Tag: spatial

Jabra Evolve3 85 first look

Jabra, a global leader in professional audio and video solutions, announcedthe launch of the Evolve3 series, the next generation of its market-leading headset lineup. Building on the success of Evolve and Evolve2, this latest evolution introduces a boomless mic design with class-leading comfort and portability, future-ready voice access for AI and real-time adaptive noise cancellation. It’s engineered to be the first true cross-over headset, built to meet the needs of today’s hybrid professionals and designed for day-to-day personal use.

The Evolve3 85 (over-the-ear) and Evolve3 75 (on-the-ear) offer professional-grade voice clarity and all-day comfort in a modern, contemporary and Danish design. Whether switching between meetings, concentrating on complex projects or using voice to activate AI tools, Evolve3 is built to match the pace and flexibility of modern work.

I have been testing these out for a few days but this does not warant a review just yet but I will say so far after initial testing these are specatular with the audio both on PC calls and listening to music so far and the size difference between the last model and these is remarkable and in my opinion not just a typical cautious spec bump most companies put out each year but rather a big leap foward.

Poor sound quality remains a top concern for today’s professionals, with 99 percent of knowledge workers reporting that bad audio impacts online meetings and call quality ranking as the number one pain point in headset use. Despite this, only 20% are using an enterprise grade headset and rely on other solutions, with 46 percent still bringing consumer headsets to work, which often lack the clarity, comfort and compatibility needed for professional communication.

There is a preference for consumer headset design, and Evolve3 is intended to meet this challenge with a cross-over experience that delivers professional grade performance paired with matching consumer expectations on design. For the first time, users will sound professional but look smart, regardless of wearing it for prolonged time in the office, being on calls in an airport, listening to media on a flight, taking meetings while commuting in traffic or any other situation where you need a headset. Evolve3 delivers clear speech in any environment, even outdoors, which is a significant step up in performance from the previous Jabra Evolve2 85 and 75 boom arm products.

 

Distraction-free conversations in any environment

Evolve3 features Jabra ClearVoice, a combination of deep neural network (DNN) technology and Jabra’s multi-mic algorithms. Inspired by how the human brain filters noise in a crowded room, and leaning on technology from GN’s hearing division, the DNN model processes layers of sound data to distinguish the user’s voice from surrounding noise without the need for a visible boom arm. This means you can now always be heard clearly on a call with all background noise blocked. This AI-driven approach works with the hardware to enable discreet mic placement while maintaining high level clarity.

Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) responds in real time to both your environment and how the headset fits. Unlike most headsets, the ANC on Evolve3 85 and 75 continues to block out distractions even during calls, not just between them. Whether in a meeting or listening to music, Jabra Evolve3 helps users stay in the zone with fewer interruptions.

Designed for both work and pleasure

Unlike traditional professional headsets, Jabra Evolve3 85 and Jabra Evolve3 75 offer a minimalist design that fits the flexibility of modern work scenarios as well as most user’s wish for a clean, every-day look. This makes Evolve3 a true cross-over headset from professional to leisure use. The Evolve3 85 is an over-the-ear headset designed for immersive focus, while the Evolve3 75 offers an on-the-ear fit for lighter wear with greater environmental awareness. Both models are the most compact and lightweight design in their class, setting new standards for comfort and portability.

 

Voice-ready for the future of work

Evolve3 supports voice interaction through seamless and accurate access to Gen AI, enabling professionals to use voice input in mobile and screen-free scenarios. Powered by Jabra ClearVoice, this system uses AI-driven deep learning technology trained on more than 60 million real-world sentences to isolate speech from background noise with high accuracy. In real-world environments, it delivers AI-ready performance capturing 96% of words accurately across tested environments (99% in open office), even without a visible boom-arm. This helps users with AI prompts, to complete tasks, issue commands or dictate messages on the go. Voice input is up to three times faster than typing, making it a practical option for staying productive in mobile or screen-free situations.

 

Smart, secure and scalable

The Evolve3 series is certified for major UC platforms, includes a pre-paired Bluetooth adapter for instant and secure connectivity and supports Bluetooth Native for connection directly to devices. With the Jabra Plus Management software, IT teams can manage devices remotely, push firmware updates and configure settings through a central dashboard. End-users benefit from the new Jabra Plus mobile app with customisation options like equalizer controls, wind noise reduction and quick firmware updates from their smartphone. A desktop version of the Jabra Plus app will be available later in 2026.

