Best Kept Secrets: The Continuous Search for Reference Speakers
I frequently learn about new products from brands large and small, which sometimes remain unnoticed for multiple reasons (and I don't mean by the press) regardless of how innovative they are. That's a topic in itself to be addressed in a separate editorial one of these days... This week, I spent some time looking at a few speakers that I think deserve a spotlight. Please note that I have not heard those speakers. I just think they are interesting products that deserve a mention.
Focal Presents New Celestee Affordable Luxury Headphones
Those who think $549 is too expensive for a pair of headphones, should think again. French high-end audio market specialist Focal has been present on the headphones market since 2012, gradually developing a successful collection. Following the launch of Stellia in 2019 (price starting at $3000), Focal now presents Celestee. Obviously targeting uncompromising audio quality, these new closed-back headphones take the 2018 Elegia design further, and feature a brand new blue finish, which Focal says showcases the brand’s "savoir-faire".
Dirac and Sudio Work on New Cutting-Edge True Wireless Stereo Earbuds with Spatial Audio
Swedish digital audio processing pioneer Dirac and Sudio, a designer and manufacturer of premium headphones and speakers, also from Sweden, announced that the two companies are collaborating to integrate Dirac’s patented sound optimization and spatial audio technology into next-generation Sudio true wireless earbuds. The project will be Sudio's first Dirac-enabled product, scheduled for release in Summer 2021.
New 12BA and 12BB Microphone Power Modules From GRAS
GRAS Sound and Vibration introduced two new microphone power modules: GRAS 12BA and 12BB. These power modules are designed for users who need to power CCP measurement microphones and would like seamless integration of microphone sensitivity data via TEDS. The single-channel (12BA) and four-channel (12BB) USB-powered modules provide integrated TEDS support and are competitively priced for production test applications, saving time during setup and configuration.
True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Sales Grow 90% in 2020 as Chinese Vendors Surge
According to a newly published series of reports from the Device Technologies (EDT) team at market research firm Strategy Analytics, total global Bluetooth headset sales have reached volumes over 300 million units in 2020. As a category, True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Bluetooth headset sales witnessed growth of nearly 90% in 2020. This level of growth originates from a large number of Chinese vendors challenging Apple's significant lead.
Precision Devices Confidently Introduces Eight New Products
Precision Devices, the highly regarded "Made in England" manufacturer of high-quality loudspeaker transducers, just announced a brand new series of products. The company is using the forced interruption of normal support activities to intensify its work on refinements, new product development and improving production methods to its extensive portfolio. The results are now visible in new improved subwoofers, bass/midrange, and midrange drivers.
Signia Breaks Barriers With Active Pro Earbud-Style Hearing Aids
It's not only the technology that is evolving much faster in consumer true wireless earbuds. It's also consumer's perception of what these products can do and its widespread appeal. Understanding that hearing aids could greatly benefit from that form-factor to surpass existing stigmas, WS Audiology's hearing-aid brand Signia is targeting a new generation of users with its Signia Active Pro earbud-style hearing aids that also offer high-tech audiological benefits.
Audinate Announces SDK for Dante Embedded Platform
Audinate, the developer of the industry-leading Dante AoIP networking technology, has announced the availability of a software development kit (SDK) for manufacturers of ARM-based audio products. This SDK lets manufacturers deploy Dante audio networking as on-chip software in their products, reducing costs and conserving on space while still delivering the same audio performance. This means that embedded computing platforms with a simple Ethernet connection can now be Dante-enabled.
Cambridge Audio Introduces Updated DacMagic 200M with Dual ESS Sabre Converters and Native MQA Support
Cambridge Audio announced its new flagship DAC and headphone amplifier, DacMagic 200M. This new top-of-the-range DAC is the first product from Cambridge Audio to feature full MQA decoding, also offers integrated Bluetooth 5, and with Dual ESS Sabre DACs, it can handle PCM and DSD signal inputs at a higher resolution than the previous generation. The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M will be available for purchase in February 2021 for $499 USD.
Creative and Technical Achievements in Audio, Music and Sound Celebrated at the 36th Annual NAMM TEC Awards
Winners of the NAMM Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC Awards), honoring the best in professional audio and sound production, have been announced in a virtual event on the final day of NAMM’s Believe in Music week, a global online gathering to unify and support people who bring music to the world. Presented by NAMM on Believe TV, the annual event recognized the highest achievements in the pro audio and sound worlds of music making, live performances, video games, television and films.