Magnolia | Bringing inspiration to your space™

STUNNING PICTURE AND SOUND WITH A CURVE

Magnolia | Bringing inspiration to your space™

INTERIOR DESIGNER GENEVIEVE GORDER SANUS TV MOUNTS’ INFLUENCE ON INTERIOR DESIGN

Immerse your senses like never before with the Samsung JS9000 4K SUHD curved TV and

HW-J8500 curved soundbar. This beautiful curved TV features the next level of 4K with Nano Crystal Issue number fifteen BOWERS & WILKINS Color that reveals up to 64X greater color expression than conventional HD/UHD TVs.* While this 9.1 TRAINING CENTER channel soundbar features side-firing speakers, a wireless sub and an integrated center channel for DELIVERING DISTORTION-FREE rich, engaging sound. Designed to blend seamlessly together, it is theater-quality sights and sounds, KNOWLEDGE curved, for the next level of home theater bliss. THE ART OF SOUND DESIGN A HARMONIOUS COMBINATION OF ART, |

Spring 2015 MUSIC, DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Issue number fifteen | Spring 2015

*Conventional HD/UHD TVs refer to 8-bit color TVs. Magnolia | Bringing inspiration to your space f o r 6 0 y e a r s™

contents6 creative director/editor-in-chief 2 Exploring the world of home automation adrian clift senior writer/executive editor Insight from Magnolia’s Category Manager Josh Fettig. karl kozlowski 6 The art of sound design marketing manager An elegant retrofit in a stunning Virginia condo. kathryn gliniany content providers 12 SunBrite all-weather TVs josh fettig | sara klarstrom 2 It’s time to watch TV in the great outdoors. editors rachel imbrock | carla morrone 15 Product spotlight digital assets The Bowers & Wilkins T7 wireless speaker. julie eiden | ann johnson 16 So much more than surge protection feature photography alexhayden.com Panamax and Furman, taking protection to another level. additional photography & retouching 16 18 Experience a New Standard Best Buy Studio An Interview with The New Standards Chan Poling. Want to know more? 20 Revving up a man cave Visit us online at MagnoliaAV.com,  Bringing a home theater to one amazing garage space. BestBuy.com/magnolia, or follow us at: facebook.com/ 24 A tour of Bowers & Wilkins training center MagnoliaExperience and It’s all about the Art of the Demo. twitter.com/MagnoliaAV. Something you’d like us to know? 24 28 Luxul and Ruckus: Extending your Wi-Fi M magazine welcomes your comments The brains and brawn behind a great signal. and observations. Please send them to: 30 A modern rebuild Magnolia Marketing Dept., Attn. Kathryn Gliniany, Bringing a new home the latest tech from the ground up. 7601 Penn Avenue South, 36 Genevieve Gorder & SANUS TV Mounts Richfield, MN 55423 or via e-mail to How this celebrity interior designer changes spaces with SANUS. [email protected]. 36 40 Upgrading everything: 4K Ultra HD & Dolby Atmos See and hear everything at its finest. BEST BUY, the BEST BUY logo, the tag design, MAGNOLIA and the MAGNOLIA logo are trademarks 42 Orfield Labs: The world’s quietest room of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. © 2015 Best Buy. All rights reserved. What silence can teach us about sound. 44 Putting a new heart into a home 650-0305224 How a new home automation system changes everything. 48 (Com) Pairing good wine with great audio 44 Sales Manager Isaac Markowitz shares his passion for audio.

find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 1 With home automation, pushing the button to open your garage door can set off a host of events, from your house lights turning on, to your audio system coming to life.

“Home automation at Magnolia is about taking all the connectable devices in your home and The new Savant app is navigated using pictures of the rooms on the interface, building one eco system for a clean design and easy functionality. that’s customized to you.”

Magnolia is known for offering premium audio, video and home automation. turn your lights on and off from your smartphone. These add a host of cumulative events to that one command. And while everyone knows what audio and video are, the term home controllable light switches may also let you set specific So now, in the home automation world, not only does automation often needs more explanation. What is it, why do I want it, usage times for these lights, allowing you to program your garage door open, but at the same time the yard and aren’t home control and home automation the same thing? As it turns when they go on and off. But in the end, it’s basically lights come on, the lights inside your house turn on, your out —­­­­ no. To clear up some of the confusion around this ever-growing just control. thermostat changes to a pre-specified temperature and category, we sat down with Josh Fettig, Magnolia’s Category Manager for Home automation takes control to a whole new your audio system comes to life. And all this happens Home Automation. level. As Josh put it, “Home automation at Magnolia before you even drive into your garage.” is about taking all the connectable devices in your What’s in a name home and building one eco system around them that’s DIY, the gateway to home automation When it comes to home control and home automation, many use the terms customized to you. For example, for home control, you Most people would rather test the waters in the home interchangeably, but the reality is, they are very different. Home control refers to can buy devices that allow you to control your garage automation world before diving in, so they start with being able to control the devices in your home with your smartphone, tablet or door from your phone, which is great. But when you control, and that often means “do it yourself” solutions. computer. For example, you may have controllable light switches that allow you to add the home automation aspect to this equation, you And that’s just fine with Josh, who finds it’s a great way for

2 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 3 people to learn about the potential of home automation. with every company that offers home automation. Many The future is here, and more is coming the temperatures of rooms when people are in them, “Inevitably, there is a larger market for a DIY new companies that are getting into this space don’t We’ve seen countless advancements in smartphone and readjust them when people leave. This has further customer than there is for a custom-install solution, and offer home entertainment products or solutions. So capabilities. It does a host of things in an ultra-compact implications for the home automation world. Some day, that’s true of just about everything we do. But I think it your home is connected by one system, and your home device. It’s this device that does much of the driving similar sensors could identify who is in the room, what increases awareness. So if someone is interested in the entertainment system is controlled another way. Because of home automation today, and will in the future. As they want, and adjust everything in the room to that DIY space, the selection of products at Best Buy® is a Magnolia offers both home automation and home Josh told us, “A smartphone is a lot of things; it’s a mini person’s pre-determined standards. They could even great place to start. Then, if that customer wants to move entertainment, they are able to connect both of these computer, it has a lot of processing power, some even be programmed to have certain settings in the morning, into a more integrated space, Magnolia gets involved.” systems seamlessly. “That’s what Magnolia is all about. have near-field communication (that’s where you touch afternoon and night, or settings when you’re alone or To achieve this whole-home automation solution, We do end to end – the entire home,” Josh told us. “If your phone to another phone to transfer data). It’s that have people with you. The options are nearly endless. you need something that brings all these different you just want one thing, we can do that, and do it really ability that could have your products and brands together. Magnolia’s primary home well. If you want your music to come on when you get electronics knowing you’re in automation brands are Savant and Control4. It’s these home, we can do that. But if you eventually want to do a room, all without you having brands that use hardware and software solutions to take a lot more than that, and as your appetite and budget to alert it with a button push or everything in your home and make them all work from grow, we can expand that to your entire home.” And with app swipe.” a single app or program on your tablet, phone or Magnolia’s Engineers, Project Managers and Installers, In the near future, you computer. Your lighting, fireplace and thermostat you have a dedicated team trained to get your system up could walk into your home and your smartphone would controls, shades, home monitoring system, all and running to utter perfection. ping the room telling it you are there. Consequently, of your home entertainment gear and even This team of Magnolia experts will also work all the technology in that room would adjust to your your sprinkler system can work together as a directly with your architect and builder to assure that any personal settings; lights, thermostat, TV channels, It’s time to get your steak sizzling singular eco system, where one command can new build project is ready for this technology. Not only everything. “At Magnolia, we don’t sell things that most people need automate all of these devices at once. As more and will they assure the latest specs, wiring and infrastructure Josh also points out that, “Manufacturers are to have, we sell things people want, and then we work The Nest thermostat more companies are realizing the need to be part of this are in place, but, because home automation allows you looking at what can be done even if you don’t have your on the cool factor,” Josh told us. “We work on the sizzle, learns your schedule, home automation world, they are making their products to control your house from your tablet or smartphone, phone with you.” Nest thermostats are a good example not the steak.” Home automation is that sizzle; it’s the programs itself and can be controlled from your compatible with these home automation brands, so no you could potentially eliminate certain light switches and of what is possible. The company has moved into smoke backbone of every connectable device in your home, smartphone, reducing energy use and your matter what you want to control in your home, it can work thermostat boxes in the home. In their place, you can detectors. Why? Because you have a smoke detector in and it not only makes life easier, it turns a regular home heating and cooling bills. together in this singular automated system. either have nothing, or install home automation touch nearly every room of your house. So by putting motion into a very fun, integrated smart home. But this all-inclusive solution doesn’t work screens for a cleaner, more techno-forward look. sensors on these smoke detectors, Nest can adjust

Josh Fettig Magnolia Category Manager for Home Automation and Member of the CEA TechHome Board

Josh was recently elected to the Consumer Electronics Association’s Control4, Savant and Lutron offer a host of TechHome Board. The board is comprised of manufacturers products and apps that as well as retailers and custom integrators with a allow you to put your entire home right at focus on increasing consumer awareness and your fingertips. knowledge of home automation. They also create wiring standards for contractors to build tech homes. As Josh told us, “As a board member, I’ve learned a lot from these veterans in the home automation space.”

