by Bob Archer | Apr 3, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
After a long winter for the Northern region of the United States, it seems the weather may have realized the calendar says April.
Now with the world on the cusp of Easter Sunday for those that celebrate the holiday, along with baseball season in full swing, and the NHL (National Hockey League) and NBA National Basketball Association) preparing for their respective playoffs, it’s time to take a breath.
With all of that on the table, let’s take a pre-holiday look at the headline makers before you tackle that big plate of Easter ham or lasagna, and deserts such as cannolis and cake to check out some of the top tech stories from this past week.
KMB Comm Residential Technology News Review
Starting the week off, AV Nirvana put a story together on the newly announced Planar 6 RS Edition turntable. Planar is a go-to turntable brand for audiophiles of all budgets.
The story says the Rega Special version employs a Tancast 8 foam-core structure, along with an RB880 tonearm and outfitted with the company’s Nd9 moving magnet (MM) cartridge.
AV Nirvana estimates the price for the turntable will be approximately $3,195.
A news item that many of the major home technology websites have been running and we’ll use the post from eCoustics, on the TCL Sony BRAVIA partnership.
The eCoustics’ version of the story states the joint venture has transitioned from a memorandum of understanding to a definitive agreement. eCoustics points out the new venture will be branded as BRAVIA and the new company will provide all the research-and-development (R&D), as well as manufacturing, sales, logistics, and customer service for BRAVIA products.
Moving onto home entertainment, LinkedIn posted an item on Netflix seeking to add more NFL (National Football League) programming to its services.
Citing the Wall Street Journal, the social media post says the popular streaming service would like to add a Thanksgiving Day eve game, along with an international game to is Christmas Day game content.
Netflix has been busy adding live sports over the past couple of years with football, mixed-martial arts (MMA) and boxing. The service has made the news recently with its May 16 MMA card that will be co-headlined by Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry, Rhonda Rousey vs Gina Carano, and Francis Ngannou vs Philipe Lins.
Rounding out the KMB Comm residential technology items for the week is IMDB’s April 2026 TV and Streaming Calendar.
The popular TV and movie website regularly updates its list of new content titles and for April, the website says there are a range of new movies and TV shows becoming available.
Among the titles available this month include Disney+’s, “Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord.”
The series takes place after the clone wars in the “Star Wars” universe and the series will be made up of 10 episodes. Prime Video’s “The Boys” also returns. This series is about a group of superheroes that abuse their superpowers.
One more popular streaming series to note: HBO is bringing back its teen-based adult drama, “Euphoria,” which stars A-list actors Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney.
A Quick Tour of National News
Broadening our tech focus, the next couple of KMB Comm Technology Week in Review items cover the tech giant Apple.
The first story comes from LinkedIn. A post from mid-week on the website says that rather than competing in a crowded field against AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, Apple will concentrate on hardware instead.
Citing a Bloomberg story, the LinkedIn post states that Apple is shifting gears to focus on hardware and services, and to support this emphasis the company’s iOS 27 will include extensions that will permit Apple users to employ other chatbots within Siri.
Over on Yahoo, the web company’s Yahoo Finance coverage had a story on Apple turning 50-years-old. The story includes a brief history of the company that includes its present status as the world’s second-biggest company.
The last story of the week has nothing to do with electronics. Someone or a group of candy fiends with a large, sweet tooth stole about 414,000 KitKat bars shaped like Formula-1 cars.
LinkedIn in its story says the 12 tons of candy were stolen while in transit from Italy to Poland.
Quoting The Athletic, the LinkedIn post says, “we’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat—but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally,” a spokesperson said to The Athletic.”
KMB Communications’ AV Trade Talk Podcast recently spoke to Krista Haughey, head of U.S. sales for KEF America. To check out the conversation with Krista, click here.
by Bob Archer | Apr 2, 2026 | KMB Communications, News, Torus Power
Schaumburg, IL ̶ AXPONA 2026 – Holm Audio will once again demonstrate its commitment to delivering world-class high-fidelity experiences at AXPONA 2026, taking place April 10–12 at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Across multiple curated demo rooms, Holm Audio will highlight a carefully selected range of premium audio systems, anchored in Room 715 by the performance and protection of Torus Power’s RM 20 toroidal isolation transformer.
