Bring High-Fidelity Sound Throughout Your Home with B&W Speakers and Sound Bars

At Reference Audio Video & Security, our goal is to enhance our clients’ everyday lives with the latest easy-to-use technology and high-performance audio and video solutions. A few popular solutions that combine home automation with the best AV equipment include whole-home audio, home theaters, and outdoor entertainment. And while we partner with many brands in these categories, one of our favorites for the ultimate in sound reproduction is Bowers & Wilkins speakers and sound systems.

Let’s explore what they offer and how they all combine to create the ultimate entertainment areas. 

Discover the Beauty and Benefits of Working with a Premier AV Integrator 

Smart technology offers you the convenience and luxury of living spaces personalized to your lifestyle. Whether it is experiencing the thrill of a home theater or having the perfect temperature throughout the home, you need a certified home automation installer from the start. 

Rather than struggle with a piecemeal system or rely on over-the-counter IoT gadgets, you deserve an integrated whole-home platform. Partnering with a home automation installer like Reference Audio Video & Security furnishes you with an individualized, flexible, and comprehensive ecosystem focused on you. It’s a whole-home solution that simplifies your smart home experience! 

Do the possibilities for your Iowa City, IA Luxury home have you intrigued? Keep reading below to learn more. 

Remotely monitor, control, and protect your business wherever you are

Security is an essential component for all commercial spaces. However, simply installing a traditional lock-and-key system is not enough to maintain the safety of your business. Instead, you need advanced technologies that keep you updated, informed, and in control of your property all the time!

Fortunately, Reference Audio Video & Security offers a complete package of commercial security solutions guaranteed to protect your business in Cedar Rapids, IA, from all internal and external threats. Read on to find out what they are.

How to Improve Productivity, Communication, and Collaboration During Business Meetings and Presentations

Digital workspaces are vital to businesses, but what do they do exactly? Simply put, a digital workspace is an integrated technology framework that lets you manage and deliver data from desktops, apps, and other devices. Whether the data is stored in the cloud, a computer, or data centers, employees will have real-time access at all times. 

Reference Audio Video & Security can create an ideal space that’s convenient for employees and employers alike. Three main types of approaches can be taken to create a virtual workspace in your Des Moines, IA office. Read on to find out what they are. 

Our Experts Break Down When You Should Consider Upgrading Your Home Entertainment Setup

We are consuming more entertainment than ever at home. As Netflix creates high-budget originals and blockbusters are released straight to streaming, the appeal of having a high-end home audio-video setup is bigger than ever. Homeowners can enjoy the experience of a commercial cinema in the comfort of their home with big 4K displays and immersive surround sound systems.

But how do you know if it is time to make the leap to a home entertainment upgrade? Our experts break down the signs that your audio-video equipment might be outdated. Read on to discover whether it is time to upgrade your home audio-video setup in the Quad Cities, IA.

Enhance your restaurant or entertainment venue with an audio-video installation

Business owners have a lot on their plates, from owners of local sports bars to fine dining establishments. However, one important thing often forgotten is creating the perfect environment to set the right mood and attract new customers to a space. An audio-video system is a fantastic way to do this!

If you are considering upgrading your commercial space and entertainment venue, you must choose the right equipment. Discover three things you need to consider when installing a commercial AV system at your restaurant, bar, or entertainment venue in Iowa City, IA.

Choose Quality Light Fixtures & a Control System to Enhance Your Home’s Atmosphere 

Smart lights were once a revolutionary technology, but they’ve become increasingly popular as affordable smart bulbs hit the shelves in big box stores. Homeowners today can adjust the color and brightness of their LED lights right from their smartphone or with a handheld remote. 

But there are limitations to DIY smart lights, and many people don’t realize that without a lighting control system like Lutron, they’re selling themselves short. It’s like comparing a flip phone to a smartphone or a Nintendo 64 to today’s Nintendo Switch. Lighting control systems are much more sophisticated and can achieve more than off-the-shelf smart bulbs. 

In this article, we’ll dive into home lighting control and what makes professionally installed systems like Lutron so magical. Get inspired below for your Des Moines, IA home! 

