By moving Dante management to purpose‑built hardware, Turtle AV reduces system complexity and operational risk, accelerating adoption of networked audio in commercial real‑estate projects.
Dante audio has become the de‑facto standard for distributing high‑quality sound over IP networks, but its traditional reliance on a constantly running PC has limited its appeal in mission‑critical environments. Turtle AV’s shift to a dedicated hardware controller addresses this gap, offering a plug‑and‑play solution that isolates audio routing from general‑purpose computing. This design not only cuts down on power consumption and hardware footprints but also enhances system uptime, a critical factor for venues such as airports, hotels, and corporate campuses that demand uninterrupted background music and public‑address capabilities.
The rapid expansion of Turtle AV’s distributor network—30 to 40 partners worldwide with a strong European foothold—signals strong market validation for its approach. Within twelve months the company has assembled a catalog of almost 40 Dante‑compatible products, ranging from compact controllers to scalable matrix units, earning ten prestigious awards and the coveted Startup of the Year title in London. These accolades underscore the firm’s innovative edge and suggest that investors and OEMs view hardware‑centric audio management as a high‑growth niche within the broader AV ecosystem.
For commercial building owners and integrators, Turtle AV’s offering simplifies project design and reduces lifecycle costs. By eliminating the need for a dedicated PC, installation timelines shrink, and ongoing maintenance contracts become less complex. As smart‑building initiatives increasingly converge on unified IP infrastructures, solutions that seamlessly integrate audio, lighting, and IoT controls will dominate. Turtle AV’s hardware platform positions it to capitalize on this convergence, potentially setting a new benchmark for reliable, low‑maintenance networked audio deployments.
February 10, 2026


At ISE 2026, Managing Editor Paige Hookway spoke with Chris White, EU Territory Manager from Turtle AV.
Turtle AV focuses on Dante audio, a technology for distributing music and audio over standard computer networks throughout buildings. Traditionally, these systems rely on a computer‑based management platform that must run continuously to oversee audio routing and control. Turtle AV’s key innovation is moving this functionality into a dedicated hardware box, removing the need for a permanently running PC. This approach is particularly attractive for commercial building projects, where reliability, simplicity, and reduced maintenance are crucial. The company has extended this hardware‑based approach across other parts of the Dante product ecosystem.
In roughly a year, the company has built a global presence with nearly 30‑40 distributors worldwide, including 17 in Europe, and a portfolio approaching 40 products. They have already collected 10 product awards and were named Startup of the Year at a leading industry awards event in London.
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