Product Design | Audio Electronics | Acoustics | DIY | Audio Innovations
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Watch EveryWord™ Far-field Voice Capture Outperform the Leading OEM Solution
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Scott McNeese, Director of Voice Technology at ArkX Labs, demonstrates the superior performance of EveryWord™ Ultra Far-field Voice Capture Technology featuring Cirrus Logic and Sensory speech recognition technologies.
Watch as our EveryWord™ solution, using 3D reverberation, captures voice commands from 3X (>9 meters) the distance of standard far-field technology, around corners, and best of all, in noisy and reverberative environments without having to lower playback volume from competing sources. Read More
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Dirac Introduces New Dirac Live Auto Target Curve
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Swedish digital audio processing pioneer Dirac announced a new auto target curve functionality for its Dirac Live solution that aims to make it easier for consumers to get even better sound quality out of their sound systems. The company's Dirac Live solution will now automatically generate an auto target curve based on a specific sound system's unique measurements. Dirac believes that with this new functionality, consumers no longer need in-depth knowledge of room correction to enjoy the best sound possible. Read More
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DSP Concepts Optimizes Audio Weaver for Analog Devices' SHARC+
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In a collaboration between DSP Concepts and Analog Devices, the performance of Audio Weaver Core runtime libraries has been optimized to take full advantage of the SHARC+ core and to leverage the powerful SHARC+ DSP FIR/IIR hardware accelerators. This optimization effort results in tangible benefits for developers of automotive audio systems and other products, when utilizing audio processors in the ADSP-2156x, ADSP-2159x, and ADSP-SC59x product families. Read More
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L-Acoustics Updates Free L-ISA Studio 2.4 Software with Binaural Rendering of Immersive Audio for Headphones
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Call it immersive audio (which is mostly the case in the live sound, broadcast, and performance industry) or call it spatial audio, independently of the format used for mixing, users want to control how the result will sound on headphones. L-Acoustics updated its L-ISA Studio software, originally created to allow the creation of immersive audio mixes independently of the target reproduction system, now supporting object-based binaural rendering to headphones from a Mac laptop. Read More
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Celestion CF0820BMB Bass/Midbass and CF0820M Midrange Now Available Individually for Retail
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Most of the volume production from the leading suppliers of professional loudspeakers for sound reinforcement applications is offered for integration by speaker brands in finished products. Eventually, market adoption requires that standard references are also offered for retail. Celestion announced that the CF0820BMB and the CF0820M, two of its 8” diameter ferrite magnet, cast-aluminum chassis professional audio low frequency loudspeakers are now available packaged individually for dealers and distributors to sell to retail. Read More
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Audinate Updates Dante Virtual Soundcard to Support Apple Silicon and Windows 11
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Dante Virtual Soundcard is a software application that turns any PC or Mac into a Dante-enabled device, allowing Dante audio traffic to be transmitted and received among other Dante-enabled devices using the standard Ethernet port. No additional hardware is required, and that means significant cost savings. Now Audinate, the developer of Dante audio-over-IP, has updated the Dante Virtual Soundcard for both Mac and Windows computers, optimizing the code for Apple Silicon processors such as the M1 family as well as the new Windows 11 operating system from Microsoft. Read More
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AES Announces New AES75 Standard for Loudspeaker Performance Measurement
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More than three years since M-Noise was proposed as a new test signal for standardized measurement of a loudspeaker system’s maximum linear output, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) has announced the adoption and publication of AES75-2022, “AES standard for acoustics - Measuring loudspeaker maximum linear sound levels using noise.” The new standard addresses the need for a practical and cohesive procedure for the prediction of loudspeaker performance. Read More
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Alango BeHear ACCESS Hearing Amplification Headsets Add Tinnitus Masking Therapy
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Alango Technologies, the DSP voice and audio enhancement technology supplier, announced the release of a new, advanced version of its BeHear ACCESS hearing amplifier headset featuring an option for basic sound personalization without using an app, customizable tinnitus masking therapy, increased amplification without feedback, and easier pairing based on Bluetooth 5. The new solution offers simple, self-determined customization of the tinnitus masking sound for best results . Read More
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Bose Automotive Systems Designs Active Sound Enhancement for Latest GMC Hummer EV Supertruck
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With the launch of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup, Bose is introducing its first-ever application of Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement (EVSE) technology, bringing unprecedented sonic experiences to consumers of the world’s first all-electric supertruck. The new all-electric pickup features a 14-speaker Bose surround sound system, Active Sound Management, AudioPilot, Centerpoint, and SurroundStage technologies. The sound system has been designed and engineered specifically for the unique cabin acoustics of this vehicle. Read More
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Editor's Desk
J. Martins
(Editor-in-Chief)
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The Path to Product Innovation.
