Speakers are actually relatively simple devices. You should understand at least the basics of how speakers work before incorporating them. Basically, you have an enclosure (typically a box) into which speaker drivers are attached. The drivers are the round elements that many people call the speakers (they’re not). Speaker drivers look like cones or horns (or even ribbons or domes), and in fact, the large surface area of the drivers is called the cone or diaphragm.These surfaces move back and forth to make the sound. If you have ever pulled the front screen off your speakers or have seen speakers without their front grille on, you’ve seen speaker drivers au naturelle.

 Let's start with 3 main types: Installed, Free standing, and Wireless

Installed: These are speakers such as "in-ceiling", "In-wall", "Cabinet", & even "Landscape" speakers. There are several benefits to these types of speakers, like taking up no floor space & no stands. This makes perfect for any sized room and works especially well in smaller spaces. They can also provide a higher quality of audio. The bass and treble effects of in-ceiling speakers are better than regular speakers and this is another reason for its popularity.

The wires can be concealed, which reduces the chances of accidents. Parents no longer have to worry about their kids tripping on the wires or pulling them by accident. These concealed wires also make the room clutter-free. This is why many users prefer to have the speakers installed.

Free-Standing: The beauty of freestanding speakers is that they come in many styles and sizes - from ultra-compact cubes & rectangular bookshelf models to the floor-standing towers. Styles and finishes range from plain-Jane boxes to sculpted cabinets with finishes that run from black vinyl or faux woodgrain to furniture-grade wood veneer or black lacquer polished to perfection.

So in addition to selecting speakers that physically fit the room, you can choose models that complement the décor or become a focal point. And whether we're talking about floor-standing towers or small- to medium-size speakers on a shelf or stand, you can move them around to optimize sound quality!    

Wireless: 

For every music lover, who would want to listen to music on the go, then the portable speakers are a must have for you. These portable speakers don’t have much wiring like ordinary speakers would. One may have to connect a cord to a phone in order to play them, but with most portable Bluetooth speakers, one can simply connect their device via Bluetooth to the speaker and the songs will play. The portable Bluetooth speakers are light in weight and come in variety of sizes. 

The portable speakers operating on the Bluetooth can come in great handy. Let’s say you are at a picnic on a beach with friends and there is no source of electricity or music system. Here the portable Bluetooth speakers can come in handy because they are operated through battery and you can connect the speakers with Bluetooth and enjoy music with your friends! The sounds is simply amazing a clear as well!

CALL US TODAY TO DISCUSS ALL OF YOUR SPEAKER OPTIONS! 865-690-0154

The wires can be concealed, which reduces the chances of accidents. Parents no longer have to worry about their kids tripping on the wires or pulling them by accident. These concealed wires also make the room clutter-free. This is why many users prefer to have the speakers installed.

The Control4 philosophy is as straightforward as it is simple: life's better when everything and everyone works together. From a company strategy perspective, Control4 stands behind an open platform: we are committed to interoperability so both Control4 dealers and customers can count on a system that communicates with and controls virtually anything and everything in the home.

They partner with the world's leading brands in HVAC and lighting, cable and satellite, consumer electronics, and security to ensure their products integrate seamlessly into the Control4 platform to deliver an exceptional automation experience. With support for over 8,000 devices from hundreds of world-class brands, Control4 solutions are designed to work with the consumer electronics and appliances you already trust and love.

With over 6,500 drivers from 150 different companies sometimes it feels like you need a personal IT department to manage and control all of the electronics and systems in your home. There must be a better way than having dozens of remotes and a library full of manuals. That’s where Control4 comes in. 

Leading consumer electronic companies and home-automaton solution providers are teaming up with Control4 to accelerate the adoption of standard control methods for consumer electronic devices used in home automation. Control4 allows all of the technology in your home to work seamlessly together, giving you more control with more convenience. As we like to say – life’s better when everything works together! When you are looking for flat-panel TVs, home theater equipment, smart lighting or even door locks, remember to look for Control4 Partners.

So Many Options and Much More! Call iSS Today to set up your complete home automation one stop shop!

