Product Design | Audio Electronics | Acoustics | DIY | Audio Innovations
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Lithe Audio Launches First WiSA Certified Dolby Atmos Ceiling Speakers |
The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA), founded by Summit Wireless Technologies, confirmed the launch of the new Lithe Audio’s WiSA Certified Pro Series in-ceiling speaker. The new Pro Series speaker from the British brand was unveiled earlier in November 2020, and is aimed firmly at the custom installation market. It also represents WiSA’s first certified speaker in the installation space, available April 2021 and priced at approximately $950 USD . Read More
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Knowles Raises Standard of In-Cabin Audio with New Line of Automotive-Grade MEMS Microphones |
Knowles Corp. announced the availability of two new SiSonic MEMS microphones for automotive applications: SPH1878 and SPH9855. The new best-in-class analog and digital microphones by Knowles are engineered to a higher standard of quality and supply assurance to support the increasing demands of the automotive market for hands-free calling, advanced voice assistance and in-cabin noise cancellation for passenger comfort. Read More
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THX Onyx DAC/Amplifier Features Advanced THX AAA Implementation for High-Quality Music over Headphones |
THX has announced the global launch of its first consumer electronics device, THX Onyx. A best-in-class portable USB-C DAC/Amp designed for headphone music enjoyment everywhere, the THX Onyx ($199.99 USD/$209.99 EUR) improves over traditional DAC amplifiers by combining the company's THX AAA amplifier technology with ESS Pro DAC chips, as well as MQA support. audioXpress' Oliver Masciarotte received an advance unit for review and we are now able to share his first impressions . Read More
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Cambridge Audio Introduces Evo Range of All-in-One Music Players |
Evo by Cambridge Audio is a new all-in-one music player, designed to offer instant access to all the music in the world, available in 150W and 75W per channel versions, powered by Hypex NCore modules. The design combines cutting-edge technology for wired and wireless connectivity in order to support all the possible sound sources and latest streaming services. And the Evo is offered in one streamlined and compact system with interchangeable side panels, designed by Ged Martin. Read More
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Listen Releases SoundCheck 19 With New Features for Multichannel Measurements |
SoundCheck 19, the new release of Listen, Inc.'s flagship audio test and measurement system, offers powerful advancements for users making multichannel measurements, including a new multichannel RTA and WASAPI-exclusive mode. The inclusion of room acoustics measurements offers increased capability for those looking to evaluate devices in real-world situations. Many of these features also add value on the production line, minimizing setup time, reducing the chance of user-error, and ensuring smoother operation in automated situations. The SoundCheck 19 announcement also coincides with the availability of Listen's new high-resolution multichannel interface, AmpConnect 621. Read More
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Vesper Raises $8 Million to Expand Production and Enter New Markets |
Vesper, the pioneer in piezoelectric MEMS microphones and sensors, closed an $8 million financing led by Applied Ventures, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, the world’s largest semiconductor equipment company. Vesper also received investments from Accomplice, Amazon Alexa Fund, Bose Ventures, Sands Capital, and other undisclosed investors. The round brings Vesper's total funding to date to $65 million. The funding will enable the Boston, MA-based startup to scale the mass production of its microphones and support expanded research and development, hiring, international sales offices, as well as grow customer support . Read More
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Bowers & Wilkins Launches 16-Channel Distribution Amplifier |
Having joined the Sound United family of brands in 2020, Bowers & Wilkins announced an addition to its Custom Installation product portfolio for whole-home audio. Available now ($1,999.99 USD), the new Bowers & Wilkins CDA-16 has been engineered to work with any existing Bowers & Wilkins custom installation speakers. In a very slim 1U design, the CDA-16 distribution power amplifier can power up to eight individual rooms with high-quality stereo sound, all from one elegant, compact component that can be rack-mounted . Read More
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AES Audio Product Education Institute Webinar to Address Multiphysics Simulation in Audio Product Design |
The AES Audio Product Education Institute (APEI) initiative to promote methodologies, practices, and technologies involved in developing and bringing audio products to market, will launch its Modeling and Measurement series of events with the webinar Multiphysics Simulation in Audio Product Design on Wednesday, April 14 (12:00pm EDT). The webinar will be presented by experts from COMSOL, Tectonic Audio Labs, and Veryst Engineering, each sharing audio product design simulation experiences and project examples . Read More
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Guest Editorial
Oren Adani
(Founder and CEO of Pantheone Audio)
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Pantheone I: 360 Experience
Art, Form, Sound & Technology
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A high-quality speaker does not have to look like an ordinary, clunky piece of technology nor should anyone have to compromise on function to get a stylish speaker perfect for their home aesthetic.
