Self-described "entrepreneur-slash-monster" rapper Swizz Beatz buys a co-ownership stake into Monster and joins the former Beats by Dr. Dre maker as advisory board member.

"They built an empire, and my job will be to push the envelope-– turn the lights of the castle up really bright and help Monster take its next big step forward," Beatz says.

Head Monster Noel Lee adds “the products that we have planned are revolutionary in technology, sound, and style. We need the talents and reach of Swizz to help bring these products to life in the eyes of the consumer.”

In other words Monster hopes it has a Dr. Dre replacement with Swizz, after it declined to renew its deal with the hip-hop legend last year and collaborations with other recording artists (such as Earth, Wind & Fire and the Miles Davis estate) failed to match the success of the Dre-branded headphones.

Monster gives no announcement of Swizz-branded headphones as yet, and fails to reveal how much his stake in the company is worth. In the meantime, don't be too surprise if Swizz convinces his wife, BlackBerry in-house celebrity-slash-Global Creative Director Alicia Keys to join the Monster party...

Go Swizz Beatz Purchases Co-Ownership Stake in MOnster, Joins Advisory Board

Of the three multiroom audio systems at the NuVo Technologies ISE 2013 stand, two make use of the company's recently launched Wireless Audio System, promising high-fidelity audio with an easier set up.

According to the company representatives on the stand, setting up the two systems for the show took all of four hours, give or take a few minutes.

The NuVo Wireless System is scaleable, and allows one to build one zone at a time through either the P100 or P200 wireless players. Operating at either 40W (P100) or 120W (P200), the players amplify sound while acting as source devices, with streaming online radio and network-stored media library access.

The P200 also has built-in aptX Bluetooth connectivity, while control comes through wireless iOS and Android device apps.

ISE 2013 visitors can check out the results of the latest Stewart Audio technology licensing agreement-- a prototype Dante Ultimo amplifier, with technology from inventors Audinate PTY.

Available from Q2 2013, future Dante amplifiers will span 1-4 channel counts with both low impedance and 70V/100V and up to 320W per channel.

Package sizes are either subcompact or half rack, all with convection cooling.

"Stewart Audio is developing a great line of innovative network amplifier products, and we welcome them as one our first Ultimo licensees," Audinate says. "We are pleased to work with Stewart Audio in providing Dante as a complete networking solution for its industry-leading products."

Go Stewart Audio Licenses Dante Technology

Bowers & Wilkins heads for the great outdoors with the AM-1 (Architectural Monitor) weatherproof loudspeaker, promising high-quality sound without the compromises of other outdoor speakers.

It features a 2-way design with an inverted drive unit configuration-- the 25mm aluminium-dome speaker sits below (instead of above) the 130mm glassfibre bass/midrange driver, a setup the company claims improves sound dispersion should the speaker be mounted high up a wall.

Boosting low-frequency output is a rear-mounted auxiliary bass radiator (ABR) acting as a continual seal against the elements.

Further features include a rust-proof aluminium grille with a rigid glass-filled plastic cabinet (available in black or white), providing resistance against dust, moisture and UV exposure.

Installation should be easy through a cast aluminium wall bracket with a one-plug mounting system, while the speaker rotates by up to 110 degrees from centre in both directions.

Go Bowers & Wilkins AM-1

Automation vendor Control4 makes an audio debut at ISE 2013-- the Wireless Music Bridge, a device allowing customers to wirelessly connect and stream music on PCs or mobile devices on Control4 systems.

With Bluetooth, DLNA, Airplay, wifi and ethernet support, the Wireless Music Bridge streams audio from most, if not all, devices. It supports full metadata (including cover art) and allows access to connected content and devices through all Control4 interfaces, including TVs.

In addition, Control4 systems with OS 2.4 get a TuneIn update, allowing access to over 700000 traditional and internet radio stations, as well as on-demand audio and podcasts.

The Control4 Wireless Music Bridge ships from Q2 2013, while the TuneIn update should roll out from April 2013.

Go Control4

Sonance sets to present the Sonarray series at ISE 2013-- an all-weather outdoor speaker range with the more price-conscious customer in mind.

The package consists of x8 distinct satellites and an 8-inch dual voice-coil underground subwoofer, a combination capable of evenly distributed audio in outdoor spaces of up to 185 sqm with minimal sonic overspill.

The bijou Sonarray SR1 speakers incorporate 3.5-inch anodised aluminium cones and present an 8ohm load to standard amps. Installation involves a simple daisy-chain configuration, with the subwoofer connected to both channels.

Sonance also caters for large residential and commercial installations with the Sonance Landscape Series (SLS) High Output (HO) models, following the same sat/sub form fact but with upscaled audio potential.

Go Sonance