indicates growing opportunities at every level of commitment. Whether it’s the extra sale of a basic soundbar, 5.1 channel layout or fully fitted cinema room, there are a growing number of consumers willing to invest in enhancing the quality of their home entertainment expectations, throughout the UK. We only have to look at the growing
popularity of training and membership of CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) to realise, there is business, profitable business out there if you so desire to go on that journey. Hence, I’ve delved into this business to find out more. During summer, leading custom install
distributor, AWE Europe, based in Surrey, unveiled Europe’s first Sony Professional Crystal LED Showroom plus other new innovative products. Accepting a privileged invitation to a preview with a select few, prior to its extended three days Expo to retailers and installers, I attended AWE’s Show Apartment, newly upgraded with a range of new products. AWE has become Europe’s first Sony
Professional Crystal LED showroom at its newly upgraded Show Apartment in Epsom, where there was an immediate wow factor on entering. This milestone formed a central part of AWE Expo 2026, held for industry professionals and installers. The three-day event gave visitors hands-on
access to the latest residential technology from AWE-distributed brands, while showcasing how premium cinema, audio, lighting, display and networking solutions can be specified in real- world home environments. Alongside the Sony Crystal LED showcase, the event marked the unveiling of significant upgrades throughout the Show Apartment, including enhanced cinema demonstration spaces, a completely refreshed Music Room, and a brand-new Media Room featuring the latest invisible speaker technology. Since the successful event, Stuart Tickle,
Managing Director at AWE, said: “It has been another fantastic Expo, a real showcase of what our industry does best. The fully refitted main showroom and media room generated brilliant conversations, and it has been hugely rewarding to see the upgrades across the whole Show Apartment land so well with visitors. Needless to say, not all those interested were able to make the summer launch, so, as always retailers and installers alike are welcome to get in touch and book a visit. We’d love to show you how we can help support you generate new business.”
Sony Crystal LED Takes Centre Stage A key highlight of the refitted Show Apartment is AWE’s appointment as Sony Professional’s European Showroom for Crystal LED, with the
Autumn 2026
main showroom transformed around Sony’s 165” Crystal LED display. This is more than a screen - it acts as a striking digital canvas that can completely change the atmosphere of the room. Designed as a fully realised multi-purpose living space, the room also features Stealth Acoustics Invisible Speakers and RAY healthy lighting, showing how premium technologies can be combined to enhance a space without cluttering it. The result is an elegant, immersive environment that also demonstrates the growing importance of wellness-led lighting in high-end residential design. For installers, the space is also a powerful
sales tool. Direct comparisons of LED, RGB LED, CLED and OLED technologies, including Hisense, Sony and LG displays, provide clear reference points for client conversations about performance, design impact, space planning and budget.
Two Cinema Experiences The renowned AWE cinema rooms returned for 2026 with two distinct demonstration environments. The Reference Cinema was enhanced with
DIRAC Active Room Treatment alongside Epson QL7000 projection, boasting 10,000 lumens, and Adeo screen solutions. Together, they gave visitors a masterclass in what custom acoustic optimisation sounds like in a true-to-life space, while helping installers communicate the value of high-end cinema investment to clients. The Performance Cinema hosted one of the
show’s most popular features: a live projector shoot-out comparing Epson, Optoma, and Sony side by side under identical conditions. The room also featured a full cinema demonstration with Marantz and Bowers & Wilkins, giving installers with mid-range projects plenty of inspiration.
PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Premium Audio and Flexible Living Spaces The upgraded Music Room focused on 2-channel Hi-Fi and multi-room audio, showcasing the Denon Home 200, 400 and 600 series alongside Bowers & Wilkins and Marantz. The demonstrations reinforced how a carefully designed listening environment can support more persuasive client conversations around premium audio.
Another major addition was the upgraded
Media Room, built around Stealth Acoustics 8th Generation Invisible Speakers. One of the most talked-about spaces at the event, the room paired Sony BZ displays with Bowers & Wilkins CI600 architectural speakers, EERO networking and live stereo demonstrations to show how a flexible work-and-play space can deliver high-end performance without compromising design.
The Foundations of Every Smart Home The Gallery remained dedicated to CI essentials, the fundamentals that underpin every clean installation, including Kordz cabling, eero wired and wireless networking, URC control, HDA video distribution, Kinetik fire hoods, Bowers & Wilkins back boxes, and Sanus racking and mounting solutions. Designed to spotlight the infrastructure behind reliable smart home projects, the space highlighted solutions that are simple to deploy, robust and well supported by the team at AWE.
Visit the AWE Show Apartment The AWE Show Apartment in Epsom is open year-round, giving installers and retailers the opportunity to experience the latest residential technology in realistic, fully integrated environments beyond the Expo. To book a visit, contact the AWE team
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