
Peter Freedman Acquires Lectrosonics. Announces Røde and Mackie Manufacturing in the US
The Freedman Group, the parent company 100% owned by Peter Freedman, owner of Røde, Mackie, Aphex, SoundField, and Event Electronics, has revealed the acquisition of Lectrosonics, the globally renowned US manufacturer of professional wireless audio systems. Lectrosonics' motto is "Made in the USA by a Bunch of Fanatics" and mirrors the fact that the company manufactures all of its products in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Peter Freedman, wants to expand those operations to also manufacture Mackie products in the US.

PSI Audio Unveils A226-MAIN Three-Way Main Studio Monitor
PSI Audio unveiled its latest A226-MAIN, an active three-way studio monitor, designed for main monitors and mastering applications. Two 10-inch woofers in symmetrical configuration combine with an all-new aluminum coil tweeter and the company’s Extended Dome (EXD) midrange driver. Touted as the pinnacle of PSI Audio speaker development, the Swiss company rates the A226-MAIN to cover the entire 20Hz to 23kHz frequency spectrum with a maximum SPL level of 112dB as per AES 75 standard.

Microsoft Recommends Philips SpeechMike Premium Touch as the Successor to Nuance PowerMic
Speech Processing Solutions, the professional dictation solutions company under the Philips brand, announced that the Philips SpeechMike Premium Touch has been officially recognized by Microsoft as the recommended successor to the soon-to-be-retired Nuance PowerMic series. The Philips microphone is now the recommended hardware to use with the Nuance Dragon range of professional speech recognition solutions.

Analog Devices Launches MAX98425A and MAX98415A 22V Digital Input Stereo High Efficiency Class-D Amplifiers
Analog Devices announced two new medium power stereo Class-D amplifier devices intended to deliver maximum efficiency for battery-powered designs, with ultra-low idle current, and still providing the lowest possible distortion at its loudest levels. The MAX98425A is a low noise, Class-D amplifier with digital PCM inputs and filterless operation. The MAX98415A is a smart amplifier with IV feedback routed through the PCM interface data output and featuring a rich set of protection algorithms.

Audio Engineering Society European Convention in Warsaw, Poland, May 22-24
The Audio Engineering Society has published the full conference schedule for the 158th AES Convention, taking place in Warsaw, Poland, opening on Thursday, May 22, and running through Saturday, May 24. This is the second time that the AES European Convention will be in Warsaw. The selected venue for the event - modern film studios - should be an interesting choice. The conference will offer a wide array of topics, including music production, immersive and automotive audio.

Masimo to Sell Consumer Audio Business to Harman International
Masimo announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Sound United consumer audio business to Harman International, the company that is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, for an aggregate purchase price of $350 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, subject to receiving necessary regulatory approvals.

Bang & Olufsen Launches Third-Generation Beosound A1 Portable Speaker
Bang & Olufsen announced the third-generation Beosound A1, a reimagined version of its most affordable portable Bluetooth speaker, now combining enhanced performance with a circular design, extended battery life, and even better sound. Created in collaboration with renowned Danish designer Cecilie Manz, the A1 3rd Gen balances the minimalist lines with advanced acoustics, creating an even more appealing product - the most affordable from Bang & Olufsen.

IsoAcoustics Introduces New Range of Height-Adjustable Acoustic Isolation Feet
A recognized leading manufacturer of acoustic isolation solutions for OEM, professional, and consumer audio applications, IsoAcoustics just announced a new range of high-performance isolation feet made for speakers and home hifi systems. Improving on the successful GAIA Series, IsoAcoustics is introducing the GAIA Neo and GAIA-TITAN Neo products, adding seamless height adjustment, simplified installation, and refined aesthetics.

EASE 5 Third Edition Redefines Sound Reinforcement Planning with Acousteer Real-Time Simulation Engine
Discreetly introduced at the end of 2024 by Berlin-based AFMG Technologies, the Third Edition of EASE 5 updates this universal planning tool for loudspeaker systems with a real-time simulation engine called Acousteer. The new processing architecture allows users to calculate audience area mappings in milliseconds, with real-time adjustments, shifting the process from iterative to a dynamic exploration. The EASE 5 Third Edition suite not only empowers users to design sound systems with unprecedented accuracy, but also introduces the possibility to calibrate models accurately and collaborate live with other users and stakeholders.

AVAtronics Announces Reference Design for its Wideband Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and Speech Enhancement Engine
AVAtronics, the Lausanne-based Swiss company that developed a unique wideband active noise cancelling technology with multiple applications in personal audio and hearing assistance, announced the availability of a new reference design available for product developers. The project is the result of a cooperation with the Mint Design Group, a team of experienced product developers and designers with a heavy focus on audio from Lund, Sweden.