 

Both headsets also feature replaceable batteries for extended product life, in compliance with repair legislation. With up to 25 hours of calls and 120 hours of music, wireless charging and fast charging that provides up to 10 hours of power in just 10 minutes, the Evolve3 series is designed to keep professionals connected and powered throughout the day.

 

Calum MacDougall, President at Jabra says, “In today’s hybrid world your work and life converge into one and with Evolve3 we deliver a real step-change in user experience of a professional headset. This series brings together industry-leading voice technology, a design you want to wear and seamless integration with the tools and platforms you rely on every day both professionally and personally.”

 

Key Features shared across both Evolve3 85 and Evolve3 75

·       Boomless design with Jabra ClearVoice, powered by deep neural network (DNN) technology for professional-grade voice clarity

·       Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation that adjusts in real-time to environment

·       Spatial Sound for more natural, and less fatiguing call experiences

·       Fast-charge support that delivers up to 10 hours of power in just 10 minutes by cable. Wireless charging also available.

·       Voice input for accurate access to AI workflows and tools

·       AI-readiness and screen-free productivity

·       Tuned for high-fidelity music with the LC3 audio codec

·       Certified for leading virtual meeting platforms (UC-certified variants)

·       Secure Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity with pre-paired adapter included

·       Centralised device management through Jabra Plus Management

·       Customisation and control via the Jabra Plus mobile and desktop (later in 2026) app

·       Replaceable batteries to extend product life and support battery recycling

·       Designed with sustainability in mind incl. recycled and bio-circular materials, replaceable parts (batteries and ear cushions) and certified to TCO generation 10

 

Jabra Evolve3 85 (Over-the-Ear) Key Features

·       Over-ear design for maximum immersion and noise isolation

·       Ideal for professionals needing full focus in louder environments

·       Extended battery life for 25 hours of call time or 120 hours of listening to entertainment (with ANC/busylight off) and 10-minute fast charge for 10 hours of use

·       35% slimmer and 23% lighter than Jabra Evolve2 85

·       Foldable and portable with compact storage case

 

Jabra Evolve3 75 (On-the-Ear) Key Features

·       On-ear design for lighter, more breathable wear

·       Great for hybrid workers who want greater situational awareness

·       22 hours of call time or 110 hours of listening to entertainment (with ANC/busylight off) and a 10-minute fast charge for 10 hours of use

·       More compact and travel-friendly for everyday mobility

 

Availability

·       Jabra Evolve3 85 will be available from March 1, 2026 from £495

the   Bundle option with wireless charging at £539

·       Jabra Evolve3 75 will be available from March 1, 2026 from £349

the   Bundle option with wireless charging at £389

·       Warm Grey colour variant will be available in select markets from April 2026

 

For more information, visit www.jabra.com/evolve3 

See our Jabra Reviews

Unboxing

Baseus Chooses Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers With The Inspire XC1 #IFA2025

Knowles Corporation a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components, including high performance capacitors, radio frequency (“RF”) filters, advanced medtech microphones, and balanced armature (BA) speakers, today announced that Baseus has selected Knowles BA drivers for its flagship open-ear clip wireless earbuds, the Baseus Inspire XC1. This marks the first time Knowles BA technology has been integrated into an open-ear wireless design, representing a significant breakthrough in personal audio innovation.

Revolutionary Hybrid 2-Way Sound Engine

The Baseus Inspire XC1 features a pioneering hybrid 2-way sound engine that pairs a Knowles BA with a 12mm dynamic driver in each earbud. This distinctive combination addresses longstanding acoustic challenges in open-ear designs while delivering crystal-clear sound that rivals traditional in-ear models. Tuned with Baseus’s adaptive SuperBass 3.0 technologies, these open-ear headphones deliver full-range, high-fidelity sound—just as the artist intended. This distinctive combination addresses longstanding acoustic challenges in open-ear designs while delivering crystal clear sound that rivals traditional in-ear models.

Open-ear wireless devices sit outside the ear canal, allowing ambient sound to naturally coexist with the audio experience while providing benefits such as comfort during extended wear, reduced occlusion effect, increased battery capacity, and enhanced situational awareness. However, open-ear designs have historically faced acoustic challenges, including sound leakage, low-frequency drop-off due to a lack of seal, and difficulties in delivering full-spectrum audio.

The Inspire XC1 overcomes these limitations through its sophisticated acoustic system, which combines the precision of Knowles’ miniaturized BAs with the power of a 12mm dynamic driver. This results in a frequency response that captures both subtle sonic textures and a dynamic range that single-driver designs cannot achieve. The dynamic woofer enhances low-frequency response, while the exclusive Knowles BA tweeter delivers exceptional clarity in the mid and high frequencies.

