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Meyer Licenses Breakthrough Technology
Meyer Sound has signed a licensing agreement which authorizes the company to use advanced feedback circuit technology developed by the University of California at Berkeley. The technology under license, initially developed for aerospace applications, has been adapted by Meyer engineers for use in a new generation of compact, powerful and exceptionally linear loudspeaker systems. "This technology is not simply an incremental advance, but rather a breakthrough with the potential for widespread impact in the industry," commented company president John Meyer after the company entered into the agreement with U.C. Berkeley early in March. The licensed technology involves extremely precise, high order correction circuits that were first implemented in critical aerospace hydraulic control applications. Meyer Sound engineers adapted the technology for audio use and incorporated it in Pressure Sensing Active Control (PSAC), a revolutionary feedback regulation system used in the new, self-powered X-10 High Definition Linear Studio Monitor. PSAC employs a pressure sensor (similar to a condenser microphone) mounted in front of the low frequency driver. The sensor measures driver output pressure and sends a reference signal to the PSAC comparator circuit (placed before the internal power amplifier module) that compares output pressure to the audio input signal. PSAC correction circuits then adjust the signal to the power amplifier, bringing the output into alignment with the input, microsecond by microsecond. Although designed and prototyped in the digital domain, PSAC technology is implemented as analog circuitry for real-time speed and wide dynamic range. "The patent pending technology in PSAC is one key element in the X-10's breakthrough performance," added John Meyer, "along with a new, extremely robust woofer and our latest generation of phase alignment circuits. This blend of technologies enables the X-10, with a single fifteen-inch woofer, to achieve output levels equivalent to double fifteen and double eighteen designs, yet with lower distortion and an impulse response even better than electrostatic speakers. Also, PSAC helps maintain an absolutely linear response characteristic. The frequency response curve stays the same no matter the output level. There's no change in coloration that leaves you guessing which monitoring level is really more representative of the input signal." The formal licensing agreement marked the culmination of a three-year co-development process involving Meyer engineers and mechanical engineers associated with the University of California at Berkeley. The final arrangement also clears the way for increased marketing and promotion of the X-10 monitor. "The X-10 has been in use since last fall in a beta installation at Ex'pression Center for New Media," noted company Executive Vice President Helen Meyer," and we recently held X-10 demonstrations at Abbey Road, CTS and AIR studios in London. The responses have been very positive across the board." John Meyer compared the significance of PSAC feedback technology to parallel advances made in tube amplifier technology in the 1950's. "Back then, rapid advances in design broke through barriers and distortion fell rapidly from several percent down to one percent and below. The feedback technology in PSAC has potential for achieving that order of breakthrough in loudspeaker performance." November, 2000 |
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