All the better to hear you — Professional headsets to be outfitted with hi-fi audio SoC

Audio equipment supplier Jabra will be using Dialog Semiconductor plc DA14495 hi-fi audio SoCs to power its new range of professional wireless headsets.

Jabra Engage headsets were designed to solve the challenge of maintaining audio quality within increasingly popular open office environments. When many wireless headsets are used in close proximity, such as in an open office setting, audio quality may be reduced as density and capacity issues arise. With Jabra Engage, three times as many users can now be connected wirelessly without impacting the call experience, with industry-leading performance out to a range of up to 150 meters or 490 feet.

Powering the new headset line is Dialog’s advanced SmartBeat DA14495 SoC, an ultra-reliable, low-latency IC that integrates power management functions with a flexible audio API. It supports the latest DECT 1.9 GHz standard and, being an open audio platform, it can be combined with many third-party audio software packages to create advanced high-end digital applications.

The DA14495 includes an integrated ARM Cortex-M0 processor, a 32-bit Tensilica HiFi-3 DSP core and is the first chip supporting multi-level modulation up to D8PSK for bit rates from 1.152 Mbit/sec, up to 3.456 Mbit/sec. Jabra Engage is the first product to feature Dialog’s DA14495 and the latest audio innovations within it.

In the Jabra Engage, the DA14495 pairs with Dialog’s DA7217, a high-performance low-power audio codec optimized for use in headsets and other wearable devices. It features differential headphone outputs for use inside headset devices with an excellent left to right channel separation and noise rejection, and ultra-low power operating modes, among other features.

Said Sean McGrath, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Connectivity Business Group, Dialog Semiconductor, “We are proud that Jabra was the first customer with a product to hit the market featuring DA14495, as it was able to combine a number of advanced features from our solutions to create a state-of-the-art headset that will ultimately enhance the work lives of business professionals.”