All items written by audioXpress Staff
Focal Introduces Elegia High-End Closed-Back Headphones
October 8, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Focal Introduces Elegia High-End Closed-Back Headphones

Focal has been enjoying significant success in the high-end market with both speakers and headphones. After launching the Elear, Utopia, and Clear open-back headphones, the French audio manufacturer now integrated the best of its technologies into the Elegia, a closed-back solution, which Focal is proud to call, its very first high-end, closed-back headphone.
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Ethernet Alliance Announces New Power over Ethernet (PoE) IEEE 802.3bt Standard and New Certification Program
October 8, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Ethernet Alliance Announces New Power over Ethernet (PoE) IEEE 802.3bt Standard and New Certification Program

The Ethernet Alliance, the global consortium dedicated to the continued success and advancement of Ethernet technologies, hailed the ratification of IEEE 802.3bt, IEEE Standard for Ethernet - Amendment 2: Power over Ethernet (PoE) over 4 Pairs. Among other additions, the newly ratified specification introduces four new classes and increases maximum power levels supplied by a factor of three. The new standard sets stage for robust Power over Ethernet market growth as the consortium readies second-generation product certification program.
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Harman's Mark Levinson Introduces New 5000 Series Integrated Amplifiers
October 5, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Harman's Mark Levinson Introduces New 5000 Series Integrated Amplifiers

A major highlight among new product announcements at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2018, Harman's Mark Levinson introduced the first two models from the new 5000 series, the № 5805 (with new MM/MC phono stage) and № 5802 (w/Bluetooth) integrated amplifiers. The Mark Levinson 5000 series amplifiers deliver renowned Mark Levinson luxury and fidelity at an exceptional value, now featuring ESS Sabre32 converters and MQA support, among many exceptional updated features.
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MQA Showcases Live Streaming and Continues Product Expansion at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2018
October 5, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

MQA Showcases Live Streaming and Continues Product Expansion at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2018

Support for Master Quality Authenticated (MQA), the technology that delivers master quality audio in a file small enough to stream, continues to receive consistent support across the audio industry. MQA adoption will be a dominant topic at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2018 show, October 5-7, in Denver, CO, where Astell&Kern and DALI, among others, will announce MQA support on new products and the company will be running two MQA Live events, as well as supporting its many partners.
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Listen Releases SoundCheck 16.1 with New Frequency Trigger for Open Loop Testing
October 5, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Listen Releases SoundCheck 16.1 with New Frequency Trigger for Open Loop Testing

The audio measurement specialists at Listen announced the release of SoundCheck 16.1. This minor software release contains nevertheless some exciting new features for all developers and manufacturers working with connected audio devices, providing a test routine for smart speakers and other voice-controlled devices such as smartphones, robots, automotive audio, smart thermostats, hearables and more. The new software is available free of charge to all registered users of SoundCheck 16.0.
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Branded Premium Audio Important to Consumers in New Vehicle Purchase Decisions
October 5, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Branded Premium Audio Important to Consumers in New Vehicle Purchase Decisions

A recent IHS Markit survey finds that premium audio from recognized brands remains an important consideration when acquiring a new vehicle. Branded audio system volumes in new vehicles are expected to grow from just under 12.4 million units globally in 2018 to 14.7 million units in 2023, according to new vehicle production forecasts for these systems from the business information provider research.
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AVR Microcontrollers Now Supported in MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment
October 5, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

AVR Microcontrollers Now Supported in MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment

Designers who have traditionally used Microchip’s PIC microcontrollers (MCUs) and developed with the MPLAB ecosystem can now easily evaluate and incorporate AVR MCUs - the family of microcontrollers developed since 1996 by Atmel and acquired by Microchip Technology in 2016 - into their applications. The majority of AVR MCUs are now beta supported with the release of MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) version 5.05, available now from Microchip.
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Wi-Fi Alliance Announces Wi-Fi 6. A New Generational Approach to Easily Differentiate Between Wi-Fi Technologies
October 4, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Wi-Fi Alliance Announces Wi-Fi 6. A New Generational Approach to Easily Differentiate Between Wi-Fi Technologies

The Wi-Fi Alliance introduced Wi-Fi 6 as the industry designation for products and networks that support the next generation of Wi-Fi, based on 802.11ax technology. Wi-Fi 6 is part of a new naming approach by Wi-Fi Alliance that provides users with an easy-to-understand designation for both the Wi-Fi technology supported by their device and used in a connection the device makes with a Wi-Fi network. Multiple chip companies already announced enthusiastic support.
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M-Audio Introduces M-Track 8x4M USB-C Audio Interface
October 4, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

M-Audio Introduces M-Track 8x4M USB-C Audio Interface

With 8 inputs, 4 outputs, audiophile-grade Crystal Preamps, Hi-speed USB-C connection, USB/Direct control for zero latency and support for 24-bit/192kHz audio, the new M-Audio M-Track 8X4M is a very nice studio-quality audio interface for an affordable price. Finally, pro audio manufacturers are noticing the advantages of the updated USB-C interface and are making available the technology to home- and project-studios at the most affordable level.
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Powersoft Takes Control of Sound Reinforcement with New ArmoníaPlus Software
October 3, 2018 by audioXpress Staff

Powersoft Takes Control of Sound Reinforcement with New ArmoníaPlus Software

Already manufacturing the most ‘Green’ amplifiers in terms of carbon footprint, Powersoft is now poised to shred efficiency agendas with the launch of a radical new redesign of its system-centric ArmoníaPlus control software. Uniquely loudspeaker-oriented, the new ArmoníaPlus interface mimics the real-world and the physical process of audio design with a workflow approach that is both simple to use and easy to navigate.
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