Klippel Supports MegaSig U980 Bluetooth Interface for R&D and QC Line Testing

Klippel now officially distributes and supports the MegaSig U980 professional Bluetooth interface. Together with the Klippel Analyzer System, this USB-controlled, analog signal converter supports reliable testing of any audio device enabled with Bluetooth wireless technology such as portable speakers, wireless headsets, and true wireless earbuds with a fully integrated solution for both lab and end-of-line context.

Waves is opening a new state-of-the-art audio and voice testing labs at the company's Taipei location, establishing a commitment to support the growing market for voice-enabled connected devices. The new facilities include 4 ETSI testing labs and one custom designed anechoic chamber for precision acoustic measurements. The labs are designed for testing voice communication and automatic speech recognition technologies for smart speakers and other mobile devices.

Klippel's software dB-Lab version 210, the unified framework for R&D and QC audio testing, diagnostics and simulation, has received a free maintenance update. The update includes bug fixes and minor feature updates for released modules and beta test products like the Live Audio Analyzer (LAA). dB-Lab is a project-oriented Windows application that also features all sorts of templates for common test setups.

An interesting research was unveiled last week by Valve, an entertainment software and gaming technology company founded in 1996 and based in Bellevue, WA. In 2016, Valve launched SteamVR, a platform for distribution of virtual reality (VR) products, which lead the company to develop its own VR headset - the Valve Index. In the development process leading to the company's new VR headset, Valve has made significant progress not only in the display, lens, and field of view aspect of VR goggles, but also on the aural side. Emily Ridgway, audio researcher at Valve Software, describes the company's take on what they call "off-ear headphones" or "ear-speakers."

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT) has upgraded the highly specialized audio setup at its Ilmenau headquarters, which includes a cutting edge object-based system for producing 3D sound, with the installation of Powersoft’s Ottocanali 4K4 DSP+D amplifier platforms. Fraunhofer IDMT - which focuses on applied research in the field of audiovisual media - is widely known for developing ground-breaking technologies for the digital media industry.

Bowers & Wilkins, the storied British audio brand, is announcing the relocation of its research and development center to a new and larger facility with cutting-edge equipment and tools. As the company details, the move represents a significant investment to expand the team and accelerate the company's ability to develop new capabilities that will drive innovation across its suite of luxury home speakers, headphones and performance car audio.

In direct response to increasing demand and market expansion, Tymphany has announced the opening of its new R&D facility, located in Bridgend, Wales. The UK Design Center will be led by Tymphany veteran George Bullimore and will have two primary focuses: high-performance transducer R&D and early-engagement system design and prototyping for professional and premium audio customers worldwide.

Klippel GmbH is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017. To celebrate, Klippel launched its new Klippel Analyzer 3 (KA3). The Klippel Analyzer 3 is an hardware platform for R&D modules and Quality Control (QC) tasks that performs the data acquisition and real time processing. It is connected to a Host-PC / dB-Lab via USB 2.0, and accepts a series of KA3-Frame and Cards to plug in. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2017.

A leading supplier of loudspeakers and high frequency devices since 1966, Eminence announced the appointment of Courtney F. Morgan, Ph.D. as its new Research and Innovation Leader. Morgan has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Emory University in Atlanta. His post doctoral research focused on nuclear magnetic resonance at the University of California Santa Cruz.

ADAM Audio announced the appointment of David Angress to the position of CEO Worldwide. In his new role, Angress will oversee ADAM’s reenergized operations from the Company headquarters in Berlin, with recently reinforced R&D, personnel and distribution investments. ”I’m thrilled to be at the helm of this Company with a very exciting future,” he states.