by Bob Archer | Sep 1, 2026 | News, SONOS
CEDIA Expo: Sonos Expands Whole-Home Audio Ecosystem Led by Amp Multi
Now-shipping Amp Multi leads new product introductions alongside Beam Ultra, multi-functional portable speakers and Ace Ultra, giving integrators more ways to create scalable, seamless entertainment experiences throughout the home.
Sonos is expanding its whole-home audio ecosystem with Amp Multi, its new professional-grade multizone streaming amplifier, leading a series of product introductions designed to give custom integrators greater flexibility to create premium entertainment experiences throughout the home.
Now shipping, Amp Multi (image here) brings scalable, high-performance distributed audio to residential and light commercial projects while simplifying system design, installation and commissioning.
Joining Amp Multi at CEDIA Expo are Beam Ultra, a new 7.1.2 immersive soundbar; new multi-functional portable Sonos speakers that transition from wireless home theater surrounds to standalone listening; and Ace Ultra, premium over-ear headphones that extend the Sonos experience from shared entertainment spaces to personal listening.
Amp Multi Expands the Sonos Professional Ecosystem
Purpose-built for professional installation, Amp Multi gives integrators a scalable platform for distributing premium audio across multiple spaces in residential and light commercial environments.
Amp Multi delivers eight amplified 125-watt outputs configurable across up to four independent zones, allowing integrators to design systems around how clients use each space while supporting future expansion. Each output can power up to three Sonos Architectural speakers, making it possible to deliver immersive audio throughout large residences and commercial environments without adding unnecessary complexity.
Amp Multi combines the Sonos streaming platform with tools designed specifically to streamline professional installation and commissioning. An audible identification feature makes it easier to locate hardware in crowded equipment racks, while new ProTune sound optimization tools provide detailed DSP controls for tuning based on speaker placement and room acoustics.
Its compact, fanless 1.5U design minimizes rack space, heat and noise while supporting clean cable management and efficient airflow. Together, these capabilities give integrators a high-performance foundation for building and expanding distributed audio systems while keeping installation and ongoing system management simple.
More New Ways to Experience Sonos Throughout the Home
Alongside Amp Multi, Sonos is introducing new products that extend the ecosystem across home theater, portable and personal listening:
- Beam Ultra is a new 7.1.2 immersive soundbar delivering powerful Dolby Atmos performance for the home’s primary entertainment space. Sonos will demonstrate Beam Ultra alongside its new multi-functional portable speakers in a dedicated home theater section of its CEDIA Expo exhibit.
- New multi-functional portable Sonos speakers can pair with Beam Ultra to serve as wireless surrounds for home theater, then transition back to standalone speakers for listening throughout the home or outdoors.
- Ace Ultra, Sonos’ new premium over-ear headphones, extends the experience from shared spaces to personal listening. Users can transition audio between compatible Sonos speakers and Ace Ultra and back again without pausing playback or reconnecting devices, allowing entertainment to move naturally with them throughout the home.
Together, the introductions expand the ways integrators can design and personalize Sonos systems around how clients live—from distributed music throughout the home and immersive entertainment in dedicated spaces to outdoor audio and private listening.
With Amp Multi providing a new foundation for professionally installed distributed audio, the expanded portfolio gives integrators more flexibility to create Sonos experiences that can grow and evolve with the home.
To learn more about Sonos and its professional solutions, access the media kit and downloadable assets HERE. For CEDIA Expo information and booth visits, contact katye@kmbcomm.com.
by Bob Archer | Sep 1, 2026 | News, Somfy
CEDIA EXPO 2026, Booth #3512
Download image here
Somfy and Control4 Deliver a Native Zigbee 3.0 Integration Experience—See It First at CEDIA Expo 2026
New integration brings Somfy motorized shading directly into the Control4 ecosystem, simplifying commissioning and delivering certified two-way shade control and feedback.
DAYTON, NJ (September 1, 2026) – Somfy, a global leader in smart shading motorization, will introduce native Control4 integration for its Zigbee 3.0 shade motor portfolio at CEDIA Expo 2026, Booth #3512, giving custom integrators a simpler way to incorporate intelligent shading into a Control4 smart home ecosystem.
Expected to be available in Q1 2027, the integration brings compatible Somfy Zigbee 3.0 motors natively into the Control4 ecosystem, eliminating the need for external shading hubs, bridges or integration interfaces. The result is a more streamlined approach to specifying, commissioning and managing automated shades as part of a complete smart home system.