As one of North America’s premier high-end audio events, AXPONA draws thousands of audiophiles and industry professionals to explore more than 200 listening rooms and the latest innovations in audio technology. For Holm Audio and partner brand Torus Power, the event provides an opportunity to showcase not only exceptional products, but also the critical role that power plays in achieving true reference-level performance.
At the heart of Holm Audio’s demonstration in Room 715—featuring audiophile gear from Rega, Cambridge Audio, KEF, and Torus Power–is the RM 20, a cornerstone of Torus Power’s acclaimed RM Series. Designed to deliver clean, stable power, the RM 20 utilizes a 2400 VA toroidal isolation transformer to provide 120V at 20A across 10 outlets, combining robust surge protection with advanced power conditioning.
“For high-fidelity systems, where every nuance matters, power quality is paramount. The RM 20 minimizes noise and protects against voltage irregularities, allowing connected components to perform at their full potential,” says Kevin Main, President and COO of Torus Power. “The result is a noticeable enhancement in tonal accuracy, imaging, and dynamic range, particularly at higher listening levels where system demands are greatest.”
By integrating Torus Power into its AXPONA demonstrations, Holm Audio can best demonstrate its expertise in system design and holistic approach to audio performance. “Great audio isn’t just about the gear, it’s about how everything works together,” says Mike Holm, owner of Holm Audio. “Power is often overlooked, but it has a profound impact on performance. The Torus RM 20 allows us to present these systems exactly as they’re meant to be heard.”
At AXPONA 2026, Holm Audio invites attendees to experience how precision-engineered power, led by Torus Power’s RM 20, elevates high-performance audio systems to their fullest expression.
Where to See Torus Power at AXPONA 2026
AXPONA attendees interested in learning why Torus Power isolation transformers are trusted to power and protect audiophile-grade audio systems and other high-performance AV installations are invited to visit the Holm Audio demo room, #715.
For more information about Torus Power, visit www.toruspower.com and follow Torus Power on LinkedIn, Twitter 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 more information about Torus Power, visit www.toruspower.com and follow Torus Power on LinkedIn, Twitterand Facebook.
About Holm Audio
With nine showrooms within its Woodridge, Illinois location, Holm Audio offers a unique blend of high-fidelity audio and video solutions—from entry-level systems to reference-grade turntables, vacuum tube electronics, whole-home audio, and outdoor entertainment systems. Its presence at AXPONA reflects a continued commitment to helping customers discover systems tailored to their individual lifestyles and listening preferences.
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
Torus Power 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 | Apr 2, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
Some people build careers loudly. Others build them steadily, thoughtfully, and with the kind of consistency that earns respect long before it earns headlines.
Krista Haughey is very much the latter.
If you know Krista, you already know that. If you don’t, you should. And that was a big part of why I wanted her on AV Trade Talk.
Our recent conversation with Krista, joined by Bob Archer, was certainly about her new role at KEF, and yes, that alone made the episode timely. But what made the conversation worth having was everything underneath the title change. Krista’s career trajectory has never been about chasing noise. It has been about doing the work, learning the business, listening carefully, building trust, and continuing to grow into leadership with both humility and backbone.
That combination is rarer than it should be.
Krista shared that she has been in the industry since 1992, starting as a temp and working her way through “the society of men and executive positions” to get where she is today. There was no overnight leap here. No magic shortcut. Just years of showing up, paying attention, evolving, and staying open to what the business — and the people around her — could teach her.
One of the most compelling points she made came early in the conversation, when she talked about what shifted for her through the Women in Consumer Technology community. “You’re not just looking for a job, you’re looking for a career,” she said.
That right there is one of those deceptively simple lines that can hit you right between the eyes.
Because a job is about the immediate task. A career is about direction. A job asks what needs to get done this week. A career asks who you are becoming, what you’re building, and whether the road you’re on is actually taking you where you want to go.
Krista also talked candidly about the pressure so many professionals — especially women — place on themselves to know everything, prove everything, and carry everything. Her take was refreshingly honest: “Ask for help and not think that you need to know everything to do said job is huge.” Later, she doubled down on that idea with even more clarity, saying, “I would say humility. Admitting what you don’t know.”
