Audio Devices
Sony MEA Intros Dolby Atmos HT-A9 Soundbar Powered by 360 Spatial Sound Mapping Tech

Sony Middle East & Africa has announced the launch of its premium HT-A9 surround sound system, delivering revolutionary multi-dimensional sound experiences in the region. The innovative surround sound technology creates an incredibly immersive home theatre and soundscape experience. “Music, film, and gaming content is richer and more immersive with the Sony HT-A9, a new and powerful era for our portfolio of home audio products. Its unique optimization features enable anyone the ability to create immersive cinematic experiences at home,” said, Shintaro Hayatani, Head of Marketing, Sony Middle East & Africa.
The 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology of the Sony HT-A9 can create up to twelve phantom speakers from just four real speakers by synthesizing sound waves based on the positional information. An ultra-wide listening area fills every part of your living space so your family and friends get the same sound experience. The listening area is not limited to the front of the TV but encompasses a much wider space.
The HT-A9 also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so users can experience cinematic surround sound without leaving home. Surrounded on all sides by multiple phantom speakers within an optimised sound field, you’ll hear every flap of wing and gust of wind with incredible intensity. It’s like you and your living room are inside the movie. The HT-A9 features Sony’s latest Omnidirectional Block Design. The cylindrical shape represents a single solid block providing 360 spatial sound. It fits perfectly against the wall with a flat rear surface. Its light pearl grey color can seamlessly blend with most decor schemes. The inside of the speakers features rectangular X-Balanced Speaker Units to maximize the diaphragm area for richer bass and sound pressure.
Enjoy music the way the artists truly intended with High-Resolution Audio and 360 Reality Audio, which immerses users in music as if they were right in front of their favourite artist and can be streamed through Apple Music. The A9 also features DSEE Extreme, which restores the high-range sound of compressed digital music in real-time. Paired with compatible BRAVIA televisions, the HT-A9 offers the ultimate immersive audio-visual experience with Sony’s best picture and sound quality. With Acoustic Center Sync, the HT-A9 precisely matches where the audio is coming from with what’s on the screen for even deeper immersion.
HT-A7000 Home Theater System
Sony Middle East & Africa also launched the flagship HT-A7000 soundbar, delivering a new and revolutionary multi-dimensional sound experience. The 7.1.2-channel soundbar features two up-firing speakers for overhead sound, two beam tweeters and five front speakers for wider surround, and a built-in dual subwoofer for deep bass, giving the feeling of the action happening above and from every corner of the living room with innovative surround sound technologies.
Thanks to Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround, the A7000 can position sound in vertical space to create overhead audio without the need for in-ceiling speakers. The soundbar can virtually reproduce the surround sound field, with audio coming from both horizontal directions. Featuring Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and the Sound Field Optimization, the A7000 utilizes built-in microphones to intelligently measure the height and width of the room, as well as the position of an optional subwoofer and rear speakers, and perfectly optimizes sound to the room’s layout.
The HT-A9 and HT-A7000 are now available in the Middle East and Africa.

Accessories
Apple’s Beats Unveils Powerbeats Pro 2 with Heart-Rate Monitoring

Apple Inc.’s Beats division has unveiled the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2, which features noise cancellation, a heart-rate monitor, and a revamped design aimed at athletes. This new model incorporates capabilities seen in Apple’s AirPods, such as transparency mode for better external noise awareness and the H2 chip for enhanced sound quality. Additionally, it offers improved spatial audio for a 3D listening experience and comes with a smaller, wireless charging case.
The heart-rate monitor is a notable first for Apple-designed earbuds, expanding the company’s health-related features, and utilizes technology found in the Apple Watch. Despite a slow holiday season for Apple’s wearables business—with sales in the division falling nearly 2% to about $11.8 billion—the introduction of these new earbuds is anticipated to drive interest and sales.
Priced at $250, the same as the previous model, the new Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available in black, orange, purple, and a color called quicksand. This price point matches the AirPods Pro 2, although the Powerbeats may be more appealing to athletes due to their secure ear hooks.
Apple Vice President Oliver Schusser, who oversees Beats as well as the company’s sports, TV+, and music initiatives, hailed the new Powerbeats as “the most impressive product in Beats’ history.” Acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, Beats remains the company’s largest acquisition to date.
The heart-rate monitor will be compatible with fitness apps like Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder, and Slopes, with data integration into the Apple Health app. The earbuds will also be compatible with Android devices. Apple is reportedly working on AirPods with heart-rate monitoring, though they are still many months away from release.
In terms of battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 holds an advantage over AirPods, with 10 hours of usage on their own and 45 hours with the charging case, compared to six hours for AirPods alone and up to 30 hours with the case. However, AirPods continue to offer unique features, such as a new hearing aid functionality.
Apps
Elgato Launches Wave Link 2.0

