by Bob Archer | Feb 6, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
If you love football and you work in the electronics industry, your news feeds may be full of NFL and Integrated Systems Europe (ISE 2026) items, but there are other things happening and the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review has you covered.
This week there are notable items from the residential market and several interesting national stories related to the electronics industry. There is one little Super Bowl story in the week in review, but it has nothing to do with Drake Maye, the Patriots or the Seahawks.
Is the Video Display Market Shifting Gears?
Starting the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review off is an item from Tech Radar on reports of LG ceasing production of 8K OLED panels.
In the story, the website points out that 8K may be going the way of 3D, which was a fad that peaked in between the HD video and 4K formats in the late 2000s and early 2010s. According to Tech Radar, if market conditions change, the company may restart production, but for the time being, LG joins TCL and Sony, as manufacturers leaving the 8K television category.
Another big news story that broke that may impact the smart home industry is Texas Instruments’ (TI) acquisition of Silicon Labs. A story on LinkedIn says TI acquired the chipmaker for $7.5 billion, and the announcement follows a strong earnings report from the diverse chip manufacturer that is known for its digital-to-analog converter chips and its DLP video technologies.
Focusing on the audiophile side of the home electronics industry, Ecoustics posted a story on a new low-output moving coil (MC) phono cartridge from Sumiko.
The story states the new Sumiko cartridge carries a retail price of $1,699 and it will compete against popular products from Audio-Technica and Dynavector. Ecoustics adds the new Oriole phono cartridge is made in Japan and it features a Shibata stylus that is mounted directly to the cantilever.
Another audiophile item from Ecoustics that posted this past week is the news that Fidelity Imports is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Cambridge Audio.
The story asserts that product quality has never been the issue for Cambridge Audio and now with a new product line, the brand is set to move forward in the U.S. Cambridge Audio joins a Fidelity Imports brand roster that includes Unison Research, Matrix Audio, Perlisten Audio, and Primare.
KMB Comm Technology Week in Review Look at National News
More news from LinkedIn during this past week includes a story on the challenges Apple faces as the AI wars crank up.
In the post from LinkedIn, the author states that Meta, Google and OpenAI have passed Apple in the AI race. The article notes that AI companies are fighting to dominate the memory chip market, and as they take more market share in the memory chip category they are driving prices up, which is hurting Apple’s revenues.
One last item to close out the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review: Since the big game is all set between the Patriots and Seahawks on NBC in the U.S. on Sunday Feb. 8, it means it is also time for the year’s biggest advertisements to run during the game.
The post on LinkedIn says NBC Universal has sold several 30-second ads for the game for more than $10 million, according to Adweek. The item goes on to state that NBC Universal’s sales strategy involved linking Super Bowl ads with its Winter Olympics coverage to help attract additional interest to the ad spots.
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 | Feb 2, 2026 | Blog, D-Tools, KMB Communications, Kordz, SONOS, Torus Power
Every trade show has the same temptation: Chase the biggest screen, the loudest demo, the most dramatic “look what we can do.”
And listen—those are fun. We’re all human.
But if you want coverage that actually serves integrators—and gives your readers something they can act on Monday morning—you have to spend time with the unglamorous stuff. The things that don’t trend on social media or more succinctly—the things homeowners never notice—unless they fail.
That’s why this editorial angle works so well at ISE 2026 in Barcelona (Feb. 3–6): the fundamentals are having a moment. (ISE 2026)
Here’s what I mean.
Power isn’t a “nice-to-have” when the system is sophisticated
The more complex the home, the less forgiving it becomes. High-performance theaters, distributed audio, racks with serious density—these systems reveal power problems quickly.
