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About Joao Martins
Since 2013, Joao Martins leads audioXpress as editor-in-chief of the US-based magazine and website, the leading audio electronics, audio product development and design publication, working also as international editor for Voice Coil, the leading periodical for the loudspeaker industry. Covering Audio and Video technology for more than 30 years - Broadcast, Film, Computer Graphics, and Music - as founder and editor of several leading publications in Portuguese and Spanish languages, (he's also fluent in French!), he benefits from a broad and rich perspective of those sectors and its multiple verticals. Marketing and Communication Specialist working at the intersection of media and technology for over three decades, Joao Martins started as a musician and studied visual arts and cinema before founding its own (short-lived) advertising agency. After a career in marketing and sales in film, television, radio and pro audio systems, transitioned full time to magazine publishing.

All items written by Joao Martins
Powersoft Introduces New Amplifier Platform for Touring Market
March 10, 2025 by Joao Martins

Powersoft Introduces New Amplifier Platform for Touring Market

A few days past announcing the ultra-compact Nota PoE amplifier, its smallest product ever, and from the K-Array acquisition announcement, Powersoft announced Unica T, a new touring amplifier platform, designed for massive scale, power, and reliability, while optimizing space and ensuring seamless performance for touring professionals. The Italian manufacturer intends to expand its Class-D solutions on the market that originally projected the Powersoft brand globally.
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Rotel Launches DX-3 Headphone Amplifier, Preamp and DAC
March 6, 2025 by Joao Martins

Rotel Launches DX-3 Headphone Amplifier, Preamp and DAC

In hifi circles, Rotel is renowned for its stereo amplifiers. But the Japanese company recognized growing demand for high-quality headphone listening experiences and the fact that more people are spending time at home or by their computers. The Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier introduces a new product category with a new, modern, fully balanced design. The built-in ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC renders music via USB input (32-bit/384kHz), coaxial/optical (24-bit/192kHz), aptX HD Bluetooth, and legacy audio equipment via an AUX RCA input.
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Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi Support 24-bit/96kHz Lossless Audio at 4.2Mbps
March 6, 2025 by Joao Martins

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi Support 24-bit/96kHz Lossless Audio at 4.2Mbps

A year past since Qualcomm announced its S7 Pro Snapdragon Sound platform with micro-power Wi-Fi, Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi unveiled the new Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi earbuds at MWC 2025. The brand designed a premium model with a triple coaxial driver system, hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) up to 55dB, support for AI-powered transcription, and Qualcomm XPAN for direct connectivity to smartphones, enabling 24-bit/96kHz lossless audio with an expanded 4.2Mbps bandwidth.
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T+A Unveils Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier
March 5, 2025 by Joao Martins

T+A Unveils Symphonia Streaming Integrated Amplifier

German high-end audio manufacturer T+A elektroakustik launched the Symphonia, a streaming integrated amplifier that embodies the company’s unique vision of “The Future of Retro”. The one-box system combines cutting-edge technology paired with classic design elements such as beveled aluminum front panels and hand-assembled analog VU meters, modern rotary/push controllers, and extensive connectivity for both analog sources and modern digital media. Now available for pre-order at an MSRP of USD $9,990, the new integrated design will start shipping in April 2025.
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Rohde & Schwarz and Ceva Announce Over-the-Air Bluetooth Test Solution
March 5, 2025 by Joao Martins

Rohde & Schwarz and Ceva Announce Over-the-Air Bluetooth Test Solution

The next Bluetooth release is expected to be ratified soon. One important new feature is the Unified Test Protocol (UTP) Test Mode for Bluetooth Low Energy, that will complement existing test methods. The UTP Test Mode will additionally enable over-the-air (OTA) controlled device testing, which will simplify measurements of small and highly integrated devices enormously, since no direct wired connection to the tester is needed. Rohde & Schwarz and Ceva, in close cooperation, have developed a solution for this new test mode.
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STMicroelectronics Reveals New STM32 Ultra-Low Power MCUs and Wireless Microcontrollers
March 5, 2025 by Joao Martins

STMicroelectronics Reveals New STM32 Ultra-Low Power MCUs and Wireless Microcontrollers

STMicroelectronics has introduced new STM32U3 microcontrollers (MCUs) with power-saving innovations that ease deployment of smart connected devices, especially in remote locations. The company has also unveiled the next generation of its STM32 power-efficient short-range wireless microcontrollers that simplify connecting consumer and industrial devices. The two new MCUs leverage near-threshold chip design to set a record performance-per-watt efficiency benchmark.
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The Audio Industry Mourns the Loss of George Krampera
March 4, 2025 by Joao Martins

The Audio Industry Mourns the Loss of George Krampera

KV2 Audio has confirmed the news of the passing of its founder and industry pioneer George Krampera Sr. A true sound reinforcement visionary, Krampera devoted the last decades of his life to the professional audio company he founded in Milevsko, Czech Republic. But his name will be also remembered for his pioneering work with RCF, from where he left to work at B&C Speakers, and later to create Fussion, a new company in partnership with Marcelo Vercelli, which was eventually bought by Mackie, which subsequently also bought RCF.
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Honor Unveils AI-Powered Earbuds Open Advanced Design at MWC 2025
March 3, 2025 by Joao Martins

Honor Unveils AI-Powered Earbuds Open Advanced Design at MWC 2025

Honor introduced the Honor Earbuds Open – a unique open-ear design that rests directly on the ear and is able to cancel the outside world thanks to advanced AI audio processing capabilities. In fact, Honor calls this design the “industry's first open-ear 3-mic hybrid active noise cancellation system.” And the Honor Earbuds Open not only block external noise, but allow users to make calls privately thanks to its reverse acoustic system that reduces audio leakage. The user’s voice is perfectly captured even in noisy environments with a combination of a voice accelerometer, 3-mic array, and bone conduction sensor technology.
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QCY and USound Announce New High Volume TWS Product Featuring USound MEMS Speakers Set to Launch in 2025
March 3, 2025 by Joao Martins

QCY and USound Announce New High Volume TWS Product Featuring USound MEMS Speakers Set to Launch in 2025

USound, the Austrian specialist in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), announced a new design win with QCY, a recognized Chinese manufacturer of wireless audio products. QCY has officially announced the development of a new TWS earbuds design featuring USound MEMS drivers, set to launch in 2025. By partnering closely with Dongguan Hele Electronics, the parent company of QCY, USound was able to confirm that a new TWS model will soon enter production in 2025.
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Silicon Labs Introduces New Concurrent Multiprotocol SoCs for Matter
March 3, 2025 by Joao Martins

Silicon Labs Introduces New Concurrent Multiprotocol SoCs for Matter

Silicon Labs announced that its MG26 family of wireless SoCs is now generally available and ready to provide developers with the highest performance for smart home applications, while leveraging AI/ML processing capabilities. The company calls it the industry’s most advanced, high-performance Matter and concurrent multiprotocol SoCs to date, with double the Flash and RAM of other Silicon Labs multiprotocol devices and best-in-class security.
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