Bluetooth Wireless Audio, Innovations in Audio, and More in audioXpress December 2024
audioXpress December 2024 features a comprehensive report on Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast, the suppliers and development ecosystem. Jonny McClintock adds insights on Ultra-Low Latency Audio Transmission over Bluetooth LE Audio. Plus three reviews of the QuantAsylum QA403 Audio Analyzer, the DPS-2 Power Supply and LNI-2 DC Filter and Stabilizer from RME Audio, and the SPL Phonitor 3 DAC, Headphone Amplifier and Monitor Controller. Hans Polak details his extensive experiments on Moving Magnet Cartridges.
Nordic Semiconductor Launches Next-Generation nRF54L Series Wireless SoCs
The nRF54L wireless SoCs are one of the biggest product launches of the electronica 2024 show in Munich, and they redefine once again Nordic Semiconductor’s lead in ultra-low power wireless for connected devices. The new nRF54L Series includes the previously announced nRF54L15, and the new nRF54L10 and nRF54L05 wireless SoCs. This advanced product series offers significantly enhanced efficiency, exceptional processing power, and versatile design options to meet a growing range of Bluetooth LE applications, including LE Audio and Auracast products.
Røde Releases Plug-and-Play Dual Wireless Micro for Smartphone Creators
Responding to increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers introducing wireless audio solutions for consumer and content creators who do not require and don’t care about professional features, Røde announced its smallest and simplest wireless microphone solution to date. The Wireless Micro is a pocket-sized dual microphone system for smartphones that uses Intelligent GainAssist technology to ensure results. Røde doesn’t even care to detail what wireless audio technology it uses - it just says it works within a 100 meters range.
Morel Establishes Manufacturing Facility in India In Strategic Partnership with Supreme Group
Morel IL Ltd, the renowned manufacturer of high-quality audio drivers and systems from Israel, announced the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in India through a strategic joint venture with Supreme Group, one of India’s prominent technology solutions providers. Aiming to expand its global manufacturing footprint and strengthen its OEM capabilities in both hifi and automotive, Morel established a partnership with Supreme Group through a joint-venture as MS Acoustic Private Limited.
AKM Now Sampling Reimagined AK4497S Stereo D/A Converter
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) announced that its AK4497SVQ Stereo Premium DAC is now sampling to the industry, promising to elevate audio designs to new heights of ultra-high fidelity. Using AKM’s advanced Switched Capacitor Filter Voltage Output “Velvet Sound” technology, the new AK4497S – the “S” stands for “superior” – promises to deliver “a dynamic, powerful listening experience” that reproduces the original audio recording even more faithfully than the original AK4497.
Audio Precision Introduces APx500 Software Update with ARM CPU Support
Audio Precision announced the release of APx500 software version 9.0.1 Beta, now supporting ARM CPU architecture, commonly found in mobile and Apple silicon devices. With a minor increment in numbering, this software version is actually a very big development, allowing users to run APx500 directly on ARM-based Windows PCs, including the latest Microsoft Surface devices, and on Mac computers via virtual machine software such as Parallels Desktop.
Cardinal Peak Opens Dante Development Center in Vietnam
Cardinal Peak announced a strategic partnership with Audinate to establish a Dante Development Center in Vietnam. The new development center will offer custom Dante development expertise to OEMs and hardware manufacturers, speeding up time to market. The collaboration will also accelerate the integration of Audinate's Dante audio and video solutions for manufacturers through Cardinal Peak’s extensive engineering services expertise.
Saramonic Introduces Ultra 2-Channel Wireless Microphone System with Timecode
Saramonic launched its latest wireless microphone for professional creators, complete with timecode. The new Saramonic Ultra system features two IPX5-rated transmitters with built-in MEMS microphones, 32-bit float onboard recording, and an external antenna that extends the range to 300 meters. The well-designed system comes in a practical charging case and is packed with simple to use features, including ClearVoice intelligent noise cancellation.
Clean Earth Magnets Manufactured in Minnesota
Mike Klasco writes about Niron Magnetics' first commercial pilot plant in Minnesota. The opening of this 70,000 square-foot Minneapolis facility took place in October 2024 and is a key milestone in Niron Magnetics's path to scaled production of its Clean Earth Magnet technology and the company’s ability to bridge the acute supply and demand gap for permanent magnets. A significant step forward in the company's mission to produce sustainable, rare-earth-free permanent magnets.
Alif Semiconductor Now Sampling BLE and Matter Wireless Microcontroller with Neural Co-Processor for AI/ML Workloads
The Balletto Bluetooth MCU family was announced by Alif Semiconductor in April 2024, and the company is now sampling its development kit, the DK-B1, to enable rapid prototyping of products that require ultra-low power Bluetooth Low Energy or 802.15.4 wireless connectivity. The MCU is also the world's first BLE/Matter solution to feature a DSP engine and an NPU for efficient hardware acceleration of AI/ML workloads.