2007 Winter Symposium: Exhibitor Roundup

Exhibitors displayed a wide range of loudspeaker test and measurement systems, loudspaker components and other equipment.

Test and Measurement

GRAS

Gras showed a selection of microphones ranging from the smallest 1/8-inch high frequency microphones to 1-inch microphones for low levels and frequencies. The wide selection of both free-field microphones, pressure microphones and random-incidence microphones makes it easy to select the microphone for your specific application. The range of microphones is supported by a comprehensive range of high-performance preamplifiers and a wide selection of accessories. Gras also distributed copies of their new 2007 catalog - call Gras to get your copy. Gras website

K&K International

First-time exhibitor K & K International demonstrated its range of acoustic test systems designed for fast and efficient quality control of loudspeaker units, loudspeaker systems, headphones, handsets and microphones. The P630 Product and smaller systems as P730 and P830 together with a new pre amplifier were demonstrated as well as new

versions of K&K's software. A wide range of parameters can be measured using these systems, including frequency response, sensitivity, average, polarity, rub & buzz, THD, impedance, resonance and Q. The result can be returned as an "approved / rejected" result or full test results can be displayed. It can, at the same time, save all data for further statistical analysis in less than 1 second. K&K website

Klippel GmbH

Klippel GmbH demonstrated their R&D and QC systems. The Klippel R&D System is a universal measurement system for all kind of parameters and acoustical measurements of suspension parts, transducers (e.g. woofers) and complete electro-acoustical systems (loudspeakers). As a development tool it complements other design tools (FEA, BEA) and supports the comparison of predicted and measured results. The Klippel QC System is dedicated to 100% loudspeaker testing at the end of the production line. High-speed performance and flexible software allows integration into fully automated production lines as well as manual testing. An intuitive user interface and smart limit setting algorithms shorten training and setup periods. Meta-Hearing-Technology offers a highly sensitive detection of Rub&Buzz defects by actively isolating the defects from regular distortion of motor and suspension. Klippel website

Listen, Inc.Listen, Inc. launched the new version 7.0 of SoundCheck^TM – the leading software based test system for R&D and production line testing of loudspeakers and other electroacoustic and audio electronic devices. This new version offers many additional and improved features including multichannel analysis, a new sequence wizard to simplify test set-up for first-time users, an improved loose particle algorithm, an improved multitone stimulus and new post-processing algorithms. The new FFT and inverse FFT algorithms allow you to easily post-process in either the time or the frequency domain, for example, when combining far-field and near-field measurements. This is particularly useful for examining the impulse response of a spliced loudspeaker measurement. Listen website

LoudSoft.

Loudsoft presented the new FINELab(TM) QC system. This robust and reliable system with USB interface offers a range of features including high speed testing with CHIRP, sensitivity, SPL, polarity, and Thiele/Small parameters, measurement of SPL + impedance at the same time, adaptive response limits, intelligent statistics and automatic finding of the “Golden” average driver. Loudsoft also demonstrated its simulation software programs and discussed its consultancy services.

Loudsoft website

Loudspeaker Components

Anadigm. Anadigm demonstrated their NEW SonicMaster family - an advanced subwoofer signal processing module solution for quickly upgrading existing subwoofer plate amplifier designs with an enhanced feature set. This allows for state-of-the art subwoofers with minimal costand negligible product development. Anadigm's audio

dpASP (dynamically programmable Analog Signal Processor) embedded into SonicMaster provides a programmable platform for the subwoofer signal conditioning, enabling equalization, band-pass filtering and amplifier clipping and woofer bottoming limiter protection to an active subwoofer design. Such a platform also enables audiophile class "all analog" AutoEQ processing. The SonicMaster family is preprogrammed, allowing for an out of the box solution that is very cost effective compared to digital DSP solutions and much more flexible then discrete analog.Anadigm w ebsite

Ferrotec (USA) Corp.

