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Epson has just refreshed its home cinema line-up in a way that should catch every integrator’s eye: 4K laser projection backed by AI-driven picture optimisation, plus Matter support for smarter control. We break down what’s been announced and why it matters if you’re designing media rooms, dedicated home theatres, or flexible family spaces where performance has to hold up in the real world, not just on a spec sheet.

We walk through the platform story first, with Epson’s latest 3LCD laser foundation enhanced by an MT9681 chipset and smart home compatibility spanning Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant. That interoperability angle is more than a buzzword; it can shape how you specify control, reduce friction during commissioning, and make the handover experience cleaner for clients who expect everything to work together.

Then we get practical on model choice and use cases. The EH-LS5000 and EH-LS6000 target versatile home cinema installs, stepping from 2,500 to 3,400 lumens for brighter rooms, while AIPQ Scene 2.0 Plus processing, intelligent upscaling, motion optimisation, HDR10, and HLG support aim to keep content looking sharp and smooth. For bigger, more demanding projects, the EH-LS7000 brings 3,600 lumens and ISF-certified optimisation, and the EH-LS7500 introduces short throw into Epson’s pro home range, opening up compact spaces and specialist installs like indoor golf simulation and gaming. We also touch on the upgraded laser engine with LD Boost technology, designed to raise brightness without adding noise.

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A new subwoofer line can look like “just another box”, right up until you have to spec bass that’s clean, controlled, and client-proof across wildly different rooms. Today we bring you a tight, practical news brief on Wharfedale’s Nova series, a new family of active subwoofers aimed squarely at custom installation, from compact spaces to full-fat home cinema.

We walk through the range model by model: Nova 8 for smaller rooms, desktop systems, and discreet installs; Nova 10 for medium-sized rooms that still need agility; Nova 12 for deeper extension and more dynamic impact; and Nova 15 for demanding installations where output and depth are non-negotiable. If you’re choosing subwoofer size for room volume, seating distance, or target SPL, this line-up is designed to make that decision straightforward while keeping you in one consistent product family.

Then we dig into what Wharfedale says is doing the heavy lifting: a newly engineered long-throw driver using a rigid, lightweight paper cone with a proprietary coating, plus a die-cast chassis, high-roll surround, high-excursion motor, large diameter voice coil for thermal efficiency, and an aluminium shorting ring to reduce distortion. We also cover the downward-firing mass-loaded auxiliary bass radiator (ABR) used across the range, designed to extend low frequencies without the turbulence, compression, and resonance issues that can come with reflex ports.

We wrap with the installer-relevant details: high-current Class D amplification rated from 200W to 360W (model dependent) with up to 80V peak output, matte black finish, and UK pricing at £799 (Nova 8), £899 (Nova 10), £1,099 (Nova 12), and £1,299 (Nova 15). If this helped you think through subwoofer selection for custom installation, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave us a review so more integrators can find the briefing.

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CEDIA is making a smart move for UK technicians who are short on time but serious about standards: the Cabling and Infrastructure Technician (CIT) certification exam is going on the road. We break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how this change could make certification feel less like a distant “one day” goal and more like something you can actually book and achieve this autumn. If you work in custom installation, smart home integration, AV, networking, or structured cabling, this news is directly about your career runway.

We run through the five UK CIT exam sessions and what each date means in practical terms, from planning travel to getting your prep sorted. The CIT certification is geared towards technicians in the first years of the job, giving you a way to prove foundational knowledge, build confidence on site, and show a clear commitment to professional development. For integrators and employers, it’s a brand-neutral credential that helps raise credibility and consistency across the sector.

We also dig into the wider benefits CEDIA highlights: support towards Member of Excellence ambitions, increased visibility via the CEDIA Finder Smart Home Professional Directory, and pathways such as eligibility to act as a Smart Home Assessor under the CEDIA Smart Home Assurance Programme. There’s also a very practical angle for site work, with the CIT qualification potentially supporting eligibility for the CEA Home Technology Integrator ECS Card for qualifying professionals. To reduce barriers further, CEDIA is giving every registered candidate a free CIT textbook (normally £65), and we flag the key reminder that places are limited and early booking is advised via CEDIA’s online calendar.

