One of the things that most homeowners can agree on is the fact that out of all Wilmington NC audio video equipment, the TV set takes a prime spot in the family room. While some people love their big flat screen TVs making the focal point, others would prefer to have it tacked out of sight. Below are a few tips on how to disguise the big black box in a beautiful, yet functional way. 

In the Open

The television will disappear completely once you place it against a dark accent wall. You may have to give your room a dramatic, bold element that will help elevate decor. If you do not want to paint an entire wall with dark color, just paint the back of the cabinet holding your TV is in. 

In Furniture

Another way of disguising your TV set is by hiding it altogether. You can hide your TV in a piece of furniture by placing it on a lift so no one would ever know it was there until you raise it up for viewing. Another great hiding place for your television is the ceiling. Besides, the lift can be either mechanical or electronic, and you have to take into consideration the audio system. 

Behind a Door

The most efficient and fastest way to hide your set entirely is by putting it behind cabinet doors. While built-in entertainment centers are great lookers, you could try the more budget friendly option of an armoire or chic storage system. However, you will need to open the doors any time you need to watch TV and close them when done. 

Use Frames and Covers

Another way of disguising your TV is by having a custom frame (with a mirror or art cover) built for it. The structure utilizes your TV’s black screen as backing that makes the special mirror glass reflective when your unit is off; and lets the light from your TV through clearly once switched on. 

Get a New Set

If you are already looking into buying a new TV set, then the Vanishing TV should be top of your list. These types of TV sets have mirrored covers that will allow the picture to shine through once on and completely hide the screen when you turn off the unit. These TVs come in a variety of frames that you can match up with your family room’s style and decor. 

These are just a few ways for hiding, disguising or incorporating your TV into the decor in a way that is stylish and functional. If you are looking for some smart ways to conceal your TV set and help it blend with your room’s decor, now is the time to get in touch with audio video experts at AcoustiCreations.

Contact the Wilmington NC Audio and Video experts for help on hiding your TV set in functional, yet stylish methods and tricks. 

Audio is often overlooked when designing conference rooms, but serious consideration is necessary to make sure your audio is clear and crisp. Making a good impression with a carefully designed AV set up that allows everyone to hear and communicate is key for successful conference calls, presentations, and more. Keep the following in mind when planning conference room audio.

Room Size

Small rooms usually require less equipment than larger rooms because everyone is closer together. Smaller speakers, display technology, and wired AV connections can usually handle the needs of a small space, but larger rooms require additional and more complex speaker systems. Strategically placed wall and ceiling mounted speakers allow all participants to hear what’s being said. Permanently fixed microphones can be added to a table in a large meeting room to guarantee proper pickup of participants seated at the table.

Room Function

Rooms used for conference calls can include various telephone technology such as analog and VoIP speakerphones with the option of additional microphones and speakers for larger rooms. A USB connection can be included as well that allows for calls to be made from a computer.

Large multipurpose rooms often used for presentations from a podium can benefit from a wired microphone. If the presenter needs to move around, then a wireless hand-held or lapel microphone is a better choice. Hand-held wireless microphones are also appropriate when audience participation is expected.

Voice Lift

Large rooms requiring audio reinforcement often benefit from a voice lift system if they are wider than they are long. Overhead ceiling speakers are used to gradually introduce the speaker’s microphone to provide greater reinforcement the farther you are from the speaker. This system set up in reverse allows for audience participation.

Sound Masking

Ambient noise can be distracting or make it difficult to understand what is being said. Specialized speaker systems can provide white noise that cancels out distracting ambient noise, and also makes it difficult for people outside the room to eavesdrop.

Contact AcoustiCreations for Conference Room Audio in Wilmington NC

AcoustiCreations has many tools available to create proper audio in conference rooms of all sizes. When you need to update the audio in your conference room, give us a call or contact us online to get started.

​Every home theater system is built around the power amplifier. This is the piece of equipment that boosts the signal from a preamp to the levels necessary for your loudspeakers to create an impactful audio experience. But, not all power amps are the same. There are, in fact, several different types. Some are stereo, while others are monoblock. Some are solid state and some are tube amps. Here are the six predominant types of power amplifiers used in residential home audio by Wilmington NC’s AcoustiCreations.
 
