New APx517B Acoustic Analyzer brings drastically reduced setup time, renowned AP reliability & quality to manufacturing—at a production test price
BEAVERTON, OREGON, November 19, 2020: Audio Precision announced today the APx517B acoustic analyzer, specifically designed, configured and built for the production-line testing of speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets and the wide range of consumer electronics incorporating speakers and microphones. With the introduction of the APx517B acoustic analyzer, manufacturers can deploy an integrated acoustic test system that brings the renowned quality, reliability and robustness of Audio Precision’s lab-oriented analyzers to their production lines.
</a> The APx517B, with 1/2-inch measurement microphone from GRAS Sound & Vibration, setup for the test of a passive loudspeaker.
Fast Setup & Reconfiguration
On a production line, any time spent setting up a new test system, calibrating a system for a new shift, or reconfiguring a system for a change in DUT (device under test), is effectively a “line down” situation. As an integrated system combining audio analyzer (signal generation and acquisition), power amplifier, headphone amplifier, and microphone power supply, along with any required digital interface such as Bluetooth, the APx517B has the power to drastically reduce setup and reconfiguration time by eliminating multiple individual components (from a variety of vendors) and their associated cabling. Additionally, and unlike those individual components, the APx517B is uniquely delivered with an accredited ISO/IEC 17025 calibration.
Quality & Reliability
Most, if not all, current acoustic analysis systems are an assortment of individual components from different vendors. As such, an additional “line down” risk of these systems is the quality and reliability of each component, along with the configuration of each connection point. In contrast, the APx517B is an integrated system engineered and assembled to the same standard as all other APx analyzers and is delivered with a three-year warranty and accredited calibration. For 36 years, the equal to AP analyzers’ reputation for performance and measurement accuracy is the long-standing recognition of their quality and reliability.
Priced for Production Test
Cost sensitivity—whether test system cost or the cost of any “line down” time—is a constant in manufacturing test. In addition to its ability to significantly impact the time component, the APx517B is offering AP performance at a production test price. The base model, presented at a competitive MSRP of $6,000 USD, delivers measurement capability for the functional test of headphones, speakers, drivers and microphones. Configuring the system for specific DUT, interface or measurement requirements is equally affordable for manufacturers. From base model to more advanced configurations, the APx517 is priced to compete with systems assembled from separate software, soundcard, amplifiers, mic power supplies and digital interface devices, even while eliminating the extra time needed to assemble such systems.
Configuration & Options
The APx517B maintains the APx Series’ tradition of flexibility and configurability. In its base configuration, APx517B is a ready-to-go system for measuring analog speakers, microphones, headphones, or headsets. For digital devices, APx517B has a module slot for the addition of a single APx digital interface module, such as Bluetooth®, PDM or HDMI. On the software side, a standard system provides a core set of measurements and functionality to allow out-of-the-box, fundamental test of acoustic devices: File Analysis, Sequence Mode, Input Signal Monitors (including FFT Monitor), Level & Gain, THD+N, Loudspeaker Product Test (including Rub & Buzz), Stepped Frequency Sweep, Pass / Fail, and Signal Acquisition measurement. As with APx500 Flex, a trio of Flex Packs is available, each offering different groups of more advanced measurements. Perceptual audio measurements—including ABC-MRT and POLQA—can likewise be used with Flex. Finally, for the user that needs the base configuration plus just one or two more measurements, à la carte menu of measurements is likewise available.
What About APx500 Flex?
APx500 Flex, Audio Precision’s APx500 software paired with an ASIO-capable audio interface, remains an ideal test solution for very cost-sensitive analog-only test applications. For mid-range analog test and digital test applications—Bluetooth® headphones, smart speakers as examples—the APx517B acoustic analyzer, with robust, integrated hardware, digital interface options, and accredited calibration, is the optimal choice.
“Production, or manufacturing, test is an application with its own unique challenges that, simply put, are time, reliability and cost,” stated Daniel Knighten, Audio Precision General Manager. “The APx517B acoustic analyzer, is purpose-built to address those challenges—drastically reducing setup and reconfiguration time, delivering AP quality and reliability, configured and priced specifically for the manufacturing line—and thus redefine acoustic production test.”
The APx517B acoustic analyzer is available now, with the base configuration retailing for US $6,000. APx500 software release 6.0.1 is also available for download by APx B Series or Legacy analyzer users with a valid 6.0 license and is compatible with all analyzers in the APx500 Series (Note: an APx KeyBox is required to run v6.0 on Legacy APx analyzers). As with all other new APx analyzers, APx517B ships with version 6.0.1 software and one year of software maintenance, effectively licensing that instrument for APx version 7.0 when it is released, as well as any minor releases that occur between versions 6.0 and 7.0.
About Audio Precision
Audio Precision (AP) is a recognized world leader in electronic audio and electro-acoustic test instrumentation. Since 1984, AP’s analyzers have helped engineers to design and manufacture innovative solutions ranging from semiconductor devices to consumer, automotive, and professional audio products. For more information, visit https://www.ap.com/.