Phoenix, AZ May 24th 2005 – Visually appealing. State-of-the-art design and construction. A must for both the basic family room as well as the ultimate home theater set-up. No, this is not the latest 63-inch LCD television. This is OmniMount System’s new Wishbone Series flat panel cantilever wall mounts that will heighten the wow factor of any television room as much as the new LCD or Plasma screen it is holding.

Designed with the consumer and installer in mind, OmniMount’s new Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large flat panel cantilever mounts are as practical as wall mounts come, yet highly versatile and easy to install. A unique and modern design coupled with a two-tone metallic grey finish allows for the cantilever’s seamless integration into any décor. Add to that the inclusion of all necessary mounting hardware as well as OmniMount’s patented installer template makes the Wishbone Series immensely installer friendly, as well. The Wishbone Series will be available in June.

Unlike traditional basic wall brackets, OmniMount’s Wishbone Series cantilevers allow the flat panel television to be extended away from the wall for multiple viewing options and each cantilever also includes tilt, swivel and pan adjustment to add even greater viewing flexibility. Rugged die cast aluminum construction and included wall stud mounting hardware secures not only the flat panel television, but peace of mind, as well. Depending on the model cantilever, each Wishbone Series model utilizes a single arm configuration with either single- or dual-stud mounting brackets and the CLX offers a dual-arm configuration with a dual-stud mounting bracket for added strength and reliability.

“Style, ease-of-use, and simplistic self-installation techniques have become just as important as the practicality of today’s audio and video mounting accessories,” explains Scott Ashbaugh, OmniMount sales/marketing services manager. “OmniMount has designed the aesthetically pleasing Wishbone Series to be uniquely installer and user friendly while at the same time providing a highly versatile mounting hardware option that can be used for a number of flat panel applications. The four model series can hold flat panel units with screens as small as 13 inches to units with screen sizes as large as 63 inches, and hold a flat panel unit’s dead weight of 40lbs all the way up to 200lbs. To coincide with the Wishbone Series’ outwardly desirable appearance, a double-capacity cable management system also allows for twice as many unsightly wires to be neatly tucked away within the cantilever’s housing and thus, out of sight.”

For the do-it-yourself installer, the Wishbone Series carries a vast amount of unique, installer-friendly features that separates it from the competition. One such characteristic is the “Lift & Lock” screen mount option. For an even more simplified installation, the cantilever can first be braced on the wall and then the unit’s mounting bracket can be removed simply by using an Allen wrench (included). The bracket is then connected to the back of the television, and now the bracketed television can be placed back onto the stud-mounted cantilever and locked back into place. This changes a potential three-person installation into a two-person operation.

OmniMount has already taken care of measuring and the placement of the mounting hardware. The Wishbone Series comes with OmniMount’s patented install template. After finding the wall stud(s), the consumer/installer simply places the template on the wall, which precisely measures and marks where the appropriate wall mount screws should be placed and drilled into the studs. Then simply mount the Cantilever to the wall. It’s that simple.

The Wishbone Series is available in four sizes (CL-S, CL-M, CL-L, and CL-X), ranging in price from $179.95 to $679.95, depending on mount size and finish. The first model to ship in June is the largest in the series (the UCL-X), with the three other models slated to ship shortly thereafter.

OmniMount is based in Phoenix, Ariz. For more than 25 years, OmniMount products have been recognized for groundbreaking design, the highest quality, and long term reliability. Today, OmniMount offers hundreds of mounting solutions to meet the needs of nearly any application. From mounting the smallest to the largest of speakers, to any size or shape of CRT or LCD television, and an elegant line of stylish and functional furniture, OmniMount offers a wide variety of products to maximize the Home Theater experience. Visit www.omnimount.com.

admin 05:29 PM |

MARLBORO, NJ – May 20, 2005 – Fresh from being awarded the highly prestigious European Imaging and Sound Association Award (EISA) in the Home Theatre Innovation category for 2004-5, the KIT100 scored a second win in North America by netting the coveted RAVE Award from Home Theater Magazine. The RAVE (Recognition of Audio and Video Excellence) Awards are open to all manufacturers whose components have been reviewed over a 12-month period, and the editors of Home Theater Magazine recognized the KIT100 for its outstanding performance, value, ergonomics and features. Winners received their awards on April 28 at a celebration held during Home Entertainment 2005 at the New York Hilton Hotel in New York City.

At the awards ceremony, Home Theater editor, Maureen Jenson stated: “The Home Theater team feels it is important to recognize excellence in the design and manufacture of superior audio and video componentry. I asked the reviewers to nominate gear that impressed them so much that they would love to have it as part of their own reference systems.”

Alec Chanin, president of KEF America, accepted the prestigious honor and exclaimed: “What an incredible year we are having with the KIT100 Instant Theatre System!” “Our engineers set out to prove that impressive surround sound is achievable with just two speakers and a subwoofer, and judging by the positive feedback from editors, dealers and consumers alike, they have succeeded beyond our highest expectations. The KIT100 is a clear winner providing full-fledged surround sound in a compact and elegant design. And it’s a breeze to install.”

