iFi Introduces Flagship iCAN Phantom Headphone Amplifier

iFi, the UK-based brand specializing in lifestyle audio products and high-end hifi components, announced a new reference headphone amplifier. The brand is already recognized for the diverse range of headphone amplifiers, from small and affordable portable devices to high-performance designs to use at home. The new iCAN Phantom is the ultimate effort to create the last headphone amplifier anyone will need, able to drive hypersensitive in-ear monitors, all the way to the most power-hungry electrostatic headphones.

MediaTek announced a partnership with NVIDIA to deliver a complete range of in-vehicle computing and advanced AI cabin solutions for the next generation of software-defined vehicles. The collaboration combines the strength of each company's automotive portfolios to deliver solutions for state-of-the-art connected cars integrating NVIDIA GPU chiplets into the MediaTek Dimensity Auto platform.

The Mackie DLZ Creator is a new all-in-one podcasting and streaming audio solution for content creators that makes it easy to get professional results. The DLZ Creator podcast mixer draws on Mackie's rich 30-plus-year history of supporting creators with accessible, professional-grade audio equipment. A solution for today's creators available for $799.99, complete with Mackie’s Mix Agent technology, that easily and seamlessly assists, automates, and guides the users.

Nanusens has announced that it has successfully created a fully digital circuit design to measure the capacitance of its nanosensors. This means that both the sensor structure and its detection circuitry can be made at the same time within a chip using standard CMOS processes on whatever process node is required. As a result, ASICs can now be made with several different sensors embedded within them, helping to expand MEMS applications in hearables.

Instrumental, a leading AI-powered manufacturing quality platform known to support many audio companies, announced an official collaboration with Siemens through the Siemens Dynamo program, an open innovation platform for start-up companies working with Siemens, its customers and partners. The program is focused on innovation in areas such as digital twins, automation, artificial intelligence, and supply chain.

According to the High End Society, the High End 2023 show in Munich was an outstanding success, with praise from participants and exhibitors. The promoters have now evaluated the results, and confirmed the outstanding impact of High End 2023, which ended on Sunday and attracted an international audience to the MOC Event Center in Munich from May 18 to 21. The International Parts Supply Show (IPS) B2B area of the show was confirmed as a model to expand in the future.

An audio load is an essential piece of test equipment for any audio electronics workshop. Having created the very popular Heathkit ID-5252, more than 35 years ago, Gary Galo decided to design a new option for everyone to build now. The ID-5252 contains four 8Ω, 60W power resistors. The biggest limitation of the Heathkit load is power handling. Series and parallel combinations can be used to produce various resistances and power levels — up to 240W at 8Ω, using all four resistors. But, simultaneously testing both channels of a high-powered amplifier requires two ID-5252 units. Fortunately, the raw parts for building an audio load are easy to find.

This review looks at a speaker patent, awarded to inventor Shengbo Li from Guangdong, China, on behalf of Harman International. The abstract from that patent details a speaker including one or multiple transducers, an enclosure, and a suspension mounted on the enclosure, wherein the suspension and the enclosure are configured such that the enclosure is capable of vibrating as a result of operation of the transducer so as to produce audible sound. You read it right, the enclosure is also a passive radiator!

Sometimes it's important to react quickly to users' feedback and improve a product that doesn't deliver. Sennheiser - or better said Sennheiser Hearing, the consumer division of Sonova - has managed to quickly update the important range of TV Sound products from the famous German brand. The new Sennheiser true wireless TV Clear Set 2 transmitter and earbuds are now updated with a new transmitter and earbuds, full bandwidth audio, smart customizations in the companion app, and simplified setup.

Skullcandy announced a new model of true wireless earbuds that basically don't do anything but provide for wireless music listening for $19.99 MSRP. The new Smokin' Buds do support USB-C rapid charge and are part of the company's new environmentally-conscious initiatives, using 50% certified recycled plastics, a consolidated part count and mindful battery capacity, minimizing the stress on the environment. A new reference from a respected brand.