Class AB Amplifier
 
A Class AB amplifier is your standard powered amplifier. This type can be either a tube or solid state design. Solid state Class AB amps are known for weight thanks to their hefty heat sinks and large toroidal transformers. Class AB amplifiers are also known for their ability to produce clear, clean sound, and as such, they are the most popular choice among audiophiles.
 
Class A Amplifier
 
Class A amplifiers aren’t as popular these days due to their high heat output, low power delivery, and large power input requirements (240 volts). They run so hot because they are designed to run at full power all the time. At one time, they were the audiophile’s pick because they could reproduce music so well. However, in order to get the very best sound quality, the amp needed to be “warmed up” for hours. And, in home theater setups, these amps simply can’t keep up with the demands of most modern film soundtracks.
 
Tube Amplifier
 
Tube amplifiers not only sound good, they look good. The alluring glow of the vacuum tubes lends a surreal touch to one’s sound system and the warm analog sound that’s produced by these amps is nearly incomparable for any lover of vinyl. But, like Class A amps, tube amplifiers generate a lot of heat and they need time to warm up before they sound their best. They also produce far less power than comparably priced solid state Class AB amplifiers. These amps also require a lot of maintenance because over the course of just a few weeks, they can get out of adjustment and your sound will suffer. Then there’s the cost of replacing the tubes after every few hundred hours of listening.
 
Class D Digital Amplifier
 
Digital Amplifiers are closing in on becoming the gold standard thanks to their small footprint, tremendous power delivery, and ultra-quiet, low-heat operation. But, before they can become a true gold standard, improvements still need to be made. Current digital amplifiers tend to lack the musicality and weight of a traditional AB amplifier. However, there are some hybrid models on the market that are bridging the gap between the two amplifier technologies.
 
Monoblock Amplifier
 
Monoblock, or “mono” amplifiers, are another popular choice among audiophiles and they are commonly found in the most demanding home theater systems. Because the amplifier delivers one audio channel only, these systems consist of one physical amplifier per audio channel. The best thing about this setup is that each channel of audio gets its own power supply and this enables the system to reproduce the source material as accurately and effectively as currently possible. Monoblock amps are found in all varieties of amplifier, even class D amplifiers.
 
Power Regeneration Inside High End Amplifier
 
These are the highest end amplifiers on the market today. They come complete with their own internal AC power regeneration built in. As a result, a PS Audio or Audiophile APS Pure Power device is not necessary for your audiophile amplifiers. These innovative amplifiers stand as the last level of extreme performance and audio refinement and as the most expensive amplifiers in the industry.
 
Want Exceptional Residential Audio Wilmington NC? Call AcoustiCreations Today
 
If you want the very best sound system you can afford for your home, AcoustiCreations can help. We have the expertise and equipment necessary to turn your entertainment room into a home theater masterpiece. Every job is personalized according to the space for the optimum sound reproduction.
 
Just call us today at 910-371-2038 and we can get started designing your custom project. We are the pros when it comes to residential audio Wilmington NC, so let us help you get the most out of your home’s entertainment room.

Some people are just more serious about their home audio than others. These people are known as “audiophiles,” and they tend to have the finest home audio in Wilmington NC. In short, audiophiles have an intense passion for being able to reproduce their home audio as closely to that of the studio as possible.
 
But, sometimes there is a big difference between those who consider themselves audiophiles and those who actually are audiophiles. Being a true audiophile is more than owning high-end audio equipment; it’s a way of life. If you think you’re an audiophile, below are five signs that will either confirm or refute your claim.
 
#1: You Don’t Multitask When Listening to Music
 
Most people put on some music and then go about doing chores around the home. Not the audiophile. When an audiophile puts on music, he or she sits and listens to it. The music is what they are focused on. They want to hear every nuance, so they don’t do anything else but listen.
 
#2: You Don’t Listen to Music on an iPod or Other Digital Device
 
True audiophiles scoff at digitally reproduced music because it is almost always compressed. Most don’t even care for CDs. Traditional audiophiles enjoy their music on good old fashioned lossless vinyl. If they do opt for digital music every now and then, they will always choose lossless music, which is an uncompressed form of music and the closest that digital music can get to what was recorded in the studio.
 