With the new native integration, compatible Somfy Zigbee 3.0 motors can be discovered and populated directly within the Control4 Composer environment. Integrators can now incorporate shades into scenes and automation routines alongside lighting, climate, entertainment and other connected systems.
“Shading should feel like a natural extension of the smart home, both for the integrator programming the system and the homeowner using it every day,” says David Parrett, Somfy North American Vice President of Partnerships & Specifications. “Native Control4 integration brings those experiences together. We’re giving integrators a simpler path from commissioning to control while providing the dependable connectivity and precise shade feedback needed to create truly coordinated whole-home experiences.”
A Simpler Path to Smart Shading
For Control4 integrators, native connectivity means fewer components to specify, install and configure. The new direct integration creates a familiar Control4 Composer Pro environment, helping simplify system architecture and accelerate commissioning.
“Control4 is excited to showcase its first third-party Zigbee 3.0 integrations at CEDIA Expo, and Somfy was a natural choice as a launch partner,” says ADI Sr. Director Product Management Eric Fritz. As shading becomes an increasingly important part of the connected home experience, this integration simplifies system design and deployment while delivering a more intuitive, reliable, and seamless automation experience. Together, Control4 and Somfy are making it easier than ever for integrators to incorporate intelligent shading into smart home projects, helping create more connected, comfortable, and personalized living environments.”
The integration also provides certified two-way feedback, allowing the Control4 system to know the status and position of all connected shades. That visibility gives integrators greater confidence when programming sophisticated scenes and makes automated shading an intuitive part of everyday smart home experiences.
Somfy-powered shades can work alongside other connected technologies to support the way homeowners use their spaces throughout the day. Shades can open with a morning scene to introduce natural light, adjust with lighting to manage glare and comfort, close for privacy in the evening, or coordinate with AV and lighting to create an immersive entertainment environment.
Experience Somfy + Control4 at CEDIA Expo 2026
CEDIA Expo attendees can experience the new native Control4 integration firsthand at Somfy Booth #3512, where Somfy will demonstrate how its Zigbee 3.0 motors work within the Control4 environment and show how native connectivity can simplify commissioning, reduce integration hardware, and deliver dependable two-way feedback.
Attendees can also explore Somfy’s broader portfolio of connected shading technologies and discover how motorized shades can become an integral part of sophisticated smart home experiences. Featured demonstrations include the Sonesse® 30 PoE, Glydea® ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee Drapery Motor, presented with draperies and decorative hardware from Wolf Drapery, and the Top-down Bottom-up 45 WireFree Zigbee motor.
To learn more about the benefits of Somfy motors for high-performance smart home applications, please go to somfypro.com.
About Somfy Systems, Inc.
For over 50 years, Somfy has been pioneering innovative motorization and automated solutions for window coverings and exterior shading products. With comfort, ease of use, security, and sustainability in mind, our seamless and connected solutions are designed to help people make the move to living spaces impactful for humans and with a reduced impact on nature. For more information, visit somfypro.com.
Media Contact:
Katye McGregor Bennett KMB Communications. katye@kmbcomm.com
by Bob Archer | Aug 30, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications, Somfy, SONOS
For the third year in a row, the trade publication CE Pro is set to name its Women to Watch list.
This list recognizes the contributions of women to the evolution and growth of the smart home or more correctly—the technology integration market. Over the past few years, the list has recognized women such as KMB Communications’ founder and CEO Katye McGregor Bennet, Lisa Montgomery, account manager and copy writer for KMB Communications, Maryellen Oswald, CI & partnerships, channel manager for Somfy, and Caitlin Stewart, sales director, residential, Leon Speakers.
Celebrating the achievements of these women has been long overdue as the electronics industry continues reshape itself, and a similar movement is happening in music.
Sure, most of the bands and artists in rock-and-roll are male, but there are a growing number of women that are making a significant impact in the genre. Most notably, Anika Nilles has won classic rock fans over with the iconic Canadian band Rush taking over for the late Neil Peart on drums.
Beyond Nilles, there are classic artists such as Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Amy Lee of Evanescence, Tal Wilkenfeld, the bass player that wowed music fans back in the 2000s with Jeff Beck, and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. Further underscoring the changes happening within rock music, there’s a new generation of women driving a new era of rock-and-roll.
Rock-and-Roll is Back
Before getting into some of today’s bands that are shaping modern rock-and-roll, musicians including Kiki Wongo of the Smashing Pumpkins, Sophie Lloyd of Machine Gun Kelly’s band, Nita Strauss of Alice Cooper, and Anna Cara of Alice Cooper are at the forefront of today’s guitar playing. Some of the new drummers impacting the world of drums include Brooke Colucci and Lucy Ritter who has played with Chappell Roan.
