Nice recently announced the debut of a new line of Furman Merit Z Series Power Conditioners at NAMM 2026. The company also previewed its 2026 solutions from Gefen, reinforcing a cohesive AV ecosystem designed to protect gear, preserve signal integrity, and deliver reliable performance from source to stage to control room.
Furman Merit Z Series: Trusted Protection, Now More Accessible
The Furman Merit Z Series represents the next evolution of Furman’s long-standing commitment to clean, reliable power. Designed in direct response to customer feedback, the new lineup brings Furman’s proven protection technologies to a broader range of musicians, studios, AV technicians, integrators, and live performance environments – without compromising on safety or performance.
Six new Merit Z models will debut at NAMM, including three North American (120V) and three international (240V) versions. Products will be on display at the show as an announcement of upcoming availability.
At its core, the Merit Z Series delivers cleaner power, safer operation, and greater confidence in real-world environments where power quality can make or break a performance.
Key Merit Z Series Innovations Include:
- Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS): Furman’s signature, field-proven protection circuitry automatically shuts down the unit during dangerously high or low voltage events, preventing damage to valuable connected equipment before it occurs.
- Colour-Changing Pull-Out Lights (M-8Lz / M-10Lz E): RGB pull-out rack lights on select models improve visibility in dark venues, studios, and racks, helping users quickly identify gear during setup or performance – plus they double as customisable colour accents to “set the mood” either live or in the studio.
- Dynamic Multicolour Warning Voltmeter (M-8Dz / M-10Dz E): Real-time voltage monitoring with intuitive colour cues – green for safe operation, yellow when approaching unsafe ranges, and rapidly flashing red during extreme voltage conditions.
- Built-In Breaker Indicator: A valuable safety and troubleshooting tool that instantly shows when the unit’s breaker has tripped – so you can diagnose the issue on the spot instead of running back and forth to the panel.
- Expanded Outlet Count: The M-8z and M-10z E models offer 12 total outlets – eight rear and four front – providing added flexibility for modern rigs.
- USB-C and USB-A High-Speed Charging Ports: Deliver up to 30 watts, enabling reliable, low-noise charging for mobile devices, wireless systems, interfaces, and accessories directly from the rack.
“With the Merit Z Series, we’re bringing the protection customers expect from Furman to more users than ever before,” said Rob Harris, Product Manager and Artist Relations Manager at Nice North America. “This lineup was engineered directly in response to what musicians, technicians, and integrators have been asking for – cleaner power, smarter diagnostics, and dependable protection at a more accessible level. It reinforces Furman’s leadership and our commitment to real-world performance.”
With more than 50 years of leadership in power management and a dominant presence across stages, studios, houses of worship, and installations worldwide, Furman continues to set the standard for power protection professionals trust.
Gefen: Previewing 2026 Signal Distribution Solutions
In addition to Furman’s Merit Z Series debut, Nice showcased its 2026 roadmap for Gefen, the company’s brand for professional AV signal distribution and infrastructure.
Gefen highlights include two key product families:
- EDID Management Devices (EDID Detectives): Designed for simpler or lower-complexity environments, these solutions help eliminate common signal-handshake issues, improving compatibility and reliability across HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C workflows.
- Next-Generation Video Extenders: Modern HDMI and DisplayPort extenders engineered as direct replacements for widely deployed solutions, supporting high-bandwidth, long-distance AV distribution in digital signage, studios, and critical AV applications.
An Integrated AV Ecosystem From Nice
Together, Furman and Gefen demonstrated Nice’s holistic approach to AV performance – addressing both power and signal integrity as part of a unified system.
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