Test Bench: The Wavecor FR070WA05 Aluminum Cone Full-Range 2.75” Driver
The driver to be characterized in this article is Wavecor’s FR070WA05, a 2.75" full-range driver with a black anodized aluminum cone, built on a proprietary injection-molded polymer four-spoke frame. Like most contemporary drivers, the area below the spider mounting shelf is totally open for increased cooling. Powering the cone assembly is a dual neodymium motor. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2021.
Biamp Hires Charlie Hughes as Principal Engineer for its Electroacoustics Division
Biamp, the former manufacturer of professional audiovisual solutions from Beaverton, Oregon, now covering virtually every major market segment in pro audio and commercial installation, has appointed Charlie Hughes as Principal Engineer within the company's fast-growing Electroacoustics division. Charlie will have the opportunity to expand the company’s loudspeaker catalog that already encompasses products from Community and Apart.
Sennheiser Introduces IE 900 Flagship Earphones With Improved X3R Transducer
Technical innovation, meticulous attention to detail, and an uncompromising demand for perfection to deliver a listening experience without compromise. These are the premises for another ambitious product development from Sennheiser, the new IE 900 around-the-ear earphones. The high-end concept required designing a completely new 7mm driver, the X3R, to match the product’s flagship status.
WiSA Certified Onkyo Sound Sphere Home Theater System Launches in Japan
The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA) announced the launch of Association member Onkyo Home Entertainment’s WiSA Certified Sound Sphere audio system. Sound Sphere is Onkyo’s first WiSA Certified audio system, delivering wireless, cinema-quality sound to the Japanese market and is bundled with the WiSA SoundSend wireless audio transmitter. The company promotes the solution touting the hi-res (24-bit/96kHz) wireless audio qualities and convenience for smaller homes.
Ambiq Introduces Ultra-Low Powered Development Solution for Voice-Enabled Connected Devices
Ambiq introduced the new Ambiq Voice-on-SPOT (VoS) Kit, designed for manufacturers to introduce voice-command into their IoT devices with faster time-to-market. The Ambiq VoS Kit offers a complete, always-on, always-listening, voice-to-cloud solution for local voice commands and/or voice assistant integration in battery-powered connected devices.
audioXpress June 2021 Explores the Exciting World of Automotive Audio Solutions
audioXpress June 2021 offers the most complete overview of the fascinating world of automotive audio. This series of articles discusses all the key technologies, platforms, and innovations that should be on every developer's radar, with perspectives from Meridian Audio, Roger Shively (JJR Acoustics), and Krunal Maniar. This edition also includes a detailed review of the KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker and many more great audio electronics and practical projects.
Bose Unveils SoundControl FDA-Cleared Direct-to-Consumer Hearing Aids
Bose was the first company to receive an FDA approval for an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing assistance device. The audio industry has been waiting for the actual product announcement. Now, Bose unveiled the SoundControl Hearing Aids, which as the name implies, are actual self-fitting, direct-to-consumer hearing-aids. They can be personalized using a mobile app, but the SoundControl Hearing Aids do not stream music or take calls and they retail for $849.95.
Naim Launches Uniti Atom Headphone Edition
Increasing the options for those wanting to upgrade their music source options for high-quality headphones, Naim Audio has launched Uniti Atom Headphone Edition – a headphone-optimized version of its original Uniti Atom music streaming system. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers and DACs, which require a separate computer or streaming device, the new Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a fully formed music-streaming system: just add headphones.
Adobe Introduces Audition Updates with New Loudness Meter and Silence Remover Tools
Adobe released new features and performance updates across its Creative Cloud video and audio tools, where the company’s popular Audition audio editing software is included. The May 2021 release now runs natively on Apple M1 systems and includes new tools such as a Loudness Meter with presets for Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Netflix, and other services, and Strip Silence, allowing to identify and remove silent or inactive regions in recorded clips.
Bang & Olufsen’s New Beolab 28 Loudspeakers Obtain WiSA Certification
The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA) announced that Bang & Olufsen's latest high-resolution wireless stereo speakers, Beolab 28, are now WiSA Certified. Designed to be placed anywhere in a room, the slim Beolab 28 allows for a simple setup, that can be configured as an elegant pair of stereo or multiroom loudspeakers, built to stream anything instantly. Combined with a TV, they are to deliver big cinematic sound.