by Bob Archer | May 1, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
For whatever reason, home audio and audio news in general once again captures the lion’s share of attention in the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review.
Of the six news items in this week’s tour of technology news, four stories relate to audio, while consistent newsmakers such as Apple and AI-related content also find their way into the wrap-up.
This week’s news comes from national websites such as LinkedIn and Yahoo, as well as B2B (business-to-business) sites like Mix Magazine, and AVNation.tv, and the specialty consumer audio website AVNirvana.com.
Audio Dominates KMB Comm Tech Week in Review
Picking up a story from Bloomberg, LinkedIn posted a story on Spotify adding Peloton fitness classes to its platform for subscribers.
The post points out that Peloton users at one time spent $50 for its class subscriptions, but now through the classes’ availability on Spotify, the streaming service’s premium subscribers can access more than 1,400 classes for $12.99 per month.
In a story in which AV Nirvana calls the product, Wilson Audio’s, “most ambitious launch,” the audiophile speaker manufacturer has announced its Autobiography loudspeaker. The story states the speaker stands more than 81 inches tall; nearly two-feet wide, and approximately 35-inches deep.
The five-way design speaker also weighs 821 pounds per speaker, and AV Nirvana adds, the speaker’s retail cost is $790,000 per pair.
Transitioning from the home to the car, AVNation.tv posted an item on the newly introduced Dirac Spaces product.
According to the story, this new automotive solution is designed to transform in-car audio into an immersive audio experience by recreating environments that include studios and concert halls.
AVNation.tv explains that Dirac Spaces maps a car’s interior and acoustic target to create a more engaging immersive environment. Dirac Spaces debuts in the electric executive flagship SUV, the NIO ES9 and it works in tandem with the car’s Lyra audio system.
Counterfeit Vinyl Operation Headlines National Technology News
Falling under the banner of either, “whoops” or “oh no,” the AI platform Claude, has deleted PocketOS’ production database.
The story, which was posted by Yahoo says that PocketOS a provider of software for car rental businesses, experienced an enormous outage after the AI tool wiped out its database and its backups within a matter of seconds.
At the time of the blackout Yahoo continues, PocketOS was running a coding agent called Cursor that included Claude Opus 4.6. The founder of PocketOS went on in the story to attribute the issue to systemic failures related to modern AI infrastructure.
As for the weekly KMB Comm Tech Week in Review Apple news item, LinkedIn is reporting that new company CEO John Ternus is set to oversee possibly as many as 10 product introductions. These products could include a foldable iPhone, along with a smart home hub, camera pendant, and a tabletop robot.
Concluding the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review for the week of April 27, is news from Mix Magazine on a vinyl counterfeit operation.
Mix Magazine points out that London Police seized about 6,500 records that have an estimated value of more than $350,000 back on April 22. Some of the counterfeit records include pirate pressings of Queen’s Greatest Hits album, as well as albums from Coda Records, a company Mix Magazine notes, that deals in the loopholes of unsanctioned live recordings.
Putting the counterfeit operation in context, the story adds the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) reports that U.K. vinyl sales increased more than 13% in 2025 to reach the figure of 7.6 million units. U.S. sales in 2025 accounted for more than a $1 billion based on RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) figures.
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by Bob Archer | Apr 27, 2026 | Blog, SONOS
There has never been a better time to be a music fan. Home audio through formats such as vinyl, the comeback of CDs, and of course streaming audio offer music fans choices with no compromise in quality.
In terms of coolness, vinyl has been trendy for several years due to album artwork and the simple TLC it takes to drop the needle. More recently—CD—another form of physical media has picked itself up off the mat through its 16-bit/44kHz lossless sound quality and value. CDs are 1/3 to a quarter of the cost of vinyl and CD/DVD players are readily available to spin these discs.
With vinyl and CDs once again popular, it is easy to forget about streaming audio. Despite the possibility of streaming content to be taken for granted in 2026, the format is by far the largest generator of revenue for the music industry.
Using data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the music market produced $11.5 billion in revenues in 2025, and of those revenues, paid-subscription streaming audio’s 106.5 million subscribers accounted for $6.4 billion of those revenues.
