Evolution of electronics drives entertainment
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, April 17, 2010
HIGH POINT —
The evolution of digital television and gaming systems continues to drive innovation in home entertainment furniture.
This market's notable entertainment introductions include Universal's Media Easel, part of its Great Rooms offering; Uplift Cabinets' new lift cabinet models; and additional fireplace media console units from Buhler and Classic Flame.
In addition, there's a fair amount of action at the high end this market, with media units being introduced by sources such as Matsuoka, Alden Parkes and Global Views. And tall wall units designed for rooms with higher ceilings also continue to be popular, with Aspenhome among the companies showing new product.
Ken Levi, home entertainment designer for Aspenhome, said the company's introductions take a “tale of two cities” approach this market: expanding the range of large-scale setups with the addition of a large wall unit while also increasing the small console lineup.
The Napa Grand Entertainment Wall, which measures 134 inches wide with two piers and stands 104 inches tall, is designed for larger family rooms. The unit will accommodate a 60-inch wide television.
Large walls have tended to do well in places such as Texas, California and Florida where high ceilings are more prevalent, Levi said.
Aspenhome also is adding thin consoles to seven top-selling collections, which are designed to accommodate flat-panel screen televisions either by setting them on the console or hanging them on a wall above.
The consoles are available in three sizes and have pier and bridge options. Medium- sized wall units aren't a hot retail item currently, but smaller, more affordable consoles with pier options may find a larger audience, Levi said.
“Everybody's been so console-oriented. But we found that people want a little bit more than that,” he said. “So we just did a really simple pier and bridge where they can display some things.”
Levi said the company's hottest price range for consoles has been $399 to $599 and it is trying to push up those price points with its latest introductions.
“Retailers just went down to the lowest common denominator and I think that now we're kind of through that,” Levi said. “People aren't over-exuberant but they have a little confidence and want something that's an upgrade.”
Over the last few markets, Signature Home Furnishings' intros have included TV lifts in bed footboards, a DUO dining/home office/entertainment concept and a motorized mirror that lowers to reveal a flat-panel television.
This year, Signature is focusing on products for LED televisions, said Gene Head, vice president of design and marketing.
“That's why we've been able to sell our share of entertainment over the years. We're always trying to stay up with the latest trends,” Head said. “Hopefully, this will drive business for us going into the second half of 2010.”
Ultra-thin LED televisions are typically just over an inch thick. Sales of the thin televisions are expected to gain good ground this year, Head said.
Head said a frequent complaint with the models has been sound quality. Since the televisions don't have much room, the depth of a speaker is highly constrained. He added that many consumers address that problem by purchasing a separate sound bar.
But a sound bar can be awkward if placed in front of a television and often blocks the TV's “off” button, he said. So, Signature has added compartments to its entertainment units to house sound bars.
The company also continues to add back panels to its console units. The panels feature a range of sizes and shapes.
Signature also is adding more consoles with pier options since they continue to be the best-selling category within home entertainment, according to Head.
Consoles are still the best seller in home entertainment, with the $499 to $699 retail price range particularly hot, said Mike Charlton, senior vice president of product development, merchandising and advertising for Riverside.
“People want to have something to put their TV on or accommodate all their electronics and all their stuff. If they've got a wall system, it takes up a lot of space and it's a lot more money than a stand-alone console,” Charlton said.
Riverside is introducing several new consoles this market across four collections: Coronado, Coventry Court — which also features a new wall unit — Chatham and Bella Vista. The company is continuing to incorporate more gaming function into its new console models.
“Dedicated storage in TV consoles for gaming components and controllers is getting to be a bigger deal because of the continuously rapid growth of the electronics being sold for gaming enthusiasts,” Charlton said. “Heat escape ventilation — more is better — is also very important as the components generate a lot of heat if enclosed.”
Charlton said Riverside also has a new corner console this market for consumers looking for a convenient place to put a television that doesn't project out onto a room like a wall unit.
This market marks Tradewins' first big move into home entertainment, according Tom Underhill, president.
Underhill said that major retailers who carry the company's line said that the entertainment category was a product Tradewins might do well in. The design is similar to a hutch and buffet, which Tradewins has been able to produce at sharp prices from its factory in China.
“When the prices came back, they were very competitive. It's better quality but not a price that is out of reach,” Underhill said.
The entertainment is solid wood and draws design inspiration from three best-selling Tradewins' groups in cherry and oak in addition to two stand-alone designs, Underhill said. Customers can mix the product with other Tradewins product on containers, he said.
The introductions cross Shaker, Mission, French classic and contemporary styles and all offer a console with hutch, Underhill said. The items will range from $1,299 to $1,499 for a console and hutch. Individual consoles start at $699.
Underhill said retailers are coming into this market with improved attitudes and more optimism.
“I think things have modestly improved, I'm hearing and seeing more orders. Our existing dealers' (sales) are definitely (on the rise),” Underhill said.
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