Harman Targets Market Lead with New JBL Tour PRO 2 True Wireless and Tour ONE M2 Headphones
It's never a small claim to announce "world’s first," but that was precisely one of the highlights from Harman's press conference at IFA 2022. JBL launched its most powerful and feature-rich headphones yet, the JBL Tour ONE M2 headphones, at the same time as it unveiled the JBL Tour PRO 2 True Wireless Earbuds. The new JBL Tour models combine improved audio, immersive sound, personalization, and improved ANC. The JBL Tour PRO 2 are the first true wireless earbuds to be encased in JBL’s innovative smart case.
Bang & Olufsen Raises the Bar With Beosound Theatre
Crafted with the ambition to be the world’s most powerful and immersive soundbar, Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen announced Beosound Theatre at IFA 2022. This meticulously crafted high-end soundbar delivers the power of a home cinema and an all in one sound system with the brand's traditional refinement. Also, as Bang & Olufsen reinforces, it is a soundbar designed to be updated instead of replaced, with software that can evolve over time to bring new features.
Sony Electronics Introduces HT-A3000 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
There's a large momentum for premium soundbars that are capable of supporting wireless home theater and immersive sound experiences, with support for detachable rear and upfiring speakers. At IFA 2022, Sony Electronics announced the new HT-A3000 soundbar, designed to support enhanced movies and music audio experiences. The Sony HT-3000 Soundbar supports all immersive formats and its own 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology for an ultra-wide listening area.
DTS Play-Fi Turns-Up the Volume at IFA 2022
Xperi, the company that holds DTS, confirmed that it expects its DTS Play-Fi, DTS Play-Fi Home Theater for TVs, and DTS Play-Fi Home Theater for Speakers to continue to expand its adoption by the consumer electronics industry, and with TV manufacturers in particular. At IFA 2022 in Berlin, Germany, DTS is announcing that new TVs from Philips and Vestel will introducing DTS Play-Fi Home Theater for Speakers, as the company also unveils additional products and features.
Unique Speakers, Parts, and Concepts in Voice Coil September 2022
Voice Coil September 2022 offers an article about solutions for Smart Speakers and Voice Processing by Mike Klasco, and an updated directory of Magnet Vendors and Distributors for 2022. James Croft reviews a recent patent awarded to Tymphany for a new Coaxial Loudspeaker design, and Vance Dickason characterizes two very original drivers in Test Bench. The HF1460 compression driver from Faital Pro and the Tang band the W4-2356 4" full-range woofer with an off-centered voice coil.
Soundskrit Debuts World's First Directional MEMS Microphone
Soundskrit has developed a high-performance MEMS microphone that is able to replace traditional microphone arrays with a superior solution. First previewed at CES 2018 to much fanfare, Soundskrit's high-performance directional microphones technology combines hardware and software. The company now announced the availability of its first product, the SKR0400, the world’s first directional MEMS microphone built for the needs of current and future consumer electronics product designs.
Exeger Establishes Partnerships to Improve Efficiency of Its Powerfoyle Energy-Harvesting Technology
Exeger, the innovative Swedish technology company behind the revolutionary solar cell technology Powerfoyle, announced its partnership with Switzerland-based semiconductor manufacturer EM Microelectronic to develop boost-converter solutions that can expand the efficiency of energy-harvesting applications. In early 2022, Exeger had already announced a partnership with NGK to use EnerCera thin and flexible batteries combined with Powerfoyle technology.
Shokz New Opencomm UC Bone Conduction Stereo Bluetooth Headset Now Available
Shokz, the company formerly known as AfterShokz, a pioneer in patented bone conduction technology and open-ear headphones in the consumer space, has now launched its Opencomm UC headset. Similar in many features to Opencomm, the brand’s first-ever bone conduction stereo headset, Opencomm UC is optimized for both working from home and office experiences. An added wireless USB-A adapter allows for increased compatibility with old Windows PCs, while the adjustable DSP noise-canceling boom microphone provides clear sound on all the major communication platforms.
Soundcore Unveils Wireless Headphones and TWS Earbuds With Stronger ANC and Long-Lasting Battery Life
Soundcore, the premium audio brand of Anker Innovations, launched the Space Q45 over-ear wireless ANC headphones and the Space A40 true wireless ANC earbuds. Both models in the new Space series feature an upgraded active noise cancelling system, which the company says it offers a leap forward in the customizable, noise-free listening experience, while delivering ultra-long playtime and impressive audio performance.
Serving a Purpose: OTC Hearing Aids, Hearing Enhancement, and Brands
If you are an audio industry professional, unless you have been on holiday on some remote island without Internet, you must have noticed that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally issued the long-expected rule establishing Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids - five years after the original OTC hearing aid act was signed into law on August 18, 2017. Will hearing aid companies really adjust and understand "consumer" behaviors? How do hearables fit in that environment? Could these products be influenced by "brand loyalty"?