Daniel J SaitWhy human connection is important to shaping the future of AV. Michael Johnson, Global Marketing Director, at Monitor Audio explains the company’s approach for EI Live! 2025.
Register for EI Live! 2025 right here.
In an industry increasingly driven by technology, specification sheets, and integration protocols, it’s easy to forget the most powerful element behind every innovation: people.
We’re at a pivotal point in the evolution of the AV and custom install world. Standards are rising, systems are growing more intelligent, and client expectations are more demanding than ever. But as the sector becomes more advanced, the value of genuine, human-to-human connection is becoming even more essential, both in how we collaborate as professionals, and how we create experiences for end users.
This September at EI Live, Monitor Audio Group is bringing that belief to life by hosting what we’re calling the ‘MAG Lounge’, a relaxed, open space designed not to sell, but to connect. The idea is simple: to invite integrators and retailers to sit down with the people who are usually behind the curtain; the engineers and designers who create the products you work with every day.
We want to reframe what a trade stand can be. Rather than a wall of marketing messages or a fortress of black boxes, the MAG Lounge is a place for conversation, feedback and collaboration. Because we believe the future of this industry doesn’t just lie in new products, it lies in better partnerships.
Technology is only half the story
Understanding how people experience sound, how they live with technology and how they install it, is just as important as how a component measures in a lab. When we sit down with installers and hear about the realities of different projects; tight deadlines, aesthetic compromises, and everything in between, it helps us make better decisions. That’s why we instigated our Monitor Audio Partner Programme (MAPP). It allows us to receive direct feedback, which directly influences the decisions we make on the future roadmap of our products and support we offer.
By opening up space for these dialogues, we’re not just designing better systems – we’re designing more relevant solutions.
Designing Experiences, Not Just Systems
A big shift we’re seeing in this industry is a growing emphasis on experience over hardware. Clients don’t just want high fidelity, they want harmony. They want technology that disappears into the environment, that complements their interior, and that just works, all the time.
For us as manufacturers, that means focusing not only on sound quality, but also on installation simplicity, aesthetic compatibility, and long-term serviceability. It’s not enough for a speaker to sound good. It also needs to be easy to mount, flexible in positioning, and consistently reliable.
This is where closer relationships with integrators matter. Your feedback from the field helps us anticipate issues before they arise and build products that are easier to install and maintain. We don’t just want to innovate for innovation’s sake; we want to innovate in ways that matter to you and your clients.
Looking Ahead
The custom install space is continuously changing. But what doesn’t change is the need for shared understanding. For respect between disciplines. For honest dialogue and transparent design. Whether you’re specifying a full cinema or fitting in-ceiling speakers, every decision benefits from better collaboration. We look forward to seeing you in the MAG Lounge at EI Live. Let’s talk. Let’s collaborate. Let’s Listen Again.