AKM Announces New Low-Power 32-Bit Stereo DAC with 32% Smaller Footprint

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has started mass production of the AK4333ECB, a 32-bit stereo audio D/A converter (DAC) with built-in headphone amplifier. While the mounting area has been significantly reduced by 32% compared to AKM's previous products, it features Velvet Sound technology for high sound quality. The new low power DAC was developed to enhance mobile and portable wireless designs, such as wireless headphones and VR/AR headsets.

Austrian microspeaker company USound is the most advanced MEMS Microspeakers initiative currently in the market. Since announcing a production partnership with STMicroelectronics in 2017, the world's first miniature piezoelectric MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) actuators for smart audio systems in portable devices have become a commercial reality. Targeting multiple possible applications from headsets to high-end speakers and completely new development ideas, USound has announced multiple reference solutions to push the technology forward.

Diodes Incorporated announced an enhanced version of its popular sounder driver for small and portable devices. The PAM8904E delivers higher performance at a lower voltage in a smaller package. The PAM8904E sounder driver is designed to meet the requirements of the smallest application operating from extremely low voltages.

It’s not unusual to see friends gathered around a sideways-turned phone to share the viewing and listening experience while watching videos on the phone’s external speakers. This trend toward stereo audio in smartphones, and other audio-playing devices, shows that audio amplifiers are playing a more important role in smartphone design. As a result, audio amplifiers are seeing a big jump in both unit volume and technology. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2019.