Personal and home audio technology has greatly evolved over the years. We have moved from wired to mono Bluetooth and stereo wireless headphones to True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds. In the home audio segment, soundbars are becoming popular as they can deliver a great home theatre experience. But it is not just about the changing form factors, there have been improvements in audio delivery systems as well. Support for higher quality audio, such as lossless audio, is important in delivering music in its purest form.

The TWS earbuds, in particular, include a lot of hardware and software features that enable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), ambient awareness, and multiple mics to offer crisp call clarity. These features are quite helpful in the current work-from-home and learn-from-home scenarios. Also, 5G is here, enabling higher throughput and thus higher quality audio from streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music HD and Apple Music, which was not possible in the 3G and 4G era. So, why are these new technologies important in enhancing the audio listening experience?

In the latest episode of ‘The Counterpoint Podcast’, host Peter Richardson is joined by Gyanendra Singh, Head of Audio Marketing for Sony India, to talk about trends in the audio space. Singh, with his 17 years of experience in Sony’s audio department, shares his thoughts on high-res and other audio formats, how the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a surge in demand for audio products, and more. He also touches upon the home audio segment and how it is growing due to the pandemic-triggered restrictions on visiting cinema halls.

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Read the podcast transcript here.

Podcast Chapter Markers

2:19 - How is the audio technology evolving on the hardware side with changing form factors?

4:25 - How do you see the demand changing among consumers for wireless audio in general?

7:33 - ANC is offered at different price points, so how does Sony stand apart from its competitors?

9:44 - What is the role of different audio standards within the high-resolution space?

13:45 - What are your thoughts on Alexa and Google Assistant being offered across personal audio, TV, and portable speakers?

15:35 - Has COVID-19 changed consumer spending habits when it comes to home audio products?

18:22 - Any final comments on coming audio technology changes?

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