Midwest AudioFest 2017 and DIY Speaker Design Competition Returns July 14-15
Parts Express will hold its annual Midwest AudioFest from July 14–15, 2017 at Parts Express’ headquarters in Springboro (Dayton), OH. The event includes the Parts Express Warehouse Tent Sale, an Audio Swap Meet, a Mobile Electronics Competition Association (MECA) sponsored Auto Sound Competition, and the highlight of the event — the DIY Speaker Design Competition.
Audeze Introduces LCD-i4 In-Ears Based on the LCD-4
Audeze has launched the LCD-i4 — an all-out assault on making the absolute best in-ear phones, scaling down the renown LCD-4 headphones, and creating what they believe can be “an “End Game” in-ear headphone for music lovers desiring many of the performance qualities of the LCD-4 for both in-home use or while traveling.” The new flagship in-ears were the highlight for Audeze at the 2017 High End show in Munich, Germany.
Weiss and PSI Audio Reveal LiveBox Crosstalk Cancellation Based Speaker at High End Munich 2017
This is a dream project that’s been on the works for some time, and is now close to becoming a commercial reality. Combining all the possibilities of modern digital processing technology and electroacoustic design, Swiss companies Weiss and PSI Audio are promoting a fully working demonstration of the LiveBox fully-integrated Crosstalk Cancellation speaker, which allows both convincing stereo and binaural experiences from a single source, designed to be like “a piece of furniture.”
Mark Levinson Introduces № 515 Turntable and № 585.5 Integrated Amplifier with Pure Phono Module at High End 2017
At High End 2017, Mark Levinson is showcasing the № 515 Turntable, designed and built in partnership with industry-leader VPI Industries, and handcrafted in the USA, while introducing the brand new № 585.5 integrated amplifier with Pure Phono module. The № 585.5 is the second integrated amplifier in the Mark Levinson 500 series range, adding also an upgraded remote control and new three-piece extruded, machined, and anodized aluminum top cover.
miniDSP Introduces UMA-8 USB Microphone Array for Voice-Activated Applications
The new miniDSP UMA-8 is a high-performance yet low cost multichannel USB microphone array built around XMOS multicore technology, designed for voice-recognition application development. Seven high-performance MEMS microphones are configured in a circular arrangement to provide high-quality voice capture for a wide range of applications. Leveraging the onboard DSP processing, the UMA-8 supports voice algorithms including beamforming, noise reduction, acoustic echo cancellation and de-reverb.
VoiceLabs Announces new Sponsored Messages to Interact with Amazon Echo Consumers
VoiceLabs’ new Sponsored Messages service is the first native solution to help Amazon Alexa developers monetize, and invest in the voice-first evolution. Specializing in analytics for emerging applications such as voice personal assistants, VoiceLabs wants to provide brands with the ability to reach and interact with Amazon Echo consumers. The platform will also allow Alexa skill developers to monetize their work, VoiceLabs explains.
Point Source Audio and AuviTran Announce Distribution Partnership for the Americas
Point Source Audio (PSA) and French audio over IP network specialist AuviTran, announced their official partnership to distribute AuviTran products throughout North America. In this agreement, Point Source Audio — a manufacturer of miniature microphones and headsets — will tap its sales and support team to bring AuviTran solutions to proaudio and broadcast markets, which they believe simplify AV/IP networking convergence.
Expanse Affordable Electrostatic Speakers Campaign on Indiegogo
Another week, another speaker design is promoted on crowdfunding platforms. While some ideas are better than others, there's nothing like taking an existing technology and giving it an updated use for modern needs. That's what IC One Two (IC12), a company from Australia, is realizing with their new Expanse Speakers range. A modern take on the best acoustic properties of electrostatic transducers in two affordable systems for desktop and home-theater use.
Hafler Introduces HA75-DAC Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC
Hafler (a division of Radial Engineering) announced the launch of the HA75-DAC, an audiophile-quality tube based headphone amplifier and USB digital to analog converter. Basically, Radial took its existing Hafler HA75 "vintage inspired" headphone amplifier, a 100% discrete class-A circuit with a 12AX7 tube drive, and added a USB Digital-to-Analog converter input with 24-bit/192kHz support in the same 14 gauge steel casing, making it a much more practical and complete unit in multiple applications.
Avermetrics Releases 8-Channel Switch for Audio Measurements
Audio and electronic production test systems specialist, Avermetrics, has announced the release of its new 9084 Analog Switch. Based in Los Angeles, California, Avermetrics develops highly modular and scalable test solutions for electronics production lines. Its new 9084 Analog Switch was precisely designed to respond to the needs of audio equipment manufacturers with high-channel count devices that need to be tested.