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System Integration for the Connected Home

Audio

Waterfall Intros Niagara Loudspeaker

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French hifi speaker maker Waterfall Audio launches what it describes as its "reference loudspeaker"-- the Niagara Platinum, a special edition loudspeaker housed inside an all-glass cabinet.

Waterfall AudioSet to debut at CEDIA Expo 2013, the Niagara Platinum is designed for use with esoteric hifi systems, state-of-the-art home cinemas and large acoustic spaces. It is rated at 500W (without clipping) with an efficiency rating of 89dB (2.83V/1m).

Frequency response clocks at 36Hz - 28kHz (+/-3dB).

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Saltwater + Polymers = Speakers?

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A Harvard University research team proposes a novel recipe for almost-invisible stretchy speakers ideal laptops, mobile devices and noise-cancelling windows-- a mixture of saltware and polymer creating a "hydrogel."

hydrogelAs detailed in a paper called "Stretchable, Transparent, Ionic Conductors," hydrogel speakers take inspiration from the flow of electrical signals via ions (not electrons) in the human body.

Seawater is rich in free-flowing dissolved ions. Mixed with a polymer it creates the hydrogel, a flexible yet solid substance.

The actual speaker consists of a thin sheet of transparent, insulating rubber between 2 layers of gel connected to copper electrodes. Electrical signals from an audio source pass to the hydrogel via electrodes, causing the ions to flow. The movement of the ions causes the rubber in the middle to vibrate at specific frequencies, creating sound.

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A 5-Speaker System in a Single Box?

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Orbitsound promises "a one-box TV sound solution with an integrated subwoofer without the need for additional speakers" with the SB60 Airsound Base, a 5-speaker system inside what looks like a hybrid of STB and soundbar.

SB60Using the company's Airsound (aka "spatial sound") technology, the SB60 produces "sum and difference" audio signals instead of left and right channels to create "a more solid image." It packs two 2-inch front speakers, two 2-inch side-firing speakers and a 5-inch down-firing subwoofer.

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A Smaller Light Harmonic DAC

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Light Harmonic (maker of the starship-esque Da Vinci digtal-to-analog converter (DAC)) goes for something smaller and cheaper with the Geek, a portable DAC the size of a USB thumb drive.

Geek DACThe Geek promises to give PC audio "more detail, greater depth, stronger bass and dynamics” by replacing built-in soundcards. It plugs into USB ports, drives 2 pairs of headphones or speakers, and supports high-resolution audio formats up to and including 384kHz PCM files.

Light Harmonic also claims the Geek is the first portable DAC able to process DSD and double-DSD files.

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Russound Updates Audio Software

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Russound updates C-Series multiroom audio system software with Release 7-- now with additional streaming radio service access (namely Pandora and TuneIn), Apple AirPlay support and integration with control systems from other vendors.

Russound release 7The update covers the DMS-3.1 digital media streamer, TS3 colour touchscreen, MCA-C3/C5 multizone controller amplifier, MDK-C5/C6 multiline display keypad and My Russound MRA-3 app.

AirPlay support comes complete with song metadata on keypads, while 3rd party integration allows control of the DMS-3.1 streamer via Control4, Key Digital and RTI control systems.

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