In this exclusive interview, we speak with Monika Smetona, CEO of Renkus-Heinz.

Renkus-Heinz is a California-based company founded in 1979 and internationally recognized as a pioneer in the development of high-precision audio technologies and beam steering systems.

For over four decades, Renkus-Heinz has redefined how sound is projected and controlled in complex acoustic environments—from temples and universities to airports and stadiums.

We discussed the company’s heritage, technological milestones, and its ongoing commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service.

To begin, we would like to learn a bit more about RENKUS-HEINZ. What is the company’s history, in what year was it founded, and what founding values continue to guide it today?

Renkus-Heinz was founded in California in 1979 by my father, Harro K. Heinz, and Algis Renkus. My father later bought out his partner’s share to lead the company, and under his leadership, we became a benchmark in the professional audio and loudspeaker industry. His passion for innovation and invention has been at the core of our values from the beginning and continues to drive us today.

At Renkus-Heinz, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what loudspeaker systems can achieve, creating products built to stand the test of time. The quality and integrity of our products have always been defining characteristics, which is why we continue to design, develop, and manufacture everything in-house.

The company remains family-owned, and I’m proud to say that three generations of the Heinz family currently work together to continue the tradition of innovation and invention. This strong sense of family extends to our employees as well, many of whom have been with us for 20 to 40 years. That spirit of community and belonging is what keeps us growing.

Looking to the future, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. We continue this journey together and are delighted to expand our executive team to reach new goals.

RENKUS-HEINZ is internationally recognized for its innovation in professional audio. Could you summarize how the company has evolved over the years and what you consider the most significant milestones in its history?

Over the past four decades, Renkus-Heinz has evolved from a small loudspeaker company into a global leader in steerable and controllable sound systems.

The journey began with innovative patents such as triple-laminated cabinet construction and optimized horn and transducer designs. When my brother, Ralph Heinz, joined the company in the 1990s, he introduced even more revolutionary innovations, such as the Complex Conic horns, which provide natural, transparent, and directional sound, as well as the patented CoEntrant transducer, which allows us to deliver powerful, full-range sound in very compact enclosures.

Ralph is also the creator of the most advanced beam-steering solutions on the market. The first Iconyx, launched in 2004, was born from his vision of creating a steerable column that didn’t compromise fidelity or natural sound—the dream of an audiophile come true. In the 20 years since, we’ve continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible with beam steering. Our flagship Iconyx speakers are now in their fifth generation, and we’ve brought the technology into new product categories such as the UBX series of pre-aimed passive columns and the IC Live X series of modular, high-power line arrays.

We are also proud of our investments in ease of use: Ralph developed the first UniBeam in 2014, which laid the foundation for the revolutionary OmniBeam in 2024—a true paradigm shift that enables custom coverage patterns with just a few clicks.

When we say that Renkus-Heinz is a pioneer in steerable sound, it’s because of this legacy of constant evolution. We remain committed to exploring the cutting edge of audio technology and already have more exciting innovations in development.

One key point for readers is understanding where they can find your solutions. In which countries and markets are you currently present, and which do you consider strategic for the near future?

Over the past 45 years, Renkus-Heinz has become a truly global company. We have a presence in over 50 countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Thanks to our worldwide network of partners and integrators, we can design and install Renkus-Heinz systems anywhere on the planet. Our sound systems can be found in a wide variety of environments: government buildings, stadiums and Olympic arenas, houses of worship, theaters, transportation hubs, airports, and universities. Essentially, any place that requires precise, high-quality sound can rely on Renkus-Heinz.

We are excited about recent growth in the transportation and stadium sectors, while continuing to strengthen our leadership position in the house of worship market. Renkus-Heinz has long been the preferred solution for the most acoustically challenging spaces, and our recent advances in flexibility and ease of use have opened new possibilities and applications.

Our commitment is to make technology as accessible as possible so that any space—from everyday environments to unique architectural landmarks—can enjoy the benefits of precision audio.

Competition in the audio sector is intense. From your perspective, what are RENKUS-HEINZ’s differentiating advantages compared to other manufacturers? What makes the brand unique for integrators and end users?

