Here are the winners of the Residential Systems Best of Show awards at ISE 2025. The products were nominated by the manufacturers and were decided by a team of judges who rated the products on a number of criteria, including its value, impact, and how unique it was to the market.
ASCENDO The28 Sub Squared Pro Passive
ASCENDO’s The28 Sub Squared Pro Passive reproduces single-digit infrasonic frequencies, delivering bass you can feel in your bones. At the same time, it can soar well above the LFE cutoff frequency of 120 Hz, serving as the ultimate kick woofer. ASCENDO has harnessed an immense amount of power in the motor structure, giving it the muscle needed to accelerate the cone, motor mass, and coupled air mass with lightning speed. This results in a subwoofer that produces a perfect planar wave front, with high efficiency, ultra-high-power handling, and very low system Q. The shallow roll-off, combined with ultra-dynamic response, means that every sound — from the subtlest whisper to the most intense action scene — hits with native speed, attack, and impact that other woofers simply can’t match. With an overall depth of 12 inches (30 cm) and custom option as shallow as 8 inches (20cm), it’s a perfect fit even in challenging installations.
More Info: https://www.aia-cinema.com/products/subwoofers/the28-sub-pro-sqaured.html
Cornered Audio ApS ViiDA V5
The ViiDA series is a new range of on-wall speakers from Cornered Audio. As with all Cornered speakers, they mount flush on walls, in corners, or on ceilings without brackets and with hidden cable terminals. Cabinets are made in aluminium for a compact and modern design and they are angled 22.5 degrees from the side walls to limit reflections and optimize direct sound. The acoustic solution is a 3-way design with a premium drivers. Focus is on dynamics, output, and very low power compression. The horn loaded tweeter combines the clarity of a dome with the output of a horn. Drivers are rear-mounted in a MDF baffle with minimum diffractions and the crossovers utilize air coils and high-quality poly capacitors. The ViiDA series are boundary speakers acoustically optimized for on-wall and corner mounting. The series consists of three different models and a dedicated center channel with the 4-inch mid and 1-inch tweeter mounted on top of each other.
More Info: http://www.cornered.dk
Crestron DM NAX Audio Edge Devices
Crestron DM NAX Audio-over-IP Edge Devices bridge audio from any source — CDs, Bluetooth audio, even vinyl records — onto the network. Powered by the DM NVX AV-over-IP platform, clients can enjoy their favorite music with pristine audio and Crestron Home OS control. New additions to the line include the DM-NAX-BTIO-1G, which is a wall plate with Bluetooth connectivity and unbalanced analog audio I/O, bridging any audio source to DM NAX technology, and the DM-NAX-2XLRI-1G, a wall plate with XLR input and balanced analog audio output for seamless integration with professional audio systems. The DM-NAX-AUD-IO is a converter with balanced analog audio I/O, bringing traditional media sources such as phones, laptops, and media players into AV-over-IP audio setups, while the DM-NAX-AUD-USB is a converter with unbalanced analog audio I/O, connecting USB devices to DM NAX technology for streaming and audio distribution.
Each new accessory is available in two flexible form factors: wall plates or surface mounts. A single network connection allows homeowners to control and manage the device through the Crestron Home OS. The Edge Devices are powered via PoE, eliminating the need for local AC power.
More Info: https://www.crestron.com/Products/Featured-Solutions/Residential-Audio-Solutions
Crestron Home OS 4
Crestron Home OS has two major climate control updates with Airzone and CoolAutomation. Airzone’s updated driver for the Crestron Home platform delivers a new lever of simplified HVAC integration, eliminating the need for complex programming. CoolAutomation now delivers a native experience in the OS via their new driver, delivering precise HVAC control for even the most complex systems. More updates include real-time energy and water insights with the integration of HomeWizard. With this integration, homeowners are empowered to make informed decisions, reduce costs, and embrace sustainable practices by comprehending data on electricity, gas, and water usage. The platform also brings real-time weather intelligence directly to the smart home ecosystem by dynamically adjusting shades, shutters, and outdoor systems based on hyperlocal weather conditions such as sunlight, wind, or rain.
More Info: https://www.crestron.com/Products/Market-Solutions/Crestron-Home
D-Tools Cloud
D-Tools Cloud’s latest innovation is the just-released built-in Inventory Management capabilities that provide integrators with a seamless way to manage inventory across purchasing, tracking, and allocation workflows, empowering teams to operate more efficiently and deliver projects with greater accuracy and confidence. The Inventory Management capabilities have been developed to address the challenges integrators face in keeping track of inventory throughout the project lifecycle. This comprehensive solution is designed to streamline operations, reduce manual errors, and ensure that the right products are available at the right time.
More Info: https://www.d-tools.com/inventory-management-cloud
Episode Surroundscape
The latest Episode Surroundscape Series is durable, easy to install, and enhanced to handle harsh outdoor environments. Episode Surroundscape speakers withstand harsh outdoor environments with UV-resistant paint to combat fading over time and an IP67-rated enclosure to prevent intrusion of dust and dirt. Available in burial and hardscape options, Episode outdoor subwoofers deliver booming sound in any condition while hidden from sight.
