Audio News for February 8, 2013

by | Feb 8, 2013 | Audio News

Consumers Move Away from Desktop Computers to Mobile Devices – An NPD Group report states that 37% of those who used to access online contact via their PCs are now using their tablet or smartphone. 27% of tablet owners are using their devices more frequently to browse the web. The top-three activities on tablets are web browsing, Facebook and playing free online games. Also, about 21% of smart-TV owners said they are using them to watch streaming video instead of watching on their PC. But content creation will remain in the domain of the desktop or laptop computer.

New Paradigm Powered Soundbar – Their Soundtrack System is a low-profile, high-quality sound solution to complement ultra-thin flat panels.  The system has six drivers and a separate compact wireless subwoofer. There are two 4½” bass/midrange drivers, two 4” passive radiators and two 1” aluminum dome tweeters. A user interface controls power, volume and synching of the subwoofer with the soundbar, and you can control both the soundbar and your TV with just one remote. The subwoofer has an 8” driver and 100-watt (sustained power) Class D amp. No installation or receiver are required. The soundbar itself is 36” by 5” by 2¼” and SRP is $799.99.

Orb Launches Upgraded Mini-amp – Orb Audio has upgraded its mini-amp for computers, TVs and mobile devices. It adds upgraded Class-T amp chips, a subwoofer output, larger speaker-cable connectors, and a lower-noise signal path. The Mini-T is rated a 2×15 watts with a 102 dB dynamic range, and can be used with Apple’s AirPort Express to stream Wi-Fi music from iTunes-equipped computers and Apple’s mobile devices. The amp alone is $69 and can be paired with Orb’s Mod1 speaker balls at $299.

Subwoofer Maker SVS Launches First Fullrange Speaker – The new SVS Ultra Towers are 3.5-way with five drivers in a trapezoid-shaped cabinet. The two composite glass-fiber midrange drivers are 6.5” and in separate sealed enclosures; only the top one crosses over to the tweeter. Two 8” woofers are horizontally opposed on the left and right side bottom of each cabinet. SRP is $1,998 pr.

Yamaha Audio Sales Growth – Yamaha said its nine-month audio sales in both North America and emerging economies grew in the period ending Dec. 31. Overall operating profit, however, fell 5.1%, although net income rose 63.6%. The company expects to post zero net profit for the full fiscal year, but that is better than the previous year, when Yamaha had a net loss of 29.4 billion yen.

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