Hitachi Introduces High-Performance Wireless Whole-Home Audio Speakers

14 May 2015

Three Affordable Smart Wi-Fi Speaker Models
Stream High-Quality Local and Cloud-based Music

Chula Vista, California, May 14, 2015 – Hitachi America, Ltd. today announced the debut of three stylish new Wi-Fi enabled speakers powered by the AllPlay™ smart media platform, a wireless whole-home audio solution developed by Qualcomm®. AllPlay is a complete hardware and software whole home audio platform that offers manufacturers and consumers a unified solution for local media and cloud based Wi-Fi streaming across iOS and Android platforms.

Hitachi‘s smart speakers offer seamless streaming of high-quality local and cloud-based audio content – with the high performance and versatility of Wi-Fi – at three affordable price points. Industry-leading audio streaming music services such as Spotify®, Rhapsody® and others have committed to supporting speaker products powered by AllPlay this year.

"The new Hitachi Smart Wi-Fi Speaker line-up captures the company's commitment to bringing consumers products with truly exceptional sound quality, reliability, and user friendliness in the wireless whole-home audio category," said Bill Whalen, Director of Product Development, Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division. "This Hitachi speaker design creates a compelling sound experience, and the easy-to-use app for mobile devices makes it a breeze for consumers to set-up and control a home audio system. The combination of these features and advanced audio processing circuitry define Hitachi as a leader in wireless home audio."¹

"By integrating AllPlay into the Hitachi Smart Wi-Fi speakers, Hitachi America, Ltd. will be able to provide the high quality streaming experience we know consumers are looking for," said Sy Choudhury, senior director of product management at Qualcomm Connected Experiences. "The interoperability provided by Qualcomm AllPlay allows manufacturers to continue to evolve and redefine the wireless home audio space.”

Consumers can use multiple methods for delivering their favorite audio sources to Hitachi Smart Wi-Fi Speakers. A smart phone or tablet can be easily connected wirelessly to individual or multiple speakers using consumers’ existing home Wi-Fi network.² In addition, iHeartRadio, the all-in-one digital radio and streaming music service, as well as other audio content on Bluetooth®-enabled devices, can be streamed to individual Hitachi Smart Wi-Fi Speakers and re-streamed over Wi-Fi to other Hitachi Smart Wi-Fi Speakers connected to the same Wi-Fi network. For even greater flexibility, each high-style Hitachi Wi-Fi Smart Speaker is equipped with a standard 3.5mm auxiliary direct input connection.

2015 W Series Key Features:

• Hi-Fi Quality up to 192kHz and 24-bit audio resolution

• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Aux In (3.5mm) connections

• NFC for quick Bluetooth connection support

• Downloadable Smart Device App (Apple® iOS (v6,7,8) or Android™ OS (v2.2 through v4.4)

• Party Mode Flexible Speaker Grouping¹

o Up to 10 zones

o Individual volume controls for each group

• Supported audio codecs: MP3, AAC, AAC+, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, PCM

• Shared/Social Playlists

• Over-the-air firmware updates

• A/C Adaptor

Model MSRP Avail. Key Features

¹ Whole-home or multi-room features require purchase of multiple speakers. Additional speakers sold separately.
² Smart device or tablet must be equipped with either Apple iOS v6, 7 or 8 or Android OS v2.2 through v4.4

About Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi America, Ltd. headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, particle beam therapy technologies, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society’s challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. AllPlay is a trademark of Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.

The Spotify trademark is the sole property of Spotify AB.

Rhapsody is a trademark of Rhapsody International Inc.

iHeartRadio is a trademark of iHeartMedia, Inc.

Apple, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Play and Android are trademarks of Google Inc.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Hitachi is under license.

Contact:

Chad J. Kawalec
Brand Identity Center
(949) 981-2990
Chad@BrandIdentityCenter.com

Bill Whalen
Hitachi America, Ltd.
(619) 591-5344
Bill.Whalen@Hal.Hitachi.com