Ferrotec, the world leader in ferrofluid for the loudspeaker industry since 1973, exhibited

a complete line of high reliability ferrofluids that increase yield during the manufacture of speakers, improve speaker performance by stabilizing voice coil motion, and extend speaker life. The new APG 1100 series fluids offer next generation, cost-competitive fluid for tweeters and midrange speakers with unparalleled performance, and the new

developmental APG CD series fluids is the answer for the demanding high temperature requirements of power compression drivers. Ferrotec was also giving away copies of a new technology note on real time measurement of Voice Coil Operating Temperature - contact Ferrotec to obtain a copy. Ferrotec website

Ferrolabs

FerroLabs exhibited their LiquidAudio(TM) ferrofluids which are specifically designed for the loudspeaker industry. The unique heat-transfer properties of LiquidAudio ferrofluids contribute to both an increase in power capacity and a lower operating temperature, which improves performance and reduces the risk of speaker failure. FerroLabs has been developing ferrofluid technology for over 30 years and its core team of scientists and engineers, many of

whom hold multiple patents, pioneered the technology in Russia. In addition to its standard product line, Ferrolabs specializes in customization, working with clients to develop application-specific solutions. Ferrolabs website

KSC Industries

KSC Industries showed the new Digmoda Series Plate Amplifiers with D-Pro Digital Signal Audio Processor. The D-Pro is a 96 KHz, 24 bit digital audio processing solution for use in loudspeaker correction. D-Pro Windows Software makes speaker correction, setting up crossovers, and equalization easy by allowing the import of a speaker response measurement file that is plotted on a graph and visually and dynamically equalized in real time by manipulating selected biquad filters using Visual-Handles dragged with a mouse. File types include Clio, LMS, MLSSA, Liberty Praxis, SoundCheck or any other requested format. The DSP configurations can then be stored in non-volatile flash memory, or saved to, or loaded from files on the user’s PC hard-drive.  KSC website

Propex, Inc.
Propex, Inc. showcased Curv®, a self-reinforced 100% PP composite utilized as a high performance speaker cone material.  Curv®, provides superior strength, stiffness, and Young’s Modulus in loudspeaker applications, and also provides additional aesthetic value with its unique woven appearance. Being fully thermoformable, Curv® is available at leading speaker cone manufacturers. Propex website.

Product Development Tools
R&D Team
R&D Team, exhibiting at ALMA for the first time, demonstrated Vacs (Visualising ACousticS), a software package that has been developed by engineers for engineers to simplify the way they visualise, process and store their acoustic data. Comparing measurements or simulations of differing origins is easy, because Vacs supports a broad range of proprietary file formats (MLSSA, Clio, EASERA, B&K, etc.) and also comes with a highly configurable ASCII-import. Vacs offers sophisticated tools for analysing directivity data, for example those produced by turntable or microphone cluster measurements. Vacs keeps data analysis and storage simple, allowing engineers to focus on using their creativity to invent and develop great products. R&D Team website

Services
Phase Design
Phase Design provides service, prototypes or complete packages to companies in the loudspeaker industry, and their booth featured an interesting array of products that they had prototyped. Phase Design, based in Shenzhen, China offers product and process engineering solutions, manufacturing systems and product development, and ongoing QA inspection services. Run by Phil Bunch, an American, and his Chinese wife, Nancy, they are able to provide the combination of language experience and cultural understanding necessary to assist US companies with their business in Asia. Phase Design website

Publications

Audio Amateur. Audio Amateur handed out three of their publications targeted towards this industry. Voice Coil is the leading, worldwide news source in the loudspeaker industry, with a niche audience of OEM engineers and professionals looking for suppliers of drivers, components, test & measurement equipment and software, materials and services. Multi Media Manufacturer reaches a global audience of decision- making engineers and product developers at audio- visual OEMs/ODMs. They are the makers of a wide array of A/V entertainment technology products – focusing on home entertainment, mobile audio/video, multimedia computing, professional audio, and more. The annual Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook is the most comprehensive resource for industry OEMs, specifiers, and buyers. It contains 16 sections, 200 separate categories, and over 600 companies from around the globe. From adhesives to domes, crossovers to voice coils, assembly to reconing, and every material, product and service in between – you’ll find it in this unique, invaluable guide. Audio Amateur website

More from the ALMA 2007 Symposium:

Space is still available so if you have not yet secured your exhibit space and would like to exhibit, please complete the Exhibitor Registration form and fax it to 1-609-799-7032.