CES 2016 Brings the Future of Technology Innovation to Market

With more than four decades of success, the Consumer Electronics Show ® reaches across global markets, connects the "who's who" of the industry and enables consumer technology (CT) innovations to grow and thrive. Let's take a look at some of the Top products of #CES2016 that we offer to our customers! We pride ourselves on offering the Best of the Best to you! See why here:

Four Best of CES Products We Offer:

1. The LG OLED TV

One year later and we're right back here: LG's flagship OLED TV is the Best of CES again. Why is it still ahead of the pack? A stunning package of technology provides the best picture we've seen this week, and it's the one we really want to take home -- even without knowing exactly what the price will be. 

2. Luxul XWS-2510 Wireless Controller Kit

The #CES2016 Mark of Excellence Awards winner for Wireless Product of the Year! The Luxul XWS-2510 comes with one XWC-1000, two XAP-1510 AC1900 Dual-Band Wireless APs and PoE Injectors.The XWC-1000 Wireless Controller uses Luxul’s exclusive Roam Assist™ technology to ensure seamless roaming of mobile client devices within wireless networks that utilize more than one Wireless Access Point (AP), while providing simple, centralized deployment of up to 16 Luxul APs through an easy-to-use setup wizard. With seamless roaming, installation simplicity and sensible pricing, the XWC-1000 is purpose-built to meet the needs of the residential and light commercial custom installation professional.

3. Control4 Smart Home App for the Connect Car 

The Control4 proof-of-concept smart home app for the connected car demonstrates one-touch smart home integration using an Android phone and a Toyota vehicle head display unit. The Control4 app syncs with the vehicle’s head display unit to enable Control4 users to access and control their smart home devices, such as thermostats, lights, locks and garage doors, right from the driver’s seat.The app can initiate automation scenes in the home right from the dashboard. Touch “Away” and, in addition to closing the garage door, the lights will turn off, security system will arm, doors will lock and the temperature will set to energy-saving mode. Touch “Arrive” before you turn into the driveway and your smart home will automatically turn on the lights, queue up the music and get the heat going to welcome you home. This is just one example of why we continue to use Control4 as our favorite go to for most automation products. Their impressive forward thinking and technology leading mentality is key!

4. GoldenEar Triton 2+, 3+ and the Supersub XXL

GoldenEar burst into the audio category back in 2010, and now six years later the company is introducing its second-generation Triton Two+ and Triton Three+ floorstanding loudspeakers and the Supersub XXL, the company's new flagship subwoofer! 

GoldenEar's Triton Two+ and Triton Three+ have been upgraded to adopt the same lively sonic signature as the Triton One. Improvements to the fabric-covered wedges include balanced crossovers, new mid-bass drivers, and better bass tuning for the built-in powered five- by nine-inch quadratic bass drivers. GoldenEar also showed the SuperSub X whose opposed eight-inch woofers are driven by a 1400-watt amp with 56-bit DSP. Demoed with video game material, it woofed way beyond anything its size would suggest.

Call Today to learn more about any of these great products and many more CES worthy products we offer!

ZeeVee offers world-class video solutions, bringing you the best of what video can offer! ZeeVee products are also scalable to an unlimited number of displays throughout any facility, guaranteeing that this video distribution model meets your needs.

Here are some examples of some of the places that use this type of technology:

• Academic Institutions
• Broadcast Studios
• Casinos and Betting Shops
• Corporate Centers
• Government
• Health Care
• Health and Fitness

• Hospitality
• House of Worship
• Multiple Dwelling Units
• Museums
• Prisons
• Public Concourses
• Bars and Restaurants

• Residential
• Retail
• RV Parks and Campgrounds
• Senior Living
• Stadiums and Arenas
• Submit Your Case Study

 Benefits of Video Distribution Solutions:

• ZeeVee upgrades all of those fuzzy analog channels on your facility’s TVs to crystal clear digital.
• Keep people entertained or engaged with top quality digital video.
• Benefit from scalable solutions that could save you thousands in equipment costs.
• Best-in-class video distribution leverages a single digital infrastructure to effortlessly integrate with analog or digital sources. 

Make a crystal clear impression by delivering high definition throughout your space on every TV. ZeeVee’s video distribution technology is even compatible with existing coaxial cables.

