Consumer Electronics Daily News

SuperTooth & VOXX Accessories Corp. Reach Distribution Agreement for Co-Branded Line of Portable Audio Accessories

Bluetooth expert SuperTooth (Booth # 1070 @ CTIA) has teamed up with audio specialist VOXX Accessories Corp. (Booth # 2630 @ CTIA) to roll out a co-branded line-up of portable audio accessories under the Acoustic Research brand name beginning with the launch of the ARS60 Bluetooth speaker.

The ARS60 is a $119 portable Bluetooth speaker kicking out 16 watts RMS audio power with two speakers in front and a bass reflex system on the back. The ARS60 streams music wirelessly from any cell phone, tablet, computer or mp3 player supporting Bluetooth A2DP. The rechargeable battery keeps music playing for 3-10 hours depending on the volume level per two-hour charge.

The ARS60 speaker is available in black or red on www.store.acoustic-research.com for $119.

Bang & Olufsen Launches New all-inclusive, Surround Sound Speaker System

Bang & Olufsen today announces the launch of a cutting-edge, surround sound speaker system that presents an entirely new category of speakers to the Bang & Olufsen product portfolio.The BeoLab 14 surround speaker system is a conveniently packaged, all-inclusive solution that delivers compact aesthetics, exceptional sound quality and a high-end surround sound performance.

BeoLab 14 is available in a 4.1 or a 5.1 digital surround sound set up, with up to six individual active speakers, each with its own amplifier, resulting in an unprecedented level of sound quality despite the speakers’ compact shape. BeoLab 14 can also be used with all other television brands, so it is non-exclusive to just Bang & Olufsen televisions.

"With its competitive price point, convenient set up, multiple placement options, hallmark design, and robust sound performance, we believe BeoLab 14 will resonate with many music lovers and style seekers who may not yet own a pair of world renowned Bang & Olufsen speakers," states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc. "With the introduction of BeoLab 14, it’s never been easier for customers to enjoy home cinema without compromising one’s interior décor."

BeoLab 14 builds on Bang & Olufsen acoustic engineers’ on-going achievements in packing stunning performance into surprisingly small volumes. The satellite speakers are diminutive circles of anodized aluminum with exchangeable fabric covers in a selection of colors, (white, black, silver, dark grey, red and petroleum blue) and integrate easily into even the most stringent interior design schemes. The sculptural subwoofer contains separate amplifiers for all speakers in the system, and delivers bone-bouncing bass from a beguilingly slender footprint. BeoLab 14 comes in a full array of placement options that includes wall and ceiling mounts as well as floor and shelf stands, BeoLab 14 is ready to fit in visually as it stands out acoustically. Sound matters BeoLab 14 was designed for consumers who want to add quality surround sound to their home viewing experiences, but still have demanding expectations about their interior design.

"The launch of an all-in-one surround speaker system is an important new step for Bang & Olufsen," states Bang & Olufsen CEO, Tue Mantoni. "It builds on our core approach that sound matters in everything that we do. Now we bring genuine Bang & Olufsen sound to anyone who wants the advantages of surround without having to hide away the subwoofer." BeoLab 14 connects seamlessly to all Bang & Olufsen televisions, but is also just one plug away from lifting any other TV or AV receiver into a new level of sound performance.

"Providing easy integration for people who do not own a Bang & Olufsen TV, but still want to achieve a high-quality Bang & Olufsen sound experience, has been a particular focus for the team," adds Mantoni. Tuned with expert listening panel The compact new speakers have been put through the same demanding development process as all other Bang & Olufsen products. "BeoLab 14 is the result of a lot of work with our Listening Panel," says Jens Rahbek, Senior Sound Engineer in the R&D department. "Even with the very best components, sound is a subjective experience. We tune our speakers in a process that includes hours of listening – by different people, in different room environments, at different stages of development – in order to achieve sound that is as close as possible to what the original artist intended."