Elgato has unveiled Wave Link 2.0, the next-generation evolution of its acclaimed audio management software, packed with groundbreaking features and significant quality-of-life upgrades. Designed to address the challenges content creators, streamers, and digital professionals face, Wave Link 2.0 introduces tools like Voice Focus and One-Click Audio Routing, setting a new standard for audio control and customisation.
One of the standout features of Wave Link 2.0 is Voice Focus, a cutting-edge vocal enhancement tool developed in collaboration with ai|coustics. Leveraging advanced machine learning technology, Voice Focus eliminates unwanted background noise, room reverb, and echo while isolating the user’s voice for crystal-clear audio. This tool is a game-changer for creators working in less-than-ideal acoustic environments, delivering professional-grade sound quality in seconds—without the need for complex audio configurations. Whether streaming, podcasting, or participating in virtual meetings, Voice Focus ensures users sound polished and professional, even in spaces with poor acoustics. It’s an ideal solution for those who lack the time or expertise to fine-tune audio settings manually.
Wave Link 2.0 also introduces One-Click Audio Routing, a feature that revolutionises how users manage multiple audio channels. With just a single click, users can assign apps to specific channels, streamlining setup while maintaining flexibility. Additional enhancements like App Grouping, Input Channel Renaming, and Channel Hiding further improve organisation and usability, allowing creators to focus on their content rather than troubleshooting their audio setup.
These updates make Wave Link 2.0 an intuitive and efficient tool for managing complex audio workflows, ensuring a seamless experience for both beginners and seasoned professionals. Wave Link 2.0 doesn’t stop at routing and vocal enhancements—it also offers a suite of professional-grade audio effects. Built-in tools like Compressor, De-Esser, Equaliser, and ReverbFX enable precise audio tuning, while support for third-party VST2, VST3, and AU plugins opens up endless possibilities for sonic customisation.
For creators seeking ready-made solutions, the Elgato Marketplace provides a growing library of digital assets, including presets and tools from top creators like EposVox and Harris Heller. Once effects are applied, the built-in Sound Check tool allows users to preview their settings and make final adjustments, ensuring their audio is polished before going live.
As part of the Elgato ecosystem, Wave Link 2.0 integrates seamlessly with Stream Deck, taking audio control to the next level. Users can export their Wave Link settings to Stream Deck with a single click, transforming the device into a hardware mixer-like interface. This integration eliminates the need to navigate software during critical moments, allowing creators to stay focused on their content and audience.
With its innovative features and user-centric design, Wave Link 2.0 redefines what’s possible in audio management. From Voice Focus’s studio-quality vocal enhancements to One-Click Audio Routing’s streamlined setup, Elgato continues to empower creators and professionals with tools that elevate their craft. Wave Link 2.0 is now available, offering a transformative audio experience for anyone looking to achieve exceptional sound quality with ease. Whether you’re a streamer, podcaster, or digital professional, Wave Link 2.0 is poised to become an essential part of your creative toolkit.
Audio Devices
Marshall Intros Emberton III and Willen II Portable Speakers

Marshall has revealed exciting updates to their most loved portable speakers, offering powerful 360° sound to take on the road. Emberton III delivers 32+ hours of battery life in a dust and waterproof format to outlast any party. Meanwhile, the tiny but mighty Willen II is the perfect companion to bring on an adventure, with its rugged design and 17+ hours of portable playtime.
“It’s been a pleasure to see this generational update come to life. As always, with our iconic design and Marshall sound in focus, we’ve created something unique in the portable speaker category. On the outside of the speaker, the focus has been on improved material choices and usability, but the biggest update is on the inside. Both these products come ready for the next Bluetooth technology LE Audio, enabling Auracast. They also continue to deliver surprisingly heavy sound for the size, especially Willen II,” says Hanna Wallner, Product Manager.
The slightly larger Emberton III features True Stereophonic, a unique form of multi-directional sound from Marshall. True Stereophonic is stereo sound, but not as you’ve heard it before. Available exclusively with Marshall products, you can now experience superior spatial and binaural sound that flows around you, filling any space. Although smaller in size Willen II makes a huge impact. It has a slightly larger frame than its predecessor, to maximise bass and the overall acoustic performance. Improved drivers mean that every frequency gets its time to shine so you’ll hear a balanced sound at any volume you choose.
Both Emberton III and Willen II come with an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, meaning you can submerge it in 1 m (3 ft) of water for a period of up to 30 minutes. The speakers are also Bluetooth LE Audio-ready. Auracast is the latest Bluetooth technology that soon will be available as an over-the-air update in the Marshall Bluetooth app. One of the benefits that Auracast gives you is a “share audio” feature. With this new feature, you’re no longer dependent on a source device with Auracast. Instead, Emberton III and Willen II will act as source devices, allowing you to broadcast music to multiple Emberton III and Willen II units simultaneously. You simply have to connect your phone to one speaker via Bluetooth, and it will sync audio to the others.
Emberton III features Marshall’s signature sound with Dynamic Loudness that adjusts the tonal balance of the audio to ensure your music sounds brilliant at every volume. Emberton III features True Stereophonic, a unique form of multi-directional sound from Marshall. Experience superior spatial and binaural sound that flows around you and fills any space.
Emberton III offers 32+ hours of portable playtime on a single charge, so you can keep listening all day and into the next. Marshall’s on-the-road spirit lives on in our Emberton III speaker, boasting a rugged design that can battle dust and rain. Emberton III now comes with a built-in microphone, making hands-free talking much simpler and clearer. Emberton III is built to be Bluetooth LE Audio-ready. This future-proof technology will open a new world of audio-sharing possibilities with Auracast.
Featuring a balanced Marshall signature sound and harder-hitting bass, Willen II punches above its size in more ways than one. Willen II offers 17+ hours of portable playtime on a single charge, so you can keep listening and never run out of steam. Willen II is always ready for the road – rain or dirt won’t stop the session. Willen II is the ultimate multi-purpose speaker. Stand it up, lay it down, fix it to an object or let it hang thanks to its rubber fastening strap.
Willen II lets you do the talking. It comes with a built-in microphone so that you can take calls completely hands-free. Willen II is built to be Bluetooth LE Audio-ready. This future-proof technology will open a new world of audio-sharing possibilities with Auracast.
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