• No need to re-wire with single digital video infrastructure
• Compatibility with any video source including analog, digital, SD or HD
• DIRECTV and Dish Network approved, so you can enjoy more of your favorites

Benefits of Digital Signage Solutions:

• Versatile digital signage from ZeeVee can deliver your tailored message and represent your brand with ease.
• From easy message management to high definition signal distribution for unlimited displays, our leading solution is both efficient and affordable.
• ZvShow, the bonus information channel built into every ZeeVee unit, gives you an in-house information channel without requiring a separate signage player on every single display.
• Advanced digital signage players added to ZeeVee technology expand the messaging abilities of what you can achieve across a single coaxial cable. Using the amazing feature set of digital signage, restaurants promote their daily specials, health care facilities provide news and information, schools post announcements, and the list goes on.
• Enriched display image that updates content in real time 
• 
  In-house channels for announcements specific to your facility’s needs 
• Security and safety are enhanced with discreet DVR camera channels 

There are many more benefits and things to learn about this great product! Call us today to find out more! 

How to Create an Outdoor AV Haven for all Seasons:

If you’re planning your new home, you’ve probably noticed that “interior” design has found its way outside. In modern homes, the backyard patio, deck or pool area can often be as elaborate as any inside space, sometimes incorporating a full kitchen, extensive seating and dining areas, and, of course, electronic entertainment. That means getting sound and video, normally enjoyed under the protection of a roof, safely outdoors. It also means being sure your AV equpiment is protected from the weather in all seasons.          

Outdoor Sound:

There are several approaches ranging from simply plopping down a wireless portable speaker that can be brought back inside when its too cold or the weather is bad to permanent, wired solutions.

The easiest way to get good sound outdoors today is with the new generation of high performance wireless speakers. Most use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication  to route Internet radio services like Pandora or your favorite playlists from your phone, tablet or computer to the speaker. Some of the newest and best options for this would be the Bose Soundlink II or one of there cheaper options might be the SoundLink Mini or SoundLink Color. Another great option would be the new Sonos Play:5 smart speaker. All have AMAZING sound and are the easiest route to go for sound. Keep in mind that Bluetooth transmission range usually tops out around 30 feet; Wi-Fi solutions will go farther.

For those looking for more permanent and wider range solutions, I recommend checking out Sonance's Landscape Series. Sonance Landscape Series is a totally scalable outdoor speaker system that delivers perfectly-even coverage and unbelievable sound quality throughout any sized space. SLS provides jaw-dropping sonic performance from small satellite speakers and below-ground subwoofers that are hidden completely out of sight amongst plants and under foliage.                  

Outdoor TVs & Screens:                

Enjoying your outdoor space can also mean watching television sports coverage by day and sharing a movie by night. Bringing video outside is more complicated than audio due to both the weather elements and the need to feed both audio and video signals along with AC power. If you only desire to keep an eye on the big game while you put away a few beers with the gang, most small indoor LCD televisions are light enough to carry outdoors in fair weather and plop down on the patio table. They can be easily brought back inside during inclimate weather or on colders days.

For a bigger screen and more permanent arrangement, you’re probably looking at investing in a dedicated, weatherproof outdoor television. Manufacturers like SunBrite and SEURA make LCD televisions up to 80 inches that are ensconced in housings designed to keep the elements (and animals) out and temperatures within normal operating range.           

 Want bigger? Of course, the ultimate outdoor big screen experience calls for home theater-style front projection, with a separate projector and screen. A permanent installation might involve the use of a glass rear-projection screen mounted on an exterior wall facing the outdoor viewing area. A dedicated projector shed can also be created with the screen mounted on the side facing a pool or patio area, though forced ventilation or even air-conditioning might be required to keep the projector cool. There are also companies like Camp Chef and Stuart Film Screen that provide easier options like The Outdoor Big Screen or Stuarts Outdoor Oasis Series Screens. These are the ultimate in portable screens!

Outdoor Control:     

Thanks to Control4 the options in automating & controling your outdoor oasis are practically unlimited now a days. There are also several great options that help you control things with just the touch of a button to help keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter and protected from the elements. For example, we have a customer who has a mostly covered patio area but it is still subjected to the outdoors and the weather. For him we set it up so that at the touch of a button he is able to turn on and off heaters throughout the area, turn the outdoor fireplac eon and off, control the ceiling fans, and even bring down or put up bug screens surronding the space! Again the possibilites are endless!

Call us TODAY to Start Designing Your Own Outdoor Haven you Can ENjoy Year Round!

