All items in category Magazine Articles
MEMS Microspeakers Are Truly Digital Transducers
by Mike Klasco

MEMS Microspeakers Are Truly Digital Transducers

This VC Spotlight article, from Mike Klasco includes some really great insight on upcoming developments and new companies active in the MEMS field. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) loudspeakers are just now appearing. As Mike explains “this is a really new technology, so new that only recently were functional lab prototypes operational.” Article originally published in Voice Coil, May 2015.
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Standards Review: Considerations for the MPEG-H Audio Standard
by Joao Martins

Standards Review: Considerations for the MPEG-H Audio Standard

This article discusses the plan for the new MPEG-H Audio standard, a real-time 3-D audio encoder system with applications for broadcast and streaming distribution, developed in large part by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, and recently finalized and submitted as an ISO/MPEG standard.
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Fresh from the Bench: Benchmark AHB2 Stereo Power Amplifier
by Gary Galo

Fresh from the Bench: Benchmark AHB2 Stereo Power Amplifier

This in-depth review of the Benchmark AHB2 Stereo Power Amplifier, published in audioXpress April 2015, clearly explains why you should listen to this one. Designed in response to the needs of high-resolution audio sources, Gary Galo spent some time with it and explains all the reasons why he was impressed. Very impressed.
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Fresh from the Bench: Benchmark DAC2 DX Stereo D/A Converter
by Gary Galo

Fresh from the Bench: Benchmark DAC2 DX Stereo D/A Converter

The DAC2 series are the latest digital-to-analog converters from Benchmark Media Systems, the American audio manufacturer based in Syracuse, NY. The model reviewed here is the DAC2 DX, which has been tailored for users who don’t have analog sources or who use a separate analog preamp. Read the full review.
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Musicality and Distortion: A Conversation
by Jan Didden, Dennis Colin and Jean Hiraga

Musicality and Distortion: A Conversation

Three audio experts discuss the role of distortion levels in what we hear. The debate was caused by an article titled “Amplifier Musicality - A Study of Amplifier Harmonic Distortion Spectrum Analysis” by Jean Hiraga, which originated comments by Jan Didden, Dennis Colin and a subsequent response by Jean Hiraga. The original article appeared in audioXpress March 2004 and the resulting conversation was published in audioXpress October 2005.
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Vendor Selection: What Do These Crazy Americans Want?
by Mike Klasco

Vendor Selection: What Do These Crazy Americans Want?

Regardless of how well our Asian partners speak English, there is still quite a cultural gap that often brings on gray hair and increases blood pressure to both sides. Mike Klasco discusses the differing perceptions and sensibilities between Western customers and Asian vendors. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, March 2012.
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Book Review: The Bottle Builder - A Compendium of Tube Amplifier Designs
by Peter Delos

Book Review: The Bottle Builder - A Compendium of Tube Amplifier Designs

This review of The Bottle Builder, Volume 1: A Compendium of Tube Amplifier Designs discusses Johan Basse Bergqvist’s hands-on collection of his amplifier designs. A book illustrated with more than 400 figures and photographs to help readers understand audio—no engineering degree necessary. Published on audioXpress, July 2015.
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Digmoda DSP Amplifier Line
by Dean Rivera

Digmoda DSP Amplifier Line

Digmoda is a series of modular OEM platforms consisting of digital amplifiers, DSPs, and power supplies designed specifically for audio applications. The Digital Power (DP) line consists of two new software programmable amplifiers, the DPSW300 and DPSW1000, along with newly developed DSP software for these units.
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AES67-2013: The New Networked Audio-Over-IP (AoIP) Interoperability Standard
by Joao Martins

AES67-2013: The New Networked Audio-Over-IP (AoIP) Interoperability Standard

The AES X192 initiative - driven by the Audio Engineering Society (AES) task group SC-02-12-H - resulted in the new AES67-2013 standard, published on 11 September 2013, which defines key parameters for networked AoIP interoperability. This article from audioXpress' Standards Review column was published short after, in January 2014.
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Fresh From the Bench: Focal’s Spirit Professional
by Miguel Marques

Fresh From the Bench: Focal’s Spirit Professional

In 2013, French speaker manufacturer Focal released its first headphones. Among the models intended for the hi-fi and consumer markets, Focal also introduced the Focal Spirit Professional, a closed-back headphone design built for the professional musician or recording studio engineer. This is the review.
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