“This collaboration represents a significant milestone for both open-ear wireless audio and our BA technology,” said Jon Kiachian, President of MedTech and Specialty Audio at Knowles Corporation. “This is the first time our BAs have been integrated into an open-ear design, and Baseus has demonstrated remarkable innovation in addressing the unique acoustic challenges of this format. The result showcases exactly what becomes possible when our cutting-edge driver technology meets thoughtful product design—an open-ear audio experience that reveals all the nuances and details of music that conventional open-ear designs simply cannot reproduce.”

Designed for Every Lifestyle

These revolutionary earbuds are ideal for users who want to listen to music while remaining aware of their surroundings. Whether you’re working out at the gym, taking phone calls while walking the street, snowboarding, or skating with music, wearing a clip-on earbud all day at the office for quick calls, or working and studying in a coffee shop, the Baseus Inspire XC1 delivers uncompromising audio quality without sacrificing situational awareness.

Knowles BA drivers enable unprecedented sound performance for their size, allowing Baseus to deliver professional-grade audio quality while maintaining the comfort and situational awareness benefits that make open-ear designs appealing to tech-savvy professionals. The high sensitivity of Knowles BAs also facilitates improved hearing personalization while maximizing power efficiency in the compact form factor.

The Baseus Inspire XC1 leverages Knowles BA technology to achieve the higher frequencies necessary for optimal audio performance, unlocking intricate musical details while preserving natural tonal balance. Advanced features include Dolby Spatial Audio, Hi-Res certification, LDAC codec support, and a leak-proof acoustic design that positions the earbuds among the world’s best-sounding open-ear audio devices.

“When developing our Inspire XC1 open-ear clip model, we needed a technology partner that could help us solve fundamental acoustic challenges that have limited this category,” said Shiyou He, Baseus Founder and CEO. “Knowles BA drivers were the breakthrough we needed, allowing us to achieve frequency response and detail that would be hard with conventional single-driver open-ear designs. This collaboration enables us to create the first open-ear earbuds that can compete with premium in-ear models on audio quality.”

The Baseus Inspire XC1 open-ear clip wireless earbuds featuring Knowles BA technology were unveiled ahead of IFA and are available through the Baseus US official website, Baseus DE official website, Amazon U.S., Amazon DE and Amazon UK.  For more information on Knowles BAs, visit www.knowles.com/premiumsound.

See our open-ear earbud reviews

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are the latest tech in my ears a while now and alongside that their Pixel 9 devices still my daily drivers which both combined work a treat.

Earbuds come through here so fast we have reviewed over 200 pairs now at this stage if not more and I love them but slightly off the topic Google Need to give us headphones next time around or even as a separate product and I am hoping they will soon but as far as their earbuds go they are one of if not the best out there today and a big improvement over the last model which is now around two years ago, why the gap one asks?

Smaller earbuds and a smaller battery this time around and they still deliver in every aspect and give you more this year with their smarts on board like most other brands and their AI but it is fair to say Google is way ahead of the game some time now and the rest are playing catch up.

OK so they are smaller and not the type of earbud I go for I rather stems however this time around the wing has a different shape and it is at the start a bit fiddly to get them in but once in they will not budge even if running, they are sleek and subtle and not only that you can wear these in bed lying down on either side without hitting a command and this for me is a huge bonus as I like to listen to music and podcasts in bed and also test the. This is a win for me.

They are small and look like a small pebble or mint and still at that people asked what are they when out and about and me with the big smile ohh they are the new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and they were surprised to see the size and shape not only that the colour is also cool and the nicest out of the new range but I do like some other flavours too.

Sound then.. Yes they are better than the last version quite a bit actually and with all the new features on board they are topping the list for me which is a hard feat and I would say even better than Samsung’s Buds Pro 3 but again they are device specific like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 which loses features on iPhone but this is a game they are all playing.

Excellent volume decently loud great highs lows and mids really good bass and treble and then you have the app to play around with the EQs and get the best sound for you there is and whats more they sound like you are there in some aspects like in podcasts and also other settings and this is thanks to new features, again if watching movies footsteps and background noise more present and to top things off you have got spatial audio conversation detection and head tracking all thrown in here.

The gesture controls work really well and all the options are like skip and reverse track volume control call control play and pause and your AI assistant access. The ANC is pretty much up at the top here to but also do check the fit and tips and the earseal test as I always advise in any other earbud that offers the same which is now becoming a basic feature these days.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are almost on par with headphones now once you have the right tips and test done and for me this is the second pair of earbuds so far this year that have come close to this, you have you ANC on/off and of course transparency mode which is superb so you can hear your surroundings and again conversation detection so you have no need to remove one of your earbuds to hear that conversation.

