Tag: #audio

Audioscenic announces headphone audio support for the Amphi Suite

Audioscenic, the UK based spatial computing audio market leader, are proud to announce that Amphi – their best-in-class software package that integrates 3D audio beamforming technology with a wide range of consumer computing devices – now supports headphone processing. The update adds HRTF virtualisation for multichannel surround content giving users the ability to consume spatial audio through headphones and making the Audioscenic Amphi suite an even more versatile solution for spatial audio experiences.

“This software update is a much-needed addition to our suite, as PC ecosystem partners were requesting the ability to provide spatial audio reproduction through headphones and also to add customisation for their customers,” said Audioscenic CTO Marcos Simón. “Now, Audioscenic can offer a complete audio solution for all their customers including both speaker and headphone audio processing. Now, when consumers switch to headphones instead of speaker audio, they will still be able to consume spatial sound.”

Support for the Amphi Suite in Windows was announced early in June 2023 at the Computex trade show. At that time, Audioscenic announced the first implementation of their technology as a Windows APO that contained the Audioscenic 3D audio beamforming technology for spatial audio reproduction through speakers. With the newly added headphone components, users can enjoy spatial audio reproduction over headphones of multichannel surround audio and also personalise headphone EQ to a given headphone model. 

With the new added headphone components, users can enjoy spatial audio reproduction over headphones of multichannel surround audio and also personalise headphone EQ to a given headphone model. 

The Audioscenic team is also working on future releases of the Amphi headphone technology, including the ability to perform dynamic head-tracking to provide an even more enhanced sound immersion. “With or without headphones, we’re creating a completely customizable spatial audio experience that is accessible to anyone without needing to heavily invest in audio hardware.” said David Monteith, Audioscenic CEO. “Audioscenic’s mission as a company is to make the everyday spatial audio experience a fact of life — integrating into anywhere in the house where you might hear audio and benefit from that immersion, be it with gaming, movies, or music listening.”


Audioscenic Amphi GUI for Windows (Speaker mode, left; and Headphone mode, right.)

 

The Audioscenic team will be attending CES 2024, Las Vegas, where they will have a number of demo systems featuring the new Amphi Suite (laptops, monitors, desktop soundbars) and showcase new products based on the technology.

Edifier 30% off Black Friday deals not to be missed

Edifier will be running a 30% discount off some of their most popular models – the S3 included. The STAX S3 offer will be a reduction £379 to £265.30. https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0B4JWZYSS

This offer will run from November 17th until Monday 27th November. If you need to get a closer look check our reviews on site for all the reviews which we went hands on with from the brand that gives you great audio at even better prices now.

Other deals include 27% off the recently launched NeoBuds Pro 2 – https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0CFY1978H from £149.99 to 109.99

WH950NB from £179.99 to £149.99 a discount of 30% – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BM92D2D1/

WH500 from £39..99 to £23.99 – 40 % off –  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BM92D2D1/

W320TN 30% off from £99.99 to £69.99 – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7Q43WRR

W240TN 35% off £69.99 to £45.95- https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B2PGF9VD/?th=1

Sound from Ultrasound: Audio Pioneer xMEMS’ New Silicon Speaker Reinvents How Humans Experience Sound

xMEMS Labs, pioneers in solid-state, all-silicon micro speakers, today announced a revolutionary breakthrough in sound reproduction, changing the way mass-market, true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds create ultra high-quality, high-resolution sound experiences across all audio frequencies.

With the introduction of its groundbreaking new Cypress solid-state MEMS speaker, xMEMS engineers have replaced legacy push-air sound reproduction with the company’s ultrasonic amplitude modulation transduction principle. Ultrasonic modulation turns ultrasonic air pulses into rich, detailed, bass-heavy, high-fidelity sound, representing the first no-compromise alternative to the moving-coil concept for high-volume consumer active noise canceling (ANC) earbud micro speakers.

“By shifting to a sound from ultrasound principle, the xMEMS Cypress micro speaker can now officially replace traditional coil-and-magnet speakers in active noise canceling earbuds,” said Mike Housholder, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development for xMEMS. “Cypress maintains all of the benefits of xMEMS’ existing speakers, while being 40x louder in low frequencies, achieving a key requirement for ANC earbuds.”