4 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 5 THE ART OF SOUND DESIGN

For Philip Tasho, art and music go hand in hand. Meticulous in presentation, art fills the walls as well appointed furnishings create an impressive surrounding that is as much art gallery as it is comfortable living space. To add audio and video into this setting, it was imperative that Magnolia followed this aesthetic tone. So Ken Eddy, Specialty Sales Manager/System Designer, and Adam Robinson, Project Manager, worked very closely with Mr. Tasho’s interior designer to ensure that technology blended fluidly with the home’s design. In the end, Magnolia gave Mr. Tasho a simple-to-use system that is elegant in its design while delivering the acoustic and visual quality he craves.

6 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 7 Now the audio of the TVs can play through the in-ceiling speakers, so he can maintain the sound quality for his television watching as well. Or he can have one TV playing a game with the sound going to every speaker The Savant home automation systen in the house. can be accessed from a central wall panel or from the owner’s iPad or smartphone. Easy control, aesthetically speaking “Mr. Tasho wanted audio throughout the home, window blind control to protect the artwork and one-button press to control anything in his house. Plus, he wants all of this to be easy,” Ken told us. So a Savant home automation system was chosen for these needs. The Savant system itself controls all of these elements, lighting, window blinds, the Carrier thermostat, and of course all the A/V equipment. “He also wanted an extremely reliable system,” Ken told us. “Savant offers a dual or redundant host. This “... when the western way, if the main host ever goes down, the redundant host picks up and takes over. Then Magnolia is contacted light comes in, the shades directly by the system, letting them know the main host automatically close is down, they come over and fix it, and there is never any so I don’t have to think about A retrofit that fits perfectly Network functionality was also very important. downtime for Mr. Tasho.” doing that when I’m away.” When working with any space, especially one with such Mr. Tasho wanted a robust Wi-Fi network. With this being “I was originally worried about the Savant system,” an emphasis on design, bringing in technology post- a condo, he didn’t want interference from neighboring Mr. Tasho told us. “But it’s easier than I thought. It’s build can not only be difficult, but intrusive. As Ken told units. So Magnolia installed a Ruckus system with been great. I’m not a tech guy, but I totally outfitted my us, Magnolia was up to the challenge. “You wouldn’t three access points. The zone director, which moves his last home with electronics and speakers—and that was think this was a retrofit. There was so much attention to Wi-Fi signal automatically to the strongest access point, 18 years ago, so I wanted to see what was new and detail, maintaining the look of the home, finding the path ensures he never loses functionality no matter where he different. I was really impressed where technology has of least resistance to put in these electronics, putting is in in the condo or out on his patio. come in those 18 years.” things in so you would never know that all this A/V came For audio, it was essential to have high quality in afterwards.” music in every room, without disturbing his neighbors. Let there be light, let there be shade Adam added, “It’s a very high-end unit. We needed So Magnolia created 9 zones of audio, allowing Mr. Tasho One thing you can’t miss in this condo is the windows to be very delicate with everything—we cut access holes to listen to as many as 9 different musical selections that surround you. Amazing views and bright light fill throughout the unit, not causing any damage. And because throughout his home. There are even two separate zones the space—which is fantastic, but can also be detrimental we ran cable from the back of the condo all the way out to in the bathroom—one in the main bath, the other over the to Mr. Tasho’s art collection. So it was imperative to have the patio, there really wasn’t an area we didn’t touch.” shower. This allowed for a cleaner listening experience window coverings that could be easily opened and closed One of the challenges of this retrofit was putting when in the shower, while eliminating any echo issues. depending on the time of day and how he wanted to enjoy the TV into the backsplash in the kitchen, not because of To improve sound and isolate speaker noise from the space during these different times. its unique location, but because of the backsplash itself. his neighbors, every speaker also includes a speaker “With the Savant system I can time things,” “The backsplash is completely custom. It’s a single piece box. “This box behind each speaker traps the audio and Mr. Tasho told us. “If I want the shades to go down or of glass, so there was no room for error. One chip or crack improves the performance of the speaker,” Ken told us. “It go up depending on the time of day, they can do and we’d have to replace the entire thing,” Adam told us. also prevents the sound from exiting behind the speaker. that. Like when the western light comes in, the shades “It’s a nice way to get a TV in that room without An in-ceiling speaker will bleed a lot of the sound, and automatically close so I don’t have to think about doing being intrusive,” Ken told us. “It’s got a stainless steel with other units around Mr. Tasho’s, the last thing he that when I’m away. I like having it all programmed on a bezel to match the appliances, and since it’s a Seura wanted was sound to bleed into his neighbor’s space.” timer.” It’s this programming that not only gives him the weatherproof TV, you don’t have to worry about splashing To bring better quality sound to his ultra-thin sunlight he desires, when he wants it, but also protects water or grease on it: it’s always going to work.” televisions, Magnolia connected every TV to the rack. his eclectic collection of artwork.

8 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 9 On this project, not only did the main Magnolia team of (left to right) Ken Eddy : Specialty Sales Manager/System Designer, Entertaining outside Shawn Slaughter: Lead Installer, Adam Robinson: Project When you have a magnificent outdoor patio that overlooks the city Manager and Art Shokhirev: below, bringing audio outside not only drowns out the cars, it creates Lead Programmer work extremely hard at meeting a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The trick, however, is creating and exceeding Mr. Tasho’s home entertainment dreams, a system on a terrace that looks as good as the rest of the home. As Magnolia also utilized 5 of the 6 D.C.-area Design Center Ken told us, “We needed to combat aesthetics. This whole place was install teams to meet the designed by an interior designer, so we didn’t want to just throw tight timelines of the project. Together these teams, in direct some speakers out there—not only would that not look good, but the partnership with painters, electricians, contractors and the HOA would not like that either.” interior designer were able to deliver exactly what To achieve a system that not only looked amazing but sounded Mr. Tasho was looking for. “The installation team moved all just as good, Magnolia installed the Sonance Sonarray system—eight around the room dialing in the system small speakers and a large sub that surround the patio, pushing the sound inward. Designed for backyards, where the speakers can be to make sure it would sound perfect. hidden in bushes and the speaker wire can be buried in the lawn, Magnolia had to use other plans when dealing with the concrete patio. “We partnered with the designer to put planters on the patio, and we “We also wanted to give him a good surround worked back and fourth to get the right size to hide the speakers in With the new Savant app, Theater bedroom you click the picture of the For Mr. Tasho, having a separate place to watch movies sound system. The surround speakers he had simply the planters with a planter that could also house the sub.” room you want to control, then all of the functions in was important, because he didn’t want the main room’s weren’t going to look good in the room, they were going Magnolia installers also had to pull up the majority of the patio’s that space appear—for easy, intuitive use. focus to be a giant TV. The condo’s master bedroom, to be too intrusive. We talked to the interior designer, 30-pound pavers to hide the outdoor-rated speaker wire underneath whose size was more than he needed, turned out to be and ended up installing in-ceiling Bowers & Wilkins them. The result, “You can walk out on that terrace and you have no “My cousin and some of my the perfect location. speakers to match the performance of his floorstanding idea where the speakers are. And with all the different sitting areas, colleagues at the office had used Magnolia. I hadn’t thought To turn this bedroom into a home theater, speakers. Bringing in a 528 REL sub combined with his you can sit anywhere and be in the sweet spot of that sound system,” of them—I just thought of Best Buy as a mass merchandiser. Magnolia first had to get the right gear into the room. old sub made it an amazing 7.2 system.” Ken noted. But they spoke very highly of • Select room Magnolia, so I thought I’d see That meant using Mr. Tasho’s pre-existing Bower & Because the room wasn’t originally acoustically what they had to offer. When I Wilkins speakers. Beautiful in design, and meant to last designed to be a theater, Magnolia needed to create A project perfectly tuned went to Best Buy and met the folks at Magnolia, I didn’t realize a lifetime, Ken knew these didn’t need to be updated. the correct design for proper sound. To do this, they To make a symphony sound its finest, all the instruments must play they had been around for over 50 years. I was very pleased with But there was one issue: these speakers weren’t needed to configure the speakers and subs in the together to create a harmony that flows without dissidence from any the experience and the tenure of the staff there. They gave me • See summary working as Mr. Tasho had wanted them to. Clearly the right locations. As Adam told us, “The installation team one part. So it is with this residence. Magnolia helped bring each part exactly what I was looking for. speakers weren’t getting the power and performance moved all around the room spending hours just dialing together seamlessly to create a harmonious space where art, design, The service has been great and they’ve been very attentive. I’ve they were capable of, so Ken brought Mr. Tasho into in the system to make sure it would sound perfect, and audio, video and home automation work in lock step for a comfortable been very happy and satisfied. “ Philip Tasho the store to demo a McIntosh amp. “After the first Mr. Tasho would get the experience he wanted.” space that is equal parts grandeur, comfort and style. experience of hearing them he was sold. He ended up • Make adjustments getting the McIntosh 8207 and the MX121.”

10 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 11 STANDING UP TO MOTHER NATURE SunBriteTV All-Weather TVs

to watch a baseball game than outside, lounging under the sun, with a cold drink in one hand and a hot dog in the other. The problem is, to do this, you typically have to be at the ballpark. Or do you? Thanks to SunBriteTV, the inventors of the first true, all-weather TV, you can watch a ballgame, movie, or whatever you’d like, outside, in the elements, with the sky as your ceiling and the grass as your floor.