♪ ♫ ♬ AMAZING AUDIO IN ANY ENVIRONMENT! ♪ ♫ ♬

If you want your sound systems to sound great no matter what type of space it is in, this amp is deifinitely the way to go! Heres why:

The new line of DSP amplifiers feature SONARC (Sonance Advanced Room Correction), which offers hundreds of presets designed specifically for Sonance speakers! They make it very easy to access with simple pull down menus. The presets enable effortless DSP without the need for additional hardware, software, and more importantly time. Additionally, should there be a need for further customization, SONARC provides options for that as well! 

Sometime Less can give you MORE!

Ah, that time between Spring and Summer has finally arrived in Knoxville. Pollen covers every exterior surface imaginable in yellow blankets of dust. The quickly-warming temperatures remind you that the humidity of a Tennessee summer isn’t far off. Right now it is baseball season, but soon enough, the UT fight song will be echoing from every living room in Rocky Top while we watch our football team make it all the way to the national championship this year (a girl can dream). You begin to think about the home theater you always wanted, and how great these games would look on a big screen. You think of the home theater that would allow you to be immersed in the experience of the stadium, without having to buy tickets to the game or spend eight dollars on a beer--that theater with state-of-the-art audio technology, the one you always put off on installing because other things came up along the way. Hey, we know that life happens, and things get put off. Here at iSS LLC.  we are here to make your life a little easier—and a lot more fun. Now featuring Control4 home automation software, we can create the home theater of your dreams--and tailor home automation installations to your personal wants and needs. Still not convinced? Check out a few of the things we can do for your home or your commercial business space by clicking the link below.

 CLICK ME!

A sound system in just one room is not doing you any favors. Knoxville, whole house audio is the way to go. Having a system the entire family will enjoy is easier than ever to possess and control.

The the primary difference between new whole home audio systems and ones past is convenience. Instead of going to each unit to control your system, everything is controlled by your mobile device. You can catalog you music, adjust the volume, even dim the lights if you incorporate a lighting system. Each room can have different volume settings. So, you can play your music louder on the porch, and quieter upstairs. A whole house audio system is thus, great for parties and gatherings.

Another benefit of whole house audio is that systems are built to minimize visual impact. No more bullky equipment stealing space. Speakers can be installed into the walls, and amps can be concealed. You can enjoy your audio systems without the eyesores.

Call us today to learn more 865.690.0154!

What is a Smart Home?

While there are many smart products available today, it isn’t until these devices work together in orchestration, that you experience the magic of a smart home. From homes small to large, new and old, Control4 delivers power and performance on one platform that coordinates the technology in your house into complete, brilliant experiences—interactions that fit your lifestyle and are easy for your family to enjoy. With one touch, dim the lights, stream high-resolution music, turn up the heat, lock the doors and arm the security system. Or, check in on your home no matter where you are. It’s a smarter living experience that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. We call it, the New Normal.

WHAT CAN CONTROL4 DO FOR YOU? GET READY TO BE AMAZED!

HOME THEATER: 

A high-end home theater experience is more than just a nice TV with surround sound. With a home theater system from Control4, you’ll be the envy of every movie theater goer in town. Turn the lights off, turn on the surround sound and start the movie all with the touch of a button.

CLIMATE:

Forget about ever touching that thermostat again, in fact, forget about the thermostat all together. With our automated climate control, your thermostat is anywhere you are. Curb your monthly bills and ease your eco-conscience. Advanced temperature control is a simple and affordable addition to any home with Control4.

CALL ISS TODAY TO LEARN MORE TO DESIGN YOUR CONTROL4 SMARTER LIVING EXPERIENCE!

Home automation has become all the rage these days and if you have experienced it yourself then you will most likely agree that is has become a convenience you just don't want to live without! Well great news! Now when you vacation or even when you take the boat out, you don't have to be without the automation luxuries you have grown so accustomed to!

AUTOMATION IN YOUR VACATION HOME:

What?: It would be easier to tell you what you cant have because the possibilities are truely endless. 

• Security systems 
• Audio & Video
• Home Theaters
• Media Rooms
• Outdoor Automation
• Lighting control
• Shade Control
• Temperature Control
• Music in Every Room
• Entry Systems
• Energy Management
• Scenes & More!