Up to six active speakers – each with separate amplifiers BeoLab 14’s strong sonic performance is due to its sculptural subwoofer, with 280 watts of dedicated power for its 8" downward-facing driver, the active sub delivers ample bass tones at the lowest frequencies – (down to 26 hz). The stylish sub also contains connections for five active satellite speakers (along with five individual 140 watt amplifiers with separate equalizers for each of them), a very capable Digital Signal Processor, Adaptive Bass Linearization (for cultivated bass, no matter what the peaks), room adaptation switch, line sense, Power Link connections for Bang & Olufsen components, and an A/V multi-connector for other components. Bang & Olufsen separates the satellite speakers’ active 2.5" treble and midrange drivers from their dedicated amplifiers, which results a rich, large sound experience that can fill an entire room, while occupying minimum physical space. Just under 16 cm in diameter, the satellite speakers are just as impressive to decorate with as they are to listen to. The closed cabinet construction is built around a milled aluminum frame – just like the systems Bang & Olufsen creates for Audi, BMW and Aston Martin – to eliminate resonance with style and precision.

BeoLab 14 is available in two versions: one with subwoofer and four satellite speakers (for Bang & Olufsen TVs, whose on-board speakers function as the center speaker in a surround setup), the other with subwoofer and five satellite speakers for all other brands. The new BeoLab 14 surround sound speaker system is available at Bang & Olufsen stores worldwide in June 2013. MSRP is $3995 USD (for 4.1 solution) and $4395 USD for the (5.1 solution).

Turtle Beach Designated As Twitch's Official Audio Partner

Twitch, the world's leading video platform and community for gamers, and Turtle Beach, leading audio brand in games, today announce an exclusive partnership to showcase their collaborative efforts in gaming and broadcast audio. The multi-faceted partnership includes the integration of Turtle Beach products across Twitch's dedicated eSports and gaming events.

Online gaming video viewership has exploded over the last year with viewership rivaling cable television viewership. Twitch attracts more than 34 million gamers who gather and share their video game experiences. Twitch users spend an average of 90 minutes a day interacting with other gamers and watching player video footage. Twitch also supports over 600,000 active broadcasters every month.

"Turtle Beach makes the best-in-class quality, tournament-grade audio equipment in the industry. The new XP SEVEN is a huge leap forward for audiophiles everywhere. We're proud to have them as our official audio partner," said Emmett Shear , CEO of Twitch. "With the innovative features available in Turtle Beach's audio gear, anyone in the Twitch community will be able to easily broadcast their games and audio commentary with professional quality results."

Turtle Beach's Ear Force XP SEVEN and Z SEVEN gaming headsets and TM1 multi-channel tournament mixer, developed in collaboration with Major League Gaming, are designed to meet the demanding audio needs of gamers and will be used by Twitch for broadcasting at leading eSports and video game events. Turtle Beach will also feature Twitch broadcasts on its website so that its community can participate and engage with the global eSports and gaming community via events such as the MLG Pro Circuit, Call of Duty® Championships, PAX Prime, Entertainment Electronics Expo (E3), Gamescom, DreamHack Summer, DreamHack Winter and many others.

"We're excited to partner with Twitch and provide them with our advanced tournament and broadcast products for their eSports and gaming events," said Bob Picunko, Chief Marketing Officer of Turtle Beach. "Our latest generation of audio products, including the XP SEVEN, is designed for versatility so gamers can use the same premium headset for broadcasting video game footage, talking on a mobile phone or watching a movie on a tablet."

Both the XP SEVEN and Z SEVEN allow gamers to instantaneously change the mix of game, chat and microphone audio levels. The TM1 tournament mixer is a six-channel audio mixer that enables crystal clear communication for up to six players on the same team, or two teams of up to three players each. It also offers several distinctive input and output options, including a broadcast feed, coach's input, analog noise gate to cancel out crowd noise and a microphone volume setting to accommodate the sensitivity of any mic paired with the mixer.

Sennheiser to Provide Headphones at Cannes Film Festival

Audio specialist Sennheiser will support The American Pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival during its Conference Series this year in Cannes, which will feature panels and one-on-one interviews with the film industry's leading talent and entertainment personalities. Over the course of the 12-day festival, which is the most high profile event in the film industry, audiences will be able to listen to The American Pavilion Conference Series through Sennheiser wireless headphones.

