ELAN g! and Niles Speakers Provide the Foundation for an Easy-To-Use Full Home Automation System

Building a home always starts with laying a strong foundation. The same can be said for any home control system, and that’s exactly what the ELAN g! System and more than 50 Niles speakers have done for one Pennsylvania homeowner.

“This client came to me asking for a simple way to control everything in their home from the TVs to the pool, but they didn’t know how to accomplish that,” said Keith Foltz, owner of Harrisburg, Penn.-based Momentum Sound and Media. “I told them that I could take care of everything, and that it would all tie together seamlessly through the ELAN g! system. All of the other components are intentionally behind the scenes, so the most important thing for them is an enjoyable user experience and reliability, which ELAN delivers in spades.”

Like most homeowners today, this family didn’t want to see wires hanging from TVs or clunky black boxes in every room. Foltz was able to eliminate all of that clutter by combining all the ELAN equipment plus every cable box, audio receiver and subsystem control unit into two equipment racks located in the basement utility room. Then he designed a whole-home audio system using Niles legendary in-ceiling speakers so every room has crystal clear audio and no visible speakers. These considerations keep the house free of mess and also make it easier to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

“Putting all the electronics in one stack is the only way I would organize a system this large,” Foltz said. “That way if anything needs to be changed, replaced or fixed, I don’t have to trace wires or open walls. It also makes the system cheaper, because all equipment like this should be connected to high quality surge protectors, so I can install just a few of them for the whole rack instead of putting one in every room.”

Even the backyard has its own music zones with two wall-mounted speakers, two planter speakers, two rock speakers and a hidden in-ground subwoofer, all from Niles. So what is it like to control nine TVs, 52 speakers in 21 zones, five zones of HVAC, the home’s lights, security, garage doors, irrigation and pool from one device?

“The ease of operation and convenience of the iPhone/iPad app is best part of the system,” the homeowners said. “Control of the entire house is literally at our fingertips at home as well as when we’re away. With four children, it is amazing convenience to be able to turn off lights, TVs, and music from our phones rather than running through the house each time we leave.”

With a centrally-located 7-inch ELAN touchscreen, five 2-inch wall-mounted touchscreens throughout the house and eight ELAN HR2 handheld remotes for the TVs, the family is always just a few buttons taps away from putting their favorite music or TV on in whichever rooms they choose. It’s just as easy to check that the security system is armed, the garage doors are closed and the lights are off, making it easy to come and go without walking around to make sure everything is set appropriately. And whether they are home or halfway around the world, the family can check in on the home’s surveillance cameras from their iPhones, iPads or any computer. In the near future Foltz will install and integrate electronic locks on several of the home’s exterior doors and ELAN control for the driveway gate.

The crown jewel of the home’s entertainment offerings is the luxury home theater. Combining a backlit 122-inch Screen Innovation Black Diamond screen, a JVC 4K projector, three Sunfire CRM3 ribbon speakers in the front, six Niles HD8 speakers for surround and a Sunfire in-wall SubRosa subwoofer with nine Salamander Designs theater seats, the theater takes viewers away from the home and places them right in the movie.

“I love that the ELAN system is compatible with so many products from other top-name brands like ELK Security, Aprilaire, Pentair, Lutron, Access surveillance cameras and more,” Foltz said. “It gives me a lot of flexibility when designing a control system, both in terms of functionality and price.”

To download hi-res images of this installation, click here.

Niles In-Wall Soundbar Turns Living Room TV Into a True Cinematic Experience

Modern flat screen TVs are incredible improvements over years past, with even some budget models providing fantastic viewing. The sound quality, however, is lacking on even the most expensive models simply because of size constraints. One Pennsylvania family has found the ultimate solution to this problem — the Niles Cynema Soundfield in-wall soundbar, which provides professional-quality audio from a nearly invisible speaker.

“The Ginter family already had their TV where they liked it, but between the lackluster audio and the four remotes needed to operate the TV, cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, the viewing experience could turn into a chore,” said Keith Foltz, owner of custom installation firm Momentum Sound and Media. “Being mounted above a shallow fireplace mantle, going into the wall was the only choice for a simple, high-quality speaker solution. The Niles Cynema Soundfield provides audio quality that rivals bookshelf left, center and right speakers without the mess of wires or the space required for big boxes, and the Sunfire SDS-8 subwoofer provides all the bass the family needs to enjoy a cinematic viewing experience.”

Using adjacent cabinets and running all wires through the drywall, Foltz was able to create a premium home media center that fit not only his clients’ space constraints, but their budget as well. The award-winning Niles Cynema Soundfield passive in-wall soundbar provides crystal clear audio and is powered by a Marantz NR-1605 receiver, which also sends audio to the compact Sunfire SDS-8 eight-inch subwoofer. What’s even better is Foltz added the Sunfire SDS wireless subwoofer kit, so the only wire required for the subwoofer is the power cord, making it easy to place the sub anywhere in the room.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

To tie together the new premium audio components and make this four-remote media setup easier to use, Foltz recommended the Ginters install the new ELAN g1 universal remote and control system. With this small but powerful system, the family now has instant access to all their favorite media from a single remote control, the award-winning ELAN HR2. The remote includes a 2.4-inch touchscreen to easily navigate between the cable box, Blu-ray player and Apple TV, while also providing all the normal hard buttons for common functions like changing channels and volume, play/pause and more.

Speaking of the finished product, homeowner Elizabeth Ginter said, “I’m very pleased with the installation process and the time Keith took to blend the equipment into the wall below our TV. I also like how everything works together on one remote now, and again Keith took the time and care to program everything so it’s easy to use.”

