HARMAN Professional Solutions has completed its acquisition of FLUX SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, a notable event that's stirring discussions and positive reactions in the audio technology community. This strategic move is being lauded as a significant enhancement to HARMAN's capabilities, particularly in the realms of immersive audio solutions, processing, and analysis across various domains including live production, installation sound, content creation, and post-production.

Professionals and enthusiasts in the audio industry view this acquisition as a synergistic union that combines FLUX's innovative software technology with HARMAN’s extensive hardware and software engineering resources. There's a palpable excitement about the potential for new, culturally significant audio experiences and advancements in technology resulting from this collaboration.

Brian Divine, President of HARMAN Professional Solutions, and Gaël Martinet, Founder and CEO of FLUX SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, both expressed their enthusiasm and optimism for the future, highlighting the prospects of empowering artists, designers, and engineers with comprehensive and innovative product offerings. The general consensus is that this move sets the stage for future innovations, bringing together the passion and expertise of both teams to create groundbreaking audio solutions.

This acquisition is seen as a strategic investment by HARMAN, aiming to bring outstanding immersive experiences to live and recorded productions, and is anticipated to make a significant impact on the audio industry, elevating the standards for audio experiences and technological developments.

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HARMAN Acquires FLUX: Ushering in Advanced Immersive Audio Solutions

Innovative audio solutions on the horizon as HARMAN acquires FLUX SOFTWARE, aiming to redefine immersive sound experiences.

Understanding room acoustics starts with grasping the essential principles of sound itself. Whether you're a sound engineer, an audiophile, or just someone interested in learning more about sound, this article is your go-to guide. In the following chapters, we will delve into what sound waves are, what frequency means, and how amplitude impacts what you hear. 

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## The Nature of Sound Waves

### What is Sound?

#### The Mechanical Nature of Sound

Sound is essentially a kind of wave that moves through a medium, like air, water, or even solid materials. Imagine you're plucking a guitar string. When the string moves, it starts to shake or vibrate. This vibration causes the air around the string to move, and these moving air particles then cause the particles next to them to move. This domino effect creates a ripple in the air, almost like how dropping a stone in water creates ripples. This ripple in the air is what we know as a sound wave.

#### Anatomy of a Sound Wave

**Compressions and Rarefactions**

A sound wave has parts where the air particles are close together and other parts where they're spread out. When the particles are close together, that's what we call "compression," which is an area of high pressure. On the flip side, when the particles are far apart, that's called "rarefaction," an area of low pressure. So, a sound wave is essentially a series of these compressions and rarefactions moving through the air.

**Wavelength, Frequency, and Amplitude**

-   **Wavelength**: When you look at a sound wave, you'll see that it has peaks and valleys. The distance from one peak to the next (or one valley to the next) is what we call the "wavelength."
-   **Frequency**: This is how many peaks (or valleys) pass by a specific point in a given amount of time, usually one second. Frequency is what determines the pitch of the sound; the higher the frequency, the higher the pitch.
-   **Amplitude**: This describes how "tall" the peaks in the wave are, or in other words, how far the particles in the air are moving back and forth. The amplitude determines how loud the sound is; bigger amplitude means a louder sound.

#### Complex Waveforms and Timbre

Real-world sounds are usually not simple; they are complex mixtures of many waves. For example, when you hear a note played on a piano and the same note played on a guitar, they sound different. This quality of sound that allows you to distinguish between different instruments playing the same note is called "timbre." Timbre is shaped by a combination of many different sound waves that are all mixed together.

#### Phase and Interference

When two sound waves meet, they can either add up to make a louder sound or cancel each other out to make a softer sound. This is known as "interference." How this happens depends on the "phase" of the waves, which is essentially the timing of their peaks and valleys relative to each other. If two waves are in sync, they'll make a louder sound, and if they're out of sync, they can cancel each other out.

In summary, understanding the nature of sound waves, their properties, and how they interact with each other is the foundation for diving into the complex world of room acoustics. With these basics, you'll be better equipped to understand the technicalities involved in sound engineering and audio system setup.

## Frequency — The Pitch of Sound

### Understanding Frequency

When you hear the shrill sound of a whistle or the deep rumble of a drum, what you're actually detecting are differences in frequency. Think of frequency as the "speed" of the sound wave. Measured in units called Hertz (Hz), frequency determines whether a sound is high-pitched or low-pitched. When a sound wave has many cycles passing by a point in just one second, we say it has a high frequency, and it sounds higher to our ears. On the other hand, fewer cycles per second lead to a low frequency and a deeper sound.

#### The Role of Frequency in Music and Speech

In music, the concept of frequency is essential for distinguishing between different musical notes. When you play a middle C on a piano, you are essentially creating a sound wave with a specific frequency that our ears and brain interpret as that particular note. In speech, variations in frequency give rise to the different tones and pitches that make voices unique.

### Harmonics and Overtones

#### What Are They?

You might think that when you play a musical note, you're hearing just one frequency, but that's rarely the case. Most of the time, you're hearing a main frequency (known as the fundamental frequency) along with several other higher frequencies known as harmonics or overtones.