Thrive in an Environment that Seems to Reward Cloning and Outsourcing.
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These days, monitoring everything that comes from Cupertino seems to be an essential part of being in the world of technology - from computer systems to mobile devices and of course, even in the audio industry.
Apple is indisputably the greatest source of inspiration and imitation and everything that it discloses - or is rumored to be upcoming - is thoroughly dissected by both legitimate companies with original developments or blatant imitators and clone-manufacturers. I never cease to be amazed by the sheer number of iPhone clones that we can find in the market. Some of them coming from very large Chinese corporations with considerable development and manufacturing resources that should be perfectly capable of doing well with original products.
But apparently, cloning is seen as natural to the business by these companies, including those that don't even manufacture anything and are registered in California, London, Oslo, or Seoul. The products tend to be as similar as possible to anything that Apple puts out, from the concept to the actual colors and finishes, all the way to screensavers on smartphones, to packaging, and even the fonts used in the promotion material.
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Every day, we receive emails from companies that seem legitimate in their efforts to promote their just-launched products. And after reading through the materials and looking at their websites (if they have one) I cannot help but just sigh.
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I have gotten used to ignoring those companies and their announcements, which so far have been limited to delivering inferior software running on forked versions of fragmented operating systems, more or less determined by Google's efforts. But when looking at emerging categories where Apple has been extremely successful, such as the Apple Watch and AirPods, it can become concerning to see how some companies are launching almost-indistinguishable clones, which unwary consumers will find side by side on e-commerce platforms, online retailers, and even physical stores. Usually we can quickly detect the stink just by looking at the prices, frequently $24.99 instead of $249.99 for the legitimate product.
But more recently, I have also noticed the very concerning strategy by some of those companies of establishing physical stores that more or less emulate Apple Stores, and are now selling their $24.99 hardly functioning products for $224.99, and even being praised for their "successful premium strategy" in market reports and opinion pieces propagated by "click-bait," "affiliated marketing" websites. One can detect such dubious sources of "information" because the same "content" and "reviews" are used in e-commerce websites and social media platforms to promote sales of those very same products. And every day, audioXpress is bombarded by "agencies," "analysts," and writers asking us to publish their "content" or place links to their own sources of disinformation.
And before anyone thinks of labeling me as an "Apple fan," I upfront also share that I don't believe that Apple investing in producing movies and its own content for Apple TV+ is a good (or necessary) move. I think Apple Music is by far the worst user interface of all the major music streaming platforms; and I don't think that their App Store strategy will be sustainable for a long time... unfortunately.
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Spot the AirPods Pro. Most of these are not from Apple. All are available to buy online now.
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As a publication that is focused on innovation, technology, and product development, audioXpress will continue to ignore those illegitimate companies and their requests - as much as we are able to filter out the barrage of pitches we constantly receive in our inbox. At the same time, we will continue to monitor key developments in hardware and software because it seems clear that, sooner or later, some of these companies will eventually use the considerable profits they have been accumulating by persistently copying Apple to start effectively developing their own designs, with their own unique software. And who knows, eventually even their own operating systems. The current transition happening in computing platform architectures will enable that transition.
For the audio industry, this is a perspective that needs to be maintained as companies develop their own differentiated designs, never forgetting that, even at a lower level, it pays to invest in software as much as hardware, and it makes sense to reinforce product and service ecosystems. As the true wireless products category has been demonstrating, particularly now that we are quickly transitioning to edge-AI systems supporting very advanced features on-device, it pays abundantly to invest in unique capabilities and core technologies at any level.
I don't mean to imply that Apple is a company of pure virtue and that all that it does is above criticism - far from it. Apple in fact outsources many of those key components from manufacturers that while innovating in key technologies and components, also decide to go to market with finished products that just copy the latest Apple finishes (Rose Gold, Purple, or Alpine Green anyone?), form-factors, and message.
