by Bob Archer | Jan 20, 2026 | Kordz, News
(January 14, 2026) Kordz, a global leader in professional-grade AV connectivity, announces the launch of the R.4 48Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI® Cable. Designed specifically for mission-critical rack and marine applications, this next-generation HDMI cable debuts at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026, Feb. 3-6, in Barcelona, Spain, and marks a significant evolution of the company’s extensive high-performance, installation-friendly HDMI portfolio.
Built as the successor to Kordz’ popular R.3 18Gbps HDMI® Cable, the R.4 has been engineered with key advances in shielding, mechanical stability, cable construction and safety compliance. Designed for environments where failure is non-negotiable, the R.4 supports the full 48Gbps data rate, enabling the transmission of uncompressed 8K formats and the complete HDMI 2.1 feature set, including eARC, VRR and QMS. Each cable is independently performance tested and certified to the DPL Labs Enhanced 48Gbps Reference Standard, verifying reliable interoperability across real-world HDMI systems.
“The R.4 is purpose-built for integrators who require absolute confidence in critical HDMI infrastructure,” says Kordz Managing Director, James Chen. “It reflects a focused engineering approach to real installation challenges—mechanical stability, EMI control, airflow and compliance—while ensuring systems remain future-ready.”
For rack installations, the R.4 features a compact die-cast connector assembly, slimmer cable diameter and 0.3m length increments from 0.3m to 3.0m to support clean dressing, improved airflow and efficient routing in high-density equipment racks. A full metal internal casing combined with a class-leading 95% copper braid shield enhances EMI rejection, helping to maintain signal integrity in electrically noisy environments.
Marine installations benefit from a secure 2kg retention HDMI connector designed to resist vibration and movement, alongside a fully LSZH cable construction that meets IEC60332, IEC60754 and IEC61034 requirements for low smoke, zero halogen performance. This makes the R.4 suitable for marine and other compliance-driven applications where enhanced fire safety and long-term reliability are essential.
The Kordz R.4 48Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI® Cable will be available in lengths from 0.3m to 3.0m and is backed by the Kordz lifetime warranty.
Where to See Kordz at ISE 2026
The Kordz R.4 48Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI® Cable will be showcased at ISE 2026, Stand #2F550, and will be available starting Q2 2026. For more product information and to find your nearest distributor, visit www.kordz.com.
About Kordz
Kordz is the connectivity brand for integrators, by integrators. A multi-award-winning global industry leader in professional grade connectivity products, Kordz’ team of seasoned former integrators is on a mission to ‘Kordzify’ and optimise technology for professionals by designing, engineering and manufacturing products that deliver ease and profitability through a seamless installation experience with high performance results that today’s tech-savvy end-users expect. With a wide range of robust, fast and effective solutions backed by expert technical support, Kordz helps integrators around the world meet the evolving cabling requirements of a diverse range of residential and commercial environments. For more information about Kordz, please visit kordz.com and follow the company @kordzglobal on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, and more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications at (406) 446-1238 or katye@kmbcomm.com
by Bob Archer | Jan 20, 2026 | News, Torus Power
TORONTO, ON, CANADA — January 20, 2026 — For more than two decades, Torus Power Inc. has been a leading advocate for the critical role clean, isolated power plays in achieving optimized, high-performance audio and video systems. At ISE 2026, taking place February 3–6 in Barcelona, Spain, Torus Power will celebrate its 20th anniversary by showcasing a comprehensive lineup of toroidal isolation transformers engineered to meet the evolving performance demands of custom home theaters, two-channel listening rooms, and whole-home AV installations.
Featured prominently at the AV EMEA Stand #2D300, the exhibit will highlight flagship models from Torus Power’s highly regarded RM Series and AVR Series, demonstrating how properly isolated power can significantly enhance system performance, reliability, and longevity.
“Our 20-year legacy is built on delivering reliable, audiophile-grade power solutions that enhance system performance while protecting valuable AV equipment,” says Kevin Main, President and COO of Torus Power. “The products we’re showcasing at ISE 2026 represent everything we’ve learned over the past two decades. Our flagship RM and AVR models demonstrate our continued commitment to innovation and give integrators powerful tools to elevate the performance of their most demanding projects.”
RM Series: Reference-Grade Power for Luxury Residential AV
Designed for luxury home theaters and high-end audio systems, the Torus Power RM Series remains unmatched in the industry for performance, protection, and value. Offering models ranging from 4 Amps to 50 Amps, the RM Series delivers robust power isolation, noise filtration, high instantaneous current capability, and comprehensive lightning and surge protection.
One of the most popular models, the RM-16CE, will be featured at ISE 2026. This technologically advanced solution safeguards and optimizes AV system performance by reducing noise, stabilizing current delivery, and protecting connected components from power anomalies—ensuring consistent, uncompromised operation.
