Top Audio Video Trends for 2026: What Homeowners Are Asking For

🎧 Smart Homes Meet Smart Sound

The way we experience audio and video at home is changing fast. Homeowners in 2026 aren’t just looking for good speakers or a big TV—they want seamless integration, elegant design, and smart control.

At Ameritechs, we’ve seen firsthand what San Diego homeowners are asking for this year. Whether it’s a hidden home theater, a whole-house audio upgrade, or voice-controlled entertainment, here are the top audio video trends shaping 2026.

1. 🏠 Whole-Home Audio Systems

Gone are the days of standalone Bluetooth speakers. In 2026, homeowners are embracing whole-home distributed audio systems that stream music to every room.

With systems like Sonos, Control4, and Yamaha MusicCast, families can:

• Play the same song throughout the house or different playlists per room

• Control everything from their phone or voice assistant

• Enjoy clutter-free, built-in ceiling or wall speakers for a sleek finish

Trend insight: Clients love multi-room systems that “just work.” Installation quality and speaker placement are now bigger selling points than ever.

2. 🎬 Hidden Technology and Clean Design

In luxury homes and remodels, technology is being designed to disappear.

New solutions include:

• Recessed speakers that blend into ceilings and walls

• Motorized TV lifts and art-frame TVs that hide screens when not in use

• In-wall cable management systems that keep setups wire-free

At Ameritechs, our technicians specialize in these clean-install designs—making rooms look as beautiful as they sound.

3. 🧠 Voice and App Control for Everything

Homeowners want simplicity. The most popular upgrades this year are voice-activated AV systems tied to smart assistants like Alexa, Google, or Apple Home.

Imagine saying:

“Alexa, turn on movie night.”

And instantly your lights dim, projector lowers, and surround sound fires up.

Integrations with Control4 and Lutron lighting take this even further—creating fully automated entertainment experiences.

4. 🎥 8K and Ultra-Short Throw Projection

As content quality increases, so does demand for ultra-high-definition displays.

8K TVs and ultra-short throw (UST) projectors are dominating remodels and new builds alike. These systems deliver:

• Crisp, lifelike visuals even in daylight

• Compact designs that sit close to the wall

• A theater-level experience without requiring a darkened room

Ameritechs helps homeowners match the right screen size, projector, and sound system for their space—so they get cinematic results without overpaying.

5. 🎶 Outdoor Audio Video Entertainment

Backyards have become extensions of living spaces.

We’re seeing huge demand for:

• Weatherproof TVs and speakers for patios and pool areas

• Rock and landscape speakers that blend into gardens

• Wireless control zones that let users adjust music from their phone anywhere outside

This trend exploded after the pandemic and shows no signs of slowing. Homeowners want to entertain outdoors—without compromising sound quality.

6. 💡 Energy Efficiency and Low-Voltage Integration

As sustainability grows in importance, so does energy-efficient AV design.

Low-voltage wiring, LED-based lighting integration, and smart power management are now key considerations. These systems save energy while delivering the same high-performance audio and video quality.

For Ameritechs, this means building eco-smart installations that last longer and cost less to operate.

7. 🔄 Retrofit-Friendly Upgrades

Homeowners don’t always want to tear down walls to upgrade. In 2026, there’s a growing preference for retrofit-friendly AV systems—wireless speakers, compact amplifiers, and easy-to-mount projectors that modernize older homes without major construction.

Our team specializes in creative retrofit solutions that maintain a home’s aesthetics while bringing it up to today’s tech standards.

✨ The Takeaway

The future of audio video is about effortless control, elegant design, and intelligent integration. Whether you’re remodeling your home, building new, or simply upgrading your entertainment setup, now is the perfect time to invest in the technology that will define modern living.

📞 Ready to Upgrade?

Ameritechs has been helping San Diego homeowners enjoy better sound, smarter setups, and seamless technology since 1996.

📍 7854 Ronson Rd, San Diego, CA 92111📞 (858) 505-1122📧 admin@ameritechs.co