Tag: #audio

Tech Review – Creative SXFI AMP

Need to boost your audio experience on your earbuds and headphones well here is the must have gadget to do so and not only that this enhances more than you might think as it can be used with gaming consoles such as the PS4 PS5 and Nintendo Switch to give you an even more enhanced experience, this little kit which is the size of your little finger is simple solution to enhance all your audio experiences and this includes gaming devices as well as phones.

This is a well built piece of kit which could be passed as a dongle with and gives you the ability to use any headphones and you get an adapter in the box which is a USB-C to USB-C connector there is a 3.5 mm socket on the end and then you have the controls up front that have that clicky feel to them you control volume and skip tracks with these and then there is the circular button up top which turns on/off the holographic experience. The whole unit is encased in aluminum.

The SuperX-Fi AMP basically enhances the listening experiences and I tested both earphones and headphones on this and it can make cheap headphones sound good in some cases and basically puts you centre stage it feels like there is speakers all round giving you an immersive experience ..

There is a huge list of headphones to pick from when setting up and if you find your headphones not there you can select something close them you will see all this in the video below and what is involved and how to use the app. You will need to create a profile and do some head mapping which is now becoming a common trend these days. The app picks up your tracks  you can personalise and pick your headphones from the extensive list available now and also toggle with the equalizer, finally in the app you can manage your devices..

MUSIC

Experience music on your headphones as if you’re listening to the recording artist in a studio! Enjoy Super X-Fi on your local hi-res FLAC files or stream your favorite songs over Spotify app on mobile or PC with SXFI AMP. Try out some old mono tracks from the golden age and you’ll be amazed how Super X-Fi transforms the music.

MOVIES

Immerse yourself in a holographic audio experience whenever you are with your headphones. Whether you are watching movies on your laptop or travelling on an airplane with your Android phone, just plug in the SXFI AMP and enjoy! Super X-Fi is capable of transforming videos into full-fledged, cinematic audio experience.

GAMES

Enjoy games with the full cinematic capabilities of Super X-Fi! Simply plug in the SXFI AMP with your headphones into your PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or on PC — the soundstage of the game opens up and you feel as if you were actually transported into the game environment itself. Your games will never sound the same anymore!

The Creative SXFI AMP was sent to us to review with no preview,payment or input and are seeing the review the same time as you.

BUY

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Vitec acquires Audix, the premier microphone brand for studio and live performance audio

Vitec Imaging Solutions, a Division of The Vitec Group plc (“Vitec”), the international provider of premium branded hardware products and software solutions to the growing content creation market, is pleased to announce that on 10th January 2022 it agreed to acquire Audix and its affiliates, with the deal expected to close shortly. The acquisition continues Vitec’s mission to marry great audio with great video for all types of creators.

Audix is a leading, high-quality microphone brand for studio and live performance audio based in Portland, Oregon, with a cult following in the US market. The highly respected brand focuses on premium, professional vocal and instrument microphones, designed for studio, commercial and live applications, with cutting-edge audio technology designed and manufactured in the US.

As part of the Vitec family, the Audix team and facility in Oregon will become Vitec Imaging Solutions’ Audio R&D Centre of Excellence, enabling the acceleration of in-house microphone product design, development and manufacturing across all Vitec audio brands. With the acquisition of Audix, Vitec’s audio capture strategy is now structured around three core brands that cover all growth segments of the $1 billion microphone market.

1. Audix: The Best Microphones for Studio Recording and Installed Sound
Under the global umbrella of Vitec Imaging Solutions, Vitec will add sales, marketing and e-commerce capabilities to develop the iconic US brand worldwide, while maintaining its high level of innovation, with a primary focus on fast-growing wireless applications. Audix will open its vertically integrated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the US to the rest of Vitec’s audio brands, ensuring the innovation is applied across our whole audio portfolio to the benefit of all Vitec brands’ users.

