Custom Retailer Magazine Awards ELAN Home Systems With Three 2006 EXC!TE Awards

Leading Custom Installation Industry Publication Recognizes VIA!®2 Wireless Touch Panel, OM Series Outdoor Speakers and Olé™ Film Interactive Touchpad for Excellence in Consumer Electronics

LEXINGTON, KY—October 12, 2006—ELAN Home Systems, a leading manufacturer of award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home automation systems, announced today that Custom Retailer Magazine has honored the company’s new VIA! ®2 Wireless Touch Panel, OM Series Outdoor Speakers, and Olé™ Film Interactive Touchpad with 2006 EXC!TE Awards. Custom Retailer Magazine’s prestigious EXC!TE Awards are bestowed upon products that best exemplify innovation and technology within the custom consumer electronics industry. The announcement was made by Paul Starkey, ELAN’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

The VIA!2 extends the very popular and award-winning VIA! line of control panels, which offer the most affordable, simple to use and install range of control interface products available today. This model is ELAN’s wireless 8.4-inch LCD color Touch Panel that provides the latest in home control. Sleek and lightweight, the VIA!2 features a powerful combination of bold and beautiful color graphics and long-range, interference-free 8.02.11b/g wireless control technology. The panel serves as an ideal, premium Home Theater controller as well as an ELAN multi-room systems controller. A tabletop docking/recharging cradle is also included for stationary functionality. The VIA!2 delivers the proven quality VIA! performance throughout the home without the wires, and is easily programmed by Dealers using ELAN’s tried-and-true software - VIA!TOOLS.

ELAN’s OM Series Speakers feature superior design and sound in a small footprint, raising the bar to new heights for weatherproof outdoor speakers. Consisting of three models available in 5.25" and 6.50" two-way versions and a 6.50” dual voice coil offering, OM speakers feature state-of-the-art cabinet design, with structurally reinforced ribbing that utilizes high-density composite materials. Additionally, the driver compliment, crossover network and ports have been customized for each model, resulting in well balanced, highly accurate acoustic performances with incredible bass for their sizes.

Olé, the industry’s first-ever Film Interactive Touchpad (F.I.T), has set a whole new standard in user interface control, design and affordability. Olé marries the best of all interface worlds by bringing together the speed, graphics and response of a traditional LCD touch panel with the simplicity and pricing of a keypad. A truly ground-breaking new product, ELAN’s introduction of Olé has created a unique interface product category within the Custom Installation industry. A radical departure from traditional, hard button keypads, Olé offers the largest all-touch surface in a double-gang, in-wall product and new level of flexibility to match every Client’s décor. It’s easier-than-ever installation and ultra-fast and intuitive VIA!TOOLS programming saves Dealers time, thus offering huge profit potential.

Joe Paone, Editor-In-Chief of Custom Retailer added, “Custom Retailer is very pleased to present these three EXC!TE Awards to ELAN for their VIA!2 Touchscreen, OM Series Outdoor Speakers and especially the new Olé Film Interactive Touchpad. The excitement generated from Olé, particularly at CEDIA Expo 2006, was simply incredible. Dealers from all over were absolutely buzzing from the Olé demonstration at ELAN’s booth. That alone was enough incentive to award the Olé with a 2006 EXC!TE Award. Plus, it is just a flat out cool product.”

“We’re incredibly honored that Custom Retailer has recognized our Wireless Panel, Outdoor Speakers and new Film Interactive Touchpad with prestigious EXC!TE Awards,” said Paul Starkey. “We not only strive to meet the needs of Retailers, Dealers and Consumers, but to exceed their expectations in the ever-changing custom consumer electronics industry. Receipt of Custom Retailer’s EXC!TE Awards for these three innovative products validates this mission.“

VIA!2 carries an MSRP of $3,000.00, OM Series Speakers range from $350.00 to $500.00 and Olé comes in at an amazing $380.00 MSRP.

Custom Retailer’s annual EXC!TE Awards pay tribute to products that best exemplify the excitement and growth of the home electronics industry. Recipients are selected through consultation among our editors, contributors, selected retailers and industry observers, as well as through reader nominations received via e-mail and fax. The EXC!TE Awards honor products that are exceptional in terms of innovation, value, market presence or market impact. EXC!TE winners have distinguished themselves as the leading lights of the business.

ELAN is a trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC, Lexington, KY. VIA! is a registered trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:

Steven Style or Justin Kroesser
The Steven Style Group
New York, NY
t) 212-465-1290
f) 212-465-1299
e) stevens@stylegroup.com
justink@stylegroup.com

OR

Cat Fowler
ELAN Home Systems
Lexington, KY
t) 859-269-7760 x161
f) 859-268-2132
e) cfowler@elanhomesystems.com

About ELAN Home Systems:
ELAN Home Systems is a leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home automation systems. Based in Lexington, KY, the company’s systems were the first to integrate audio, video, phones and third-party products to create a seamless, easy-to-use “whole house” experience. The company’s unique products provide complete lifestyle, feature-rich solutions, yet can be configured to fit the specific needs of every homeowner. ELAN products are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers and distributors throughout the United States, Canada and 58 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.

This release was published on openPR.