In conjunction with its sponsor partners and in celebration of its 25th anniversary in Cannes, The American Pavilion has redesigned its location to incorporate design elements of The Peninsula Hotel properties and includes a new conference center, bar, restaurant and a media terrace/green room. By providing attendees with Sennheiser wireless headphones, The American Pavilion enables guests to enjoy conference content wherever they roam within the facility, while background noise is kept to a minimum.

The American Pavilion asked Sennheiser to provide support in Cannes after reading about its activation during SXSW with Paste Magazine this past March, in which the company hosted three days of interviews with leading content creators such asFred Armisen of SNL, LeVar Burton of Star Trek, editor in chief of Marvel Comics Alex Alonso, and others. During this activation, fans and attendees were able to listen to interview content anywhere on the activation grounds, while donning Sennheiser wireless headphones.

The American Pavilion Conference Series features industry panels each day that focus on topics like film finance, acquisitions, producing and film + technology. The interactive sessions are moderated by well-known entertainment journalists and routinely attract the top names in entertainment. In prior years, guests have included Francis Ford Coppola, Terry Gilliam, Martin Scorcese, Robert Duvall, Kevin Kline, Tommy Lee Jones, Jude Law, Colin Firth, Anjelica Huston, James Cameron and many others.

The American Pavilion, which is located in the International Village next to the Palais, has become a hub for film industry professionals to gather and share ideas during the Cannes Film Festival - the largest and most prestigious film festival in the world. The festival itself attracts over 20,000 industry professionals and over 4,000 journalists from around the globe.

B&O PLAY Launches Two New Sets of Premium Headphones

 B&O PLAY by BANG & OLUFSEN has announced plans to launch two new headphones this July 2013. The headphones are significant as they combine quality craftsmanship with enduring materials and use the latest technology to make portable music sound better.BeoPlay H3 is a superior and comfortable in-ear headphone for people in action; and BeoPlay H6 is a super soft, flexible over-ear headphone. Both sets of headphones feature a sound performance that takes audio to another level.

B&O PLAY builds on core values of craftsmanship and technology for a new type of contemporary products, which deliver excellent high-quality music experiences and are optimized for a life on the move. Now, with the launch of the new BeoPlay H3 and BeoPlay H6, customers can experience state of the art technology that reproduces the original sound material as authentically as possible, even while they are on the go. Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, Vice President of B&O PLAY indicates, “A wide range of headphones on the market today compromise on quality and sound performance. In the making of BeoPlay H3 and H6, we’ve worked with professional sound technicians and studio musicians, to offer people a pristine sound experience in a package that is a delight to wear.”

Best in class audio performance
To get the best possible sound experience, B&O PLAYconducted extensive studies in the shape and curves of the human ear to find suitable geometries that minimize sound leakage and reveal all the fine details in the music at any given volume level.

BeoPlay H6 offers a truly natural and authentic sound performance with focus on getting a clear midrange and a balanced bass and treble performance. BeoPlay H6 is designed around 40 mm custom designed drivers with neodymium magnets that are perfectly angled to get the best distance and sound direction into the ears. BeoPlay H6 features an internal bass port to deliver a well-balanced bass performance in a closed headphone design.

BeoPlay H3 features a custom-designed 10,8 mm driver and the new Micro Bass Port for a dynamic and balanced full tone sound design. The structural rigidity of the aluminium body provides acoustic precision for a clear musical experience. Together with the 23 ventilation holes, BeoPlay H3 is tuned to deliver an unstrained open sound stage.

Craft in craftsmanship
BeoPlay H3 and H6 are made of anodized high-grade aluminium. With the long history of material excellence in aluminum, B&O PLAY is able to construct BeoPlay H3 and H6 to be surprisingly light, as well as robust and scratch-resistant. The housing of BeoPlay H3 is milled from a single block of high-grade solid aluminum. BeoPlay H6 has anodized aluminum on the adjustable slider arm and cover plate to complete the design with a final vibrant touch.