Take it outside Outdoor entertaining has boomed in the past couple of years. And while simple patio sets and barbeques are more popular than ever, you’ll also find those that take outdoor entertaining a bit more seriously. It’s not hard to find full outdoor family rooms with weather- resistant couches, outdoor kitchens with built-in barbeques and sinks, and outdoor dining spaces with table settings fit for Thanksgiving dinner. Add to that outdoor audio and you have everything you could ever imagine. Almost. With the advent of SunBriteTV, watching the big game outside is not only possible, but easier than ever. “People want to have the same conveniences and luxuries in their outdoor living space as they have indoors,” Jonathan Johnson, Director of Brand Marketing for SunBriteTV told us. “And with SunBrite TVs, you now have the centerpiece product for outdoor entertaining. Plus, unlike bringing out a projector, a SunBrite TV never has to come back inside, and you’re not limited to nighttime viewing. It’s really a turnkey, self-contained unit.”

“People want to have the same conveniences and luxuries in their outdoor living space as they have indoors.” Jonathan Johnson, SunBriteTV

12 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 13 PRODUCT Like a mail carrier, SunBriteTVs deliver in all weather conditions SPOTLIGHT BOWERS & WILKINS American made in Thousand Oaks, California, SunBrite TVs T7 BLUETOOTH® SPEAKER are the only time-tested TVs in the world that are built from the ground up to handle the outdoor elements. These TVs feature specially designed powder–coated aluminum exteriors plus a watertight cable compartment to seal out moisture of any kind. So the harsh effects of rain, snow, sleet, fog and condensation, as well as temperatures ranging from 24º below zero to 124º above, have no effect on these TVs. Even dirt and insects can’t get inside. “SunBrite TVs are thoroughly tested and certified,” Jonathan told us. “We really do the background work to make sure they’re safe to use, and that consumers are really going to enjoy them.” But these TVs do more than just handle the elements; they give you incredible picture quality as well. Designed specifically for the great outdoors, SunBriteTV incorporates extra bright LED displays with an anti-glare coating to deliver clear images even under the brightest conditions. Your typical TV would be, pardon the pun, a glaring mess. HI-FI SOUND TO GO

A TOUGH CHOICE The pick-up-and-play Hi-Fi speaker Magnolia offers two series of ultra tough SunBrite TVs: the Signature Series, the best-selling outdoor TVs Perfectly sized for bedrooms, kitchens and patios, T7 is in the world; and the Pro Series, arguably the toughest, most durable outdoor TVs ever made. Two great a versatile wireless speaker that delivers great sound no options that continue to get better. matter where you go. But don’t let its small size fool you, its two 50mm drive units are specially designed to produce The Signature Series, now in its second generation, is stronger, lighter and 50% thinner than the original the best possible sound from a small space. Each driver (now just 3.5" in depth). It also delivers better picture quality with improved brilliance and color balance, is mounted in a rigged steel basket, keeping movement plus it comes with a weatherproof remote. tight and controlled, while allowing ample airflow. You also get solid bass thanks to its unique twin bass radiators. The Pro Series is direct sunlight-readable and high-heat tolerant so the sun can beat down on it all day. Designed for the optimum balance of movement and With its 700 nit panel, it’s very bright. It also comes with a built-in heater which extends its temperature stiffness, they deliver beats and bass lines with serious range to 40º below zero. Add to that its glass shield that’s installed in front of the main panel, and you depth and impact. T7 also uses high quality Bluetooth The Signature Series is available in 32", 46", 55" and have a protective barrier in case the front of the TV should ever get hit with a baseball or hockey puck. aptX, which means you can stream high-resolution audio 65" class models, in three different colors: black, files for crystal clear sound. And with 18 solid hours of silver and white. The two A strong product built on strong values playback, get amazing sound all day, wherever you go. larger models come with a detachable, weatherproof SunBriteTV’s mission is to provide safe, outdoor, worry-free entertainment experiences by delivering on soundbar for superior sound. The Pro Series is available their core values of integrity, innovation, teamwork and a commitment to complete customer satisfaction. in 32", 47" and 55" class models, in three different With over 10 years of research and knowledge, SunBriteTV continues to improve their products, making colors: black, silver them thinner, stronger and more durable. So when you’re ready to bring your TV experience outside, visit and white. your nearest Magnolia and see for yourself what makes SunBrite TVs so great. Then take one home and let Mother Nature have at it.

14 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 15 Filtration that allows both monitoring and management of your components’ SO MUCH MORE THAN Typically when we talk about power filtration, the conversation is energy usage over the Internet. One of the great benefits of this around AC line noise and how to make that as clean as possible. is for those times when something isn’t working and the only But many people feel that unless they hear hums, pops and clicks, solution is to unplug it from the wall then plug it back in again. With they don’t need a power conditioner. But you might be surprised to BlueBOLT, you can hard-reboot these components right from your learn that AC line noise is everywhere - it’s varying in degrees - but smartphone, no more need to physically get behind your system or it has a detrimental effect on your equipment. This is especially true go into your rack. these days with all the high bandwidth content in the form of high- While that’s convenient, BlueBOLT also helps you save energy SURGE resolution audio and ultra high-definition video. “Line noise masks and money by allowing you to schedule conservation commands for the signal content that creates the ambiance, the harmonics and the your products. As John told us, “Standby power is a waste of power, overtones and undertones that we pay extra for when we upgrade when you turn something off; it’s not actually turning off all the way, PROTECTION our speakers and components,” John said. “It masks the richness it’s still drawing a certain amount of power. So to turn something of the black levels, the details, and the resolution and clarity. It’s off completely, you have to unplug it.” By using BlueBOLT, you can Power, it’s the most fundamental component of any system. But spikes, surges, line noise, one thing to hear a hiss, but when you’re not hearing the really completely turn on and off these components at will, or schedule brownouts and countless other power-related problems can do more than just damage your equipment: they prevent them low dynamic overtones, it’s the difference between listening to a them to be turned off throughout the day or when you don’t need from performing to their full potential. As John Benz, Director of Power for Panamax/Furman told us, “When people are Stradivarius violin and a regular violin.” And why invest more for a them. BlueBOLT can even be used for family management. For shopping at Magnolia, they’re looking for an upgraded home theater or audiophile grade experience. To achieve this, Stradivarius, or in Magnolia’s case, premium products, if you can’t example, when the kids should be doing homework and they’re you first need to get the power right. That’s why we make these power conditioners; they maximize the potential of the hear the elements that make them premium? playing video games instead, you can turn the power off at the components they protect, allowing them to perform the way they were designed, bringing out the full characteristics of the John went on to say, “We have specific filters in our products source - game over, no further discussion. audio and video.” And while that starts with protection, Panamax and Furman products deliver so much more. that are tuned to maximize performance in the audio and video frequencies. These filters eliminate noise in these frequencies at Great or great, take your pick Protection the source, so once the power gets to your components, the power With Panamax and Furman, it’s not a good-versus-better solution, As most of us know, surges and spikes can wreak quality is not compromising performance. We’re able to allow those it’s all about your system and what you want to get out of it. With havoc on equipment, impacting their longevity as components to work the way they were meant to work in the first Panamax, you get a very “protection first” mindset: with great well as their performance. That’s why every Panamax place. Most A/V components are designed to work in laboratory filtration and protection for just about any kind of system need. and Furman product takes surge protection to conditions, because manufacturers can’t design these products to Furman gets more into the performance aspects of very high-end another level. work in all the varying power situations that exist today. We’re here audio/video gear, like audiophile two-channel performance-based “When you think about typical surge to fix that, make it right from the beginning, so that everything will systems. For these systems, Furman offers specific technologies for protectors, they can be a good front line of defense, work the way it was designed to work.” noise filtration and lowering the noise floor. But it all comes down but when it comes to certain types of anomalies to what your system needs, and Magnolia will match you up with that can come with power, our products protect BlueBOLT™: Mobile monitoring and management the Panamax or Furman solution that best fits that need, your system against much more than spikes and surges,” John Panamax and Furman have continually been at the cutting edge of and your goals. told us. “We have very specific technologies to technology when it comes to the products they offer. Their latest assist with wiring faults, different voltage conditions, innovation is called BlueBOLT; a technology built into select models Left: Panamax’s MR family brownouts, and other power situations that we’ve of power management been seeing occur more and more frequently with products offers several layers of protection to keep power being as stretched and unreliable as it is your gear running at peak performance. today. It’s these conditions that can be detrimental The BlueBOLT™ web app not only keeps you up to and have a long-term impact on your A/V system. date on your gear’s power usage, but it allows you to And it’s not just lightning; most surges happen right restart or turn off products within the home itself. For example, every time your from anywhere. refrigerator turns on, if you ever see the lights dim Left page: Furman’s REFERENCE i-Series for a moment, that’s a surge, and over time it has a technology and unique implementation are cumulative effect, wearing down the components revolutionary and without and shortening their lifespan and functionality.” peer, perfect for the most demanding systems.

