Speakers and Transducers and Lots More in Audio Development and Design with audioXpress January 2021

Celebrating 50 years of The Audio Amateur - the publishing company that started it all for us - and 20 years of audioXpress, we begin 2021 with a great - and expanded - edition. We discuss market and technology trends in Speakers and Transducers, a new MEMS transducer topology for wireless earbuds, and the latest innovations in haptic drivers and transducers. Perry Marshall details his unique dipoles speaker project, and renowned tube expert Menno van der Veen explains all the secrets of the latest Vanderveen Trans-SE10 amplifier. Now available in print and digital

Eastech has recently released five new drivers in its Punktkilde brand catalog. Punktkilde is Danish for "point source," which intends to highlight products designed by Danish high-end driver OEM Scan-Speak. The newly released drivers include the AUGWL0030-JN02, a 12" 8Ω woofer with a carbon pulp diaphragm; the 2" full-range AUGFL0005-JN08 compact design, and the 2.25” ultra-thin AUGWL0006-JN01, 3" AUGWL0008-JN07, and 3.5" AUGWL0009-JN04 radial magnet woofers.

Klippel GmbH, one of the global leading companies in the field of measurement technology for loudspeakers and audio systems, founded in 1997 by Dr. Wolfgang Klippel, announced that Benjamin Barth has been appointed general manager to its managing board. Barth has worked with Klippel for the past eight years and his appointment will allow Wolfgang Klippel to focus more on research and education, while the company aims to expand its portfolio of products and services.

This article explores Polyvinylidene Fluoride Film (PVDF), a piezoelectric polymer used in various transducers for headphones, microphones and loudspeakers. It seems that the audio engineering community at large is either not familiar with PVDF film or misunderstands PVDF piezoelectric film technology. Hopefully, this article will serve as an introduction (or reintroduction) to the technology. This article was originally published in audioXpress April 2013.

Audio Precision announced its new APx1701 Transducer Test Interface. The system integrates instrument-grade amplifiers and microphone power supplies for designers and production test engineers seeking clear insight into the behavior of their electro-acoustic devices. The new APx1701 raises the performance bar for electro-acoustic tests, introduces low-noise, low-distortion and flat-response accessory for loudspeaker, headphone and microphone measurements.

Loudspeaker and audio systems manufacturer MISCO has acquired Warkwyn Associates, an independent acoustic design, measurement, and testing lab. MISCO president Dan Digre says that Warkwyn will continue to provide its same high level of services for current Warkwyn customers. Warkwyn has relocated from Pakenham, Ontario to MISCO’s home base of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As promised, at the 2015 Prolight+Sound show, in Frankfurt, Beyma introduced its new WR low frequency 10WR300, 12WR400 and 15WR400 drivers for small and medium sized vented cabinets. Beyma also introduced the new 8CX300Fe 8” coaxial driver designed for full range applications and previewed upgraded versions of the 15P1000FeV2, 12P80NdV2 and 8P300Fe/N low frequency transducers.

MANUEL PODSZUS: I try to always use cutting-edge technology. For instance, I designed a mounting device for 3-D measurements on car doors, which require extremely low tolerances, for Daimler AG. Later, I was active in the field of micro-robot technology. In everything, I strive to find the perfect solution.