutions ideal for background music. Available as an in-ceiling (TS-IC61) or in-wall (TS-IW61) model, series 1 speakers utlise polypropylene woofers and 3/4-inch aimable cloth dome tweeters, and offer long life, installation flexibility and clear sound.

American audio brand KLH announces a European expansion by way of a partnership with Irish distributor TBM Solution providing sales, marketing, inventory, logitistics and after-sale dealer and distributor support.

The company has a warehouse in Dublin, Ireland, together with a ground team of specialist throughout Europe to work closely with dealers and distributors. In addition, the two companies have created a multi-lingual European KLH website.

KLH is perhaps best known for the Model Nine full-range electrostatic speaker from the 1960s. It was acquired in 2017 by David P. Kelley, former president of global sales and board member for Klipsch, before a CEDIA Expo 2018 launch. Now KLH is an all-new venture for Kelley and a team of former Klipsch and loudspeaker industry execs.

Swedish audio maker Urbanears takes on the portable Bluetooth speaker with Rålis, a battery-powered offering complete with carrying strap and construction the company says comes complete with IPX2-rated water resistance.

The battery inside the Rålis promises up to 20 hours of wireless playtime, and can even double as a power bank via built-in USB-A port. Wireless connectivity comes through Bluetooth 5.0, allowing users to pair x2 phones with up to 10m distance, and a 3.5mm jack provides means to add a 3rd device.

QSC launches a transformer-less surface-mount speaker-- the AD-S6, a 6.5-inch 2-way loudspeaker designed for foreground and background music (BGM/FGM), as well installations requiring higher SPL foreground sound reinforcement.

“The AD-S6 is an ideal addition to our Premium Business Music solutions that were specifically designed to meet the high-performance needs of foreground applications,” the company says. “We are excited to expand our popular AcousticDesign Series with a loudspeaker that is nearly identical to AD-S6T, but with the AD-S6 we lowered the cost by removing the transformer and providing 16 ohm nominal impedance, making it ideal for use in low impedance distributed systems.”

Sennheiser takes to the IFA Global Press Conference to present an impressive take on consumer audio-- the AMBEO Soundbar, a hefty offering the company claims is able to produce a wholly immersive audio experience.

The AMBEO Soundbar packs no less than 13 separate drivers, including two 3.5-inch top-firing speakers, and can produce a deep bass response reaching lows of 30Hz. Meanwhile AMBEO 3D technology combines acoustic wave guides and digital processing to reflect audio off the walls to create a surround effct. The result is immersive 5.1.4 sound compatible with the three chief 3D audio formats, Dolby Atmos, MPEG-H and DTS:X.

Savant announces the Micro Aperture line of PoE self-powered architectural loudspeakers, allowing installers to deliver entertainment content anywhere via single ethernet cable connectivity.

As the company puts it, the Micro Aperture speaker "drastically" reduce the complexities of distributed audio system design and installation. Each powered speaker contains an amplifier promising to deliver superb sound quality throughout any space, since content remains in the form of a digital signal from source to speaker. All speakers also contain "Balanced Mode Radiator," a technology Savant says delivers more sound per watt of amplifier power into the listening area.