ISE finally debuted at Fira de Barcelona in May after two years of cancellations due to the global pandemic. While we knew it wouldn’t be the old ISE we all know and love, I think it’s safe to say that everyone was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
The four-day event welcomed 43,691 attendees from 151 countries and 834 exhibitors across 48,000 m² of exhibition space divided into six technology zones.
This year marked the first time the show had taken place as a large-scale in-person event since February 2020 in Amsterdam, when the coronavirus had just entered Europe. 2020 was the year ISE said goodbye to Amsterdam, with February 2021 set to be the year the event moved to its larger home in Barcelona. However, after numerous postponements, ISE was split into four smaller regional events due to travel restrictions and focused on restoring the industry for the first time in small groups to reconnect.
Reconnecting was also a huge theme this year, with exhibitors and visitors from all over the world to meet in Barcelona for the first time in two years. This year’s ISE was also a great platform to see all the new products released over the past two years in person and gave manufacturers a platform to launch new products this year…although it haven’t been too many thanks to the supply chain issues we’re currently facing.
Hall 2 was the place to be this year with half a hall dedicated to residential and smart building technology. As the industry faces supply chain issues, new products were launched in this area during the show. Despite the difficulty in obtaining chips, many new audio products have been launched.
One of them was Steinway Lyngforf’s new Marine Speaker. With an IP65 rating, the Marine Speaker makes it possible for the first time to achieve Steinway & Sons sound performance in luxury outdoor applications such as yachts, patios and swimming pools. Watch the video below to learn more about the Marine Speaker.
L-Acoustics Creations also introduced a new audio solution, the Soka speaker and its companion subwoofer, the SB6i. Inspired by Syva’s success and design principles, Soka is a unique loudspeaker that combines line-source technology with sleek aesthetics for demanding technology integrators and projects requiring smaller, more discreet solutions. I took the time to talk to Nick Fichte, Global Commercial Director of L-Acoustics Creations, about the new products as well as how you can get immersive sound outside of a home theater.
Another brand to have launched new audio solutions at ISE is Focal. The French audio company has introduced its new 300 ICA6 angled ceiling loudspeaker, inspired by its flagship 1000 series range. Joining the 300 series, the 300 ICA6 incorporates the most successful features of the 1000 ICA6 loudspeaker. Learn more about this product here.
Focal’s new 300 ICA6 inclined ceiling loudspeaker
Devialet used ISE to demo its recently launched Dione all-in-one Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 soundbar. It combines 17 speakers to deliver deep bass, dynamic mids and clear highs. Even though it was set up in a less than ideal room in the middle of Hall 2 at the Fira de Barcelona, I was pleasantly surprised at how great the Devialet Dione sounded. Learn more about the Devialet Dione here.
Devialet Dione All-in-One Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 Soundbar
On the control side, RTI has come to ISE with its all-new Integration Designer 11, adding new levels of customization and time-saving tools as well as a new template, new background icons and libraries, sliders customized and much more to personalize residential projects. Bill Hensley gives an overview of Integration Designer 11 in the video below.
Access control company, 2N, focused on its flagship 2N IP Style intercom at the show, demonstrating its latest firmware update that boosts the product’s access capabilities, including the addition of the QR code capability to open mobile access to people temporarily accessing a site. Watch the video below for more information.
LILIN exhibited its multiple security solutions, demonstrating the functionality of its various solutions. In a video with ISEShow.TV, Ian Leroux examines the advantages offered by his AI security cameras, with the ability to detect fire, animals, humans, mass detection or a custom option to detect masks, hats , high visibility or any other project requirements.
Airzone’s stand presented several HVAC solutions for the home. In the video below, Airzone Global Director Borja Fernández explains how HVAC systems can be integrated into any BMS, as well as an overview of some of its new product lines, including controllers of thermostat.
KNX, the show’s presenting partner, had a large stand in Hall 2, showcasing various solutions for homes, smart buildings, offices, and more. progression as the demand for better spaces increases.
The BMS is also being talked about more and more in the home automation industry, with more and more installers using the BMS in their projects. I sat down with Richard Caton, Managing Director of Janus Technologies, who explained how AV installers can overcome challenges with an integrated BMS to access many benefits, including generating recurring revenue and achieving greater visibility into a system.
I also took the time to talk to the integrators around the Fira de Barcelona. Suzanne Fitzgerald of Dmoti, a French integration company, spoke about some of the considerations and challenges that a home improvement project can bring.
Finally, ISE was a great opportunity for the industry to meet CEDIA’s new President and Global CEO, Daryl Friedman. Ready to take CEDIA to new heights, Friedman points out that this year’s ISE demonstrated the great growth the home tech market has seen recently as people invest more in their homes.
The sad news is that ISE has moved back to its original dates of late January/early February, so there probably won’t be as much sun and heat as there was this year. However, Barcelona should be slightly warmer and less rainy than Amsterdam, so still a silver lining.
For a comeback show after a global pandemic and a fresh start in a new venue, everyone was pleasantly surprised by the attendance at ISE. It was great to catch up with real people in person and learn about the products, even though there weren’t as many new products as usual.
Based on this year, ISE 2023 should be big! However, we may not see many new products just yet, but we will see how supply chain issues progress over the rest of the year. See you in January!