Torus Power is showing why power isolation and stability belong in the conversation before the troubleshooting begins. It’s not just about protection; it’s about repeatable performance. Visit Torus at Stand #2D300. (CEPRO)
Cabling is where plans meet reality
Designers can draw the cleanest lines. Engineers can spec the perfect solution. But system installations happen in the real world—tight pathways, weird studs, bend radii, heat, vibrations, and the occasional “we need it done today.” Kordz is leaning into connectivity designed for professional deployment, and showing it in a way the press can actually capture: Demos, hands-on experiences, and practical product storytelling around HDMI and control infrastructure. Kordz will be at Stand #2F550. (Learn more here: Kordz)
Documentation is not paperwork, it’s risk management
Integrators don’t lose money because they’re bad at technology. They lose money because the project got messy—miscommunication, missed details, wrong versions, unclear scope, and other inefficiencies. D-Tools is showcasing workflow improvements that help firms build quotes and manage projects more efficiently, with a strong emphasis on reducing friction between office and field. If you want to write about the business of integration—and not only the gadgets—this is a “walk the booth” topic. D-Tools is at Stand #2J500. (Read more here: Commercial Integrator)
Whole-home audio is only “simple” when it’s designed to be lived with
Distributed audio is where the glamorous goal of beautiful sound everywhere meets the unglamorous truth (zones, tuning, racks, serviceability). Sonos’ Amp Multi announcement is a strong example of what’s changing: professional-grade architecture intended to scale cleanly, with tools and design choices meant to support real integrator workflows and reduce friction for homeowners. At ISE, Sonos will also be talking through its broader installed solutions, with demos at Hall 1, Booth 1E500. (Learn more here: newsroom.sonos.com)
Here’s a bigger point to consider: The integrator is the hero of these stories. And the hero’s superpower isn’t a flashy product—it’s risk reduction. It’s a system that works on day one and keeps working on day after day.
So if you’re writing for any of the outlets that keep this industry healthy—do your readers a favor at ISE: cover the fundamentals. That’s where the real differentiation is. That’s where the installs get cleaner. That’s where trust is built.
And that’s where the glamorous experiences begin.
KMB CEO and founder Katye McGregor Bennett will be at ISE. To book time to meet with the brands mentioned above, email katye@kmbcomm.com with “ISE Meeting Inquiry” in the subject line.
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 | Feb 2, 2026 | Blog, D-Tools, KMB Communications, Kordz, SONOS, Torus Power
Let’s be honest: The real enemy of a profitable integration business isn’t competition. It’s chaos.
Chaos is the wrong part ordered because the quote wasn’t clear. Chaos is the rack that overheats because airflow was a “later” problem. Chaos is the cable that technically worked … until it didn’t. Chaos is the client who says, “It’s fine,” while quietly losing faith.
That’s why one of my favorite editorial angles for ISE 2026 (Feb. 3–6, Barcelona) is the simplest one: Fewer truck rolls, fewer surprises. (ISE 2026)
This isn’t a glamorous theme—until you’ve lived it. Then it becomes the whole point.
Start with smarter quoting and cleaner collaboration
D-Tools is bringing a workflow story to ISE 2026 that’s tailor-made for this angle: Faster quoting, more efficient team collaboration, and tools that reduce friction between sales, design, project management, and the technicians in the field. When your documentation is aligned, your project execution becomes more predictable—and predictability is how you protect margin. Find D-Tools at Stand #2J500. (Commercial Integrator)
Make wiring clarity a standard, not a scramble
If you’ve ever watched a tech trace a cable with one hand and hold back frustration with the other, you already know why wiring clarity matters. Kordz is leaning into “install-ready design” at ISE 2026, pairing product introductions with hands-on demonstrations that reinforce durability and deployment confidence. The goal isn’t just better performance—it’s fewer unknowns when everything is already happening at once on a jobsite. Kordz will be at Stand #2F550. (Kordz)
Build infrastructure that behaves when the environment doesn’t
Power is the silent contributor to “random” problems. Brownouts, voltage swings, line noise, and surges are the kinds of issues that create intermittent failures and the dreaded phrase: “We can’t reproduce it.” Torus Power’s ISE presence is built around power isolation and stability as a foundation for performance and reliability, showcased at Stand #2D300. (CEPRO)
Reduce homeowner friction in multi-zone audio
Now, the part clients actually touch every day: Whole-home audio. Sonos’ new Amp Multi is provides integrators an easy way to scale distributed audio without scaling headaches—flexible zone assignment, high speaker counts, and tuning tools designed for integrators. Sonos is also making a point to use ISE as a platform for broader discussions about its installed solutions, not just the headline product. Look for Sonos in Hall 1, Booth 1E500. (newsroom.sonos.com)
Here’s why this matters to integration industry press members: The integration channel is full of “hero stories” that never get told because they’re not cinematic. The truth is, a successful project is often defined by what didn’t happen—no failure, no panic, no rework, no awkward client apology. That’s a compelling business story, and it’s a meaningful service story.
