Origin Acoustics has been a popular exhibitor in recent years and CEDIA 2023 was no exception with a new range of products and some rather interesting partnerships that were announced. If you ever needed evidence that the CI category and high-end audio are converging to attract a totally new audience — this is your proof.
Natural Depth Sound Speakers
One new product shown at the Origin Acoustics booth was the Natural Depth Sound (BLENDS) speakers. These speakers are the result of a collaboration between Origin Acoustics and Amina Technologies to bring flexible, easy-to-install, and full-sounding invisible speakers to the market.
The BLENDS invisible speaker line is the first to feature a 60-minute UL fire-rated product in both 70V and 8ohm for varied commercial and residential installs, as well as perfectly sized magnetic shims that attach to standard rear enclosures.
From Nick Berry CEO of Origin Acoustics: “As custom integrators lean more into lighting, we see an opportunity to use our Design Centric Technology focus to develop more products that make their lives easier. Wide dispersion invisible speakers are the perfect solution to add to any lighting project—visually and acoustically—as they offer greater flexibility in installations than traditional architectural speakers“.
From Richard Newlove, CEO and Founder of Amina Technologies: “Amina has over 24 years of experience engineering incredible invisible DML (Distributed Mode Loudspeaker) products producing superior dispersion, immersive audio—allowing designers to create incredibly aesthetic technology-centric spaces. We are delighted to bring this new format product, designed primarily with North American construction techniques in mind, through our partners at Origin, accessing their deep reach into the US and Canadian custom install integrator network”.
The BLENDS series consists of two new invisible loudspeakers— the Edge 8STS and Edge 10STS. Both speakers incorporate larger tapered edge panels that install direct-to-stud ready for prefilling, taping, and filling—very different to Amina’s standard free-floating, fully skimmed-over products, which Amina’s own NA team will continue to promote into the very high-end residential and commercial NA markets.
The Amina ALF100SM easy-to-install direct-to-stud mounted in-wall subwoofer complements EDGE speakers by delivering powerful, room-filling bass while blending seamlessly into any home’s interior design with concealed ports that allow for truly discrete installations. Additionally, the BLENDS series will include the brand-new Amina EDGEi/S200 product for applications that won’t allow a screw-to-stud installation.
The Blends Speaker series is expected to ship in Q2 2024.
Tip: More details on the specific models listed coming closer to the release date.
Pro Amplifiers
Another new entry for Origina Acoustics are new commercial-grade Origin Pro Amplifiers at CEDIA 2023. Earlier this month, the company, in partnership with Starin, announced a complete commercial loudspeaker collection under the new brand Origin Pro. Derived from the success of Origin Acoustics’ residential architectural loudspeakers, Origin Pro has taken the same feature-rich product ethos toward the commercial installation market.
The Origin Pro full-matrix DSP-enabled amplifiers are designed for reliability, efficiency, and flexibility in multifaceted commercial installation projects. They allow for 2 and 4-channel options with power output ranging from 60W-750W per channel. The amplifiers can be used with both low-impedance and 70v/100v speakers.
Origin Pro Amplifiers will be available in 2U and 1U half-rack versions. 2U full-rack amplifiers deliver reliable total system power of 1000W, 1500W, 2000W and 3000W. 1U ultra-compact, and half-rack amplifiers offer a space-saving solution when high output is needed in challenging installations with total system power ranging from 125W to 500W. Automatic power-sharing technology in the 60W and 125W amplifiers proportionally distributes power in both Lo-Z and Hi-Z and provides the utmost flexibility in system configuration.
Origin Pro Amplifiers with Dante will also be available for large-scale, professional projects where low-latency and system-wide synchronization are imperative—concert venues, open-air shopping complexes, and houses of worship. Dante converges all connection types into one that is managed with software, allowing for creative design flexibility and expandability, seamless integration with other technologies, and reduced equipment costs.
An intuitive web app is provided for Origin Pro Amplifiers for easy system setup and customization by delivering DSP configuration options and tuning features, including multi-zone setup, input mixing, priority and ducking, restriction, input and output EQ, S/PDIF output routing, high-pass filter, speaker presets, delay, Sine generator, and more.
The Pro Amplifier line consists of 16 amplifiers so that any installation need can be met. Shipping is expected to begin this fall (2023).
Tip: More details on the specific models coming closer to the release date.
In addition to new product debuts, Origin Acoustics also showed previously announced products including those from partners such as WiiM, Ambisonic Systems, and Bang & Olufsen.
WiiM
The popular WiiM Mini, Pro, and Pro Plus music streamers were displayed along with some pre-production versions of WiiM Streamers with accompanying amps designed to be targeted at the CI market.
Ambisonic Systems
A variety of outdoor speakers and subwoofers designed to blend into a variety of garden and home exterior environments from product-partner Ambisonic were on display including the new Bollard speakers that we previewed as part of our pre-CEDIA show coverage.
Tip: Ambisonic Systems should not be confused with the Ambisonics Surround Sound Format.
Other Origin Acoustics products on display included some that were announced at CEDIA 2022 and continuing as part of their product lineup, such as small aperture speakers.
Bang & Olufsen
Origin Acoustics also displayed some Bang & Olufsen products to remind attendees that they are the CI installation partner for B&O in the North American Market.
Bang & Olufsen also announced Beosound Bollard, which is a co-branded version of the Origin Acoustics Bollard mentioned above. It is Bang & Olufsen’s first custom installed outdoor speaker and although visually identical, it is claimed to be tuned slightly different by Bang & Olufsen’s expert tonmeisters in Denmark. In addition, Beosound Bollard can be connected to Beosound Core ($1,100) to expand functionality. Available now for $1,965 at bang-olufsen.com.
