Going into CEDIA 2019 Amina looks ahead to new connections

Huntingdon, UK – This year Amina Technologies, “The Original Invisible Speaker Company”, celebrates 20-years as an innovator and manufacturer. Amina is deepening its commitment to North America, again managing its own distribution and tapping CEDIA Expo (booth #2148) to demonstrate its new Mobius-i and EDGE-i Series which improve sound and installation processes.

Amina specializes in invisible loudspeaker technologies that once installed in the wall or ceiling and finished with a skim coat, wallpaper or veneer become completely naked to the eye. The culmination of two decades of research and development, Amina’s sound panels are sophisticated and unique, comprised of aluminium honeycomb or composite soundboards with integrated exciters (transducers) that come together to radiate detailed and full-bodied sound, making them ideal for even demanding stereo, distributed audio and home theater applications. Amina has a strong international network of integrators in the CEDIA channel that continuously turn to the company’s solutions for a wide variety of décor-driven settings from luxury apartments/condos to the most opulent showcase homes.

Founded in 1999 by Managing Director Richard Newlove, Amina entered the North American market in 2004.  Two years later, Keith Vanderkley, who operates as Worldwide VP of Engineering Technologies and VP of Sales for the Americas, joined the company. With an extensive pro audio and engineering resume, he is recognized as one of the foremost experts on invisible loudspeaker technologies in North America.

In 2009 Triad Speakers brought to market an invisible speaker line manufactured by Amina and in 2013 became the exclusive distributor for the Amina brand in North America. In 2017 Triad was acquired by Control4, continuing Amina’s distribution.  Earlier this year, following a seamless transition from Control4, Amina began managing its own distribution in North America. The company set up Amina America, putting in place infrastructure, inventory, fulfilment and customer support from within a facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and appointing an independent manufacturer sales representative network.

“We felt that this new approach, with a deeper direct presence, was the best way for Amina to effectively serve and grow the North American business,” said Mr. Vanderkley. “Our focus is to develop and maintain partnerships with dealers as we fully recognize and value the skillsets they bring to the table. As our installation partners they are an integral part of our final product’s performance, and by listening to their experiences, they become active participants in our product development.”

Amina offers twelve invisible sound solutions across its Mobius-i, EDGE-i, iQ Developer, Lifestyle (70 volt) and ALF (low frequency enhancer) series.  Also available are high pass filters (limiters) and backboxes. All the products are engineered and hand-built by Amina at its Huntingdon, UK (Great Britain) workshop.

Displaying on its own at CEDIA Expo for the first time in 6-years, Amina has designed an innovative exhibit (#2148) that will enable dealers for the first time to listen to its Mobius i- and EDGE i-series in a covered and somewhat sound-isolated setting. Mr. Vanderkley will be joined by Mr. Newlove, granting dealers the ability to spend quality time with these experts to discuss the advantages of the Amina products and installation techniques.

                                              Introducing Mobius-i and EDGE-i Series

Mobius i-Series: Sound Panels Designed for Plaster or Special Custom Finishes
On the market since 2016, Amina’s flagship Mobius Series provides the greatest flexibility for interior design integration / installation of any invisible speaker. The sound panels are engineered to work behind a range of covering materials such as wet plaster skim (2mm), stucco, wood, leather, natural or man-made veneers and laminates. Incorporated are Amina’s OptiDamping^TM, OptiDrive^TM and Reduced-Resonance Exciter technologies, delivering incredible high frequency performance across the entire spectrum of listening positions.

At Expo, Amina will unveil its newest version called Mobius-i, which improves upon the popular series by implementation of the second-generation Excelsior class high frequency driver integrated into honeycomb aluminum soundboards. This delivers a significant 6dB boost in mid-range sensitivity, an extended lower frequency and increased smoothness and extension in the high frequencies to above 30KHz.  Two models are available, the mid-priced Mobius5i at $1,100 US MSRP per speaker and Mobius7i $1,600 MSRP US per speaker.

EDGE i-Series: Sound Panels Designed for Easy Drywall Installs with Paint or Thin Veneer Finishes

In response to dealer requests, the EDGE i-Series represents a completely new approach for drywall application. The speaker panel gets installed by replacing a small section of plasterboard / drywall, attached only to the wall, not the studwork, therefore no special framing is required. Once filled, taped, feathered and painted, it becomes fully invisible. It can also be installed as a post-plaster retrofit product.

The EDGE-i speakers utilize a proprietary composite sound panel that allows for easy drywall installation with superior sound quality. Incorporated are Amina’s OptiDamping^TM, OptiDrive^TM and Reduced-Resonance Exciter technologies plus the company’s new ToneRelief ^TM Technology.  All come together to deliver smooth low frequency extension with increased power handling and a ground-breaking sensitivity of 90dB @ 1 Watt/1 Meter including finish. The result is dynamic, engaging listening experiences unimagined from simple installation products. Three models are available, the EDGE3i ($600), EDGE5i ($1,000) and EDGE7i ($1,500).(Pricing depicted is MSRP per speaker, in US dollars.)    All the Mobius-i and EDGE-i series sound panels are shipping now. For information on how to purchase in North America call Amina America at 866.462.6462.