#3: You Won’t Get Within Ten Feet of “Ear Buds”
 
To an audiophile, ear bud headphones are a disaster. They’re not only uncomfortable, the sound they produce is terribly substandard. An audiophile only uses headphones that are comfortable to wear (so they can enjoy longer periods of listening), built to the very highest quality, and of course, capable of delivering accurate sound reproduction.
 
#4: You Fuss Over Room Acoustics
 
Every room has its own acoustics, but most just aren’t up to snuff for the true audiophile. Therefore, changes often have to be made to a room in order for the audio to sound warm, lush, and tonally accurate. So, if you took your home audio room’s acoustics into consideration before you built your set up, then you just might be an audiophile.
 
#5: Audio Quality is More Important Than the Music Itself
 
An audiophile will revel in a piece of music, even if it is made by an artist he doesn’t particularly care for as long as that piece of music is of the utmost quality. By that same token, an audiophile will almost surely refuse to buy their favorite artist’s latest album if it is only being released on CD or MP3. To the genuine audiophile, audio quality is what it is all about.
 
Want to Give Your Home Premium Home Audio in Wilmington NC? Contact AcoustiCreations Today
 
If you are an audiophile, then you already know you need to have the highest quality setup you can afford in your home. Lucky for you, the team at AcoustiCreations is comprised of audiophiles too, and we know exactly how to help you get the home audio your ears are craving.
 
Just call us today at 910-371-2038 and we can get started designing your custom project. We are the experts when it comes to premium home audio in Wilmington NC, so let us help you get the audio you need in your life.

If you finally went for it this year and turned your home into a smart home, then you’re going to love everything you can do with your new technology at holiday time. A smart home makes it easy and fun to turn your home into a festive setting because it brings so much flexibility to your decorating and holiday events.
 
If you’re unsure how to take advantage of your new smart home at holiday time, then here are three tips for getting the most enjoyment out of your home during everyone’s favorite time of year.
 
Enjoy Holiday Movies and Annual Specials with a Smart Home Theater
 
Watching holiday movies and the annual Christmas specials is, for many families, a beloved tradition. And, with a smart home, you have complete control over every aspect of your home theater so you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows in brilliant 4K high definition and crisp digital surround sound with Dolby Atmos audio. You can do everything from draw your blinds shut and dim the lights to flip through the latest offerings from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon all from the comfort of your couch.
 
Create a Festive Atmosphere Inside and Out Using Lighting Controls
 
If you love decking out your home in magical twinkling Christmas lights every year, then you’re going to love the level of control you gain over your lighting thanks to smart home technology. You can dim the lights in your home from any room in the house. You automate your Christmas lights. You can even add a variety of festive colors to your seasonal displays and indoor lighting by using Phillips HUE smart light bulbs. With so much versatility, your lighting will always be perfect regardless of whether you’re hosting a holiday party or settling in for a night spent sipping hot chocolate.
 
Spread Holiday Cheer with Music Throughout the House
 
Music is one of the first things we use to get into the holiday spirit and with smart home technology, you’ll enjoy the music you love when and where you want to listen to it. From old-fashioned standards to new holiday releases, your smart home audio system can spread the cheer through every room in the house. And, you have complete control over everything right down to your playlists. Now, you’ll never have to worry about missing a tune whether you’re folding the laundry, cooking dinner, or getting ready to go to work. Best of all, each room has the ability to tune to its own station, so any time someone gets tired of hearing the same songs, they can switch it up until they find something they like.
 
Want to Own a Smart Home in Wilmington NC? Contact AcoustiCreations Today
 
If you are interested in turning your home into a smart home, AcoustiCreations has a variety of options available to choose from. AcoustiCreations is one of the leading installers of smart home technology in Wilmington NC. If you want to learn more about our custom systems or you want to set up a consultation, just call us today at 910-371-2038. We are the experts when it comes to smart homes in Wilmington NC.

​As one of the leading designers and installers of commercial audio and video in Wilmington NC, AcoustiCreations knows more than most how much technology is ingrained in our everyday lives. The first thing most people do when they wake up is check their smartphones for overnight messages. Today, we do everything from shop to socialize online. We play games, watch movies, share music, and more, all using technology that wasn’t even available a decade or two ago.
 
