DENVER, CO, September 12, 2006 — Russound, the #1 brand in multiroom audio, is updating its award-winning SMS3 and SMS3-250 Smart Media Servers with a host of software enhancements that solidify their position as the music servers for music lovers. Both now offer extended integration support for systems and components from AMX, Crestron, Exceptional Innovation and other key third-party manufacturers.
“The SMS3 servers already deliver a superior musical experience over other less evolved music servers,” says Michael Stein, Russound’s Research Director. “The newest versions make it easier for consumers to enjoy even more of their music exactly the way they want to, and makes it easier for installers to integrate into virtually any system. The industry has been asking for greater integration capabilities from the Russound music servers, and now we are delivering on that goal.”
To keep the tunes rolling without stop, the SMS3 servers will be capable of seamless album play, without the annoying breaks between songs that typify most other audio servers. Russound accomplishes this through the product’s unique ability to fetch the next song in a playlist before the current song finishes playing, which makes for true continuous playback, and also speeds up track selection if the user wants to skip to the next song.
The SMS3 also improves the user experience for the “nuts and bolts” of music management, with improved classification and data recognition techniques. For example, when the user rips a compilation CD with “Various” artists, the SMS3 servers can relate the individual artist information to other themes and classifications that the user has assigned. Ordinary music servers simply read the individual artists as one “Various” artist, which doesn’t give the end user nearly as much flexibility.
Additional software enhancements provide a new volume normalization system that improves playability and audio signal-to-noise ratio, and even more music management convenience, thanks to an enhanced user interface that’s faster to use and provides more features for copying and assigning themes and tracks. The SMS3 Smart Media Servers can be controlled by RNET systems through keypads or touchscreens, the included SMS3-RC remote control or by a PC through a network connection.
The Russound SMS3 with 160 GB sells for a MAP of $2,899, and the higher-capacity SMS3-250 carries a MAP of $3,199. Servers featuring updated firmware will be shipping by the end of 2006. The updated firmware will also be available for download.
About Russound
Since 1967, innovation, quality and reliability have been the pillars of the Russound product tradition. Located in Newmarket, N.H., Russound offers the products and expertise customers need to enjoy multiroom audio and video systems in their home. The company pairs powerful systems using the latest technologies with intuitive controls to give customers high-performance, easy-to-use solutions. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.russound.com.
About RNET
Designed from the ground up by Russound Engineers, RNET technology delivers Sound Intelligence to multiroom audio. RNET provides intelligent audio features; metadata delivered to keypads, pre-programmed components and fully tested products. The result is unsurpassed performance, faster installation and exceptional end-user satisfaction. From controllers, keypads and touchscreens to source equipment, RNET offers everything you need.
###
