Next Generation Audio and Video Technologies and the Future of Broadcast and Streaming
Learn more about next generation audio and MPEG-H Audio, the industry’s most advanced audio system for UHD-TV and streaming. A new webinar series promoted by Fraunhofer IIS, featuring a distinguished panel of experts in standardization, broadcast and production workflows will talk about pioneering solutions for immersive audio and video production, efficient delivery formats and live encoders for broadcast and OTT, as well as creation of enhanced consumer experiences. Register now for the three sessions, October 6, 8, 13, 2020.
McIntosh Announces Matching MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
Following the immensely popular and retro styled MA252 and MA352 Integrated Amplifiers, which took design cues from the timeless MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier, McIntosh introduced two more matching separates with similar styling: the MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. "Featuring styling reminiscent of their 1950s and 1960s designs, the MC830 and C8 are full of modern day technology to produce an amazing home audio experience. When a pair of MC830s are combined with the C8, they can form the foundation of system that can deliver a lifelike home audio experience," McIntosh says.
Bose Enters Headphone Gaming Market with QuietComfort 35 II
Bose introduced their first gaming headphones, cleverly repackaging the brand's extremely popular Bose QuietComfort 35 II ANC model as a gaming headset. For that, Bose combined the already proven features of the QuietComfort 35 II design with a detachable gaming module and attachable microphone boom, turning into a 2-in-1 gaming and lifestyle headset. The QC35 II Gaming Headset will respond perfectly to the demands of hours of competitive gaming and music listening, with a comfortable fit, with just a few added controls on the earcups.
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Nominees for the 36th Annual TEC Awards Announced
The TEC Awards committee and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) have announced the nominees across the 22 Technical Achievement and seven Creative Achievement TEC Award categories. The annual TEC Awards recognizes and celebrates the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games, and multi-media. The TEC Awards creators and innovators will be honored during Believe in Music Week, January 2021.
Sound Semiconductor Unveils Next Generation SSI2130 Voltage Controlled Oscillator IC
Following the recent expansion of Sound Semiconductor's range of IC products with new single and dual VCA chips, the Sonora, California, -based company founded by Dan Parks, now announced a new audio-band Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) integrated circuit. The first new electronic music VCO IC in decades, the FatKeys SSI2130 has been a long time in the making, and credit is due to the company's great chip designers, which seem determined to quickly build up Sound Semiconductor's portfolio.
Eminence Speakers Launches Impulse Response Library
Eminence Speakers launched the digital version of its legendary guitar speakers — Eminence Impulse Response (IR) library — developed in conjunction with the highly respected amplifier profiler and guitarist, Michael Britt. This announcement follows the trend from guitar speaker manufacturers to release official IR files of its own best-selling models to support the growing trend of amplifier profilers and emulators, as well as studio production.
The Internal Life of Vacuum Tubes
A few years ago, Jan Didden designed a high-voltage delay unit and shared its details in a 2019 audioXpress article. Many people built it and like it, but others said that it would be totally unnecessary. As so often happens in audio, arguments pro and con raged without a clear resolution. So Didden thought this was something he needed to get his head around. He found several sources, which he thought were credible, and this article is the result of his investigations, fed by those sources. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2020.
Bowers & Wilkins Launches Special PX7 Carbon Edition Wireless Headphones to Celebrate a Decade of Headphone Success
Over the past 12 months, Bowers & Wilkins has enjoyed outstanding success with its flagship PX7 over-ear wireless ANC headphones. 2020 also marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Bowers & Wilkins first-ever headphone design, the iconic P5 — a breakthrough model that redefined the premium performance headphone category. Naturally the company decided it was time to celebrate that success, with the launch of the PX7 Carbon Edition featuring a new premium black finish and added support for aptX Adaptive.
Mytek Announces New "Cost No Object" Empire DAC Streamer and Preamplifier
New York-based Mytek Digital revealed the details on its new Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier, supposed to be the flagship of a new Empire series of very high-end audio products. As the company describes, this is an "all out" assault on the state-of-the-art, establishing Mytek as a top echelon player in the high-performance audio arena. The Streamer will be “Powered by Roon OS” and features an internal Roon Core that can drive both the ultra-high performance Empire DAC and external Roon endpoints.
SEAS Takes Over Soundcare SuperSpikes Business and Brand
Soundcare AS was established in June 1996, in Norway. It developed from an idea of making the best spikes for audio equipment that wouldn't cause damage to the surfaces. Now, loudspeaker driver manufacturer SEAS Fabrikker, which has been manufacturing Soundcare products in-house since 2017, is taking over the Soundcare SuperSpikes business and brand.