New Ways to Measure Noise Cancelling, Transparency, and Other Modes in Headphones and Earphones

Now that headphones and earphones are adding situational awareness, hearing protection and hearing enhancement features, HEAD acoustics created new test methods to evaluate these functions, faithfully simulating environments that a consumer might typically encounter when using products with these features. As an experienced reviewer in this category, Brent Butterworth was invited to visit HEAD acoustics' US headquarters in Brighton, MI, to learn about all the solutions the company has developed for this purpose, based on measurement techniques outlined in ETSI standards.

The Audio Product Development Alliance (APDA) in association with the Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) Association, promotes a three day education symposium during the ALTI Expo & Conference 2023, June 11 - 13, 2023 at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the entrance to Universal, Orlando. Three days to improve your knowledge and skills in the development of audio products, from concept to delivery.

Another great issue of Voice Coil magazine. Vance Dickason writes about the Multi-Tone Measurement Module (MTON) available for the Klippel KA3 Analyzer. Mike Klasco and Nora Wong (Menlo Scientific) compiled an updated Directory of Headphone Test & Measurement Equipment for 2022. We revisit a 2004 patent of a speaker using an "Internal Negative Stiffness Mechanism." And in Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the latest Celestion CDX1-1412 1" Compression Driver and a new 3" dome midrange from Tang Band Speaker (TB Speaker).

MDAQS or Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score, is a new binaural perception-based software tool that replaces human evaluation with novel metrics in the assessment of audio quality. This is a much needed approach for characterization of headphones, earphones, speakers, and any audio system, including automotive audio designs, researched, documented and validated by audio test and measurement company HEAD acoustics.

ACQUA 5.0.100 is the first iteration of the new generation of the well-established measurement and analysis software ACQUA from HEAD acoustics. ACQUA's significantly reworked software structure provides even greater flexibility for voice and audio quality evaluation, while paving the way for future expansions. Designed for the requirements in applications as diverse as communication systems, Bluetooth, ANC headphones, or smart speakers, ACQUA now supports faster hardware configuration, perceived loudness analysis, and MDAQS audio quality evaluation.