Audio Precision Announces New APx517B Acoustic Analyzer Fulfilling the Requirements of Production Test

Audio Precision announced the APx517B acoustic analyzer, specifically designed, configured and built for the production-line testing of speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets and the wide range of consumer electronics incorporating speakers and microphones. With the introduction of the APx517B acoustic analyzer, manufacturers can deploy an integrated acoustic test system that brings the renowned quality, reliability and robustness of Audio Precision’s lab-oriented analyzers to their production lines.

This audioXpress November 2020 edition explores the latest trends in digital signal processing (DSP) and how it applies to all audio applications, now increasing in power thanks to cutting-edge artificial intelligence running on devices. In this issue, you will also learn how to "Test and Optimize Strategies for Conference Terminal Equipment," "What to Measure for Quality Control of Audio Devices," and more about Automotive Audio Bus A2B. Stuart Yaniger reviews the latest Earthworks M23R Measurement Microphone, and you can read articles about acoustics, audio electronics and the best in DIY audio from our monthly columnists.

Audio Precision released the latest update to APx500 audio measurement software, version 6.0. With this release, APx software supports multiple simultaneous input types, enabling the concurrent measurement of up to 16 channels of digital and 8 channels of analog audio data. This new multi-input capability, paired with the highest channel count and widest range of digital I/O available, provides APx users critical cross-domain insight and the opportunity to reduce testing time.

Vance Dickason writes about the Audio Precision APx500 Flex Audio Analyzer and shares his hands-on experience with this latest affordable analyzer solution, designed to work with third-party USB audio recording interfaces. Dan Knighten, AP's VP of Product Development, and Michael Martin, AP's Product Marketing Manager, brought a complete system to Dickason's place and assisted him in performing a series of R&D type measurements on the same driver featured in a Test Bench column. Which means, readers can compare the readings and results directly! This article was originally published in Voice Coil, March 2020.

In this article for audioxpress, Ed Simon writes: "There seems to be controversy over what testing means in audio. Measuring a difference does not mean you can hear it. On the other hand, if my ears tell me there is a difference between two audio chains and I cannot measure it, that does not mean it is not there. Probably, I'm just using the wrong method to determine audio differences." And after trying to measure all sorts of things to compare which ones sounded fine - or not - he decided the next step would be to build a dedicated more sensitive measurement. This article was originally published in audioXpress, November 2009.

The March 2020 edition of Voice Coil is now available online and in print. In this edition, Vance Dickason gets hands-on with the Audio Precision APx500 Flex Audio Analyzer, Mike Klasco writes about Loudspeaker Enclosure Materials, and James Croft explores a new patent of a novel orientation of a cardioid speaker design. And in Test Bench, Dickason characterizes a home audio transducer from Eastech's Punktkilde line, the cosmetically pleasing AUGWL0016-JN02 6.5” midbass driver.

Denmark-Based GRAS Sound & Vibration (“GRAS”), the prestigious manufacturer of acoustic-measurement microphones, has reached an agreement with Battery Ventures, a global, technology-focused investment firm, to join its group of companies in the acoustic test and measurement market. GRAS will operate alongside U.S.-based Audio Precision, acquired by Battery Ventures in 2018. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

audioXpress March 2020 focuses on Audio Test & Measurement. In this edition, learn how to find the right Test & Measurement solution, learn more about how to optimize audio production tests, and read the review of the new Dayton Audio DATS V3 Test System. Luke McCready also reviews the fantastic Audeze Mobius planar magnetic, wireless headphones. There's plenty more to read and learn about in our regular columns Sound Control and Audio Scope, plus a new article from Ed Simon on Powering Audio Circuits.

Stuart Yaniger offers his review of the latest Audio Precision APx555 B Series audio analyzer, and the corresponding new updated V5 software for the APx series. The APx B series now features a new High Performance Sine Generator and a High Performance Sine Analyzer, which Audio Precision claims reduces THD+N to better than -120 dB, with a 1 MHz bandwidth and Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) of up to 1.2 million points. This article was published in audioXpress, December 2019.

audioXpress December 2019 dives into the latest wireless audio and DSP platforms and solutions in a dedicated Market Update, followed by a review of the latest Audio Precision APx555 B Series audio analyzer. David Logvin shares his experience with the xCORE VocalFusion development platform by XMOS, while Michael Steffes re-confirms a theory that cascaded amplifier + ADC harmonic distortion combine as voltage swings. Christopher Paul explores alternative approaches to the design of a linear current regulator for audio tube amplifiers, Menno van der Veen details an 18 W single-ended valve amplifier using Trans technology, and Richard Honeycutt investigates whether or not swapping out comparable tubes makes any audible difference in a guitar amplifier’s sound. Download your own copy now!