Imagine being an hour away from your vacation home and being able to get everything ready for your arrival with the touch of a few buttons! Turn on the spa, heat up the pool, turn on the lights, raise up the shades, set the perfect tempature, start your favorite music and be vacation ready as soon as you walk through the door! Check it out for your self... VIDEO HERE

BOAT AUTOMATION:

Boat Automation has several options as well and of coarse as the size of the boat increases so do the options. A Control4 System can be used to manage different things throughout the vessel, access navagation equipment, make service requests for staff, Incorporate state of the art secuirty systems and several other options such as:

• • Remotely controlling lights and heating or air conditioning to turn on shortly before arrival, ensuring everything on the vessel is set to preference yet reducing energy consumption
  • Automating exterior running lights to allow the crew to move around safely
  • Adjusting the thermostat to ensure appropriate interior cabin temperatures
  • Providing GPS and navigation data through the television or touch screens so owners and onboard guests know the current location of the vessel and anticipated arrival
  • Triggering lights to automatically turn on, off or dim, based on detected light levels or specific times of the day
  • Opening and closing blinds, according to when the sun sets or the skies become cloudy to allow for optimum levels of natural light
  • Centralizing audio and video collections from multiple sources and allowing selection of music or movies by cover art from a single library from any room on the vessel
• • Outdoor TVs that can withstand the elements of the ocean or water as well as weather, and even theaters and media rooms!         Check it out: VIDEO HERE

CALL iSS Today and start living the Smart life even when you are away from home! 

 INDOORS:

Commercial control can provide high tech savings and convenience! From a massive bar in Las Vegas to a sports bar in the center of San Jose, every business needs a “control freak.” After all, there are raw materials, your budget, and a planet to save. We, with the help of Control4 and others, can answer every question you have around commercial control, whether you’re looking for a robust system to support an expansive building or just a room within it.

On top of automating lights, shades, music, video, HVAC, security and energy, Control4 also gives you the ability to control it all from a secure, back-end system. Better still, it’s not just affordable—it’s intelligent. You can also access everything from any device thanks to SAVI controls! Because our commercial solutions can easily integrate with your existing business networks and enable communication between devices from most manufacturers, we ensure that you experience bottom-line benefits sooner rather than later. Even the most sophisticated commercial automation solutions are easy and affordable. Practical Control4 products make it easy to build on when you’re ready. Start with an intelligent lighting control solution and add more features when you’re ready—smoothly and economically.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 Managing numerous TVs on different channels in a sports bar can become very complicated. Control4 makes it easy for you and your team to control the AV system, LIghts, Music, etc. Play HD video from a variety of sources on multiple TVs, and control them all from one simple interface. Automate lighting and climate control systems to save energy. Turn on the building in one touch and make “Closing” time easy by powering down everything with one button.

We offer a premier experience of all-weather digital signage displays, touch screen monitors and outdoor HDTV by SunBriteDS - the leader in outdoor television, as well as SEURA and others! Designed for permanent placement outdoors, and capable of enduring harsh climate conditions, outdoor signage displays, all-weather HDTV & video screens and outdoor signage solutions - provide an optimum viewing experience for any outside commercial venue. SunBriteDS now offers all-weather menu boards for QSR quick-serve restaurants. The weatherproof features include direct-sun tolerant, bright screens, anti-reflective glass, multi-fan airflow systems, along with a best-in-class rugged exterior engineered for demanding commercial-grade applications. If you have a great outdoor patio be sure to keep the entertainment going! 

We can also provide you with top of the line secuirty options for your sports bar as well as help you keep things neat and tidy with our rack enclosure options! Some bars even put their racks on display ;-) Call us today to learn more & make your Sports bar the MVP this year!

There are many factors that go into a great restaurant or bar. Maybe it's a great happy hour or a fabulous hand-cut steak, but what about atmosphere? Restaurants and bars should be a welcoming place where people feel comfortable and relaxed. Harsh lighting, outdated audio video, or lack of privacy can turn an otherwise nice place into a place I can't wait to get out of.

Although you may not notice if a restaurant has Sonance speakers or a Lutron lighting system, you will notice if they have low quality fuzzy speakers or poor lighting. I remember being at a local restaurant a few months back and noticing how great the speakers sounded on the patio. Upon further investigation, I discovered they were Niles speakers. I'm sure restaurant or bar owners would much rather have their customers have a reaction similar to mine rather than thinking how terrible the audio sounded.