2. Rycote: The Leading Microphones and Noise Cancellation Accessories for Professional Broadcasting and Filmmakers

The Rycote brand is dedicated to the broadcast and production segment where it’s trusted by professionals for market-leading windshields, shock mounts and handling protection systems. While Rycote windshields and mounts will continue to be made in the UK, Rycote’s broadcast microphones will benefit from the additional manufacturing facilities in the US. This will enable us to extend the range, further enhance product performance and better serve the US market.

3. JOBY: The Most Versatile Mobile Microphones for Content Creators
The JOBY brand is our largest volume offering, servicing the 40 million monetising social media influencers for whom great audio quality is a critical component of their success. The JOBY microphone range is expanding later this month with exciting new additions including professional on-camera mics and innovative solutions for podcasters and gamers. Going forward, the development of JOBY microphones will move to the US to accelerate the innovation process in the largest content creator market.

“Audix is the perfect addition to our existing audio range, in a high-tech, growing category,” said Marco Pezzana, Divisional CEO at Vitec Imaging Solutions. “The brand will significantly increase our total addressable market, advance our audio technology capabilities and, most importantly, bring great people with intimate knowledge of the audio industry, who will be a real asset to the company and enable us to accelerate the delivery of Vitec’s audio strategy and delight the content creator community with easy to use, high fidelity audio capture solutions.”

 

Tech Review – Creative Stage 360 soundbar with Dolby Atmos

Need to up the game in your home with some better sound well the Creative Stage 360 soundbar is one to look out for if you want better home entertainment, not only that this can be used for gaming and also connecting bluetooth devices too and more so if you are having friends over and want to pump out the tunes it is no problem.

The design and build is much the same as the previous model but only better when it comes to the sound element with many settings to pick from to get the exact fine tuning you need and this can be done via the remote control or there is some options via the keys placed on top of the soundbar itself, the subwoofer just plugs in beside it and then you can place where it suits you best.

With the integration of Dolby Atmos technology, the Creative Stage 360 allows users to enjoy three-dimensional, cinema-like audio with realistic surround and height reproduction by simply playing any supported Dolby Atmos content from popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and many more. The latest soundbar also boasts all-new, custom-tuned racetrack drivers along with a dedicated long-throw subwoofer as well as a total peak power of up to 240W to deliver a stronger audio punch with every beat.

Adding to that, this soundbar is optimized for both near-field and far-field listening – regardless of whether it is placed in the living room or at the desktop, users can easily switch between either setting with the newly-designed IR remote control.

With the integration of Dolby Atmos technology, the Creative Stage 360 allows users to enjoy three-dimensional, cinema-like audio with realistic surround and height reproduction by simply playing any supported Dolby Atmos content from popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and many more. The latest soundbar also boasts all-new, custom-tuned racetrack drivers along with a dedicated long-throw subwoofer as well as a total peak power of up to 240W to deliver a stronger audio punch with every beat.

Adding to that, this soundbar is optimized for both near-field and far-field listening – regardless of whether it is placed in the living room or at the desktop, users can easily switch between either setting with the newly-designed IR remote control.

Check out the video below for an unboxing and sound test where you can see what the Stage 360 offers and from where I sit and having tested it does an excellent job and gives you am more immersive feel to watching films and more and turning the volume up to the max.

BUY HERE

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Deezer releases Christmas Flow Mood Wheel

The holiday season is finally upon us! Music fans are getting ready to sing along to their favourite Christmas tunes. Deezer is here to help you get into the  festive spirit, so we’ve added a brand new seasonal ‘Christmas’ mood to the Flow Wheel. All you have to do to get an endless stream of holiday-themed tunes that are tailored to your unique taste, is bring up the Flow Moods wheel, select “Christmas” and enjoy*.

To find the Christmas mood, first select ‘Flow’ in the Deezer app. Then simply tap the Flow Moods rainbow wheel icon above the cover art to bring up the seven different mood options, pick “Christmas” and let us do the rest. Oh, and there’s snow. To help you dream of a white Christmas, Deezer has made sure that the snow is falling in your player as long as the Christmas Flow mood is on.

