Loudspeaker Knowledge Inside and Out in Voice Coil March 2021

In this edition of Voice Coil, Steve Temme explains "How to Measure Free-Field Speaker Response without an Anechoic Chamber," Mike Klasco writes about "Plastics and Composites for Audio Products in 2021," and there's an updated Speaker Enclosure Vendor Directory. James Croft provides a fascinating patent review of a speaker assembly design for low-frequency control using an acoustic dipole. And Vance Dickason characterizes two new tweeters: the D2404 Ellipticor Tweeter from Scan-Speak, and the Satori AT60NC-4 AMT Tweeter from SB Acoustics. Now available in print and online!

For this edition of audioXpress, start with our valuable Market Update on Audio Test and Measurement, followed by an interview and guided tour of QuantAsylum. From a practical perspective, Stuart Yaniger shares his experience with the latest version of Virtins Multi Instrument Measurement Software, Michael Steffes explains how to explore an interesting composite amplifier structure for great results, Mike Meechan continues his series on microphone preamplifier design, and Ethan Winer explains how to avoid too much wiring in large designs. Another great edition of audioXpress, now available to read in print and online.

The February 2021 edition of Voice Coil offers an overview of the Cone Industry in 2021, with an updated directory of loudspeaker cone, diaphragms and suppliers of relevant materials and components. Next up, James Croft reviews an interesting patent for a "Directional Loudspeaker," claimed by Dutch & Dutch BV, and Vance Dickason focuses his measurements on two small-sized drivers, typical of today's most popular consumer products. The first in Test Bench is the Wavecor FR070WA05, a 2.75" aluminum cone full-range driver, and the second is the AUGWL0006-JN01, a new 2.25" woofer from Eastech’s Punktkilde lineup.

audioXpress February 2021 explains why Microphones have gained Essential Status, and how microphones have a foundational contribution to voice front-ends. Erica Yorga details how Thousands of Virtual Microphones can solve audio conferencing challenges, and Mike Meechan explains how to design high-performance microphone preamplifiers. Brent Butterworth reviews the Widex Moment mRIC RD hearing aids to understand the differences and similarities in the critical sound experience. Michael Steffes explains how to increase the output current for an audio op-amp, and Andrew C. Russell details the X-Altra, a high-performance MC/MM phono equalizer DIY project. Now available in print and digital.

We looked at the most-read articles of 2020 in audioXpress.com (which also includes selected articles from Voice Coil magazine), and we created this Top 10 list of news stories and online articles. 2020 was another record-breaking year for audioXpress.com, with visitors from all over the world returning often to read the more than 6,600 stories available. Which of the topics and stories published online in 2020 were the most popular? Here are the results!

Looking forward to serving the loudspeaker industry for another year, Voice Coil starts strong with a focus on Headphone OEM Devices and Parts, and a Spotlight article on speaker design, written by Brian Cho, the CEO of Resonado Labs. In his first Acoustic Patents column for 2021, James Croft writes about a signal processing system, allowing users to control a lower frequency acoustic range of a loudspeaker system, and Vance Dickason kicks off his Test Bench characterizations with the new Bold North Audio BWX-6502 Midbass, and the Wavecor TW022WA09 22mm textile dome tweeter.

Celebrating 50 years of The Audio Amateur - the publishing company that started it all for us - and 20 years of audioXpress, we begin 2021 with a great - and expanded - edition. We discuss market and technology trends in Speakers and Transducers, a new MEMS transducer topology for wireless earbuds, and the latest innovations in haptic drivers and transducers. Perry Marshall details his unique dipoles speaker project, and renowned tube expert Menno van der Veen explains all the secrets of the latest Vanderveen Trans-SE10 amplifier. Now available in print and digital

Voice Coil December 2020 offers a diverse set of articles for loudspeaker professionals and anyone in the audio industry. Mike Klasco writes about MEMS Drivers and related hot technologies for 2021. Next up, James Croft discusses a new patent granted in October 2020 to inventor Eric Jay Alexander, and in Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the recent BWX-6501 Midbass driver and the BDT-2901 Silk Dome Tweeter, both from MISCO’s Bold North Audio Line. Now Available in Print and Download!

Ending the year with great content, as we do 12 times per year, audioXpress December 2020 is now available in print and online. In this edition, we pay tribute to Jeff Bagby, explore the QuantAsylum QA401 audio analyzer combined with the new QA451 programmable load, and explain the process of measuring wireless audio products using multi-tone testing. Plus, Brewster LaMacchia expands on A2B designs, Gary Galo details how to improve low-output moving-coil cartridges with his Jensen-based step-up transformer, and Mike Harkins reviews the versatile Puffin Phono DSP by Parks Audio. And much more, now available!

November signals another anniversary for Voice Coil, the leading periodical for the loudspeaker industry. In this edition, Md Mehedi writes about how new Hiperco alloys can contribute to improved microspeakers, Mike Klasco discusses "This Year’s Crop of Measurement Microphones," followed by a directory on the topic. And in Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the new NERO-6MRN150D pro audio midrange from SB Audience, and the SDx10 home audio woofer from CSS Audio. Access it online now!