AKM Develops Advanced Velvet Sound AK4493S and AK4490R 2-Channel Premium Audio D/A Converters
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has totally redesigned the AK4490 D/A converter (DAC) and its higher-end counterpart, AK4493, as new products under the Velvet Sound brand. Following the recent announcement that AKM has resumed sample shipments of 13 Velvet Sound A/D and D/A converters, the Japanese manufacturer now relaunches the AK4490REQ and AK4493SEQ, 32-bit, 2 channel premium devices, with a superior signal-to-noise ratio of 120dB and 123dB, respectively.
GN Hearing Introduces ReSound ONE Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids
GN Hearing unveiled a new product that delivers on the convergence between consumer electronics and audiology solutions. The new ReSound ONE Behind-the-Ear hearing aids combine the best technologies from both fields, in order to provide clarity in sound and convenient hands-free phone and FaceTime calls from iPhone and iPad. The ReSound ONE hearing aids are targeted at those with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Dolby Acquires Real-Time, Ultra-Low-Delay Video Streaming Platform Millicast
Dolby Laboratories announced the acquisition of Millicast, a developer platform that provides ultra-low-latency video streaming capabilities that scale to massive audiences. Millicast has enabled a new generation of interactive live streaming applications built on WebRTC and end-to-end encryption. By embracing web standards, the Millicast API works with all modern browsers and devices without the need for a plugin or custom player. The acquisition will complement the Dolby.io platform and enable large-scale, highly-interactive online experiences.
Purifi Audio Unveils New Aluminum Cone 6.5" Extended Excursion Woofer
Danish audio powerhouse Purifi Audio is not showing any intention of slowing down its efforts to push innovation further in both audio amplification and speaker transducers. Adding to the original formula - featuring proprietary fiber paper cones - used in the successful PTT4.0X and PTT6.5X midbass drivers, Purifi now announced a new aluminum-cone version of the PTT6.5X, delivering extended frequency range with ultra low distortion for superior midrange performance.
Synaptics Launches Matter-Compliant Triple Combo SoC for Seamless Connectivity
Synaptics announced the SYN4381 Triple Combo system-on-chip (SoC), the first to combine Wi-Fi 6/6E (802.11ax with extended 6 GHz operation), Bluetooth 5.2 (BT 5.2) with BLE Audio and High Accuracy Distance Measurement (HADM), and IEEE 802.15.4 with built-in support for the Thread protocol and Matter application layer. The solution simplifies product development while supporting 600 Mbps video and data, low-power Thread communication, and platform-agnostic device setup and interoperability.
Focal Expands Alpha Evo Line with Two Active Studio Monitors and Subwoofer
Another new studio-oriented announcement that was slated for presentation at the Winter NAMM Show 2022 - this year postponed to June - the new Focal Alpha Evo studio monitor line has gained three new models. Evo stands for “evolution,” and the Alpha 50 Evo and Alpha 65 Evo studio monitors were launched in 2021, offering a high performance, robust design, at a competitive price point range. Now, Focal completed the line with new Alpha 80 Evo and Alpha Twin Evo monitors, and added the Sub One subwoofer.
Lewitt Announces LCT 1040 Tube/FET Microphone System
Many years in the making, the project is meant as the ultimate tool for recording professionals. Now, even without the opportunity to present it at the NAMM Show 2022, the Austrian microphone innovator officially launched its new LCT 1040 microphone system that lets users adapt sound to any vocalist, instrument or sound source with an easy workflow. The microphone itself is a unique tube/FET design and 1" condenser capsule that is connected to a power supply and detachable remote-control unit where users can select polar patterns but also much more.
Test Bench: The AMT200P Pro Sound AMT and XMT200 Horn from Eighteen Sound
This Test Bench article characterizes Eighteen Sound’s AMT200P Air Motion Transformer and accompanying XMT200 6.5” waveguide. This driver is the brand's latest entry into the high-frequency transducer category, specifically designed for the pro sound community. The Eighteen Sound AMT200P includes a rectangular throat with a Kapton diaphragm with a neodymium magnet structure, and is rated for a power handling of 90W AES above 1.2kHz, with a sensitivity of 105dB, and a recommended crossover frequency of 1.2kHz at 48dB/octave. While the AMT200P can be used as a standard planar device it can be also coupled with a dedicated constant directivity horn, the 90°x 20° XMT200, featured in the characterization.
Audio Electronics - Cascodes, Folded Cascodes, and Current Mirrors (Part 3)
For those readers following the fascinating article series by Morty Tarr on "Cascodes, Folded Cascodes, and Current Mirrors," this final article in the series contains an additional section with important aspects of amplifier design. In the first two parts of this article series, Tarr discussed the technical merits of cascodes and related circuits. This useful addendum covers a simple test circuit for matching FET devices, the fascinating story of the Blowtorch Line Stage design, and additional notes on inverting and non-inverting amplifier stages and integrators. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2021.
Avantone Pro Announces CLA-400 Old-School Studio Reference Amplifier
Picking up where it left off with its CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier, a 200W RMS per channel Class A/B affair developed in close collaboration with GRAMMY Award-winning mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge, Avantone Pro now introduced its CLA-400 bigger brother — built the old-school way as a classically-designed Class A/B amplifier to bring about a dynamic, high-output, high-resolution, full-range system designed to be paired with large passive monitors demanding the highest amounts of power.