Product Design | Audio Electronics | Acoustics | DIY | Audio Innovations
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Dutch Speaker Company Mayht Receives Investment from Swedish Solar Cell Company Exeger |
Swedish company Exeger - the company behind the Powerfoyle solar cell material already powering self-charging consumer electronic devices - venture capital firm Forward.One, and music producer and DJ Martin Garrix, have led the latest funding round of investment in the innovative Dutch audio-tech start-up, Mayht. The Series A follow-up round takes investment in the firm to nearly USD $10 million so far. Mayht is the company that developed and is currently licensing its highly compact, powerful speaker driver topology, Heartmotion, which promises to increased speaker bass performance in shallow and more compact form factors. Read More
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Schiit Audio Announces Loki Max High-End, Remote-Controlled Equalizer |
Listen to music as you (not the artist) intended. Schiit Audio announced the availability of Loki Max, a six-band equalizer designed to meet the needs of the highest-end systems. Featuring remote control with relay potentiometers, a pure inductor-capacitor topology, and a fully discrete design with high voltage power supply, Loki Max was designed to be one of the best home listening EQs, ever - available at schiit.com for $1499. Read More
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Audio Precision Releases APx v7.0 Audio Measurement Software and Introduces New Subscription Model |
Audio Precision released the latest update to its APx500 audio measurement software, version 7.0, adding new enhancements suited to a wide range of audio test applications, whether analog, digital, or acoustic. In parallel with release 7.0, Audio Precision is also introducing APx500 software subscriptions, offering APx users an alternative in how they license APx software, and access nearly any software version and options. Read More
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GRAS Sound & Vibration Launches SysCheck2 Intelligent Acoustic Sensor System with Built-In Self-Verification |
Danish measurement microphone specialists GRAS Sound & Vibration, now a part of Axiometrix Solutions, announced two new microphones with SysCheck2 functionality allowing for a remote-controlled health check of an entire measurement chain. The new microphones are the GRAS 246AE 1/2" CCP Free-field Standard SysCheck2 Microphone Set and the GRAS 246AO 1/2" CCP Pressure Standard SysCheck2 Microphone Set, both featuring self-verification. Read More
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xMEMS Announces Tomales MEMS Side-Firing Tweeter for Smart Glasses and Extended Reality Headset Applications |
xMEMS Labs introduced Tomales, a new monolithic, 1mm-thin-profile MEMS tweeter µspeaker, available with top and side-firing package options that simplify speaker placement and positioning to direct audio toward the ear in smart glasses and augmented/extended reality headset applications. This new MEMS driver, which uses the company’s second-generation M2 speaker cell architecture, has an IP58 rating for dust/water that simplifies system integration in these designs. Read More
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Outline Announces Globe Source Radiator Acoustic Measurement Solution |
Designed in collaboration with the Department Of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the prestigious Brescia University in Lombardy, and engineered in Italy by Outline, the new Globe Source Radiator (GSR) high-power omnidirectional sound source solution provides a vital tool for acoustic analysis. Complemented with the Outline NG01 noise generator that can be controlled with a radio remote control, and the portable Outline L3000 DSP amplifier, the GSR offers a high-SPL solution for acoustic measurements in all environments, including large venues and spaces. Read More
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Nagra Celebrates 70th Anniversary with Limited Edition Turntable |
The Swiss company is celebrating its 70th anniversary in style with a limited edition product. The Nagra Reference Anniversary turntable is the product of a major research and development project. And like the original Nagra recorders, the Nagra Reference Anniversary turntable was designed to be cherished by generations. Only 70 units will be available, and each includes “in-home” setup and dial-in by Nagra factory specialists. Owners will also be invited for a VIP tour to the Nagra factory. Read More
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Precision Devices Introduces Next-Generation PD.1845-1N Sub Bass Driver |
The latest development from Precision Devices International, following the seismic abilities of the 24” and 21” sub bass woofers launched earlier in June 2021, the new 18” PD.1845-1N introduces clear design refinements, resulting in an ergonomic, vented cast-aluminum chassis that offers improved thermal control, also featuring an aluminum demodulation ring for ultra-low distortion. The 4.5" split winding copper-clad aluminum voice coil and vented long-throw motor system leverages a voice coil gap for reduced power compression and an optimized double silicone suspension system for ultimate cone control . Read More
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7 Sensing Software Supports Analog Devices' Low Power Audio Codecs |
7 Sensing Software, a company working in advanced embedded audio DSP and machine learning solutions for hearables, announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Analog Devices, Inc. The two companies are working together to incorporate 7 Sensing’s state-of-the-art audio solutions for wireless earbuds and headsets embedded into Analog Devices’ recently expanded family of low power codecs. 7 Sensing's Pure Voice solution and Hearing Augmentation suite will expand Analog Device's hardware platform with a valuable, differentiated feature set for consumer electronics manufacturers and brands . Read More
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Editor's Desk
J. Martins
(Editor-In-Chief)
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The Return of Velvet Sound
And News about Self-Powered Speakers
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This week The Audio Voice has a lot to catch up on after the Thanksgiving pause last week. Of course, the world continued to spin and the news continued to flow in the audio industry, as reflected by the audioXpress.com website, which was continuously updated. So much so, that we don't have space for all two weeks of highlights in a single newsletter and we struggled with the selection. A lot couldn't fit, so I strongly advise our readers to browse through the "News" section of the website to catch up on all the action.