The solid cowhide leather on the BeoPlay H6 headphones comes from New Zealand where the cows roam in controlled pastures and only the very highest quality hides are selected. Each leather product is completely natural and the leather is dyed with a tanning process that provides colors in rich and warm tones. The careful selection of materials and focus on craftsmanship ensures that the headphones patinate beautifully and create a personalized look as time go by.

B&O PLAY has collaborated with Danish industrial designer Jakob Wagner in the shaping of BeoPlay H3 and H6. Wagner is both trained as a mechanical engineer and industrial designer which make him skilled in all practical stages of the design process. With the new headphones, B&O PLAY and Jakob Wagner has created two unique products that are designed for music, crafted with high quality materials that are durable and long-lasting.

“We have huge expectations for these premium headphones,” states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc. “Our customers have been yearning for a quality alternative to the headphones that are on the market today. With H6 and H3’s arrival, we will now offer a premium headphone that delivers a best in class audio experience and authentic design that we know will resonate with our brand enthusiasts and music lovers across the country.”

Price for H3 USD $249 and H6 USD $399. Available July 2013 at Bang & Olufsen stores, shopbangolufsen.com, the B&OPLAY online store (beoplay.com), Apple retail stores, and Apple Online.

Pandora Sees Audience Growth

Pandora announced today new metrics that were reached in the month of April 2013.

• Listener hours for Pandora during the month of April 2013 were 1.31 billion, an increase of 24 percent from 1.06 billion during the same period last year.
• Share of total U.S. radio listening for Pandora in April 2013 was 7.33 percent, an increase from 5.95 percent at the same time last year.
• Active listeners were 70.1 million at the end of April 2013, an increase of 35 percent from 51.9 million during the same time period last year.

Pandora launched a 40-hour mobile listening limit in March as a strategic move to balance monetization and rising royalty costs. The impact of this strategy – maintaining audience growth while slowing listener hour growth – has been in-line with company expectations.

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Panasonic Announces Pricing And Availability For 2013 Headphone Model

Panasonic today announced pricing and availability for the new models 2013 headphone lineup, which features a wide array of styles designed for ultimate functionality and appeal.

The Panasonic Iconics series features two new headphone styles.  The Panasonic RP-HXD5C, SRP $99.99, are centered around a minimalistic look. The black with red trim features a chrome finish on the ear-cup while the white headphones give the look of a glass finish on the ear-cup. Each is accentuated with a touch of color to mimic the look of illumination- red for the black headphones and green for the white headphones. Besides a sleek, modern look the RP-HXD5C contains a large 40mm driver unit and 8Hz-26kHz frequency response for superior sound quality. The soft headpad allows for hours of comfortable wear. Additionally, the RP-HXD5C headphones are equipped with a built-in remote and microphone made for iPhone/iPod so users can answer calls and control volume from their smart devices directly from their headphone cord. 

Also in the Iconics series are the RP-HXD3W which combine a chrome-like ear-cup design with a matte, silicone surface frame which not only adds a unique aesthetic appeal but also provides soft comfort on a user's head and ear and prevents slippage. With a frequency response of 10Hz-25kHz and 30mm driver unit the headphones are ideal for high-quality sound reproduction. The RP-HXD3W headphones are equipped with a microphone and talk on/off switch and includes an extra adaptor for Nokia and other selected phone models. Users can choose from a variety of stylish colors including red, purple, gray, taupe and black for an SRP of $69.99.

Building off a successful line of noise cancelling headphones already available, the Panasonic RP-HC56 earbud-style, SRP$99.99, headphones reduce outside noise by 92 percent (22dB) at 200Hz including a passive noise isolation by utilizing an insulating effect. The headphones compact pen-type design clips to clothing and houses a noise cancelling on-off toggle, volume control and room for one AAA alkaline battery which provides up to 40 hours of operation time. A cord holder attachment provides tangle-free cord storage and the Panasonic RP-HC56 comes with an Air Plug and convenient carrying pouch. 

The Panasonic RP-HJE190 headphones in-ear headphones produce deep bass sound quality due to Neodymium magnet and an extended long sound support port. An ErgoFit design provides ultimate comfort and fit for hours of wear. The Panasonic RP-HJE190 will be available in six colors including white, black, blue, green, purple and red for an SRP of $24.99.