That is not weakness. That is wisdom.
Too many people still think leadership means having every answer in the room. In reality, the best leaders often know which questions to ask, when to listen, and who to trust. Krista said it beautifully: “You assemble teams, and you rely on your teams. You trust them to bring their expertise to the table.”
There is a reason that mindset keeps showing up in people who build healthy teams and lasting careers. It works.
Another part of our conversation that stayed with me was Krista’s perspective on growth without losing yourself in the process. She talked about moving from New Jersey to California and learning that she did not have to stop being herself to succeed, but she did need to understand her audience and adapt. “You don’t have to not be you to fit into an environment and know your audience,” she said. “You can still be you in different degrees.”
That is such a smart and useful distinction. Evolving is not the same thing as becoming inauthentic. Refinement is not selling out. Maturity, as Krista put it, gives you patience you didn’t have before.
And then there was this gem: “Focus on what’s going on in front of me. Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow.”
Honestly? More of us could use that printed out and taped to our laptops.
Krista’s move to KEF was not framed as an escape hatch or a dramatic reinvention. In true Krista fashion, it sounded like what happens when strong relationships, good instincts, and steady professionalism meet the right opportunity at the right time. “I wasn’t looking for a change,” she said. “I find those are the best outcomes… And just be kind to people. It kind of comes around.”
Imagine that. Be excellent. Be kind. Listen well. Build the team. Know the difference between a job and a career.
Simple? Yes. Easy? Not always.
But Krista Haughey’s career is a pretty compelling case study in what can happen when you do those things well — and keep doing them well, over time. And for anyone wondering how to grow in this business without losing the plot, she offered perhaps the clearest answer of all: “Listening to the people that work with you. That’s the method.”
Hard to improve on that.
Tune in here to listen to our conversation. You will also find AV Trade Talk on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular platforms.
To check out past episodes of the KMB Communications AV Talk Podcast click the link.
by Bob Archer | Mar 27, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
At one time and it doesn’t seem that long ago, streaming represented a true entertainment value over cable and satellite TV. That was then however and today consumers are now, once again questioning whether the streaming services have gone too far with their rate increases.
News just broke that Netflix has announced rate increases for its services and for a growing number of subscribers, this new announcement may be the last straw given the current economic climate.
The KMB Comm Technology Week in Review will have more on this through a story that posted on LinkedIn.
KMB Comm Residential Technology News for the Week of March 23
Hitting lead off for this week’s roundup of home technologies is an item from CE Pro.
Perhaps fueled by current political tides, the story states the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has basically banned all network routers that are made overseas. The CE Pro story says the FCC has updated its Covered List to include those products to prevent these devices from gaining authorization for shipment into the U.S.
The story points out that in addition to network routers, smart home components are also vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, and the technology integration industry needs to deal with these issues.
Circling back to the Netflix story of its latest rate increases, LinkedIn in its post notes a variety story in which the service has risen its rates twice in less than a two-year-period, and Variety suggests that Netflix may believe that it has “pricing power” when compared to competitive streaming services.
Summing up the increases, the ad-supported tier is now $8.99, which represents an increase of $1, while its standard and premium tiers have risen $2 to price out at $19.99 and $26.99 respectively.
Could a shake up in the popular headphone category be coming? The eCoustics website posted a story that the Sennheiser consumer audio business is for sale.
According to eCoustics, the current owner, Sonova, has confirmed that it plans to sell the consumer audio Sennheiser business, but the story emphasizes the company is just exiting the consumer audio market—but it is not shutting down.
eCoustics says Sonova’s core business is medical-grade hearing products, which is an industry that is less competitive than consumer audio. The story adds the only portion of Sennheiser that will be sold is the consumer audio division that offers products such as ear buds, headphones, and soundbars. The pro division will remain with the Sennheiser family.
Nintendo Switch 2 Not as Popular as Initially Thought
When it was first introduced to the gaming community, Nintendo looked to have another hit gaming console on its hands with its Switch 2.
LinkedIn citing a story from Bloomberg Reports, says the $450 gaming system’s declining sales has resulted in the company reducing the production of the product.
The story says the company is reducing production from 6 million units to 4 million units, and despite the production figures, Nintendo remains on track to meet market goals of 20 million sales over the course of the fiscal year.
