Bluetooth speakers tend to trade sound quality for a compact form factor and portability—but not this monstrosity. Looking like a contraption you’d find in Willy Wonka’s factory, this vacuum tube amp promises to vastly improve the sound of music streaming from your mobile device.
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Sony has unveiled a pair of new audio amplifiers aimed at fans of high-resolution music formats. The new music and players include the Sony PHA-2 High-Res Portable DAC/Amplifier and the TA-A1ES integrated stereo amplifier. The PHA-2 is a portable headphone amplifier designed to provide superior sound production from a number of audio sources. Sony says […]
This week there’s a couple of new devices arriving from Grace Digital that may very well be the one thing that makes that ancient set of speakers you’ve been keeping in the garage worth the years of nagging from your significant other. Why don’t you get rid of those old things? You’re never going to […]
Marshall is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with another set of headphones, only these are lined with gold trimmings. The Major 50 FX headphones are similar to the Major Pitch Black headphones that we reviewed over the summer, only these new ones comes with a few upgrades inside and out.
The Major 50 FX headphones are made for big sound (obviously), and the technology inside has received a slight boost from the previous Marshall Major headphones. The new headphones come with gold trimmings on the outside. The outer ear caps are lined with gold, and the Marshall logo in the center of the caps are gold as well.
The headband is made of vinyl and features the inscription “London England 1962″, which is the birth place and birth year of the Marshall amplifier brand. On top of the gold trimming and inscriptions, the Major 50 FX headphones are Apple certified, and include an inline microphone and remote, so they’ll work seamlessly with Apple’s numerous products.
The headphones also come with a canvas carrying bag — perfect for on-the-go audiophiles. The Marshall Major 50 FX headphones are available right now at a cost of $170. That’s definitely not a bad price to pay for top-quality headphones. Plus, if you like bling (and who doesn’t), then it’s practically a two-for-one deal.
Marshall Major 50 FX headphones marks 50th anniversary is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
If Proficient Audio’s new MaxTV MT2 speaker box is anything to go by, the company obviously isn’t enamored with the latest slew of slim, elegant soundbars. As the picture shows, it’s designed to act as a platform for your TV and can support up to 160 pounds — enough for even the biggest of flatscreens. The hard, no-grill design shows off the box’s two 1-inch tweeters, four 2.5-inch mid-range speakers and two 5.25-inch, down-facing subs. Four internal 20-watt, two-channel digital amps take care of the power, and with two of those dedicated to the woofers, we’d expect some serious neighbor-waking bass. It’s not just for your TV either, as the built-in Bluetooth supports audio streaming from any of your favorite gadgets. The soundbar-on-steroids is shipping now for 599 bones, and if that sounds a little steep, Proficient Audio assures you that “once someone hears the difference MaxTV makes, they will buy it.”
Continue reading Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NuForce has announced the availability of the DDA-100 amplifier. Designed for audiophiles, the new amp converts the digital audio signal from a computer or other home audio source to analog form using the PWM power amplifier stage. The NuForce DDA-100 accepts four digital sources via a single USB port, one coaxial, and two optical inputs. Each purchase comes equipped with a remote control, allowing you to change control inputs and adjust the volume from the comfort of your sofa. If you are interested, you can buy the NuForce DDA-100 amplifier for $549 each. [NuForce]
The Fiio E1 headphones amplifier is specifically designed for use with Apple’s iPod, iPhone and iPad. It has a built-in high quality headphone amplifier processor from Texas Instruments that improves the sound quality from your iOS devices. The Fiio E1 has an in-line control button, allowing you to easily control the playback of the iPod/iPhone while it is snug in your pocket, purse, or bag. The Fiio E1 headphones amplifier retails for $19.99 a pop. [Product Page]
The annoying group of teenagers blaring music from their phones at the back of the bus are set to become even more frustrating if NXP Semiconductors has its way, with new tiny speaker tech promising huge increases in output. The TFA9887 can deliver a 5x increase in loudness, NXP claims, pushing in excess of 2.6 watts RMS into micro-speakers previously limited to just 0.5W. Best of all, the company says it can do so with more sound accuracy and no potential for damage to the speakers themselves.
That’s because the new NXP audio system packs far more monitoring tech than previous versions. New circuits track speaker performance using adaptive excursion control, tracking how much the speakers cone is physically moving to make sure that it’s within design limits, while temperature monitoring keeps a metaphorical eye on the voice-coil to make sure it’s not overheating.
Thanks to all that, one of the biggest compromises usually involved in mobile speakers can be avoided. Usually, device manufacturers are forced to trim bass and cut maximum volume, just in case a particularly meaty bassline ruptures the speakers. The TFA9887, however, optimizes the audio signal based on the movement of the speaker, allowing its full capabilities to be utilized without ever driving it beyond its limits.
“An advanced clip avoidance algorithm monitors audio performance and prevents clipping, even when the power supply begins to sag. Bandwidth extension increases the low frequency response well below speaker resonance. And an intelligent DC-to-DC boost converter maximizes audio headroom from any supply level despite battery undervoltage. The TFA9887 automatically adapts to any changes in the speaker – including ageing, damage to the enclosure, and blocked speaker ports – helping to optimize performance and maintain the desired sound quality.” NXP Semiconductor
Bundled tools allow manufacturers to tweak their audio output to make best use of the processing tech. NXP is sampling the new audio chip and demo boards based upon it, though there’s no telling when it might end up in mobile devices on store shelves.
NXP Semiconductors boosts smartphone speakers by 5x is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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