IFA iNternational 2019 DAY 4 Edition
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BUYERS' GUIDE<br />
LIVING ROOM<br />
LIFESTYLE<br />
BROUGHT TO YOU BY<br />
WIRELESS MULTIROOM SYSTEMS<br />
MARKET<br />
Sales of Multiroom devices<br />
remained flat in the first half<br />
of <strong>2019</strong>. But the growing<br />
offer – with more brands on<br />
the market than ever before<br />
– makes the technology more<br />
affordable for the mass market.<br />
Manufacturers are increasingly<br />
equipping their devices with<br />
smart assistants, stimulating the<br />
consumers’ willingness to spend<br />
– and turnover of Multiroom<br />
devices with a built-in smart<br />
assistant has grown as a result.<br />
CONTACT<br />
Markus Kick<br />
Global Strategic Insights<br />
Consumer Electronics<br />
Markus.Kick@GfK.com<br />
STATE OF PLAY<br />
Multiroom speakers have been a very successful<br />
product segment for some time now, with<br />
many consumers convinced into replacing their<br />
traditional sound systems with multiple devices<br />
spread across the home. Both market and<br />
products have matured now, and there’s a second<br />
INNOVATIONS TO LOOK FOR AT <strong>IFA</strong><br />
MULTIROOM MADE EASY<br />
Pioneering multiroom brands build<br />
their products on their own software<br />
platforms. They’ve been challenged by<br />
audio companies creating speakers<br />
that utilise Google’s Chromecast<br />
software. This has cut development<br />
time and allows consumers to mix<br />
and match Chromecast compatible<br />
products from different brands.<br />
Similarly, Apple’s AirPlay 2 has made<br />
it easier to create and combine<br />
multiroom products. Expect more and<br />
more devices supporting one – or<br />
both – of these platforms.<br />
A TRUE ASSISTANT<br />
wave of multiroom devices heading our way.<br />
They’re designed to be cleverer than ever and<br />
to work with smart-home platforms. Multiroom<br />
compatibility has also become a feature in other<br />
product groups, for example televisions and<br />
soundbars.<br />
Multiroom speakers are<br />
taking on a bigger role as part<br />
of the smart home. Thanks to<br />
Chromecast and AirPlay 2 –<br />
which are linked to the Google<br />
Assistant, or Siri – these<br />
products can be controlled by<br />
voice commands, becoming<br />
gateways to smart assistants,<br />
with touch screens showing<br />
useful information, for<br />
example recipes. Through<br />
these devices you can order<br />
music – but also a pizza.<br />
DESIGN<br />
While most classic audio<br />
products are intended for the<br />
living room, multiroom devices<br />
suit all rooms. A fashionable<br />
design, fitting a wide range<br />
of interiors, is an absolute<br />
must to convince consumers.<br />
Brands have increasingly<br />
become aware of how crucial<br />
good industrial design is<br />
and are focusing on modern<br />
design trends, for example<br />
Scandinavian design inspired<br />
textiles and materials.<br />
Our thanks to EISA member Jamie Biesemans for his input on<br />
this Buyers Guide<br />
THE FUTURE<br />
Multiple multiroom platforms<br />
are extending their reach into<br />
traditional hi-fi and home-theatre<br />
products and also into the custominstall<br />
segment. This allows<br />
consumers to build sound systems<br />
incorporating whatever components<br />
fit their situation the best: builtin<br />
wall and ceiling products,<br />
standalone wireless speakers and<br />
classic passive loudspeakers.<br />
It’s all about creating the largest<br />
possible ecosystem of products,<br />
even if this means partnering with<br />
rival brands.<br />
AUDIO PRO ADDON C3<br />
DELIVERS MULTIROOM<br />
SOUND<br />
Aqipa Gear Guru’s Audio Pro Addon C3<br />
enables the user to have a speaker in<br />
every room and play to one or all of them<br />
at the same time. Everybody can play<br />
music on whichever speaker they want.<br />
A simple app controls everything and<br />
makes delivery possible from streaming<br />
services, a computer/NAS-in or phone.<br />
The Addon C3 has a battery that lasts<br />
15 hours at half volume and nine hours<br />
at maximum volume. Wi-Fi presets mean<br />
users can save their favourite radio<br />
station or playlist.<br />
» HALL 7.2b STAND 100<br />
SACK IT DEBUTS WI-FI<br />
SPEAKER<br />
Danish company Sack It’s MoveIt Wi-Fi &<br />
Bluetooth is a multi-room speaker system that can<br />
connect up to a further five speakers. The system<br />
can be controlled by the SackIt Player app, which is<br />
available for both iOS and Android. Users can listen<br />
to different music in several rooms or synchronise<br />
up to six speakers to play together – and can<br />
choose from a range of speaker colours. The unit<br />
also has a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, which offers<br />
up to 12 hours streaming.<br />
» HALL 1.2 STAND 111<br />
www.ifa-international.org <strong>IFA</strong> International • Monday 9 September <strong>2019</strong><br />
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