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AI is starting to change what “good enough” looks like in a golf simulator room, and BenQ’s latest projector launch is a sign of where the market is heading. We share the key details on the BenQ AK900ST and AK800ST, two new short throw projectors designed to deliver a more lifelike indoor golf experience by using AI-driven image optimisation rather than relying on static picture modes.

We dig into BenQ AI Simsense, an image enhancement approach powered by an onboard APU that analyses the simulation environment and the ambient lighting on the impact screen, then adjusts colour, contrast and clarity in real time. The promise is simple but important for both commercial venues and premium home installs: more natural course colours, sharper detail and better terrain perception, so the visuals keep up as simulation shifts from a practice tool into a true entertainment platform.

We also look at the install and usability features that matter to busy integrators. Auto Screen Fit 2.0 aims to speed up alignment on curved or flat screens, AutoFocus brings motorised precision without manual tuning, and Ambient Visual Enhancer adapts output to changing room light. Beyond golf, scene memory helps users jump between simulation, films, gaming and sport with optimised presets, while dual source picture-in-picture makes it possible to watch YouTube coaching alongside gameplay, a smart hook for beginners and families.

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Your loudspeakers can only sound as stable as what they’re sitting on, and that’s why we’re taking a close look at Blok’s new Axis speaker stand range. If you’ve ever heard muddy bass, vague imaging or a mid-range that feels slightly “blurred”, the cause might not be your amp or your speakers, it could be vibration, resonance and poor mechanical control in the support chain.

We run through what Blok means by a transparent design philosophy and why Axis is engineered for acoustic neutrality. You’ll hear the practical details that matter to custom installation: a precision machined metal top plate, integrated rubber isolation pads to decouple the speaker, and a rigid extruded metal column that’s fully mass-fillable with Isofill acoustic damping material. We also cover the layered plywood plinth base, chrome-plated steel spikes for mechanical grounding, and optional floor guard discs for hard floors, all aimed at improving stability and tightening low-frequency control.

For system design and loudspeaker placement, Axis keeps things straightforward with three height options (500mm, 600mm and 700mm) at a single price point, plus finishes that suit both modern interiors and premium audio systems. Subscribe for weekday Inside CI News Briefs, share this with an integrator or hi-fi friend, and leave a review with your take: how much difference have speaker stands made in your setup?

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A single hire can change how a brand shows up in a region, from the partners it prioritises to the stories it tells and the support it delivers. Today’s Inside CI News Brief brings you two recruitment moves that matter to custom installation pros, audio retailers, and anyone tracking where premium sound is heading next across EMEA and the UK.

We start with Armour Home strengthening its international leadership team by appointing Anka Popa as Head of Sales EMEA. Reporting to global sales director Mike Smith, she takes responsibility for sales activity across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with a focus on expanding market reach, building new partnerships, and deepening engagement in both established and emerging territories. We also dig into the bigger strategic signal behind the move: taking British audio brands Goldring, QED, and Q Acoustics beyond traditional hi-fi and into the broader music culture landscape, where connection, community, and relevance drive discovery.

Then we turn to HEA Distribution, which appoints Sam Edwards as area sales manager for the Midlands, the north of England, and Scotland. For integrators, this is the practical side of growth: a clearer first point of contact, stronger field support, and easier access to guidance across a wide portfolio of premium audio brands and accessories lines. If you care about distribution support, partner relationships, and how audio brands win mindshare in 2026, this brief is for you.

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Cutting a neat speaker hole in a ceiling can create an ugly problem you never see until it matters: a weakened fire barrier. We open today’s Inside CI News Brief with Monitor Audio’s new range of fire hoods engineered specifically for Creator Series in-ceiling and in-wall speakers, designed to help maintain the fire performance of ceilings and walls after installation. We talk through why manufacturer-matched, compliant accessories are becoming a core part of custom installation planning, not an afterthought, and how a consistent, purpose-built approach can reduce surprises on site.

There’s also a welcome bonus for performance-minded installers. Monitor Audio says the hoods can reduce sound transmission into adjacent spaces, while the semi-sealed air volume may support improved bass performance and overall dynamics. If you work in residential AV, home cinema, or mixed-use spaces where both safety and sound isolation matter, this is a product category worth keeping on your radar.