Lighting is another factor that is crucial for ambiance. Have you ever been in a restaurant with blinding overhead lighting? Or maybe the lighting was so dim you had to use a flashlight to even figure out what you wanted to order for an appetizer? With so many options for great lighting systems on the market, I see no excuse for poor lighting in restaurants and bars anymore. Not only does automated lighting create a warm relaxing atmosphere, it also makes things much easier for staff and management to be able to control the entire system with one device or even program light settings to automatically change.

Shades and drapery also seem to be overlooked by most restaurants or bars. I know I've been in several restaurants where a server or manager had to come reach behind a customer to adjust the blinds by a table. I would much rather have a manager come by with a remote and lower the shades instead of reaching over me mid-meal.

The last thing that kills me about some restaurants and sports bars are outdated televisions. This is especially a deal-breaker for sports bars. Who wants to watch a game on an outdated TV circa '99 when the sports bar across the street has 60 inch flat screen HD TVs? I'll take the 60 inch flat screen, thanks.

I challenge you to notice what kind of lighting, audio/video, and shade systems your favorite restaurant or sports bar has next time you visit.

          CEDIA is the international trade association and central touchpoint for 3,500 member companies that represent every facet of the ever-evolving technology market. The expo places you at the epicenter of the furture in home experience and lets you experience the intrigue of how it is all connected!

BEST NEW PRODUCT:

Two of the products we offer recieved the Best New Product reward at the expo this year! The Seura Storm Outdoor TV and Sonance DSP Amplifiers with SonARC.

Seura’s Storm Outdoor TV is built to last in a variety of climates and, through careful calibration, is capable of delivering quality images during sunny days. It also has a great wide viewing angle!

The Sonance DSP amplifiers add Amazing audio in any environment! The new line of DSP amplifiers feature SONARC (Sonance Advanced Room Correction), which offers hundreds of EQ presets designed specifically for Sonance speakers available through simple pull down menus. The presets enable effortless DSP without the need for additional hardware, software, and more importantly time.

Seura Outdoor TV Video: http://ow.ly/U3twM                            Sonance DSP Amplifiers Video: http://ow.ly/U3uwT

                                           CEPro Editor's Choice Picks:

There were also two of the speakers that we offer picked as the CEPro Editor's Choice, The Sonos Play:5 and the KEF LS50!

Hear it just like they played it. Pure and true. The PLAY:5 uses six state-of the-art digital amplifiers individually coupled with six speakers to deliver great sound to any room. Each instrument, each voice, every detail shines through, pure and precise. With remarkably distinct clarity. And zero audible distortion. Even when you crank it up loud. Really loud! 

The KEF LS50 was also quite an awe inspiring product at CEDIA 2015! An innovative concept inspired by the legendary LS3/5a, LS50 mini monitor speaker is designed to bring professional studio monitor concept into the home. Rarely the case in such a compact design, the LS50 monitor delivers a rich, multi-dimensional ‘soundstage experience’ that is out of all proportion to its size. Patent-pending acoustic designs, together with state-of-the-art technologies from KEF’s latest flagship Blade loudspeaker, provide the ultimate studio experience – even in the smallest of spaces.

Play:5 Video: http://cnet.co/1Q1coIk                                   KEF LS50 Video: https://youtu.be/E0B-l2eoVtg

Many companies had some pretty amazing products this year that became quite the show stoppers! Call us today to learn more about any of our great products. 

• Sony    
• Orgin Acoustis
• Screen Innovations
• Martin Logan
• Golden Ear
• Atlona
• Pakedge
• SnapAV
• Kwikset
• WIlson
• BOSE
• SunBrite TV
• Lutron
• Peerless AV
• Luxul
• Yale
• This list GOES ON & ON 

There are many reasons that people use rack enclosures now a days to help tidy up their automated world. While TVs continue to get thinner and more beautiful and soundbars are making surround sound more discreet, the components we connect to them, such as our Blu-ray players, cable boxes, game consoles etc...have largely remained dull black or silver boxes. And there are still all those ugly wires to manage! So now we have these neat and tidy solutions to all these issues, and putting them on display can have lots of great advantages as well! Lets learn more..