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/CIX 2025.
Q&A with Erin Phillips, VP at Pro Audio Technology & Theory Audio Design.
Why exhibit at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025?
Residential audio is a significant market for the PRO and Theory brands, and CEDIA Expo is the largest platform for us to show and demonstrate our latest products to a sizable audience of qualified integrators, rep firms, consultants, and distributors from across the Americas and beyond.
You cannot sell premium audio without demonstrating the difference, and our CEO, Paul Hales, is renowned for putting on standout audio demonstrations. This year’s program will not disappoint! We have well over a dozen new products to show and demo, and we welcome attendees to stop by HPA Room #202 (directly behind registration on street level) to hear the latest products from both brands.
CEDIA Expo also gives us a once-a-year check-in with the media, industry partners, and existing and potential customers to discuss the latest trends, product categories, and audio technologies. Each year we gather valuable feedback, much of which informs the PRO and Theory product roadmaps.
What is the most exciting trend you expect to see at the show?
The past year or two, there has been a shift to networked audio, including Dante and AES67, which we are completely on board with. Though it has been commonplace in professional and commercial installations, Audio over IP is slowly catching on in the residential market and is a technology that should not be ignored. It makes setting up and deploying even complex distributed audio systems painless and bulletproof with no bulky analog audio cables required. Theory’s DLC loudspeaker controllers are equipped with Dante and AES67. Attendees can see and hear them in HPA 202 paired with a Storm ISP Elite award-winning immersive sound processor.
This year at CEDIA Expo, we expect the networked audio trend to continue, but we also anticipate a focus on immersive audio and AI integration, along with continued improvements in video wall technology — primarily in the premium residential installations where PRO systems are specified. Attendees can experience the gorgeous Jupiter Pana 105 5K LCD display in the PRO and Theory demo room.
What will you focus on at the show?
As mentioned, we have A LOT of new products to display and demo, and in order to do so, we’ve once again increased our footprint on the show floor. In addition to continuous demos in HPA #202, attendees can go to the PRO and Theory booth #2933 to touch and feel every single new product.
Now for a look behind the curtain on what’s new for PRO and Theory at the show:
- Automator IP, a new version of Theory’s popular Automator software, provides installers the ability to deploy Theory and third-party surround sound systems (up to 7.1 or 5.1.2) using the 8-channel Theory DLC-250.8 loudspeaker controller, exclusively.
- The highly anticipated Theory ic5, 5-inch in-ceiling loudspeaker is finally real — and at CEDIA Expo we’re going to prove it is small AND mighty!
- sb210aw all-weather surface mount loudspeaker with dual 10-inch carbon fiber woofers and a 6.5-inch coaxial driver — a fantastic sounding, high-output, and surprisingly discreet Theory loudspeaker that is as ideal for outdoor installations as it is in surround systems paired with the highest-resolution video walls.
- Theory’s high-performance ic6 Bollard landscape speakers and iws12 Bollard subwoofers will be front and center — and shipping worldwide just after the show.
- SR Series – a new line of passive and powered Theory loudspeakers and manifold subwoofers built-to-order in the U.S. Specifically designed for sound reinforcement applications and exceptional for large private screening rooms, the eight new models fill a void at the premium end of the market. Just wait until you hear the bass energy!
- The upcoming 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.
- And last but definitely not least, a yet-to-be-announced (surprise!) addition to our DLC family of loudspeaker controllers: DLC-1500.8 offers 8 channels and 6000 watts of power from a 2U chassis — designed for audio systems that crave more power.
In addition to the infectious energy that CEDIA Expo brings, my personal favorite part of the show is connecting with so many industry friends and partners all under one roof. Please visit HPA #202 to say hi to me and the PRO & Theory team, and to experience all of our new products in a fun and thrilling demo. And of course, stop by booth #2933 to see everything new up close. It’s going to be a great show for Theory and PRO!
To learn more, check out booth #2933 and HPA #202 at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025 and visit proaudiotechnology.com and theoryaudiodesign.com.
