Octavio introduces Harmony at CES 2025, a versatile wireless home cinema system with proprietary WiSa technology
Octavio Harmony Unveiled at CES 2025: A New Era for Wireless Home Cinema
At CES 2025, French audio specialists from Octavio introduced Harmony, a groundbreaking wireless system designed to eliminate acoustic cables from home cinema setups. Harmony's modular architecture offers 28 distinct configurations, accommodating between 3 to 8 channels, making it adaptable to a wide range of home environments.
Harmony is available in two receiver variants. The Harmony Link Core features RCA outputs, enabling seamless connections with active speakers and subwoofers. The Harmony Link Power, on the other hand, integrates an amplifier, catering specifically to passive speakers and ensuring optimal performance without additional equipment.
Central to Harmony's functionality is the proprietary WiSa technology, which facilitates wireless, latency-free audio transmission. This ensures a stable and high-fidelity sound experience across all connected speakers, whether they are active, passive, soundbars, or subwoofers. The Harmony Network, a dedicated private network, underpins this system, preventing interference from common Wi-Fi signals and maintaining consistent audio delivery.
One of Harmony's standout features is its universal spatial sound compatibility. Unlike traditional systems such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, Harmony does not require content to be pre-mixed for spatial audio. Instead, it leverages technology developed by IRCAM Amplify® to analyze and transform any audio signal—be it music, films, podcasts, or video games—into an immersive spatial sound experience in real time. This allows users to rediscover their favorite albums, dive deep into cinematic soundscapes, and experience gaming audio in 360° without the need for specialized content.
The system is highly versatile, supporting various audio sources through the Harmony Bridge. This central hub connects multiple inputs, including HDMI eARC, RCA with pre-amplification, optical, USB-C, and storage media playback, consolidating all audio content into a single interface. For those with existing soundbars, Harmony Bridge can integrate seamlessly by connecting to the optical output, while headphone listening is facilitated through a dedicated headphone output.
Harmony Link adapters are essential for integrating individual speakers into the system. The Link Power variant is tailored for passive speakers, providing high-fidelity amplification via IcePower technology, whereas the Link Core is designed for active speakers and subwoofers, ensuring broad compatibility across various speaker types.
Control is streamlined through the supplied remote or the Octavio VirtuoseG2 mobile app, allowing users to manage their audio experience effortlessly. Harmony also supports a wide array of streaming technologies, including Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon, and Bluetooth, enabling wireless music streaming from smartphones, computers, and tablets.
While Octavio has yet to disclose the pricing for Harmony, the system promises to redefine home audio by removing the constraints of wired connections and offering unparalleled flexibility in speaker configurations. Harmony stands as a testament to Octavio's commitment to innovation, providing audiophiles with a sophisticated and versatile solution for immersive sound.
