AAC Technologies & Dirac Research to Unveil the Future of Mobile Sound at MWC 2018

After two years of collaboration, the global audio pioneers will showcase to the mobile market a series of breakthrough speaker solutions that demonstrate the now-possible audio experience available across all mobile devices.

UPPSALA, SWEDEN, February 21, 2018 — For the past two years, AAC Technologies, the global leader in micro-speakers, and Dirac Research, the global leader in digitally optimized sound solutions, have worked closely to build first-of-their-kind audio subsystems that integrate the world’s foremost audio processing technology with state-of-the-art micro-speaker technology.

After an initial launch at CES 2018, AAC Technologies and Dirac Research are now set to unveil to the mobile market at MWC 2018 the first results of their collaboration: a series of ground-breaking product prototypes that deliver a new caliber of listening experience through a range of mobile devices.

The AAC-Dirac product prototypes available for demo at MWC 2018 include a smart speaker, a smartphone, an augmented reality headset, and an ultra-thin automotive speaker [1] – all of which are custom-configured with sophisticated AAC-Dirac audio subsystems.

The smartphone and smart speaker demos compare their audio performance against their corresponding market-available alternatives, showcasing an impressive performance upgrade.

The augmented reality headset demo will demonstrate a novel audio experience that, by positioning speakers just above the ears, produces immersive audio that effectively overlays the natural sound environment. The combination of advanced audio processing and high-performance micro-speaker arrays beam sound to listeners’ ears and minimize leakage to surroundings.

The automotive speaker demo will explore how ultra-thin speakers, capable of embedment in headrests, headliners, and other areas that can be used to create individual soundstages within the vehicle. All demos feature AAC’s new high-performance Super Linear Speaker.

“Milestone technology breakthroughs are often the result of collaboration between industry leaders, and our two-year relationship with AAC Technologies is an example of this,” stated Erik Rudolphi, Dirac’s GM of Mobile. “Rather than continue to design our audio processing algorithms and micro-speaker technologies in isolation, we set out to design our technologies collaboratively.”

AAC Technologies’ COO Jack Duan pointed to various emerging market trends and new product categories that place newfound importance on sound experience in small devices, and thus validate the need for a partnership that catalyzes radical innovation.

“While the markets have prioritized visual experience over the aural experience, an industry-wide shift is now underway. Audio is no longer a secondary feature – but rather the feature that differentiates an exceptional user experience from one that’s underwhelming,” said Mr. Duan. “Together with Dirac Research we look forward to providing the world’s leading consumer technology brands with the audio subsystems they require to create products that will revolutionize our world.”

The AAC-Dirac product prototypes will be available for demo at MWC 2018 from February 26 to March 1 at Dirac Stand 2B64MR, Hall 2, and AAC Stand 2C77MR, Hall 2, both located at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain. For more information or to schedule a demo with Dirac, click here