APTX, Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, Bluegiga launch Wireless Speaker Module

30/12/2009

Audio design houses team to provide high-spec, low-cost, add-in module for passive-speaker OEMs that combines high-efficiency Class-D amplification with Stereo Bluetooth module plus apt-X based A2DP.

Audio design engineering companies APTX, Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, and Bluegiga Technologies have joined forces to produce a highly integrated module reference design and evaluation kit for speaker OEMs seeking to upgrade existing passive products to wireless active systems. This new module concept combines Class D amplification from ICEpower, a wireless interface from Bluegiga, and audio coding software from APTX. The collaboration between APTX, ICEpower and Bluegiga combines the core competencies of each company to produce a high-performance, easy-to-integrate solution that offers the following benefits to speaker OEMs: a comprehensive evaluation kit with proven hardware and firmware; accelerated new product development; supports the market shift to wireless and active loudspeaker systems; and establishes technology leadership through partnering with strategic manufacturers.

Speaking at CES 2010, Stephen Wray, VP Licensing of APTX said: “This is great news for speaker OEMs seeking to upscale their products from simple passives to cutting-edge wireless active technology. ICEpower was one of the first audio companies to pioneer the industry transformation from analog to high-efficiency switching technologies. With this new modular solution, electronics OEMs can now retro-fit existing passive loudspeaker systems, provide Bluetooth wireless interoperability, and deliver really professional audio quality that’s indistinguishable from wired speaker systems. This new modular solution delivers a very impressive dynamic range of more than 92dB at CD sampling rates (16bit/44.1kHz).”

ICEpower has raised the power-efficiency of the amplifier and power supply from the 50-70% found in traditional analogue designs, to 80-95% thanks to advance Class D techniques. This helps make audio devices much “greener”.