Groundbreaking, beautiful, and inspiring are just a few ways to describe Pantheone I. Pantheone Audio's first design, the Pantheone I, is a winner of the prestigious Red Dot Award for design and an Archiproducts Design Award. Created upon the three pillars of art, form, and sound, the Pantheone I state-of-the-art sound system is made from handmade high-density resin, and offers not just a desirable sculptural piece to have within the home, but uncompromised sound and technology capabilities. It is the largest Alexa-compatible speaker currently available on the market and also supports Spotify Connect, Airplay, Tidal, TuneIn, Bluetooth, and a host of auxiliary options to provide seamless connection and function.
Timeless Design
Developed over four years, my team and I wanted to create Pantheone I to bridge the gap between interior design and audio systems, while offering stunning sound in the process. We wanted to create a lasting object, respectful in its manufacturing methods, and which opens the door to sensitivity through its form and its acoustic qualities. An object that calms us and connects us. Music itself is art, it stokes emotions and inspiration within us. It's a comfort many people turn to for an escape. Our team at Pantheone Audio is moved by beautiful, handcrafted designs that complement their surroundings. We created Pantheone I to achieve this by developing a speaker system that can fill a room with clear sound, without taking away from the space’s aesthetic.
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Art played a major role in our design process. After visiting the Pantheon in Rome, I was inspired by the geometry of the dome and the oculus sunlight moving throughout the interior walls. Ultimately, I wanted to create a product that was just as bold, all-encompassing and timeless. When looking at the Pantheone I, one cannot help but be in awe. We wanted to create a speaker that moves people, and makes them feel like they are stepping into the Pantheon, listening to Beethoven or seeing Monet's lilies for the first time. The Pantheone I is meant to disrupt the market and change it from practical to grandeur. Who made the rule that quality electronics can't be beautiful?
Pantheone I is perfect for those who are inspired and want to engage with life, not just stand by and go through the motions. With the world today becoming more and more electronic, many people are compromising design in homes for functionality. Pantheone accomplishes both and more, challenging the industry and society to dare to bring art back into their lives. We don’t want the Pantheone I to be seen as just a speaker, but rather a beautiful piece of art that promises to elevate a home’s decor rather than detracting from it.
After years of development and iterations, we finally landed on a sensuously curved speaker housing that is created from a single mold of high-density resin, which is then hand polished to perfection. Measuring at 25.7" tall by 18.1" wide by 17.2" deep, the design is bold, thoughtful, and eye-catching. A sculpture of this grandeur is not easily made.
The structure of the Pantheone I is based on a unique and fully-molded resin cabinet. This high density material ensures there are no junction part lines. The product’s innovative curved shape and surface, provides an exceptional rigidity and robustness, which helps to enhance the internal acoustic wave management.
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Pantheone Audio is an Australian design firm that focuses on creating beautifully designed pieces of art and décor that also serve as state-of-the-art sound systems. |
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The Beauty of Sound
As stylish as the Pantheone I may be, it was also designed with premium sound quality in mind. For instance, its rigid artist-grade resin help dampen vibrations throughout and its curved aesthetic helps the speaker produce a more natural acoustic sound. Built into Pantheone I's handcrafted design is a powerful audio system that provides exceptional sound quality achieved with state-of-the-art acoustic engineering. It streams high-resolution audio thanks to its powerful internal subwoofers, two hi-fi midrange drivers and four tweeters, which allow the product to fill any room with a 360-degree, clear stereo sound.
