Jon Kirchner

Sony and TCL have announced plans for a joint venture. (Details are still emerging, and the final structure remains uncertain.) https://lnkd.in/dNTYbEPH On the surface, it looks like a familiar story: Japanese technology and brand strength combined with Chinese manufacturing scale. An interesting question, at least in the European market, is whether it can earn attractive margins once EU data and supply-chain regulations are fully enforced. The answer may lie less in sales potential and more in how a joint structure interacts with Europe’s evolving regulatory environment. The EU is moving from regulation as compliance toward regulation that shapes data flows, supply-chain responsibility, and accountability across corporate boundaries. Under such conditions, joint ventures can face challenges that standalone firms do not—particularly around data governance, responsibility allocation, and internal control. In addition, EU environmental and supply-chain regulations may, in some cases, increase structural complexity rather than deliver the synergies a JV is designed to achieve, potentially putting such arrangements at a disadvantage from a regulatory-response perspective. Ultimately, the key question will be how effectively the regulatory-response structure can be simplified. This may well be a common challenge for potential joint ventures going forward. #Sony #TCL #JointVenture #EURegulation #SupplyChain #DataGovernance #ChinaEurope #IndustrialPolicy #CorporateStrategy #GlobalTrade #RegulatoryRisk #MarketStructure

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Too many audio enthusiasts settle for the mediocre sound delivered by their devices' built-in DACs, akin to enjoying instant coffee without ever trying a rich, artisanal brew. The reality is that these built-in options often focus on battery life and processing power at the expense of audio quality. The new Astell&Kern HC5, priced at $489, is a game changer that integrates the prestigious AK4499EX DAC chip, previously limited to $4,000+ models like the SP4000. With the HC5, we unlock a level of sound clarity that reveals the intricate details that our phones overlook. It features six customizable DAC filters, allowing each of us to tailor the sound signature to our favorite genres and personal preferences—an innovation not typically seen in portable devices. Additionally, the digital audio remastering (DAR) technology enhances playback quality, bringing recordings to life by providing richer detail and dynamics. The HC5 supports high-resolution audio and offers two output power options, accommodating a wide range of headphones while ensuring top-tier sound. Our testing revealed significant improvements across music genres, making it clear that this device elevates listening experiences beyond what many thought was possible at this price point. The HC5's new physical controls add precision, while the OLED display provides real-time feedback on settings—features that make operating this device intuitive and user-friendly. In essence, the Astell&Kern HC5 demonstrates that size and simplicity do not compromise sound quality. It's a pocket-sized powerhouse that transforms your audio experience, inviting you to truly hear your music the way artists intended. If you're ready to elevate your listening, we encourage you to explore the depths of sound quality with our recent YouTube review. Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eFSkX_qf #AudioEngineering #HighEndAudio #Audiophile

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The acquisition of Blaze Audio marks more than just growth — it’s a celebration of partnership, innovation, and the power of collaboration. As we begin this journey with Pascal's world-class Danish team, we’re excited to collaborate on future innovations — combining their amplifier expertise with our engineering, sales and marketing to create differentiated and cutting-edge audio solutions, we're unlocking extraordinary potential to deliver fully integrated audio solutions that unite industry leading electronics with our architectural loudspeaker expertise. Together, we’re poised to elevate the sound experience across professional, residential, and marine markets. I’m especially excited about the expanded global presence this brings — with an European office in Copenhagen, we’re better positioned than ever to support partners and clients around the world. Big things ahead. Building the future of sound — together.

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Broadcast Electronics has been acquired by a new group jointly led by Rich Redmond and majority investor The Alzana Group of Boston, Masachussetts. Link to full story: https://lnkd.in/ezZHaax4

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This real world test highlights why I'm excited about the opportunities our latest audio codec AC-4 enables for streaming services. Whether that's delivering Dolby Atmos that's better than ever - indistinguishable from the uncompressed original. Or scaling Atmos and 5.1 at lower datarates so you can deliver a premium experience to more people in more places. Great work Nathaniel Reichman and all involved at AES NY.

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Reliability isn’t a feature — it’s the foundation. That’s why I’m excited about Pascal’s new PX Series. Built from real‑world feedback and engineered for the demands of live performance, it raises the bar for what “just works” truly means. No dropouts. No surprises. No second chances. For anyone who depends on flawless performance night after night, this is a platform designed with your reality in mind.

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@Forecast Consoles, Inc new LED integration made a big impact at #NAB2025  — enabling lighting cues, alerts, and camera IDs, all controlled via broadcast systems. 

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At IDUN audio we provide spatial audio solutions for embedding on headsets of all kinds. As such our focus is mainly on AR/VR/XR audio applications and we were not born an AI company as such. However, over time we have seen how spatial audio can be integrated with AI systems specifically telling us what the listener is doing (context AI) and what the listener is hearing (content AI). This can help to adapt the spatial audio to best suit the listeners current needs. We have also realised that our technology can be used for creating spatial sound scenes, for training AI algorithms in headsets and smart glasses. Ous visit to Silicon Valley with Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley has really helped us in clarifying and sharpening these insights. https://lnkd.in/dksh2DTa

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Cornelis Partners with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on the Genesis Mission Announcement! We are thrilled to see Cornelis recognized as a partner in the DOE’s Genesis Mission, a bold national effort to transform U.S. scientific research with AI. Our team’s expertise in high-performance networking will play a key role in making this vision a reality.  #AI #HPC #ScientificInnovation #GenesisMission 

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Why bother with DRM? We believe that OTA TV is withering and content is moving behind paywalls due to a lack of content protection. Free over-the-air TV is funded by advertisers. If everyone can record premium content and skip commercials, it leads to a "tragedy of the commons". DRM is required to prevent a two-tier TV system where OTA broadcasts only carry reruns or live HD content with Dolby Surround audio (ATSC 1.0) while premium content and live shows with 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos are only available on paid streaming services like YouTube TV or Netflix. As ZapperBox, our interest lies in making sure that the OTA ecosystem survives and thrives. This can happen if broadcasters remove content from behind paywalls and put it back on OTA supported by ad revenue. This is why we are implementing DRM rather than fighting it. See FAQ #9 on our website for more.

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It was great to chat about Concord with Jack Sweeney for the CFO Thought Leader podcast. IP law and rights structures are a complicated yet very necessary element of what we do on a daily basis – ensuring that the artists, songwriters, playwrights, and other creators we work with are paid fairly and expediently. At Concord, we care about protecting music and the creators who pour their heart and soul into its creation. (https://lnkd.in/e_3CJkHD)

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