From Menu Screens to Video Walls, Get the Signage Your Business Needs

Whether you manage a ten-story office building, yoga studio, or cafés, all kinds of businesses benefit from digital signage displays. They’re an eye-catching way to share important information with visitors and staff, from menus to schedules to building directories. And they’re a budget-savvy way to update signage anytime.

If you’re looking to install digital signage for the first time, you may have some questions. We’re a commercial AV integration company that assists businesses across Des Moines, IA and beyond. Here’s all you need to know about digital signage.

For the Best Backyard Experience, Don’t Miss These Outdoor AV Tips

Why waste a beautiful day indoors? With weatherproof outdoor audio and video, you can take entertainment to the patio, hammock, or pool to make the most of lovely Iowa weather (while we have it!).  

But before you press “Purchase” on your online shopping cart or head to the nearest big-box store, there are many things to consider before installing outdoor audio video. If you want the highest-quality experience, you’ll want to invest in the best hardware and have it installed professionally for optimal performance.

As a home technology integrator based in the Des Moines, IA, area, we’re experts in all things related to outdoor entertainment. Look out for the following factors in your outdoor AV installation!

Enhance the Experience for Your Staff & Customers

If you’re a business owner in Des Moines, ask yourself: how is your current technology serving you? If you own a retail space or restaurant, is audio evenly distributed across the building? Is it easy to control? Or is the sound system so old that you can’t stream music?

Commercial technology encompasses far more than audio and video. When you own a commercial automation system like Crestron, you can control lighting, security, HVAC, and conferencing solutions all from one interface. All businesses can benefit from commercial automation, from office buildings to hospitality spaces.

Is your business’s technology up to par? Continue reading to see how a Crestron automation system can help your specific Iowa business.

A Look at Two High-End Home Automation Systems

If you’re interested in bringing home automation to your Iowa residence, you may have come across two of the biggest brands in the industry: Control4 and Crestron.

Control4 and Crestron are luxury control systems that can integrate all your home’s technologies, from smart lighting to the hot tub. Unlike DIY plug-and-play devices, Control4 and Crestron are sophisticated enough to automate equipment from different manufacturers and group them together.

But if you must pick between the two, which is best? We’re a smart home installer based in the Davenport, IA area, and we partner with both Control4 and Crestron. In this article, we’ll compare each system to help you make the right choice.

Discover a New Way to Work

We love retro décor, retro movies, and music. But retro office technology? Not so much.

The modern workplace is an all-new experience. Some of your staff may work remotely while others are in the office. More than ever, you’ll find teams are communicating with clients, customers, and other branches virtually.

In this new hybrid landscape, many businesses are struggling to figure out how to bridge the gap between in-person and virtual collaboration. Should everyone join a virtual meeting from their personal laptop? But then again, doesn’t that negate the purpose of returning to the office? It’s confusing for everyone!

Luckily, technology solutions like Crestron Flex and Biamp make it easier than ever to switch between in-house and virtual collaboration. Read on to see how it could benefit your Iowa City, IA business!

Bring Entertainment & Atmosphere to Outdoor Spaces with High-Quality AV

Who doesn’t love dining on the patio with music? Or watching a movie under the stars on a summer night?

Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, you can boost the atmosphere of your exterior spaces with outdoor entertainment solutions.

Yes, we mean fully outdoor—so through any weather or temperature, your speakers, screens, and landscape lighting will perform all year long. When we install outdoor systems in Davenport, IA, we trust high-quality weatherproof brands like Coastal Source audio and lighting and Séura outdoor TVs.

Learn more about outdoor entertainment for your Iowa home or business!

Ensure a Safe & Secure Work Environment for All

From office buildings to university campuses, anywhere with lots of people coming and going requires attention to security. You don’t want suspicious people slipping into your business, and you need to ensure staff and visitors are safe in the building.  

If your business hasn’t updated your commercial surveillance system in ten or more years, it’s time for an upgrade. Cameras of yesteryear are not as smart as today’s models, and you’ll reduce more false alarms and obtain much more valuable footage with new systems. Likewise, access control is more sophisticated, with more options than ever.