WM 45 AVR-2 ELITE Series: Intelligent Voltage Regulation and Isolation
Also on display, the Wall-Mounted (WM) 45 AVR-2 ELITE Series combines toroidal isolation with Torus Power’s exclusive Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) technology. Designed for installations where high-performance AV equipment is exposed to fluctuating line voltages, the WM 45 AVR-2 ELITE maintains a stable output voltage within an optimal range of 230V (+/– 8V) through multiple input taps.
In addition to surge protection and true isolation, the WM 45 AVR-2 ELITE supports local web-based setup, monitoring, and control, as well as remote system management via Torus Power’s integrated Power Connect cloud platform, giving integrators enhanced visibility and control over system performance.
Benefits Beyond Traditional Power Conditioning
Unlike conventional power conditioners, Torus Power’s toroidal isolation transformers electrically decouple AV components from the incoming power source, dramatically reducing electrical noise and eliminating transients. The result is a significantly lower noise floor, delivering improved audio dynamics, enhanced imaging, tighter bass response, and more immersive sound. Video performance benefits equally, with crisper detail, brighter colors, deeper blacks, improved contrast, and a more engaging viewing experience.
Beyond performance improvements, Torus Power solutions protect connected equipment from surges, spikes, brownouts, and voltage fluctuations, helping systems maintain peak performance under real-world power conditions. Available in both wall- and rack-mount configurations, Torus Power’s isolation transformers offer exceptional installation flexibility for a wide range of applications.
Where to See Torus Power at ISE 2026
ISE attendees interested in learning why Torus Power isolation transformers are trusted to power and protect LED video walls, audiophile-grade audio systems, and other high-performance AV installations are invited to visit Stand #2D300. To schedule a meeting with Kevin Main, President and COO of Torus Power, or for additional information, email sales@toruspower.com.
For more information about Torus Power, visit www.toruspower.com and follow Torus Power on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Torus Power
Torus Power toroidal isolation transformers are the world’s finest clean power source for audio, video, and control systems. Dramatically increasing performance levels of connected AV components from video displays to amplifiers and powered speakers, Torus Power products utilize patented NBT noise filtering technology and medical-grade toroidal isolation transformers to eliminate power-line noise artifacts and protect equipment from potentially damaging AC power line events while increasing system reliability and extending product life. Torus Power products deliver higher levels of instantaneous current which ensures that dynamic components and high-performance systems are never compromised or starved for power.
Built to rigorous specifications in Toronto, Canada, Torus Power’s toroidal transformers perform and protect like no other. For additional information visit www.toruspower.com and follow Torus Power on LinkedIn and Facebook
Media Contact
For interviews or reviews please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications, Inc. by phoning (406) 446-1283 or emailing katye@kmbcomm.com.
by Bob Archer | Jan 16, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
It’s been back to the grind and for many within the electronics industry, and the month of January means shows like CES and preparation for other events such as Integrated Systems Europe in Barcelona and Lightapoolza which takes place in Austin this February.
Of course, KMB Comm will be at shows like Lightapalooza and KBIS and with the smart home industry working through these consecutive trade shows, the influx of market news has been inconsistent, but this week’s Technology Week in Review has some noteworthy items.
A Speaker Review from Across the Pond
KMB Comm’s Technology Week in Review hasn’t covered many product reviews, but the British publication Essential Install has just posted a look at the Lyngdorf FR-2 loudspeakers.
The publication points out the Lyngdorf speakers utilize a unique design that combines attributes of a traditional floorstanding, as well as an in-room loudspeaker, and a design-friendly on-wall loudspeaker. The review goes onto explain the setup of the speakers and the experience homeowners will get living with the speakers.
Here is the complete Essential Install Lyngdorf FR-2 loudspeaker review.
More product news that traces back to the just completed CES 2026 show is Loewe showcasing its new line of OLED displays, and its first headphone product: the Leo.
The OLED TV product line according to the Residential Systems story offers a choice of screen sizes ranging from 42 inches up to 97 inches, and the 4K products offer Loewe technologies like MLA solution, which is said to aid HDR reproduction.
Making its first personal audio product, the German luxury electronics company’s Leo combines a DAC, integrated amplification, 50mm drivers, and noise cancellation options. The Residential Systems story goes on to note the Leo headphones support high-resolution audio, wireless audio, and immersive audio including Dolby Atmos.
To learn more about the new Loewe products click here.
KMB Comm National News Highlights
It’s been a relatively quiet week in the worlds of residential and commercial electronics, but there have been several items pop up nationally that are worth investigating.