Finally, Panasonic introduces the RP-HV41, SRP $9.99, headphones which offer users a simple design in a variety of colorful options. The eardrop, earbud- style headphones offer a comfort-fit design made with Elastomer materials and offers a unique rubber clip which quickly attaches to one's clothing for tangle-free use. Neodymium rare-earth magnet provides rich and powerful sound. Users can express their personalities with a variety of color combinations including: Black/Grey, White/Grey, Blue/Green, Fuchsia/Pink, Purple/Teal, Pink/Orange, Green/Yellow and Orange/Blue.

 

Jim Meyer Appointed CEO of SiriusXM

Sirius XM Radio today announced that James E. Meyer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.  Meyer has served as the interim CEO since December.

"After a thorough search of excellent candidates, we are delighted to name Jim as the CEO of SiriusXM, where he will continue to lead a very strong executive team. Jim is a highly qualified leader and operator, and we look forward to working with him to build on SiriusXM's position as the innovator in audio entertainment," said Gregory B. Maffei, Chairman of SiriusXM.  "He has been a vital part of SiriusXM for close to a decade, and his extensive knowledge of SiriusXM's business and significant industry experience will be invaluable assets in the highly competitive market within which SiriusXM is thriving. Jim's leadership, strategic vision and operating focus are exactly what SiriusXM needs today and in the future."

"I look forward to leading SiriusXM," said Meyer. "SiriusXM is a great service with world-class programming that comes from teams of focused and motivated employees. I am honored to be working with our talented management team as we continue to deliver the best content and services to our subscribers nationwide and enhance value for our stockholders."

Meyer served as SiriusXM's President of Sales and Operations from May 2004 until his appointment as our interim CEO in December.  Prior to joining SiriusXM, Meyer was President of Aegis Ventures, a general management consulting company, and provided consultant support for SiriusXM.  Before Aegis, he held a number of senior management positions in consumer electronics, including the Senior Executive Vice President of Digital Media Solutions for Thomson, a worldwide leader in consumer electronics.

AudioEye is Named 2013 Gold Edison Award Winner

AudioEye®, Inc., the creators of the Audio Internet™, the patented audio browsing and automated publishing technology, announced that AudioEye was voted a gold winner for innovation in the category of "Lifestyle and Social Impact; Quality of Life" at an April 25 event at Navy Pier in Chicago.  AudioEye CEO Nathaniel Bradley joined hundreds of senior executives from some of the world's most recognized companies to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all of the 2013 Edison Award winners. The awards are named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847 - 1931) whose inventions, new product development methods and innovative achievements literally changed the world, garnered him 1,093 U.S. patents, and made him a household name around the world.

"Our judges recognized AudioEye as a true innovator out of the many products in its category," said Frank Bonafilia, executive director of the Edison Awards. The ballot of nominees for the Edison Awards™ was judged by a panel of more than 3,000 leading business executives including past award winners, academics and leaders in the fields of product development, design, engineering, science and medical. One of the evening's many highlights was the presentation of the prestigious Edison Achievement Award to Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Chairman and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated. The award honors innovation leaders and business executives who have made a significant and lasting contribution to innovation throughout their careers. The Edison Achievement Award serves as inspiration to future innovators and to the world at large.

Sony Unveils 2013 Home Audio Product Line

Sony Electronics introduced its 2013 Home Audio product lineup today, highlighting the STR-DN1040 Audio/Video Receiver and the HT-CT660 Soundbar. Available in June, both products boast of Sony's legendary commitment to quality sound, and are packed with connectivity and accessibility features. Both the STR-DN1040 receiver, priced at $599, and the HT-CT660 soundbar, priced at $399, will be available at Sony Stores and http://store.sony.com, as well as retailers nationwide.

"Our rich audio legacy leads consumers to expect continued innovation and performance from Sony audio products," said Neal Manowitz, Director of Sony Electronics' home audio group. "The newest AV receiver in our line has the simplest, most user-friendly interface, which when combined with a world first and only AVR feature set of built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, raises the bar with respect to usability, and does so with knockout sound performance. Likewise, the new soundbar extends the Sony line and brings theater-like, high-definition sound to any room in the house, with Bluetooth ease and convenience."

