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SEE ALSO: Spend More Time Outside with an Outdoor Speaker System

Summer Won’t Be Here Forever

The Midwest summer is not known for its length. As we get into the height of summer, make the most of it with outdoor audio. Avidia has outdoor audio solutions to fit every backyard and budget. If you only want sound on your patio, we can install ceiling or surface-mount speakers for glorious stereo al fresco for outdoor dining or relaxing.

Have a pool? Add sound for more fun in the sun and water. Rock speakers blend into landscapes and look natural around pools. You can also surround landscape areas around your pool with spike mounted bullet-style speakers and buried subwoofers. You will hear your summer tunes and not notice the speakers.

SEE ALSO: Stream Music in Every Room of Your Home with Sonos

A Whole-Home Sonos System

Sonos makes excellent wireless speakers, but perhaps that's not your preference. You may have one or more existing audio systems with speakers you like, or you prefer your speakers to be heard and not seen. In those cases, Avidia can create a system that you will love, controllable with the Sonos app in the palm of your hand.

If you want built-in speakers, you’ll want the experience of a professional. Even if your home is already wired for in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, there are nuances to installation. First, even with existing wiring, it may not be up to par for an upgraded set of speakers. And if it is, our installers are experts in cutting carefully into existing walls to avoid damage. If you're remodeling or building, we are skilled in optimizing each built-in speaker's location for the best performance in each room or space. If you're adding outdoor audio, there are special considerations there too, as you may need more power and more speakers to get the desired level of volume and sound quality in an outdoor area.

The Sonos Amp is an amplifier and digital streaming device all rolled into one, and makes an excellent solution for smaller multiroom audio systems by using several Amps. You can also pipe additional audio sources like your turntable into it and hear vinyl all over your home, or even TV audio. It does even more, but we also want to tell you about other options.

SEE ALSO: How do Motorized Shades Work? Avidia Tells All

Blocking Wind

Chicago isn't known as the Windy City for nothing. Our proximity to Lake Michigan and relatively flat geography can make for windy conditions even on lovely days. With outdoor motorized shades, one touch of a button can lower shades and help minimize the wind. So enjoy that meal outside on a sunny and crisp day. Add a patio heater, and even cool spring and fall days are fair game for outdoor entertainment.

Temperature Control

Even though we mentioned three seasons, you could go further and take advantage of sunny winter days too. If you opt for thicker screen fabrics that have more insulation properties, when you add a patio heater or fire pit (or both) you could be sipping a warming hot chocolate in cozy comfort on your patio. It might feel a little bit like camping outside, only much more comfortable.  

SEE ALSO: 3 Signs You Might Need a Home Network Upgrade

It’s a Wireless World

We all depend on wireless devices in our daily lives. The smartphone is the main one, always by our sides. But modern homes have so many more. Your laptop, wireless router, home wireless phones, smart lights, thermostats, TVs, sensors, and more often use some wireless frequencies. We are exposed to more low-level EMR than ever from the plethora of devices around us.

If you are concerned about radiation or feel that you may have a sensitivity to it, there is a partial solution – go back to wires.

SEE ALSO: Why You Should Hire a Professional to Install Your Smart Technology

A Fresh Look and a Fresh Start

In 2018, we started undergoing massive changes here at Avidia. After eight years in business, we realized our look needed a makeover. We completely rebranded and upgraded our website and logo in September 2019.

Why? Because we wanted our digital presence to reflect our company vision and mission. We are a premier custom integration company, and we provide the highest quality design process, installation process and customer experience. Our customers can always expect our best on every project. When you visit our website, now you can see our work for yourself.  

SEE ALSO: Tunable Lighting is the Hottest New Feature of Residential Lighting Control

It’s All About Design

Crestron Horizon keypads are a cut above any other smart controls on the market. Horizon keypads are offered in a wide range of luxurious materials and colors, including wood, marble, and leather looks. The custom etched buttons are LED-backlit with a choice of programmable colors. When you press a button, it can even light up more so you know it’s working. The buttons' tactile feel and operation are carefully engineered to give you a feeling of quality. In keeping with Crestron’s unique custom approach, the company offers a service to complement the keypads with your décor, matching colors and trims like wood, metal, marble, and engineered stone - no other home automation manufacturer does that.

Is each room in your home unique? Your control keypads can be too – no need to choose from only three basic colors and materials. With Crestron Horizon, you can personalize the controls in each room for a perfect complement to your décor. What's more, the Crestron Horizon EX models work wirelessly, allowing even more flexibility in installation locations.