Multipoint connection works seamlessly here and of like me you own more than one pixel device even better, battery is decent too and again a first with the tensor chip inside and overall even for an audiophile they might just give them the nod too and for me they are easy to recommend this year and better again if you are a Google Pixel owner you are in for a treat.

The App

 

Ten things to know about the Pixel Buds Pro 2

1 – Designed to be the most comfortable earbuds.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed to be the most comfortable and secure-fitting earbuds. They were designed using 45 million data points from ear scans to come up with the optimal shape for maximum comfort and a secure fit. Combined with the new Tensor A1 chip, we were further able to reduce the size by 27% as well as make them lighter while increasing performance and battery life.

2 – Twist-to-adjust stabilizer for adaptable fit during exercise.

Use the twist-to-adjust stabilizer when you’re exercising to lock your Pixel Buds Pro 2 securely in your ear, or adjust in the other direction for all-day comfort.

3 – The first Tensor chip in an earbud.

The Tensor A1 chip was built for advanced audio processing and Google AI. It
processes audio 90 times faster than the speed of sound to adapt to you and
your environment, cancels twice as much noise,2 and helps deliver clear calls.

4 – Silent SealTM 2.0 cancels twice as much noise.

Active Noise Cancellation with Silent SealTM 2.0 adapts to your environment up to 3 million times per second, and adapts to your ear to cancel up to twice as much noise as before.2 By expanding the frequency range, Silent SealTM 2.0 also cancels
a wider range of noises, including even higher frequencies.

5 – Upgraded acoustic architecture for premium sound.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 have large 11 mm drivers for powerful bass and a new high- frequency chamber for smooth treble. Multi-path processing on the Tensor A1 chip adds an additional signal path for music. This allows it to bypass the Silent SealTM processing chain to deliver unaltered, pure sound to the speaker drivers.

6 – Improved Clear Calling.

Clear Calling on Pixel reduces the noise around the person on the other side of the call, enhancing their voice so you can hear them even more clearly.3 For example, when your friend is on the subway, you’ll hear them clearly through your Pixel Buds Pro 2, no matter which phone and earbuds they use. This year, updated algorithms reduce noise in even more settings.

7 – No more taking out earbuds to talk.

With Conversation Detection, Pixel Buds Pro 2 use AI to tell when you start speaking. Your music gets paused and the earbuds switch to Transparency mode. When the conversation ends, the music resumes automatically, going back to Active Noise Cancellation without you taking any action.

 

8 – More precise location tracking for your earbuds and case.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 support the new Find My Device network, so you can find your earbuds’ precise location on a map.4 When you’re close, just ring them or the charging case to find them even faster.

9 – Switch audio automatically.

Easily switch from watching a movie or show on your tablet to listening to your running playlist on your watch.

10 – The best earbuds for Pixel.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 are deeply integrated with your other Pixel devices. Features like Clear Calling, Spatial Audio with head tracking, precise location tracking of your buds and case with Find My Device, and seamless switching make them the
best earbuds for everything Pixel.

Other Pixel Reviews

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are quite simply put the best earbuds on the market right now and some might say that is a bit of a stretch even from me having the biggest collection of earbuds reviewed here in Ireland but I know what I am talking about when it comes to earbuds.

There of course is more earbuds to drop later this year and we of course have others to review but for now these are getting their well deserved first place on my list at the time or writing this review. You can see an unboxing and first look of all of the latest tech from Samsung here if you missed it.

The design of the buds is nice and comes with a nice clear top case that looks well with a nice snappy closure which will keep them safe they have a great fit with the right tips and a small stem with a pointed edge and we also get a light strip which some might find a gimmick, I have seen similar on other earbuds before and headphones so it is not new per-say. To set up the lights can be a task and has to be done each time you take them out. They do make them stand out especially at night.

The touch sensitive controls will take time to get use to if you are not familiar with such if you are one to wear them in bed you will find it a problem but that is me I use earbuds in bed all the time and due to the triangular shape of the stem well you can see what will happen.

Having said that after that these earbuds sound fantastic and for me the best out there right now and once you get comfortable with the controls you will be fine and you can see how they work in the video review below.. These also come with voice commands which is super useful and a feature again I have tried before on some Skullcandy earbuds many times and I find it excellent and keeps your hands free which is a bonus.