Read on to learn about new AI surveillance cameras and door access systems available to your Urbandale, IA business from Reference Audio Video & Security.

The Modern Approach to Lighting & Shading

Whether you’re moving into a new house, undergoing construction, or preparing for a home improvement project, smart lighting design can make a world of difference.

What do we mean by lighting design? We mean methodically installing lighting fixtures at multiple levels, letting you easily change light settings for various daily activities. And with smart lighting control and shading, you can customize the appearance of your lights as well as automate when shades raise and lower.

We design and install lighting systems that not only add beauty to Iowa homes, but make homeowners’ lives more convenient and streamlined. Discover the benefits of smart lighting and shading for your Coralville-area home below!

Take Your Wi-Fi to the Next Level with a Network Upgrade

From offices to restaurants, all businesses today rely on stable, speedy internet connections. So whether you’re processing credit cards or hosting teleconferences with important clients, your business’s internet must be running well during the workday.

So, what do you do if your staff continually complains of slow or troublesome Wi-Fi? Maybe you even invested in a mesh network and still find your internet is not up to par. What can be done?

You may not be using the right hardware or network solutions! Below, we’ll share how we install commercial networking in businesses across the Quad Cities—and the difference it makes.

Should You Hire A Pro for Audio-Video Installation?

Most people can figure out how to set up a TV or speakers on their own. But what do you do when you want to take your entertainment beyond a regular living room experience?

If you’re curious about a new home theater, whole-home audio, hidden AV, unique TV lifts, or even a high-end listening room for your Des Moines, IA home, your best bet is to work with a specialized installation company. An AV designer can properly create the experience you truly desire that would otherwise be difficult to achieve through DIY.

In this article, we’ll share the benefits of working with professionals for your audio-video installation and why it’s so important.

Make It Your Own with These Home Theater Ideas 

When we say the phrase ‘home theater,’ many people think of an over-the-top luxurious room separated from the rest of the house. And that’s certainly one way to approach the home cinema. Others may think of their DIY home theater setup in the living room, with a large flatscreen and floor-standing speakers surrounding the listener. 

There’s no single, correct way to approach the home theater. Some home cinemas are used for one purpose only: to watch films in an immersive atmosphere. Others are more versatile, leaving space to play games, entertain, and use the room for other activities. 

In this blog, we’ll talk about the basics of home cinemas and different approaches you can take to build yours. So, when you’re ready to kick back and relax in your Quad Cities home, you’ll have a custom home theater that perfectly suits your needs. 

Make the Most of Colder Days Through Smart Technology

The sun is setting earlier, there’s a chill in the air, and soon our trees will be bare here in Des Moines, IA. As we head into winter, many homeowners are looking for inventive ways to make life a little easier. If you’re hoping to add comfort and cheer to your winter, and if you’re curious about smart home technology, consider a Crestron Home installation.

What is Crestron Home? It’s a home automation system that intuitively connects all your technologies, from lighting to security cameras, all controlled from one interface. With winter-ready settings programmed into your Crestron Home system, you may not even be tempted to book a flight down south!

Read on to discover the possibilities this winter with a Crestron smart home.

Crestron Flex and Microsoft Teams Are the Keys to Smooth-Sailing Business Operations 

In today’s business world, people work in all kinds of settings. You may find workers in their home offices, in huddle rooms, in conference rooms, or large auditoriums—all in a single week! Remote staff joins in-person meetings over webcam, and projects are edited in real-time with screen sharing features. 

If your company is using multiple applications for many settings, that can cause a headache of incompatible devices and confusion. Instead, everyone should be able to connect easily to one system, regardless of what room they’re in, home or away. Luckily, when your Moline, IL business uses Crestron Flex hardware, it all integrates with Microsoft Teams, streamlining and simplifying your everyday routines.

Together, a Crestron installation and Microsoft Teams deliver what you need to create a productive, thriving workplace. Continue reading to learn how the technology works!