Dekoni Resurrects Vegan Earpads for Audeze LCD Headphones
Dekoni Audio, the headphone earpads replacement specialists, announced the launch of a new range of Vegan earpads for the popular range of LCD planar magnetic headphones. Dekoni has always taken a passionate and careful approach to earpad development, making sure to honor the qualities of the intended headphones while also adding value with carefully selected materials and expertly tuned, subtle sound improvements.
High End 2024 - Streaming Coming of Age
High End 2024. Digital music players, streaming players, music streamers. Music sources in audio shows are changing. The industry is embracing music streaming services. At AXPONA 2024 and at the High End 2024, the prevalent music source in all demos and listening rooms are the latest class of network music streamers and digital audio players. This is my second article expanding on my personal experience at the excellent Munich audio show.
Knowles Enhances Performance for Meizu LIVE AI Noise Cancelling Hi-Fi Earbuds
Knowles Corporation announced that Meizu, a consumer audio brand from China, has selected Knowles balanced armature (BA) drivers and SiSonic high-performance MEMS microphones to produce premium sound for its new LIVE AI Noise Cancelling Hi-Fi Earbuds. Now available in China and other countries in the APAC region, the Meizu LIVE AI earbuds combine the BAs with a coaxial driver, tuned to the Knowles Preferred Listening Curve. Meizu also offers a first-of-its-kind capability that uses artificial intelligence to identify user listening preferences.
Bluetooth SIG Appoints Neville Meijers as New Chief Executive Officer
The Bluetooth SIG announced the appointment of their new Chief Executive Officer, Neville Meijers, replacing Mark Powell, who led the Bluetooth SIG for 12 years. With a long career in telecommunications, Neville Meijers has helped elevate wireless technology and businesses to new heights. His background includes highly successful terms in senior executive positions around the world, from large multinational conglomerates – including 10 years at Qualcomm Technologies - to high-growth startups.
B&C Speakers Takes Direct Control of Product Distribution in China
One the eve of Prolight+Sound Guangzhou, one of large pro audio trade shows in China, B&C Speakers announced a significant distribution change in its operations in China. The B&C Group, now incorporating B&C Speakers, Eighteen Sound, Ciare and Eminence, confirmed it will be taking direct control of all B&C Speaker product distribution in China, effective July 1,2024. The group recently reinforced its manufacturing and logistical operations in the region with the acquisition of Eminence.
Room EQ Wizard (REW) - Looking Back on Audio Measurement Software History
This article revisits 20 years of Room EQ Wizard (REW), one of the mainstays in the audio measurement tool landscape with a strong user base. What started out as a side project for John Mulcahy, the creator and only developer, evolved to become a very complete and useful suite for both enthusiasts and professionals - a comprehensive set of measurement software tools bundled in a free package. This entertaining history of REW is also a fit way to commemorate the software's 20th anniversary.
Test Bench: Eighteen Sound’s 8NTLS2000 8" Pro Sound Woofer
Eighteen Sound's latest 8NTLS2000 8" high-power handling woofer, designed for professional audio applications represents the latest Tetracoil technology from the brand. It maximizes benefits in terms of thermal dissipation and Bl symmetry, making the 8NTLS2000 ideal for small volume subwoofers, high-quality line arrays, and compact multi-way systems. The 8NTLS2000 benefits from its substantial cooling vents that allows air to move past the voice coil and across the front side of the neodymium motor assembly. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2024.
TEAC Introduces UD-507 DAC, Preamp, and Headphone Amplifier
TEAC Corporation announced the release of a completely redesigned 500 Series DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier, embracing the high-end 700 Series design concept in a compact A4 size package. The new TEAC UD-507 has everything to please anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable DAC, with all the right features for high-resolution audio, wired and wireless. The headphone amplifier is a fully balanced dual mono circuit, and the preamplifier features multiple analog/digital inputs.
From Home to Personal: Sonos Debuts Ace Headphones
Sonos announced the launch of its first-ever headphones. The Sonos Ace headphones are a very nice design, updated with all the technologies expected today. A Bluetooth 5.4 platform based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound, with Active Noise Cancellation, advanced noise control for voice and calls, support for aptX lossless streaming, and spatial audio with Dolby Head Tracking. The TV audio swap is a core distinctive feature, allowing users to switch to headphones from Sonos soundbars.
Yamaha Launches YDM Series Dynamic Microphones
Yamaha Corporation launched a new line of dynamic microphones with capsules carefully tuned to capture clear and natural sound across a wide frequency response. With four different models in the YDM Series, Yamaha is targeting primarily content creators who can benefit from the newly engineered cardioid capsule that is able to handle both quitter sounds and higher SPLs in proximity, without revealing the problems of less than ideal acoustics. The design also minimizes handling noise.