“We know that music helps our listeners make the holidays feel special. But it’s easy to get stuck listening to the same Christmas album over and over again. Our new Christmas Flow mood lets users enjoy an endless and varied stream of holiday tunes that is in sync with their personal taste. It’s one of the ways we wish Happy Holidays to all of our listeners and thank them for their continued support,” said Deezer’s Head of Product, Alexandra Leloup.

In addition to the new Christmas mood, Deezer’s Flow Mood Wheel offers listeners six different options to tailor their personal stream of music to their mood:

  • You & Me – Helps to set the mood for romance with feel-good tracks that you and your partner will love
  • Motivation – Make workouts a joyful experience with a power mix to keep you pumped
  • Chill – Let your favorite artists help you unwind and relax
  • Melancholy – If you’re in the mood for a good cry or are feeling blue, these tunes will help you get through it
  • Focus – Let us help you stay in your zone and avoid distractions with the right kind of music to help you concentrate
  • Party – Get in the spirit with an endless mix of crowd-pleasing music to get you dancing.

If you prefer the comfort of an expertly curated musical Christmas, have no fear! Deezer’s editors have made you a channel with the best tunes for the upcoming Holidays. Here you’ll find everything from playlists made by artists like Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, Sam Smith and Leona Lewis, and a curated selection of podcasts and albums. The Christmas Channel is available now for all Deezer users. And don’t forget, it’s easier than ever to sing along to your favourite snowy tunes thanks to Deezer’s synchronised lyrics feature in the app!

* The Deezer Christmas Flow Mood is available to all Deezer users on iOS from 6 December. We will roll-out the feature to Android users between 13 and 20 December. IOS users need version 9.1.0 of the Deezer app to enjoy this feature, while Android users will need version 6.2.42.

British Start Up “WOLF” Brings Metaverse Experience To The World Of Social Audio

New ‘Showreel’ feature brings unique user generated visual experience to audio creators

British start-up, WOLF (The World’s Online Festival) is entering the metaverse with a creative blend of audio and visual content; transforming listen-only content into 3D cinematic visual events in its latest feature, Showreel.

WOLF allows users to chat, entertain, and perform on a virtual themed stage, whether it be a main stage, a beach or in a studio. The patented Showreel feature is set to revolutionise the app with its ability to take a live audio broadcast and instantly turn it into a visual virtual reality gig.

Nodding to the interoperability of the metaverse, Showreel offers audio content creators a virtual space where humans can share experiences in new ways. Engaging in each other’s work and building upon the creativity of others to generate totally original shared online experiences.

Within WOLF, content creators can perform in live shows where there are multiple means of audience participation. Created in-house by the team’s developers in Newcastle, the idea of Showreel is that everyone in the show – creator and audience – can be involved in a user generated interactive festival experience.

The audience can jump on stage with the performers if the producers allow them to engage with them. They can use the new DJ functionality to add their own sound effects or audio experiences to the show, overlaid upon what’s already going on, as the functionality develops. While this is happening, the performers can see the audience’s messages, emoji and GIFs in real-time in the text chat area, and immediately gain an articulation of their audience’s sentiment and comments, which they can react to in real time – something you can’t do at a real-world gig.

Visually, the virtual reality can then be live streamed instantly as a video or recorded for future playback and sharing on YouTube or any other channels. Virtual reality mini snippets or edited highlights packages can be editorially created, for the performers and producers to share on social media channels.

Showreel gives content creators the opportunity to capture and share their shows, outside of the app, across multiple other platforms such as YouTube.

The British startup has attracted over a million users in its first year, with particular success in the Middle Eastern market where users seek platforms where they can engage with a community in a way they feel comfortable with.

Gary Knight WOLF CEO, says: “The metaverse will be the biggest thing to happen online in the next decade. The possibilities are infinite and for us, Showreel is a demonstration of what we can create in the future. Merging audio with 3D, cinematic visual events, gives our users a virtually shared space to entertain and connect with others in a virtual world.