16 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 17 writing. I love music and dig very deeply into it, it’s an intense experience. So when I listen to music it’s totally immersive to me, all I can do is think about what every instrument is doing, what’s the mix. So when I’m working on my own music, which is most of the time, I don’t listen to other music, because it’s distracting. If I want to relax and listen to music, John and I will hang out in our studio, drink wine and just have a good time. We spend hours listening to everything from old jazz to Blue Nile and Annie Lennox and old new wave stuff from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

M: So how would you prefer your fans listen to your music? Chan: We grew up listing to rock in the ‘70s. The Rolling Stones and Small Faces and punk rock—the original punk rock. All those records were made on that old gear, so we try to reproduce that; that’s what we love. One of my favorite records is Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. I think that record was made in two days. All that stuff was caught live. That’s one of the most classic records of all time, and we’re trying to get back to that with our new record. We’ve been tweaking our home studio where we can record a lot of rehearsals and pull together a whole album, and it will all be live.

M: That doesn’t translate very well to digital device format, does it? Chan: I worry about replicating bass tones. Everyone is so used to listening to stuff without any low end, everything is so compressed these days. That’s why I love records, I love making records. I’m all for audiophilia, if that’s even a word. Some of my most pleasant experiences are going to friends’ homes who are audiophiles and M: You all come from such amazing musical backgrounds, how who spend the time and money to invest in this stuff. Digging in really did The New Standards come to be? deep to old classic vinyl, playing on a turntable with the beautiful Q&AChan: It started with John and I jamming in my living room one tube amps—I love it. So that two-channel sound, that’s how I’d prefer night. We were working on a show for a friend from LA, and we people listen to us. EXPERIENCE started screwing around doing cover songs; “Under Pressure” by With The Suburbs, I resorted to doing a lot of overdubbing Queen and Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart.” As we and tracking. But for the jazz stuff, for the acoustic stuff, I want to get played, we realized how fun this was. We began breaking the songs back to the basics and two-channel systems because they certainly A NEW STANDARD down to the acoustics, adding in our own sauce, soloing over the deliver that extremely well. I can’t stand listening to music on my AN INTERVIEW WITH CHAN POLING FROM THE NEW STANDARDS changes and added a little jazziness to them. And my wife walks in phone or my computer. I want the full sound. and says, ‘That sounds great, you should take that out on the road.” So we booked a gig at Bryant Lake Bowl, and it took off from there. Raise your standards Minnesota is a hub of fantastic music. Its eclectic range of musical talent spans from the Andrews Sisters to The If you want to check out The New Standards in concert, buy their Replacements, and includes industry legends Bob Dylan and Prince. Born from this Minnesota tradition are The New M: What kind of audio gear do you have at home? music or just learn more about the trio, check out their website at Standards, a trio made up of The Suburbs founder Chan Poling (piano), Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic bass player Chan: To be honest, I have nothing in my house right now. I haven’t thenewstandards.com. And if you want to explore the best ways to John Munson, and on vibes Steve Roehm from the Texas punk bands Billy Goat and Electropolis. had a turntable for years, and I really want to get back into it. listen to their jazzy/rock sound, or any kind of music for that matter, As big fans ourselves, and fellow Minnesota brethren, it was an honor for M Magazine to chat with Music is extremely distracting to me because it ‘s my world. visit your nearest Magnolia, where you’ll find the finest turntables, Mr. Poling and discuss his music, his audio gear and how he’d like others to enjoy the group’s songs. I rehearse 4 hours a day in the studio and I spend so much time tube amps and speakers.

Photo by: Content Provider

18 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 19 REVVING UP A MAN CAVE

There’s something uniquely special about sitting in the cockpit of a true sports car, engine revving, heart pounding, mind racing. As your right foot slams down on the gas pedal, your body is sucked into the bucket seats, as the pavement below becomes a blur. Instantly you become one with the leather and steel that surround you. For others, this experience is best enjoyed when stepping inside a premium home theater. As a giant screen wraps the images around you, a 360º soundstage envelops you perfectly in every nuance of sound, as your senses sharpen to the point where the walls melt away and you are no longer a spectator, but a participant in the film world that plays around you. For one fan of both cars and home entertainment, these passions have collided into an amazing man-cave that’s one part garage, one part home theater, and all parts amazing.

From the outside, you can see the windows of the loft above the garage. With large doors on both ends, there’s no need to back in that stunning Ferrari.

System Designer Ben Steenson and Project Manager Nate Speakman with a Ferrari 430 Scuderia in front and 70" flat-screen behind.

20 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 21 These MartinLogan Motion 4 rear speakers are mounted to the ceiling of the theater creating a well appointed 5.1 surround sound system.

90" class Sharp LED TV to the wall for theater-size viewing. Rivaling the sound of the roaring car engines below, a Marantz receiver was added to power MartinLogan Motion 15 speakers, a Motion 8 center channel, Motion 4 rears and an REL T9 subwoofer. To bring the owner’s collection of movies to life, a Kaleidescape Cinema One movie player was installed, plus Apple TV allows for online content. A URC MX1200 remote was programmed by Magnolia to give the owner quick and easy control of the entire system. For ultimate viewing comfort, theater seats surround the system, while tables, a bar and a kitchen make up the periphery of the room, keeping the theater as the centerpiece of the space. And if the owner’s first two passions weren’t enough, you can’t help but be taken in by his third—big game hunting—as mounts of some very impressive animals from all across the globe adorn the walls.

A car show year round simulators, sport courts, arcades and, in the case of this amazing Ferrari 430 Scuderia. It’s a stunning example of Not your typical man cave The AutoMotorPlex™ in Chanhassen, Minnesota is a garage, one amazing home theater. automotive design, power and ingenuity. But it doesn’t While System Designer Ben Steenson will admit this 40-acre private garage condominium complex that If you’re thinking, “How many people would really take long to notice something else: the sights and isn’t the biggest project he’s ever completed, one caters to true auto enthusiasts. Designed to look like want this kind of experience, especially in Minnesota?” sounds of the home entertainment gear that surround thing is certain: it’s in one of the more unique settings. an old European village, its goal is to provide you might be surprised to learn that nearly you. Discreetly positioned to be out of sight but right in But Magnolia is no stranger to unique requests, from a place where like-minded gear heads can every one of these 140 garages are sold, ear range, four Sonance Mariner 82 outdoor speakers turning spare bedrooms into incredible home theaters, come together to store, enjoy and show and there’s still room to expand. And with play above you as music is pushed from the main rack to seamlessly incorporating the latest technology into off their collections. But these spaces two other locations now open in Chicago in the theater to these speakers by a Sonos amp. The historic homes. From bathrooms to play areas to attics are much more than what most of our and Kansas City, the desire is certainly speakers are also connected to an impressive 70" class to wine cellars, if you’ve got a space that needs the latest driveways lead up to. The AutoMotorPlex growing. LED TV mounted on the wall. So now, while the owner electronics, Magnolia can make it happen. So the only takes the idea of a garage to another level. enjoys his cars, he can also enjoy his favorite music, thing left to ask is, where’s next? With garages ranging from just under 500 square A feast for your ears and your eyes movies and sporting events as well. feet to up to 8,000 square feet, owners not only show As the giant garage door opens, you’re instantly And speaking of music and movies, it’s not until off their passion for cars, but their other passions as aware that this is anything but your typical garage. you walk up the staircase to the loft that you truly begin to well. Starting with a blank slate, owners can, and have, On most days, this space houses a few Ferraris and appreciate the owner’s other passion. To create a space customized these “garages” to include wine cellars, golf a Corvette, but today, the space was home to just one that could rival the garage below, Magnolia mounted a

22 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 23 “We want to be able to do more than just talk about our history. We want to show you, in the flesh.”

DISTORTION-FREE

As Eric told us, “At our facility, we give Magnolia employees an experience. We want them to be KNOWLEDGE motivated, we want them to be fired up and go back with a passion for Bowers & Wilkins and Rotel products. And we achieve that by giving them what we call The Art of the Demo. It’s all about putting that person into that music John Bower’s once said, or into that particular movie and that’s what we achieve “The best loudspeaker isn’t the one that produces the most, it’s the one that here with outstanding products, outstanding rooms and loses the least.” Every step in producing your favorite song, from recording it great presentations.” Interestingly enough, the Art of the live until it ultimately hits your ears, causes distortion. If your speaker can be Demo is what Magnolia calls their demo process when as distortion-free as possible, then you’re getting the most out of your music. they bring customers into the store and let them try out their favorite speakers. So it’s no wonder that Magnolia and B&W share this desire to allow people to experience fine audio gear in the most ideal environments. The same is true when you go to purchase Bowers & Wilkins speakers: you want The Art of the Demo clear, distortion-free information from someone who not only knows these speakers, When you think of a typical product training facility for Magnolia training time but who has experienced them, first hand, in their ideal settings. That’s why Bowers & audio & video products, you probably think there are This year alone, Bowers & Wilkins will have as many as Wilkins’ North American office houses a training center where they teach, among others, going to be lots of PowerPoint presentations with specs, 10 training sessions for Magnolia employees at this Magnolia employees about their products. But more importantly, they demonstrate diagrams, volts, watts, nerding out over the techy stuff. facility, giving nearly 200 employees knowledge and these products in a newly remodeled Experience Center where these employees can But as we learned from Eric McBride, Bowers & Wilkins demonstration time with these amazing speakers. It’s hear nearly every speaker in the Bowers & Wilkins line-up, giving them the knowledge Sales Engineering Manager and Custom Theater a unique opportunity for Magnolia to get up close and and ear to help bring these speakers to life for customers. Specialist, their training is anything but typical. personal with this brand, learning from experts.