The KEF Instant Theatre is a complete DVD-based system that gives the listener everything required to experience 5.1 digital surround sound from just two compact front speakers and a hide-away subwoofer – enjoying the same detailed 3D sound image anywhere in the room. The KIT100 could not be easier or more convenient to set-up and use. In less than 10 minutes most consumers will have it working, with no configuration or menus required – just load a selected disc and press ‘play’! It could not be simpler. And – best of all – it comes at a suggested retail price of $1,499.
By combining KEF’s proven Uni-Q® ‘point source’ driver array from the award-winning KHT line, with a unique application of NXT® flat panel technology, KEF engineers have discovered a way to deliver all the subtleties and spatial depth encoded in today’s digital formats from a compact system set-up – doing away with the need for a multi-speaker arrangement, which can be quite intimidating and intrusive to many consumers.
The concept is simple. The vertical NXT flat panels behind the main arrays generate the sound of rear speakers, while the Uni-Q drivers create a perfect ‘phantom’ center speaker right in the middle of the screen. The center channel effect is accentuated by use of Uni-Q drivers for the front speakers, which spread the sound image over a much larger area than the narrow ‘sweet spot’ of a conventional speaker. Consistent sound coverage is achieved throughout the entire room, no matter where the listener sits, and ‘vocal intelligibility’ allows users to clearly understand every single word uttered – no more pausing to explain what was said in the last scene. In addition to delivering hefty bass punch throughout the room from a 10” bass driver, the unobtrusive subwoofer contains the system’s five high-power amplifiers, allowing the DVD player to be exceptionally compact.
The rear effects signal is directed to NXT panels mounted vertically behind the main drivers. KEF’s innovation is to use freestanding (rather than wall-mounted) NXT panels, allowing the sound to reflect off the sidewalls to the back of the room. Like the dipole rear speakers of high-end home cinema systems, this generates the wide, diffused soundfield needed for convincing ambient effects.
The head unit is about the same size as the front speakers, and styled to match. Whatever is played - DVDs, CDs or MP3s, it automatically recognizes what’s been loaded. The decoding circuits also give the full benefit of Dolby® Digital, Dolby Pro Logic® II and DTS surround sound from any other equipment played through the system. With clear VFD displays and intuitive controls, the unit also has an AM/FM radio with RDS, alarm and sleep functions. With built-in amplifiers for all channels alongside the 10” bass driver, the omni-directional subwoofer can be placed wherever it suits the user – behind the TV or next to a wall. Completing this amazing package, the KEF instant theatre system comes equipped with its own full-function remote control.

About KEFAudio
KEF was founded in 1961 by an electrical engineer named Raymond Cooke in a Nissen Hut on the premises of a metal working operation called Kent Engineering & Foundry (hence KEF), on the banks of the River Medway, near Maidstone in Kent. From the beginning KEF was destined to become a company with a flair for uniqueness and innovative in terms of loudspeaker engineering, design and use of materials. The four cornerstones of KEF`s success over 45 years are Quality, Honesty, Dedication and Innovation.

The company is professional from top to bottom. Still occupying the same river-bank site in Kent, the company services export markets throughout the world, manufacturing high performance speakers for home cinema, hi-fi and custom installation applications. The company firmly and passionately remains true to its proprietary, proven technologies such as Uni Q® and ACE. It is these characteristics, traditions and above all sound quality that have ensured that KEF`s reputation for audio excellence is among the finest in the world.

About KEF America, Inc.

KEF America is the wholly own subsidiary of KEF Audio, an award winning British manufacturer of quality, audiophile-standard speakers and home theater systems. Headquartered in Marlboro, New Jersey, KEF America has built the KEF brand by offering loyal North American audiophiles a stream of innovative speakers and components unmatched in the industry. Many KEF products have won awards from both sides of the Atlantic, as KEF is a brand name long associated with quality and technical innovations.

For additional information on KEF America and its award-winning products, please visit www.kef.com/kefamerica/home.html.

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admin 05:31 PM |

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 18, 2005 — Turtle Beach today announced its Ear Force line of surround sound headphones, featuring the new X-51 and HPA products. Each model features four discrete speakers contained within each earcup, handling the front, center, rear and sub-woofer channels and convenient individual channel volume control.

“When you’re playing games, these headphones let you hear your opponents before you see them –giving you an advantage over your competitors as well as creating a more immersive gaming environment,” said Seth Dotterer, Director of Marketing of Turtle Beach. “When watching DVDs, these surround sound headphones let you experience home theater quality audio without disturbing family members or neighbors.”

The Ear Force headphones come in two new models. The Ear Force X-51 is a portable and collapsible surround sound headphone with the flexibility to connect not only to a PC’s soundcard, but also to MP3 players, CDs and other stereo sources. The Ear Force HPA is an amplified 5.1 headphone designed for comfort and performance while playing games or watching DVDs at a PC. Both models come with a unique detachable microphone for Internet chat or voice recording.