“Showreel will maintain the sense of community we have among our users but we’re adding in some physical presence and real-time interaction. It plays elements of the audio performance without compromising anonymity – an important feature for the MENA audience.”

WOLF, which launched last year just as the global pandemic began, presents up to 100 festival shows on the app per day. Each performance has the option to use Showreel and transform audio into a visual piece of content as well.

The enhanced feature comes as social audio enjoys being the hot topic in the world of social networks right now. The combination of a global lockdown and Clubhouse bursting onto the scene has accelerated the growth of audio over the past year.

Gary Knight, WOLF CEO, continues: “It’s exciting to see the popularity of audio as a medium, but for there to be enough space for multiple versions of the same thing, just like there is for streaming and video, brands need to have a clear value proposition for their users. For us, entering the metaverse with Showreel enables us to deliver more than just audio, but in a way that continues to meet our users’ needs.

“Showreel is a neat way of blending audio and visual together while the app continues to deliver a unique way to experience the magic of real-world festivals, something we’ve all missed, to a digital world. It isn’t focused on live camera content which satisfies our users’ needs who may not want to be on camera.”

“We’re delighted to offer our community an opportunity to share their engaging content across other platforms that are more visually led and thus, further help them to increase their following and become more well-known in the audio space.”

WOLF is a free app available to download on Apple and Google Play app stores.

Axel Grell, World-Renowned Sound Engineer & Headphone Designer announces the brand new grell TWS/1 earbuds

grell, founded by renowned German headphone engineer Axel Grell, announces the debut of a brand-new line of true wireless headphones with the grell TWS/1 ($199.99 USD, €199.99 EUR, £179.99 GBP MSRP). The new in-ear headphones deliver audiophile-grade sound quality for consumers who crave crystal clear, transparent audio and a closer connection to their music, with a direct-to-consumer sales model designed to deliver a personalized, high-end listening experience to a new generation of users — so that the price reflects the Grell-designed sound-quality, alone.


Grell Audio TWS/1 in space grey 

 

An exclusive version of the grell True Wireless headphones — the drop + grell tws.01 — will be available via Drop.com, in November following an initial pre-sale period on http://www.grellaudio.com.

Featuring an all-black finish, distinguished from the space-grey TWS/1 version — which will be available following the international product launch — US customers who purchase the drop + grell tws.01 version will also receive additional blue wingtip options for an even more personalized and secure listening experience.

grell in-ear headphones mark a pioneering step forward in the realm of high-end listening devices, providing a unique combination of high-quality technological components, German design, and meticulous attention to detail. The result is a stunning sound-signature created expressly for a new generation of digitally connected listeners. 

For over three decades, Axel Grell has crafted headphones designed to produce world-class sound — at times, with little-to-no regard for price consideration. Throughout his mission to enhance the clarity and transparency in the headphone lines he produced, Grell garnered a devoted following among members of the audiophile community for his close attention to detail throughout all parts of the manufacturing process, pairing high-quality components with cutting-edge product designs — until the 1990s, when his uncompromising pursuit to design the most neutral headphones possible catapulted him to legendary status among audiophile communities. 

Grell Audio tws space grey in case

 

“I always try to create the best possible acoustical experience for the money, no matter the price point,” said Grell Founder, Axel Grell. “With Grell, we put our resources solely into achieving the best sound possible, emphasizing the acoustic experience of the product and providing audio that is fine-tuned to the user’s ear. With our focus on audio, alone, we carefully selected custom dynamic transducers, used the best chipset that is available, and the best sounding codecs, shipped directly to the consumer in simple, inexpensive packaging. And this is true for every pair of Grell earphones — giving the user high-end quality, but not at a high-end price.”

Making audiophile accessible

Axel Grell continues his quest to make the world sound better through his bold, new product designs. The new Grell true wireless headphones are a direct response to a growing new generation of audiophiles in the digital era who are looking to experience the ultimate transparency and clarity that headphones can offer — in a smaller in-ear form factor.

