We asked industry leaders one question: What performance features in your installs tend to dazzle your clients the most? Here’s what they said.
Eli Weinkle, NXT AV, Los Angeles, CA
The ability for the client to interact with their lighting through the Savant Pro app and see a virtual representation of their room with Savant’s Trueimage always makes their jaws just drop. The first question we always get is if there is a camera in the room–they simply can’t believe a system can virtualize their environment is such a life-like manner. Combined with tunable or DMX lighting, it’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Todd Anthony Puma, The Source Home Theater, Old Bridge, NJ
What customers love and what I love to give them in their homes are features such as smart lighting, where one button can turn off the whole house or the kids’ rooms from the kitchen. Also, they love “events” happening in an automated way, such as window shades dropping as the sun sets to keep the sun out of their eyes.
Eric Crawford, The Loop, Boise, ID
There are two features that clients really appreciate in our installs. The main would be the single interface for anything related to technology in their home. The other would be stable, consistent, Wi-Fi. They are so used to Wi-Fi being unstable that when we put in Ruckus they are blown away that it just works every day.
Ken Irvine, Premier Luxury Electronic Lifestyles, Carmel, IN
We are finding that our clients are loving the way that video displays can be hidden when not in use. From TV lifts in cabinets, art lifts like Media Decor, panel back rise systems, and The Frame and Seura mirror displays are all in high demand. We had a client who saw these products in action, and they ended up with three lifts, two display mirrors, and one hidden door mount system. I believe that once a client sees these technologies in action that they want them in their homes.
Joe Whitaker, The Thoughtful Home, St. Louis, MO and Dallas, TX
As of late, we have found that voice control, motorization, and big beautiful displays have been big in the dazzling department. Amazing blended and hidden outdoor technology has also been a big wow factor this past year as well. Being able to totally hide and disguise amazing sounding audio paired with the ability to hide a big display in the ground with motorization has been jaw dropping for our clients.
John Sciacca, Custom Theater and Audio, Myrtle Beach, SC
Most clients are still blown away by the simple fact of an RF or IR repeating system controlling their gear in another room or behind closed cabinetry. When you hand them the smart remote and they can press a single button that fires up the entire system–removing all complexity–they are always impressed by that.
JW Anderson, The Integrated Home, Charlotte, NC
We love to experience the first time a client hears a well-designed landscape/pool audio system, complete with buried subwoofer, in their new outdoor entertainment space. Their excitement is quite fulfilling to our entire team!
Barry Reiner, InnerSpace Electronics, Mount Kisco, NY
I think the feature that dazzles our customers the most are the one-app solutions from our integrated control systems. The specific feature that our clients appreciate is off-site remote control of their house environmental systems, including monitoring of security systems, cameras, lights, and temperatures..
Bryan Mills, Mills Technologies, Skokie, IL
Nothing seems to bring a smile to clients’ faces like a properly designed and installed audio system. At times it feels like a low bar: a proper music source, a good amplifier, and decent speakers (and subwoofers) that all consider the room. We always hear initial feedback of, “I’m not an audiophile,” but no one ever regrets having great sound in their favorite room.