A Receiver Built for Sound – and More

The STR-DN1040 AV Receiver delivers premium home theater performance with 7.2 Channel 1155 Watts (165 W x 7) of power and ten HD inputs (8 HDMI in), and features a newly redesigned chassis, an increased power transformer as well as Sony-designed capacitors and audio-grade transistors. "Just like a musical instrument, this AV receiver is specially tuned to bring out the very best sonic performance," said Aaron Levine, Product Marketing Manager of Sony Electronics' Home Audio group. "There is a sonic performance reason for every part, every material, and every assembly technique put into this receiver."

Even at low sound levels, features such as sound optimizer maintain the nuances of the complete sound field, perfect for watching effects-laden motion pictures. Sony's innovative High Definition Digital Cinema Sound™ (HD DCS) adds auditory depth for dramatic cinematic sound that faithfully reproduces the movie theater experience. Spectacular sound is further produced through support of Dolby® TrueHD, Pro Logic IIz and dts® HD enhanced audio codecs. For outstanding picture performance, video signals can be converted up to 4K Ultra HD HDMI®. Complementing the sound performance is ample connectivity for HD and 4K Ultra HD devices, supporting both new and legacy connectivity.

Wi-Fi enables the STR-DN1040 receiver to easily access streaming media sources, and has integrated applications for Sony Entertainment Network's Music Unlimited, Pandora®, Slacker®, vTuner®, and more, as well as capabilities to seamlessly stream music from DLNA® enabled PCs. The receiver also has built-in AirPlay and Bluetooth, allowing it to wirelessly receive the broadest amount of music from phones, tablets and computers. Users can also operate the receiver with the free Media Remote™ app available for both iPhones® and Android™ phones.

Also available in June is the STR-DN840 AV receiver, a 7.2 channel, 1050 Watt juggernaut with the same connectivity convenience of built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay. With six HDMI inputs, 4K pass-through, sound optimizer and more, the STR-DN840 is aggressively priced at just $449.

A Soundbar to Bring Boom to Any Room

Designed to bring the TV experience back to life, the HT-CT660 Soundbar is a 330 Watt system producing exceptional audio marked by rich, natural sounds and incredible clarity. The 2-way, 4-driver mica reinforced speaker system delivers exceptional sound clarity with detailed highs and lows, with big sound and minimal distortion, all complemented by a wireless subwoofer that brings feeling back to the low end, along with an added convenience of being able to be placed anywhere in the room. The three HDMI inputs allow easy connection to up to three devices, such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray Disc players and cable or satellite boxes, while delivering superior high-definition picture and sound quality. Movies are presented as directors intended, with Dolby® TrueHD and dts® HD Master Audio modes the reproduce high definition sound for uncompromised quality.

Sony's S-Force® PRO Front Surround 3D technology synchronizes sounds to match the motion and depth of images on screen so viewers enjoy a fully immersive, simulated 3D surround experience without the bother and clutter of surround sound speakers. Connecting the HT-CT660 soundbar with mobile devices such as phones and tablets to stream music is as simple as one touch of any Near-Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth enabled device. And with Bluetooth standby mode, you can start streaming and enjoying music without having to turn on any additional components.

Home Theaters to Bring Cinema to the Home

Sony also unveiled its complete home theater lineup, including the BDV-N8100W and BDV-N7100W "home theaters in a box." Both products feature 1000W, 5.1 channel 3D Blu-ray disc full HD 1080p playback, with built-in Wi-Fi to stream Netflix, HuluPlus, Pandora, the Sony Entertainment Network and more and wireless rear surround sound speakers. Additionally, NFC or Bluetooth-enabled devices connect seamlessly with one touch. The BDV-N8100W system also features three-way, 47-inch floor standing speakers for exceptional sound clarity and definition, with the upper portion of the speaker separable and ideal for wall-mounting installations.

Priced at $699 and $599 respectively, the BDV-N8100W and BDV-7100W home theaters in a box are available now at Sony stores and online at http://store.sony.com, as well as electronics retailers nationwide.