European Custom Installer

With online privacy concerns at an all time high, customers might be interested in the Helm-- a personal home server to handle sensitive online business such as email, calendar and contacts.

The Helm is a triangular device around the size of a router. It carries 128GB of storage (with a tray allowing customers to add up to 5TB) and features a physical security key beneath a small removable cover. The key connects to the Helm via USB-C port, and handles the encryption of emails and other files. The Helm can also create backup keys on smartphones, just in case the physical key gets lost.

The TV market is set to return to growth in 2018, IHS Markit reports-- after the decline of 2017, TV shipments should grow by 3.6% in 2018, with an additional 1.4% growth on 2019 shipments reaching 226 million units.

Over 50% of the TVs forecast to ship in 2019 will be UHD models, with the majority being 4K. However, 8K TVs from major brands are to launch by end 2018, kicking off the next wave of resolution transition.

“Growth in the TV market typically is the result of more attractive retail prices for large-screen sizes and the continued commoditisation of 4K resolution, driving TV replacements and upgrades,” the analyst says. “However, this growth through price compression has a negative effect on profits, so TV brands are actively looking for more growth from advanced TV models to improve earnings.”

Sonos accessory specialist Sanus presents a soundbar mount for the Sonos Beam soundbar. It also increases the size capabilities of four popular medium mounts, allowing installers to accommodate current TV market trends.

The Sonos Beam mount provides 30cm of height adjustment to ensure an ideal fit between the soundbar and bottom of a TV set. Construction is in lightweight steel, and it is compatible with TVs up to 70-inch in size. The mount offers "broad" VESA compatibility, and it allows customers to move the Beam with the TV when paired with a full-motion TV mount.

“This mount is ideal for those who have a full-motion TV mount and are planning to add a Beam to their home theater setup,” Sanus says. “The soundbar mount allows the Beam to move with the TV, so as you point the TV to where you are seated, you aren’t leaving the sound behind.”

Polk Audio launches the Signature E Series-- an update of the Signature speaker consisting of all the components for a home cinema setup, namely a floor, centre and bookshelf loudspeakers.

The range consists of the  S60e, S55e and S50e floor standing tower speakers, the S35e and S30e centre speakers and the S20e, S15e and S10e bookshelf speakers. All carry technologies from top-of-the-line Polk home entertainment speakers, bringing better-performing linear drive units, new crossover topology and improved crossover components. The bass tuning also gets refinement, while the cabinets are carefully crafted and braced.

The top S60e pillar loudspeakers have 2.54cm Terylene high resolution tweeters able to deliver 40kHz, while the S55e and S50e offer the same performance as the S60e suction loudspeaker. The S55e also carries two 6.5-inch midrange drivers, and the S50e has two 5.25-inch drivers. Further features include a four-driver (S60e and S55e) and three-driver (S50e) with tapered crossover frequencies, anti-diffranction grilles and double gold-plated five-way connection points.

Devialet announces a smaller version of the flagship Phantom wireless speaker-- the Phantom Reactor is just 25% the size of the original, even if it promises loud sound with a maximum volume reaching up to 98dB SPL.

The Phantom Reactor retains the same striking design of the Phantom, but within a form factor weighing around 4.5kg. It comes in two versions, with a 900 model offering 900W power and a 600 model with 600W of power. Frequency range reaches from 18Hz to 21kHz. A number of features from other Phantom speakers are included, such as Analog Digital Hybrid amplification, Active Cospherical Engine acoustic design, Speaker Active Matching algorithm and Heart Bass Implosion acoustic process.