To protect all of the equipment Foltz went to the leader in power conditioning, Panamax, and installed the Panamax MR4000surge protector and power conditioner that automatically monitors incoming voltage and disconnects equipment power in case of a brownout (under voltage) or a surge of power. When all was said and done the total installation came to around $3,000 (not counting the existing TV), a small and affordable price to pay for a truly premium home entertainment system that is easy to use and keeps all the components and wires hidden!

“This was one installation that really turned into a family affair — a Core Brands family solution that provided best-in-class brand solutions to complete an amazing new system for this family,” Foltz concluded.

High-End Belfast Restaurant Raises Customer Service To A Whole New Level With ELAN g! Lighting And Audio Control From Core Brands

Successful restaurants run like clockwork, so it’s important for owners to streamline as many processes as possible. Renowned Irish interior designer Kris Turnbull recognized the overwhelming importance of this truth when he installed an ELAN g! system to automate music and TVs in his design studio last year, so when he recently opened his new restaurant, Saphyre, attached to the studio, he installed the g! system to make the lighting and music stress-free and easy to control.
 
“I’m blown away by the popularity of Saphyre just three months after opening,” Turnbull said. “We’ve gotten great reviews so far, and we’re booked three weeks in advance so it’s been a huge success. One thing that made the launch a bit easier was having the lights and music run through ELAN g! so we can adjust all the lights and speaker volumes from an iPhone as we walk around the restaurant. It saves us time when setting up or closing the restaurant because we can turn every function on or off with a single button, and set all the lighting and volume levels from an iPhone while walking through the restaurant. What the g! system really does is allow us to focus on our guests and their experience, and immediately respond if anyone wants more light or quieter music at their table.”
 
Working with Matthew Booth of Indigo Distribution, Kris helped design the lighting and audio systems to maximize the upscale ambience of the restaurant. The Belfast Telegraph described the dining room at Saphyre as “part Faberge egg and part Fifth Avenue apartment as might have been occupied by Jackie Onassis.” In addition to the audio and lighting, everything from the flooring to the tables to the server uniforms was carefully considered to create a stark contrast to Belfast’s flourishing hyper-casual dining scene.
 
According to Booth, any restaurant, from a sports bar to fine dining establishment, can benefit from automated system control. “Whether it’s the ability to dim all the lights at once, manage 15 TVs with 15 different channels, or simply lower the music a bit, having full control of everything right on your smartphone is a huge time saver and is impressive to guests as well. People love getting special attention, so when a manager walks over and makes adjustments right in front of their eyes it brings customer service to a whole new level.”
 
Using 24 of Niles nearly invisible in-ceiling speakers, Booth was able to provide premium audio while maintaining the design of the restaurant. In fact, one section with a step ceiling had such little space that Booth had to get creative: he took one of Niles’ new Cynema Soundfield soundbars, removed the three small individual speakers, and put all three in the ceiling! That’s a truly custom installation, and an inventive use that even Niles itself hadn’t considered. Using an ELAN S1616A multi-zone amplifier/controller, the speakers can be individually adjusted so that music in the bar area can be louder while the dining area is quieter.
 
According to Booth, “The speakers are so well placed and calibrated that we can run the system at a very loud volume, and people can still carry on conversations. So the guests can be surrounded by sound, but not feel drowned by it. This continues into the bathrooms, the attached boutique that sells high-end housewares, and even the outside the building with Niles OS6.5 outdoor speakers. ”
 
The KNX lighting system helped eliminate wall clutter, as there is no need for light switches in each area or room. The lighting controls, which handle 14 lighting loads, are consolidated in an equipment room and can be quickly controlled through the ELAN g! Mobile app.
 
Turnbull has become so enthralled by simple system control that he’s installed the ELAN g! system at his home and his parents’ home. He’s become an early adopter among design professionals, who have traditionally been hesitant to consider technology when creating their designs.
 
“Technologies for homes and businesses are advancing at an incredible pace, and I feel it’s absolutely necessary to keep up with new developments as an interior designer,” Turnbull said. “What ELAN has done is make the technology seamless, so you don’t even notice it’s there. The in-wall touchscreens they make are minimal and easy to use, and using the g! system allows homeowners and business owners to simplify all their systems. If someone doesn’t want light switches, thermostats, cable boxes and other technology components cluttering up their rooms, a control system allows them to put everything in a central location and control it from an iPhone or tablet. I think designers who resist learning about these systems will have trouble in the coming years as more and more clients request high-value added technologies when designing their homes or businesses.”

Niles® Cynema Soundfield™ Awarded 2014 Electronic House Product of the Year Award for Loudspeakers & Soundbars

In recognition of its innovative design and superior sound quality, Electronic House has awarded the world’s first in-wall soundbar, the Niles® Cynema Soundfield™, with the 2014 Product of the Year Award for Loudspeakers & Soundbars. The winners were announced at CES 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 
“It is an honor to have the Niles Cynema Soundfield recognized by Electronic House,” said Core Brands Audio Segment Director Mitch Witten. “The Cynema Soundfield is a groundbreaking development in the audio industry, as it is transforming home theatre audio into an invisible experience while also delivering high quality sound.”
 
The design of the Dolby®-certified Niles Cynema Soundfield is ingenious. Put simply, it is a thin metal bracket that goes into the wall and can hold the three 100-Watt dual-speaker modules and a powerful Niles amplifier. By tapping into the empty space behind the drywall, the Niles Cynema Soundfield delivers premiere sound quality and amplification.
 
Winners of the Electronic House Product of the Year Awards are selected by a panel of distinguished industry leaders along with editors of Electronic House and CE Pro. This year, entries were received in 29 different categories and winners were chosen based on criteria including creativity, innovation, functionality, aesthetics and lifestyle benefits to the customer.