At InfoComm 2026, a massive piece of industry news dropped that will shape the commercial audio landscape for decades to come. Bose Professional announced that it is officially rebranding. Over the next year, the company will transition to its new identity: 802 Labs.

The rollout will happen steadily, with the new name fully taking effect by February 2027.

For AV integrators who rely on this technology to build systems and protect their own reputations, a change this big matters. Here is a look at what is changing, what is staying the same, and what this means for your upcoming projects.

 

The story behind the new name

The name 802 Labs isn't a random corporate invention. It is a direct nod to the company's roots and engineering legacy.

• The 802: This represents the iconic loudspeaker that originally launched the manufacturer's professional portfolio. It was a classic product that defined their early design philosophy and commitment to research.

• Labs: This reflects the company's heritage of constant inquiry, testing, and innovation—pioneered by Dr. Bose's approach to asking different questions to find better answers.

By bringing these two pieces together, the brand is anchoring its future in the history that integrators already know and trust.

 

What this means for your business and projects

When a major manufacturer changes its name, the immediate concern for any commercial integrator is risk. You need to know that your specs, your timelines, and your support channels will remain solid.

CEO John Maier emphasized that this transition is intentionally paced over several months to ensure zero disruption. Here are the core pillars the company is committing to during this evolution:

• Human-centric support: The team is rallying around a new positioning statement: Pro Audio Made Human. For integrators, this means a renewed commitment to responsiveness—having a partner who picks up the phone, listens, and actually shows up on-site when you need them.

• Simplifying complex workflows: The pro audio sector has grown increasingly complex with layers of competing protocols and design steps. 802 Labs is focusing its future roadmap on making systems easier to specify, install, and support so you can get time back on your project timelines.

• Continuity of quality: While the logo and name are evolving, the core engineering depth, product quality, and hardware reliability remain completely non-negotiable.

 

What comes next?

The transition is already underway behind the scenes, but you will see a gradual rollout of new branding, updated materials, and aligned support tools over the coming months.

Throughout this next year, your existing product specifications remain fully supported, and the incoming product roadmap is built to match the ambition of this new chapter. 802 Labs is focused on removing the friction from pro audio deployment, keeping your business moving forward with total confidence.