And meanwhile, as always, there are last minute things that we think deserve a mention in this space. And we start with a very positive announcement.
We just received notice from Gaku Suzuki, General Manager for Digital Marketing HiFi ICs at Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) that the company's famed Velvet Sound DACs and ADCs are about to resume production and that we will soon see new audio product announcements from the company.
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Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) is resuming production and promises to provide further updates in January 2022. |
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Following the major fire that destroyed the AKM semiconductor factory in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, and completely halted manufacturing operations, and strongly affected the global supply of the critical DAC and ADC chips used by many audio equipment manufacturers, the company is finally resuming production. As audioXpress also learned, the company's official website that hosts information about AKM's Audio and Voice ICs, DSPs, and current sensors, among other products, has been relaunched ( www.akm.com) and will be offering more news.
Asahi Kasei Microdevices is a major supplier of advanced sensing devices based on compound semiconductor technology and sophisticated IC products featuring analog/digital mixed-signal technology. The "AKM" brand reflects the electronic component solutions business of the much larger Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corp., part of the Asahi Kasei Group, with manufacturing operations and offices spread globally.
The fire that lasted for more than three days at AKM's Nobeoka operation at the end of October 2020 was a tragic event in part because that was where all production for the different classes of audio converters was centralized. And not surprisingly, manufacturers that were highly dependent of those components for existing and recently launched products quickly amassed what was left in stock. More than a year since the fire, the company is finally resuming operations.
On the dedicated Velvet Sound website, the company posted the following announcement: " We are preparing to resume the shipment of samples in 2022. Sample shipments have previously been impacted by the fire that occurred in October of 2020 at our semiconductor plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. Details will be announced in January of 2022." Gaku Suzuki also confirmed to audioXpress that by the end of January, AKM is planning to release a new product related to high-end audio ICs.
This is certainly welcome news for the audio industry.
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In 2019, AKM introduced the flagship Verita AK4499, its first current-output DAC. The AK4499 is AKM's highest-performing DAC, with 140dB SNR and -124dB THD+N. |
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AKM has held a key role in the transition to high-quality digital audio since it released its first-generation delta-sigma modulation analog-to-digital converters (ADC) in 1987. AKM consistently improved conversion resolution, from the first generation of 16-bit devices to 18-, 24-, and 32-bit ADCs, and has increased sampling frequencies from 48kHz to 768kHz, being key to many great-sounding consumer and professional digital audio designs.
For over three decades, AKM shipped billions of these components to more than 2500 manufacturers in high-end audio, consumer electronics, automotive, professional audio, studio equipment and musical instruments. The Velvet Sound audio ICs in particular, reflect the company's expertise in low distortion and low noise and are regarded as a "core technology" in ADCs, DACs, and audio CODECs for very high-quality designs.
The Velvet Sound brand was launched in 2014, bringing with it a new-generation chip architecture. The third-generation Premium DAC, the Verita AK4490, employed AKM’s enhanced low-distortion technology to achieve 120dB SNR, and an industry-best voltage output performance of -112dB THD+N - the world's best distortion characteristics and world's lowest out-of-band noise. In 2019, AKM introduced the flagship Verita AK4499, its first current-output DAC and AKM's highest-performing DAC, with 140dB SNR and -124dB THD+N.
And AKM also introduced the concept of analog and digital parts of the DAC stage into separate ICs. AKM's AK4498+AK4191 combination allows analog ICs to use the AK4498 and digital ICs to use higher-performance DSP and FPGA to increase system-design flexibility and achieve even lower group delay.
In 2020, the company also released a new premium digital-to-analog converter (DAC) using a new audio-optimized LSI manufacturing process - the AK4462VN, a 32-bit stereo premium DAC that is the smallest device in AKM's DAC lineup.
In September 2020, just before the factory fire, AKM introduced the AKM AK4336ECB ultra-low power audio codec, a four-channel ADC and one-channel DAC that supports True Wireless Stereo (TWS) products with active noise cancelling, complementing its complete portfolio of audio systems and sensors for connected wearable solutions requiring smaller and longer battery life. And this is an area that is probably going to define growth for AKM in the near future.
