Sonic-Pulse, 8 Barassie Crescent, Cumbernauld (2026)

27/10/2023

Daikin Altherma 4 generation

Daikin Europe will unveil its next generation air-to-water heat pumps, the Daikin Altherma 4, at ISH 2023. In recent months, Daikin Europe has been steadily investing in both product development and manufacturing sites all over Europe. Last year, the company announced it would build an entirely new heat pump factory in Poland, which is expected to be operational by mid-2024. The first tangible results of these investments will be visible at ISH 2023, with the presentation of the new Daikin Altherma 4 heat pump series. The innovative range builds further on the Daikin Altherma 3 range, which has revolutionised the heat pump market. The new generation air-to-water heat pumps will lead the way for the European industry that is focussing on decarbonizing heat.

Sonic-Pulse is pleased to be an accredited partner with Daikin

07/09/2023

Dolby Flexconnect.

Dolby, as a company, is renowned for its contributions to sound technology, with innovations like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision having considerable impact on the entertainment industry, particularly in cinemas and home theaters. Each of their technologies tends to focus on providing a more immersive or high-quality sound experience for the end use

First announced at the IFA 2023 tech trade show. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is a wireless technology that will enable compatible speakers to connect to compatible TVs wirelessly, and to create a convincing soundstage based on Atmos' 3D data for you from any combination of mismatched speakers in any location in your room.

Transform any seat to the best in the house

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect delivers the flexibility to place your wireless speakers anywhere you choose, intelligently optimizing your Dolby Atmos experience for your seating location, TV, and speaker setup.

Watch the video -- https://youtu.be/dp0CffybBo4?si=IWWqWPmooMI4DPdn

Key points.

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is a new audio technology that pairs a TV's sound system with wireless speakers, to create a more flexible and convenient immersive sound system.

The FlexConnect system optimises the sound based on the speaker setup, allowing you to place speakers where suits the room best.

You will need a compatible TV and speakers, and the system can be expanded by adding more speakers in the future. TCL's Dolby Atmos-enabled TVs will be the first to feature this technology in 2024.

24/08/2023

Home cinema trends evolve alongside advancements in technology, consumer preferences, and societal shifts. Here are some of the emerging and popular trends in home cinema:

Virtual Reality (VR): While not a replacement for traditional home cinema, the rise of VR has seen some users opting for a more immersive movie-watching experience using VR headsets.

4K & 8K Technology: The shift from Full HD to 4K became mainstream, and now 8K TVs and projectors are entering the market. These provide an enhanced level of detail and realism for large screen setups.

Streaming Services: The rise of platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and others has accelerated the move away from physical media. These platforms offer vast libraries of content, including original productions with high production values.

Soundbars & Atmos: Soundbars have become a popular alternative to traditional speaker setups due to their simplicity and smaller footprint. However, advancements in sound technology, like Dolby Atmos, have given home users a more immersive sound experience. Many modern soundbars now include Atmos capability.

Voice Control and Integration: Smart speakers like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod have made voice control popular. Integrating these into a home cinema system allows users to control playback, volume, or even search for movies with simple voice commands.

Projector Improvements: Ultra-short-throw projectors became a trend, allowing users to project large images from very close distances, making them ideal for compact rooms.

Gaming Consoles: The integration of gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, into home cinema setups has increased, especially with their 4K and ray-tracing capabilities offering cinematic gaming experiences.

Smart Home Integration: Home cinemas can now be integrated with other smart home devices. This allows for scenarios like dimming the lights when a movie starts or setting the thermostat to a particular setting during a movie night.

Acoustic Treatments: With a deeper understanding of room acoustics, many enthusiasts are investing in sound treatments, diffusers, and bass traps to optimize audio quality.

Eco-Friendly Setups: As environmental concerns become more mainstream, many users are looking for sustainable and energy-efficient equipment and setups.

10/08/2023

Soundproofing a room effectively requires a combination of strategies that work to both block and absorb sound waves. Here are five ways to soundproof a room:

Add Mass and Density:

Drywall: Installing an additional layer or two of drywall can significantly increase the mass of the walls, making it harder for sound to pass through. Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV): This is a heavy, yet flexible material that's often used to soundproof walls, ceilings, and floors. It's particularly effective for blocking low-frequency sounds.