Not forgetting today’s generation of women bass players there is the Fender signature artist Blu DeTiger and Victoria De Angelis of the Italian alt-rock band Maneskin that have forged strong identities within the bass community.
Getting back to the CE Pro Women to Watch list for a moment, Katye McGregor Bennett will be moderating a panel discussion on this year’s list. The panel takes place at CEDIA Expo in Denver on Thursday Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. local time at the show’s Smart Stage. The panel includes Wendy Griffiths, SVP membership & global development, CEDIA, Sarah Atkinson, senior manager, professional partnerships, Sonos, and Maryellen Oswald.
Now, here is a look at some of the women that are shaping today’s era of rock-and-roll:
- Die Spitz: Formed around 2022, this all-girl band from Austin released their debut album on Third Man Records back in September 2025. All four members are the same age (22) and they draw from bands such as Black Sabbath, the Pixies and Nirvana.
Check out Die Spitz live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBuwjdY9GRI
- The Warning: These three sisters from Mexico have been in the spotlight for over a decade, since their cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” went viral. Today, the sisters have several albums under their belt, and tours with bands that include the Muse, Foo Fighters and Youngblood. The Warning cite influences such as Metallica, Muse, Queen, and My Chemical Romance.
Here is a live video of The Warning in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jecA7XzA1wo&t=2s
- Castle Rat: The brainchild of the “Rat Queen” Riley Pinkerton, Castle Rat is best described as a doom metal band or possibly the result of if someone combined Dungeons and Dragons with Black Sabbath. The band has released the record “Into the Realm” in 2024 and “The Bestiary” in 2025.
Resembling possibly an episode of “Game of Thrones,” here is Castle Rat live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQixE9aPd0w
- Plush: Despite their age—all the members of Plush are in their early- to mid-20s—Plush have been around for several years and there have been several iterations of the band. Currently, Plush performs as a trio with Moriah Formica serving as Plush’s guitar player and lead vocalist, along with Ashley Suppa on bass, and Faith Powell on drums.
Over the years, Plush has toured regularly with opening slots on tours for bands such as Disturbed and Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators.
More from Plush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FigiORdHWPk
- The Last Dinner Party: This U.K.-based alternative band burst onto the music scene about five years ago. The band combines a theatrical visual element with strong melodies to deliver fun live shows. The Last Dinner Party has released two records to date: “Prelude to Ecstasy” and “From the Pyre.”
Here is a look at The Last Dinner Party live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrbb1z46Lms
- Wet Leg: Another British alternative band that formed around the same time is Wet Leg. Back in 2019 Rhin Teasdale and Hester Chambers formed the band on the Isle of Wight, and since then Wet Leg has gone on to win a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.
Currently, Wet Leg has released two albums, including 2026’s “Moisturizer.” Check out this live video of the band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEZdq_25bs
- Amyl and the Sniffers: The next rock-and-roll band in this short list is categorized by many as a punk band. Formed in Australia, the band is led by vocalist Amy Taylor, and the band also includes guitar player Declan Mehrtens, drummer Bryce Wilson and bass player Gus Romer.
Since the formation of the band back in 2016, Amyl and the Sniffers have released three records: A self-titled record back in 2019, “Comfort to Me” back in 2021, and “Cartoon Darkness” in 2024.
Check out Amyl and the Sniffers live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEZdq_25bs
To learn more about KMB Communications clients, click here.
by Bob Archer | Aug 28, 2026 | Blog
The CEDIA Expo 2026 website features a clock that is counting down the days until the show, and as of the time of writing the weekly KMB Comm Tech Week in Review, there are three days until the event begins.
Most of the home technology news cycle over the pasts couple of weeks has been dominated with Expo news, including product announcements, system demonstrations, and more. There is however news that is technology-related happening outside of the CEDIA Expo.
Looking at some of the noteworthy news outside of the technology integration market, here are some items from LinkedIn, eCoustics, SVConline, and Yahoo. The topics in these items include a trio of Apple posts, Amazon hardware price increases, “The Odyssey,” and Sony PlayStation news.
- eCoustics says “The Odyssey” home video release has been announced
- LinkedIn and Fortune says that Amazon is raising the prices on some of its products
- Yahoo Tech is reporting on the unhappiness of PlayStation account users
- Picking up a story from Bloomberg, LinkedIn says momentum is building for a foldable iPhone
- Sound & Video Contractor citing Bloomberg says that Apple is gearing up to focus on AI
- Yahoo Finance is reporting on the launch of new Mac Mini and Mac Studio computers
KMB Comm Home Technology News
Starting this week’s tour of residential tech news, is an item from eCoustics. In a story that posted mid-week, the enthusiast site says “The Odyssey” will be available in a physical media release as 4K Ultra HD/Blu ray/digital content.
