Speaker and Microphone Measurements: Eliminate Reflections While Testing
Acoustic reflections in rooms, in the form of reverberation, contribute significantly to the characteristic of sound. In acoustic measurements for quality testing of loudspeakers and microphones, however, these reflections can produce inaccurate results and should therefore be excluded as far as possible. The measurement results must be reproducible and not significantly influenced by the room acoustics. In this article, NTi Audio explains how to remove reverberation from the measurement results.
TASCAM Unveils New MZ-Series Rack-Mount Mixers
Continuing its long legacy of high-quality professional mixers, TASCAM has introduced the new MZ-223 and MZ-372 models with multiple outputs/zones and phono input channels. Both rack-mount analog mixers offer flexible inputs, mixing, and routing that makes them well suited for installs in small to mid-size venues such as restaurants, hotels, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and schools, as well as residences.
Martin Audio Announces New Hybrid Double 18" Subwoofer and EASE Focus 3 Compatible Measurement Data
Martin Audio has announced a new subwoofer to its line up with the introduction of SXH218 - a hybrid passive subwoofer with two extremely high-powered 4.5" coil, 18" drivers. The subwoofer will be a central part of the company's upcoming UK Open Day demos in March at its British headquarters in High Wycombe. The company also announced the availability of GLL loudspeaker measurement data compatible with EASE Focus 3 for many of its point source loudspeakers.
MWC 2018 First Impressions: A Connected World Congress
A strange week we had, with most of the technology world focused on another edition of GSMA's Mobile World Congress (MWC), with the usual gush of new iPhone-clone announcements and most of the key semiconductor giants dividing their announcements with embedded world 2018, taking place at the same time in Nuremberg, Germany. Still, neither was much affected by the clash. MWC is more and more consumer electronics, autonomous cars, cloud solutions, and software developers pitching their latest ideas on social-engineered apps.
Embedded World 2018 Confirms Record Attendance and Exhibitors Growth
In its closing report, NürnbergMesse confirmed that the 2018 edition of Embedded World - 26 - 28 February 2019, Nuremberg, Germany, has established a new record for the trade-show. Confirming more trade visitors, exhibitors and space, as well as a record 2.000 participants and speakers attending the annual conference sessions, Embedded World 2018 provided a clear sign of a positive momentum in all market segments for embedded electronics applications, with particular emphasis on IoT, industrial connected solutions and automotive.
Audioengine Unveils A5+ Premium Wireless Smart Speaker System
Audioengine announced the A5+ Wireless Music System. Following similar design aesthetics from its other compact speakers, the Audioengine 5+ Wireless is an exciting evolution of the award-winning A5 speakers, focusing on wireless streaming, with upgraded features and the A5+ signature sound. As the company explains, "the A5+ Wireless isn’t just a pair of powered stereo speakers but a smart music system that works with Alexa, Siri, and all other voice activated apps, speakers, and devices - as well as every music app on the planet."
Antelope Audio Announces Availability of EDGE Strip Discrete Preamp and Modeling Mic Bundle
Having turned heads and opened ears during a must-see showcase at the 2018 NAMM Show in Anaheim, high-end professional audio equipment manufacturer Antelope Audio now announced availability of the EDGE Strip bundle — comprising the EDGE modeling microphone and specifically-designed DISCRETE MP Discrete Dual Ultra-Linear Microphone Preamp. When paired, the solution offers a locker-full of vintage mics and rack-full of outboard gear for high-quality studio recordings with vintage analogue sound.
Qualcomm Introduces Smart Audio Platform and Speaker Development Kits for Multiple Voice Ecosystems
Following earlier demonstrations at CES 2018, Qualcomm introduced a series of new platforms, SoC and development kits targeting new advanced audio applications and smart speakers, including the support of key wireless technologies, voice and cloud ecosystems. Solutions include its Smart Audio Platform optimized for smart speakers, a 6-microphone far field voice platform qualified for Amazon AVS, Dolby Audio implementations for wireless speakers and much more.
Sony Mobile Introduces Bold New Open-ear Wired and True Wireless Earphones
At the Barcelona, 2018 Mobile World Congress, Sony Mobile announced its Xperia Ear Duo truly wireless concept, which should be reaching the market in Spring 2018. According to Sony, the Xperia Ear Duo was built to reimagine the wireless headset with a bold new Spatial Acoustic Conductor open-ear design, featuring notifications and environmental awareness, with Google Assistant or Siri support. A similar design is available on the Open-ear Stereo Headset STH40D wired model.
Sescom Attenuating Line to Mic Level Cables for 2-Volt Audio Signals
Sescom, a manufacturer of professional audio transformers and interface technology from Mount Marion, N.Y., introduced a new range of attenuating line to mic level cables that provide properly matched mic level signals to popular video-recording DSLR cameras and other devices accepting mic level audio only. Available in two models, with RCA male plugs or with XLR female plugs, both models are also terminated with a 3.5mm stereo plug.