The app as seen below only work with Samsung devices but offers a huge array of features and it has a great UI with plenty of customisation and this is what users want when they splash out on expensive earbuds which these are but worth every cent, again we go through this in the video review below..

The Audio, OK I have said it these are the best you can get right now super ANC and Ambient mode clear audio and also these put you right in the center of what you are listening too, for example if you are listening to a podcast you now it is a podcast it feels like you are there same for movies you can easily pick out say if you are sitting in coffee shop or store you think you are there same for vehicles passing by etc etc they are simply great here and you must try the spatial audio and play with the EQ to get the best effects here do not just stick them in your ears without the app full stop.

The App

Click to enlarge

Wear App Buds3 Pro
Wear App Buds3 Pro

 

Galaxy AI is here for your all-new Galaxy Buds3, ready to help you discover the details in your favourite songs. Re-engineered with an angled design to bring sound closer to your ears, you can feel the beat with a new 11mm speaker for strong, dynamic sound. Hear the distinct timbre and clarity in each note with 24-bit CODEC, giving you the ultimate Hi-Fi sound experience. Fine-tune the details with Galaxy AI enhancements for ANC and real-time translation that give you an edge.

Overall for me forget the usual Benchmarks Apple fanboys tend to gauge everything with, I use Apple products but to this date I do still not own any of Apple’s earbuds, they have decent battery life too which will vary on your settings and of course can be used with two devices at once which I am a daily user of and switching between both is a breeze.. These are the best earbuds on the market today but only if you own a Samsung device however they are still great if you do not own one.

BUY from Samsung or Harvey Norman 

Video review

Audioscenic Announces New Head of Business Development to Drive Advancements in Spatial Technology

Audioscenic, developers of the innovative 3D Audio Beamforming Technology Amphi, today announce Angela Lee as their Head of Business Development. Lee joins the business with twelve years of experience in marketing and business development, and a speciality of immersive technology, including VR and glasses-free 3D.

Image: Angela Lee, Audioscenic

Angela Lee was most recently the Partnership and Business Development Manager at Acer. Lee previously worked with StarVR as their Partnership & Field Marketing Manager and ASUS as their Senior Project Designer. In each step of her career Lee built partnerships with ecosystem partners such as Intel, Nvidia and Microsoft, as well as game engines, system integrators and content developers that helped build end-to-end solutions. Lee’s speciality in spatial computing allowed for a seamless partnership with Audioscenic, when Lee met the team during their recent Acer collaboration for the Predator SpatialLabs Pro 3D monitor.

Dr. Marcos Simon, Audioscenic CTO and Co-Founder comments, “Angela Lee’s appointment as our Head of Business Development marks a pivotal moment for Audioscenic as we accelerate our journey in revolutionising spatial audio technology. With her extensive experience and profound understanding of immersive technologies, Angela will be instrumental in driving advancements in spatial audio accessibility across various consumer electronic formats. Her proven track record, particularly from her time at Acer, underscores her ability to forge strategic partnerships. Together, we are ready to redefine how spatial audio is perceived and integrated into consumer devices, from monitors to headphones, amplifying the immersive experiences for users worldwide.”

Audioscenic is committed to advancing spatial audio technology and strengthening its market position. With Lee at the helm of Business Development, she will foster future opportunities for the Amphi AI Beamforming technology with an array of contacts in the industry. Through her communication expertise Lee will help shape how spatial audio is experienced and integrated into pre-existing form factors including, but not limited to monitors, laptops, desktop soundbars and headphones.

Lee’s strong foundation comes from having graduated with her Masters in Management from the University of Warwick Business School.

Angela Lee concludes, “I am excited to join Audioscenic as the Head of Business Development and join the exciting journey to shape the future of spatial audio technology. With a passion for immersive experiences and a deep understanding of emerging technologies, I am eager to leverage my expertise to drive innovation and foster strategic partnerships that will propel Audioscenic’s Amphi AI Beamforming technology to new heights. Together, we will pioneer the possibilities of spatial audio”.

For more information about Audioscenic, please click here.

Audioscenic Collaborates with Acer to Deliver Spatial Audio on World’s First Fully Immersive 3D Monitors #CES2024

Audioscenic, the UK-based developer of the Amphi AI Beamforming spatial audio technology, announces their collaboration with Acer, one of the world’s top ICT companies, to integrate their technology with Acer Immerse Audio. The technology is available on its newest SpatialLabs 3D monitors: the Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27 and the Predator SpatialLabs View 27. Combined with Acer’s industry-leading naked-eye 3D visualisation solution, the 27-inch SpatialLabs monitors offer enveloping 3D gaming and viewing experiences with Audioscenic’s proprietary audio technology to provide a completely immersive listening experience without the need for headphones. Audioscenic will showcase a wide range of implementations of their spatial audio technology at the 2024 CES Show in Las Vegas from Tuesday, January 9th to Friday February 12th, 2024, at The Venetian Hotel on the 29th Floor of the Venetian Tower. For more information and to book your immersive experience, please click here.