Absorb Sound:

Acoustic Panels: These are typically made of foam or fiberglass. They are designed to absorb sound waves, preventing them from bouncing back into the room or passing through walls. These are especially effective for treating rooms with a lot of echo or reverb.
Acoustic Tiles: Often used on ceilings, these can also help reduce sound reflection.

Decouple the Structure:

Resilient Channels: These are metal channels used to separate the drywall from the studs, creating a space that breaks the path of the sound wave. Isolation Clips: Another method to decouple walls or ceilings, these clips help to isolate the structure and prevent sound vibrations from traveling.

Seal Gaps and Cracks:

Acoustic Sealant: Regular sealants can let sound through. Acoustic sealants remain somewhat flexible after drying and can prevent sound leaks.Weatherstripping: Sound can sneak in through tiny gaps around doors. Install weatherstripping to create a tight seal when the door is closed.Door Sweeps: These are added to the bottom of doors to block the gap between the door and the floor.
Replace or Enhance Windows and Doors:

Double or Triple Pane Windows: These can dramatically reduce the amount of sound that gets in from outside.
Solid Core Doors: Replacing hollow core doors with solid core ones will block more sound. Window Inserts: These are secondary windows placed behind existing windows. They can be particularly effective for blocking street noise.

Remember, the effectiveness of soundproofing will vary based on the construction of the building, the type of noise you're trying to block or absorb, and other factors. It's often helpful to combine several of these methods for the best results.

13/07/2023

This week's focus is on the ergonomics of home cinema.

Creating an ergonomic home cinema

Seating Position: Choose comfortable seating that provides adequate support for your back, neck, and arms. Look for chairs or sofas with adjustable headrests, lumbar support, and armrests. Ensure that the seats are positioned at an appropriate distance from the screen for optimal viewing.

Viewing Distance: The ideal viewing distance depends on the screen size and resolution. As a general rule, a distance approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size is recommended. For example, if you have a 60-inch screen, the viewing distance should be around 7.5 to 12.5 feet (2.3 to 3.8 metres).

Screen Placement: Position the screen at eye level to avoid straining your neck. Consider mounting the television or projector screen at an appropriate height or using a TV stand that allows for adjustable height options.

Lighting: Control the lighting in your home cinema to enhance the viewing experience. Opt for dimmable lights or use blackout curtains to minimize glare and ensure better picture quality. Indirect lighting or wall sconces can create a pleasant ambiance without causing reflections on the screen.

Acoustics: Pay attention to sound quality in your home cinema. Consider using acoustic panels or soundproofing materials to reduce echo and enhance audio clarity. Proper speaker placement, such as surround sound systems, can create an immersive audio experience.

Room Layout: Arrange your furniture and equipment in a way that maximizes space and allows for easy movement within the room. Consider the placement of additional amenities like side tables for snacks and drinks.

06/07/2023

Home-Theatre-in-a-Box systems (HTIB)

HTIBs are marketed as an "all-in-one" way for consumers to enjoy the surround sound experience of home cinema. If a consumer were to buy all of the items individually, they would have to have a basic knowledge of electronics, ensure that the speakers were of compatible impedance and power-handling for the amplifier and that all connection cables inc HDMI , optical connectors, speaker wire, and RCA connectors were of comparable performance.

Most HTIBs lack the features and "tweakability" of home theatre components which are sold separately. For example, while a stand-alone home theatre amplifier may offer extensive equalization options, a HTIB amplifier may simply provide a few factory-set EQ presets. As well, while a stand-alone home theatre subwoofer may contain a range of sound-shaping circuitry, such as a crossover control, a phase inversion switch, and a parametric equalizer, a HTIB subwoofer system usually has its crossover point set at the factory, which means that the user cannot change it

A typical HTIB generally consists of a central receiver unit which usually contains a DVD player (some systems separate the DVD player into a separate unit), a multi-channel power amplifier and a series of speakers for surround sound use, generally including a subwoofer. Some HTIB systems also have a radio tuner or an Internet-based streaming audio platform (e.g. Spotify). The least expensive systems usually have a passive subwoofer, which is amplified by the receiver unit. HTIB systems do not include a television set or monitor with which to display the visual material or a stand to place the receiver unit on. Beside auxiliary inputs, many of them are equipped today with HDMI with ARC, optical and SPDIF inputs.