Looking back at why streaming content is so popular, services such as Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Qobuz provide access to millions of songs and in some cases 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio.
Using what is the one home audio brand that helped to drive mainstream access to not only a choice of streaming services—Sonos—but also several ways of playing that content, let’s breakdown some of the popular manufacturer’s top products.
4 Sonos Streaming Audio Products to Address a Range of Applications
One of the nice aspects of streaming products from companies like Sonos is the flexibility the products offer. Google Android user … no problem; Apple iOS … no problem. Smart homeowner with the desire for audio across their home … once again, no problem.
Additionally, the product line also caters to personal audio experiences with the Ace headphones. The headphones allow for TV listening and travel without sacrificing Dolby Atmos audio accessibility.
Diving into the Sonos product line a bit further, here are four products to consider for just about every streaming audio situation:
Amp Multi: Developed specifically for the technology integration market and professional integrators, the Amp Multi provides eight channels that are rated to produce 125-watts-per-channel. Sonos points out the multichannel, multizone streaming audio amplifier utilizes GaN technologies and post-filter feedback to optimize efficiency. The product also incorporates the company’s ProTune technology that’s designed to optimize system performance in a range of room environments.
Arc Ultra: This soundbar produces immersive audio up to levels as high as 9.1.4 to allow homeowners to listen to their favorite shows, movies and music in Dolby Atmos. Sonos points out the soundbar provides a choice of control options, including Sonos Voice Control and the company’s companion app.
Era 100 SL: Available in a choice of black or white finishes, the Era 100 SL is one of the most affordable ways to bring streaming audio into a home using Sonos components. The versatile powered speaker can be setup in pairs to form a true stereo configuration, and the speaker can also be used as rear surrounds in a Sonos-based home theater.
Sonos Ace: Concluding this look at Sonos products is the company’s Ace Headphones. Available in a choice of black or white, the headphones come with a carrying case to support its use as a travel companion, as well as cables for connections such as USB-C and 3.5mm analog. What makes the Ace Headphones stand out as a streaming audio solution, is the headphones’ Dolby Atmos compatibility. Apple Music subscribers can play their favorite band and listen to their favorite albums mixed in Atmos, and play Netflix or HBO content with full surround sound just by simply wearing the headphones.
To learn more about the Sonos Amp Multi Professional Multichannel Amplifier, check this press release from KMB Communications.
by Bob Archer | Apr 20, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
Audiophiles love to argue. The audiophile crowd will argue about anything ranging from the value of cables to what’s the most important component within a system.
Possibly the biggest argument audiophiles will engage in is the battle of analog vs digital audio. Within this battle analog proponents will emphasize the warmth and texture of vinyl, while digital advocates will cite the signal-to-noise ratio of CDs or high-resolution digital files.
These arguments have been raging in some cases for decades, but now it’s time to end at least one of those arguments: The battle over what’s better … analog or digital.
The Audiophile Community Needs to Embrace Format Choices
In many ways the home audio market mirrors what’s going on in the home video market. Consumers have lots of choices and none of them are a compromise. In the home video market, consumers have choices such as streaming media, Blu-ray, DVD, and Kaleidescape’s platform that offers users a best-of-both-worlds solution (digital accessibility with physical media performance).
Over in the world of home audio, audiophiles can choose from streaming media, as well as the trendy format of vinyl, or the suddenly rising CD format.
Audiophiles may ask, “why end the debate?” The answer is simple—music fans don’t have to choose a single format. Today’s choice of formats is kind of like ice cream. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream are great flavors, but so aren’t caramel fudge, mint, and Oreo.
Why would anyone exclusively wed themselves to a single format. One of the best things about today’s home audio category besides the wealth of format choices is the overall quality of components. Entry level CD players and turntables perform at a high level, especially compared to products from the 1980s or 1990s.
Realistically, the only time a format preference becomes relevant is when cost is factored into the equation for younger music fans. Yes, vinyl is cool and there are a ton of affordable turntables on the market. The problem is that new vinyl costs three to four times the amount of a new CD.
What this translates to in real terms with the trend is already forming with Gen Z consumers, is that with young people tired of subscription fees to services such as Netflix and Spotify, the move to physical media means value. And, if you can get several CDs for the price of a single record, CD is the better buy.