The first KMB Comm national news item comes from Yahoo Finance. According to the story, the financial community is waiting for the monthly Consumer Price Index, which is expected to remain at the annual increase rate of 2.7%. Yahoo Finance reports that experts are expecting inflation to ease, which will help to drive the stock market.
The story, which can be found here, adds that based on recent unemployment figures, the Federal Reserve could potentially cut interest rates to aid economic activity.
LinkedIn, has a couple of items worth examining this week. The first item reports that U.S. retail sales increased this past November in 10 out of 13 tracked categories. LinkedIn says these indicators suggest that Americans kept shopping despite factors such as an unstable job market, rising energy costs, and slight increases of inflation.
The other item from LinkedIn is a story on Google’s Alphabet market cap eclipsing the $4 trillion plateau following the news of a newly formed partnership with Apple. The story states that Google Gemini and cloud technologies will power future AI features in Apple products such as Siri.
Moving onto to some entertainment items, the NFL playoffs are moving into the league’s divisional round. Star players such as Drake Maye, Matthew Stafford, and Josh Allen are leading their teams into a weekend of football action. To learn more, go to the NFL.com website, which has a rundown of dates, times and the respective TV networks covering the games.
Concluding the KMB Comm look at this week’s technology news item, is a look at some of the new media releases. This media rundown comes from the Portland, Maine-based retailer Bull Moose.
The New England comic book and record store says some of the new UltraHD 4K discs released this week include “Babe,” “Dante’s Peak,” “Evil Dead Rise,” and “Pink Panther: Revenge of the Pink Panther.”
Blu-ray releases include “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3,” “Elfen Lied Complete Collection,” and “The Power of Darkness.”
Audio releases include “Frank Zappa Mega Box,” “Warning, Watching from a Distance,” and “The James Hunter Six Off the Fence.” Wrapping of the physical media releases available from the retailer are vinyl releases such as, “The Beatles Live from Canada 1964: Montreal September 8th,” and “John Coltrane Giant Steps (Mono).
KMB Communications hosts a podcast called AV Trade Talk. Listeners can check out the podcast to learn about the latest happenings in the custom installation electronics industry. To listen to the KMB AV Trade Talk Podcast, click here.
by Bob Archer | Jan 9, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications, Kordz, Leon Speakers, RoseWater Energy, SONOS, Trade Show news
For most of us the holiday season goes holiday season goes by entirely too fast. For those in the technology industry, including the smart home and commercial AV markets, the end of the holiday season means the beginning of trade show frenzy season with several events set to take place in concurrent weeks.
Starting things off of course is the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) show with other shows such as Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), International Builders’ Show (IBS) that includes the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), and Lightapalooza 2026.
KMB Comm will have feet on the ground at both IBS and Lightapalooza supporting brands such as RoseWater Energy, Sonos, and Leon Speakers, and ISE lending support to Kordz and Sonos.
What’s Happening in the World of Consumer Electronics
Getting back to the start of the winter’s run of trade shows, there is news coming out from CES from all the major global brands that include LG and Samsung. Looking at audio, Ecoustics has an item from Onkyo’s CES announcement in which the popular company introduced a new line of compact, smart-home friendly amplifiers. The article points out this year marks Onkyo’s 80th anniversary, and the new Muse Network Streaming Amplifier Series includes the Y-40 and Y-50 models.
Check out the new Onkyo products here.
Over in the audiophile world, Future Audiophile has a product review on the VPI Signature 21. The review points out that VPI Industries was started in 1978 by Harry Weisfeld in Cliffwood, N.J. with the goal of selling turntable solutions to local audiophile hobbyists.
Fast forward to 2026, the review goes on to point out the company offers a complete line of turntables ranging from the $1,500 Traveler to the top-of-the-line Titan Direct that retails for $64,000.
To read the entire review for the $8,700 Signature 21 go here.
Rounding out the KMB Comm look at the residential side of the electronics industry is an Amazon Alexa item from LinkedIn.
According to the LinkedIn post, Amazon has introduced a new website that allows site visitors to interact with Amazon’s Alexa+ AI assistant. The post also includes news about other newly announced Amazon products.
To learn more about the browser-based version of Alexa AI+ go here.
Commercial AV News for the Week of Jan. 5
If you like the Star Trek franchise this story from SCN may be your favorite news item of the week. The story explains the German company UNWARE has launched its Holodeck portable VR CAVE that delivers cinema-grade immersive experiences that are inspired by the fictional show’s holodeck simulation room.
SCN notes the system includes a 6.5-foot high, 220-degree curved screen, spatial audio, and AI-powered body tracking.
Click the link to beam over to the UNWARE story on the SCN’s AVNetwork website.
KMB Comm National News Wrap Up
Earlier this week Yahoo Finance posted a story on the U.S. Midwest grid teaming up with the tech company Microsoft. The alliance between the parties will allow Microsoft to utilize its technologies in the Midcontinent Independent Operator grid that provides power for 42 million people in 15 states, as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba.