All in-a-box solutions have their pros and cons. Budgets and expectations are the defining consideration.

29/06/2023

Gearing up for the Lunar New Year, Bang & Olufsen has released a limited-edition Lunar New Year 2023 Collection comprising some of its most iconic products, rendered in a festive palette.

The lineup includes the Beoplay A9 home speaker, Beolit 20 portable speaker, Beosound A1 portable speaker, Beoplay H95 headphones, and Beoplay EX true wireless active noise canceling earphones. Inspired by the classic elements and colors of China’s ancient Silk Road, the collection is made up of Lunar Red, Jade Green, and Gold Tone hues, all elegantly implemented across the five products.

Aside from the colors, the collection is permeated with design details that pay homage to the cultural festival — from the sleek aluminum earphone cases, the wooden legs of the Beoplay A9 home speaker, to the hand-woven Chinese knots on the Beolit 20 and Beosound A1 that symbolize good luck and reunion.

"We've always been a brand that champions self-expression and identity, creating designs that are ahead of the curve and challenge the norm, allowing our community to enjoy music through something that delights and intrigues the senses."

25/05/2023

Trends in home cinema;

8K resolution

8K Ultra HD TV is the newest TV format, quadrupling the resolution of 4K. By the numbers, that’s 7,680 horizontal and 4,320 vertical pixels on a screen for a total of approximately 33 million pixels (which is simply the picture elements that make up a TV picture). Compare that with 3,840 x 2,160 and 8 million pixels for 4K TV and it ends up being quite a difference.

Artificial Intelligence

In the future, we can expect AI to become even more integrated into the home theatre experience, allowing for even more intuitive and personalized control. For example, AI could be used to analyze your viewing habits and suggest new movies or TV shows based on your preferences. It could also be used to automatically adjust the sound and image settings based on the content you’re watching and the environment you’re in. AI has the potential to revolutionize the home theatre experience by making it more convenient, personalized, and intuitive.

Virtual Reality

VR has the potential to take the home theatre experience to a whole new level by offering a level of immersion that was previously impossible. Instead of simply watching a movie on a screen, you can experience it as if you were actually there, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the virtual world. This has the potential to make movies, games, and other content much more engaging and memorable.

04/05/2023

Wireless or wired? Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 3rd Generation - True Wireless In-Ear Earphones.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 3rd Generation is a true wireless earbud that offers exceptional sound quality, beautiful design, and a range of convenient features that make it a top choice for audiophiles and casual music lovers alike.

The sound quality of the Beoplay E8 3rd Gen is outstanding. The earbuds use 5.7mm dynamic drivers and have a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, which delivers a rich and clear sound that is well balanced and crisp. The earbuds have excellent noise isolation, which further enhances the listening experience by blocking out external noise.

The earbuds themselves are sleek and elegant, with a minimalist design that looks and feels high-end. The earbuds come with a compact charging case that is also beautifully designed. The case is small enough to fit in a pocket or bag.The case provides up to 35 hours of battery life, and the earbuds themselves offer up to seven hours of playtime on a single charge.

One of the standout features of the Beoplay E8 3rd Gen is the touch controls. The earbuds have a touch-sensitive surface that allows you to control playback, adjust the volume, and answer calls with simple gestures. The touch controls are intuitive and easy to use, and they make it possible to operate the earbuds without having to take your phone out of your pocket.

21/04/2023

This weeks post covers the fundamentals of media streaming

Media streaming refers to the process of transmitting audio, video, or other multimedia content over the internet to a user's device in real-time.

To stream media, the user's device needs to connect to the internet and access a streaming service, such as Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, or YouTube. The streaming service stores the media files on its server and delivers the content to the user's device using a streaming protocol, such as HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) or Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH). The streaming protocol adjusts the quality of the media file based on the user's internet connection speed and device capabilities to ensure the smoothest playback possible.

The components of media streaming include:

Media Server: A media server is a software application or hardware device that stores and manages media files. It is responsible for storing and organizing media content, encoding the content into a suitable format, and transmitting the content to the client.

