Amplifier Series: A New Generation ICEpower

In this article, audioXpress visits Danish amplifier powerhouse ICEpower and we were given an insider’s look at its most recent advanced Class-D platform, ICEedge. The visit also provided the opportunity to look at several new products coming from the Danish amplifier specialists, but mainly focuses on the new ICEedge platform. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2017.

Loudspeaker modeling files are most often used with acoustical modeling programs such as EASE, Focus, CATT-Acoustic, and others to help determine how well the loudspeakers cover the audience areas and how much “spill” there is on the room’s surfaces. It is important to have accurate data about the characteristics of the loudspeakers that are used in the models. In this article, we will detail some of the requirements to help assure good measurement data for use with loudspeaker modeling. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2017.

These Test Bench samples came from Germany. From Eton I received the 29HD2, its neodymium motor tweeter, with a fairly rich feature set that includes an aluminum faceplate, a 28 mm diameter magnesium diaphragm with a ceramic coating on both sides protected by a cosmetically attractive grill/phase plug, and driven by an aluminum former wound with round copper-clad aluminum wire (CCAW). This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2017.

The samples for this Test Bench came from respected German home/car audio OEM transducer manufacturer Accuton. I received the Accuton C30-6-358, its new “Cell Concept” neodymium motor ceramic diaphragm 30 mm tweeter. The Accuton C30-6-358 is an interesting tweeter for several reasons. The mounting system, which is part of the “Cell Concept,” is definitely unique, with its proprietary clapping mechanism. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2017.

To understand more about the Hafler revival, we delve into some of Hafler’s history and the companies associated with it. In this article, Gary Galo reviews the new Hafler PH50 (designed for moving magnet cartridges) and the PH60 (moving coil) Phono Preamps, as well as the Hafler PH44 Moving Coil Step-Up Transformer. All products come from Radial Engineering, the owner of Jensen Transformers and the Hafler and Dynaco brands, which it bought in 2014. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2017.

Who says nothing exciting is happening in the loudspeaker industry? As the April 2017 edition of Voice Coil demonstrates, evolution is making headway in our industry. Read about the new GrapheneQ material from ORA Sound, how things are evolving in Microspeaker Design, and discover the major players in this exciting market. Also, learn what you need to generate Measurements for Loudspeaker Modeling Files and on drivers from two high-end manufacturers, Accuton and ETON, in Test Bench.

The April 2017 edition of audioXpress is now available and features the first story in the new Amplifier Series, with a visit to ICEPower in Denmark to learn about the new ICEedge Class-D platform. This month, audioXpress also goes hands-on with some new products from Hafler (Radial) and CEntrance. We feature an excellent DIY project from famed German tube-expert Gerhard Haas, explore how good streaming music is on Spotify, discuss the use of Bass Traps, and much more. Now available.