The release will offer a native 4K resolution with HDR10 high dynamic range (HDR) and a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. eCoustics adds the most intriguing part of the release will be the aspect ratio. The story notes the film was shot using IMAX cameras. eCoustics says the 1.78:1 aspect ratio cannot show the complete 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio, but it may show more of the image than a 2.39:1 Cinemascope version on a 16:9 screen.
Next up in KMB Comm’s tour of residential tech news is a LinkedIn post that was picked up from Fortune.
The post via Fortune states that Amazon is increasing the prices on products such as Fire TVs, Kindles, and Echos due to the chip shortage that is impacting the technology market. The story says that price hikes could reach as high as 60% on some products.
Over in the world of gaming, Sony addressed its critics head-on according to a story from Yahoo Tech.
The Yahoo Tech story says that Sony sent an email to PlayStation account holders that underscored its Terms of Service. Those terms include the level of rights users have with digital purchases, and the email followed an announcement the company made on it ending physical media production.
Not surprisingly Yahoo Tech notes users are not taking Sony’s announcement well. Additionally other points that aren’t faring well with PlayStation users include Sony’s admission that it may track and record users’ activities on its PlayStation Online Services.
Lots of Apple News
Picking up a story from Bloomberg, earlier this week, LinkedIn has posted an item on the momentum building for the first foldable iPhone product. LinkedIn says the foldable iPhone could be priced at more than $2,000, and the story suggests this product could be the biggest new device in a long time from the California-based technology company.
Our next Apple news story comes from Sound & Video Contractor (SVConline).
According to SVConline’s story per Bloomberg, Apple has reduced the size of several of its development teams, including the team responsible for Apple Vision Pro. The report says that more than 200 people were let go, and among the staff members were people that worked on Siri and the Intelligent System Experience teams.
The reason for these layoffs, says SVConline from the Bloomberg story are that Apple is gearing up to focus its resources new products and AI.
Concluding the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review and the trio of Apple news items, is a story from Yahoo Finance on the launch of new Apple computer products.
The story states that Apple’s Mac Mini and Mac Studio are popular computing products with the AI community and can be difficult to find in stores due to their popularity. Earlier this week, Apple announced the latest versions of these computers.
Apple’s new Mac Mini incorporates a new M6 processor or M5 Pro chip, and the M6 can be ordered with up to 32GB of memory. The M5 Pro version can be ordered with up to 64GB of memory, and the Mac Studio will be powered by the M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors.
Pricing for the new Mac Mini starts at $899, while the Mac Mini with the M5 Pro starts at $1,699 says Yahoo Finance. The base Mac Studio pricing starts at $2,499 with the M5 Ultra version reaching the pricing plateau of $5,499.
To learn more about KMB Comm clients, click this link.
by Bob Archer | Aug 26, 2026 | Leon Speakers, News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CEDIA EXPO BOOTH #1719
Download Images Here
Leon Invites CEDIA Expo 2026 Attendees to Awaken the Senses with All-New Products, Partnerships, and a Refreshed Material Library
A New Material Library, FrameBar Ultima, Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA, Powersoft® Collaboration and more headline Leon’s latest design-forward AV solutions
Ann Arbor, MI — [August 26, 2026] — At CEDIA Expo 2026, Leon Speakers breathes life into the philosophy of “Leave Nothing Unfinished” with a new showcase of framing, art, and audio solutions built to merge superior sound with elevated designs and materials. The exhibit centers around an experiential Material Library, inviting visitors to Awaken the Senses through a curated collection of textures, color palettes, and FSC® certified sustainable materials, alongside premium sound demonstrations for new reference-grade soundbars, subwoofers, and a collaboration with leading amplifier manufacturer Powersoft®.
By providing design-driven solutions that harmonize across every product line, Leon is ushering in a new era of design, where advanced audio capabilities and refined aesthetics intertwine to celebrate the emotional impact of a beautifully integrated space.
Awaken the Senses
Leon’s new Material Library has been meticulously curated around a simple idea: great AV design is experienced through more than just sound. Texture, color, grain and finish all contribute to the way a space feels.
