Electrostatic Pure Silicon Microspeakers for Wireless Earbuds
This contributed article by Hermann Schenk, and Lutz Ehrig describes a new transducer technology that promises to be a power efficient solution for wireless earbuds. Arioso Systems is a successful Fraunhofer IPMS spin-off company that is now launching an innovative sound transducer principle for miniaturized headphones, in-ears and hearables. The article describes how this new technology, and specifically the company's new MEMS topology can contribute to the next-generation of true wireless earbuds.
KEF Introduces New Uni-Core Driver Technology to Create Maximum Bass in Minimum Space
KEF has unveiled a brand new driver technology called Uni-Core, which delivers a completely new take on speaker and subwoofer design. This latest speaker design approach uses two dual force-cancelling drivers with concentrically arranged, overlapping voice coils, driven by a single motor. This redefines size versus performance by enabling high-level performance while reducing the subwoofer or speaker cabinet volume significantly.
AES Audio Product Education Institute Automotive Audio Webinar to Take Place January 19
The Audio Product Education Institute (APEI), will host the first of a series of webinars on Automotive Audio on Tuesday, January 19 (12:00pm EST). Titled “Direct Validation of Computational Acoustic Results for Automotive Cabin Simulations,” the webinar will explore automotive sound system implementation and design in a program presented by APEI's Automotive Pillar Chair Roger Shively ( JJR Acoustics) with presentations by industry experts Mads Herring Jensen (COMSOL) and Christof Faller (Illusonic).
Soundcore Launches True-Wireless Earbuds Liberty Air 2 Pro With Multi-Mode Noise Cancellation Technology
Anker Innovations introduced a next-generation true-wireless earbud model in its Soundcore brand. The Liberty Air 2 Pro presented at CES 2021 features advanced active noise-cancellation (ANC), transparency mode and uses the company's PureNote multi-coated driver technology. This a mid-priced true wireless ANC alternative with truly premium features and technology, showing how competitive the segment is becoming, and how hard for manufacturers it is to differentiate.
Turtle Beach Acquires What's Left of Neat Microphones
Neat Microphones was one of the unfortunate victims of the Gibson Group debacle. The company was founded in 2014 by Skipper Wise and Martins Saulespurens, the co-founders of Blue Microphones. Neat was introduced to the market in 2016, only to disappear short after. Nothing was known about the company since 2017, when all the founders apparently moved on. Now, Nest was acquired by Turtle Beach, and the San-Diego-based company says that the original Neat team is also joining.
TDK Introduces Lowest Pulse Density Modulation Multi-Mode MEMS Microphone With Acoustic Activity Detect
InvenSense, a TDK Group company, announced a comprehensive portfolio of new technology solutions during the 2021 Consumer Electronics Showcase. Among the expanded MEMS portfolio, the new T5838 SmartSound MEMS microphone offers a low power mode of just 130uAmps and a high-quality mode of 330uAmps, while supporting a dynamic range of 68dN SNR and 133dB AOP at 20kHz bandwidth. Optimized for smartphones, microphone arrays, smart speakers, and headsets, the T5838 supports configurable wake-on-sound at power levels as low as 20 µA.
Sony Goes Spatial With New SRS-RA5000 and SRS-RA3000 Wireless Home Speakers
"Change the Way You Listen to Music" is Sony's pitch for CES 2021, reinforcing the company's past research efforts in spatial audio and specifically its 360 Reality Audio and Immersive Audio Enhancement technologies. The concept was so far implemented in binaural mode with headphones, but Sony demonstrated some concepts with speakers able to generate "ambient room-filling sound" since CES 2019. With users spending more time at home, Sony decided it was time to launch the new 360 Reality Audio wireless speakers, model SRS-RA5000 and SRS-RA3000.
HP Launches Nuheara Co-Developed Elite Wireless Earbuds at CES 2021
Recognizing the essential role of personal computers during a global pandemic, at this year's CES 2021, HP launched a wide range of computers, displays and other solutions targeted at collaboration, work and life at home, hybrid work environments, and personal creative studios. Among those new solutions the company introduced the HP Elite Wireless Earbuds, developed in collaboration with hearable pioneers Nuheara, combining ANC with personalization and customization features.
Pico Technology Introduces New PicoScope 4000A Series PC-Based Oscilloscopes
Pico Technology announced availability of the new PicoScope 4000A Series PC-based oscilloscopes, a second-generation upgrade and expansion of the company's high-resolution, deep-memory product portfolio. With 2-, 4- and 8-channel models available, the PicoScope 4000A Series boasts 12-bit hardware resolution (to 16 bits with Resolution Enhancement), 256 MS deep capture memory, 20 MHz bandwidth with 80 MS/s sampling speed, up to 70 dB SFDR and a built-in 14-bit triggerable signal generator and 80 MS/s AWG. A SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface powers the instrument and delivers up to 160 MS/s communications to the host PC.
Dirac Teams Up With OSM Group to Offer Spatial Audio Solutions for Next-Generation Headphones
Swedish digital audio pioneer Dirac and OSM Group, a global designer, developer and manufacturer have entered into an agreement to include Dirac’s industry-leading spatial audio solution in headphones created by OSM for its global portfolio of electronics customers. Under the terms of the agreement, OSM Group will license the Dirac spatial audio solution for integration into headphones that the company develops for leading brands around the world.