Microsoft Introduces Surface Headphones 2 and Surface Earbuds
In a surprise announcement, Microsoft anticipated the launch of four new Surface hardware products, including a new version of the Surface Headphones - the over-ear design with ANC, unveiled in 2018 and very discretely launched in 2019 - and the launch of the promised true wireless Surface Earbuds. Obviously, the new Surface Headphones 2 and the Surface Earbuds are intended to "complete Microsoft's Surface experience, helping users to find focus wherever they are and stay connected."
Super Hi-Fi Patented AI-Powered Audio Stitching Technology Generates 1 Billion Music Transitions Per Month
Super Hi-Fi, a start-up company from Los Angeles, CA, announced that it’s now creating more than 1 billion transitions every month for digital streaming music services, driven by iHeart, Peloton, and the recently launched Sonos Radio. That's 1 billion times its AI technology has created unique, perfect segues from a wide range of audio elements, proving the effectiveness of the company's approach to enriching the dead space between songs or segments.
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Headphones Anniversary Offer - for Critical Monitoring Applications
For those users looking for a pair of monitoring headphones that combine a robust, modular design with accurate, detailed sound reproduction and good isolation, there is a new Sennheiser Anniversary Deal for May. As part of Sennheiser’s 75th anniversary offers, the company is offering the closed, circumaural HD 280 PRO headphones for $79.95 USD (MRSP) instead of $99.95. (EUR79 instead of EUR99).
Vanderveen-Trans-SE10 All-Valve Amplifier Kit Now Available!
High-end audio adepts do not only like music. Many of them also like to construct their own tube amplifier. For those, Menno van der Veen (electronic design) and Guido Tent (mechanical design and realization) created their newest Valve Amplifier kit: the Vanderveen-Trans-SE10. All parts of the case, the components and the transformers are of the highest quality. The DIYer only has to combine all these fine components into a great amplifier.
Sony Announces Noise-Cancelling, IP55-Rated, True Wireless WF-SP800N Sport Headphones
Sony Electronics announced the WF-SP800N sport headphones, its newest truly wireless noise canceling model. Designed for an active lifestyle, the WF-SP800N allows users to run, workout at the gym, and enjoy improved music experiences with a secure fit, IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, and long battery life. Based on the same Bluetooth chip from the successful WF-1000XM3, the new WF-SP800N model adds interesting audio processing and personalization feature, with support for 360 Reality Audio.
Sonos Introduces Arc Premium Smart Soundbar and Updated Sonos Sub and Sonos Five
Sonos introduced Sonos Arc, a premium smart soundbar for home theater with full integration in the Sonos wireless home audio eco-system and support for personal voice assistants. The new large size soundbar builds on Sonos’ experience in designing systems for home theater, with a solution featuring support for Dolby Atmos that is able to process audio according to content type, generating immersive sound and improving dialogue. The Californian company also announced some surprise updates to existing home speakers.
miniDSP Introduces SHD Power Integrated DSP-Powered Amplifier and New ambiMIK-1 Ambisonic Microphone
The creative minds at miniDSP are not stopping, and now that the COVID-19 situation has calmed down in China and production is back, the company is resuming its hectic release schedule and announced two new products available for pre-order on the company's webshop. The first will please anyone involved in spatial audio and content production and is a fully integrated First Order Ambisonic (FOA) microphone. The second will please those still forced to stay at home, and is the SHD Power, a 120W per channel low-distortion power amplifier with Dirac Live room correction.
Radial Engineering Introduces HDI Studio-Grade Direct Box and Preamplifier
Described as Radial's biggest product announcement in years (certainly since the company's acquisition in January 2018,) the HDI, Radial's new flagship DI Box is now shipping. Shown in prototype form at AES 2019 in NY, and officially announced at NAMM 2020 in January, the HDI is the answer to a question Radial put to in-house engineer "Hutch" Hutchinson: "If you could design any type of DI box you wanted, what would it look and sound like?"
AMS Neve Introduces 1073OPX 8-Channel Microphone Preamplifier and Recording Interface
To mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary Neve 1073 classic microphone preamp, AMS Neve announced the 1073OPX, a brand new Octal Microphone/Line/Instrument Preamplifier that is designed to meet the needs of the modern studio environment. Originally the preamp was used in all channels of the Neve A88 console at Wessex Sound Studios in London. Installed in 1970, the Neve 1073 is one the most admired microphone preamplifier circuits, and also one of the most emulated. Now, AMS Neve created an 8-channel version with optional integration features.
Genelec RAW Loudspeakers to Help AES Fundraising Initiative
Following the introduction of the special RAW aluminum color finish, Genelec is set to donate a percentage of every sale of its new RAW loudspeaker range to the Audio Engineering Society (AES), for the remainder of this year. Additionally, Genelec will be funding ten one-year AES memberships for those individuals whose lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.