Next, we shift to the Nordics where acoustic treatment demand continues to rise. Univacoustic appoints CapTech as its official distribution partner across Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, bringing its acoustic treatment portfolio into established Pro Audio, Pro AV and consumer audio channels. We cover how the partnership began at ISE 2026 in Barcelona, what CapTech’s local sales and logistics infrastructure could mean for integrators and studios, and where you can explore the range at CapTech Expo 2026 at Obi Arena in Gothenburg.

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10,000 nits on a TV spec sheet used to sound unreal. At IFA 2026, TCL turns it into a headline, alongside ultra-large Mini LED screens, eye-watering dimming zone counts, and even 163-inch micro LED prototypes that hint at where premium installs could go next.

We walk through what TCL showed and what it means for custom installation professionals in the UK, including the sting in the tail: the biggest X11L model is not coming to the UK. That forces a real-world conversation about how to meet client demand for mega screens while still delivering the features that matter, like native 144 Hz refresh rates, VRR-friendly performance, and credible sound tuning. We also cover the more attainable options TCL is positioning for gamers and streamers, and why panel technology and production constraints still shape what becomes affordable.

AI is the other through-line. TCL’s leadership points to new AI picture processing that becomes even more important at super large screen sizes, while Google TV’s product team explains how AI is improving the user experience with smarter content curation and more natural voice search. On top of that, we touch on TCL’s glasses-free 3D 8K monitor prototype, RayNeo smart glasses, and AR eyewear billed as Dolby Vision certified, plus new Bang & Olufsen tuned soundbars and the Dolby Atmos line-up, with a clear eye on which products will and will not land in the UK.

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A new ultra short throw projector just raised the bar for big-screen installs. We run through Xgimi’s Aura 3 Max, the flagship of the Aura 3 Series revealed at IFA 2026, and why its feature set will catch the attention of custom installation pros planning premium home cinema and media room upgrades.

We dig into the core tech: 4K 120Hz laser projection paired with a dynamic dual iris optical system designed to better control light output, deepen blacks, lift highlights, and improve shadow detail. On top of that, the ARGB triple laser engine and Xvision AI processing aim to keep colour and tone mapping consistent across movies, sport, and streaming. We also cover the practical installation claims, including a 120-inch image from around 20 cm off the wall and scaling up to 200 inches for larger dedicated spaces.

Format support matters when you are specifying for clients, so we touch on IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, HDR10 Plus, and HLG, plus Filmmaker Mode for preserving creative intent. There’s also anti-rainbow processing, 2D and 3D playback with two pairs of 3D glasses in the box, an integrated 80-watt Harman Cardon sound system, and built-in Google TV. Even the lifestyle angle gets a look, with the Wall app turning the projector into an ambient digital art display when it is not in use.

We finish with the launch plan: the Aura 3 Series hits Kickstarter on 20 October, with pre-orders open now and a deposit offer tied to a launch discount, while final pricing is confirmed when the campaign goes live. Subscribe for weekday briefs, share this with a fellow integrator, and leave a review with your take: would you specify a Kickstarter-first UST for a client project?

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Phone control has shifted from “nice to have” to non-negotiable, and Rithum is moving to meet that expectation without forcing installers to stack systems. We walk through the launch of the Rithum Home app, built to give homeowners remote control of heating, cooling, and hot water across every zone of a Rithum installation, using an interface that mirrors the Rhythm stat already on the wall. The aim is simple: familiar control, less confusion, and a smoother handover for busy households. 

We dig into how zoning and modes are handled, with each controlled zone getting its own set point and seven-day schedule, while home, away, and holiday modes apply across the property but behave zone by zone. The standout for reliability is that scheduling continues to run locally on the switch rather than in the cloud, meaning the heating keeps working even if the internet drops. For smart home integrators and custom installers, that resilience can be a powerful part of the sales and support story. 

We also cover MyRithum, Rithum’s new handover, backup and restore environment designed to support both installers and end users. Alongside the existing project portal workflow, MyRithum adds configuration backup and restore to make warranty replacements a simple swap and reapply, and it can save setups as templates for future rooms. We outline what’s included for free, such as device status, remote restart, and firmware updates, and what moves behind a subscription, including cloud-dependent backup, remote configuration changes, extended warranty, and upgrade credit. 

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