More Info: https://www.snapav.com/shop/
Monitor Audio Climate CL2m Speaker
The Monitor Audio Climate CL2M is a high-performance, wall-mountable speaker that brings audio clarity and depth to both indoor and outdoor environments. As part of the Climate Series 3G, the CL2M offers Monitor Audio’s signature high-fidelity sound in a versatile and durable design. The CL2M is a two-way system featuring a 6-inch C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver and a 1-inch C-CAM black dome tweeter, delivering balanced, detailed sound with an extended frequency range from 42 Hz to 30 kHz. Equipped with an Auxiliary Bass Radiator (ABR) for enhanced low-frequency output, the CL2M ensures robust bass performance even in open spaces, making it ideal for outdoor installations. Rated IP66, the CL2M is built to withstand demanding conditions, providing reliable performance in any weather.
More Info: https://www.monitoraudio.com/en/product-ranges/climate-series-3g/cl2-m/
NAD CI SA2-120 BluOS Streaming Amplifier
The NAD CI SA2-120 is a cutting-edge BluOS-enabled streaming amplifier from NAD’s new CI Modular Series, designed for flexibility and scalability in multi-room audio systems. Its compact 1U rack-mountable form factor (1/3U wide) supports various configurations, including stand-alone use or wall mounting.
This device delivers exceptional audio performance with 24-bit/192 kHz high-resolution streaming and proprietary DirectDigital amplification, offering 2 x 120 W of low-distortion power. With BluOS built-in, the SA2-120 integrates with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, and provides seamless access to many popular streaming services and apps. The CI SA2-120 supports interoperability with over 60 BluOS-enabled devices, allowing integration into diverse multi-zone setups, from wireless speakers to high-end AV systems. With a full library of custom drivers, it’s compatible with major control systems such as Crestron, Control4, and RTI.
More Info: https://nadelectronics.com/product/ci-sa2-120-bluos-streaming-amplifier/
Nice Premium Toolless Speakers
Nice Premium Toolless Speakers redefine architectural audio with a 14-speaker lineup across three performance tiers. Premium Toolless Series 1 is optimized for high quality ambient music, and everyday media applications with 6.5-inch injected polypropylene woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters outfitting down firing, fixed tilt, DVC/dual tweeter and all-weather models. Premium Toolless Series 2 elevates performance with anodized aluminum woofers and tweeters for minimal distortion and enhanced soundstage. The series 2 models include 6.5-inch down firing and fixed tilt, and 8-inch in-ceiling, as well as dual 5.25-inch in-wall speakers. Premium Toolless Series 3 offers performance and flexibility with six models, featuring black Kevlar woofers, and 1.25-inch tweeters made from aluminum magnesium alloy, which has superior dampening properties. This results in more power at a lower crossover point, with superior dispersion, and low distortion.
More Info: https://na.niceforyou.com/products/smart-home/premium-toolless-speakers/
Sonos Arc Ultra
Arc Ultra is Sonos’ most advanced soundbar, redefining home entertainment with breakthrough Sound Motion technology and a reimagined acoustic architecture. Designed to deliver clearer dialog, deeper bass, and a wider, more detailed soundstage, Arc Ultra sets a new benchmark in immersive audio with a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience supported by Dolby Atmos. Its advanced Speech Enhancement feature allows multi-level customization, ensuring crystal-clear dialogue—even in acoustically challenging environments.
Sound Motion technology marks a milestone in audio engineering, using compact, lightweight transducers that deliver balanced, natural sound with up to double the bass output. This innovation unlocks sleeker product designs without sacrificing power, creating a soundbar that blends cutting-edge performance with elegant aesthetics.
More Info: https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/arc-ultra
Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES)
The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) represents a new generation of immersive home cinema experiences, boasting a Native 4K resolution and an impressive brightness of 3400 lumens. Powered by Sony’s advanced “XR Processor for Projector,” this device leverages cognitive intelligence to deliver 4K HDR images with unparalleled contrast and realism. Key features include XR Dynamic Tone Mapping, which analyzes peak brightness frame by frame to ensure accurate reproduction of bright highlights and fine details in dark areas. Additionally, the projector’s XR Triluminos Pro technology achieves over 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space, offering a billion bright, beautiful colours with high brightness and expanded colour volume for outstanding expression.
More Info: https://pro.sony/en_GB/products/4k-home-cinema-projectors/vpl-xw8100es
Triad 5-Inch InWall LCR Speaker
Triad InWall LCR speakers create an immersive audio experience for residential home theaters. To ensure every note is crystal clear, Triad’s veteran audio engineers applied their deep expertise in audio engineering and product innovation to develop lightweight and durable aluminum cone woofers and tweeters, optimizing them for fast transient response. Simplify installation with the patent-pending spring dog system, which provides flexibility to mount on various surfaces, bypassing studs or joists with ease. Eliminate unwanted resonance and deliver clear, uncolored sound with MDF wood and internal bracing components. Match these speakers seamlessly with any room’s aesthetics with custom grille colors.
More Info: https://www.snapav.com/shop/en/snapav/triad
Trinnov Audio Waveforming
Waveforming is a transformative audio processing software that allows residential technology professionals to achieve unprecedented bass consistency and performance across the entirety of a listening space. After more than seven years of research, refinement, and beta testing, Waveforming became publicly available in 2024, and now ships as a default feature on every Trinnov Altitude processor.
Waveforming employs immersive audio system design best practices and a proprietary algorithm to produce accurate low-frequency sound across the entire listening area, even in rooms with challenging acoustics. Using a unique active acoustics approach that eliminates room modes rather than compensating for them, Waveforming achieves unprecedented bass uniformity, impact, clarity, and detail.
More Info: https://www.trinnov.com/en/technologies/#WaveForming