#### How Do They Affect Sound?

These harmonics are actually whole-number multiples of the fundamental frequency. So if your fundamental frequency is, say, 100 Hz, you might also have harmonics at 200 Hz, 300 Hz, 400 Hz, and so on. These harmonics give the sound its own unique "color" or "timbre," making a piano sound different from a flute even when they play the same note.

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## Amplitude — The Loudness Factor

### What is Amplitude?

If frequency is about pitch, amplitude is about volume. Amplitude tells us how "big" a sound wave is, meaning how much the air particles are moving back and forth as the wave passes through. A big, or "tall," wave will sound loud to us, while a small, or "short," wave will sound quiet.

#### The Real-World Implications of Amplitude

Amplitude has significant implications in various fields. In sound engineering, managing amplitude is crucial for balancing sound levels in recording or live performance settings. For audiophiles and those interested in Hi-Fi equipment, understanding amplitude is key to optimizing the listening experience, from setting volume levels to choosing the right equipment.

### The Decibel Scale

#### Why Do We Need It?

Our ears can pick up a remarkably wide range of sounds, from the faint rustle of leaves to the roar of a jet engine. To make sense of this enormous range, we use a special logarithmic scale called the decibel (dB) scale.

#### How Does It Work?

The decibel scale allows us to describe very quiet and very loud sounds in a way that's easier to understand and quantify. On this scale, a whisper might measure around 20 to 30 dB, while a rock concert could exceed 120 dB. The decibel scale is not linear; a sound that is 20 dB is not twice as loud as a sound that is 10 dB. Instead, each increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in intensity, making the sound perceptually about twice as loud.

By understanding both frequency and amplitude, and how they are measured and described, you are well on your way to mastering the intricacies of sound and acoustics. Whether you're setting up a sound system, optimizing a recording studio, or simply deepening your understanding of sound, these concepts are foundational.

## The Relationship Between Frequency and Amplitude in Room Acoustics

### Resonance and Room Modes

Ever wondered why certain notes seem to "hang in the air" more when played in specific rooms? This phenomenon is called "resonance," where certain frequencies interact with the dimensions of the room to amplify themselves. This creates what are known as "room modes" and can significantly impact how we perceive sound in that space. For example, a small room might amplify lower frequencies, making a simple speech sound more "boomy" than it actually is.

#### Why Should You Care About Room Modes?

Room modes can either be your friend or your enemy. They can add fullness to a sound, but they can also create issues like "muddiness," where certain frequencies become overwhelming, masking other sonic details.

### Absorption and Reflection

#### How Do They Work?

When sound waves hit surfaces, they can either be absorbed or reflected back into the room. Soft materials, like carpets and drapes, absorb sound, particularly higher frequencies. Hard surfaces like glass or wood reflect sound waves. Lower frequencies, the kind that can make a room feel "boomy," are particularly hard to absorb and are often reflected.

#### Impact on Room Acoustics

The balance between absorbed and reflected sound defines the acoustic signature of a room. Rooms with too much absorption may sound "dead," lacking liveliness. Conversely, rooms with too much reflection may suffer from echo and poor clarity.

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## Practical Implications for Sound Engineers and Audiophiles

### Equalization and Acoustic Treatment

#### The Tools of the Trade

Armed with an understanding of frequency and amplitude, sound engineers and audiophiles can work wonders. Acoustic treatments like panels, diffusers, and bass traps can be strategically deployed to improve sound quality. Equalizers can also help by adjusting the amplitude of specific frequency bands to achieve a balanced sound.

#### Tailoring the Acoustic Environment

By combining various forms of acoustic treatment and electronic equalization, you can tailor an environment to suit any auditory task—from the critical listening required in a mixing studio to the broad soundstages desired in home theaters.

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## Final Thoughts

Understanding the key principles of sound waves, frequency, and amplitude is invaluable for anyone venturing into the realm of audio. Whether you're an aspiring sound engineer, a dedicated audiophile, or someone just interested in the science of sound, this foundational knowledge equips you to make informed decisions and optimizations.

As we delve deeper into these topics, we don't just become more discerning listeners; we evolve into skilled architects of sound. Our mastery over the acoustic elements allows us to shape our auditory experiences, transforming the simple act of listening into an art form.

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Fundamental Concepts: Sound Waves, Frequency, Amplitude

To fully grasp the complexity of room acoustics, one must understand the basic principles of sound. Sound travels in waves, characterized by their frequency and amplitude. Frequency refers to the pitch of the sound, while amplitude denotes its loudness.

Marantz, a stalwart in the audio equipment landscape, has once again demonstrated their commitment to melding classic design with contemporary technology in the form of two new offerings: the CD 50n Premium CD and Network Audio Player, and the MODEL 50 Premium Integrated Stereo Amplifier.

The CD 50n emerges as a testament to Marantz's 70-year evolution, boasting an ability to handle ultra-high resolution audio—supporting PCM up to 384 kHz/32 bit and DSD 128. This feature is a boon for enthusiasts seeking to experience the full breadth of their high-resolution recordings. Its inclusion of HDMI ARC allows listeners to enjoy their TV, movies, and games with the warmth and spaciousness that Marantz is known for. True to their legacy, Marantz integrates custom digital filters to ensure their sound signature is preserved throughout the digital to analog conversion process.