In news not related to Netflix’s subscription rates and subscriber base, Deadline reports that Warner Music Group (WMG) has partnered with Netflix on a multiyear deal in which the streaming service will produce content related to WMG artists and songwriters.
Commenting on the alliance, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl says in the story, the partnership will enable the company to educate Netflix subscribers about the artists signed to the label.
“The combination of Warner Music Group’s IP with Netflix’s global reach is an incredible opportunity to introduce new fans to our artists and songwriters all around the world,” comments Kyncl in the story.
WMG artists include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mack, Madonna, and Bruno Mars.
Closing this week’s KMB Comm Technology Week in Review is one more music item. It seems that despite Corporate America’s best attempts to push AI onto everyone in every possible way, humanity has struck back.
The French-Canadian band Angine de Poitrine has gone viral with fans emphasizing the band represents everything AI will never be. The band’s appearance on the KEXP YoutTube channel has more than 5.3 million views in a month, and if Angine de Poitrine could be described in any sort of way, they are a two-piece, microtonal prog band.
Listen, watch and enjoy.
Recently, Rob Stott sat down and spoke with KMB Communications’ Katye McGregor Bennett and Robert Archer about the relaunch of Connected Design magazine and the current state of the media market in the residential technology industry in a newly released AV Trade Talk Podcast.
by Bob Archer | Mar 27, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
Perspective matters. And when a publication returns with a clearer point of view, it usually means the market is ready for a smarter conversation.
Sometimes the return of a publication tells you just as much about the market as the publication itself. That feels especially true with Connected Design.
In the latest episode of AV Trade Talk, KMB Communications’ Katye McGregor Bennett and Bob Archer sit down with Rob Stott to talk about the debut of the new Connected Design magazine, the trends shaping the industry, and the bigger role media still plays in helping this business communicate with clarity.
Rob has had a front-row seat to the evolution of the custom integration world for years. He has watched the category move through the post-housing-crash rebuild, the rise of the modern smart home conversation, the disruption of the pandemic era, and now this next phase, where technology, design, architecture, and construction are no longer separate lanes pretending not to notice each other.
That is a big reason this conversation works. It is not nostalgia. It is perspective. Rob is relaunching Connected Design at a moment when the market is maturing and the audience needs something sharper, more relevant, and more in step with how projects actually come together today.
And let us be honest: those project conversations do not begin and end with product specs anymore. The old boundaries between design and technology did not just blur. They packed up and left. The people shaping homes and spaces today need better communication across disciplines, and they need media platforms that understand that shift.
That is part of what makes the new Connected Design so interesting. In this episode, Rob shares what inspired the relaunch, what he sees happening across the industry, and where he believes the publication can add real value. It is a fun and friendly conversation, but it is also a thoughtful one. There is substance here. There is strategy here. And there is a clear understanding that the market has changed, even if not everyone has adjusted their language or their expectations yet.
Another important thread in the episode is one Rob has helped keep in the conversation for years: The need for manufacturers to support media outlets and publishers. That point can make some people squirm, but it should not. Strong trade media helps an industry think more clearly, share ideas more effectively, and create better dialogue around real issues. If brands want thoughtful coverage, stronger storytelling, and healthier communication across the channel, they cannot keep treating the media as an afterthought and expect great results.
At KMB, that message lands. We work every day at the intersection of content, communication, visibility, and relationship-building. We know good stories do not travel on hope alone. They need strategy, consistency, and the right platforms. That is why this episode is not just a podcast announcement. It is a timely conversation about how the industry tells its story, who helps shape that narrative, and why that work still matters.
So yes, this episode is about the new Connected Design magazine. But it is also about where this industry is headed next. It is about the continuing convergence of design and technology. It is about market maturity. And it is about the voices helping move the conversation forward.
Give the episode a listen and spend a little time with Rob’s perspective. If you work anywhere near the overlap of AV, design, media, manufacturing, or integration, there is a good chance you will come away with a few smart reminders and at least one fresh thought about where the conversation needs to go from here.
Listen to the latest AV Trade Talk episode featuring Rob Stott to hear more about the return of Connected Design, the trends shaping the market, and why media relationships still matter.