How Cypress Creates the World’s Best Audio Experience 

Legacy coil speakers generate sound in the audible band, which is intrinsically inefficient. Cypress takes advantage of the characteristics unique to MEMS—speed, precision, and uniformity—to produce high-resolution audio more efficiently.

Sound from ultrasound has been a research topic since the 1960s but has never achieved the acoustic performance required for broad commercial appeal, until xMEMS’ Cypress.

As an air pulse generator, Cypress comprises: a modulator to generate an amplitude-modulated ultrasonic wave (carrier) that faithfully follows the amplitude of the intended audio signal; and a demodulator to synchronously demodulate the ultrasonic wave, transferring the acoustic energy down to the baseband, producing the intended audible sound as a result.

The sound envelope of ultrasonic pulses is an exact acoustic copy of the source signal, meaning across all frequencies, Cypress is more faithful to the original recording than current speaker technologies. As a result of its superior resolution in the time domain, Cypress can more accurately reproduce today’s advanced sound formats, including high-resolution and spatial audio.

“Cypress not only revolutionizes how sound can be reproduced from an electric signal, but it also redefines how it should be reproduced,” said Jemm Liang, xMEMS CTO.

 

Based on Proven Innovation in MEMS Design

Cypress leverages the same production-proven MEMS platform used for all existing xMEMS products and exploits all the benefits of xMEMS’ established solid-state speaker designs when compared to legacy coil architectures, including:

  • Faster mechanical response for unrivaled detail, clarity, and separation
  • Near-zero phase shift for the most accurate, unaltered sound reproduction
  • Superior part-to-part phase consistency for unparalleled spatial imaging accuracy
  • Rigid silicon diaphragms eliminate speaker breakup for unmatched mid/treble clarity
  • Non-magnetic, for lower weight and reduced electromagnetic interference
  • Superior quality, reliability and part-to-part uniformity from the solid-state semiconductor process

Now Cypress, in a 6.3 x 6.5 x 1.65mm package (9mm-diagonal), brings the added and significant benefit of being 40x louder in low frequencies compared to xMEMS’ prior generation speakers, providing stronger, deeper bass that is consistent with the best 10-12mm legacy coil speakers, including sound pressure levels (SPL) greater than 140dB as low as 20Hz.

MEMS and Ultrasonic Modulation Ideal for ANC Performance

This additional low frequency SPL is most critical for ANC earbuds. With Cypress, xMEMS brings unique advantages over legacy coil to further improve ANC applications. Cypress’ faster electrical-to-acoustic conversion can contribute to wider ANC bandwidth (i.e., extension of ANC to cancel higher frequency noise sources, like a crying baby). Plus, Cypress’ near-constant electrical-to-acoustic conversion time (group delay), can reduce DSP filter complexity which, in turn, leads to shorter DSP latency, rounding errors, and power consumption when processing ANC.

Availability

Full-function Cypress prototype silicon is now sampling to select early customers. Production-candidate samples of Cypress and the companion Alta controller/amplifier ASIC will sample in June 2024. Mass production is planned for late-2024.

xMEMS will demonstrate Cypress by appointment only January 9-12 at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, NV.

For more information about xMEMS and its solid-state fidelity solutions, visit xmems.com.

Jabra Early Black Friday Deals

Whether you’re working out to your favourite soundtrack or joining a work call, Jabra’s Elite range of earbuds has you covered. Jabra products are widely available in Ireland and the UK from stores such as Argos, Currys, John Lewis, Very and Harvey Norman so there is no shortage of stores to pick from and get a super pair of earbuds which are now discounted. 

Jabra Elite 5 

The all-rounder for music and calls. Check out our review 

Jabra Elite 3 

Exclusive to Argos in the UK and Harvey Norman in Ireland, these earbuds just got even more affordable.  Check out our review 

Jabra Elite 4

From Jabra with retailers Currys, Argos, John Lewis, Very.co.uk and Harvey Norman in Ireland. See our review 

 

You can  also look out for deals on the following:  

  • Jabra Elite 4 – Affordable earbuds for work and play –  See our review 
  • Jabra Elite 4 Active – Every-day earbuds, great for workouts and active lifestyles –  See our review 
  • Jabra Elite 8 Active – A new standard for durability and fit, these will stay put, even during the toughest workouts. Review soon

Sustainably crafted audio gifts from House of Marley this Christmas

House of Marley is an eco-conscious audio brand created in collaboration with Bob Marley’s family, taking the guilt out of tech purchases. The brand has some great options for music-loving loved ones, and are great for those looking to be more sustainable in their gifting this year! House of Marley crafts its products from mindfully sourced materials, including FSC certified wood, recyclable aluminium and the brand’s signature REWIND™ fabric.

