Award-Winning Habitech Experience Center Relies on StormAudio to Deliver Awe-Inspiring Sound
When building a fully immersive showroom for integrators to captivate clients, exceptional sound quality is essential. That’s why, when UK-based distributor Habitech set out to consolidate its network of separate showrooms into a unified, all-encompassing experience center, choosing the right technology to ensure superior quality audio was the top priority.
Full Sound Immersion with Storm
Habitech outfitted their Wisdom Experience Room with StormAudio ISP Core 16 and StormAudio PA16 amplifiers to bring class-leading audio quality to space. The StormAudio ISP Core 16 offers 16 channel native decoding and Dirac Live Bass Control, which eliminates variations between listening positions and allows for smooth, even bass distribution throughout the room. Notably for integrators and their clients, the amplifiers are integrated into an RTI automation system, which helps the sales team toggle between turning the system on and off to emphasize just how explicitly StormAudio impacts the sound experience.
A StormAudio PA16 amplifier brings the power with up to 2kW total power capability and high-efficiency class D technology. “Once we added StormAudio to these rooms, the audio quality skyrocketed and everyone who came through was absolutely wowed,” said Craig Wheeler, Home Cinema & AV Specialist at Habitech. “It’s really helped us achieve that total immersive experience we set out to create.”
Habitech also added a StormAudio ISR Fusion 20 audio processor to the M&K Cinema Room, which is equipped with Dirac Live Room Correction, Bass Control and AC for easy sound calibration and high quality sound.
A Future-Proof Sales Tool
The rest of the experience center is abundant with tech-enriched experiences, including a Wisdom Theater, a Sonance Reference Cinema, and a Sonance Invisible Theater, just to name a few. It’s one of the most (if not the most) expansive and comprehensive experience centers in the U.K. – and according to the Habitech team, their investment is paying off in spades.
“It’s become the ultimate sales tool for our integrator partners,” Graham said. “Not only does it help them sell bigger and better systems, but it makes their lives easier because all they need to do is come and show them what’s possible. It’s totally different than sending a spec list with costs over email and trying to explain why everything that’s included in an equipment rack is necessary.”
Once in the Experience Center, the Habitech team has dedicated tech experts there to help assist integrators. They focus solely on the experience of the technology – no one sees what’s in the equipment racks or what goes on behind the scenes. In fact, some of the technology (even speakers) is completely hidden. “Everything we try and do around the showroom is to make it a real world experience that people can start visualizing having themselves,” Graham added.The team uses a BrightSign player behind every projector or tv, so that the sales team has the ability to pull up product pages when they’re in space. For example, they may feature key selling points on sound processing by StormAudio and why it’s essential to the experience they’re having at the moment.
Since first completing their new experience center in 2024 – and being recognized as the Best Experience Center in the UK by CEDIA that same year – Habitech has already updated rooms as new solutions hit the market to stay ahead of the curve, including entirely digitizing one of the rooms. They plan on continuing to invest in the newest technology solutions in the market in the future, including developments from StormAudio – even as digital sales tools like virtual reality goggles and home theater design software gain steam.
“Generally, people aren’t going to buy a luxury car without test driving it and the same goes for an audiophile-grade home theater,” Wheeler said. “You can design a home cinema digitally and even explore it in VR, but you can’t simulate the true power of sound through a headset. There’s no substitute for being in the room, feeling the difference great audio makes. That’s why we keep pushing boundaries, reimagining, refining, and delivering extraordinary experiences that leave a lasting impression.”