Technology integrators have been labeled an essential business by the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) in large part because we're vital to homeowners setting up home offices and learning environments. Integrators are also recognized for their role in keeping a robust networking infrastructure throughout the country as other essential organizations also need support during this challenging time.

During this critical period, we are committed to helping our clients stay connected, support remote learning for the nation’s children, and protect our clients’ properties and families.

Though networking and communications infrastructure are the primary reasons for our essential business designation, we will also be available for any service, support, and installation of vital home technology systems, including security, surveillance, lighting control, entertainment, and more. A strong network is essential for much of the country right now, and we are here to support your needs.

While the DHS has provided these general recommendations, it is still up to the states to set their own regulations and restrictions. Governor Pritzker has declared a statewide stay-at-home order in Illinois, forcing all non-essential businesses to close until at least April 30. As an essential business, Avidia will remain open with some restrictions.

Please feel free to reach out to us here or call us at (847) 868-9200 if we can be of service, and please stay safe!

SEE ALSO: Comparing Two Approaches to Multiroom Audio: Sonos vs. Control4

Outdoor Audio All Year Long

Rain, snow, or heat can’t get in the way of speakers and subwoofers by Coastal Source. They’re built to endure any weather while still playing high-quality audio. We’ll wire your speakers neatly underground to connect to one system, so you’ll automatically enjoy the same tunes across multiple areas in your backyard. If you have a multi-room audio system indoors, your outdoor speakers can sync with them, too, easily controlled by your Control4 smart home system.

Coastal Source creates a variety of speakers for your backyard or patio. Their Ellipse Bollards are bi-amplified full-range speakers with a large driver area, offering higher fidelity and performance than most outdoor speakers. Its Plug + Play feature makes it easy to install your speakers and maintain air and watertight cable connections for years of top performance.

For more discreet outdoor audio, their bullet speakers are 3” small and perfect for peppering your landscaping or lining pathways. For even subtler technology, Coastal Source’s rock speakers are designed to blend in with nature in an organic rock shape. Your guests will be left wondering, “Where is that music coming from?”

Though these may change over time, here are the current steps we are taking to reduce the risks associated with this novel coronavirus:

• Every technician is equipped with hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean their hands. It is also readily available at our showrooms, offices and work sites to be used by all of our employees. In addition, all employees must wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F ​​[37.8° C​] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees are instructed to notify their supervisor and their healthcare provider immediately upon experiencing any symptoms.
• Measures are in place to address employees who have recently traveled to affected areas or have family members who have tested positive for COVID-19. They will go through a CDC-directed risk assessment for potential exposure and be directed to stay home if necessary.
• Disinfectant wipes are readily available throughout our job sites and permanent locations to wipe down frequently touched surfaces including workstations, countertops, doorknobs, remotes, and touch panels. In the field, our installers also have wipes handy to wipe down tools and equipment before and after each use.
• Our installers are following strict on-site health and safety guidelines including the use of disposable gloves and sterilization products.
• We will refrain from shaking hands with clients, and will maintain recommended distances while in your home or business.
• Our technicians are willing to wear N95 masks in your home or business upon request.
• Employees have flexible sick leave policies that offer them the ability to care for themselves and family when needed.

We appreciate your trust during these unprecedented times, and we take the health and wellbeing of our clients and employees very seriously. To protect our staff, we also ask that our clients communicate to us if anyone in your home or business is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to the virus. We also ask that you follow the CDC's guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 while we are on-site. If you have any questions about these precautions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here or call (847) 868-9200.

SEE ALSO: Thinking of Cutting the Cord? Avidia’s Guide to Cable & Streaming

How to Use Mantel Mounts Above Your Fireplace

If you’d like to install your TV above the fireplace or other furniture, you’ll want a screen that can be mounted flat to the wall. But if your fireplace mantel has artwork or picture frames on it, or if it already is as tall as your vision line, that means the display is going to be too high for comfortable viewing.  

To counter this, a mantel mount lets you pull down the screen to swivel in any angle. You’ll want the center of the screen to be at the height of your eyes and to keep your head in a neutral position. Mounts can be pulled down manually by a single hand, or automatically with a motor and remote. Mantel mounts can even be connected to your home automation system, accessed through an app or remote control like those from  Control4.

Without a mantel mount, you'll need to make sure that your couch is far enough from the fireplace and, ideally, allows you to rest your head while looking upwards. The only room in your house where a mantel mount may not be necessary is in the bedroom, as you’ll be lying down to view the display.