Little Birds True Wireless Headphones – RRP £49.99

Available from: thehouseofmarley.co.uk, and Amazon

Crafted from bamboo and recycled plastics, these eco-friendly earbuds offer 6 hours of playtime, and up to 24 hours of listening with 3 additional charges with intuitive touch controls making music management swift and simple.

Stir it Up Lux Wireless Turntable – RRP £349.99

Available from: thehouseofmarley.co.uk, HMV and Amazon

A replaceable Audio-Technica 95E elliptical stylus and aluminium headshell, the Stir it Up Lux elevates your experience by way of improved sound quality and tracking ability.

Positive Vibration Frequency Headphones – RRP £99.99

Available from: thehouseofmarley.co.uk, HMV and Amazon

Experience convenience and uninterrupted listening pleasure with the Positive Vibration Frequency On-Ear Headphones. Offering a 34-hour playtime, these headphones enable you to enjoy your listening without needing to repeatedly recharge. In a hurry? Top up the battery with a 15-minute charge for 4 hours of music.

Get Together 2 Bluetooth Speaker – RRP £249.99

Available from: thehouseofmarley.co.uk, HMV and Amazon

Offering smooth acoustics and an impressive bass output, the latest addition to Marley’s line-up promises 15 hours of playtime – so you can enjoy your go-to playlists wherever you are. Featuring quick-charge technology, three EQ modes and a multipair setting, the Get Together 2 Mini speaker seamlessly connects to the entire Get Together 2 range for even bigger stereo sound. Built to withstand the elements, the Get Together 2 Mini speaker is water and dust-resistant, while upholding the classic bamboo accents House of Marley is known for.

Creative launches newest audio interface, Live! Audio A3

Creative Technology today announced the release of the Creative Live! Audio A3, the latest USB audio interface poised to transform the way users experience audio in their creative pursuits. Featuring high-resolution 24-bit recording and playback, versatile I/O connectivity, onboard level controls, and zero-latency direct monitoring, the Creative Live! Audio A3 serves as an essential tool for live streamers, content creators, and musicians seeking professional-grade audio quality.

The Creative Live! Audio A3 stands out with its high-resolution 24-bit recording and playback capabilities, ensuring that users experience exceptional audio clarity and fidelity for all types of content, from music to podcasts and voiceovers. Moreover, the 3.5 mm Mobile Audio I/O Jack minimizes caller input disruptions during remote interviews and podcast recordings, which allows users to seamlessly mix-minus audio to mobile devices while maintaining crystal-clear communication.

Elevate your sound and simplify your craft with the Creative Live! Audio A3

Tailored for a diverse range of users, the Creative Live! Audio A3 caters to the needs of musicians, podcasters, and content creators alike. It comes equipped with dual headphone jacks, each with individual volume controls, enabling users to fine-tune their listening experience. Furthermore, the interface includes a dual combo jack featuring a built-in mic preamp and Hi-Z switch, ensuring seamless compatibility with microphones, line-level devices, and instruments. On top of that, the integration of balanced stereo outputs eliminates common issues like electromagnetic interference to deliver clearer sound quality.

With the Creative Live! Audio A3, users can enjoy comprehensive audio control right at their fingertips with individual output and input volume controls, complemented by user-friendly indicators that make audio adjustments a breeze. Moreover, the zero-latency direct monitoring offers immediate sound feedback, a standout feature that strikes a chord with live streamers and musicians alike.

