HIFIMAN Electronics Announces HE400se Affordable Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
HIFIMAN, a company normally associated with price-no-object premium electrostatic and planar magnetic designs, confirmed that will launch a powerful new planar magnetic headphone that offers all the appreciated qualities of ultra-wide soundstage and detailed audio imaging, at a mass market price. The new HE400se ($149) is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that employs single-ended drivers with increased efficiency to 91dB, performing well with smartphones and tablets as it does with a full-size amplifier.
Paradigm Introduces Founder Series Premium Loudspeaker Series
Canadian audio specialist Paradigm launched its Founder Series, a six-model range of premium loudspeakers that brings high-end performance and luxurious style to hi-fi and home cinema systems. Designed for today’s modern living spaces, the Founder Series is a foundational development of all speaker design aspects aiming for precise control and game-changing dynamics in music and media reproduction. Every single speaker features totally new driver designs.
Hisense Joins DTS Play-Fi Whole-Home Wireless Audio Ecosystem
DTS is still much at play in wireless audio with its Play-Fi technology. The company that is now a part of Xperi and just merged with TiVo, announced that Hisense is joining its DTS Play-Fi whole-home audio ecosystem. With a rapidly growing presence in the US and Europe, Hisense’s partnership with DTS will bring additional wireless interoperability in consumer electronics. Hisense will design and manufacture Play-Fi enabled products to be globally distributed in the second half of 2021.
QuickLogic Releases Amazon-Qualified Alexa Reference Design for Hearables
QuickLogic released an Amazon-qualified QuickFeather AVS Reference Design that enables OEMs and ODMs to evaluate and develop their own smart hearable products quickly and easily. This kit integrates the Alexa voice-initiated Close-Talk experience, enabling a broad set of battery-powered applications to communicate directly with Alexa for a multitude of use cases. In addition, OEMs and ODMs can optionally integrate multiple AI-based motion, sound and other AI use cases based on SensiML’s AI Software Platform, which already has native support for the development kit.
USound Establishes Partnership With Colsan Audio to Offer MEMS Speakers for the Hearing Aid Industry
Austrian MEMS Speakers pioneers USound are tapping into the hearing aid industry. As an European distributor that already offers a wide range of solutions to the hearing aid and pro audio market, Colsan Audio will now expand its portfolio with USound's 2nd generation MEMS drivers, available in a round form factor. These are thinner and lighter than comparable electrodynamic drivers, provider an attractive, high-quality audio option that is also IPx8 rated.
Schiit Audio Reinvents Tone Control with New Loki Mini+ Equalizer
Schiit Audio announced availability of the new Loki Mini+ 4-band equalizer - a simple design for tone control, which the company successfully brought back with the original Loki Mini equalizer, enabling anyone to adjust their speakers or headphones' response without degrading the audio. The new Loki Mini+ builds on the performance of Schiit’s original Loki Mini, with significantly lower noise, lower distortion, optimized frequency bands, and cosmetic refinements. Still, the new Loki Mini+ remains the same price as the outgoing Loki Mini, at $149.
Materion and Radian Audio Partner to Increase Production of High-End Truextent Acoustic Beryllium Diaphragms
Materion Corporation established a partnership for Radian Audio to handle manufacturing of Truextent premium acoustic beryllium diaphragms used in loudspeakers for both the pro audio and home audiophile markets. Since 2011, Radian Audio has supplied beryllium diaphragms and complete compression drivers and the company is recognized as one of the top suppliers in the category. The new partnership extends the resources for beryllium-based solutions available to brands and manufacturers.
Punktkilde Introduces Radial Magnet Series
Punktkilde’s Radial Magnet Series applies exclusive dual suspension design with a dual-ring radial structure on a magnetic motor system for better BL(x) and excellent Kms(x) symmetry performance. From 2.25 to 3.5 inch, this series uses our exclusive Dual Suspension design with a Dual-Ring Radial structure on a magnetic motor system for better BL(x) and excellent Kms(x) symmetry performance.
RIVIAN Selects Meridian Audio for Electric SUVs and Trucks
British audio pioneer Meridian Audio announced that it has been chosen by Rivian, the adventurous new electric vehicle maker and technology company, to provide the branded audio system for its electric vehicle platform. This long-term relationship sees the two companies working together to challenge convention and redefine the in-car audio experience for Rivian’s ground-breaking range of fully electric adventure vehicles.
SEAS Announces New Excel Graphene W12CY004 Midrange Woofer
SEAS continues hard at work, expanding its Excel Graphene driver series with new models that fully explore the benefits of its proven magnesium cones enhanced with graphene coating that effectively eliminates resonances and makes them more resistant. SEAS now introduced the Excel Graphene W12CY004 (E0070-08), a very compact (4" cone) driver featuring a state-of-the-art FEA optimized motor-design that can be used both as a dedicated midrange and as a woofer in a small compact speaker.