Both the X-51 and HPA are available now for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $79.95 and $99.95 respectively. Both models, as well as additional Ear Force products aimed at the console gaming market, will be shown to the press and distribution at the upcoming E3 convention in Los Angeles this week – Kentia Hall booth 6909.

For more information, please visit http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/earforce/
High-resolution artwork is available at http://www.turtlebeach.com/artwork

Contact: Steve Massinello

Giles Communications LLC

(914) 798-7127 or smassinello@giles.com

admin 05:25 PM |

Features Include 10-inch, Side-Firing Woofer, Dual 4-inch Mids and Proprietary 300° Dispersion CDT Tweeter

CHATSWORTH, CA, May 16, 2005—Anthony Gallo Acoustics announces the release of its Reference 3 Subwoofer Amplifier (SA), a high-end audio component that features a bridgeable stereo amplifier, a high-quality active crossover and a sophisticated equalization circuit in one single chassis.

“We meticulously designed and manufactured the Reference 3 SA to enhance the long-term enjoyment of the end user’s favorite full-range music and movies,” states Anthony Gallo, founder of Anthony Gallo Acoustics. “While the new subwoofer amplifier sounds great with our Reference 3 loudspeakers, it can also be seamlessly integrated with other manufacturer’s speakers as well.”

The Reference 3 SA offers a unique feature in that it sports a separate pair of loudspeaker input terminals for their woofer’s second voice coils. It also features a 10-inch side-firing woofer, dual 4-inch mids and the company’s proprietary 300° dispersion CDT tweeter, all of which operate together from a single input.

The Reference 3 SA also includes an EQ cut/boost from –3dB to +6dB in 1dB increments, including bypass, which can be employed to extend bass response of AGA’s Reference 3 speaker to 22Hz flat. This results in true, no-compromise subwoofer bass in full stereo.

About Anthony Gallo Acoustics:
Anthony Gallo, who created his first loudspeaker at the age of 14, has been raising the bar in loudspeaker design for more than 25 years. He formed Anthony Gallo Acoustics (AGA) in the early 1990’s in order to bring his creations to the marketplace. His first commercially available product, the Nucleus Solo loudspeaker, went on sale in 1994. The speaker, which contained the unique blend of creative industrial design and top-quality sound components that quickly became an AGA trademark, was an immediate success. Today, AGA’s products are sold in over 40 countries, including a complete line of stereo speakers, home theaters speakers & systems, powered subwoofers and installation accessories to complement their award-winning speaker systems.

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Allwired Technologies is an Authorized Anthony Gallow Acoustics Dealer.

admin 11:20 AM |

Indianapolis, Ind.—The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), the leading trade organization dedicated to the connected home industry, announced today that it is now the nation's 90th largest trade show. CEDIA EXPO is the annual trade show where the industry's latest home networking trends and breakthrough technologies are unveiled.

A key component of CEDIA EXPO is CEDIA University, which provides facilities for teaching and education and furthers the knowledge and professional skills of members and students. Its mission focuses on helping business owners and their employees prepare for certifications and advance their careers. CEDIA members who are qualified Residential Electronics Systems Professionals have emerged as the new 'fourth contractor' in the building and remodeling industries alongside electrical, plumbing and HVAC professionals.

Tradeshow Week magazine announced the top 200 trade shows this month.

CEDIA EXPO 2005, which will be held Sept. 7-11 at the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome in Indianapolis, is the only show that meets the specialized needs of the residential custom electronics industry. More information on CEDIA EXPO 2005 is available at www.cedia.org/expo.

'Our continued advancement within the list of the top 200 trade shows indicates the pace at which the custom electronics industry continues to evolve,' said Billilynne Keller, CEDIA's executive director. 'The rapid growth of CEDIA and its member companies since our founding 16 years ago is a sign of the rich possibilities within this dynamic market.'

CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in the design and installation of electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,000 member companies worldwide. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. CEDIA members include Residential Electronics Systems Professionals who have emerged as the 'fourth contractor' in the building and remodeling industries alongside electrical, plumbing and HVAC professionals. For more information on CEDIA, visit the association's Web site at www.cedia.org.

admin 05:28 PM |

The Smart Home Show 2005 (KINTEX, June 2-5) will exhibit the latest and coolest home gadgets to futuristic appliances for homes. As more and more home owners look for the conveniences of automation that were previously available only on commercial buildings are now searching to newly forming home automation industry to bring their homes to up-to-date technologies.

Home automation encompasses all facets of home living from convenience, networking, security, fire safety, and entertainment in to one nice package. As we've witness explosive growth and popularity in home automation industry, KOTRA has recognized the industries trend and organized the Smart Home Show 2005 to collectively and comprehensively show everything there is to know about the smart homes of the future!

The show is open to everyone. Whether you are in the industry or just a home owner wanting to get a glimpse of the future homes, this is the show for you! You can learn more about the show at www.smarthomeshow.com or for more immediate assistance please contact Patrick Lee at (212) 826-0900 or email at patrick@kotra.or.kr.

admin 04:28 PM |