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The combination of Exeger’s pioneering Powerfoyle material and Mayht’s speaker driver technology promises the creation of a new category of truly wireless audio technology that offers eternal battery life. |
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Dutch and Swedish Visionaries Announce World's First Self-Charging Wireless Speaker
The second story that I wanted to highlight is the announcement that Dutch speaker innovators Mayth have received a new round of funding, which included an important investment from Swedish company Exeger. Mayth Heartmotion speaker designs are extremely interesting and available for licensing, promising to increase speaker bass performance in shallow and more compact form factors, which are also more efficient.
Mayht, a company founded by brothers Mattias and Timothy Scheek, both having a strong passion for high-fidelity, is working in many interesting innovative technologies for loudspeakers and apparently has found in Exeger a great partner to disrupt the market.
Exeger is a Swedish company that is causing much excitement with its Powerfoyle patented solar cell material, already implemented in the successful Urbanista Los Angeles - the world’s first self-powered wireless headphones, and the recently awarded Blue Tiger Solare Bluetooth noise-cancelling headset for professional drivers - the latest product to feature Exeger's technology that allows continuous use without the need to recharge a battery.
To date, the Exeger Powerfoyle solar cell technology is already implemented in five products in four different verticals. The Urbanista Los Angeles are the world’s first self-powered headphones and hit the market in October 2021 with glowing reviews. In 2021, Exeger also announced partnerships with OSM group and Qualcomm to facilitate adoption of Powerfoyle.
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As already proven in the Urbanista Los Angeles wireless headphones, Powerfoyle converts all forms of light into clean, endless energy and has the unique ability to be formed and shaped to blend seamlessly into products without compromising design and aesthetics. |
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The interesting thing about Powerfoyle is the ability to convert all forms of indoor and outdoor light into energy, making it uniquely well-suited for the portable and mobile consumer electronics. Truly wireless, self-powered speakers is the next step for Exeger, and Mayht’s technology (and its efficient use of energy) coupled with Powerfoyle could help create the first self-powered speakers with infinite playtime. The two companies promise to show the concept at CES 2022, in a few days.
By combining Powerfoyle with Mayht’s Heartmotion speaker driver technology, the two companies are promising the first portable speaker design to offer truly unlimited battery life. The prototype of the new light-powered speakers, showcasing a reference technology that brands can integrate into future consumer products, is yet another mark of Exeger’s expansion ambitions within the audio industry.
“Exeger and Mayht have co-created an incredible product with the potential to change the way we listen to music,” comments CEO of Exeger, Giovanni Fili. “Together we are setting a new standard in the speaker market with an endless listening experience from amazing sounding speakers. Mayht is one of Europe’s most innovative audio tech companies and I’m incredibly proud of the product we are showcasing together at CES2022.”
"This is the start of a new era where self-powered products will become a natural part of everyday life for people around the world,” Giovanni Fili adds.
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Henrik Lindström and Giovanni Fili have led a research and manufacturing effort in Powerfoyle solar cell technology for more than 12 years. In November 2019, Exeger partnered with Swedish industrialization and manufacturing expert ABB to create Exeger’s first production site and the latest second factory to enter operation in 2022. "This is the start of a new era where self-powered products will become a natural part of everyday life for people around the world.” |
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Practical Test & Measurement |
The Lab Bench of 2021: Virtins Multi Instrument Measurement Software
By Stuart Yaniger
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Stuart Yaniger shares his more recent experiences with Virtins Multi Instrument Measurement Software, which he combined with his RME ADI-2 Pro FS R audio interface and the Linear Audio Autoranger II to create what he defines as the Lab Bench of 2021. This is effectively a very complete solution for anyone working on product testing and evaluation from home. It is also an approach that complements Yaniger's 2015 series of audioXpress articles on how to adapt home computers and sound cards for audio test and measurement. In this article, he experiments and updates his findings and recommendations about the Multi Instrument software. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2021. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
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Three New High-End 25mm High-Frequency Transducers from BlieSMa
By Vance Dickason
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This Test Bench combines three new 25mm high-frequency transducers from German brand BlieSMa into a single characterization: the BlieSMa T25S-6 Silk Dome, the BlieSMa T25B-6 Beryllium Dome, and the BlieSMa T25D-6 Diamond Dome. All three tweeters appear to be built on the same platform, but optimized for each diaphragm material, and all three share pretty much the same feature set. BlieSMa was founded in January 16, 2018 by former Morel and Accuton engineer, Stanislav Malikov. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2021. Read the Full Article Now Available Here
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Advancing the Evolution
of Audio Technology
audioXpress features great articles, projects, tips, and techniques for the best in quality audio. It connects manufacturers and distributors with audio engineers and enthusiasts eager for innovative solutions in sound, acoustic, and electronics.
Voice Coil, the periodical for the loudspeaker industry, delivers product reviews, company profiles, industry news, and design tips straight to professional audio engineers and manufacturers who have the authority to make powerful purchasing decisions.
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