With the choice of quality content and great components at a range of price points, it is time to drop the arguments and simply embrace what’s going on with home audio right now. Quality streaming services such as Apple Music, Qobuz and TIDAL make good sounding music convenient to access. Add the nostalgic memories of vinyl and the value of CDs and it’s easy to say there’s never been a better time to be an audiophile.
Here’s a look at some of the latest turntables available to music fans. To learn more about the resurgence of physical media, check out this blog from KMB Communications.
by Bob Archer | Apr 17, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
It’s time to give credit where credit is due, and the team at KMB Comm is certainly not afraid to handout flowers when flowers are deserved.
Years ago, before vinyl and turntables were trendy, independent music stores got behind the format when the only people that were using it were audiophiles. Fast forward 15 years and vinyl sales continue to soar and it’s safe to say that Record Store Day has helped to contribute to the resurgence of the format.
On April 18, another Record Store Day will be upon us, so that means that if you have the means, stop by your local independent record store and pick up some new music.
Home Audio Dominates the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review
Starting the week off is an item from Residential Systems on the French brand Advance Paris.
The NOVA Series products, according to the Residential Systems article, deliver a unified audio system the blends the company’s style, connectivity, and performance. The product line includes the A-i130 and A-i190 integrated amplifiers, as well as the A-BTC bi-directional Bluetooth dongle, and the A-RTR rotary remote control.
Combining old-school technologies with modern touches, Twice is reporting the company Gadhouse has introduced its Miko Cassette Player.
The story points out the lifestyle brand’s latest product is a vintage-styled portable cassette player that incorporates contemporary designs and wireless connectivity. Twice notes the Miko is designed to bridge the gap between today and yesteryear through the warmth of analog audio combining with the functionality of wireless audio connectivity.
Continuing the home audio theme in this week’s KMB Comm Tech Week in Review, is an opinion column from the website, Futureaudiophile.com. The column is entitled, “The Ultimate Audiophile Elixir is Not Streaming, Vinyl or Unlimited Access to Music, and the author, Jerry Del Colliano recalls an event he participated in at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
The column states that younger consumers unquestionably like formats such as vinyl and that headphones are a mainstay in the modern home audio paradigm. Unsurprisingly, Del Colliano goes onto to admit that nearly everyone streams and streaming comes down to what service the user prefers.
In conclusion, the author of the column says that people are looking for value, and the category of home audio is no different than food shopping at Trader Joe’s or anywhere else. He adds the biggest issue for the home audio industry right now is not a matter of getting users to adopt a specific technology because they are all viable, the real issue he emphasizes is informing the public about the fun the audiophile hobby can deliver.
Getting back to Record Store Day, some of the releases music fans will find during the big promotional event include:
- Tony Bennett “Unplugged”
- Bad Brains “Live”
- The Cure “Greatest Hits”
- George Harrison “Dark Horse”
- Freddie King “Feelin’ Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Pulsations Concert”
- Lemonheads “TAANG!”
- Puscifer “Normal Isn’t (Live)”
- Steely Dan “Alive in America”
- Sleep Token “Caramel”
- Van Halen “Live in New Haven, CT 1986”
Here is the complete list of Record Store Day exclusive Releases.
Van Halen “Live Without a Net” is the concert film the band recorded during its first tour with new singer Sammy Hagar in New Haven, Conn back in 1986. (photo credit: KMB Comm)
A Tour of National News
Shifting gears, it’s time for the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review to look at some of the technology news items that impact the industry on more of a national or global level.
During the middle of the week, LinkedIn an item from Bloomberg Reports that says Apple is developing display-free smart glasses as it transitions its AI focus to hardware. The story, which uses information from Bloomberg says the glasses could handle calls, music, photos and Siri as part of an emphasis on wearables that also includes AirPods and a camera pendant.
This next story may have flown under the radar, but Yahoo Finance picked up a story from Variety that states that Sony Pictures’ Tom Rothman says to theater owners to stop the half hour of ads before a movie starts.