If you’re an editor ask the brands and integrators at ISE 2026 what they’ve done to reduce variables. Ask what eliminates callbacks. Ask what helps teams work faster without cutting corners. That’s where the modern integration narrative is headed—and it’s how the industry moves from “custom” to “consistently excellent.”
KMB CEO and founder Katye McGregor Bennett will be at ISE. To book time to meet with the brands mentioned above, email katye@kmbcomm.com with “ISE Meeting Inquiry” in the subject line.
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 | Feb 2, 2026 | Blog, D-Tools, KMB Communications, Kordz, SONOS, Torus Power
Luxury used to mean marble, motorized everything, and a home theater so ostentatious it left family and friends searching for words. Now? Luxury is the absence of friction.
Today’s luxury-seeking homeowner doesn’t ask, “why did the music stop in the kitchen?” Luxury is when the designer doesn’t get the dreaded text: “The wall plate is crooked and the TV keeps glitching.” More than anything luxury is best represented when the integrator doesn’t get a frantic Sunday night call because the equipment rack decided to throw a tantrum mid-party.
That’s the reliability conversation I’m most interested in during the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 show in Barcelona on February 3–6—especially with the show’s “Push Beyond” mindset setting the tone for what the industry values next. (ISE 2026)
For integrators and their clients the “wow” moments we all love with the modern home are only possible when the fundamentals behave. And this year, four brands are making a strong case that reliability is, in fact, the new luxury—each from a different angle.
Power integrity: Torus Power
Start at the beginning: Clean, stable power. Torus Power is showcasing its toroidal isolation approach at ISE 2026, highlighting why electrical isolation isn’t just protection—it’s performance and long-term stability. If you’ve ever chased a hum, ground issue, or a mysterious “it only happens at night” failure, you already understand why power is a luxury feature in disguise. Torus will be on-site at Stand #2D300. (CEPRO)
Signal integrity: Kordz
After power, the next part of the modern home that needs reliability is signal. Kordz offers connectivity integrators seek: Cables that are built for the way systems are actually installed—dense racks, tight bends, high bandwidth, real-world abuse. The show spotlight includes new HDMI and control solutions positioned to reduce failures and keep systems stable under pressure. Kordz will be at Stand #2F550. (Kordz)
Process integrity: D-Tools
Reliability isn’t only hardware—it’s also documentation and proper workflow. These efficiencies allow for fewer opportunities for human error to sneak in. D-Tools is previewing what’s next for its System Integrator and D-Tools Cloud integrator tools. These solutions focus on streamlining quoting, collaboration, and field execution. When the process is tight, the install is cleaner, the handoff is smoother, and the client experience feels “effortless”—which is exactly how luxury should feel. D-Tools will be at Stand #2J500. (Commercial Integrator)
Audio system integrity at scale: Sonos
Finally, let’s talk about reliability where homeowners notice it most: Whole-home audio. Sonos is introducing Amp Multi, a multi-zone audio solution that is specifically for professional installations. The new Sonos multi-zone streaming amplifier provides eight channels rated at 125 watts each, as well as up to four configurable zones, and architecture designed to scale by adding units as needed. Sonos also calls out the engineering choices that support long-term stability, including GaN power architecture and a fanless design. At ISE 2026, Sonos will be in Hall 1, Booth 1E500, with regular demos and broader installed-audio conversations across its lineup. (newsroom.sonos.com)
For press members, this is the editorial gift: Reliability is not a “spec sheet” story. It’s a human story about trust, reduced consumer friction, and systems that quietly do their job so the homeowner can enjoy the benefits that today’s luxury smart home is capable of providing. For integrators, it’s a profitability story: Fewer callbacks, fewer fire drills, and more capacity for the work you want to be doing.