Media Client: A media client is a software application or hardware device that receives and plays the media content. It can be a web browser, a media player app on a smartphone, a smart TV, or a streaming device like Roku, Amazon Firestick, or Apple TV.

Media streaming can be done on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. The user typically needs to have a stable internet connection and a compatible device to stream media content. Some streaming services offer free content, while others require a subscription fee.

Overall, media streaming provides a convenient and accessible way to access a vast library of multimedia content without the need to own physical copies of the media files. However, the quality of the media file can vary based on the streaming service, internet connection, and device capabilities, so it's important to select a reliable streaming service and use compatible devices to ensure the best possible streaming experience.

06/04/2023

This week's focus is on Ultra Short Throw Tech (UST)

Ultra Short Throw (UST) projection technology and ULED TVs are two different technologies that offer different benefits and limitations.

Here are some of the key differences between the two:

Screen size: UST projectors can project larger images than ULED TVs, up to 120 inches or more. ULED TVs, on the other hand, typically come in sizes ranging from 32 inches to 85 inches.

Placement: UST projectors need to be placed very close to the screen or wall, usually within a few inches. ULED TVs, on the other hand, can be placed anywhere in a room and viewed from different angles.

Picture quality: ULED TVs offer excellent picture quality with high brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. UST projectors offer good picture quality, but do not match the brightness or contrast levels of ULED TVs.

Price: UST projectors can be more expensive than ULED TVs, especially if they offer higher brightness and resolution. However, they can also be more cost-effective in the long run, especially if they are used frequently or for extended periods.

Portability: UST projectors are more portable than ULED TVs, which are usually mounted on a wall or placed on a stand. UST projectors can be easily moved from room to room or taken on trips.

Ambient light: ULED TVs perform better in well-lit rooms than UST projectors, which require a darker environment to produce the best image quality. This is because UST projectors use reflected light, which can be affected by ambient light in the room.

Ultimately, the choice between UST projectors and ULED TVs depends on your specific needs and preferences. UST projectors are ideal for those who want a large-screen viewing experience with a flexible placement option, while ULED TVs are better suited for those who prioritize picture quality and ease of use.

30/03/2023

This weeks focus is on DACs. We al use mobile devices outside or home/office setup. Mobile phones, tablets. laptops etc. A DAC can really enhance the audio experience on the move;

The biggest problem is the DAC circuits used in many devices are just not efficient enough to accurately convert digital to analogue and thus do justice to the original recording. Mobile users are particularly affected by the quality of the in-phone DAC. Built-in DACs typically don’t decode digital audio with high precision, suffer from electronic interference and output a noisy signal. To check your DAC on android use the "Device Info HW" app.

You can obviate this by adding a custom external DAC to the setup.

What are the benefits:

Improved audio quality: The most significant benefit of a headphone DAC is that it can improve the audio quality of digital audio sources when using headphones. By converting digital audio signals into high-quality analog signals, a headphone DAC can produce more natural and detailed audio reproduction, resulting in a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience.

Better soundstage: A headphone DAC can also enhance the soundstage, which is the perceived spatial location of instruments and sounds in a recording. With a better soundstage, you can more accurately hear where each sound is coming from, resulting in a more realistic and natural listening experience.

Greater detail and clarity: A headphone DAC can improve the detail and clarity of the audio signal, revealing subtle nuances in the music that may not be noticeable without a high-quality DAC. This can be especially useful when listening to high-quality recordings or music with intricate instrumentation.

Reduced noise and distortion: A headphone DAC can also reduce the amount of noise and distortion in the audio signal. This results in a cleaner and more dynamic sound, with less interference and distortion.

Customizable sound: Some headphone DACs come with built-in equalizers and other sound processing features that allow users to customize the sound to their preferences. This can be especially useful for audiophiles who want to tweak the sound of their headphones to get the best possible listening experience.

Overall, a headphone DAC can significantly enhance the audio quality of digital audio sources when using headphones, providing a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience. It can also reveal subtle nuances in the music, reduce noise and distortion, and allow for customization of the sound to meet individual preferences.

Manufacturers;

Schiit
Topping
FiiO
AudioEngine
Cambridge
RME
Chord

Price range from £100 to £2500

Sonic-Pulse

27/10/2023

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