A Christmas Gift from Norway: SEAS Announces KingRO4Y Mk II Loudspeaker Kit
SEAS just announced final plans for a KingRO4Y Mk II edition, a high performance powered loudspeaker kit featuring a L26RO4Y subwoofer and the completely new C18EN002/A midrange coaxial driver, designed by Håvard Sollien at the SEAS R&D laboratory. The project will soon include full assembly instructions, but the first details are already published in the company's website.
Visual Art Speakers Reveals Ogeeg Model 3 Carbon Fiber Planar Speakers at CES 2017
Visual Art Speakers will be presenting the next generation Ogeeg Model 3 art speakers at the Las Vegas Convention Center (South Hall Booth 20562) during CES 2017. Featuring the world’s first all carbon fiber planar drivers, the Ogeeg Model 3 is "a paragon of efficiency, great sound and custom art presentation," the company states. The new planar speaker will be available with built-in tube amplifier and wireless connectivity.
Nordic Semiconductor to Demonstrate Bluetooth 5 Enhancements at CES 2017
Nordic Semiconductor in collaboration with its design partners are unveiling latest Bluetooth low energy and IEEE 802.15.4-enabled innovations at International CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The Norwegian company will demonstrate the capabilities of its Bluetooth 5-compatible nRF52 Series SoCs. Product demonstrations include contactless payment, wearables wireless charging, thread networking, voice-activated remote control, educational platforms, home automation and Bluetooth 5 enhancements.
beyerdynamic Unveils New Xelento Remote Tesla In-ear Headphones
beyerdynamic has a spate of very interesting unveilings for the CES show in Las Vegas, including a new design on the in-ear category. The new Tesla Xelento in-ears combine the brand's engineering and craftsmanship and leverage the company's unique Tesla technology, representing a complete redevelopment using magnets 16 times smaller than the reference Tesla T 1 headphones to provide an extended frequency response in a unique design.
Audio-Technica Introduces AT-LP5 Direct Drive Turntable with Built-in Preamp and USB Output
Audio-Technica’s new AT-LP5 direct-drive turntable incorporates a J-shaped tone arm outfitted with a lightweight AT-HS10 headshell and high-performance AT95EX Dual Moving Magnet stereo cartridge, created specifically for this turntable. Constructed of anti-vibration damping materials with heavy-mass metal chassis inserts, the AT-LP5 is powered by a direct-drive, high-torque motor, and features a built-in switchable phono/line preamp and USB output.
Bluetooth 5 and Audio Applications
Following the announcement made earlier, on December 7, 2016, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) officially adopted Bluetooth 5 as the latest version of the Bluetooth core specification. Key updates to Bluetooth 5 include longer range, faster speed, and larger broadcast message capacity, as well as improved interoperability and coexistence with other wireless technologies.
Worldwide Home Audio Market Finishes Year On $11 Billion Dollar High
Worldwide demand for home audio devices continues to gather momentum, with the category outperforming the wider CE market and on track to finish 2016 at 102 million units shipped and close to $11 billion in trade value, according to the latest market report from Futuresource Consulting. The rise of voice-controlled, connected-speakers, promises to propel further growth, according to the market research firm.
Sony Announces Google Assistant on Google Home Support for Audio and Video Products
Sony continues its love-affair with Google by promoting integration of its most recent audio and video products with Google’s Voice Personal Assistant. Sony speakers with Chromecast built-in and Sony 4K HDR televisions with Android TV now work with Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. This allows activating and controlling streaming music services, and even multi-room features. But you have to say “Ok Google” out loud a lot…
Merging Technologies Launches New Benchmark AKD8D and AKD8DP A/D Cards
Merging Technologies introduced two new cards for its Horus and Hapi range of Networked Audio Interfaces. The new boards are available in two versions. The AKD8D is the standard version giving superlative results up to 192kHz PCM. The AKD8DP extends the range up to 384kHz and includes all variants of DSD up to 256 and DXD. Both boards offer ultra-low distortion and noise floor at low levels whilst reducing latency even more.
HelloEar Promotes Ergonomically Designed Arc Earphones on Kickstarter
“Never will your earphones cause you pain, or fall out of your ears again,” pitches HelloEar, promoting its ergonomically designed Arc earphones. HelloEar used its experience on the custom IEM market for musicians to build an extensive database of inner-ear shapes and sizes. The result is now being applied in the new Arc earphones, now campaigning on Kickstarter, and featuring technology from Danish balanced armature experts, Sonion.