24 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 25 “What I love most about the Magnolia Design Center crew is that they’re motivated,” Eric told us. “When they walk through The best use Bowers & Wilkins: that door, you can see the life in their eyes, they’re excited to be Much like Abbey Road Studios, here. You can tell they want to learn.” Skywalker Ranch, Capital Records, “It’s one thing to read about these speakers, it’s another Warner Music Group and many of thing to actually come to a place like this and experience them the major motion picture and music in the appropriate venues. In here we tailor the room’s acoustics studios, two local Boston companies around specific speakers, so you’re listening to them in the most also understand just how important ideal situation.” Bowers & Wilkins speakers are to them. “We also get them up in front of the class, and have them We were lucky enough to visit them. do demos. It’s great, it’s about educating them about the technical stuff, too, but it’s about getting them comfortable with all of our products. So when they go back to the store and someone says, ‘I love those 800s but I want something that I can’t see,’ they can say, ‘I was up in Boston, I listened to the CT800 and it was absolutely incredible, I really think you should try it.’ It’s very powerful when they can tell a customer they’ve listened to it, Boston Symphony Orchestra they’ve heard it. It builds a level of confidence with that customer.” Inside the recording studio at the BSO, recording engineer Nick Squire If a customer still wants to experience a speaker that records some of the finest orchestras and events for albums and isn’t on Magnolia’s showroom floor, Bowers & Wilkins is open radio shows. In doing so, he appreciates the importance of the studios to them coming up to the Experience Center to audition these B&W 802s: systems for themselves. Eric even offers a final service for select “This hall is considered one of the top three concert halls in the Magnolia customers who have purchased a very high-end B&W world for orchestral music, and probably the best in North America. theater. “For those with an 800 Diamond and CT level system Our job as recording engineers is to reproduce the quality of sound with the correct equipment driving them, I will work with their we hear in the hall. If we don’t have speakers that are able to reproduce architect, interior designer, whomever, on how to properly build everything as clearly as it is happening, we can’t do our job properly. So that room. Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you it just makes sense to have the best speakers we can have to match the have $100,000 worth of equipment, if the room is not designed acoustics of this beautiful place.” properly, the system isn’t going to sound very good. I will tell them what substrates to use, where to place seating, lighting, The Iconic Nautilus Room: It’s a acoustical treatments, everything. I will tell them how to build that Soundmirror mind-blowing experience as you sit back and take in arguably one of the room from the ground up—because all of those little intangible Soundmirror is world renowned for their recordings of acoustic finest 2-channel speaker systems you’ll ever hear. things come into play to achieve great sound.” music, racking up more than 80 GRAMMY® nominations and

The Theater Room: 3 systems: awards. Founder and sound engineer John Newton, whose the CT7.3 system, similar to the one It’s all about the demo relationship with B&W spans over 35 years after meeting John found in Magnolia’s Design Center locations, powered by Rotel. The The Art of the Demo: it’s the term used by B&W when training Bowers, tells us why B&W is his speaker of choice. CT8.2, and the big system the CT800. Plus 6 subwoofers powered by mono people about their speakers, and it’s the term Magnolia uses “Bowers & Wilkins speakers give you an accurate blocks. All three systems are located behind a faux wall. when demonstrating products to their customers. It’s this demo, representation of what you might hear if you’re listening to

The CI700 Room: 2 systems: the this passion behind the demo, that is everything when choosing music in a performance, although we’re very quick to add CWM7 series in-wall theater system a speaker. No matter the specs, the reviews, the history: more that we do not try to replicate a concert situation. We believe and the CCM7 series in-ceiling theater system. Plus two ISW4 subwoofers. It’s than anything else, it’s the sound that you buy—and the only way a recording is a completely different art form from a concert. all powered by Rotel. you can get that is by taking a demo. As Eric told us, “You can To put it simply, we can put you in a seat that doesn’t exist in Left: Eric McBride, with his infectious passion for the brand, heads up the talk to people all you want about things, the engineering and a concert hall, a much better seat, so you can not only hear training for B&W. technical points, but it’s really the Art of the Demo that sells the exactly what the orchestra is doing, but it can be more exciting product, immersing you in great sound.” because you’ll hear it better. That seat, by the way, is at the top of a 12-foot step ladder right behind the conductor.”

26 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 27 Why doesn’t it work the same everywhere? to you.” This becomes important when you have certain dense For an average home, the average wireless network has plenty building materials affecting the signal transmission. of power to get to every room and every corner. However, as In larger homes that require multiple access points, your home size grows, and you add in metal building materials, Ruckus applies intelligence through the use of a “manager” large block fireplaces, and copper in the kitchen, your wireless called a ZoneDirector, which continually looks at the devices signal loses intensity, becomes spotty, and in some areas will that are connected. If you’re moving through your home while disappear altogether. As David Barnett, Senior Manager of using a device, it shifts between access points to give you the Technical Services for Magnolia told us, “Wi-Fi was designed strongest possible signal, all in a way that appears seamless. as a best-effort technology. It’s like a straw that gets thinner Also, if Ruckus sees there’s a lot of tasking happening on one and thinner the further away you get from the access point. access point, and there’s another access point adjacent to it, Your bandwidth gets smaller, all the way to the point where it’s it will convince the portable devices to connect to the other unusable, and the device disconnects.” access point. So everyone gets the optimized experience in his You can have the finest high-performance A/V or her network. How smart is that? components, but if they’re riding on top of a less-than-robust Finally, these two brands deliver higher grade network, the performance of those components suffers. It’s not networking capabilities than products in the consumer the component’s fault; it’s the network. So the end goal is to space because, as Magnolia discovered, these large homes get your wireless network to work the same as a wired cable, in are more like businesses than single-family dwellings. The which case, it just works. Luxul products Magnolia uses are all Business-class products and the Ruckus solutions are all Enterprise-class solutions, Extending your reach targeted directly at integrators that specialize in performance Magnolia offers two solutions for bringing complete Wi-Fi halls, large corporate campuses and educational spaces. Their coverage to your home. The first is Luxul. Perfect for homes that circuitry is built to last, and their features are designed to avoid stretch beyond the “average” size, Luxul uses a single access interference. As David told us, “To say that a 5000, 7000 or point you place in the center of your home and super-sizes the 10,000 square foot home is a house is a disservice to the term signal by adding a more powerful amplifier, boosting the signal ‘house’. Most people live in a 1500 to 2000 square foot stick- “Needing a fast responsive network is essential – the key term THE BRAINS is latency. You press the button and it doesn’t do anything. AND BRAWN TO People hate delay. These systems keep delay to a minimum.”

up to the FCC legal limit. This increases the coverage footprint, frame home. From a size and building materials standpoint, EXTEND YOUR so you have continuous, always-on, seamless roaming. these homes are equal to an office building, and are oftentimes If Luxul gives your network brawn, Ruckus gives it even more challenging, and that is the core reason why we use brains. Ruckus uses what it calls a “smart” antenna, and it was business and enterprise-grade solutions.” David Barnett WI-FI SIGNAL Sr. Manager of the first to aim the RF energy directly at the client device. Until Technical Services, Whether it’s a poor wireless signal in the basement, or an intermittent they came to market, it was a single antenna with energy going Get the speed and connection you desire, all the time Magnolia signal when working upstairs, we all want one thing: seamless wireless in all directions. But with Ruckus, you have multiple antennas The next time your home automation system is running slow, Internet connections throughout our entire home. You just want things pointing in an array of directions. The antennas can sense or you feel like your computer or tablet is lagging, there’s a to work. The problem is that for many, especially those living in larger where the component is that it’s having a conversation with, good chance your problem isn’t with your components or your homes, the signal may work great in one spot, okay in another, and spotty then sends the transmission using only the antennas pointed devices, but with your home network. Let Magnolia take a look at best most everywhere else. in that direction. at your system and give it the boost it needs to eliminate these Thankfully, Magnolia has solutions to make your entire home one “Ruckus is continually optimizing its performance in real problems. We even have solutions to upgrade your signal to truly amazing “hot spot.” With brands like Luxul and Ruckus, your Wi-Fi time, all the time,” David told us. “So every time it sends data, all parts of your yard. So no matter where you are, inside or out, signal will be stronger than ever, giving you better signal strength, no it thinks, ‘Is there a better way to send this?’ and that might you can have a robust Wi-Fi signal. delays, and a stronger Wi-Fi connection throughout your home. mean bouncing energy off a wall instead of beaming it directly

28 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 29 MODERNA REBUILD New or old? Traditional or modern? Add on or rebuild? It’s a decision many of us must make when looking for a home. For Virginia couple Rob and Kendall, they had a very nice, traditional style home, but with three young children, they needed more space. They loved their neighborhood, so they decided adding on would be a great option. But after some long thought and research, they found rebuilding worked better for their needs. This gave Rob, who’d dreamed of incorporating the latest technology into their home, the opportunity to start anew, trading their 1940s traditional home for a more modern design, and extending their technology well into the future.