According to Yahoo Finance, the Microsoft technologies will be used to predict weather-related incidents, along with transmission line planning and other operational elements.
To read about the new Microsoft partnership, click this link.
Wrapping the KMB Comm Week in Review up, we thought we would take a bit of a diversion from electronics with a rundown of game times for the National Football League’s (NFL) Wildcard weekend.
NFL.com has the full slate of dates and game times on its website to help football fans plan their weekend of couch potato activities. Games this weekend include MVP (most valuable player) candidate Matthew Stafford and the L.A. Rams traveling to North Carolina to play the Panthers, then one of the league’s oldest rivalries with the Bears playing the Packers.
Sunday, the Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills travel down to Florida to play the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. The 4:30 p.m. game features the champion Philadelphia Eagles taking on the San Francisco 49ers. The Sunday night primetime game features Drake Maye and the New England Patriots hosting the L.A. Chargers in Foxboro.
Concluding Wildcard weekend slate of games, the Houston Texas and the team’s number one ranked defense traveling to Pittsburgh to play Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.
KMB Communications hosts a podcast called AV Trade Talk. Listeners can check out the podcast to learn about the latest happenings in the custom installation electronics industry. To listen to the KMB AV Trade Talk Podcast, click here.
by Bob Archer | Dec 19, 2025 | Blog, D-Tools, KMB Communications
It’s been a busy week in the world of technology and the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review reflects the rush to close the year strongly as we wind up the holiday season.
This week’s roundup of news includes items from Residential Systems, Commercial Integrator, Mix Magazine, LinkedIn, and Yahoo Finance. These items cover a range of topics from D-Tools’ latest partnership to some unexpected, good news regarding the economy.
KMB Comm Look at the World of Residential Technology
Like always, let’s start with a look at what’s going on in the smart home industry. Covering the latest firewall from Firewalla, Residential Systems states the new networking product—the Firewall Orange is a portable Wi-Fi 7 firewall and router. The portable firewall supports up to 50 clients, and Residential Systems adds the device is good for users in locations such as hotels, shared workspaces, client sites and more.
Check out the new Firewall product here.
Normally, content from Mix Magazine would be placed within the KMB Comm coverage of commercial AV news, but the publication’s story on a documentary produced by the audio production software company Waves Audio will interest the audiophile community.
Mix Magazine has a writeup on the origins of the “loudness wars,” and the story points out that according to the documentary, “How Music Got Loud: The Untold Story of the Loudness Wars,” the audio industry has made considerable efforts to balance the popularity of “loud mixes” with the ability to maintain dynamic range.
To learn more about Waves Audio’s loudness wars documentary click here.
Moving onto Parks Associates’ latest study, the research firm finds that 51% of Americans are using generative AI tools for applications such as work, personal activities and learning. As part of its research, the study notes that Chat GPT is the top AI application, but products such as Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence, and Samsung Galaxy AI are increasing in usage.
Here’s a link to the Parks data, which was posted on LinkedIn.
Commercial AV Happenings for the Week of Dec. 15-19
D-Tools, the popular provider of dealer software tools that helps integration firms run their businesses more efficiently, recently announced a partnership with the AiN Group. Commercial Integrator has details on this newly announced alliance that includes special pricing rates for members on the company’s D-Tools Cloud and System Integrator (SI) tools.
Here is the complete story from Commercial Integrator.
SCN has a nice holiday item on a mapping display in London. As part of the holiday happenings in the international U.K. city, Outernet is treating visitors to a winter wonderland experience using 8K display technologies.
The exhibit runs through Christmas, and the story includes a YouTube video to provide a more visual element to the SCN write up.
Important National News
KMB Comm always has an eye on the economy, and several outlets including Yahoo Finance are reporting just announced government inflation data. Yahoo says the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data from November that reveals the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose just 2.7% over the prior year. This number falls in less than the 3.1% that economists were expecting for the month.
Yahoo Finance emphasizes the November numbers are the first inflation report that’s been released since September, and overall, the story cites comments from Olu Sonola, head of U.S. economic research at Fitch Ratings, that raises hope for optimism, but he adds there is a lack of detail, which does raise some concerns.
For more on the inflation numbers go here.
Looking ahead at what lies ahead economically, LinkedIn has a post on what some experts are saying to expect for the upcoming year.
Here is the entire LinkedIn post on what the experts are expecting with the economy in 2026.
With all of that said, we at KMB Communications would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday season.
KMB Communications hosts a podcast called AV Trade Talk. Listeners can check out the podcast to learn about the latest happenings in the custom installation electronics industry. To listen to the KMB AV Trade Talk Podcast, click here.
