Tag: High-End Audio Format

  • Sonos Unveils Ace Headphones: ANC, 40mm Drivers, Starting at $449

    Sonos Unveils Ace Headphones: ANC, 40mm Drivers, Starting at $449

    Sonos has made a notable entry into the premium headphone market with the launch of the Sonos Ace, their inaugural over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. This new offering brings Sonos into direct competition with established brands like Bose and Sony.

    The headphones are currently available for pre-order, with a full release scheduled for June 5th. Featuring custom 40mm drivers, the Ace promises rich and detailed audio. It is equipped with eight microphones that collaboratively work to actively cancel unwanted noise. Additionally, an ambient sound mode helps users stay attuned to their surroundings when necessary. The Ace supports immersive listening experiences with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, making it perfect for movies, music, and gaming. For lossless audio playback, both Bluetooth and wired USB-C connections are supported.

    Impressive Battery Life

    The battery life of the Sonos Ace is noteworthy, lasting up to 30 hours with noise cancellation or ambient sound mode active. A quick 3-minute charge can provide 3 hours of playback, ideal for those needing a quick power boost. Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity ensures a stable and reliable connection, while physical buttons allow intuitive control over volume, playback, and noise cancellation settings.

    Design and Comfort

    A reviewer from 9to5Mac commends the balance between weight and comfort achieved by Sonos with the Ace. At 312 grams, it is lighter than the AirPods Max while still incorporating high-quality materials such as stainless steel for a premium feel. The headphones feature memory foam earcups and an over-ear design to prioritize comfort during extended listening sessions. The modular design of the Ace allows for easy replacement of earcups when needed.

    Connectivity and Accessories

    Unlike most Sonos products, the Ace uses Bluetooth for connectivity rather than Wi-Fi. Each pair comes with a matching carrying case, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a 3.5mm jack adapter.

    The Sonos Ace is now available for pre-order at a price of $449 and will be generally released on June 5th.

    Sonos Unveils Ace Headphones: ANC, 40mm Drivers, Starting at 9
    Tags: , ,
  • Moondrop MIAD 01 Debuts with Dual Audio Jack & MediaTek Processor

    Moondrop MIAD 01 Debuts with Dual Audio Jack & MediaTek Processor

    Moondrop, a well-known brand recognized for its premium in-ear monitors and earbuds, has introduced the MIAD 01, marking its initial venture into the realm of smartphones. Unlike typical smartphones that emphasize specifications, this phone, in line with the brand’s audio-focused identity, places a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional audio quality. Let’s delve into the detailed specifications, features, and pricing of the Moondrop MIAD 01.

    Moondrop MIAD 01 Specifications

    The MIAD 01 operates on the MediaTek Dimensity 7050, a mid-range chipset that caters well to daily tasks but may not particularly impress power users. It boasts 12GB of LPDDR4X memory and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage capacity, with the option to expand storage further using a microSD card up to 2TB.

    The front of the phone showcases a sizable 6.7-inch curved OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Display resolution stands at the standard 1080p, complemented by a 32MP front camera for selfies.

    Moving to the back, there is a 64MP primary sensor, likely paired with a depth sensor to enhance portrait mode capabilities. Powering the device is a 5000mAh battery that supports rapid 33W charging.

    Audio Features

    One of the standout features is the audio setup. The MIAD 01 boasts a distinctive combination of dual headphone jacks – a 4.4mm balanced jack tailored for audiophiles seeking top-tier connections and a conventional 3.5mm jack for broader compatibility. The balanced jack delivers a superior output voltage compared to the 3.5mm jack.

    Additionally, the phone incorporates a quad-channel DAC configuration supported by Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DACs. This setup promises exceptional audio quality, boasting a high dynamic range and a low signal-to-noise ratio.

    Advanced Audio Circuitry and Price Details

    The specifications of the Moondrop MIAD 01 are remarkable, even surpassing the capabilities of some standalone portable DAC/amps. The audio circuitry is further strengthened by a 6-layer gold-sinking design, an independent power supply, and a 100-level hardware volume control. Moondrop has also included an Audio Center app to facilitate additional sound customization through DSP functionality.

    Price and Availability

    The Moondrop MIAD 01 is competitively priced at 2499 RMB (approximately $345), making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious audiophiles seeking a phone that excels in audio quality.

    However, the availability of the phone on an international scale remains uncertain. Presently, the phone is exclusively launched in China and is set to hit the markets starting April 25th.

    Moondrop MIAD 01 Debuts with Dual Audio Jack & MediaTek Processor
    Moondrop MIAD 01 Debuts with Dual Audio Jack & MediaTek Processor
    Tags: , ,
  • Apple Music Could Provide Incentives for Artists and Record Labels to Embrace High-Quality Audio Format

    Apple Music Could Provide Incentives for Artists and Record Labels to Embrace High-Quality Audio Format

    Apple Music to Offer Dolby Atmos Streams for Enhanced Audio Experience

    Apple Music introduced spatial audio for the first time in 2021, utilizing Dolby Atmos technology to provide a more immersive and realistic sound experience for listeners. This format allows music to emanate from different directions around the listener’s head, replicating a lifelike and three-dimensional effect.

    According to a recent Bloomberg article, Apple Music plans to expand its offering by providing streams of songs in Dolby Atmos format, in addition to the standard stereo version. This move aims to make Dolby Atmos music more widely available and provide artists with larger royalties.

    Enhancing the Listening Experience with Spatial Audio

    With this development, Apple Music users can expect to hear more spatial audio tracks that offer a truly immersive listening experience. By using audio technology to create versions with spatial sound, musicians and record labels will receive higher royalties.

    Apple Music’s new approach also benefits artists and record labels as listeners do not necessarily need to engage with the Atmos version for the artists to be compensated. This means that even if users choose to listen to the standard stereo version, artists will still receive their fair share.

    Incentivizing High-End Audio Format Adoption

    The introduction of Dolby Atmos in Apple Music presents an opportunity for well-known musicians and record companies to participate and potentially increase their royalties. Atmos technology makes music mixing more cost-effective, making it an attractive option for artists and labels.

    However, Apple has yet to officially disclose the guidelines and rewards for using the new audio format. Currently, Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, iMacs, and AirPods support Dolby Atmos, allowing users to enjoy the enhanced audio experience.

    Expanding the Availability of Spatial Audio

    In addition to Apple Music, users of Amazon Inc.’s Music app can also enjoy free Dolby Atmos-compatible spatial audio as part of their subscriptions. This move by Apple Music could be a significant step, as Spotify has not yet enabled spatial audio on its platform.

    As Apple Music continues to innovate and enhance the listening experience, the introduction of Dolby Atmos streams demonstrates their commitment to providing high-quality audio and rewarding artists and record labels for their contributions.

    Tags: , ,