Audio

IK Multimedia has added something of a Swiss Army knife audio interface to its iRig line. The 4-in/2-out Pro Quattro I/O is aimed at musicians and digital content creators, and promises broadcast quality results in the studio or out in the field.

Back in 2019, Soundboks sent us a pair of crazy loud Bluetooth speakers to try out which, though certainly portable, each proved too much for one person in the long haul. Now a smaller and lighter – but almost as powerful – version has launched.

Engineers at MIT have developed an ultra-thin speaker that could be used to make entire surfaces produce sound. The unique design should be energy efficient and easy to produce at scale, the team says.

The masters of minimalist styling at Sweden's Teenage Engineering have added a feature-packed but tiny pro audio mixer to the company's lineup, which packs built-in sounds, beats and sequencing and can also serve as a USB audio interface.

Austrian hi-fi gear maker Pro-Ject has announced the X8 turntable, its first model to feature "True Balanced Connection" technology for improved signal purity and the promise of more detailed playback.

DJI has announced its first dedicated audio recording system. The DJI Mic clip-on transmitter mics and wireless receiver setup is reckoned ideal for "shooting a vlog, interviews or any kind of content creation that requires high-quality audio."

Japan's Sonicware has developed a hand-held groove machine for folks who create music using sounds from the world around them. The SmplTrek is a sonic sampler with a built-in sequencer that can also serve as an audio interface for live streaming.

Scientists have made another extraordinary discovery concerning spider silk, finding that orb-weaving spiders use their webs as an array to extend their sense of hearing, a finding that could lead to advanced new forms of audio hardware.

Sony has introduced an interesting take on the modern earbud that places an emphasis on ambient noise with a unique ring-shaped design, and does so in a way it promises won't compromise the quality of the listening experience.

Music lovers hoping to enjoy high-resolution audio from a smartphone may well find that the conversion circuitry inside is simply not up to the task. The Zen One Signature DAC from Brit audio specialist iFi has been designed to rectify that.

Musicians can use computer-based music production platforms to record, mix and produce songs, but some prefer the more tactile experience afforded by dedicated hardware. That's what the R20 from Japan's Zoom Corporation provides.

Audeze has launched its first non-headphone product on Indiegogo. The Filter portable personal conference speaker uses machine learning to cut out background noise on-the-fly, while its planar speaker tech delivers top notch audio to the user.