Proficient Unveils New Products, Joins Thousands at CEDIA 2008

Scenes from CEDIA 2008

Thousands of professionals from the residential electronics systems industry attended the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo in Denver, Colo. last month, and Proficient was on hand to tout some of its newest products.

It was an important year for CEDIA; while the current economic downturn threatened a drop in attendance among both manufacturers and dealers, this year’s CEDIA Expo welcomed about 29,000 attendees, recording an increase of both non-exhibiting professionals in attendance and electronic systems contractors (ESC) taking advantage of CEDIA University training.

As a member company of CEDIA with some new products to share, these positive developments are big news for Proficient, too. In particular, we were on hand to highlight two products that were each designed to streamline the use and installation of audio and home-theater systems, thus making the most of the consumer’s dollar: The Source and the the MDS speaker line (click on the links to see the full CEDIA videos featuring each product).

The Source is a new in-wall keypad system that allows for the same level of flexibility as an iPod, but controls a whole-house audio system. It includes an easy drop-in docking system that is compatible with most iPods, and up to six Sourcedocks can be used with any one system. The Source also operates AM and FM tuners, CD players, and other devices connected to the system, and controls Proficient’s M4 and M6 multi-room amplifiers.

The MDS speaker line was devised in part to make installation in existing homes easier for contractors and homeowners. The line affixes using ordinary J-boxes like those electricians commonly use, in addition to delivering great sound for multi-room audio and home theater systems.

AV Receivers Make Single-brand Audio Systems Possible

We’ve added three new audio/video receivers to our extensive line of home audio products, and for us, this is an exciting development on many levels. For one, the new receivers, combined with our already comprehensive lines of speakers, multi-room audio controllers, and accessories, make Proficient the brand that can provide residential custom installers everything they need to market single brand systems.

“This really changes the game,” says Keith Marshall, president of Proficient Audio. “No matter if you’re putting in a top-notch custom home theater, a casual media room, a multi-room or outdoor sound system, Proficient will be able to supply the electronics, speakers and accessories you need. Proficient single brand systems could become a very powerful tool for dealers.”

The top of this new receiver line is the M80, a fully featured model equipped with the complete suite of audio technologies from Dolby and DTS, including DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Headphone.

The M70 is designed for high-quality surround systems on a budget. It includes HDMI switching and an RS-232 port for external control. Each of its seven high-current channels is rated at 100 watts into 8 ohms. It includes Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and DTS ES-Discrete processing.

The M40 is a straightforward stereo receiver, yet it offers several features designed to make it more versatile and useful for the custom installer. It can be used for a stand-alone two-channel sound system or, with impedance-balancing volume controls, it will easily drive a four room sound system. Features include composite video switching, a front audio/video input, two subwoofer outputs, and an input for a record player.

For more information on the M80, M70, and M40, click here or watch our latest promo:

New In-wall LCR Speakers Raise the Bar for Home Theater Systems

We’ve recently released two new, flagship products at Proficient Audio that are the perfect choice for larger media rooms and home theaters.

These new speakers, the IW650 and IW625 – both in-wall speaker models – improve on the bass response and power handling of our popular IW550 and IW525 speakers. Plus, until now, dealers who have been installing in-wall LCR speakers for flat panel jobs have been limited to using dual 5 ¼” woofer LCRs. The new Proficient dual 6 ½” in-wall LCR speakers can be installed horizontally between 16” on-center wall studs, allowing installers to design a three-speaker LCR array.

What’s more, the large woofers of the IW650 and IW625 bring breathtaking depth, dynamics and realism to home theater sound. The IW650 features two 6 1/2-inch Kevlar-cone woofers and a one-inch aluminum dome tweeter. The IW625 uses two 6 1/2-inch graphite-cone woofers with a 1-inch soft dome tweeter.

IW650

IW625

Keith Marshall, president of Proficient Audio, says “with the increasing popularity and size of flat panel displays, audio systems are having to scale up too.

“The IW600 Series provides the output needed for larger home theaters and media rooms, yet they’re exceptionally versatile and easy to install. We’re pleased to assist our installers with this extra acoustical potential.”

Click here for more information and specifications on the IW650 and IW625, or watch our latest promo:

Substantial Subwoofers

Everyone from music lovers to movie buffs can appreciate the performance improvements we've made to our new line of floor-standing subwoofers.

The all-new PS Series consists of three models — the PS8, PS10 and PS12 — each combining an all-new cabinet design with substantial woofer and amplifier upgrades when compared to previous models.

The power player is the PS12, with a 12-inch long-excursion, treated paper cone woofer and 250-watt internal amplifier. With a frequency response of 28 Hz to 200 Hz, the PS12 has the power to reproduce the most demanding music and movie soundtracks—it can deliver the deepest bass notes with room-shaking authority.

The PS10 is a bit smaller than the PS12, but with its 10” long-excursion, treated paper cone woofer and athletic 120-watt internal amplifier, it delivers satisfying bass response in medium-sized rooms. The PS10 is easy to tuck into a corner, but plays deep enough to deliver robust cinema sound effects while still conveying the precision that music lovers demand.

For those with space limitations, the PS8 offers the same styling and audio excellence in a small-footprint chassis, and delivers a frequency response of 45 Hz to 200 Hz, deep enough to satisfy music enthusiasts and to convey the impact of action-movie soundtracks.

For more information, click here or check out our latest promo: