Core Brands Now Shipping the New Auriel Audio Controller

The Niles MRC-6430 simplifies whole home audio with an expandable six-source, six-zone audio controller running the new Niles Auriel™ software. 

Core Brands, a Nortek company (NASDAQ: NTK) and a leader in connected home entertainment, announced today it is now shipping the much anticipated Niles Auriel™ MRC-6430 whole-home audio controller. The next-generation, easy-to-install, and easier to enjoy MRC-6430 puts up to six distinct music sources at the user’s fingertips and lets them easily play different music in up to six rooms.

Powered by the new Niles Auriel software and app, the MRC-6430 is the first-in-its-class multi-room audio chassis that integrates multi-room audio and home theater control in a way that is both simple for the installer to set up and easy for the homeowner to enjoy. 

“We’re making multi-room audio simpler than ever to install and use,” Yann Connan, Core Brands’ Director, Audio Segment, said today. “The number one concern for buyers is that multi-room audio controllers are complicated, so we developed the Auriel software platform to show them just how accessible it can be. With any smartphone, tablet or computer running Auriel, users can quickly select what source they want to play and in which rooms they want it to play. Of course, we had the system integrators in mind as well, and have been getting great responses from those who have experienced the Auriel demo on the Core Brands Summer Tour. Auriel delivers the flexibility to include both IP and IR controlled devices, complete GUI generation and six routable IR outputs for external component control. Auriel is wizard-based to reduce installation and set-up time to a fraction of other multi-room systems.”

The Niles MRC-6430 multi-room audio controller delivers its amazing sound throughout the home using an intuitive user interface consistent across smartphones, tablets and personal computers. The MRC-6430 makes it possible to listen to any source, in any room, at any time – even if someone is already listening to something different in another room. This means mom and dad can relax with smooth jazz in the kitchen while guests enjoy classic rock in the living room and the kids sing along to top 40 hits in the backyard, and each group can change their own volume and skip tracks right from their smartphone.

Driven by Auriel and using TCP/IP, the MRC-6430 operates with virtually zero latency and is ready for future expansion into lighting control, remote management and HVAC control. That’s because Auriel is based on Core Brands’ ELAN Control Platform. Auriel leverages the ELAN g! interface to deliver its seamless control consistently across all interfaces. The advanced digital amplifier delivers 240 watts of total system power, 60 watts per zone. System configuration takes just minutes via a tablet, Windows or Mac computer, and each zone features its own bass, treble and volume setting that can be adjusted from the Auriel interface. 

The MRC-6430 can then be managed from a variety of mobile devices such as the iPhone®, iPad® and Android® phones & tablets to Windows® or Mac® computers. Users can not only control the audio but display metadata such as playlists and album art—even station information. The intuitive interface renders identically across devices enabling simple and convenient control by all.

The set-up is integrator-friendly. Through the Auriel wizard and a tablet or PC, the installer is whisked through simple decisions that quickly configure the system for sources, zone preferences, user interface customization & home theater control.  For larger homes, two MRC-6430s can be paired to create a six-source, 12-zone system. Additionally, all zones are equipped with fixed or variable pre-outs for all zones, making it easy to add power and volume with Niles System Integration Amplifiers®.  With an optional Niles DBI-2 interface, homeowners can also route their doorbell through the system, which temporarily mutes music so that the doorbell can be clearly heard in every room.

Once again, Niles has redefined whole-home audio with the Niles Auriel MRC-6430. 

James Koenig Promoted to Director of Sales for the CI Channel at Core Brands

Core Brands, a Nortek company (NASDAQ: NTK), today announced the promotion of James Koenig to the position of Director of Sales - CI Channel in recognition of his outstanding ability to develop brands on both a regional and national level. 

Effective immediately, Koenig assumes responsibility for the development and implementation of all regional and national sales and business development programs for the Core Brands’ brands sold through custom installation dealers.  He reports directly to Core Brands Senior Vice President of Sales Dave Keller, who today said, “Jim is a true sales professional who has demonstrated over the last 16 years a remarkable ability to grow brands in both challenging and expanding economies. He builds trust-based relationships with dealers and shares my belief that our top priority is delivering our dealers great service to match our innovative products.”

Koenig has held a number of positions within Core Brands and its predecessor companies since 2002 when he first joined ELAN Home Systems as a Regional Sales Associate.  In 2005 he was promoted to the position of ELAN National Distribution Accounts Manager.  In 2007, as National Sales Manager, he successfully launched the ELAN distribution brand ATON.  In 2010, The AVC Group was formed and he took on the role of Western US & Canada Regional Sales Manager for ELAN, ATON, and Sunfire brands.  In 2012 The AVC Group was merged into Core Brands where he became the South Central Regional Sales Manager, a position he held until becoming National Sales Manager for the CI Channel in February of this year.

Before beginning his successful career at ELAN and Core Brands, Koenig grew up in a family security business and possesses extensive knowledge of burglary, fire, CCTV, and access control systems.  After mastering those challenges, he moved into the Audio, Video and Automation side of the CI industry with positions including retrofit installation, retail and custom sales.

A native of Ohio, Koenig studied Computer Information Systems from 1989 through 1993 at Ohio State University and Management Information Systems from 2000 until 2002 at Franklin University. 

“I’m honored to be leading a great sales team and serving our amazing group of dealers,” James Koenig said today.  “And I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re getting ready to bring to market a new generation of products for our key brands, all of which will create amazing new business opportunities for our dealers in the CI channel.”