Charlie Porritt, CEO of Russound, USA, took part in the TFT 1957 survey of ISE 2025 exhibitors and guests on their showcased solutions and equipment in Barcelona, February 4-7, 2025.
– What products and solutions is Russound showcasing at ISE 2025?
At ISE 2025, we’re excited to present a range of new and upgraded audio solutions designed for both residential and commercial applications. One of our key highlights is the SMZ-16, a 16×16 preamp with built-in streaming and Bluetooth, along with our first matrix controller featuring HDMI support. This ensures seamless video source integration without lip-sync issues.
It’s been nearly 20 years since Russound introduced a preamp-only product, and this solution is aimed at large residential installations and commercial environments, including sports bars and hospitality venues. These applications typically rely on 70V amplifiers for multi-zone audio distribution.
We’re also introducing the SMZ-8, an 8×8 version of the SMZ-16, which includes integrated streaming and HDMI connectivity. Unlike the SMZ-16, the SMZ-8 is powered, meaning an external amplifier is not required. This system delivers 50 watts per channel, marking the highest power output in Russound’s multi-room, multi-zone centralized controller lineup. Additionally, it features DSP processing, HDMI, Bluetooth 5.1, and support for popular streaming services like AirPlay and Google Chromecast.
Another key product is our 12-channel digital amplifier, which includes high-pass and low-pass filtering, making it an ideal choice for outdoor installations with satellite speakers.
We’re also showcasing our award-winning ABA (Active Bass Augmentation) products, including the 3.1-channel system, which pairs perfectly with our cinema soundbar. This system delivers audiophile-grade performance, with dedicated woofers, tweeters, and passive radiators for enhanced bass response. The angled mounting design ensures that the soundbar remains functional when pivoting a mounted TV, preventing obstruction against the wall while maintaining a sleek appearance.
For those looking for a more compact solution, we offer the ABA 2.1, a two-channel version of the system. These solutions are positioned at competitive retail price points:
- ABA 2.1: $299
- ABA 3.1: $399
- Cinema Soundbar: $499
– What are the main industry trends, and how is Russound adapting to them?
One of the biggest trends in the AV industry is the increasing demand for seamless AV-over-IP solutions. Russound is focusing on integrating advanced digital signal processing (DSP), high-power amplification, and flexible connectivity options to meet these evolving market needs.
The commercial sector, in particular, is shifting toward integrated multi-zone audio solutions with advanced control capabilities. With our new amplifier lineup, scalable matrix controllers, and cutting-edge streaming solutions, Russound is providing AV professionals with the tools to build high-performance, future-proof installations.
Our intelligent power distribution solutions and enhanced HDMI integration also reflect the growing demand for versatile, easy-to-install AV systems. Whether for residential automation or large-scale commercial deployments, Russound continues to innovate, ensuring that our products deliver reliable performance, superior audio quality, and effortless control.
About Russound:
Founded in 1967, Russound has dedicated itself to producing high-quality audio products focused on sound accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. This commitment only strengthened when the company’s current owner, Maureen Baldwin, acquired Russound in 1987. Her passion for manufacturing led to significant improvements in product design, modernization, production optimization, and customer performance and reliability. Over the years, Russound has grown from a modest workshop producing products at its New Hampshire facility into one of the most recognized brands in the audio industry, delivering best-in-class products for professional home and commercial installations worldwide.
Thanks to Maureen’s expertise in sheet metal manufacturing and her commitment to gathering customer feedback, she could implement key changes in product design that transformed the company. From the very first day she acquired Russound, her vision guided the company forward—from the early days of simple volume controls and speaker selectors for audio distribution and management, which Russound still sells today, to the modern, technology-driven era of streaming products, intuitive apps, touchscreen interfaces, digital amplification, and high-quality speakers.
Russound is a privately held company owned by a woman, making it a unique enterprise in the world of consumer electronics and high-quality audio. To this day, Maureen continues to emphasize customer service excellence, which remains a driving force as the company explores new opportunities in commercial audio.
Russound strives for excellence through its people, and Maureen has gathered some of the most talented professionals in the industry to support the company’s growth over the years. A key addition to the company was the hiring of Joe Brouillet, who led Russound from 1989 to 2009. Joe played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s distribution strategy and establishing Russound as a global audio brand.
Charlie Porritt joined Russound in 2000 after working with some of the industry’s largest brands. He quickly made an impact and rose to become the next CEO and a minority shareholder. With his dynamic personality and renowned sense of humor, Charlie became an ambassador for Russound. His leadership propelled the company’s sales expansion across the U.S. and Canada, as well as into more than 100 countries. Charlie’s unique and innovative insights, drawn from his extensive experience in custom installation and audio, positioned Russound as a market leader.
Bill Ramsdell, Vice President of Engineering, has been with Russound since 1995 and serves as the company’s chief design engineer, leading hardware and software development teams.
Colin Clark, Vice President of Products, joined Russound in 2014, bringing extensive industry knowledge and expertise that helped expand the company into new product categories and technologies.
Paul Wojciechowski, Director of Product Development and one of the company’s latest team members, joined in 2021. With years of experience in manufacturing, industrial design, acoustics, and mechanical engineering, he has played a key role in launching the next generation of Russound products.