30 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 31 Getting the right service A new home meant more space. More space meant more “With these types of jobs, it’s important to have room for Rob to get some of the high-tech gear he had a great relationship with the general contractor ...” always dreamed of. “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, I just knew I wanted something nice,” Rob told us. “We both listen to music, so I knew I wanted the house wired From the ground up Putting the home in their hands Game time, family time, friends time, With the Savant home automation system, the for speakers; and I watch a lot of sports, so I wanted it While Magnolia can create incredible home Deciding on the right home automation system is a key all the time family can control every room in their house, from to be integrated into the home and controlled on my entertainment solutions in any home, new builds make aspect when building a robust home entertainment Many of us have that friend in our neighborhood who the kitchen to the bedrooms iPhone – I like that gadgety stuff. bringing the technology in much easier. As Aaron told system. It’s the interface you deal with every day – so everyone seems to just gravitate to; in this Virginia to the workout room, all from a single app. “I did some research. I called some smaller us, “We like to own the entire system. I like to say, the pre- making sure you get it right is very important. To land on suburb, Rob and Kendall’s home is that place. Creating companies first because I thought I’d get better service. wire is the skeleton – we need it in place to do everything the system that was right for this family, Ken spent a lot a space that would encourage this was important to this But when I went into Magnolia, they put me at ease and else. If we can own the pre-wire and the home’s network, of time learning what Rob and Kendall wanted, finding couple, as a place not only for them and their friends, but answered my questions. They did a really good job. And then we have the backbone and brains of the system. out how they wanted to control things, and ensuring the a fun place for their kids as well. The Sonance Extreme dual I liked that they had people with dedicated jobs. Adam, So this was the perfect scenario. We often do prewires system was a comfortable one for them. But in the end, it To achieve this, Magnolia first brought sound into tweeter speaker over the shower helps eliminate echos the Project Manager, and the installers really knew what where clients don’t know what they want – but they know may have come down to one thing. As Ken told us, “The every room – all the bedrooms, closets, hallways, the while delivering the right volume when the shower they were doing.” where they want things for the future, which was the thing that really sold Rob on Savant was when I showed laundry room; they all have Sonance in-ceiling speakers. is on. What started as a Magnolia Home Theater case here. We were able to pre-wire the home for lots of him video tiling on our home theater screen in the That’s a total of 16 zones of audio, including two in the consultation was passed on to the local Magnolia future possibilities. It’s like we’re almost future-proofing store. He likes sports, and I told him, ‘Imagine watching master bath, with a Sonance Extreme waterproof speaker Design Center once the System Designer at the Baileys the home.” 4 games tiled on one screen at one time,’ and he thought over the shower. Crossroads location learned all that Rob wanted to do in Specialty Sales Manager Kenneth Eddy added, that was pretty cool.” To add to the audio, there are 8 zones of video his home. Specialty Sales Manager Aaron Owens told us, “With these types of jobs, it’s also important to have a Aaron added, “Other companies were making distribution, including 4K TVs in both the family room and “This is a great example of how the relationship between great relationship with the general contractor, which bids, and some, because he was a sports fan and wanted master bedroom, a Sharp 65" class TV in the playroom, an a Magnolia Home Theater store and a Magnolia Design we had here. With it being a custom home, things from multiple screens, talked about putting two 60" screens LG TV in Rob’s office, and a custom 27" class Suera mirrored Center can work. An MHT System Designer originally did a construction standpoint were changing all the time – on each side of a 75" TV. But once he saw tiling, and the TV in the master bath. The house is also wired for 2 future the consultation. He noticed Rob needed more – and timelines, designs of rooms, all kinds of stuff that we had fact he could have four 60" TVs for game day, and one outdoor TVs in the backyard, plus they have an HDMI plate handed the job off to a Magnolia Design Center who no control over. It was important to keep constant contact 120" screen for movies and everything else, he fell in on the front of the house so they can bring a TV out to the showed him what else was possible.” so we could deliver our portion of the home design.” love with it.” front porch allowing Rob and his buddies to watch games

32 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 33 Magnolia crew: Aaron Owens: Specialty Sales Manager Adam Robinson: Project Manager Yasufumi Kataoka: Lead Installer Art Shokhirev: Custom Programmer Kenneth Eddy: Specialty Sales Manager

A word of gratitude: Rob and Kendall wrote a letter before Magnolia was done to personally thank the team for how great a job they did. Here’s “He likes sports, and I told him, that letter:

Guys: ‘Imagine watching 4 games tiled I know we have a few items to wrap up, but just wanted to write to say thanks. The sys- on one screen at one time’...” tem is awesome! Equally important, the pro- cess has been relatively painless. I feel like we have been handled professionally from the beginning and everyone we have dealt with has been courteous and knowledge- able. Obviously that goes for 3 of you but while the audio plays through two rock speakers. Not a For a strong Wi-Fi signal, no matter where you joked after it was installed, “He’s just going to sit down there with a glass of scotch and admire also the installers have been really great to both Kendall and myself (my 3-year-old son bad way to bring the neighbor guys together. are in the house, Magnolia installed a Luxul Access Point that thing.” refers to all the installers as his “buddies”). But it’s not until you head downstairs that you which is hidden in a closet, out of sight. This single access Part of the beauty of this rack is what Magnolia calls the “Dave” panel, because it was designed Rob see the home’s biggest screen: the 120" class Screen point completely covers the entire home all the way out by Magnolia’s Sr. Manager of Technical Services, David Barnett. This panel takes the elephant’s trunk Innovations Slate Screen with an Epson projector. It’s to the street. “He can even go across the street and get a of cables and wires that usually come out of the wall and go into the rack, and puts them into a For all Magnolia employees, letters like this here that family and friends alike can take in the home great signal,” Ken told us. clean panel inside the wall—then the rack simply hooks into that panel. Why is this important? First, it are extremely appreciated. “We care very cinema that’s attached to the kids’ play area. The theater Even the door lock is a connected product. Linked allows for testing of the installation prior to the equipment being connected, but more importantly deeply about that experience, and building that relationship is hugely important,” Proj- boasts a 5.1 Sonance surround sound system with an REL to the Savant system, each passcode can turn on any of for the end user, it makes changing and upgrading the system incredibly easy. And if they decide to ect Manager Adam Robinson told us. “These sub. Magnolia also provided the Bell’O reclining home your connected devices—lights, stereo, TV—so you’re not move, they can bring their rack of components with them, and the only thing left in the rack room are custom installs and we want to custom program their environment to them—so get- theater seats that combine the feeling of a fine cinema walking into a dark or quiet house. Each member of the is a clean panel the next family can hook their components into. Most of all, it’s proven to provide ting to know them, asking them what their with the comfort of home. family can also have their own passcode. Not only will greater reliability for your system. daily routines are, help them program the Using the “Dave” panel, lighting scenes and sound playlists for them Below the projection screen and the TV in the this create their own unique lighting scenes, but it can be In this home, there are two “Dave” panels, one with all the distributed audio/video and the Magnolia takes the elephant’s goes a long way.” trunk of cables and wires that attached kids’ playroom is a wall plate that is connected programmed to send e-mail or text alerts notifying you other with all the localized cables. The rack itself is mounted perfectly in the center for easy hook up. “They were constantly doing what they said usually come out of the wall, they would do. They were working hard, and puts them into a clean to the receiver in the rack – so Rob or his kids can hook when each child gets home. Now that’s a smart lock. panel mounted on the wall really nice, and nice to my kids. They did a - for a clean look and simple up their X-Box to either video signal. This way, when Rob Their dream, realized great job dealing with the contractor, who hook-up of the components. could be difficult at times,” Rob said. “I felt tiles the screen on the 120" projection screen, one of the Geeking out over the rack Today, a house is more than just walls, windows, doors and floors. Technology is that added layer like they were honest, straightforward and four tiles can also be a video game. Now he can watch his All of this amazing gear is powered by one equally that often completes a home, bringing together family and friends like never before. And for this did what they said they would do, and that’s hard to find.” sports, keep up on the latest news, and challenge his kids impressive rack. Rob was so fond of the rack Magnolia Virginia family, incorporating the technology of their dreams, also helped them create the home of to a game, all at the same time. Engineer Lucas Cervi built for the home that his wife their dreams.

34 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 35 Founded in 1986 in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, SANUS got its start where many companies and rock bands do - in a garage. Beginning with speaker stands, SANUS grew over the next 15 years into a leader in A/V furniture and stands for the residential market. Then, in 2002, SANUS introduced the first universal wall mount for flat-panel televisions, and it changed not only where we could put TVs, but how we could design rooms around them forever. No longer was the TV a hindrance to design, but part of it. It’s this integration of product and design that connects SANUS with celebrity interior designer Genevieve Gorder, as the two combined to show consumers how TV wall mounts could not only change your home’s design, but the safety of your home entertainment products as well. M Magazine was lucky enough to sit down with Genevieve to learn more about her connection to SANUS, and to also get some tips on how to use these products to bring a greater sense of space and design to your home.

M: How did you get involved with SANUS? Genevieve: SANUS provides a service that’s so integral to what I do. Being number one in their field and being from my home state of Minnesota, it’s like we speak the same language. I already worked with their products, so they’re easy to talk about; it’s not a forced relationship. Their products also provide an additional layer of safety that I can’t talk enough about when it comes to creating beautiful spaces; they have to be safe, they have to be functional. It’s real stuff that I actually use and I’m really into, so it’s an easy relationship.

