Stampede Promises To Beat Any Competitive Audio Price by 10% During The Month of April

When Stampede (www.stampedeglobal.com) says it’s serious about growing their Pro Audio business, they really mean it.  In fact, North America’s leading high value-added distributor of ProAV solutions today issued an unprecedented industry challenge to resellers: send Stampede their audio quote and Stampede will beat it by 10%.  The offer is good for the entire month of April and the only caveat is that resellers have to submit a copy of a competitive quote from a distributor or direct from a manufacturer. 

“We’re prepared to go even further,” explained Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly.  “If, for some reason, we are not able to fulfill an order, Stampede will enter that reseller into an April drawing to receive a $5,000 credit on their account.  This one-month promotion is designed to demonstrate to resellers that we are 100% committed to becoming their number one source for all things audio.”

According to Kelly, interested resellers should immediately email their quote to John Fuqua atjfuqua@stampedeglobal.com or contact their relationship manager to submit it on their behalf.  “But don’t delay.  This is promotion is only good through the end of the month. The clock is ticking and the calendar days are passing!”

Proficient Audio to Exhibit New Signature™ Architectural Speakers at ISC West 2016

To provide security integrators with best-in-class audio solutions for every type of installation, Proficient Audio today announced that it will showcase its new Proficient Signature™ line of architectural speakers at ISC West 2016 at Core Brands booth #3089 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 6-8, 2016.

The Proficient Signature portfolio of 11 speakers builds on the success Proficient achieved with its Signature high-gloss black cabinet loudspeakers and subwoofers. The new flagship architectural line allows Proficient dealers to deliver their customers a new level of sonic performance.

All Proficient Signature loudspeakers offer a major step up in performance over Proficient Protege speakers and incorporate a striking new industrial design. All Signature Architectural speakers use the high-powered combination of Kevlar woofers and aluminum-dome tweeters and continue using the clever thin-bezel grille design introduced in the Proficient Protege line.

“One of the best things to come out of this upgrade path is that it is the first brand segmentation in our 15 year history," said Keith Marshall, Core Brands Senior Vice President of Channel Management. “Dealers can now easily explain to their customers that if they want the very best that Proficient has to offer, it’s the Proficient Signature series of loudspeakers.”

"Proficient is already known as one of the best sounding architectural brands in the residential custom installation business and this now gives our dealers more sales and marketing tools," Marshall continued. "It makes it easier for them to position the brand by starting with our flagship Signature speakers. Then, if needed, they can drop into the more affordable Protege speakers that feature graphite woofers and silk-dome tweeters.”

This sell-up strategy is the beginning of a larger brand segmentation program to come, Marshall emphasized. This new approach allows dealers to more fully leverage the power and prestige of the brand with an expanded product portfolio beginning with the 11 new Proficient Signature speakers.

Adding to the Proficient Signature high-gloss cabinet loudspeaker line are five home theater loudspeakers led by its flagship 10” 3-way ceiling speaker, 8” and 6½” LCR ceiling speakers plus 6½” and 5¼” dual-woofer in-wall LCR speakers. For whole-house, there are four models: 8” and 6½” ceiling speakers and 8” and 6½” in-wall speakers. 

“At ISC West, we will be conducting Proficient Signature system demos featuring our GL6 dual woofer high-gloss black cabinet loudspeakers,” Marshall added. “Dealers should come by and have us play something from our selection of music concerts and really listen to how good the Proficient Signature speakers sound.”

For more information, please visit booth #3089 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 6-8, 2016.

Core Brands To Showcase Signal Processing, Power and Audio Solutions at ISC West 2016

Expanding its commitment to provide security channel integrators with the industry’s most powerful line-up of signal processing, power, and audio solutions, Core Brands today announced that it will showcase offerings from Gefen, Furman, Panamax and Proficient at ISC West 2016 at booth #3089 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 6-8, 2016.

“We introduced our video signal processing solutions to the security channel last fall at ISC East, and we are now showcasing our full line of power, signal processing and audio solutions at ISC West 2016,” asserted Keith Marshall, Core Brands Senior Vice President of Channel Management. “With innovative products from Gefen, Panamax, Proficient and Furman, Core Brands provides a vital and broad range of integrated solutions for the security channel.”

At ISC West, Core Brands will demonstrate Gefen wireless HDMI extenders and matrixes, Furman power conditioners and sequencers for commercial security applications, and Panamax power management solutions for residential security and A/V projects. BlueBOLT, Core Brands’ proprietary smartphone-enabled remote power management application, will also be showcased, in addition to the new architectural speaker line from Proficient.

“Each of these brands is crucial in ensuring top-notch performance, cost effectiveness and reliability to help security integrators exceed their customers’ needs,” Marshall emphasized. “These products provide the backbone for any security project. They guarantee that security systems will operate safely and efficiently, which is of the utmost importance."

