
High End 2018 Final Report Indicates High Satisfaction Among Exhibitors Albeit Less Visitors
After four successful exhibition days, the 37th High End in Munich ended on May 13. A total of 530 exhibitors (-2% compared to 538 in previous year) from 41 nations and 19,899 visitors (-7% compared to 21,412 in 20017) were counted, including 7,557 trade visitors (-6%) from throughout the world. This represented a slight decline in numbers compared to the previous year, as noted in audioXpress’ first impressions report of the High End show in Munich.

PreSonus Announces New Studio One 4 Software DAW Release
Who would have thought that one day PreSonus would be a major player in the world of recording and music production with its own software Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) solution, rivalling the best in the industry, and gaining ground every year? Well, things are about to get even more interesting with the release of PreSonus Studio One 4, a major update to the company’s easy-to-use DAW that combines the best of the traditional recording studio model with the modern methods of creating beat- and groove-oriented music. Now shipping.

Fulcrum Acoustic Announces FH15 Full-Range Coaxial Horn Product Line
Fulcrum Acoustic is recognized by the industry for its unique approach to loudspeaker design. The company continues to expand that approach with its latest FH15 Full-Range Coaxial Horn product line. The FH15 Series features 2-way, coaxial horn systems with a 15” horn-loaded woofer and a 4” diaphragm compression driver to provide precise pattern control to below 400 Hz, low frequency extension to 54 Hz, and extremely high output for products of their size while using only a single amplifier channel.

beyerdynamic Phonum Opens Up a New World for Smart Team Communications
Introduced as “the future of team communication” at the ISE 2018 show in Amsterdam, beyerdynamic launched Phonum, its new mobile, cable-free communications system for teleconferences, huddle rooms and for smaller meeting requirements. An intelligent audio solution for the modern meeting culture, this compact, portable and battery-operated speakerphone uses a downfire loudspeaker for the best possible sound reproduction combined with the brand’s exclusive Voice Compass technology to draw attention to the spoken word.

Chord Electronics Introduces New Choral Etude Stereo Power Amplifier
Chord Electronics has chosen High End 2018 to unveil a brand new analogue amplifier topology design, the company’s first for nearly 30 years. Although many improvements have been introduced along the way, the new Choral Etude stereo power amp provides a glimpse of what's coming for the British company, "highly advanced, it heralds a new era for powerful, wide bandwidth, low noise and low distortion amplifiers," Chord states.

Solid State Logic Native V6 Completely New Processing Plug-In Bundle Released
Solid State Logic announced the release of the new SSL Native v6 plug-in bundle. SSL Native V6 plug-ins replace SSL’s acclaimed Duende Native plug-in collection with completely re-written versions. The fundamental audio characteristics of the plug-ins remain unchanged but there have been a range of improvements which include new higher resolution user interfaces, improved Preset management, and expanded purchase and subscription options to suit the needs and pockets of a wider range of users.

Martin Audio to Showcase Immersive 3D Sound Experience at InfoComm with Astro Spatial Audio
Immersive audio, spatial audio or 3D experiences are the buzzwords for the current live sound industry, excited with the potential impact in new, more rewarding, entertainment experiences, and business increase. At this year’s InfoComm show in Las Vegas, Martin Audio will be introducing Sound Adventures, a 3D immersive sound experience in cooperation with its partner Astro Spatial Audio.

Bose Introduces BOSEbuild Build-It-Yourself Bluetooth Headphones for Kids
Following the introduction in 2016 of the BOSEbuild Speaker Cube, a complete kit that lets kids explore the science of sound, Bose announced its second BOSEbuild product. The BOSEbuild collection is now expanded with a set of “build-it-yourself” Bluetooth headphones. It’s a complete kit that provides kids - and anyone else - with a fun and interactive way to explore putting together a pair of high-quality headphones.

Universal Audio Announces UAD-2 Live Rack MADI Effects Processor
Universal Audio announced UAD-2 Live Rack, a robust 16-channel MADI effects processor that allows live sound engineers to craft studio-quality mixes using Realtime UAD Processing and UAD plug-ins — including Antares Auto-Tune Realtime, genuine Teletronix LA‑2A and 1176 compressors, Pultec EQs, and more — right out of the box. Built to withstand the rigors of live sound, users can chain up to four UAD-2 Live Rack units for up to 64 channels of MADI signal processing.

Sennheiser Introduces CX SPORT In-ear Bluetooth Headphones
It might be surprising, but Sennheiser has finally announced its first wireless headphones in the sports category. The German brand has remained indifferent to one of the fastest growing active lifestyle product categories where wireless has proven extremely popular. Now, Sennheiser introduced the CX SPORT in-ear Bluetooth headphones, combining the freedom of wireless listening in an ultra-lightweight, splash- and sweat-resistant design with quality sound.