Sony Introduces Powerful SRS-XB13 Extra Bass Bluetooth Speaker

Portable (battery-powered) Bluetooth 5 speakers are getting another market boost beyond the original "cheap and cool" factor or earlier designs. As Sony shows with its latest SRS-XB13 compact and portable wireless speaker, users want something that plays music with enough punch and expansive sound, but that can also be used anywhere as a convenient extension of a smartphone, to take over calls and replace the low-quality speaker mode experience in a seamless way. And it must cheap...

For this edition of The Audio Voice, I intended to focus a bit more on the latest developments in the fascinating world of sensors and how it impacts product development and design in all applications areas, particularly in consumer electronics, automotive, and health applications. After writing previously about Apple - the sensors on the Apple Watch and the surprising firmware updates for the AirPod Pro earbuds - I really didn't want to go back to Apple. But as always, Apple has a way of surprising us exactly when we least expected, and the company made another important audio announcement.

Opening what was broadly expected to be an event focused on the iPhone 12 unveiling, Apple introduced the new HomePod mini. Unlike the original HomePod, primarily focused on the music listening experience, the HomePod mini is touted as an actual Smart Speaker. In fact, betting on leading on four fronts: to combine a great music listening experience, an intelligent assistant, and smart home capabilities, with built-in privacy and security, in a beautiful compact design. Also much more affordable, at just $99.

Swedish speaker manufacturer Audio Pro announced a new product in its growing line of home entertainment speakers. The SW-10 - an active subwoofer designed to impress with its Scandinavian aesthetics, combines 200 watts Class D, DSP controlled amplification, an 8” long throw offer and two 9" passive radiators on the side of the cubic enclosure. Audio Pro says this premium sub will work perfectly with both music and movies and was engineered to integrate seamlessly with the brand's main speakers.

Vented systems are in chronic overload. This article shows how, by applying low-cost digital signal processors (DSPs) to passive radiators, you can extend bass an octave below what is normally considered practical. At the same time you can increase power handling and maximum output, and squeeze high performance from tiny systems. We all know reflex systems are more efficient and offer deeper bass than sealed systems. However, the vast majority still fall short of their potential by 6 to 12 dB or more. Worse yet, often people don’t realize how vulnerable drivers are to damage. Many abuse woofers without knowing it. Few realize how much more sound output is possible from a DSP Assisted Reflex design.

Stuart Yaniger reviews the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore speakers, the company’s second successful design since the Vanatoo’s Transparent Zero, which our author discovered and reviewed a few years ago. The new Transparent One Encore speakers clearly benefited from this Transparent Zero development effort to create a much improved model, retailing for just $599 per pair. This article was originally published in audioXpress, February 2020.

Ultimate Ears expanded its lineup of portable Bluetooth speakers with Ultimate Ears HyperBoom, the brand’s loudest speaker yet, rocking triple the loudness and more than six times the bass of MegaBoom 3, the previous largest size portable speaker from the Logitech brand. The new HyperBoom speaker promises to keep any party going with its powerful bass and wide dynamic range, easy music sharing feature, adaptive equalizer and rechargeable 24-hour battery.

The October 2019 edition of Voice Coil is packed full of essential reading material. Vance Dickason discusses Zero Phase in Studio Monitors with commentary from industry experts. In Acoustic Patents, a new Speaker Structure design patented by Yamaha, and a new Passive Acoustic Radiator Module, invented by Joseph Sahyoun are under review. And Test Bench characterizes a new high power coaxial compression driver and horn from B&C Speakers, and a 28 mm silk dome tweeter from Trueanalog. Now available to download!

Earthquake Sound is now shipping its new range of powered MiniMe DSP subwoofers, combining 600-watts of high efficiency Class D power in two models, with 10- or 12-inch long throw high-quality drivers, combined respectively with a 10- or 12-inch Mass Tuned SLAPS patented passive radiator system. Both the MiniMe DSP P10 and MiniMe DSP P12 offer full mobile app control of the built-in DSP features, including Auto Room Correction, SHS (Sub-harmonic Synthesizer), Selective Variable Crossover and operation switch for different ranges.

The new Dayton Audio IO65XT 6-1/2" IP65 speakers, together with the new IOSUB 10" IP66 subwoofer are a perfect proposition for increasing audio fidelity outdoors on both commercial and residential installs. The IO65XT weather-resistant speakers are available in black or white finishes, with both 70/100V taps and 8-ohm bypass, adding a passive radiator to extend the low-end response. When more bass response is needed, the new IOSUB2 10" high excursion subwoofer with exclusive acoustic tuning will extend the response even more.