“Enhanced by Audioscenic’s Amphi 3D audio beamforming technology, Acer Immersive Audio complements the sensual stereo 3D experiences on the 27” SpatialLabs monitors. Rich soundscapes are echoed from dual 2.5 W speakers for truly encapsulating experiences for gamers, cinephiles and developers. These efforts prove our dedication to providing an intuitive and natural, yet captivating digital adventure without the need for additional components such as headphones or glasses,” comments Jane Hsu, Head of Business Development, Spatial Computing BU at Acer.

A new threshold for the immersive experience

The SpatialLabs 27-inch 4K 3D displays are Acer’s flagship monitors designed for a ground-breaking 3D experience. Acer collaborated with Audioscenic to power its Acer Immers Audio with Audioscenic’s Amphi AI Beamforming technology that elevates the audio-visual experience. The displays are fine-tuned in every facet of the audio system to craft a virtual headphone experience that takes advantage of the latest spatial technologies without the need for headphones or aid from 3D glasses.

“We’re proud to cooperate with Acer in pushing this technology forward, and are eager to see the impact it has on consumers and creators in the industry alike. The beamforming technology in Amphi has been tuned to utilise the dual speaker system in the SpatialLabs 27 monitors which allow for great immersion,” explained Audioscenic Chief Technology Officer, Marcos Simon. “This implementation, alongside Acer’s SpatialLabs 3D visualisation solution, creates a heightened level of experience for the viewer that is different from any other monitor on the market.”

The Predator SpatialLabs View 27 follows the first collaboration between the companies, with the Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27 monitor announced in October 2023. This monitor geared toward professionals like visual designers and developers now grants an opportunity to create realistic content for video, education, retail, museums, simulations and training accompanied by an unmatched life-like audio experience.

The Predator SpatialLabs View 27 is Audioscenic’s latest collaboration to merit a high-profile launch at CES and the brand’s latest venture in consumer products. Previously the brand partnered with Razer and THX to integrate Amphi technology in the Leviathan V2 Pro gaming soundbar, which received several ‘Best of CES’ awards in 2023. Looking forward, the brand continues to explore new and exciting applications for its unique approach to spatial audio technology within a wide array of platforms.

“The strength of Amphi is its flexibility — it can be implemented in any device that has a pair of speakers and a camera as most consumer devices today do,” stated Audioscenic CEO David Monteith. “Our technology offers an accessible, and affordable alternative to existing spatial audio implementations and we are eager to explore new product implementations that will deliver a no-compromise spatial audio experience for everyone and make it an essential part of everyday life.”

Esri integrates with Microsoft Fabric to deliver leading spatial analytics capabilities

To meet the growing demand for spatial analytics, Esri is extending its long-standing strategic collaboration with Microsoft through a unified analytics platform powered by spatial capabilities. Microsoft Fabric, now in General Availability as announced at Microsoft Ignite, will accelerate time to insights and reveal unexplored patterns, trends, and connections through the integration of spatial analytics from Esri’s ArcGIS software.

Data scientists, data engineers, business analysts, and their executive stakeholders demanding spatial analytics and visualisation within Fabric will benefit greatly from the joint offering. Esri’s ArcGIS integration will allow data to flow across an organisation, whether working from Microsoft OneLake, Microsoft Power BI, or their ArcGIS environment. Fabric users will be empowered with direct access to sophisticated spatial analytics tools and functions, and an extensive library of authoritative and curated spatial data, to produce interactive and intuitive visualisations and maps.

“We are excited by this announcement,” said Eamonn Doyle, CTO, Esri Ireland. “It paves the way for data scientists across the Irish public and private sectors to gain spatial insights that can unlock powerful social, economic and environmental benefits.”

“Integration with Esri allows our Microsoft Fabric customers to gain valuable geospatial insights through access to their powerful spatial analysis technology,” said Arun Ulagaratchagan, Corporate Vice President of Azure Data, Microsoft.

The integration of ArcGIS with Fabric will be available in Q2 2024.