The story points out that so far, 2026 has been a good year for the commercial movie industry, but according to Rothman in the story, attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Closing the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review with an item from Fox Business. According to the Fox news outlet, Pepsi is experiencing a revenue boost after cutting prices on its drinks and its Frito Lay snacks.
Fox Business reports that Pepsi cut prices as much as 15% on products such as Lay’s and Doritos, and since those price reductions, the company is seeing revenue growth of 8.5% and a profit increase of 27%.
As an addendum to the Record Store Day news in this week’s KMB Comm Tech Week in Review, here’s a recent blog from KMB on growing interest in physical media beyond vinyl and how Gen Z is fueling interest in other physical media formats.
Additionally, there’s a new blog from KMB Comm that looks at a range of turntables spanning a wide range of price points.
To learn more about KMB Communications’ clients, click here.
by Bob Archer | Mar 20, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
To say it’s been a turbulent week of news may be an understatement. However, the team at KMB Comm has stayed focused by keeping pace with the latest scuttlebutt in the residential and consumer electronics industries.
Before getting into the weekly technology news roundup, it seems the commercial AV industry is a bit quiet. That may be due to upcoming tradeshows like the ISC West 2026 event, which hosts the residential and commercial security markets. With March closing out and April almost here, the commercial market may be gearing up for its signature event: the annual InfoComm show.
Home Audio Chugs Along
The first item of the week comes from the publication Stereonet. According to a story that posted to start the week, the French audio brand Cabasse has entered receivership after 75 years of business.
The brand known for its unique, spherical-shaped enclosures had at one point tried to grow through entry into the custom installation market, but it is now looking for investors to continue operations states Stereonet.
Staying in the home audio market, the next KMB Comm tech week in review item is a product review from Future Audiophile. The website recently published a review of the Buckeye Amps Hypex NCx252MP.
Broadening the scope of the home audio news this week is a post from Residential Systems. Fulfilling the public appetite for reliable, high performing, user-friendly turntables, the story says the new Denon DP-500BT is a semi-automatic turntable that includes Bluetooth wireless audio capabilities.
Residential Systems points out in its story the DP-500BT ships with a preinstalled moving magnet (MM) phono cartridge, and it carries a retail price of $899.
KMB Comm National Technology News
One last audio item before moving onto other news topics. Mix Magazine has posted a story on the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) latest industry report.
The story from March 17 says the record industry has reached a new revenue plateau of $11.5 billion in 2025. The numbers come from the organization’s 2025 Year-End Recorded Music Revenue Report and as part of its findings, the RIAA found that streaming revenues reached $9.5 billion with the United States as the largest subscriber market with more than 106 million subscription accounts.
Mix Magazine also notes that for the 19th year in a row, U.S. vinyl sales increased. In 2025 the story says sales grew more than 9% and for the first time in more than four decades vinyl sales reached over $1 billion.
Switching gears, to the topic of cybersecurity, Elizabeth Parks of Parks Associates made a post to the LinkedIn website called, “Critical Vulnerability in Security Monitoring Services: Frequency Jamming.”
The post from the electronics industry veteran promoted a webinar that Parks Associates and Telecom Design hosted that looked at the threat of radio frequency (RF) jammers and how these devices post a threat to security monitoring services.
Using its research, Parks Associates says that more than 20% of security system purchases were influenced by nearby robberies and other security incidents. The research company says in the post that consumers have high expectations for their security services, and the security industry risks losing consumer faith if it does not address the issues that RF jammers present.
Closing the KMB Comm technology week in review is story from Yahoo News on warnings from Apple to users to update their iOS products.
Yahoo News’ story says that Apple is asking people to update their phones because of cybersecurity threats from Russian intelligence, Chinese cybercriminals, and other hackers.
In the post, tools called DarkSword and Coruna have been identified as providing cybercriminals with the ability to take over peoples’ iPhones. Yahoo News states these tools called, exploit kits have been detailed by Google and cybersecurity companies iVerify and Lockout.
The story adds that while it doesn’t appear that Americans were targeted in any cyberattacks, DarkSword looks to be a tool that gathers surveillance and other information, including Wi-Fi passwords and more. Apple recommends updating to the latest version of its iOS (26.3.1) because older versions of the OS are vulnerable.
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