Product Design | Audio Electronics | Acoustics | DIY | Audio Innovations
|
|
Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 for Bluetooth 5.2 and LE Audio Applications Now Available
|
Nordic Semiconductor has announced that its nRF5340 high-end multiprotocol Bluetooth 5.2 System-on-Chip (SoC) has entered volume production. The world’s first dual Arm Cortex-M33 wireless SoC is now available and offers all the advanced features and security required for the next-generation of connected audio applications including LE Audio and advanced wearables. The new SoC is widely commercially available through Nordic’s distribution network. Read More
|
|
|
|
Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 888 Mobile Processing Platform
|
During the annual Snapdragon Tech Summit Digital 2020, Qualcomm introduced its latest flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, which will set the benchmark for flagship Android smartphones in 2021. This new platform packs industry-leading mobile innovations in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, and camera technologies, while offering all the processing and connectivity power to enable next-generation immersive audio experiences, including support for Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio features. Read More
|
|
Eastech Expands Punktkilde Catalog with Radial Magnet Series and Releases Four New Transducers
|
Eastech has recently released four new drivers in its Punktkilde brand catalog. Punktkilde is Danish for "point source," which intends to highlight products designed by Danish high-end driver OEM Scan-Speak. The newly released drivers include the AUGWL0030-JN02, a 12" 8Ω woofer with a carbon pulp diaphragm; the 2" full-range AUGFL0005-JN08 compact design; and the 2.25” ultra-thin AUGWL0006-JN01 and 3" AUGWL0008-JN07 radial magnet woofers . Read More
|
|
|
|
Alango Technologies Introduces VoiceDefender Advanced Four-Mic Voice Processing Technology
|
Alango VoiceDefender is an advanced voice enhancement signal processing solution, ready to be used by developers and manufacturers in new on-ear and over-ear headphone designs without the need of an ugly boom mic. VoiceDefender enables noise-free voice communication for on-ear/over-ear headphones virtually eliminating dominant noise sources and highlighting voice and speech signals, effectively taking augmented audio to a whole new level . Read More
|
|
Neumann Introduces Automatic Studio Monitor Alignment Solution Jointly Developed with Fraunhofer IIS
|
German studio specialist Neumann.Berlin introduced the MA 1, an integrated hardware/software tool for acoustic calibration and room correction, tailor-made for Neumann studio monitors. Calibration algorithms, jointly developed with Fraunhofer IIS, the world’s leading institute for audio signal processing, ensure the best possible monitoring quality in any environment – from acoustically untreated bedroom studios to professional control rooms . Read More
|
|
|
|
Cambridge Audio Elevates Basic True Wireless Performance with New Melomania Touch Earbuds
|
British audio specialists Cambridge Audio unveiled the company's evolution of its original Melomania 1 true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones with the introduction of the new Melomania Touch true wireless earbuds. The Melomania Touch's refined design elevates the company’s first true wireless product with an elegant shape with intuitive touch controls, superior sound performance, and world-class battery life. A refreshing example of a successful effort to differentiate in a highly popular but already overcrowded space . Read More
|
|
Jensen Loudspeakers Presents New 12" Blackbird 40 Reinforced AlNiCo Guitar Speaker
|
Jensen Loudspeakers introduced the Blackbird 40, a new 12" guitar speaker in the brand's Jet Series. The Jensen Blackbird 40 is a 40W speaker, with a 1.26" (32mm) copper-wound voice coil using an extremely compact Reinforced AlNiCo magnet in the classic "horseshoe" format. As explained by the team who designed this new guitar amplifier speaker, the Blackbird 40 is able to deliver the unmistakable voice of a classic Jensen AlNiCo speaker supported by a stronger, firmer foundation that reinforces the bass range, making it highly recommended for players who need a more versatile tone . Read More
|
|
|
Editor's Desk
J. Martins
Editor-In-Chief
|
Transition Time, Planning Time
Exciting and Incremental Technology Developments
|
|
|
Last week we enjoyed a well-deserved break, while remaining safely working from home on another edition of audioXpress magazine, and using valuable time to catch up remotely and safely with family members. At the same time, during a brief period that we assumed would be calmer, we couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed by the amount of announcements received - evidently, the rest of the world doesn’t know or care about Thanksgiving, and that’s actually quite obvious when looking at the audioXpress website, where we managed to highlight the most relevant stories.
Tip: If you want to see ALL the announcements, not just the highlights featured on our home page, regularly visit our NEWS section: https://audioxpress.com/news
Between the awful spamming torrent of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the news kept coming at a steady pace, a clear sign that the audio industry is now using the end of the year to compensate for a lot of things that were simply postponed in 2020 - the end-of-the-year rush that we wrote about in the previous edition of The Audio Voice.