My team worked very closely to make sure form, art, and sound were equally represented. When placed in a room, this piece of art fills it with sound quality that you would expect at a concert or opera. Its exceptional sound quality is due to the extremely complex design of its multi-chamber system. The team specifically tuned the speaker's EQ to do justice to any form of music, from hip-hop to country, and opera to smooth jazz.
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Pantheone I is the largest Alexa-enabled sound system that is built into a minimalistic, handmade resin sculpture that seamlessly fits into home interior designs. |
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Divided into two chambers, the bottom of the speaker has one chamber with two subwoofers, placed in a diametrically opposed configuration, in order to cancel mechanical vibrations and enhance the listening experience. The top chamber has one midrange and two tweeters on each wing of the speaker that cover a room with stereo and 360 degrees sound. Having the chambers separated allows for no acoustic interference, just beautifully created music to cover a room with stereo and 360 degrees sound. Altogether, it is outfitted with two 165mm bass drivers, two 100mm midrange drivers and four 19mm silk-dome tweeters, all driven by Class-D amplifiers – two 130W modules for the low-frequency section, and two 70W modules for the high-frequency section.
In addition to its sound and look, we also were focused on Pantheone I's function. It is wireless with Bluetooth, has its own app, has Alexa system capabilities, and can connect to Spotify and Apple Music for optimal consumer use and easy control. One device can pair with up to eight other Pantheone I speakers that work in unison to deliver beautiful sound.
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Pantheone I is a wireless speaker designed to be enjoyed by those who share a passion for a minimalist aesthetic that is both functional and appealing. |
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World Renowned Experts
As CEO and founder of Pantheone Audio, I have more than 25 years of experience in consumer electronics. To create the Pantheone I, I developed a team of internationally renowned designers, architecture experts, creative directors, and engineers. The team includes Adrien Stachowicz, head of acoustic engineering and a sound veteran with 24 years of experience in pro sound audio for hi-fi speakers, car audio systems, and studio monitoring speakers. Anne-Claire Bottos joined the company as Pantheone Audio Creative Director, with an impressive background of working with prominent brands including LVMH, Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Paul Gautier, and Givenchy.
At Pantheone Audio, we believe art is all around and detecting it is only a matter of attention. In having a team with diverse backgrounds, we were able to create an authentic product that brings art to life. Pantheone I is a passion project for all of us that has allowed us to use our experience to shift the audio industry closer to design. We all love what we are doing and are already working to create our next innovation.
Pantheone I is available in the United States for $2,190. For more information, please visit Pantheone Audio. |
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(Left to Right) Adrien Stachowicz (Head of Acoustic Engineering), Anne-Claire Bottos (Pantheone Creative Director), and Oren Adani (Founder & CEO). |
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QuantAsylum, A Real-World View of Test and Measurement
By David Logvin
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Following the review of two of QuantAsylum’s products — the QA401 Acoustic Analyzer and the QA451 programmable load — featured in the December 2020 edition of audioXpress, there was still a lot of engaging information about the company and its activities to be told. In this article, David Logvin interviews Matt Taylor, the president and founder of QuantAsylum - a unique and fast growing test and measurement company based in the state of Washington - which adopted a unique modular product/solution approach that seems to be incredibly agile, adjusting well to current times. Since Logvin was unable to visit the company in person, he asked Taylor to give us a virtual tour of its activities, and share details about the company's history and vision. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2021. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
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Voice Coil Patent Reviews |
A Circular-Shaped Planar Speaker System
By James Croft (Croft Acoustical)
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In his monthly column about Acoustic Patents, expert reviewer James Croft comments on a patent, granted in February 2015, describing a "Planar Speaker System" - US Patent Number: 8948441. This interesting patent was granted to inventor Zhijun Zhao (West Bloomfield, MI) on behalf of Harman International Industries, Inc. As Croft notes, planar magnetic transducers are often preferred for their thin form factor, ideal for shallow mounting spaces where a standard transducer may not fit, such as in-wall systems and automotive applications. The patent in review offers a practical solution for an oval or circular format planar magnetic transducer for such applications. This article was original published in Voice Coil, April 2015.
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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.
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