Fresh From the Bench: Hypex Nilai500DIY 500W Mono Power Amplifier Kit - A New DIY Benchmark

The Hypex Nilai500DIY 500W Mono Power Amplifier Kit is new DIY benchmark from the company's dedicated DIYClassD brand. The kit is specified to deliver 500W with 1% THD at 4 ohms, improves output noise and idle losses significantly, and comes with a discrete buffer stage and voltage regulators. The article, originally published in July 2023, offers an extensive review with measurements of the full kit, including the PS500 DIY power supply and DIYClassD preamplifier kit.

In this article, James Croft discusses a patent granted to Curtis Graber (Woodburn, IN) that describes a radial acoustic speaker assembly including a transducer and a plurality of segmented spiral horns acoustically coupled to the transducer, each with its acoustical path. This new patent by prolific audio inventor, Curtis Graber, uses a new multi-spiral waveguide structure driven by a single transducer and has clear advantages over prior art. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, May 2018.

This article discusses a patent originally claimed in 2013 on a Double Coil Speaker design, which was granted in 2017 to Friedrich Reining (Vienna, Austria), on behalf of Sound Solutions International. The abstract from the patent details an audio system comprising an electro-acoustic transducer having two stacked voice coils mechanically linked to a membrane. James Croft discusses multiple approaches in similar concepts, and notes that the current state of technology might finally create a way to explore it in commercial products. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, March 2018.

Linkplay Technology is recognized for its widely adopted wireless audio streaming modules, smart home, and connected AI products. The new WiiM Pro is a versatile music streamer that combines all the latest technologies and protocols, making it the ultimate (and most affordable) home audio hub available. audioxpress received a pre-launch unit to review subjectively and objectively. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2023.

Renowned audio speaker design, David W. Gunness, now with Fulcrum Acoustic, and previously with Electro-Voice and Eastern Acoustic Works, is no stranger to this field of research where he holds numerous patents.This review is a fascinating read, especially given that Fulcrum has already proven the validity of the proposed designs in actual products. It seems clear that Gunness achieved “a very good design that should advance the art in the category of cardioid devices,” as Croft notes.

audioXpress visited Grimm Audio in The Netherlands to learn more about the people behind this unique company, its products, and philosophy. There's nothing better to learn about product development than to visit an audio company and learn from its history and business journey. As a relatively young company, Grimm Audio has consistently put its mark on both the pro audio and hi-fi scene and Jan Didden shares what he learned about their unique in-house development philosophy. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2023.

This article details the journey of British company Audioscenic, an innovative 3D audio beamforming technology company spun off from the University of Southampton. Marcos Simón shares how through a remarkable example of perseverance, Audioscenic realized its forward-thinking approach, from crosstalk cancellation systems to full 3D audio reproduction with speakers. In 2023, Audioscenic achieved its first commercial implementation to implement its unique 3D audio beamforming technology. This article was originally published in audioXpress, June 2023.

This audio measurement software creation from Canadian software designer Chris Liscio was sold to Røde in 2018. FuzzMeasure is the very first product of the new RødeTest division of Røde Microphones, a subsidiary of Freedman Electronics, also the owner of Aphex, Event Electronics, and SoundField brands. FuzzMeasure audio measurement software stands out for its high-quality graphs and for tucking an immense amount of control into a sleek, minimal interface. This article was originally published in audioXpress, May 2020.

In its regular Sound Control column, Richard Honeycutt explored this book by Niels Werner Adelman-Larsen., first published in 2014. This review covers the second edition, published in 2021, which is available in e-book, softcover, and hard-cover. The book was referenced in previous Sound Control articles and details an interesting study of the acoustics for rock and pop concerts and the differences in the acoustical requirements for these types of music. An important and updated perspective on modern acoustics. This article was originally published in audioXpress, June 2023.

This article reviews two patents titled simply "Speaker Device" from four Japanese inventors, on behalf of Pioneer Corp. of Japan. The original and expanded patent describes a flat speaker device capable of emitting loud reproduced sound, using a mechanical structure that converts a linear voice coil motion in one axis to an orthogonal mechanical diaphragm displacement. The system functions much like a scissor-jack you would use to raise your automobile to change a tire. The linear motion of the threaded rod coverts the axial force to a 90° lift movement.