Because we’re a society that is so driven by technology, it makes sense for children to be exposed to the most up-to-date technology in the classroom so they can be as prepared as possible for entering the modern world. In fact, here are ten reasons why technology is so important in today’s classrooms.
​

1. Technology helps teachers reach students with a diversity of learning styles.
2. Technology in the classroom prepares students for careers in which tech will play significant roles.
3. Because most young Americans love tech devices, incorporating technology into the classroom is an excellent way to engage students and keep them interested in learning.
4. Technology makes it possible for students to interact with their classmates because it encourages collaboration.
5. As the world become more tech-savvy, the need for educated individuals will grow and by having more technology in the classroom, teachers will be better able to provide students with the skillsets they need for these in-demand positions.
6. The old-fashioned passive approach to teaching is no longer effective. By incorporating more technology, the teacher will become an adviser and coach.
7. Technology in the classroom makes for a more fun and exciting learning experience, and students will actually look forward to going to class.
8. Using mobile technology in the classroom, students will be able to access information quicker and easier than ever before.
9. Technology helps students take ownership over their learning and helps them become more responsible human beings who can make their own decisions.
10. Technology, like digital textbooks, makes it easier and less cumbersome for students to transport their work home with them. It also allows for instant updating so students are always using the most up-to-date materials available.

Every homeowner who has dreams of setting up an epic home theater wants to have the best sounding system possible. For most, this means months and months of research, reading magazine articles, talking to audiophiles, and comparing components online. And, all too often, homeowners fall victim to the façade that “bigger is better.”
 
The problem is, who can you believe? Do higher priced components really make that big of a difference? Do major brand speakers sound better than less expensive models? Does the quality of your cables make a difference in clarity? In most cases, satisfaction depends more on your personal preferences than how much you spend.
 
Here, we will discuss the three most common home audio myths so you can achieve the best possible home audio in Wilmington NC for your home’s unique needs.
 
Myth #1: Speaker Size Isn’t Important
 
Small speakers, like bookshelf speakers and smaller, have become a trend in recent years because homeowners don’t want their living rooms overwhelmed by large speakers. What has accelerated this trend is the fact that the manufacturers of these compact speakers claim that their speakers offer the benefit of inconspicuous design while still delivering movie quality sound.
 
The problem is, despite all of the technological advances used in the production of small speakers, they still have to follow the general laws of physics. And, larger speakers simply move more air than smaller speakers. Regardless of the room dimensions, the equipment used, and all other factors, the simple truth is a 3-way tower speaker will deliver sound that is richer, fuller, clearer, and better all-around sonic experience than a small speaker.
 
Myth #2: Expensive Cables Produce Cleaner Audio
 
When it comes to audio cables, expensive doesn’t always mean good and inexpensive doesn’t always mean bad. Sound quality is not always proportional to the cost of the cables. In order to get the best sound possible, you will want to purchase thicker cables made from oxygen-free copper and here’s why:
 
Thicker cables offer less resistance to the amplifier. This means that the audio signals being delivered through thicker cable can move easier than they can through thinner cables. Thicker cables are also needed for longer runs, so rear speakers in a typical surround sound setup should be powered by thicker cables than the front speakers (because the front speakers tend to be located closer to the amp). In most cases, you will always want to use cables a little thicker than recommended for the run so your signal won’t be compromised by the eventual broken strands of wire within the cable itself.
 
One of the things that can impact the price of cables is the material used to make the wire. With the cost of copper climbing, you can probably expect cables made from oxygen-free copper to be more expensive than the common alternative, which is made of an aluminum core with an exterior of coated copper. But, for the serious audiophile, the price of oxygen-free copper will be worth it. For the homeowner who just wants to hear a great sounding movie or CD, copper clad aluminum will probably do just fine.
 
Myth #3: A 100-Watt Amp Delivers 100 Watts of Sound to Each Speaker
 
One of the biggest misconceptions in home audio is that the wattage listed on an amplifier is the amount of wattage that’s delivered to each speaker. In truth, most amplifier wattage ratings are based on two speakers only.
 
