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.
Pascal Returns to OEM/ODM Amplifier Technology Business
Pascal has announced the strategic divestiture from its Blaze Audio finished products business, and a return to its core position as a designer and manufacturer of audio amplifier modules, which it used to supply to multiple manufacturers in the audio industry. With the strategic sale of Blaze Audio to Sonance, headquartered in San Clemente, California, effective July 1st, 2025, Pascal hopes to rebuild the company’s reputation that once made it one of the most successful professional audio amplifier companies.
Cirrus Logic and Compal Electronics Join Forces to Pioneer AI-Powered Audio Enhancement for Laptops
Cirrus Logic announced a strategic collaboration with Compal Electronics from Taiwan to develop AI technology aimed at solving persistent audio quality challenges in laptop computers. The partnership will leverage Cirrus Logic's expertise in audio processing and Compal's design and manufacturing experience to address mechanical rattle and audio distortion issues that have long plagued the PC industry. This initiative represents Cirrus Logic's first AI audio technology designed specifically for the PC market.
You Can DIY! Built-In Guitar Effects
A fresh, analog-friendly electronics project, this article proposes one of many DIY examples from the author’s Audio Circuits Cookbook. An excellent way to dive into the art of guitar effects and tone shaping, benefiting from the experience of someone who's been doing this since the 1960s, this article shows how to rewire a typical guitar using a Fender Telecaster as the example, and how to build small high-gain circuits like a fuzz-tone or a compressor, to great effect.
Røde Launches NTH-50 On-Ear Headphones
Following the enormous success of its NTH-100 circumaural headphones launched in 2022, Røde has now unveiled the NTH-50 professional on-ear headphones, expanding its lineup. With a design that is somewhat similar to the famous Sennheiser HD 25 without being a blatant copy, the new NTH-50s are made for professionals and any user who demands sonic precision, exceptional comfort, and superior noise isolation in a lightweight, durable on-ear design. At the heart of the NTH-50 headphones is a custom-engineered 40mm dynamic driver.
Qobuz Launches Qobuz Connect at High End 2025
Qobuz, the French high-quality music streaming and download platform, is the latest to launch a direct streaming feature that offers simplified control and seamless continuity between devices. Qobuz Connect enables users to stream music directly using Qobuz to control their compatible hifi devices without the need for third-party applications, while benefiting from the best possible sound quality.
Dirac AudioIQ Now Supported by Asahi Kasei Microdevices’ Automotive DSPs
Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Swedish digital audio processing pioneer Dirac have announced a partnership to integrate Dirac’s suite of software-defined smart acoustics solutions, AudioIQ, into AKM’s line of automotive audio digital signal processors (DSPs), including the flagship AK7709. The partnership provides OEMs and Tier 1 partners with a scalable suite of advanced algorithms as an embedded turnkey solution, significantly reducing tuning time while enhancing sound quality within vehicle interiors.
ESS Technology Announces New Flagship SMART High-Resolution Analog-to-Digital Converters
ESS Technology has announced three new flagship Sabre Pro Smart Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) based on the company’s patented Hyperstream IV ADC architecture. The new devices target both professional and consumer audio applications and include the ES9823MPRO and ES9823PRO 2-channel ADCs and the 4-channel ES9843PRO ADC. The Sabre ES9823MPRO is the first ADC to incorporate the new FOQUS by MQA Labs architecture, eliminating unnatural pre-ringing and post-ringing of impulse responses.