At KMB, we love the glossy product moment as much as anyone—but we’re also obsessed with what makes that moment possible. This year at ISE 2026, the smartest coverage might be about the fundamentals … because that’s where the real differentiation is hiding.
KMB CEO and founder Katye McGregor Bennett will be at ISE. To book time to meet with the brands mentioned above, email katye@kmbcomm.com with “ISE Meeting Inquiry” in the subject line.
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 30, 2026 | Blog
A large portion of the U.S. is experiencing a polar vortex winter, and right now the custom electronics industry is experiencing its own vortex: The trade show vortex.
Fresh off the heels of the largest trade show in North America—CES—the industry is in the midst of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE 2026), Lightapalooza 2026, and the International Builders Show (IBS)/KBIS event all which are happening between Feb. 3 to Feb. 19.
For those not working within the electronics industry, there’s also some event run by the National Football League (NFL) on Sunday, Feb. 8 that will attract more than 100 million TV viewers and serve as the platform the year’s biggest budget ads.
Focusing on the news of the week, KMB Comm and its Technology Week in Review, the current emphasis is the above-mentioned trade shows, but there were several items worth highlighting, nevertheless.
KMB Comm Technology Week in Review Look at Residential Market News
Let’s start with a rundown of Lightapalooza educational sessions from CE Pro. In the story, Nick Boever reports the event will offer attendees learning opportunities for everyone from beginners to more advanced professionals.
Here is the CE Pro story.
Over at Residential Systems, the publication’s reviewer John Sciacca looks at the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 Dolby Atmos Soundbar. Without giving away anything, Sciacca points out the soundbar offers impressive levels of output and amenities that include Dirac room correction.
The entire review can be found here.
Since a large part of the U.S. is stuck inside due to the polar vortex and with only one NFL game left, it’s time to pick up on those streaming activities. Tudum by Netflix recently ran down the service’s most popular titles, which can serve as a guide to finding new content during the cold winter months.
The story points out the top 10 list is led by “The Rip,” along with other titles such as “Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials,” and “Skyscraper Live.” The story provides lots of suggestions for English and non-English speaking subscribers.
LinkedIn Leads with National News
The social media site LinkedIn had a good with of reporting several bigger stories this past week.
Anyone traveling to any of these winter trade events knows how difficult flying can be. LinkedIn states that Southwest Airlines has ended the “cattle call” open boarding practices, and its assigned seating is now active. With this new policy there’s one less problem for Southwest customers to deal with.
This Apple partnership with Google is kind of flying under the radar probably due to football, the current political climate and the economy, but this is big news. According to LinkedIn, Apple’s new version of Siri, powered by Google Gemini from making its public debut.
To learn more about these two tech giants collaboration click here.
Concluding the LinkedIn items the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review is looking at is an economic report. The post by the social media site notes that while spending on AI has exploded, it is not the sole reason why the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew in 2025. The story says AI was the second biggest reason why the GDP grew, falling in next to consumer spending.
Consumers, the post stresses were the biggest driver of the GDP this past year.
One final tech item that is making national news comes from the technology company Tesla. Yahoo Finance via CNN reports the electric vehicle manufacturer is ceasing production on the Model S and Model X products.
The story points out these are two of the most expensive cars from the company, and it will convert the factory that made those products into a facility that manufactures humanoid robots.
The complete story can be found here.
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.
