News

AMX Enters Multi-Room Distributed Audio Market with Acquisition of Matrix Audio Designs (20/12/2006)

Strengthens Residential Product Portfolio, Simplifies Integration and Solution Development for Dealers

AMX(r), a worldwide leader in advanced control system technology, today announced that it has acquired Matrix Audio Designs, Inc., a Canadian-based manufacturer of high-quality, multi-room distributed audio systems. Matrix Audio Designs now becomes part of the AMX family of products and will be called Matrix Distributed Audio.

With the acquisition, AMX has diversified its portfolio by adding distributed audio products that strengthen the company's core content and device control product segments. Matrix solutions integrate multiple music sources - from AM/FM tuners and satellite receivers to CD and MP3 players - into one, easy-to-use system that can be accessed from anywhere in the home. The company's product portfolio includes multi-source audio controllers, audio zone expanders, stereo amplifiers, architectural speakers, keypads and remotes. All of these products are designed to work in tandem to create an overall user-friendly experience.

"Multi-zone audio has become the entry point into the residential market - from single-family and town homes to condominiums and even yachts." said Rashid Skaf, AMX president and CEO. "With the acquisition of Matrix Audio Designs, AMX has expanded our residential market opportunity by adding distributed audio products, which we believe will continue to grow in popularity and evolve in functionality for many years to come."

"Matrix is thrilled to be a part of the world-class organization that is AMX," said Dan Saso, group vice president, Matrix Audio Group. "As a result of this acquisition, Matrix products will be able to reach their true market potential. AMX's extensive sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution channels, will significantly increase our product visibility and penetration into a variety of key residential and commercial markets, including luxury condominiums, single-family homes, restaurants, hotels, retail outlets and corporations."

The Matrix Audio Controller line includes two product families - the Delta Series and the Mi Series. The Delta Series is an affordable, multi-zone audio distribution system that can control and distribute audio from as many as six sources and up to six zones, while the Mi Series is a customizable system that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each homeowner. It is available in four and eight source varieties and can support up to 64 zones. Both product families integrate an audio controller, switcher and amplifier in one device. The Mi Series offers optional Audio Zone Expanders to increase the number of zones in which to distribute audio.

"By acquiring Matrix Audio Designs, AMX will simplify the amount of time it takes builders, developers and system integrators to develop packaged solutions for homeowners that integrate distributed audio with control and automation," added Skaf. "This will be particularly valuable for the condominium market, where property developers require packaged residential solutions on a large scale."

Matrix will be fully integrated into AMX. All current Matrix Audio employees are part of a new AMX team called the Matrix Audio Group, which will focus on market and product development of multi-room audio solutions.

Today, all Matrix products can be programmed and designed using AMX's VisualArchitect software and Duet modules, which can be downloaded on AMX.com. The products will also be added to AMX's Whole Home and Home Theater System Design Libraries (SDLs).

The existing AMX sales force will take responsibility for selling Matrix products in their territories. All current Matrix dealers who are not AMX dealers will be contacted immediately by their respective regional AMX sales representative to tell them about the AMX dealer establishment process. Matrix dealers who are also current AMX dealers will experience no change in their relationship or ordering process with AMX. AMX customers will continue to place product orders and request technical support through the same procedures.

www.amx.com