The Gefen Wireless Extender for HDMI 5 GHz SR (Short Range) sends high definition audio and video to any HDTV screen up to 33 feet away. It extends HDCP-compliant HDMI AV content from computers, game consoles, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, and other AV sources to a remotely located display. HD resolutions up to 1080p Full HD, 7.1-channels of LPCM digital audio, and 5.1 channels of Dolby® or DTS® formats are supported.

Proficient’s Signature C895S in-ceiling speaker builds upon the success Proficient achieved with its high-gloss black cabinet loudspeakers and subwoofers. The C895S Signature architectural speaker uses the high-powered combination of Kevlar woofers and pivoting aluminum-dome tweeters, as well as a clever thin-bezel grille design. The Signature Series, with a striking new industrial design, gives integrators the ability to sell a new top-of-the-line Proficient solution and build upon the existing Protege base.

Furman’s CN-1800S Power Sequencer combines robust control capabilities via SmartSequencing™ Technology, advanced AC protection, AC noise filtration and optional control with the BlueBOLT® Remote Power and Energy Management Platform. Furman’s SmartSequencing™ technology allows large and complex A/V systems to be safely powered on and off with a simple press of a button or turn of a key. Its bidirectional communications between installed units enables a primary unit to control and sequence multiple secondary units, ensuring that multi-zone electronic systems are powered on and off safely and dependably from a single control point across an entire installation.

To reduce excess energy consumption, the Panamax M4000-Pro Power Manager provides visibility on energy usage with BlueBOLT® cloud-based monitoring and the capability to program scheduled on/off commands. When connectivity is lost, the M4000-Pro can automatically reboot the connected equipment, reducing service calls and equipment issues. With seven rear panel outlets and three controllable outlet banks, the M4000-Pro features legendary Panamax power protection, including Automatic Voltage Monitoring technology that disconnects components completely from the AC line when there’s an unsafe power condition.

For more information, visit Core Brands at Booth #3089 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 6-8, 2016.

New Manuel Rodriguez Guitars Factory Tour Video Demonstrates a 110 Year Commitment to Craftsmanship

Availability of the new video coincides with the launch of an expanded sales program through KMC Music.

To help support the launch of its expanded United States sales and marketing program through KMC Music (www.kmcmusic.com), Manuel Rodriguez Guitars (www.mrguitarras.es), the world’s second oldest line of guitars, today announced that it has produced a compelling six-minute video that takes the viewer through the entire production process of a guitar line known around the world as “Brand Spain.”

According to third-generation CEO Manuel Rodriguez III, the production of the new video also coincides with the recent completion of a substantial factory expansion and remodeling program that allows the company to increase its production capacity to meet a global growth in demand for the Manuel Rodriguez line of hand-made guitars.  “We felt it was important to show our distributors, dealers, and, most importantly, our customers where and how we design and make our unique line of instruments.  Our Spanish roots, the cradle of the classical and flamenco guitar, are key for the quality and beauty of our products.  This new video vividly showcases the passion, care, and commitment to quality that goes into the production of our guitars — a commitment that goes back to 1905.”

According to KMC Music Product Manager Rodney Washburn, the new Manuel Rodriguez Guitar video has been distributed to all KMC Music dealers to help with in-store presentations to their customers.  “The reaction of our dealers has been nothing less than enthusiastic,” he explained.  “The video details every step of the production process, from the sourcing of raw materials to the stringing of the finished guitars.  It really demonstrates the value built into every one of these fine iconic guitars.”

To watch the Manuel Rodriguez Guitars factory video, click here.

Take1 Insurance Is Now a Lloyd's Cover Holder to Offer Entertainment Clients Excess Coverage Capacity up to $5-Million

Underscoring its commitment to meet the entertainment industry’s growing market demand for increased liability insurance coverage, Take1 Insurance (www.take1insurance.com) today announced that it is now a cover holder with Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London England to provide excess liability coverage capacity of up to an additional $5 million in limits, either on an annual or short-term basis. Minimum rates start at $750 per each million dollars of coverage. This coverage will apply in excess of the insured’s primary umbrella.

“The traditional limits of primary umbrella or excess insurance protection increasingly no longer meet the needs of today’s live event and entertainment industries,” emphasized Take1 Executive Vice President & Program Director Scott Carroll.  “Touring musicians, special event producers, equipment rental companies, venue owners, and large corporate event producers understand the need for higher limits, often $10-million or more.  The insurance industry has to evolve to meet the needs of customers who are operating in this increasingly more expensive business environment.  

“Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, England’s appointment of Take1 to serve as cover holder effectively allows insurance agents to offer their clients, through Take1, the ability to meet the contractual requirements for higher levels of general liability insurance protection,” Carroll explained.  “The demand for higher levels of general liability insurance coverage is a direct result of the recent string of weather, security, and fire-related tragedies that have impacted every part of the live event and entertainment industries.”