beyerdynamic Debuts Phonum Wireless Bluetooth and USB Speakerphone at CES 2019
Following an earlier presentation of the concept in 2018, beyerdynamic will use CES 2019 to officially launch Phonum, its wireless Bluetooth and USB speakerphone with high-quality sound transmission and integrated premium loudspeaker that radiates 360-degrees of sound. While Phonum was designed for corporate applications and meeting spaces, beyerdynamic’s clearly thinks the concept will be attractive and simply to use that it should also get attention in the generic consumer electronics space. It's time for the "smart speakerphone."
USB-IF Launches USB Type-C Authentication Program
The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced the launch of its USB Type-C Authentication Program, marking an important milestone for the optional USB security protocol. The specification defines cryptographic-based authentication for USB Type-C chargers and devices and allows USB Type-C OEMs to protect against malicious payloads and harmful power surges from non-compliant USB devices. DigiCert was selected by USB-IF to manage PKI and certificate authority services for USB Type-C Authentication.
Optek Licenses and Deploys CEVA Bluetooth IP for Next-Generation Bluetooth 5 Wireless Audio Applications
CEVA, a leading licensor of signal processing platforms and artificial intelligence processors for connected devices, announced that Optek Digital Technology, a fabless semiconductor company of advanced multimedia SoCs, has licensed and deployed CEVA’s RivieraWaves Bluetooth 5 Dual Mode IP in its latest OTK528X multimedia System-on-Chip (SoC), targeting artificial intelligence (AI), voice and music market segments and applications including hearables, wireless speakers, on/in ear headphone, multi-channel AVR, musical instruments and voice user interface (VUI).
beyerdynamic Pairs TYGR 300 R Headphone with FOX Studio Microphone for Gaming Bundle
Scheduled for a CES 2019 debut, beyerdynamic has paired its TYGR 300 R Headphone with the FOX Studio Microphone for a gaming bundle that could also be a great setup for Skype communications and even podcasting. As a leading manufacturer of headphones, microphones and conferencing products, the new TEAM TYGR bundle creates a great combination of a high-quality headphone model with adjustable yokes and a spring steel headband to adapt to any head size, together with a professional-quality USB studio microphone.
Dayton Audio Introduces New Line of Commercial Pendant Speakers
Following a long-standing tradition of designing high-quality speakers at reasonable prices, Dayton Audio's new commercial pendants are designed to offer a great sound for both indoor and outdoor use. The pendant line offers both 4" (WP4BT) and 6.5" (WP65BT) models to fit the needs of a variety of installs, constructed with IP66 weather resistant ABS plastic, and using a coaxial design that provides a balanced, natural response, supporting ceiling, wall mounts, or landscape applications.
Parasound Introduces Affordable Preamplifier and DAC in its NewClassic Line
Already with an impressive line of new products introduced throughout 2018, Parasound ended the year with the announcement of its NewClassic 200 Pre, a moderately priced analog audio preamplifier and DAC with outstanding sound quality, excellent connectivity, and versatility. Like all NewClassic products, the model 200 Pre represents a new generation of affordable, high performance audio products from Parasound. At the heart of the 200 Pre is a versatile analog signal path which includes analog bass management with high pass and low pass outputs.
PreSonus Ships Quantum 4848 Thunderbolt Audio Interface for Recording Professionals
Probably because it was designed to sit on a rack and doesn't need bus power, PreSonus made the announcement that it is now shipping the Quantum 4848 24-bit, 192 kHz, Thunderbolt audio interface. Not a Thunderbolt 3 solution, as common-sense would dictate for a product launched at the end of 2018, but a Thunderbolt 2 product which will require an adaptor. Otherwise, the professional recording solution includes the company’s excellent Studio One Professional recording, mixing, and mastering software for macOS and Windows and is extremely affordable for the specs.
audioXpress.com - The Most Popular Stories of 2018
2018 was another record-breaking year for audioXpress.com with visits and users doubling the figures compared to our record year in 2016. Want to know which of the topics and stories published online in 2018 were the most popular? We looked at the most-read articles of 2018 in audioXpress.com (which also includes selected articles from Voice Coil magazine), and we created this Top 10 list of news stories and online articles. Here are the results!
LG Raises the Bar for Home Theater Audio at CES 2019 with New AI-Enabled Soundbars
For CES 2019, LG Electronics (LG) is focusing on the home theater category with a new range of products that leverages the best selling speaker category in the segment - soundbars - and combines it with the latest "smart" technologies that are becoming essential for home integration. LG's latest range of soundbars expands on the collaboration with Meridian Audio for the electroacoustic design and adds Artificial Intelligence capabilities that the Korean brand has been developing now for all its consumer electronic products.
MAGIX Announces New Samplitude Pro X4 with Expanded Features and Tools
MAGIX has released a new version of thee renowned digital audio workstation, Samplitude Pro X, expanding on the DAW's 28-year success story. Providing the highest level of quality for recording, mixing and mastering tasks, as well as for music production in a single environment, the new Samplitude Pro X4 expands on its most praised features, now adding Automation Lanes for optimal control and overview of track automation data, a new plug-in browser for quick searches for effects and instruments, new MIDI editing functions and improved MIDI workflow. And Samplitude now supports CPUs with up to 32 cores!