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Attack of the Clones! Some of these watches will not even display the correct time, because no one even tells the buyers that the product needs to be connected. Some products will try to connect without the user being aware...
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And Apple is also far from always getting it right. They do take immense risks when forcing an insatiable cycle of updates and when entering new markets. Sometimes, even with very capable and competent products, Apple has failed to see the use case - as we've seen with the HomePod. The problem with the 100 clones that are manufactured for each Apple product produced, is that they all fail on the fundamental use case, and they mostly become just more electronic garbage in landfills.
And instead of worrying about China and just looking for new cheaper supply chain sources, companies need to forge their own paths to the market. Sometimes by remaining simply a supplier of parts, components, and technologies. Or creating new products and designs that do one thing well, without caring about all the others. The more Apple expands its dominating position in product segments that are strategic to the audio industry, the more we need to be aware that there are rewarding ways to innovate without necessarily just copying.
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Wireless headphones for less than $20 USD available online. Thinking about creating a new headphone brand and outsourcing manufacturing? Really?
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The audio industry needs to look at building unique sets of competences, and reinforcing its own supply chain and cost/price structures for products developed based on original designs and technologies. And that includes "difficult" things such as software or wireless audio.
As we are increasingly seeing since the beginning of the global pandemic, and particularly now with new geo-political uncertainties, it pays to think differently. And critically, there's also many other ways to innovate in the product cycle, given new realities of manufacturing, sourcing, and the unavoidable metrics of sustainability.
Small companies and low volume manufacturers at the low end or premium end of the market must target their own circular economy. Not necessarily only by repairing and updating. Increasingly in new product categories and technologies, to be "sustainable" products simply need to be replaced and recycled, not left to die in the market. Brands can foster valuable brand loyalty and differentiation by rewarding users who return their products in exchange for new ones. In many product categories, particularly wearables and personal items such as headphones, brands need to advertise enjoyment and usage, not ownership. And they should reward consumers for returning and replacing products, while ensuring full recycling and responsible disposal of all hardware. That's sustainability, and circularity. Not simply repairing in the field and allowing more dangerous parts and materials to remain in the field - most certainly left to end in landfills.
I see far too many companies, entrepreneurs, and startups still dreaming of entering the audio industry without completing their full vision before they embark on their journey. As the market is now showing in abundance, no one needs more clones and more of the same.
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Echo Test + Measurement - Specifically Made for Audio Testing!
By J. Martins
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audioXpress March 2022 Test and Measurement issue addresses the latest tools and solutions meeting real-world challenges in audio. This year's extensive Market Update report, offers a complete overview of all the audio test and measurement products and solutions released during the past 12 months. One of the major highlights was Echo Test + Measurement, with its modular, and highly cost-effective range of audio test interface solutions. The Echo AIO Test System supports Windows, Mac, and Unix-based systems and works with popular audio test software including LabVIEW, MatLab, APx500 Flex, SoundCheck, ARTA, and others. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2022. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
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Designed for Growth: Enabling Product Differentiation for TWS Development
By Raj Senguttuvan (Knowles)
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Knowles announced the availability of a new development kit for true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, centered on the capabilities of its AISonic family of audio edge-AI processors and expanded by key partnerships in voice and audio processing algorithms for TWS products. The Knowles development kit for TWS earbuds combines the company's microphone arrays, balanced armatures, bone conduction sensors, and AISonic processors, paired with a codec that provides integrated hybrid noise cancelling, AFE, ADC, DAC, and filters, and a premium Bluetooth Audio System-on-Chip (SoC). This article details the opportunities for TWS development and helping manufacturers to differentiate their newest designs. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2022. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
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Compact Wideband Bass and Midrange Horn-Loaded Speaker System
By James Croft
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This patent, awarded in December 2015 to Anthony Allen Bisset (Oakland, CA) and Quang-Viet Nguyen (Aldie, VA) describes, a compact high-fidelity sound reproduction system achieving high efficiency, low distortion, wide bandwidth, and extended low-frequency reach and which can be used as a sub-bass woofer, bass woofer, mid-bass woofer, and mid-range speaker for residential or commercial large venue applications. The system includes a dynamic driver driven bass horn, a looped resonator duct (ring geometry), which can be folded, and an adjustable feedback duct allowing sound characteristics to be tailored. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2016. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
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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.
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