“(You should) put your TV to the side of the fireplace and have it on a full-motion arm. I have that in my own home and it achieves a much better balance.” 36 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 37 straight down to the floor or was sitting on top of some mounted. I’m working with the Sonos brand and there type of surface or inside a bulky armoire. So now that we are some fantastic mounts from SANUS that I use for have this additional space, I can bring in the beautiful, the these speakers, including one that mounts my Sonos textural, the ancient and the sentimental around the TV. PlayBar under my TV. And knowing I have to design around a black rectangle When you alleviate and free up real estate on allows me to bring in different shapes and forms; ovals, surfaces it feels like you have more room. When you bring mixed metals, woven ropes, I’ll bring in lots of wood things up into becoming wall décor and relieve those textures. This warms up the aesthetic of the TV and tables, those mantles, those window sills, the illusion is components and distracts your eye when it’s off. When that you have more space, so it’s been a great exercise in you’re not watching TV, it needs to kind of disappear into my own home, and now I’m bringing that to my clients’ the background, and it does if you manage this carefully. homes as well. It’s cleaner, and that’s what we want from I also like to bring things above the TV, I give it tech, we always want tech to be clean, let the rest of our 6-12 inches of negative space because you don’t really lives be a little messier. But we want our tech clean and want imagery or any object too close to the TV when I’ve taken SANUS up on doing this throughout my own it’s on or it becomes a distraction. So I give it a little home, and it’s been great! I’m really, really satisfied. Celebrity breathing room, then I can hang things from the ceiling Interior Designer Genevieve Gorder or place things beside the TV. I don’t center the TV on M: The importance of safety is huge to SANUS and to With her incredible style surfaces, I off-center it so its not so perfect and I can play you as well, correct? and enthusiasm, Genevieve Gorder has become one of with vertical objects and sculpture, and it becomes kind Genevieve: Child safety comes before any kind of America’s favorite interior of a nest of pretty and the TV is just kind of there, instead aesthetic in any space. As long as everyone is safe first, designers. Bursting on the design scene on the HGTV of being obtrusive. we can move on to the pretty. I didn’t know the stats of program Trading Spaces, Genevieve has gone on to risks of tip-overs before I started working with SANUS, so host other programs like Dear Genevieve, HGTV’s M: A lot of people mount their TVs above the it’s been a nice education. Almost every television comes White House Christmas Special, and she’s been a fireplace, good idea? with some sort of plastic base, but these bases are not judge on Design Star. Off Genevieve: The fireplace is really your last resort. It’s that solid, making tipping over the TV really easy. Over air, Genevieve and her studio design a line of rugs, really only a good idea if there’s absolutely no other the last 10 years, a child goes to the emergency room accessories and bedding available nationwide. The SANUS VXF532 M: How has the dawn of ultra thin TVs and TV mounts Working with a company like SANUS is great place in the room. Why? Because the fireplace should every 45 minutes because of a TV tip-over. That’s a Premium Series full-motion mount changed design? because they help me conceal cords, which is a really huge always be the real focal point of the room, and when really alarming rate. Putting a TV on a mount reduces is designed for 46"–90" flat-panel Genevieve: Back in my Trading Spaces days, I had to obstacle in tech. No matter how cool the TV, it’s got a horsey the fireplace isn’t on, you have that black box as well. that risk by 100% and also looks a million times better TVs. It extends 31.98" deal with those big old box TVs a lot. It was kind of like cord, and it’s been a real advantage having cord covers. So, to kind of take away from something that’s usually so while improving the TV’s functionality, so why wouldn’t for a great view no matter where you the bigger the TV, the bigger the status symbol in your Also, having mounts that work for tilting and beautiful, with a television above it, isn’t my first choice. you do it? watch, and conceals your cables for home. They took up so much space behind the screen, different angles to block light, or to offer a greater radius I’d rather put a mirror or some representation of water, a clean look. it was an atrocity to design around. It was a real chore; to view the TV in other parts of the room is fantastic. I feel because water balances fire. And a mirror does that Experience SANUS design and style there was only so much you could really do. it’s an advantage if you work with technology, not against better than a TV can above a fireplace. SANUS provides so much more than just stands and Today, TVs are so small and thin, not necessarily it. I think tech was working against us aesthetically for so If the fireplace is too high, which it is sometimes, mounts for the AV world, they also deliver style, vision the screen size, but the TVs themselves are almost like many years. We’re in an exciting time. then you should get a SANUS mount that allows you and class. Stop into Magnolia to experience their a credit card. Yes it’s still a black box, and it’s still a bit to tilt the television down when you’re watching TV. extensive line-up of full-motion, tilt and fixed mounts. soulless, but it’s easier to play around, especially when it’s M: What are you doing with the extra space alleviated Otherwise, put your TV to the side of the fireplace You’ll also find SANUS AV furniture and on-wall shelving mounted on the wall. So I like to landscape with ancient by the TV? and have it on a full-motion arm where you can options, as well as speaker stands and wall mounts – things that are really textural and have a lot of soul; it Genevieve: Freeing up surfaces from tech is huge, I can’t rotate it; that makes a huge difference. I have that perfect for putting your components away and your kind of balances out new tech with old world. We always wait until we can be gone with DVD boxes and cable in my own home and I’ve landscaped around it so it sound at optimal listening levels. So when you’re ready to need that counterbalance in design. That’s really what boxes and our routers… that’s next. TVs have already looks like it goes with the fireplace. This achieves a much bring more design to your home entertainment spaces, my job is: balancing everything from color, to texture, figured it out. It’s a clunky, clunky business with all the better balance. with a product that’s not only functional, but safe, look no to light to masculinity and femininity. That’s truly, in the TV components. Getting the TV off the surface allows further than SANUS at Magnolia. end, the essence of what I do, and I do that very carefully me to help landscape around the TV, and that wasn’t an M: What about the use of speaker mounts and design? with technology. opportunity when we had the big boxes, because it went Genevieve: At my house, I have all my speakers

38 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 39 UPGRADING There are two recent technologies in the audio/video world that take your home entertainment to a place once found only in the finest movie theaters. For video, that’s 4K Ultra HD TVs - it’s like your HDTV on steroids - giving you 4X the resolution of your current 1080p EVERYTHING picture. For audio, it’s Dolby Atmos, which takes surround sound to a whole ® 4K ULTRA HD TVs & DOLBY ATMOS new level by putting sound above you - so now you get 360º sound from every direction in your home theater. Both of these products are truly game changers in the world of home theater. But some are hesitant to join this revolution in sight and sound because they fear the content simply isn’t there. Well guess what, there’s more there than you may think.

The secret of 4K and Dolby Atmos There’s a little secret in the world of 4K Ultra HD TVs, and it’s one we selfishly don’t mind if you share. It’s that not all 4K TVs are created equal. One of the big factors that separates the 4K Ultra HD TVs offered inside Magnolia compared to 4K TVs offered at other locations is that every 4K Ultra HD TV Magnolia sells features upscaling technology. At other locations, many of their 4K TVs don’t. What does this mean? Simply, that every 4K TV from Magnolia upscales your TV’s content to near 4K. And we only say “near” to be legally safe. In most cases, it’s a picture 4X clearer than your current HDTV, meaning content is not only here, it’s everywhere. From standard-definition shows to high-definition sporting events, even streaming content, these TVs deliver everything you watch in near 4K Ultra HD quality. The same is true for Dolby Atmos; everything you listen to is upgraded to near Dolby Atmos, for an incredibly immersive audio experience. And not only is the picture and sound quality better, it’s better by leaps and bounds. We’ll admit it’s not true, native 4K content, or all-out Dolby Atmos, but it’s extremely close. And some of that content is available today, with lots more coming. In fact most movies in cinemas today are being shot and recorded using these technologies, so it’s only a matter of time before this content explodes into the home theater market. But until then, upgrading gives you the next best thing, and you don’t need any special cables or wires, you just turn on your system and boom, it’s there.

The time is now The next generation of sights and sounds is here and ready to go. So when you’re ready to turn your home entertainment system up a notch, or 4, and bring cinema-quality sights and sounds home, look no further than Magnolia. We’ve got the finest gear and the help you need to create the clearest pictures, and the most immersive sounds, for an experience you once could have never even imagined.

40 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 41 THE WORLD’S THE WORLD’S QUIETEST ROOM EXACT OPPOSITE

Steve Orfield Orfield Laboratories Inc., Minneapolis, MN In 2012, Guinness World Records named the anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories the quietest place on earth. But you’ll find more than just a really quiet room inside this unassuming building in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From testing equipment to a reverberation chamber, Orfield Labs offers services in acoustics, vision, lighting, architecture and market research. Heading up the lab is Steve Orfield, a deep thinker who clearly looks at things with a unique and studied perspective. Together, Steve and his team, along with all their equipment, help make concert halls, religious spaces, restaurants and auditoriums as visually and audibly pleasing as possible. And when it comes to the world of audio, Orfield Labs’ two “sound” rooms test products we use every day, but in completely different ways.

