Hartke Celebrates 10 Years of HyDrive Speaker Technology with Improved HyDrive HD Series Bass Cabinets
Bass amplification specialist, Hartke (part of Samson Technologies) released the HyDrive HD Series Bass Cabinets, with four models featuring an enhanced version of Hartke’s patented HyDrive Speaker Technology of paper/aluminum hybrid cone drivers. The drivers feature outside curved, Kevlar-loaded paper cones with an inner straight, anodized aluminum section, now featuring a new double-roll, curvilinear surround that limits the drivers from over excursion, an updated ferrite magnet assembly and steel chassis design.
James Loudspeaker Unveils Ultra High-Performance Q-Series Floor-Standing Speakers
James Loudspeaker, designers and manufacturers of high-performance installation speakers, has announced the introduction of the new Q-Series floor-standing loudspeakers, a built-to-suit array of three models, combining Beryllium quad tweeter arrays in a powerful three-way design. Superb craftsmanship in a refined, customizable loudspeaker to fit any room, leveraging the company's know-how in 2-channel and multi-channel residential solutions.
Key Industry Knowledge for Loudspeaker Professionals in Voice Coil August 2017
Voice Coil August 2017 is now available. Read an excellent tutorial from Charlie Hughes about optimizing loudspeaker directivity through the crossover region, and read James Croft’s review of a new bass-reflex speaker cabinet design. In Test Bench, we learn more about are Tymphany's new DFM-2535R00-08 compression driver and Volt Loudspeakers' new VM527 dome midrange. And don't miss the updated directory of OEM/ODM Voice Coil Manufacturers.
RØDE Microphones Announces Videomic Pro+ On-Camera Microphone
The Videomic on-camera microphone was undoubtedly one of the microphones that help propelled the Australian microphone brand to a leading position in the global market. Continuously updated and improved, RØDE Microphones has now announced the VideoMic Pro+, part of the products unveiled at the company's RØDEShow 2017, Freedman Electronics 50th anniversary celebration. The new VideoMic Pro+ is set to consolidate RØDE Microphones' position in the prosumer filmmaker market.
Audified Introduces SYNERGY R1 500 Series Software/Hardware Hybrid Digital/Analogue Processor
Audified’s SYNERGY R1 represents the company's first foray into hardware with a ‘remote-controlled’ software/hardware hybrid digital (Reverb) / analogue (Saturator) processing module for the 500 series modular rack frame format popularized by API (Automated Processes, Inc.). The new processor comes with a dedicated Mac and PC plug-in to control, automate, and save all hardware parameters.
IEEE Publishes 802.11ah-2016 Standard Amendment Extending Range and Improving Energy Efficiency in the Sub 1 GHz Band
IEEE and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) announced the availability of the IEEE 802.11ah-2016 standard amendment, providing for an extended range Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) in the sub 1 GHz band. IEEE 802.11ah-2016 significantly lowers propagation loss through free space, walls and other obstructions, and offers a networking alternative to augment the heavily congested 2.4 GHz band and the shorter-range 5 GHz band used today. This is critical for smart home and many other applications.
Audio-Technica Starts Shipping ATH-DSR9BT Pure Digital Drive Bluetooth Headphones
Audio-Technica is now shipping its ATH-DSR9BT Wireless Headphones with Pure Digital Drive technology. Winner of a CES 2017 Innovation award, the ATH-DSR9BT is one of the first headphones with Bluetooth wireless technology to employ Audio-Technica's new Pure Digital Drive system, which keeps the audio signal completely digital from source to driver to offer a new level in sound quality.
HMS II.3 Artificial Head Measurement System Supports Super-Wideband Testing
HEAD acoustics announced that its HMS II.3 Artificial Head measurement system is able to transmit real speech equalized up to almost 20 kHz. According to the German company, the HMS II.3 Artificial Head, designed for measurement of close to-the-ear transducers, such as handsets, headsets, headphones, hearing protectors and hearing aids, is perfectly suited for testing the upcoming generation of VoLTE mobile phones, among many other applications that require super-wideband capabilities.
Global Smart Speaker Market Forecast to Grow at 50% CAGR from 2017 to 2024
According to Global Market Insights, the global market for Smart Speakers represented over USD 400 million in 2016 and is predicted to grow at an estimated CAGR of over 50% from 2017 to 2024. The market research company says Internet of things (IoT) is expected to be a major factor driving growth. "The rising penetration of the Internet has extended to everyday applications and has increased the consumer demand for smart devices that offer a wide range of functions," they state.
Samsung-Owned Harman International Industries Acquires Arcam
The news was out in the British press and there's been a message sent by Arcam to its own distribution network, shared on social media. Apparently, Harman has decided to acquire the famous British audio brand Arcam for reasons unknown. No details are available about the transaction. On Arcam's twitter account the company confirmed the news, by stating "the current team carries on and joining Harman opens the door to major R&D and manufacturing resources for our future."