D-Tools Secures Investment to Expand Platform for Electronic Systems Contractors with Proprietary AI Technologies
D-Tools announced it has secured a $12 million Series C investment led by technology executive and investor John Heyman through his newly formed company, StellarIQ, with continued support from Greybull Stewardship, D-Tools’ majority investor. The investment led by the former CEO of Snap One allows D-Tools exclusive access to proprietary AI technologies that will accelerate its market position, expanding possibilities for integrators and their supply chain partners.
 
 SoundHound AI Announces Three Major Global Automotive Brands Have Rolled Out Its Integrated Generative AI Assistant In North America
SoundHound AI announced that its advanced voice assistant with integrated Generative AI, SoundHound Chat AI Automotive, has been rolled out to vehicles from three major global automotive brands across North America. The integration brings state-of-the-art conversational AI capabilities to a wide range of popular models from a prominent global automotive group, fundamentally enhancing the in-car experience for drivers and passengers.
 
 GRAS Releases 6-Microphone Arrays for Automotive Cabin Acoustic Tests
GRAS Sound & Vibration, an Axiometrix Solutions company, announced the release of the GRAS PR0003 and PR0004 purpose-built microphone arrays designed to simplify in-cabin acoustic testing. With a robust structure, precise positioning tools, and two field-proven configurations, the new arrays help reduce setup time and improve measurement repeatability for accurate sound field mapping, sound tuning, NVH benchmarking, and more. 
 
 Amphenol Corporation to Acquire Connectivity and Cable Solutions Business From CommScope for $10.5 Billion
Amphenol Corporation announced a definitive agreement to acquire CommScope's Connectivity and Cable Solutions (CCS) business for $10.5 billion in cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. A company with a long history of mergers and acquisitions, Amphenol expands even further its portfolio with significant fiber optic interconnect capabilities for IT and communications networks, as well as a diverse range of industrial interconnect products for building infrastructure.
 Silicon Labs Receives World’s First PSA Level 4 Certification for Protection of Connected Devices
Silicon Labs announced that its Series 3 Secure Vault security subsystem on the SiXG301 SoC, the first SoC in its Series 3 multi-radio solution, has achieved the world's first PSA Level 4 certification. This achievement – the highest level recognized by PSA Certified – affirms Silicon Labs’ embedded trust credentials at the core of connected technology. PSA Certification is essential to meet upcoming regulatory cyber resilience compliance in every consumer electronics and smart home design.
 
 Ray Tubes Expands Range with Select 12AU7 and Core 12AU7 Vacuum Tubes
Ray Tubes announced new-production 12AU7 tubes in both its Core and Select Collections. With this addition, Ray Tubes is now supplying the most common vacuum tubes, including the 12AU7, 12AX7, EL34, 6SN7, KT88, and 300B, all available through its network of retail and brand partners. All products from Ray Tubes are designed and tested specifically for audio applications and come with a one-year warranty, which is a great assurance compared to the risks of buying New-Old-Stock items.
 
 Schurter DG11 Inlet Now Available with Magnetic Release for Short-Circuit Protection
The Schurter DG11 power entry module, which has been optimized and proven over many years, is now available in a version with an integrated magnetic release to protect against very high overcurrents (short circuit) at the integrated TA35 circuit breaker. The DG11 IEC Inlet C14 or C18 with Circuit Breaker TA35 2-pole with thermal or thermal-magnetic release requires no additional fuses, and is a splash-proof and dust-tight (IP67) part, ready for harsh environments.
 
 Kali Audio Announces HP-1 Headphones with Selectable Tuning Modes
Kali Audio announced the HP-1 closed-back headphones intended for studio use. The design is DSP-powered, allowing users to enjoy a neutral, accurate representation of their mix, as well as the ability to hear how their work will sound in bass-heavy or cheap consumer headphones. Apart from working in conventional wired mode, the HP-1 headphones are also Bluetooth-capable (SBC/AAC) for wireless operation and even feature active noise cancellation for when the user needs total immersion.
 
 Got CDs? Onkyo Introduces C-30 CD Player
Onkyo announced an all-new C-30 High-Performance CD Player, designed for music enthusiasts seeking a premium, solid playback solution for their CD collections. Anticipating a CD revival that many have promised will take place sooner or later - and taking into consideration the lack of any options for updated equipment, the audio manufacturer from Japan is adding a new component in its Icon Series hifi lineup. The new Onkyo C-30 Hi-Fi Grade CD Player promises to deliver performance and value in a refined design, retailing at just $349.
 
 Get It in Motion with Voice Coil August 2025
In this issue, Jonathan Gerbet explains everything we need to know about the next-generation of Klippel's Fast Large Signal Identification (FLSI) measurement tool. And as scheduled, Mike Klasco prepared a valuable directory of Voice Coil Winders, plus a subdirectory with Converters, Lead Out Wire, and Magnetic Fluid suppliers. For this month's Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the new 10NTLW2500 Pro Sound Tetracoil midbass woofer from Eighteen Sound, followed by the UMII12-22 subwoofer from Dayton Audio's new Ultimax II line.