At first glance, the audio market seems very saturated; the industry is full of excellent manufacturers whose speakers sound great in well-treated rooms, and more and more companies are beginning to offer beam-shaping loudspeakers. But while a traditional loudspeaker may sound great in a controlled environment, it cannot match the precision, directionality, and architectural discretion that beam steering brings to both complex and everyday settings. On the other hand, most digitally steerable loudspeakers on the market control reverberation well in difficult rooms but often sacrifice musicality, fidelity, and range. For a combination of exceptional sound, customized precision, and elegant design, Renkus-Heinz remains, in my opinion, the only viable choice.

Beyond our sophisticated technology and expertise in precision audio, I believe our combination of usability, outstanding service, and strong reputation further sets Renkus-Heinz apart. Our modular systems and user-friendly software reduce the time and effort required to install and configure beam-steering solutions; this flexibility represents a major advantage in a competitive market. Moreover, throughout our 45-year history, Renkus-Heinz has built a reputation not only for innovation but also for integrity. We are a trusted company with a mature portfolio and numerous successful installations in the world’s most prestigious venues, maintaining an unwavering commitment to the highest level of customer service.

We are also dedicated to durability. Renkus-Heinz designs and manufactures its products in-house at our California headquarters with upgradability in mind, allowing customers to access the latest technology without full replacements. We use long-life components guided by a “future-ready” philosophy, creating products that sound great not only on installation day but for many years to come—backed by one of the industry’s longest warranties.

Your products are present in many different sectors. Considering environments such as corporate, commercial, airports, hotels, universities, or fixed installations, what specific solutions does RENKUS-HEINZ offer for each of these markets?

In large or reverberant spaces such as houses of worship, airports, hotels, or public buildings, our Iconyx and IC Live X steerable column series truly stand out. These innovative solutions provide powerful and precise coverage, reducing reverberation and ambient noise and ensuring every word and note is heard clearly.

For retail and hospitality projects, we offer compact, discreet models that deliver detailed audio exactly where it’s needed—even for background music. These solutions enhance the overall atmosphere without being intrusive, always ensuring top-tier sound quality.

Regardless of the market, our products—whether point-source or steerable—are developed with one main goal: to deliver controlled, intelligible sound. We believe that improving the listening experience is key to creating memorable environments, and our products are designed to do just that.

In terms of technological innovation, your company has been a pioneer in beam-steering and directivity control solutions. How are you applying these technologies in current projects, and what impact do they have on the end-user experience?

At the core of our innovation lies the ability to precisely “steer” sound toward the audience while avoiding reflective surfaces. This not only dramatically improves clarity but also increases speech intelligibility. Our OmniBeam algorithm, together with the RHAON software, enables integrators to define audience zones and automatically generate optimized beam patterns. This results in less setup time and, most importantly, uniform coverage.

The benefits for end users are significant: greater intelligibility and clarity even in the most acoustically challenging spaces. Additionally, reduced reverberation minimizes listening fatigue, providing a more comfortable experience. Consistent coverage ensures that everyone enjoys the same sound quality, no matter where they are seated.

Furthermore, our loudspeaker integrations are designed with architectural aesthetics in mind. With fewer speakers required, less cabling, and sleek designs, these solutions blend seamlessly with a wide range of architectural styles—enhancing the visual appeal of the space as well.

We’d also like to learn about your product portfolio structure: how do you organize your product lines and divisions? What are the main solution ranges you offer, and what types of projects are they intended for?

At Renkus-Heinz, we structure our product portfolio to effectively address a wide range of projects—from small installations to large-scale, high-complexity deployments. Our approach is based on segmenting by project size and acoustic requirements, allowing integrators to easily scale from small to large installations within the same intuitive ecosystem, ensuring consistent performance, reliability, and ease of use across the product line.

The flagship ICONYX steerable array line is a clear example of our commitment to flexibility and precision. These series are designed to adapt to different project sizes, functioning as small, medium, large, and extra-large versions of our innovative technology. This structure allows us to tailor solutions to the challenges of each installation—from ultra-compact arrays ideal for intimate speech environments to powerful line arrays for live sound applications.

Similarly, our point-source product families are designed to scale from discreet, compact enclosures to high-SPL solutions, always integrating the same core technologies and premium components. The portfolio is completed with the UBX series of pre-aimed passive columns, the VARIA series of modular line arrays, and the S series of subwoofers.