With high-resolution recording, seamless mobile audio integration, and intuitive controls, the Creative Live! Audio A3 shines as the ultimate audio solution for live streamers, content creators, and musicians looking to take their craft to the next level.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Live! Audio A3 is priced at US$299.99, UK£329.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit creative.com/LiveAudioA3

Final introduces VR2000 earphones for immersive gaming and 3D audio experience

Final, the Japanese high-end audio specialist, has announced their latest venture into the world of gaming and VR with the new VR2000 earphones.
For close to five decades, Final has long proven their mastery of all things hi-fi. Starting in 1974 with the development of high-end turntable cartridges, amplifies and CD transports, and more recently moving onto portable audio with their award-winning headphone and earphone models – final’s experience and insight is unmatched.
With the VR2000 Final has turned its attention to gamers, VR users and the captivating world of ASMR and immersive audio. Using newly designed ‘f-Core DU’ custom-made dynamic 6mm drivers developed in-house, final has been able to tune the VR2000 to extract every detail from your digital surroundings.
Whether playing a first-person shooter, exploring virtual worlds, relaxing to mediative ASMR or listening to a live jazz recording – the VR2000 will transport you into the heart of the action and deliver an experience like never before with no sound going unheard.
Hear distant footsteps and gunfire as though you were in battle yourself. Feel every reaction from a stadium full of thousands of spectators. Transport yourself to a 1970’s jazz club and hear every note played as though you were there.

A Wealth of Applications

Primarily designed for gaming and VR, the VR2000 can also be utilised to get the most out of live recordings, intricate electronic music, ASMR and the latest advancements in Dolby Atmos technology. Unlike typical earphones, the VR2000 has been designed to provide a spatial listening experience with a naturally vast soundstage and the ability to hear each and every sound individually separated with absolute clarity.
This attention to detail and separation lends itself most effectively to gamers – especially those involved within a competitive domain. The ability to react in-game is heavily reliant on the quality of the audio, and the speed at which users notice sound effects that have been produced for this very reason. The VR2000 is able to separate each sound and simultaneously deliver them accurately, and naturally, within its expansive soundstage.

‘f-Core DU’ Custom-Made Dynamic Driver

With the ‘f-Core DU’ driver, Final has managed to achieve a quality of sound that is unheard of in this price range. Completely redesigning driver parts such as diaphragms, voice coils, magnets, magnetic circuits, and adhesives, as well as production equipment. The material of the driver front housing is brass, which is less affected by magnetic force and has a higher specific gravity than general aluminium. In order to improve the time response performance of the diaphragm, the voice coil uses 30μ ultra-fine CCAW and is assembled with a minimum amount of adhesive to thoroughly reduce the weight of the moving parts.
Further developments in housing design have resulted in a uniquely attractive appearance and comfortable fit for the VR2000. Shells made from ABS plastic provides durability, and the OFC cable is covered in a tough and flexible coating with an in-line 3 button control with a high-quality built-in microphone – ideal for online gaming, streaming and taking calls.
The VR2000 comes supplied with a number of accessories including a selection of final Type E silicon eartips, earhooks for added support, and a carry pouch for safe storage.

Specifications

Housing: ABS
Driver Type: 6mm ‘fCore DU’ Dynamic Driver
Colour: Olive Green
Cable: OFC with in-line microphone
Cable Length: 1.2m
Sensitivity: 102dB
Impedance: 18Ω
Weight: 20g
The Final VR2000 will be available to buy on the 15th of October for £59.99/$69.99/€67.99 from Amazon and selected retailers worldwide.

RoEx Unveils Automix: Accelerating Music Production with AI-Powered Audio Enhancement

RoEx, an innovative music tech startup was born to simplify technology for creative minds. RoEx has its roots in academia, born out of a PhD project at the intersection of Music and Machine Learning, with Queen Mary University of London. Under the leadership of David Ronan, RoEx’s mission is to revolutionise the process of audio production, thereby democratising music creation for up-and-coming artists.

RoEx’s mission is embodied in its newest groundbreaking product, Automix, a game-changing tool that brings AI-powered mixing to the forefront of music production.

At its core, Automix simplifies and enhances the intricate processes of music production. With an intuitive interface and user-friendly controls, it empowers musicians, producers and content creators, of all skill levels, to achieve professional-grade results quickly. By leveraging the power of AI, Automix optimises elements such as balance, EQ, compression, and spatialisation to deliver polished, studio-quality audio that meets industry standards.

David Ronan, RoEx CEO comments: “Just as Instagram transformed photography by making filters universally accessible, we aspire to revolutionise the world of music production. We recognise the modern musician’s desire for professional sound without the intimidating complexities of compressors, EQ settings, or the necessity for costly studios and intricate plugins. Our mission is to make top-tier production quality both accessible and efficient for all creatives, without any barriers.”

