In our series of #CEDIAShares blogs, we’re talking with exhibitors about the hottest technologies and trends they’re looking to see at CEDIA Expo.
Q&A with Erin Phillips, VP, Pro Audio Technology and Theory Audio Design.
Why exhibit at CEDIA Expo 2025?
Residential audio is a core market for PRO and Theory, and CEDIA Expo is the place to showcase our latest product innovations to top integrators, reps, consultants, and distributors from North America and around the globe.
The difference between Theory and other audio brands has to be heard to be understood, and CEDIA Expo gives us a platform to do so. Our CEO, Paul Hales, is legendary for delivering unforgettable audio demos and this year is no exception. We’re unveiling several new products, and we invite you to experience them firsthand in HPA Room 202 (located right behind street-level registration). Demos will run every hour on the hour, excluding noon.
CEDIA Expo is also our most valuable opportunity to connect with media, partners, and customers. The insights and feedback we gather at the show often shape the PRO and Theory product roadmaps.
What is the most exciting trend you expect to see at the show?
The shift to networked audio including Dante and AES67 continues, and we’re fully onboard. While Audio over IP (AoIP) has long been a staple in commercial installations, it’s now gaining traction in residential installations — making even complex distributed audio systems seamless, reliable, and free of bulky analog cables. Theory’s PLC and DLC loudspeaker controllers are equipped with Dante and AES67. Attendees can see and hear them in HPA 202 paired with a Trinnov AltitudeCI AV processor.
Beyond networked audio, we expect this year’s CEDIA Expo will see big strides in AI integration, and high-end video walls. To showcase this convergence in action, our demo room will also feature the stunning Jupiter Pana 105 5K LCD display.
What will you focus on at the show?
We have multiple new products to show and demo at this year’s show. In addition to demos every hour in HPA 202, attendees can go to PRO and Theory booth #1300 to see every single new product — and even demo some of them, too.
Now for a look behind the curtain on what’s new for PRO and Theory at the show:
- The now available PLC Series loudspeaker controllers — comprised of two 8-channel and two 4-channel models, leveraging Powersoft’s patented Class-D amplification topologies, SmartRail energy-management power supplies, Power Factor Correction, and advanced DSP architecture to bring Theory’s premium sound into complex systems, large venues, and live sound applications.
- A new addition to Theory’s popular DLC family of loudspeaker controllers: DLC-1500.8d offers 8-channels and 6000W of power from a 2U chassis plus four channels of Dante and AES67.
- Slated for release in late 2026 to early 2027, the p9 pendant loudspeaker unites lively dynamics, high maximum output level, and refined acoustic performance all packed into a slender and handsome package. If you have heard and like Theory’s popular ic6, wait until you hear the p9. This is the highest performance 9-inch pendant loudspeaker available.
- Theory is also previewing an incredibly unique full-range loudspeaker that includes innovation the audio industry has never seen before. The extreme output SR-221.3 features integral dual 21-inch, 3600W low frequency drivers, four 10-inch carbon fiber high-output midrange drivers, and a 5-inch-wide band ring radiator compression driver. With a bandwidth of 27 Hz–20 kHz, –3 dB, ~140 dB SPL, and ultra-wide 170- x 60-degree coverage, the SR-221.3 is playfully referred to as a “rock concert-in-a-box” because a single loudspeaker can easily fill medium-sized venues with high-output and high-fidelity sound.
- Five of PRO’s best-selling loudspeakers have moved to Version 2 with noteworthy driver and component upgrades, plus new higher-resolution loudspeaker digital signal processing. The upgraded models include LFC-24sm v2 24-inch subwoofer, SR-28212ai v2 dual 12-inch full range surround speaker with internal subwoofer, S-12sm v2 12-inch multi-use loudspeaker and its SR-12ai v2 shallow version brother, and the compact-but-powerful, SR-8ai v2 8-inch shallow multi-use loudspeaker.
In addition to the infectious energy that CEDIA Expo brings, connecting with our industry partners and friends remains the true highlight of the event for me. The PRO & Theory team invites you to visit HPA 202 for exciting live demonstrations of our newest products. And of course, stop by booth #1300 to view the entire collection up close. We look forward to a rewarding show!
To learn more, check out PRO and Theory in booth #1300 and Audio Room 202 at CEDIA Expo 2026 and visit www.proaudiotechnology.com and www.theoryprofessional.com.