Despite the diversity of our offerings, one common thread unites our products: Renkus-Heinz’s obsession with delivering precise, high-quality sound.

For small to mid-size installations—such as classrooms and corporate meeting rooms—we typically recommend steerable columns, often complemented by compact point sources. For medium or large auditoriums with multiple seating levels, ICONYX or IC Live Gen5 columns are ideal, depending on sound pressure requirements. For larger venues, theaters, or concert halls, our steerable IC Live X arrays or modular VARIA arrays are the recommended solutions. And for distributed or outdoor zones, the UBX series of passive columns is an excellent choice, with weather-resistant versions also available for our steerable columns and point-source cabinets.

For AV integrators and project managers, after-sales service and technical support are fundamental. How important are these aspects for RENKUS-HEINZ, and what resources do you offer your partners in each country?

At Renkus-Heinz, we are deeply committed to after-sales service and technical support, which we consider critical aspects of our work. We believe that delivering sustained performance over time is just as important as providing excellent sound from day one.

Our global network of distributors and local technical specialists provides on-site assistance, remote diagnostics, and training resources in every region. The RHAON software platform allows integrators to monitor system performance, share configurations, and receive direct support from our engineering team. Additionally, we offer regular webinars, design tools, and documentation to facilitate faster, more reliable project delivery.

This combination of local expertise and factory-backed service ensures that every Renkus-Heinz system continues to deliver the best possible performance for many years after installation.

Another important aspect for readers is investment and return. In what price range does your catalog fall, and how do you balance cost, added value, and product lifespan?

We have always been—and will continue to be—committed to manufacturing premium products at a fair price. Our goal is to offer a balance between total cost of ownership and overall value. Many customers find that by choosing our systems, they offset the initial cost thanks to fewer speakers required, reduced labor, better acoustic results, and longer system lifespan—all supported by a comprehensive long-term warranty.

We also believe that “premium” should not mean “inaccessible.” We are committed to delivering exceptional audio experiences for projects of any scale. From a large theater to an entrance lobby, system designers should take a holistic approach, which is why we’ve developed our product ecosystem to meet diverse challenges and spaces. In recent years, we’ve worked to adapt advanced technology to more categories and use cases, introducing a range of cost-effective solutions for customers who want top-quality sound in both everyday and prestige locations.

Looking ahead, what upcoming releases or innovations can we expect from RENKUS-HEINZ? Is there any news you’d like to highlight for the professionals reading us?

Innovation is at the heart of Renkus-Heinz, and we’re excited to share some news about our upcoming launches.

On the hardware side, we’re expanding our renowned ICONYX IC Live X series of modular high-power line arrays with a new column subwoofer, the ICLX-48S. This discreet yet powerful model is designed to provide elegant, nearly invisible low-frequency support, with a column format that can be flown inline or wall-mounted, integrating seamlessly with the rest of the ICLX system and the venue’s architecture. Its next-generation transducers and proprietary amplifier deliver impressive bass extension and great musicality.

On the software side, we’re thrilled about the upcoming launch of RHAON 3, our next-generation system control platform. This development represents another step forward in our mission to offer maximum ease of use. RHAON 3 features an intuitive, streamlined workflow that enables integrators to commission a system in a fraction of the time—even in large, complex installations with beam steering.

In the medium term, we plan to open several experience centers and demo rooms in Europe, the APAC region, the Middle East, and the United States. We always say that “hearing is believing”, because once people hear our sound, they almost always choose our systems. That’s why it’s so important for us to offer more opportunities for professionals to experience Renkus-Heinz in person. In the long term, we remain committed to investing in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and intelligent system monitoring. The goal is simple: to make precise, controllable sound more accessible, powerful, and adaptable for every project.

Finally, what message would you like to share with audiovisual integration professionals looking for effective, straightforward, and satisfying solutions for their clients and the challenges they face every day?

To all audiovisual integration professionals seeking effective and straightforward solutions, we want you to know that our systems are designed to help you deliver clarity, control, and consistency—even in the most challenging spaces. We understand the daily pressures of deadlines, budgets, and client expectations, which is why we create reliable solutions that are easy to deploy and fully supported.

When clients experience clear, natural, and functional sound, that’s success—and that’s precisely Renkus-Heinz’s goal: to help you achieve it.