“Esri and Microsoft are key strategic partners to the Met Office,” said Dr. Niall Robinson, Head of Product Futures. “With the development of our next generation supercomputer from Microsoft our data volumes will grow exponentially. Continuing to help people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive will require an even greater use of ML/AI both within our organisation and by our downstream consumers. The addition of Esri’s spatial analytics to Microsoft Fabric is an exciting new development with significant potential.”

To learn more about the new spatial analytics workload for Microsoft Fabric, visit go.esri.com/spatial-analytics-in-microsoft-fabric.

#IFA2023 -Shure unveils 2nd Gen AONIC 50 wireless noise-cancelling headphones: now featuring spatial audio and advanced hybrid active noise cancellation

Shure introduced its highly anticipated AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Gen 2. Drawing on decades of stage and studio expertise, the AONIC 50 Gen 2 Headphones break new ground with a revolutionary spatialized audio experience, designed to captivate music enthusiasts and discerning audiophiles alike. Building on the success of the AONIC 50 Headphones, this second generation sets a new standard for premium, high-fidelity audio, enhanced active noise cancellation, and 50 percent more battery life than the first generation, with up to 45 hours of runtime.

Meticulously crafted with premium materials and studio-quality sound through custom-engineered 50mm dynamic drivers, AONIC 50 Gen 2 Headphones are an embodiment of comfort and style that take listening to the next level. They have been designed by leveraging Shure’s experience designing headphones for studio professionals with long hours in mind. With customisable EQ features and new hybrid active noise cancellation technology, users can tailor their unique preferences using the free ShurePlus™ Play App for a personalised audio experience.

At the heart of the AONIC 50 Gen 2 Headphones is Shure’s new spatialized audio technology, powered by a proprietary algorithm, designed using a combination of acoustical modeling and critical listening to delicately enhance the spaciousness without compromising the original audio. This feature provides three distinct modes—Music, Cinema, and Podcast:

  • Music Mode: enables users to experience listening through high-end speakers and is the most subtle, maintaining the original source material.

  • Cinema Mode: emulates the low frequency excitement that users experience in a theatre that employs subwoofers for an immersive, larger-than-life sound through clarity, presence, and natural sounding dialogue.

  • Podcast Mode: brings the voice of a user’s favourite podcast host closer to their ears.

“The AONIC 50 Gen 2 is designed to deliver an exceptional listening experience that is built on the heritage of the previous generation. We incorporated the latest innovations, including spatialized audio options and Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound™ Technology, taking the audio to the next level,” said Sean Sullivan, Associate Director of Global Product Management, at Shure. “For passionate audiophiles and music lovers, the magic lies even in the tiniest details. The AONIC 50 Gen 2 provides a pure, high-resolution listening experience paired with our latest digital signal processing (DSP) options, so listeners can customise to their preferences and immerse themselves in their own private concert.”

This second-generation headphone ushers in new hybrid active noise cancellation technology, improving on the performance of the earlier generation and more effectively eliminating external distractions, enabling a truly immersive and natural listening experience. By using microphones inside and outside the earcup, the AONIC 50 Gen 2 offers users the ability to fine-tune their auditory environment, effortlessly controlling the level of ambient noise. Featuring four selectable modes—Light, Moderate, Max, and MaxAware—the new MaxAware setting strikes the perfect balance between blocking unwanted noise and maintaining awareness of your surroundings, making it ideal for on-the-go conversations.

Additional Features and Benefits:

  • Enhanced Environment Mode: Immerse yourself in the outside world with a simple switch. The adjustable slider on the ShurePlus™ PLAY app lets you refine the ambience settings to your liking.

  • Extended Battery Life: Holds up to 45 hours of battery life with quick charging capabilities, more than doubling runtime from the earlier generation. The quick charge feature provides up to five hours of use with only 15 minutes of charge.

  • Customizable EQ: Choose from a variety of presets or create your own personalized sound profile using the ShurePlus™ PLAY app. Save your settings directly to the headphones for a seamless and personalized audio experience across different apps and devices.

  • Crystal Clear Communication: Experience superior call quality with beamforming microphone technology and proprietary automatic gain control (AGC) settings. Leveraging six microphones, the precision-engineered system adjusts automatically to minimize surrounding noises, providing unmatched clarity for video calls and phone conversations.

  • Cutting-Edge Bluetooth® 5 Wireless Technology: Seamlessly connect to your phone, tablet, or laptop with the class one transmitter, offering enhanced stability and a remarkable range of up to 100 meters.

  • Premium Headphone Amplifier: Enjoy support for Snapdragon Sound™ with Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive technology for high-res music streaming, and AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs.

