So Many Speakers, So Little Rack Space

Big systems don’t have to mean big headaches. From the floor at ISE 2026, we sit down with Stephen Rhead to reveal how AMP Multi rethinks distributed audio for custom installers, bringing true flexibility, cleaner racks, and smarter control to projects that span from a single living room to sprawling multi‑zone estates. If you’ve ever juggled legacy ZP stacks or wrestled with fixed channel maps, this conversation shows a better way.

We dig into the heart of AMP Multi: assignable speaker ports mapped to named rooms, so clients see only the spaces they use while you keep the topology tidy. Stephen explains the pro portal for deeper EQ and remote tuning, GaN‑based cooling that eliminates noisy fans, and a lean 7.5‑watt idle draw with Wi‑Fi off that’s friendly to dense racks and energy bills. We cover real‑world specs—125 watts per channel at 8 ohms, dynamic 2‑ohm support with Sonos by Sonance in‑ceiling speakers, and a flexible sub‑out that plays well with third‑party amps or Sonos Sub Four for consistent low‑end across rooms. The result is scale without clutter, power without heat, and a sound profile that’s richer than the beloved Sonos AMP.

Beyond the amp, we introduce the new junction box for Eero 100 Pro: a multi‑country back box designed for APAC, the Americas, and the UK, paired with CAD drawings to streamline coordination. The paintable faceplate keeps designers happy—match walls, go black to pair with speakers, or dial in custom finishes—while availability targets early summer to align with AMP Multi planning. We also touch on sustainability: recycled plastics and fully recyclable packaging that flat‑packs cleanly, giving integrators and clients solid green credentials without sacrificing performance.

Whether you’re upgrading racks, standardising a portfolio, or future‑proofing for growth, this episode gives you the practical details you need—installer‑first control, energy efficiency, remote serviceability, and a clearer path from legacy hardware to a single, elegant unit. Hit follow, share this with your install team, and leave a quick review telling us the one feature that would save you the most time on your next project.

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