Featuring TWS/1 technology, custom 10mm dynamic drivers, 28-hour battery life (ANC on), and transducers with a tolerance of +/- 1 dB, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) — plus, Axel Grell Noise Annoyance Reduction (NAR) technology — Grell true wireless headphones boast minimalistic, industrial-style design, which contrasts the complexity and richness of the acoustic output, without sacrificing a comfortable fit.

Unlike any of the designer’s earlier endeavors, however, Grell seeks with its business model to lower the cost for the end-user, ushering in the future of high-res audio through a sales model tailored towards the spending habits of digital age looking for opportunities to save money on high-end products without sacrificing quality for price. Sold directly through the company’s website and through an exclusive pre-order release on Drop.com, Grell’s online-only sales model seeks to remove some of the economic barrier-to-entry for budding audiophiles, and to nurture the next generation of sound for tomorrow’s listener. 

Key Features:

  • True Wireless stereo earphones
  • SoundID-enabled personalization
  • High precision dynamic drivers
  • SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, Qualcomm® aptX™ adaptive, LHDC
  • Low-noise, match-paired microphones
  • Dynamic transducers (tolerance +/- 1 db)
  • Frequency Range: 6 Hz–22 kHz
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Bluetooth 5.2 compatible
  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
  • Noise Annoyance Reduction (NAR)
  • Range: up to 50m (164 ft)
  • Splash proof (IPX4)
  • Up to 28 hours battery with charging case (ANC on)

 

Grell in-ear headphones will be available via direct online sales. Pre-sale from 6th Oct via www.grellaudio.com with full availability both via grell online and Drop.com from November onwards.

Bluesound Professional Announces New Distribution Partners and Expands Activities in Asia

Premium streaming commercial audio brand appoints new distributors in the Caribbean and Poland, and adds coverage in Asia

Bluesound Professional, the premium distributed audio ecosystem for commercial spaces, today announced the exciting addition of two new distribution partners, while also adding new Asian markets to the Lenbrook Asia portfolio. The two new distribution partners include BVD International Inc., a regional distributor in the Caribbean, and Linearic, a distributor in Poland. Meanwhile, Lenbrook Asia, a sister company to Bluesound Professional and fellow subsidiary of Lenbrook International, has been laying down operational requirements to extend their distribution of Bluesound Professional products to additional markets in Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Cambodia.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome two new distributors to the Bluesound Professional team, as they are key leaders in the industry and in their respective markets,” says Graeme Harrison, Vice-President and General Manager of Bluesound Professional. “These new relationships and Lenbrook Asia’s expanded remit will bring our products into additional markets and help us to build popularity for our ground-breaking streaming audio solutions for commercial spaces.” 

Bluesound Professional is continuing to expand its distribution network. Since its launch at the Integrated Systems Europe show in February 2019, the company has expanded to over 25 international markets. As a growing commercial audio technology brand, Bluesound Professional encourages interested and qualified parties to submit an inquiry to the BluesoundProfessional.com website.

Creative launches the Stage 360 soundbar for an elevated entertainment experience

The Creative Stage 360 makes it simple for users to enjoy rich and powerful surround sound at the comfort of one’s home.

Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage 360, the latest addition to the well-established Stage series. This soundbar takes the home entertainment experience up a notch with better audio clarity and surround sound immersion with the integration of Dolby Atmos technology. On top of that, the soundbar also features newly developed system drivers, dual sound placements and an array of new connectivity options, making it the perfect all-in-one home audio upgrade for an elevated music, movie and gaming experience.

The Creative Stage 360 makes it simple for users to enjoy rich and powerful surround sound at the comfort of one’s home.

