As Dan Knighten, Audio Precision General Manager (pictured below) explains in an exclusive conversation with audioXpress, "the APx517B is the pier or brother of the APx516B, targeted at acoustic measurement or transducer applications - the measurement of loudspeakers, headphones, headsets, and microphones. But where the 517 has a built-in power amplifier, a built-in headphone amplifier, built-in signal conditioners and power supplies for measurement microphones, the 516 has none of that.
"Would that prevent somebody from plugging a microphone into the 516? Absolutely not. The 516 is for applications where you're measuring a signal in the electronic domain, and because of that it has significantly lower THD+N residual, lower self noise and higher maximum voltage input. So on the 516 you can measure 115 volts RMS, whereas on the 517 you're limited to about 15 volts RMS. So they are really peer devices but one is oriented towards electronics, the other one is oriented towards acoustics", he details.
A standout feature of the APx516B is its capability to bridge analog and digital audio testing, reflecting today's diverse audio landscape. It's backed by Audio Precision's reputation for precision and affordability, with a 3-year standard warranty, optional 5-year extension, and ISO 17025 accredited calibration. Starting at the lowest based price for any APx hardware analyzer, the APx516B is accessible to a wide audience, including extended R&D teams and production testing.
"The work on the APx516 has actually started during the pandemic. And one of the major use cases driving the 516 was production test. That certainly drives the price point we're offering it at, and it drives the feature set we're offering it at. Also, because of the pandemic, there are a lot more people who are working remotely and would need a top of the line AP, but it's hard to justify that expense. And they might need I2S or Bluetooth or HDMI or another digital audio interface. So, there is absolutely a very strong production test use case, but we're also targeting everybody in the world who needs an affordable audio analyzer.
"The performance of the APx516 is targeted so that it can measure any consumer device and most pro audio devices, but at an affordable price point and with the addition of a module slot that will accept any of our digital interface modules. That's really what's driving the physical hardware specifications of the 516, both the performance of the analog I/O and - critical for this product - the ability to add a digital audio interface of your choice."
Digital I/O has become an integral component of modern audio devices. From smartphones to AV receivers, the motivation for the transition comes from higher fidelity sound, advanced features, and the ability to convey more data than traditional analog methods. According to Audio Precision, as of 2022, more than 75% of new audio devices have adopted some form of digital I/O.
In terms of the audio test and measurement landscape, the APx516B is set to be a game-changer. Starting at $6,000 in the US for the base 2-channel analyzer, the APx516B is accessible to a wider audience, including extended R&D teams and production testing. Seamless integration with APx500 measurement software, provides a comprehensive library of measurements available with one-click, renowned ease-of-use, and compatibility across all APx analyzers. Exactly the type of modularity that makes sense to tailor systems for repetitive tasks, such as production line testing.
"The APx516B offers electronic audio customers a budget-friendly modular solution without compromising AP's performance and service," adds Dan Knighten. "It features a digital interface slot, allowing it to adapt to ongoing changes in digital audio. This ensures that the APx516B remains applicable, serving the needs of the extended R&D team and production test engineers worldwide."
"With the rise of digital and the global distribution of engineers, there's a pressing need for an uncomplicated, economical analyzer for both digital and analog audio. We need a dependable instrument to record and relay the audio signal, simplifying troubleshooting across dispersed teams," said a product design engineer at a leading consumer electronics company.
Upholding AP's world-class quality, service, and support, the APx516B carries a 3-year warranty, ISO17025 calibration, and global technical assistance. The base model APx516B starts at $6,000, while a configuration with HDMI or serial interface goes to $9,000, and more with a PDM interface. Included in the APx516B base price (Flex Pack 1) are the Level & Gain, THD+N, Stepped Frequency, Loudspeaker Production Test, Pass/Fail, and Signal Acquisition measurements. Those are basic measurements that are included with every analyzer as a perpetual license and includes updates for the current version number and next major software version. A 3 year subscription to all the APx software costs $2,480 or $827/year, and there are one year and five year subscription options as well.
Subscriptions mean that all software releases are included, with all software options also included (except PESQ and POLQA). Users can always acquire any specific additional measurement they need in addition to any of the Flex packages (shown below), and it will be a perpetual license when they do. If a user decides to acquire a perpetual license for all the measurement options, it basically is doubling the price of the APx516B.
The APx516B is being manufactured now and will be available for shipping starting early December 2023.
For over thirty-five years, Audio Precision has offered high-performance audio analyzers, accessories, and applications to help engineers worldwide design, validate, characterize, and manufacture consumer, professional and industrial audio products. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, AP is part of Axiometrix Solutions, a leading test solutions provider comprised of globally recognized measurement brands.
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