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Crest Audio Debuts C1 Series Contracting Amplifiers with Integrated DSP and Dante Connectivity
by audioXpress Staff

Crest Audio Debuts C1 Series Contracting Amplifiers with Integrated DSP and Dante Connectivity

During InfoComm 2018 Crest Audio has unveiled the new C1 Series range of contracting and installation amplifiers featuring powerful and efficient Class D designs, on-board digital signal processing, Dante protocol networking and USB/Ethernet connectivity for monitoring and control. The new C1 Series amplifiers are contractor-friendly thanks to the addition of Euro connector inputs and barrier strip outputs as well as fault relays and CV (control voltage) inputs.
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New OEM Driver Company: BlieSMa
by Vance Dickason

New OEM Driver Company: BlieSMa

BlieSMa, located in Blieskastel, Germany, was founded January 16, 2018 by Stas Malikov. Prior to starting BlieSMa, Malikov worked at Ultrasound Technologies, at Morel as a QC manager and a transducer engineer, and at Accuton as a production engineer for the last 8 years. The first product released by BlieSMa is the T34A, a 34 mm tweeter. Available since May 2018, the T34A is a metal aluminum/magnesium alloy dome tweeter.
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First Alert Launches Onelink Safe & Sound Alexa-Enabled Smoke and CO Alarm and Home Speaker
by Joao Martins

First Alert Launches Onelink Safe & Sound Alexa-Enabled Smoke and CO Alarm and Home Speaker

A connected smoke alarm that's also a speaker, strategically placed in the ceiling to cover any room with quality sound. The idea might sound bizarre at first, but indeed it reflects the way manufacturers are reimagining different categories in the era of "smart devices." Following a successful presentation at CES 2018, First Alert launched its Onelink Safe & Sound Connected Smoke Alarm with Amazon Alexa, allowing users to ask questions or and even listen to music.
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Fluance Most Affordable Ai40 Powered Bookshelf Speakers with Bluetooth
by audioXpress Staff

Fluance Most Affordable Ai40 Powered Bookshelf Speakers with Bluetooth

We first reported on Fluance's venture into wireless speakers with the uniquely designed (and also affordable, at just $499.99 USD) Fi70 Bluetooth Speaker, using a 3-way and six driver design with integrated amplifier in a floor-standing cabinet. Later, Fluance proposed more conventional Bluetooth bookshelf and tabletop speakers, now complemented with the Ai40 Powered Bookshelf, the most affordable from the Canadian brand, selling for just $199.99 USD.
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Plantronics Completes Acquisition of Polycom to Create Total Communications Solutions Strategy
by Joao Martins

Plantronics Completes Acquisition of Polycom to Create Total Communications Solutions Strategy

The last of the surviving "videoconference companies" received a life buoy from Plantronics in March 2018, with the announcement of a proposed acquisition. Three months passed since the intention was revealed, Plantronics closed its $2 billion acquisition of Polycom. The strategic plan is to create "THE communications experience company that connects people to what is important at work, at home, on the road, in the car, or anywhere you have a connection."
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NTi Audio Introduces New Vibration Meter and Vibration Option for the XL2 Sound Level Meter
by audioXpress Staff

NTi Audio Introduces New Vibration Meter and Vibration Option for the XL2 Sound Level Meter

NTi Audio introduced the Vibration Meter, built on the advanced technology employed in the XL2 Sound Level Meter. This enticing addition to the NTi product family, provides many functions for vibration analysis, allowing users to accurately measure acceleration, velocity and displacement simultaneously for frequencies down to 0.7 Hz. The results are presented with metric or imperial units, or as a dB value with an adjustable reference level.
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Cambridge Audio YoYo (L) Is a Complete Home Audio Wireless Hub
by audioXpress Staff

Cambridge Audio YoYo (L) Is a Complete Home Audio Wireless Hub

Cambridge Audio announced the Yoyo (L) home audio hub, the third speaker in its stylish Yoyo range of wireless speakers. This is a WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth system, with HDMI ARC, digital and analogue inputs, Chromecast and Spotify Connect built-in, combining the simplicity and convenience of a wireless speaker with the scale and performance of a dedicated home theater solution, priced at $399. The largest in the Yoyo series, the (L) features six drivers and Waves MaxxAudio digital processing for a wide immersive response.
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Kensington Introduces SD1600P Universal USB-C Mobile 4K Docking Station with Pass-through Charging
by audioXpress Staff

Kensington Introduces SD1600P Universal USB-C Mobile 4K Docking Station with Pass-through Charging

As a fine example of the impact that USB-C is having in the industry, Kensington announced an ideal docking station for evolving mixed-computer environments and mobile applications, ticking all the boxes on what consumers might expect from these designs. The new SD1600P Universal USB-C Mobile 4K Docking Station with Pass-through Charging (K33968, SRP $99.99), offers full support for Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and USB 3 devices from laptops using Windows, Chrome, and macOS operating systems.
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Sennheiser Unveils New Unified Communications and Collaboration Solutions
by audioXpress Staff

Sennheiser Unveils New Unified Communications and Collaboration Solutions

Following on Sennheiser's presentations at InfoComm 2018, mainly focusing on audio headsets, speakerphones, audioconferencing products, and wireless solutions, the company is now promoting new important products for Unified Communications and Collaboration spaces, including the new SDW 5000 Series of headsets, and the new TeamConnect Ceiling 2 array microphone, complementing the recently launched TeamConnect Wireless tabletop portable speakerphones.
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Martin Audio London Announces Management Buyout from Loud Audio
by Joao Martins

Martin Audio London Announces Management Buyout from Loud Audio

The parent company of leading audio brands Mackie and EAW, LOUD Audio, confirmed it has concluded the sale of the renowned Martin Audio brand to LDC, a private equity firm from the United Kingdom. In what was a long-expected move, following the acquisition of all Loud brands by the Transom Capital Group in October 2017, and the recent sale of Ampeg to Yamaha, now Martin Loud gets back to an independent position for the second time in its history.
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