All items in category Magazine Articles
Fresh From the Bench: Sonarworks Reference 4 Studio Edition Loudspeaker and Headphone Correction System
by Stuart Yaniger

Fresh From the Bench: Sonarworks Reference 4 Studio Edition Loudspeaker and Headphone Correction System

Latvia-based Sonarworks is a recording studio software development start-up specializing in acoustic calibration and DAW plug-ins. For years, the company has been working with custom studio installations and developing software solutions, based on research by audio engineer Kaspars Sprogis. Stuart Yaniger reviews this pioneering speaker calibration software for studio monitors and headphones, and also addresses the recent TrueFi solution released for the consumer market. Originally published in audioXpress, July 2018.
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AXPONA 2018 Show Report: The Renaissance of High-Quality Sounds
by Oliver A.Masciarotte

AXPONA 2018 Show Report: The Renaissance of High-Quality Sounds

Originally published in audioXpress July 2018, we are now making available online the complete Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2018 Show Report, with all the details about the best sounding rooms and ultimate high-end gear from the Chicago, IL, show. AXPONA is one of the largest high-end audio shows in North America - and with the full potential to become the largest, thank to excellent facilities provided by the new Schaumburg Convention Center and Renaissance hotel.
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VC Spotlight: ARTA Audio Measurement and Analysis Software
by Vance Dickason

VC Spotlight: ARTA Audio Measurement and Analysis Software

ARTA Audio Measurement and Analysis Software, recently updated to version 1.9.1, has been on the market since February 2006, and has been evolving and improving for the last 12 years. Produced by ARTALABS (www.artalabs.hr) located in Croatia, this Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) software analyzer is probably the gold standard for cost-effective measurement software packages ($98 for a single user license, and $185 a for multiple user license). This article was originally published in Voice Coil, May 2018.
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R&D Stories: Engineering Voice-Enabled Smart Gadgets
by Ofer Elyakim

R&D Stories: Engineering Voice-Enabled Smart Gadgets

The first step companies face in enabling a voice user interface (VUI) experience is to decide whether to partner with a current market offering or to build a proprietary voice solution, which requires a significant amount of resources. In this article, Ofer Elyakim (Chief Executive Officer, DSP Group) offers an overview of DSP Group’s experience in enabling voice in a variety of new consumer electronics devices, using its open audio/voice DSP platform. This article was originally published in audioxpress, June 2018.
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Fresh From the Bench: Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wireless Music System
by Oliver A.Masciarotte

Fresh From the Bench: Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wireless Music System

In this article, published by audioXpress in December 2017, Oliver Masciarotte explores the Naim Mu-so Qb Wireless Music System, with its stunning design, glass-filled polymer casing, and the same clever digital brain as the original Mu-so. Is this indeed a model for what complete wireless integrated audio systems can do? Kent Peterson (Warkwyn) puts the Mu-so Qb to the test confirming that the device sounds as good as it looks. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2017.
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Fresh From the Bench: Audio Precision AECM206 Headphone Test Fixture
by Stuart Yaniger

Fresh From the Bench: Audio Precision AECM206 Headphone Test Fixture

For engineers developing and evaluating headphones, Audio Precision (AP) released this new headphone test solution, a competitively priced IEC 60318-4-compliant accessory that simplifies earbud and headphone measurements in both lab and production environments. Stuart Yaniger puts the AECM206 unit to the test. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2018.
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Practical Test & Measurement: The Virtins Multi-Instrument Software
by Stuart Yaniger

Practical Test & Measurement: The Virtins Multi-Instrument Software

Stuart Yaniger provides an in-depth look at the Virtins Multi-Instrument Software, for data acquisition and measurements. The Multi-Instrument package from Virtins Technology — a Singapore-based company — is one of the most powerful and versatile. This article is a very complete review of what Multi-Instrument entails and what distinguishes it from other software packages and dedicated solutions. This article was published in audioXpress, March 2016.
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Fresh From the Bench: IK Multimedia ARC 2.5 MEMS Test Microphone
by Stuart Yaniger

Fresh From the Bench: IK Multimedia ARC 2.5 MEMS Test Microphone

For the Test & Measurement Focus published in audioXpress March 2018, two of our authors tackled IK Multimedia’s ARC 2.5 room correction system. In this article Stuart Yaniger tested the new MEMS measurement microphone available with IK Multimedia’s ARC 2.5 System. The microphone is built around an omni-directional, high precision MEMS capsule to ensure maximum response accuracy and stability over time. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2018
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Fresh From the Bench: IK Multimedia ARC 2.5 Advanced Room Correction System
by Ron Tipton

Fresh From the Bench: IK Multimedia ARC 2.5 Advanced Room Correction System

For the Test & Measurement Focus published in audioXpress March 2018, two of our authors tackled IK Multimedia’s ARC 2.5 room correction system. Ron Tipton investigated IK Multimedia’s claims that the new ARC 2.5 improves the audio monitoring accuracy of speakers in any studio or listening room, while Stuart Yaniger tested the new MEMS measurement microphone available with IK Multimedia’s ARC 2.5 System. In this section of the review, Ron Tipton looks in-depth at how to make the best use of the acoustic room correction possibilities of the ARC System.
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Fresh From the Bench: G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration RA040X Ear Simulator
by Brent Butterworth

Fresh From the Bench: G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration RA040X Ear Simulator

Brent Butterworth reviews the new RA040X Ear Simulators from G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration. Measuring headphone response at frequencies above-10 kHz has been an imprecise, non-standardized process. The new RA040X ear simulator represents part of an effort by G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration to update headphone measurement equipment to suit the needs of today’s headphone industry, and make the measurements more meaningful. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2018.
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