Redefining quiet—the anechoic chamber a chamber that is more deafening than silent, as you begin to hear Crank up the reverb – the reverberation chamber What silence can teach us about sound Designed to test, among other things, the output and continuity of your own heartbeat. Down the hall from the world’s quietest room is a space that Mr. Orfield While these rooms can teach us a lot about the output and absorption of audio equipment, anechoic, or echo-free chambers, completely absorb When Guinness did their testing, they rated this room at describes as being exactly the opposite. “This room is perfectly diffuse, audio equipment, they also teach us a good lesson in acoustic design. the reflections of sound while being insulated from exterior noise. -13 dBA (decibels A-weighted). That’s 8 times quieter than most perfectly reflective, while the anechoic chamber is perfectly absorbent.” Orfield Labs does a lot of work with architects to create spaces that are To achieve this, every wall, even the floor and ceiling, are anechoic chambers, making it one of, if not the best for doing accurate Being perfectly diffuse means the sound is even across the entire acoustically pleasing. As Steve told us, “What we want is absolute clarity, padded with 3' thick acoustic wedges. The surface you stand on is product testing. That includes assessment in sound quality, sound space, it doesn’t drop by more than a half decibel as you move across we don’t want anyone to notice the sound system. So if you turn things wire mesh, suspending you in the space with the treated “floor” dispersion, distortion and frequency response. With this information, the room. This room measures the sound absorption of products and back and let them be elegant, quiet the room—silence your heating and below you. The room is actually one room inside another—this audio brands like Sennheiser, Yamaha and many others have been able the sound transmission of things like walls, doors and windows. “We can cooling system, and add in some good isolation from outside noises, prevents any sound or vibration from entering the space. As the doors to design and create products that have greater precision, clarity measure sound reflection, sound absorption and sound power—which then your sound will be incredibly clear, and you can let your ears relax of these two “separate” rooms close behind you, you’re encased in and accuracy. is the total amount of sound coming from a product,” Steve told us. and simply enjoy.”

42 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 43 Game Cave: Bringing an entirely upgraded home theater to the basement, Magnolia installed MartinLogan Montis speakers, a Stage X center channel that sits on a Salamander cabinet, a Descent sub and MartinLogan Edge rear speakers pumping out the surround sound. To complete the system, a Sony 4K projector was installed.

The whole rack was also upgraded with a McIntosh MX121 Preamp and MC205 Amp. A Kaleidescape media player, which is hardwired to the rack on the main floor, (pictured here) and a Sony 4K media player to deliver a host of prepackaged native 4K movies and shows were also added.

PUTTING INTO A A NEWHEARTHOME

For hundreds of years, the fireplace was the heart of the home. A change of heart needed,” Justin told us. While this system was great in The Magnolia crew: left to right, It was the centerpiece the home revolved around; it is where the family gathered, where When you’re the second, or in this case, the third owner 2003, with a lack of upkeep over the years, and many of Tyrone Twitty: Lead Installer Adam Chen: Apprentice you got your heat, even where you slept on cold winter nights. But with today’s smart of a home, you often want to make updates to meet your the components being removed by the previous owners, Tyler Hagen: System Designer house, where you can control nearly everything from your smartphone or tablet, it’s the specific needs and desires. Paint color, cabinets and it couldn’t deliver the experience the family needed. Justin Winchester: Project Manager automation system that is the new heart, pumping the blood to everything in the home. carpet are all things people change upon moving in. And “Even though they had in-ceiling speakers, they Brian Parker: Lead Installer Art Shokhirev: Programmer When this Maryland family moved into their 12-year-old house, the home when Magnolia System Designer Tyler Hagen and Project had boom boxes playing music in many of the rooms. Matt Stevens: Specialty Sales Manager automation heart that was originally installed wasn’t pumping at its full capacity. Simply Manager Justin Winchester came to the family’s home That’s when we realized they weren’t getting the most imagine how far TVs have come in the last decade, from standard definition, to a new and did a consultation, they found the home automation out of the home automation they bought with the house,” world of 4K Ultra HD. The same is true in the world of home automation. 12 years ago system also needed some updating. Justin told us. The old system was replaced with an this technology was in its infancy, the technologies and options we have today simply “When we did the walk, we realized their old home entirely new Savant system with all new audio and video did not exist. For a home whose automation system may have been top tier when it was automation system was only working at about 60%. It switching. The hard-wired in-wall touch screens were also first installed, it couldn’t hold up to where it needed to be in 2015. wasn’t giving the family the experience they wanted or removed and replaced with LaunchPorts, which now hold

44 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 45 Family Room: and charge their iPads when not in use. They now have a In all, Magnolia gave the family control of some someone comes in, they can simply download the Savant At the Lake: Magnolia installed a drop- Down at the dock you’ll find down Black Diamond Screen wireless home automation system they can control with their of the home’s window blinds, all the electronics, and are app to their smartphone, and with the Wi-Fi password, a Seura Weatherproof TV Innovations screen that lowers for year-round use. It gets its on two titanium wires. As the smartphones or tablets. currently adding Lutron lighting control. they’re on the system and can use it on their own device content from its own DirecTV screen lowers, the Epson “It was a 10-year-old prewire we had to update to Now, with Savant, not only does the family have a throughout the home,” Justin told us. satellite for amazing picture 6030 projector also lowers on quality. What you might not a lift and the window blinds work with current technology,” Justin added. “We had to home automation system that can properly control their This ability for others to control the home is not see is the Luxul wireless close, turning this family access point that extends the gathering space into a nicely find different pieces and parts to work together. It was a home’s electronics, but a much easier system to use as only great for guests, but also has enticed other family home’s Wi-Fi signal down equipped home theater. to the lake for a seamless lot of backward engineering of what was already here and well. Savant also allows for easy upgrades. Where the members to want this in their own homes. “We’ve done signal. There’s also a security camera, keeping a close eye finding out how to make it all work in 2015.” old system became unusable if they changed out certain projects with several relatives and other siblings are on this area, which is down a “We also salvaged what wires we could, and added components, with Savant’s software based programs, considering it. It’s branched off into all of these leads,” significant hill from the home. what we needed,” Justin told us. “We kept a lot of the changing out a component simply requires a software Tyler told us. What started as a chat in a Magnolia Design hardwiring and TV locations, and made them work with the upgrade. It’s that easy. Center has turned into a few really nicely outfitted homes, Master Bedroom: With the motorized Chief new system. We wanted to be conscious of the fact that, a family style friendship, and a number of really happy full motion mount, the push when the family bought this house, they paid an elevated A family affair smart home owners. of a button moves the TV to 4 programmable locations, price because of the home automation system that was in it. Being a close-knit extended family, this home often hosts for the perfect view from anywhere in the room. Knowing they invested a lot of money there, and investing as many as 100 people. With so many visitors coming even more with us for a new system, we wanted to be efficient over repeatedly, the Savant app makes it easy for these and make what they had work with the Savant system.” guests to also have control of this amazing system. “When

46 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 47 {COM}PAIRING GOOD WINE WITH

O SP TL I IA G L

H GREAT AUDIO

O T

N

G M A Few things are as enjoyable as kicking back with a nice glass of wine and listening to your favorite artist on a high-end audio system. Isaac Markowitz, Sales Manager at the Park Lane Magnolia Design Center in Dallas, Texas shows us the similarities between great wine and great audio. Here’s Isaac’s story, in his own words. “I’ve never had anybody who didn’t A passion for all things audio believe in cables “I was a server and sommelier in high-end restaurants for 10 years, but music was my first once I’ve had the passion. I’m classically trained and have been playing since I was 5. And it’s that love of opportunity to do an audio that attracted me to Magnolia. “I’ve found a lot of similarities between what I do at Magnolia and what I did working A/B comparison in high-end restaurants. In fine dining, people are looking for a certain level of service and a demo for them.” special kind of experience. The same is true at Magnolia. I’ve also found that the difference Isaac Markowitz between a $100 bottle of wine and a $4000 bottle of wine is very much the same as the Magnolia Design Center difference between a $1000 pair of speakers and a $5000 pair of speakers. One has a lot Park Lane, Dallas more provenance and history, and allows you to be a lot closer to the experience. In the case of wine, it allows you to be that much closer to the land where the fruit was grown, to be closer to the wine maker. In the case of speakers, it’s about being closer to the performance, about being 5 rows back and dead center, listening to your favorite artist.”

It’s what you can’t see that will amaze you “I’ve always believed in the value of things that are hard to see or hear at first. A lot of people don’t like the idea that cables make a noticeable difference in their system, but the truth is that they make all the difference in the world. “When speaking to the power of cables, I’ll often ask people about wine. I’ll ask them why they don’t drink their favorite wine out of a Styrofoam or red plastic cup. As we know, it would give it a funky smell or taste. Cables do the exact same thing to your audio and video signal as your wine glass does for your wine: they allow you to get the full expression of the performance, to enjoy it in its best possible form. “That’s why when you look at an audio system, you can break down the contribution of quality into almost perfect thirds. A third of your sound quality is dictated by your choice of loudspeakers, a third by all of the electronics in that system, and a third is from your cables. It doesn’t make sense to make a chain with two links of titanium and one link of cheese. Big speakers make big sound, but if you have low-quality sources and cables ahead of them, all you’re doing is making really big, low-quality sound. “If you let me build you a properly proportioned audio system, I can give you a golden ticket to every concert you’ve ever dreamed of going to. And that’s really what makes what Magnolia does so special–we’re building time machines for people.”

48 | Bringing inspiration to your space for 60 years™ IMAGINE THE PO SSIBILITIES From TV mounts to component racks and speaker stands, SANUS offers everything you need to enhance your entertainment experience. Safe, stylish, and easy to use, our products will help you achieve the home theater experience you’ve always wanted.

VISIT YOUR NEAREST MAGNOLIA LOCATION TO LEARN HOW SANUS CAN HELP TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE.

find us online @ magnoliaav.com & bestbuy.com/magnolia 1

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