Audio Codecs Ltd. is building on its innovation in microphone technology. Earlier this year, the company announced a joint project with New Zealand-based RF consultancy Virscient and British antenna producer AntennaWare to launch a Bluetooth Low Energy digital wireless microphone. The company is now turning its attention to headphones and speakers.
According to Audio Codecs’ Jonny McClintock, the wireless audio industry desperately needs disruption. Headphones and speakers have reached a point of diminishing returns regarding audio quality and user experience. It says the industry should consider a complementary RF solution to Bluetooth. It suggests that ultra-wideband is a strong contender with its lower latency, increased data bandwidth and very low power.
One of UWB’s challenges has been body blocking. McClintock says AntennaWare’s patented Bodywave antenna addresses that and welcomes in the era of Headphone 3.0. With this new technology, headphones will be able to provide exceptional audio quality, i.e., 24/96 Linear PCM, 5.1 / 7.1 via Skylark (with an option for a return voice back channel) and latencies low enough to deliver real-time experiences.
Users can configure Headphone 3.0 headsets… to be in complete control of not only how they listen to audio but also listen to the world and their body.
Jonny McClintock, Audiocodecs Ltd.
The company adds that with Sonical’s CosmOS, users can configure Headphone 3.0 headsets via downloadable apps that will enable them to be in complete control of not only how they listen to audio but also listen to the world and their body. One example is deep neurotech from Segotia that uses sensors to harvest brain activity and open the gateway to the addition of attention monitoring, sports psychology, hearing monitoring and other health-related applications using Headphone 3.0.
Audio Codecs says it will demonstrate the Headphone 3.0 technology at CES in Las Vegas, Jan. 5-8, at several venues, including Qorvo in Booth #52117 and ALTI’s VIP hospitality suite at the Venetian in Lido 3101B, located on the 3rd floor.