Danley Sound Labs Introduces the MINI 180 Loudspeaker: Even Coverage Across 180 Degrees
Led by legendary acoustician Tom Danley and his handpicked team of engineers, Danley Sound Labs has once again developed a loudspeaker that solves a technical problem without compromising on its trademark sound quality. The new Danley MINI 180 provides even, seamless coverage across 180 degrees (by 90 degrees vertical) using Danley’s patented technology. Its operating frequency range is 149Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB) with impressively linear phase response across that range and across the beam width.
Voice Assistant Technology Making Waves into the B2B and Institutional Sectors
The explosion of Voice Assistant (VA) technology in the consumer segment has been phenomenal, with 37 million units of smart speakers installed worldwide as of end 2017. This technology is starting to make waves into the B2B environment, with Futuresource Consulting predicting that by 2022, 82 million professional A/V displays and room control devices shipped will be voice-enabled. This excludes usage of dedicated consumer smart speakers in healthcare, hospitality and education.
Global Music Production Software Market to Triple in Value in the Next Five Years
The global music production software market is expected to grow to USD 6.26 billion by the end of the period 2018-2022, from USD 2.12 billion in 2017, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. The new report, "Global Music Production Software Market 2018-2022," which is now available, forecasts high growth for music software (recording, mixing, and editing) due to the strong demand for digital audio content worldwide.
First Alert Launches Onelink Safe & Sound Alexa-Enabled Smoke and CO Alarm and Home Speaker
A connected smoke alarm that's also a speaker, strategically placed in the ceiling to cover any room with quality sound. The idea might sound bizarre at first, but indeed it reflects the way manufacturers are reimagining different categories in the era of "smart devices." Following a successful presentation at CES 2018, First Alert launched its Onelink Safe & Sound Connected Smoke Alarm with Amazon Alexa, allowing users to ask questions or and even listen to music.
Plantronics Completes Acquisition of Polycom to Create Total Communications Solutions Strategy
The last of the surviving "videoconference companies" received a life buoy from Plantronics in March 2018, with the announcement of a proposed acquisition. Three months passed since the intention was revealed, Plantronics closed its $2 billion acquisition of Polycom. The strategic plan is to create "THE communications experience company that connects people to what is important at work, at home, on the road, in the car, or anywhere you have a connection."
Fresh From the Bench: Audio Precision AECM206 Headphone Test Fixture
For engineers developing and evaluating headphones, Audio Precision (AP) released this new headphone test solution, a competitively priced IEC 60318-4-compliant accessory that simplifies earbud and headphone measurements in both lab and production environments. Stuart Yaniger puts the AECM206 unit to the test. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2018.
NTi Audio Introduces New Vibration Meter and Vibration Option for the XL2 Sound Level Meter
NTi Audio introduced the Vibration Meter, built on the advanced technology employed in the XL2 Sound Level Meter. This enticing addition to the NTi product family, provides many functions for vibration analysis, allowing users to accurately measure acceleration, velocity and displacement simultaneously for frequencies down to 0.7 Hz. The results are presented with metric or imperial units, or as a dB value with an adjustable reference level.
Cambridge Audio YoYo (L) Is a Complete Home Audio Wireless Hub
Cambridge Audio announced the Yoyo (L) home audio hub, the third speaker in its stylish Yoyo range of wireless speakers. This is a WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth system, with HDMI ARC, digital and analogue inputs, Chromecast and Spotify Connect built-in, combining the simplicity and convenience of a wireless speaker with the scale and performance of a dedicated home theater solution, priced at $399. The largest in the Yoyo series, the (L) features six drivers and Waves MaxxAudio digital processing for a wide immersive response.
Martin Audio London Announces Management Buyout from Loud Audio
The parent company of leading audio brands Mackie and EAW, LOUD Audio, confirmed it has concluded the sale of the renowned Martin Audio brand to LDC, a private equity firm from the United Kingdom. In what was a long-expected move, following the acquisition of all Loud brands by the Transom Capital Group in October 2017, and the recent sale of Ampeg to Yamaha, now Martin Loud gets back to an independent position for the second time in its history.
Rembrandt Laboratories Patent-Pending Home Speaker Will Make You Cry
Rembrandt Laboratories is promoting its patent-pending speaker design Model V with the line "New Audio Technology With Sound So Beautiful, It Moves Listeners to Tears of Joy," claiming a level of realism that feels like the artist is in the room. Effectively, the outside of the Model V, in stained poplar tone wood, looks like one those early tube radios, but there's nothing vintage inside this active speaker, using a distributed mode planar driver with proprietary multiple internal tuned resonate chambers and bass reflex port.