Image: RoEx CEO – David Ronan

This innovative solution allows producers and content creators to upload tracks they’ve home-recorded and transform them into professionally finished pieces, within minutes. With Automix, users can elevate their content, delivering continuous value at an unprecedented level. RoEx aspires to shoulder the technical aspects of music production, allowing artists to concentrate on their creativity. In essence, RoEx is the realisation of a vision to foster creativity, through groundbreaking technology.

“Looking to the future, we envisage our technology integrating seamlessly with various DAWs, whether they are traditional desktop systems or emerging cloud-based platforms. While the exact roadmap is still unfolding, our direction is unwavering: to democratise professional music creation, making it accessible and intuitive for all,” continues Ronan.

This innovative venture brought together CEO, David Ronan, alongside Professor Josh Reiss, Founder of LANDR. Their mission took its initial step with the launch of Mix Check Studio, a free AI tool created to identify mixing issues and offer improvement suggestions. Renowned Mix and Mastering Engineer Rich Keller, with 47 Platinum and 7 Grammy Nominations, shared his thoughts: ‘With tools like Mix Check Studio and Automix, RoEx is at the forefront of the AI audio processing revolution. I can only imagine the platform’s growing capabilities as it evolves. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a bedroom songwriter, RoEx is poised to redefine your workflow and help you achieve your sonic aspirations.”

The foundation of RoEx on mixing systems was rooted in pioneering research and is currently in the patenting process. While they offer an additional mastering service, its primary aim is to enhance the exceptional quality achieved through their AI-driven mixing system.

“Our unique focus on mixing, as opposed to just mastering, allows us to address a more intricate challenge – handling multiple input tracks as opposed to the single-track input nature of mastering. We take pride in leading the industry forward as the first to introduce a comprehensive AI mixing system to the market. RoEx’s Automix permits the concurrent mixing of up to eight tracks and even provides parallel mixing capabilities, with no restrictions. This feature facilitates users to mix an unlimited number of tracks using subgroups, an offering that remains unmatched in the industry,” concludes David Ronan, CEO of RoEx.

Tech Review – Sharp XParty Street Beat (PS-949)

The Sharp XParty Street Beat (PS-949) is a large speaker that can get several jobs done at once and ideal for street parties and more hence the name and it is still portable too, given that it is not too heavy but it comes ready to move like a suitcase either way which is really handy. This is one of the biggest speakers I have checked out recently and it certainly makes a statement when it comes to sound let me tell you, if like me you have neighbours playing all kinds of rubbish on their tinny sounding speakers this one just comes out and takes over them all.

What is also cool with this is the lighting effects on it so it is no one trick pony and to add to it there is a mic built in and not is only that loud the speaker is loud and comes with some cool presets too which is ideal for the street party or if you fancy doing a bit of dj work and so on.

The speaker is well built and has several inputs and outputs on it too which is covered by a rubber flap on the rear, this is where you plug in the mic and it also has two USB – A ports and a regular 3.5mm socket, you can connect your device that way or via Bluetooth which is how I used it and is probably the best way, not only that you have an app to go with it which matches the top deck which is super cool and makes life much easier if you are in control of the speaker.

The controls are simple to use and laid out nicely on top with a disc type wheel for volume etc,, this gives you the real dj effect which I am not by any stretch but it is fun to use and the controls again straight forward and it is easy to switch between modes and sounds. Also up to is a spot to rest your phone or tablet.

The sound is excellent from this speaker and being big gives you big sound, the bass is excellent and the EQ settings are also excellent with a notable difference between them unlike other speakers I have tested asides the sound the light show it emits is also great which takes the boring effect from a speaker with no RGB effects, there was also no lag latency noted on this speaker and it certainly packs a punch when it comes to banging out the tracks and dwarfs most home speakers your neighbours might have.

Finally there is also around 13 hours of battery life so no matter where you go with it you have power on the go and it will last the day and you can charge your mobile phone with it too should you run low on juice.

The App

 

Check the full video review below for more and see how it works and most importantly how it sounds, you will take over any party in the home, back garden or street with this one.

BUY

Video Review