Sony Electronics Unveils New Brand INZONE for Gaming Monitors and Headsets
Sony Electronics has announced a new brand for gaming products, just in case gamers don't find Sony to be cool enough. INZONE is the name for a new range of gaming monitors and headsets, with a clean-looking design, and an advanced set of technology features. The three headsets in the INZONE range support dedicated 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth wireless connectivity, 360 Spatial Sound, and are designed to work with gaming PCs and Sony PlayStation 5 consoles. The top of the range INZONE H9 headset even offers ANC allowing gamers not to hear the cooling fans in their PCs.
ArkX Laboratories and Sensory Launch Custom Wake-Word and Command Sets for Brand Voice Experiences
ArkX Laboratories announced the launch of EveryWord Voice Control featuring the Sensory TrulyHandsfree SDK technology suite. The combination of the two companies' advanced far-field voice capture and speech recognition technologies, enable OEMs to create custom wake-words, small to medium command sets (21 dialects), and speaker verification models for voice interfaces when integrated with the production-ready EveryWord Audio Front End (AFE) or Voice Module.
GRAS Adds TEDS Functionality to Couplers, Ear Simulators, and Head and Torso Systems
GRAS Sound & Vibration, now part of Axiometrix Solutions, has confirmed that all its ear simulator test platforms now include Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) calibration functionality. GRAS, together with sister company Audio Precision, has long focused on incorporating TEDS in all systems to ensure reliable data and to ease all aspects of installation and test platform setup.
Bond It, Treat It, and Coat It. Getting to Loudspeaker Business in Voice Coil July 2022
The July 2022 issue of Voice Coil offers important resources for the industry with a focus on Adhesives, Coatings and Treatments. Mike Klasco writes about New Thin-Film Technologies for Coatings and Treatments. James Croft returns with a fresh review of a Mayht patent. And Vance Dickason characterizes the recent 38WE/8582T00 15” Ellipticor woofer from Scan-Speak, and explores the historical relevance of the SEAS W15CH001 5.25" Excel Midwoofer and its Hexadym Motor design.
Patent Review: Improved Speaker Structure by Jazz Hipster
This article reviews a patent application submitted in 2010 by to two inventors, on behalf of Jazz Hipster Corp. (Taiwan), regarding an improved structure of a speaker using the surround to reduce the resistance of the diaphragm excursion, which helps to generate a more linear diaphragm movement, with less resistance, and reduced distortion. As James Croft noted, the approach had been used in the past, but its use decreased due to the high-performance achieved with well-designed roll-surrounds, at a lower cost. No surprisingly this patent was subsequently abandoned.
The Acoustical Challenges of Designing True Wireless Earphones
Expanding the perspective on the evolution toward hearables, this article explores the current trends as well as the acoustical challenges and solutions for designing true wireless earphones. The article explains the enabling technologies currently converging as the TWS market continues to grow and use cases multiply, with more consumers using wireless earbuds for a diverse and varied set of applications, from listening to podcasts and audiobooks to Internet meetings and interacting with voice assistants. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2022.
Nordic Semiconductor Showcases Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast Development Solutions
Nordic Semiconductor has used the latest trade shows globally to showcase its latest low power wireless solutions, and introduced a series of new development solutions targeting Bluetooth LE Audio. At the Embedded World Exhibition that took place in Nuremberg, Germany, Nordic offered demonstrations of its new nRF5340 Audio Development Kit (DK), a design platform for rapid development of LE Audio products, and the Nordic Thingy:53 a rapid prototyping solution, both based on Nordic’s nRF5340 SoC.
Fender Announces All-New Lifestyle Range of Fender Audio Products
Reviving the original strategy that motivated the acquisition of in-ear monitor manufacturer Aurisonics and taking lessons from the very successful playbook of Swedish design house Zound Industries with guitar amplifier brand Marshall, Fender announces an all-new range of consumer Fender Audio products. From true wireless earbuds designed like musicians IEM's, all the way to portable Bluetooth speakers that look like miniature Fender guitar amps.
DPA Designs Dedicated Professional Kick Drum Microphone
DPA Microphones has unveiled a completely new microphone design, the 4055 Kick Drum Microphone. This is a specialized kick drum microphone, purposely designed for the low-frequency, high-SPL challenges inherent to the instrument, which is today a vital part of modern music. Unlike other existing kick drum microphones which focus on retrieving a limited bandwidth signal, DPA says its design captures the true sound of the drum from inside and out.
KEF Launches Updated LSX II Wireless HiFi System
KEF has officially launched the updated LSX II wireless speakers, available in 5 finishes. Much more than a simple upgrade from the original launched in 2018, the new LSX II combines the all-encompassing W2 wireless platform from the latest LS50 Wireless II and LS60 Wireless speakers, in a smaller and much more affordable version. Connectivity options are further enhanced by the addition of both HDMI and USB-C, making this an ideal companion for both TV and desktop computer systems.