InterBEE 2016 opens with Harman acquisition dominating show floor news
Published: ASIA
JAPAN: Taking the theme What Will You Do Next: conveying the possibilities of new media to the world, InterBEE opened in Tokyo for the annual gathering of all things broadcast, video and audio. And as usual, the possibilities for anyone in the business of making and broadcasting creative content were out in force at the Makuhari Messe.
The ability to attract an international crowd of visitors and participating companies makes InterBEE an effective platform for new and recently launched products. This includes technology often being seen in Asia for the first time as companies bring their latest and most sophisticated offerings to a highly developed marketplace.
But this year’s show wasn’t all about product launches, at least not in the pro audio hall. Here, one of the biggest areas is traditionally the Hibino stand, one half of which is dedicated to the Harman brands it’s long distributed in Japan. This year however, alongside the new products, the main debut was the company itself, appearing in public for the first time since its planned acquisition by Samsung was announced. The local team was reinforced by a good show of staff from the USA as well as Harman’s regional office in Singapore. All were keen to stress that it would be business as usual for the professional audio giant and its brands, which now represent most sectors of the industry. And indeed, judging by the surprised faces across a show that buzzed with the news, this was one very well kept secret.
Elsewhere, the show floor was full of the latest technology, with lots of nods towards Dante, AES67, 3D audio formats and, on the video side, 8K. In the Makuhari Messe Event Hall, the InterBEE Experience SR speaker demo was busier than ever this year, with systems from d&b, Bose, Nexo, EAW, Electro-Voice, K-array, Adamson, Meyer Sound, Coda, Martin Audio and JBL all being put through their paces.
InterBEE 2016 continues until Friday 18 November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan. A full show report will run in the Pro Audio Asia January/February edition.