In the case of a 100-watt 7.1 amplifier, the actual power delivery per speaker will almost always be lower than 100 watts, sometimes by as much as 20 watts per channel. The only way you can be sure all channels receive the full 100 watts is when the amplifier specifically states that “all channels are driven.” And, the only amplifiers that are capable of driving all channels tend to be priced at the higher end of the home audio spectrum.
 
Call AcoustiCreations for a Consultation in Home Audio in Wilmington NC
 
Over the last decade, home audio technology has evolved significantly. If you want to get a better idea of what is available and what will work and sound best in your home, call AcoustiCreations today to set up a consultation. We create custom home theater environments throughout the Wilmington NC area and we have the expertise necessary to design and install the ideal system in your home.
 
Call AcoustiCreations today at 910-371-2038 and see for yourself why so many homeowners call us when they want the best sounding home audio in Wilmington NC.

At AcoustiCreations, we take the satisfaction of our customers extremely seriously. For more than ten years, we have been one of the leading installers of home automation, security, and home audio and video in Wilmington NC.
 
If you want top-of-the-line technology installed in your home by a company with a proven track record for delivering superior results, then AcoustiCreations is here to help. To learn more about what you can expect from working with us, here are a few of our most recent customer testimonials.
 
New Home Construction Audio/Video/Internet
 
AcoustiCreations has plenty of experience working with local builders to incorporate state-of-the-art technology in our customers’ new homes as they’re being built. Here’s what a recent new home construction customer had to say about our services:
 
"AcoustiCreations is a highly professional, knowledgeable, precise and responsive audio/visual company. We were extremely grateful how Stephen Ardizzola and Seth Coonrod worked with us to advise, plan, and coordinate (audio/visual, Internet, DirecTv) for a large project in our new construction home. Project included one data closet, three audio zones, five viewing zones, and four Control4 remotes. It goes without saying, we highly recommend AcoustiCreations." - Jack M.
 
Audio & Video/Internet Network Design for Business
 
AcoustiCreations is just as adept at helping businesses achieve better AV and Internet networking as we are helping out residential customers. Here’s what a recent business client had to say about their experience working with AcoustiCreations:
 
"Eastcoast Research would like to thank the entire team at AcoustiCreations for their dedication to our project. We greatly appreciate your expertise and commitment to our satisfaction. We look forward to an enjoyable ongoing relationship with your organization." - Paula C.
 
AcoustiCreations Customer Service
 
We strive to make every home or business project easy to use and error-free. So, when our customers have an issue, we solve it immediately. This has helped us earn one of the area’s top customer service ratings. Here are what a few recent customers had to say about our customer service:
 
"Throughout the last 4+ years, we occasionally experienced issues, some of which were what I consider user error. Regardless, every call that we made to Stephen was answered within 24 hours and often times, he would respond within a few hours and quickly resolved any and all issues; he would also take the time to educate us in the care and use of our system." -Kirk & Mary B.
 
"AcoustiCreations was the answer to all our stresses involved with home sound and entertainment systems. They gave us different options as to what would best work for us, and then efficiently and professionally did their job. They made sure we were well trained in how to use our new equipment before leaving us on our own. AcoustiCreations' customer service is exemplary." -Mike & Rose T.
 
Quality Workmanship
 
AcoustiCreations hires only the most experienced designers and installers, so when you choose us, you can be confident knowing your project is going to be installed professionally. Here is what a recent customer had to say about our quality and workmanship:
 
"From the get-go, they listened, understood my needs, and created multiple price point proposals to address my financial concerns. The result: eight separate audio zones; four video viewing zones, not to mention the incorporation of two computers; one data closet for hiding all of the gear; and one remote control. The workmanship was flawless, timely, and of dream home quality." -Ron W.
 
Want the Best Home Audio and Video in Wilmington NC? Call AcoustiCreations Today!
 
We love satisfying our clients and hearing how happy and satisfied they are with our performance. It drives us to keep delivering the best home audio and video in Wilmington NC. If you’re looking for a designer and installer of custom A/V, home automation, and lighting control applications, call AcoustiCreations today at 910-371-2038. We can create a customized solution for any sized installation, from one room to your entire home or business.