Come join us in the Rancho Las Palmas room on the main level of the Irvine Marriott for a series of interactive discussion panels with some of the industry’s leading experts in audio technology. Always entertaining, extremely engaging, and very informative, these seminars give you a behind the scenes look at the headphone audio industry like nothing else. Spaces are limited, so be sure to arrive early. See you there!
Saturday, September 30, 2023
It's About Time
11:00a to Noon
Advancements in semiconductor materials and MEMS fabrication techniques have resulted in a new class of transducer, called Piezo-MEMS. Piezo-MEMS μSpeakers have unique attributes and beneficial performance improvements over traditional inductive coil-based speakers. One notable new capability is time-domain resolution. Absolute and relative phase will be discussed in this technical primer, along with Piezo-MEMS theory of operation, design, fabrication, packaging, and testing. This presentation will be informative to audiophile consumers and product designers alike. Listening demos of xMEMS latest Audiophile IEMs will be provided.
SPEAKER: Michael Ricci, Sr. Director of Electroacoustic Engineering, xMEMS Labs, Inc.
Myths About Measurements
Noon to 1:00p
Objective measurements are everywhere in audio. Never before has so much data been so accessible so easily, but is that a good thing? Join our panel of experts to learn why measurements shouldn’t always be trusted, why we should always take measurements with a sizable grain of salt, why we should never treat them as absolutes, and how objective measurements are often quite subjective. Most importantly, learn about what’s being done to address these flaws, to achieve better clarity for us all moving forward.
SPEAKERS: Konstantin Davy (Oratory1990); Blaine LaCross (Mad Economist); Cameron Oatley (GoldenSound)
Air Motion Transformers (AMT) Transducers: Lighter, Faster, Stronger, Better?
2:00p to 3:00p
Join Dmitry Grigoriev, Head of Research & Development at HEDD Audio as he presents a comprehensive overview of Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology, beginning with its invention by Oskar Heil, to its maturation under Klaus Heinz, through its continuing development by HEDD today. Learn about this unique transducer technology, including: how it functions; how it’s used in countless speakers; how it compares to more conventional transducers; how HEDD created the first full-range AMT headphone driver; and how it’s been improved for the latest-generation HEDDphone Two.
SPEAKER: Dmitry Grigoriev, Head of Research & Development, HEDD Audio GmbH
DAC Architectures: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
3:00p to 4:00p
Although digital audio is ubiquitous these days, finding an optimal DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) remains a complicated, and often confusing, task. Join Rob Watts, Digital Design Consultant for Chord Electronics, as he explores the various DAC architectures commonly employed today, and breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each. Finally, personal preferences aside, learn the objective criteria by which all digital-to-analog conversion methods should be judged for high fidelity audio applications.
SPEAKER: Rob Watts, Digital Design Consultant, Chord Electronics
Pro Audio vs Audiophilia — Two Worlds Collide
4:00p to 5:00p
Pro audio and audiophile playback systems can often sound distinctly different, with seemingly fundamental clashes in their goals. While professionals typically insist on flat frequency response and detail, audiophiles tend to favor immersiveness and emotionality. And yet, these two worlds must collide to bring about the enjoyment that we all prize - but where? Join Chris Berens (Audeze Artist Relations) for some fascinating insights on the differences between pro audio and audiophile priorities, preferences, and products — and how we strangely end up hearing the same thing.
SPEAKER: Chris Berens, Artist Relations, Audeze
The Influence of Geometry, Directivity and Acoustical Impedance of Headphones on Sound Perception
5:00p - 6:00p
Today, many enthusiasts measure the frequency response of their headphones. But the perceived sound of a headphone is dependent on more than what frequency response curves can show. Their geometries and acoustical impedances can greatly influence their perceived sound, as both the shape and directivity of the sound field within an ear cup are crucial to our spatial perception. Join legendary headphone de- signer and acoustical engineer Axel Grell as he shows us that what we hear is based on much more than what we can see.
SPEAKER: Axel Grell, Founder & CEO, Grell Audio
Sunday, October 1, 2023
The HARMAN Headphone Target Curve: 2023 And Beyond
11:00a to Noon
The Harman Target is a subjectively preferred headphone frequency response that was the culmination of a 7-year scientific study on the perception and measurement of headphone sound quality. My talk summarizes what the Harman Target Curve is, how it was developed and validated, and how to best use it for interpreting and predicting how good a headphone sounds. With the introduction of new headphone test fixtures, like the B&K 5128, the future of the Harman target curve will be discussed.
SPEAKER: Dr. Sean Olive, Senior Fellow, Acoustic Research, Harman International
New Audio Quality Metric for Humans
Noon to 1:00p
Hottinger Bruel & Kjaer developed a new audio quality metric called BSR (Buzz Squeak and Rattle) which can estimate audio artefacts by measuring the non-linear response of a speaker using a log sweep, speech or music as stimuli. This new metric is based on a time-varying loudness analysis taking into account the frequency and time masking of a human ear. BSR is a true human audio quality metric which correlates well with subjective impressions.
SPEAKER: Vince Rey, Key Account Manager and Audio Engineer, Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK)
Free Schiit!*
1:00p to 2:00p
What happens when you have a big measurement claim you know will be hard to prove? In the old days, you spent 6 years and 7 figures, and got results that everybody still argued about. Find out how we came up with a new idea, and — if you have an acoustic measurement rig — sign up for a free amp to test.
*Free Schiit for measuring enthusiasts only, cheap Schiit for everybody else.
SPEAKER: Jason Stoddard, Founder, Schiit Audio
How Interpolation Filters and Transients Crucially Affect Sound Quality
3:00p to 4:00p
Join us for an invaluable hour of insight into how digital interpolation filters work. This seminar will cover: understanding the importance of interpolation filtering and transients; realizing just how much time domain performance can dictate fidelity and realism, and much more. If you didn’t understand any of that, and you are currently pursuing an endgame rig with a digital source, then this is one seminar you won’t want to miss.
SPEAKER: Rob Watts, Digital Design Consultant, Chord Electronics
Ask The Reviewers AMA @ CanJam SoCal 2023!
4:00p to 5:00p
What was best-in-show at CanJam SoCal 2023? Does burn-in exist? Do cables make a difference? How much power does the Susvara truly need? What is the best in-ear monitor or headphone, for my music, within my budget? You have questions, bring them to our panel of expert reviewers. Join Gary Alan Barker (Headphone.Guru), Cameron Oatley (GoldenSound), Zeos Pantera (Z Reviews), Marcello Rostagni (MRHiFiReviews) and Douglas Stephens (DMS) as they answer them all live, and in real time!
SPEAKERS: Gary Alan Barker (Headphone.Guru); Cameron Oatley (GoldenSound); Zeos Pantera (Z Reviews); Marcello Rostagni (MRHiFiReviews); Douglas Stephens (DMS)