This trend is noticeable in all market segments. Last week there were no shortage of announcements more focused on consumer applications, while this week it was time for important events targeting the development community and professional applications (notice how even Qualcomm chose this time of the year?). There is an interesting window for companies to stand out when effectively distributing their messages at this time.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) already opened registration for the first-ever, all-digital CES 2021 – on track to become one of the largest digital events - January 11-14, 2021. It’s going to be an interesting opportunity for CES to take the concept of digital online events to the next level. In this case, it is particularly important for many technology companies and consumer brands, who at least will be able to leverage the event to get their message out - while I predict many others will do it independently just before and after CES. It’s going to be a busy week for the press and global tech community in general. If little else, a virtual CES 2021 will be certainly effective for new product announcements, press events, and keynotes. Other companies in the tech space are advised not to schedule their own independent initiatives for that week. And don’t even think about webinars! You’ve been warned.
|
|
The SoundSend ($179 US MSRP) device is truly a strategic product for the promotion of wireless audio and for making the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA) technology truly mainstream.
|
|
And here are a few examples of the news that you might not have noticed from the past 10 days:
For high-fidelity enthusiasts, there are a few exciting launches. British audio specialists Cambridge Audio has added the Edge M monoblock power amplifier to its acclaimed high-end Edge series of hi-fi components. Sonus Faber announced the Maxima Amator, a two-way design speaker that successfully expands the Minima Amator II bookshelf design introduced at High End 2019, creating a larger tower version with a larger sonic footprint. And HIFIMAN unveiled the R10P Planar Magnetic headphones, featuring carved cherry wood earcups and a more affordable R10D model with solid pinewood earcups, both closed-back designs.
And interestingly, Renkus-Heinz says that it doesn’t expect delays in production as a result of the recent fire at the Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) factory in Japan. Yes, the California professional loudspeaker manufacturer sent out a message reassuring its partners who rely on the company’s professional loudspeaker solutions - most of which are active, processed and networkable designs - that it has at least a year's stock of the precious AKM components. The company left us thinking about all the other higher-volume manufacturers who are not so cautious.
Meanwhile, as people all over the world spend more time at home and discover the need to reach out digitally online and communicate effectively, microphones continue to be an exciting growing category. When microphones appeal to the imagination of consumers stuck at home and trying to counteract the “pandemic blues,” established microphone manufacturers are finding new exciting opportunities.
|
|
Targeting podcasters, live streamers, gamers, and remote workers, the new Earthworks Audio ICON microphones with a Triad-Orbit desktop stand are a clever and attractive design.
|
|
Earthworks Audio released ICON, a studio-quality USB microphone, and ICON PRO, a broadcast-quality XLR streaming microphone. And Electro-Voice announced the introduction of the RE20-BLACK – a new low-reflection color option for the classic broadcast microphone. In both cases, its not only important how these microphones will sound, but also how they look on (web)camera, and how good people think they will look when using them.
On a different perspective, microphone manufacturer Audix announced an expansion of its test and measurement range with the introduction of the TM2 Integrated Acoustic Coupler for In-Ear Monitors (IEMs). This is a measurement solution to complement software - such as Rational Acoustic’s SMAART and Studio Six Digital’s Audio Tools - allowing monitor engineers to easily confirm the functionality of each performer’s IEMs. The Audix coupler should also appeal to IEM enthusiasts obsessed with comparing measurements.
And there’s an interesting new consumer survey from Dolby, reflecting changing trends in the way consumers interact with friends and family while enjoying entertainment, and insights that people are investing more in their home entertainment, looking for enhanced picture or sound quality.
Read, Share, and Enjoy the stories! Until next week.
|
|
Practical Test & Measurement
|
What to Measure for Quality Control of Audio Devices
By Dan Knighten (Audio Precision)
|
|
In its November 2020 edition, audioXpress featured another great Test & Measurement article from Dan Knighten (Audio Precision), on quality control measurements of audio devices and how to use audio measurements in manufacturing to ensure a specific level of quality while maximizing yield. In this article, Knighten focuses on the practical question of manufacturing test strategies and objectives, and he shares what measurements reveal about the device under test, offers suggestions for specific measurements, and provides techniques for various devices and scenarios. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
|
|
Voice Coil Patent Reviews
|
Loudspeaker for Eliminating a Frequency Response Dip
By James Croft (Croft Acoustical)
|
|
Every month on his Acoustic Patents column for Voice Coil magazine, James Croft (Croft Acoustical) discusses different loudspeaker patents and inventions that are relevant to the audio industry. In the January 2015 edition, Croft reviewed a “Loudspeaker for Eliminating a Frequency Response Dip” patent, granted in November 12, 2014 to Harman International Industries, describing “a speaker system that includes a speaker enclosure having a front end, a rear end, and a first transducer. The front end is arranged to face a listening area. The rear end is arranged for being mounted to a mounting surface. The first transducer is positioned within the speaker enclosure for facing into the mounting surface such that the first loudspeaker transmits acoustic energy from the rear end towards the mounting surface to prevent a frequency-response dip with the transmitted acoustic energy.” This article was originally published in Voice Coil, January 2015 . Read the Full Article Now Available Here
|
|
Audio Product Design | DIY Audio Projects | Audio Electronics | Audio Show Reports | Interviews | And More
Don't Have a Subscription?
|
|
Industry News & Developments | Products & Services | Test Bench | Acoustic Patents | Industry Watch | And More
|
|
Advancing the Evolution
of Audio Technology
audioXpress features great articles, projects, tips, and techniques for the best in quality audio. It connects manufacturers and distributors with audio engineers and enthusiasts eager for innovative solutions in sound, acoustic, and electronics.
Voice Coil, the periodical for the loudspeaker industry, delivers product reviews, company profiles, industry news, and design tips straight to professional audio engineers and manufacturers who have the authority to make powerful purchasing decisions.
The Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook is the most comprehensive collection of listings on loudspeaker material in the industry. Purchasers and decision makers refer to the guide for an entire year when making selections on drivers, finished systems, adhesives, domes, crossovers, voice coils, and everything in between.
© 2020 KCK Media Corp. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|