IFA 2018 Show Report: The Exciting World of Appliances and Voice Everywhere
With IFA fully occupying two exhibition areas, Europe's giant trade show for Consumer and Home Electronics was indeed a busy time for all technology companies and certainly for many of the key development platform vendors. Appropriately, this year's Home Appliances@IFA celebrated its 10th anniversary, reinforcing somehow what is already recognized as the largest world show for Electric Appliances.
KEF Announces New Completely Revamped R Series Loudspeakers
Renowned audio pioneer, KEF announced the launch of their brand-new R Series loudspeakers, a complete, top-to-bottom transformation of their existing R Series speakers. The current R Series is one of the world's most acclaimed loudspeaker ranges and the new series involves no fewer than 1,043 design changes, technological innovations and design improvements. This comprises completely redesigned drivers, including the latest generation of the iconic Uni-Q Driver.
New Technics OTTAVA S SC-C50 Premium Wireless Speaker Launches at IFA 2018
A major highlight of Panasonic's press conference at IFA 2018 was the new Technics OTTAVA S SC-C50 compact wireless speaker, a new premium design, with state-of-the-art connectivity and a powerful, refined sound, free from restrictive sweet spots. Apparently the OTTAVA was already unveiled earlier at the High-End Audio Show in Munich this year, but that only shows why IFA is an important trade show for some brands and categories of products. In Berlin, the new design had all the deserved spotlights.
Sony Expands Hi-Res Audio Options with New Products on its Signature Series
During IFA 2018, Sony expanded its audio catalog with several new top of the range products in its Signature Series. Deserving all the possible attention are the new IER-Z1R in-ear headphones and DMP-Z1 digital music player. These products harness decades of audio expertise, proudly showcasing Sony’s relentless lifetime pursuit for excellence, which they often miss. These new Signature Series products are ambitious, expensive and will certainly please a very specific crowd devoted to Hi-Res Audio and DSD file collecting.
Wireless Speaker and Audio (WiSA) Association Improves Sound Experiences in new Harman Kardon Citation Series
Introduced at IFA 2018, the Harman Kardon Citation Series is a new line of highly sophisticated, wireless smart speakers featuring immersive audio powered by Summit’s WiSA-certified technology. As a WiSA-enabled series, the Harman Kardon Citation offers a wireless, low latency multi-channel surround sound audio experience with incredibly easy setup. This eliminates the wiring of traditional systems to create powerful and reliable audio systems that boast uninterrupted listening enjoyment.
Global Pro-AV Industry to Grow to $230 Billion by 2023
The professional audiovisual industry will grow from $186 billion in 2018 to $230 billion by 2023, according to updated forecasts in the new 2018 AV Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA) Global Summary produced by AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association. This report examines the forces driving growth, from macroeconomic factors to technology trends to vertical market demands, on a global scale.
Innovative Two-Wire Interface Technology from ams Significantly Reduces Mechanical Design Constraints of True Wireless Earbuds
Austrian sensor specialist ams introduced POW:COM, an innovative interface technology which enables Power and Communication between a true wireless earbud and a charging cradle over a two-wire connection. A true wireless earbud previously required as many as six pins to provide both power transfer and communication between the charging cradle and the earbud, compromising the mechanical design of a small form factor that fits comfortably in the user’s ear.
IMAX and DTS Partner to Launch IMAX Enhanced Program for Home Entertainment
IMAX Corporation and DTS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Corporation, announced a new partnership for the next-generation of home entertainment with the launch of the IMAX Enhanced program. The new certification and licensing program combines the highest-end consumer electronics products with IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K HDR content and DTS audio technologies to offer consumers a new level of quality in immersive sight and sound experiences for the home.
LOUD Audio Confirms the Sale of Iconic EAW Business to RCF
The news was out for a while now, but now it's official. Loud Audio, the parent company of the Mackie brand, has concluded the sale of Eastern Acoustic Works to RCF Group with its headquarters in Reggio Emilia, Italy. LOUD's management has been gradually pulling apart the businesses it acquired in 2017. Now, it was EAW's time. With this acquisition, RCF gains a stronger foothold in the North-American market, while also gaining access to one of the strongest sound reinforcement technology portfolios in the industry.
Pascal Sets New Bar for Power Density in Pro Audio Class-D with L-PRO Series Amplifier Modules
The Summer in Denmark was apparently a busy season and Pascal Audio has been working on very interesting new amplifier modules. The company just releases the new L-PRO2 series amp modules, which provide 50% more power from the same form factor as S-PRO series. As the company details, the new L-PRO2 series represents a new standard in power density for Class-D power amplification, as the world’s smallest 1500 W RMS amp module.