Indulge in Cinema-Like Audio

With the integration of Dolby Atmos technology, the Creative Stage 360 allows users to enjoy three-dimensional, cinema-like audio with realistic surround and height reproduction by simply playing any supported Dolby Atmos content from popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and many more. The latest soundbar also boasts all-new, custom-tuned racetrack drivers along with a dedicated long-throw subwoofer as well as a total peak power of up to 240W to deliver a stronger audio punch with every beat.

Adding to that, this soundbar is optimized for both near-field and far-field listening – regardless of whether it is placed in the living room or at the desktop, users can easily switch between either setting with the newly-designed IR remote control.

Stay Connected, Stay Stylish

Upgraded with both wired and wireless connectivity options like HDMI ARC port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, an optical-in, as well as Bluetooth 5.0, the Creative Stage 360 offers a one-stop home audio solution for devices including TVs, computers, mobile devices, or even gaming consoles. With a sleek and compact form factor, the Creative Stage 360 fits right into any room and delivers a hefty audio punch for the price, making it the ideal all-in-one home audio solution to support every entertainment need.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Stage 360 is attractively priced at US$229.99, €229.99, £199.99, PLN99 and is available at Creative.com.

https://youtu.be/rcli402PB_Q

Creative Launches Sound Blaster Katana V2

Creative Technology today announced the release of Sound Blaster Katana V2, the successor to the original Sound BlasterX Katana which had been regarded by many as the definitive gaming soundbar. Completely redesigned with an all-new sleek form factor, it delivers 68% more power than before, features improved audio dynamics and transforms the headphone experience with Super X-Fi Headphone Holography – this new Katana is a menacing weapon for desktop and console gamers alike.

Gaming Sounds Exciting Again

The Sound Blaster Katana V2 personifies the culmination of Creative’s best audio technologies as it brings games and movies to life through its 5.1 channel playback. Delivering the sound signature of a high-end Sound Blaster, built with more than 30 years of audio processing expertise, it retains the acclaimed tri-amplified design of its predecessor, where each of its 5 drivers is powered individually by Creative’s proprietary multi-core DSP controller. The audio quality is enhanced further through improved fabric dome tweeters for cleaner and more refined highs, and a larger, more imposing subwoofer for deeper yet impactful bass performance.

For users who prefer to shut out the world or battle away late into the night without disturbing others, Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, a multiple award-winning technology which recreates the soundstage of a high-end multi-speaker system in headphones, is the compelling solution. Built into the Sound Blaster Katana V2 with the integrated Super X-Fi UltraDSP chip, users will experience holographic audio that is personalized according to how they hear sound, and enjoy an unprecedented level of realism as they fully immerse themselves in a movie, or dive right into the gaming battlefield.

Enemy-spotting gets easier than ever before – with SXFI BATTLE Mode, a sound mode which is specially designed to give FPS gamers an unprecedented edge in enhanced audio cues, both for directionality and distance. There is also Scout Mode, a familiar Sound Blaster feature which focuses on sound detection so that opponents are heard before they are seen moving on screen.

With an integrated Dolby Audio decoder, users get to enjoy the cinematic experience not just while gaming, but also while movie-binging on streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime.

All-in-One Audio Hub

The Sound Blaster Katana V2 can be customized to sound and look just the way users like it. When connected to the Creative app (both desktop and mobile), users can choose from various EQ settings and tune the audio with the Acoustic Engine suite. Furthermore, the redesigned RGB lighting strip features various illumination mode selections across 16.8 million colors, which intuitively reactive to the playback content.  These settings can be saved as customized profiles on either the app or the programmable buttons on the remote control.

It is comprehensively decked out with a multitude of connectivity options, with HDMI ARC and optical ports, wireless Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C port for USB audio support, 3.5mm AUX-in and SXFI-out for certified Super X-Fi products. It is compatible with desktops and consoles alike, including PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

All in all, the Sound Blaster Katana V2 provides a complete entertainment experience which transcends beyond what is expected of a gaming soundbar.

Pricing and Availability

Sound Blaster Katana V2 is priced at £299, US$329.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit www.creative.com/KatanaV2.