This player is not just a treat for the ears but also the eyes, with its elegant design embodying a balance between timeless aesthetics and modern needs. Furthermore, it is engineered for seamless streaming, courtesy of HEOS® Built-in, which incorporates services like Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, and TuneIn Radio, among others.

Complementing the CD 50n is the MODEL 50 Integrated Amplifier, designed to drive loudspeakers with total control through its 70 watts per channel capability. It features a Class A/B amplifier and a collection of six analog inputs, including a Moving Magnet Phono stage that amplifies the nuanced tones of vinyl records. The MODEL 50's design omits digital audio to prioritize analog purity and simplicity, ensuring intuitive operation and eliminating the risk of interference from digital circuitry.

Both the CD 50n and MODEL 50 share a promise of quality, with Marantz affirming that every unit is a product of meticulous craftsmanship, aimed at delivering the 'Most Musical Sound'. Each comes with a generous 5-year warranty, a testament to the confidence Marantz has in its products' longevity.

For the prospective buyer, the decision between these two might come down to personal need and the existing components in their audio setup. Marantz encourages customers to trust their own ears when considering these products, as personal preference is paramount in the experience of music.

In the conversation around these new releases, questions have arisen regarding their interoperability and whether the advanced converters in the CD 50n make a significant difference when paired with the likes of the Marantz Cinema 50, or if it's compatible with Blu-ray disc playback (it is not, as it's designed solely for Compact Discs).

As for the MODEL 50, queries have been addressed regarding its amplifier stage and power output compared to other models like the Stereo 70s. Marantz clarifies that the Model 50 boasts a more refined amplifier stage with advanced power supplies that can manage more demanding speaker loads, ensuring compatibility with a broader range of loudspeakers and better control across various volume levels.

In conclusion, both the CD 50n and MODEL 50 represent Marantz's unwavering pursuit of audio excellence, merging their historic attention to sonic detail with the demands of modern audio environments. Whether one is diving into the depths of streaming audio or seeking the authoritative drive of a robust amplifier, these new entries into the Marantz family stand ready to enhance the listening experience.

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Marantz CD 50n & MODEL 50: Reinventing Audio Fidelity

Meet Marantz's latest masterpieces: the CD 50n and MODEL 50. These state-of-the-art audio components.


Meze Audio has announced the launch of the Empyrean II, building upon the legacy of its acclaimed predecessor. Priced at $2,999, the Empyrean II is a remarkable combination of sound innovation, artistry, and craftsmanship, offering an exceptional auditory experience.

**Design and Aesthetics:** The Empyrean II is crafted with precision, featuring a CNC milled frame adorned with a sleek matte black finish and silver accents. The design is inspired by art deco patterns, reflecting a commitment to both visual elegance and acoustic performance.

**Acoustic Engineering Excellence:** Alex Grigoras, the acoustic engineer behind the Empyrean II, focused on harmonizing community feedback with advanced engineering. The result is a pair of headphones that balance a neutral sound signature with an "easy to listen to" character, perfect for audiophiles seeking both clarity and comfort.

**Advanced Sound Technology:** The Empyrean II harnesses the power of Rinaro’s Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver. This unique driver design, with its combination of switchback and spiral voice coils, ensures precise sound targeting, complementing the natural shape of the ear. The headphones offer ultra-high-resolution audio with a frequency range extending up to 110,000 Hz, capturing the finest details in music.

**Customizable Comfort:** Emphasizing ergonomic design, the Empyrean II comes with two sets of earpads – Duo and Angled – made from premium leather and Alcantara. This feature allows listeners to tailor their auditory experience according to their preferences, ensuring both comfort and quality.

**Durability and Serviceability:** True to Meze Audio's ethos of sustainable and lasting design, every component of the Empyrean II is fully serviceable, highlighting the brand's commitment to longevity and environmental consciousness.

The Empyrean II represents a milestone in headphone design and technology, setting a new benchmark in the high-fidelity audio market. It's an embodiment of meticulous craftsmanship and innovative sound engineering, aimed at delivering an unparalleled listening experience.

For a deeper dive into this sonic masterpiece, visit [Meze Audio's Empyrean II page](https://mezeaudio.com/products/empyrean2).

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Meze Audio Reveals Empyrean II: Elevating High-Fidelity Sound to New Heights

Elevate your listening with Meze Audio's Empyrean II: A symphony of high-resolution sound and meticulous design

HARMAN Acquires FLUX: Ushering in Advanced Immersive Audio Solutions

Fundamental Concepts: Sound Waves, Frequency, Amplitude

Marantz CD 50n & MODEL 50: Reinventing Audio Fidelity

Meze Audio Reveals Empyrean II: Elevating High-Fidelity Sound to New Heights

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Fundamental Concepts: Sound Waves, Frequency, Amplitude

Marantz CD 50n & MODEL 50: Reinventing Audio Fidelity

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