Kali Audio Announces SM-8 Powered Studio Monitor
Kali Audio has announced the SM-8, an 8" model in their top-tier Project Santa Monica, or SM-Series, line of studio monitors, which already includes a 5" model. The US-based brand of studio monitors keeps expanding its successful formula, leveraging the proven 3-way coincident architecture with more refined components and craftsmanship in each iteration. The more expensive product from the company, the new SM-Series aims for improved quality for critical production applications.
THX Announces New THX Spatial Audio+ Architecture for Immersive Audio in Laptops, Soundbars, and Headphones
THX has announced the expansion of its THX Spatial Audio technology, introducing a feature-rich new immersive audio architecture for enjoyment of gaming, movies, and music. The technology introduces support for 7.1.4 multichannel content, head tracking, and content-based audio optimization while listening on laptops and soundbars with speaker arrays, or binaural reproduction on headphones and earbuds.
Alango Technologies Confirms Partnership with BEStechnic for Advanced Hearing Enhancement
Alango Technologies announced a collaboration with BEStechnic to deliver new advanced designs for hearing enhancement and augmentation based on that company's ultra-low power Bluetooth Smart Audio platforms. Alango is now fully leveraging the latest BES2800YP SoC to run its advanced DSP software, introducing a new feature-rich solution for hearable devices, such as true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and smart glasses.
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Røde Wireless Micro Receives Direct Connect Bluetooth Upgrade
Røde announced a major firmware update for its relatively recent Wireless Micro solution, introducing Direct Connect – a new Bluetooth feature that allows users to connect Wireless Micro transmitters directly to iOS devices without the need for a physical receiver. The Røde Wireless Micro was launched in November 2024 to offer a pocket-sized dual microphone system for smartphone users that do not require and don’t care about professional features.
Comply Foam Unveils New Patented SmartSkin Foam Technology
Comply Foam, the pioneer and the largest supplier of foam tips for earbuds, announced the launch of SmartSkin, a patented foam technology that provides maximum durability and increased lifespan over traditional options. This product puts Comply Foam even further ahead in the market, as it becomes the first to offer a durable, hygienic, moisture-resistant high-performance product that will transform the listening experience of consumers worldwide.
Synaptics Names Rahul Patel as President and Chief Executive Officer
Synaptics announced that Rahul Patel has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of the company. The semiconductor industry executive with experience at Qualcomm and Broadcom will drive the company’s next chapter of innovation and growth in Processing, Connectivity, and Sensing. Patel succeeds Synaptics CFO Ken Rizvi, who has served as the company’s Interim CEO since February 2025, and will continue to serve as the company’s CFO.
Dirac Live Active Room Treatment Available to Select Denon and Marantz AVRs
Dirac announced that its Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) solution, introduced in 2023, will be made available in select Denon and Marantz devices beginning in the second half of 2025. According to the Swedish digital audio processing company, the Denon and Marantz AVRs that currently already support Dirac Live Bass Control will be able to unlock the next-generation room correction capabilities.
Focusrite Announces RedNet TNX Thunderbolt and Dante Interface
Focusrite announced a new flexible Dante interface that delivers high channel counts, ultra-low latency, and powerful audio workflows to any PC or Mac with an available Thunderbolt connection. The release marks the first new offering in Focusrite’s RedNet range since RedNet PCIeNX in 2023. The new RedNet TNX, however, enables users to pass audio via Dante to and from a computer without having to install a PCIe card.
Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex
The fourth in a series of product reviews of outboard DSP hardware, this article explores the miniDSP Flex digital signal processing (DSP) unit. The Flex is a two channels in/four channels out, Sharc-based audio processor that offers a more cost-effective model than the previously featured miniDSP processors in the series, with a retail price of $570 for the TRS balanced IO model. Besides the competitive price, the review confirms how the miniDSP Flex manages to measure and impress.
Audioscenic Amphi High-Dimensional Sound with BeClear Technology Licensed from Philips
Audioscenic announced a technology collaboration with Philips and NXP Semiconductors to demonstrate the world’s first reference design for gaming soundbars. This breakthrough combines Audioscenic Amphi Hi-D spatial audio featuring AI position sensing with Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) from Philips BeClear. Product designers, product managers, and engineers can experience the reference design in person at Computex Taipei 2025.