Developed with the AV/Interior Designer relationship in mind, the collection brings together the highest-quality, sustainable, furniture-grade Italian hardwood veneers, refined powder-coated metals, and acoustically optimized designer grille fabrics. In addition to a new selection of finishes, the new library offers a more cohesive and modular material experience across Leon products, giving dealers greater ease and flexibility to specify full Leon systems that complement the architecture, furnishings, and character of each space.
Leon’s invitation to “Awaken the Senses” allows dealers and designers to experience the new materials firsthand: from the tactile character of Italian wood veneer to the richness of furniture-grade powder coats and the soft, dimensional quality of acoustically optimized textiles. Sustainability is integral to the collection, which features veneers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) mounted to a high-performance, sustainable HDF core composed of 100% recycled recovered wood content.
“We are reshaping how premium technology integrates into sustainable modern luxury,” said Leon’s President and founder Noah Kaplan. “By combining Leon’s next-level craftsmanship with rigid environmental certifications and enhanced material capabilities, we are giving our clients a beautiful, furniture-grade, long-lasting product that they can feel good about specifying.”
New Products, Refined Possibilities
Alongside the Material Library, Leon will debut FrameBar Ultima, the newest evolution of its custom-width soundbar featuring the reference-grade Ultima audio platform built to match the exact width and finish of any framed TV—from Samsung’s The Frame TV to Leon’s StudioFrame for Sony BRAVIA, and more. Featuring handmade 5” woven polypropylene woofers and world-class 1” cloth-dome tweeters, the new FrameBar Ultima produces utterly transparent and brilliant sound while building on Leon’s history as a pioneer of custom-width soundbars. For use on FrameBar and across the portfolio, Leon collaborated with a celebrated textile supplier to design a set of unique, exclusive grille fabrics. These designer textiles feature proprietary patterns that blend seamlessly into high-end interiors while offering advanced acoustic transparency for better dispersion. This meticulously crafted combination of bespoke design and advanced acoustic engineering cements the FrameBar Ultima as the premier statement piece for high-end home theater systems.
Additionally, to highlight Leon’s custom capabilities, a special FrameBar Ultima installation will feature integrated subwoofers, built to match the Sony 98″ Bravia 9 II display, and will be fully powered by Powersoft®—underscoring Leon’s commitment to creative design and demonstrating an exceptional capacity for audio depth and clarity.
Leon will also showcase the newest Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 9 II & 7 II, bringing a seamless, design-forward finish to Sony’s latest displays. Available to order August 24, with shipping beginning in late September 2026, the new Studio Frame extends Leon’s approach to display integration with a refined frame designed to make Sony’s latest displays feel at home in beautifully considered spaces.
Leon’s Edge Frames have received a major design upgrade. The new Edge TV Frame with Audio features Leon’s all-new Italian hardwood veneers and a sleek new design for exceptional consistency, easier installation, greater sustainability, and a timeless aesthetic.
Rounding out the showcase will be a selection of solutions that demonstrate the breadth of Leon’s design-first approach, including the Mera Sound Sconce, Terra Outdoor Speakers, ASKIA Sound-Dampening Tiles, and a sneak peek of an all-new Aaros A-10 ultra-thin passive and powered subwoofers, powered by Powersoft® and featuring a handcrafted cabinet finished in premium Italian hardwood veneer.
Leon’s CEDIA Expo presence extends beyond Booth #1719, with Leon’s Director of Residential Sales, Caitlin Stewart, participating in two September 2nd sessions: “Get Your Foot in the Door with Design-Build” and “The Sound of Wellness.” Leon’s partnered products will also be featured at the Sonos booth, with three Edge Flex Frames on display, and the Sony booth, showcasing the new Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 9 II & 7 II in all sizes and finishes.
From custom-width audio and display framing to architectural lighting-inspired sound, outdoor audio, and high-powered, small form factor subwoofers, Leon’s CEDIA Expo 2026 showcase demonstrates its continued commitment to resolving the details that separate an integrated system from a truly finished space.
Visit Leon at CEDIA Expo 2026, Booth #1719, to experience the new Material Library, FrameBar Ultima, Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA, and more, or visit www.leonspeakers.com.
About Leon Speakers
Leon brings a creative approach to the AV industry by designing and manufacturing customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that enhance the sound and style of any space. For over 25 years, they have been a leader in the conversation on merging design with technology, creating innovative products that serve both the Residential and Commercial markets. Learn more at www.leonspeakers.com.
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Media Contact:
Katye McGregor Bennett, KMB Communications
(406) 446-1283 | katye@kmbcomm.com
Company Contact:
Sabine Bickford, Marketing & Communications Manager
(888) 213-5015 | media@leonspeakers.com
