Now that the MP3 is officially dead and streaming services like Spotify and Tidal are offering lossless audio subscription tiers, it’s the perfect time to invest in a high-end audio upgrade for your New York City property. But if you think all you need to get optimized sound is a wireless speaker taking up space on your bookshelf, you’re in for a disappointment. Instead, top-quality audio is about choosing the right components and optimizing your space for the perfect listening experience. Interested in learning more? Keep reading.

See Also: What We Loved at CEDIA 2017

Understanding Speakers

While they’re not always the first place to start building your system, many homeowners believe speakers are the most important part of an audio chain. But instead of scouring online forums and blogs about which speaker sounds best, you have to consider how they’ll sound in your space.

No two speaker brands are the same, just like no two rooms are exactly the same. Taking an in-depth look at the cabinet crafting, the materials of the drivers and other details will help inform your decision on which speaker will sound best in your space. However, there’s never a substitute for actually listening to the units.

The Custom Electronics Design and Installation’s annual showcase of the coolest and newest tech products may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still drooling over some the great new smart home technology coming down the line. From awesome new touch-panel mirror TVs to the resurgence of vinyl that will bring you back to your record-collecting heyday, we got to take a look at all of the best stuff that will be available this holiday season and beyond. Want to sneak a peek? We’ve chosen some of our favorites below. Keep reading to find out more!

See Also: 3 Unique Stylistic Solutions for Your Home Entertainment

Seura Smart Mirror 

A smart TV in your bathroom mirror is a great idea. You can catch up on the morning news while shaving or brushing your teeth. But you know what’s better than a smart TV? A complete smart home hub in your bathroom mirror – and that’s exactly what Seura is offering with their latest product.

The Seura Smart Mirror allows you to do a lot more than just watch TV; you can utilize apps, receive up-to-the-minute weather reports and yes, control your entire smart home before you’re done with your morning routine. It’s all completely customizable with access to the Google App store, so you can simplify the way you start your day. Plus, it’s fully equipped with voice control so you can enjoy hands-free access. 

Largely on the back of paid streaming subscriptions, the music industry is having a revival. According to the IFPI Global Music Report, 112 million users subscribed to paid streaming services in 2016 for a revenue growth of 60 percent that helped offset a decline in digital downloads and physical purchases. Both the recording and audio manufacturing industries are looking to capitalize on this growth by offering greater streaming catalogs and creating better music streaming solutions.

In this blog, we help you find the best way to join the streaming music bandwagon in your New York City or Long Island home. Keep reading to find out which streaming services offer the best quality and how you can upgrade to streaming music services. This way you’re not relegated to listening on your phone or computer.

SEE MORE: Elevate Your Music Listening Experience with Whole Home Audio

Best Music Streaming Services

Deciding on the right streaming service to use can depend greatly on what your priorities are. Below we highlight the ones we like to use most—though if you’re an avid fan of a specific band or artist, you should always make sure they don’t have exclusive deals with a particular service.

As the summer months approach, it’s almost impossible to deal with the fluctuating temperatures in the New York metropolitan area. In just the past week, the city has seen highs of 90 degrees and lows of 50. With a smart thermostat, you don’t have to play catch up. Your home is always at your ideal temperature and with a lending hand from some of your other technology—including your motorized window shades—you don’t have to expend ridiculous amounts of energy to stay cool. Below we highlight some of the best smart thermostat features that you can take advantage of this summer.

SEE MORE: Motorized Window Treatments Enhance Every Space in your Apartment

Make it Easy to Set the Temperature

Traditional thermostats can be a hassle to program as you try to figure out what all the buttons on the panel mean. One of the coolest aspects of a smart thermostat is that it’s easy to manage from a mobile app or even through voice commands if you have Amazon Alexa. The app comes with simple graphics that let you choose a room, set the temperature, and turn fans on and off.

Access Your System on the Go

Amazon Echo, the surprise tech hit of the 2016, is transforming the way homeowners and renters control nearly every aspect of the places they call home. Pair this new voice control technology with the endless custom integration possibilities of Crestron, and you get a highly personalized home, one that fits your unique needs.

The Amazon Echo is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice. Since its launch in 2014, the speaker has rapidly evolved into a powerful digital assistant and smart home hub. The device, which is about the size of two soup cans stacked on top of one another, allows users to play music, control lights, shades and temperature, get news, sports scores, weather, and access other smart home features.

All you have to do is ask. The hub is controlled by simply speaking to it. Because the system integrates with Crestron, Audio Command Systems can offer the next generation in home integration to both new and existing customers.

Components of the System

Alexa is the voice-activated personal assistant technology that allows users to control the Amazon Echo, the speaker that resembles a Pringle can, and the Dot, its hockey puck-sized counterpart. Alexa is the brains behind the system, and since it is built in the cloud, it’s always getting smarter. With a few additional devices, you can control everything from your thermostat to your door locks. Or if you prefer, you can take a more leisurely approach, setting up a couple of lights, and adding more devices to your collection down the line. Additionally, Amazon Prime members can ask Alexa to order products much like they would order online from the website.