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Immersive Music Streaming: A Fistful of Nothing?

October 24, 2019 by Joao Martins

Immersive Music Streaming: A Fistful of Nothing?

On Tuesday, October 15, in New York, Sony, together with four music streaming services and an important number of music industry partners promoted a press event to announce the new 360 Reality Audio music ecosystem. This follows the presentations made early at CES 2019 and a repeat of the demonstrations at IFA 2019 in Berlin. At this event, Sony announced the upcoming commercial availability of 360 Reality Audio, an immersive audio experience utilizing object-based spatial audio technology.

True Wireless Designs: A Case of Loose-Fit Earbuds

October 10, 2019 by Joao Martins

True Wireless Designs: A Case of Loose-Fit Earbuds

When both Amazon and Microsoft promoted their own designs and vision for the true wireless earbuds category, what I found most interesting about Microsoft's Surface Earbuds was the design itself. Yes, they have that big round surface that will confer a distinct "iconic" look to the user - just like the AirPods do in a different way - but inside they also use the loose-fit design that Apple adopted since the EarPods (and which Bose pioneered). Just like Apple's design, they do not go inside the ear and do not completely block the ear canal.

CEDIA 2019 Show Report: Residential Integration in the Age of the Connected Home

September 19, 2019 by Joao Martins

CEDIA 2019 Show Report: Residential Integration in the Age of the Connected Home

While I visited the exhibits at the excellent Colorado Convention Center during the 2019 CEDIA Expo in Denver, I was frequently asked about my impressions of the show - but often it was as if people were asking me to validate their own negative impressions - because "this industry has seen better days...", and "the show is smaller than ever." I saw the show in a different perspective, which I will address in this report.

In Perspective: Amazon Lossless Audio Streaming Option with Amazon Music HD

September 18, 2019 by Joao Martins

In Perspective: Amazon Lossless Audio Streaming Option with Amazon Music HD

Amazon announced the launch of Amazon Music HD, a new tier of "higher quality" lossless streaming, promising "more than 50 million songs in High Definition," and "millions of songs in Ultra High Definition," a designation akin to TV services that Amazon thinks consumers will understand better than High Resolution Audio (HRA). The first tier of the service "High Definition" is in fact a CD-quality FLAC lossless streaming, while the "Ultra HD" tier defines FLAC streaming of 24-bit and a sample rate up to 192 kHz, or HRA.

Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019: It Was Fun, But It’s Complicated…

September 12, 2019 by Joao Martins

Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019: It Was Fun, But It’s Complicated…

Yes, it was strange to fly to Denver, CO so early in September while most of the industry was on the way to Berlin, Germany for another edition of the International Funkausstellung (IFA), the gigantic consumer electronics and appliance show, which rivals CES in visitor numbers. But the fact is, I don’t regret it in the least. Since the 2019 edition of the Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest (RMAF) changed dates to September 6-8, and the CEDIA Expo takes place shortly after also in Denver, it was a great incentive to opt for Colorado instead.

AES 2019 International Conference on Headphone Technology: It Should Happen Every Year!

August 29, 2019 by Nora Wong

AES 2019 International Conference on Headphone Technology: It Should Happen Every Year!

Like the previous conference that was held in 2016 in Aalborg, Denmark, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Headphone Technology Conference in San Francisco, was a very successful and insightful event for all the participants. The Presidio park venue was also idyllic with the usual crisp waterfront weather. Perhaps too successful, as the event was sold out before it opened.

Apple Digital Masters: Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

August 22, 2019 by Joao Martins

Apple Digital Masters: Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

It all started with an article from Billboard that stated: "On Wednesday (August 7) Apple Music announced the launch of Apple Digital Masters, a new initiative by the streaming giant that combines all of its "Mastered for iTunes" offerings into one global catalog. This is the company's first public acknowledgement of the initiative, which it has been quietly unveiling for some time." And suddenly the story was all over the place. But Apple didn't actually announce anything. Or at least, there was no official press release from Apple to be found confirming the story.

Audio Marketing Refresh: The Humble But Mighty Press Release

August 8, 2019 by Joao Martins

Audio Marketing Refresh: The Humble But Mighty Press Release

There's so much an audio brand can do in terms of effective promotion (that all important "P" in the marketing mix). And it all starts with the humble but mighty press release. It is amazing how so many "grown-up" people in the audio industry - including many consumer audio, and almost all high-end audio and hi-fi companies - completely ignore what a press release is about, what it is used for, or simply disregard the fact that when they actually "release" a new product, they need to tell the press, which will help tell the world about it.

New Shallow Subwoofers from Wavecor: Discussing High-End and Custom Development

July 4, 2019 by Joao Martins

New Shallow Subwoofers from Wavecor: Discussing High-End and Custom Development

During the High End show in Munich I caught up once again with Wavecor, the expert high-end driver manufacturer, which usually has an important presence at the Munich show. They always have many clients that release finished products using Wavecor drivers at this show. Not that all brands will reveal that they do... We spoke with Allan Isaksen, General Manager and Chairman of Wavecor to learn more about the latest products and the company.

True Wireless Headphone Bandwagon gets More Crowded, as Brands vie to Challenge Apple

July 1, 2019 by Futuresource Consulting

True Wireless Headphone Bandwagon gets More Crowded, as Brands vie to Challenge Apple

True wireless headphones sales have enjoyed extraordinary growth in the past year. After a very successful Q4 2018, which saw shipments reach a total equal to the previous three quarters combined, Q1 2019 witnessed year-on-year growth of 223% in units and 188% in revenue. Consumers appear to enjoy the freedom that truly wireless products bring. Although, the continued domination by AirPods does still mean that the market remains a largely Apple phenomenon.

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