Snapdragon Sound Technology, incorporated into the second generation of AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, is designed to provide an unparalleled audio experience. By optimizing a suite of technologies by Qualcomm Technologies across connected devices, Snapdragon Sound delivers consistent, crystal clear and captivating audio. Users can enjoy every detail of their music just as the artist intended and feel better connected to colleagues and loved ones through voice and video calls with true-to-life audio.

“Qualcomm Technologies is excited to work with Shure, a premier brand known and loved by audiophiles, on their new AOINIC 50 Gen 2 headphones” said Mike Canevaro, Director, Marketing, Snapdragon Sound, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “By incorporating Snapdragon Sound into these headphones, Shure is ensuring their customers hear every detail of their music exactly as the artist intended, with robust and reliable connectivity.”

The AONIC 50 Gen 2 joins Shure’s famous AONIC product lineup, which is already well known for its acoustic superiority, reliability, innovation, and excellence. Additionally, the modern “all-black” design has up to 45 hours of battery life to provide long-term listening and comfort. The redesigned carrying case, smaller than the previous generation, delivers a portable design that folds flat for easy storage. These headphones are the all-in-one solution for those looking for studio-quality sound, improved hybrid noise cancellation, spatialized audio technology, extended battery life, advanced environment mode, and more.

Pricing and Availability:
The AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Gen 2, will be available in Black in September 2023 at Shure.com and select retailers starting at RRP £349. Purchase includes a two-year warranty, protective zippered carrying case, 3.5mm audio cable, and a USB-C charging/audio cable.

Audioscenic Marks Impressive Growth with New Hires as they Widen their Ambitions in Consumer Audio Spatial Technology

Audioscenic, developers of the innovative 3D Audio Beamforming Technology Amphi, have announced a substantial team expansion including 15 new staff members across their Software Engineering, DSP, Computer Vision, and Audio R&D teams, along with a new CFO. The expansion comes as a result of rapid and successful growth. In the last six months Audioscenic has completed a successful Series A funding round as well as widespread industry accolades and awards for the first consumer implementation of its Amphi technology in the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro sound bar at the 2023 CES Show, Las Vegas. Audioscenic’s expanded teams see the brand poised to expand its technology to a global customer base.

“We’re very proud to grow the size, and skill, of our team to meet the rapidly expanding scope of Amphi within the consumer audio realm,” comments David Monteith, Audioscenic CEO. “The strategic focus of this expansion is on increasing our capabilities in key areas, so that we can continue to explore and implement our technology across the broadest possible range of consumer devices.”

The expansion of Audioscenic’s team signifies the company’s commitment to advancing spatial audio technology and strengthening its market position. With an increased talent pool, the company is well-equipped to improve existing products, develop innovative solutions, and explore new market opportunities, solidifying its position as a leading provider of immersive audio experiences. Additionally, the team’s diverse composition, spanning over four continents and representing 14 nationalities, fosters a global perspective and enriches the company’s ability to serve a diverse customer base worldwide.

The new team members include Balu Raj, Dimitris Zantalis, Robert Alcock and Kartik Prakash in Audioscenic’s Software Engineering Department, who will contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Amphi software solutions. George Howell and Georgii Zagoruiko have joined the DSP Department and will be working to expand the firm’s capabilities for implementing Amphi within embedded devices at lower cost. Jose Cappelletto will be part of the Computer Vision Engineering Team, which focuses on Amphi’s head-tracking technology. Yury Ushakov, Jago Reed-Jones, Jacob Hollebon and Neil Crawshaw in the Audio R&D Team will be focused on improving software performance and new product development which includes integration in laptops, car stereo systems, and other commonly available consumer listening devices. Finally, our new Chief Financial Officer will optimise the company’s financial operations and make informed decisions regarding financial planning and budgeting.

“We’ve assembled an incredible global team, hailing from countries around the world, to take us into the next phase of our journey,” said Dr. Marcos Simon, Audioscenic CTO and Co-Founder. “The diversity of background and thought gives us a rich tapestry of perspectives, ideas, and insights, which will allow us to continue to innovate and develop our approach to consumer spatial audio technology. As a united team our goal is the same,  to bring an accessible and affordable spatial audio experience to customers around the world, and elevate the experience of some of our most commonly used audio and viewing devices.”

As Audioscenic continues to evolve and expand its market presence, the company recognises the importance of strong business development efforts. To capitalise on commercial opportunities and foster strategic partnerships, Audioscenic has plans to onboard a dedicated business development professional. This individual will focus on driving commercial growth, identifying new markets, and establishing mutually beneficial relationships with key industry stakeholders.

For more information about Audioscenic, please click here.