In addition to certifying the performance of commercial cinemas and consumer audio and video products, THX also develops new technologies and licenses them to various manufacturers.
Among these new technologies is the company’s ultra-quiet AAA (Achromatic Audio Amplifier) power-amplifier design, which first appeared commercially in the Benchmark AHB2 in 2015.
Two years later, THX introduced the second generation of AAA technology, this time intended for headphone amps. I first heard some prototypes at CanJam SoCal 2017, and I was quite impressed. So, when Helm Audio announced at CES 2020 that it was implementing AAA technology in a mobile headphone amp, I immediately requested a review sample. Once the DB12 AAAmp finally arrived, it was well worth the wait.
FEATURE SET
The DB12 AAAmp is a small unit measuring 2.8 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches (LxWxH) and weighing only 1.08 ounces. A 12-inch cable emerging from one end terminates in a 3.5mm TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) male plug, while a 2-inch cable at the other end terminates in a 3.5mm TRRS female jack. Both cables are custom-shielded silver with molded strain relief.
Essentially, the DB12 is a powered headphone cable. As such, it relies on a physical connection at both ends. That means the source device must have a headphone output, which many smartphones and other mobile devices no longer have. If a device doesn’t have such an output, you will need an adapter for it.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JBL Xtreme 4 speaker: A powerful portable for parties
The fourth generation of JBL's Bluetooth travel speaker is beefier, better protected from the elements, and louder than ever.
How the iPhone's Headphone Safety setting can affect a Bluetooth speaker
A setting designed to prevent damaging your hearing can also throttle external speakers.
REVIEW: iPHONE 15 STRAIGHTFORWARD EXCELLENCE
SUPERB CAMERA SETUP + DECENT BATTERY LIFE + FAST PROCESSOR = (RELATIVELY) AFFORDABLE QUALITY.
REVIEW: 15-INCH MACBOOK AIR (M3) SIMPLY THE BEST, BUT BETTER
THE M3 UPDATE TO APPLE'S MOST POPULAR LAPTOP LINE IMPROVES ON GREATNESS.
FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI LINK 2: PORTABLE PRINTER WITH RETRO CHARM
Photographer Chase Jarvis (fave.co/ 3xegpdk) said, \"The best camera is the one you have with you.
ALOGIC MATRIX ULTIMATE: A FOLDUP CHARGER THAT DOESN'T NEED A PLUG
I've reviewed a bunch of impressive portable multidevice wireless chargers recently, and this newcomer, the Matrix Ultimate, lives up to its name.
5 MWC announcements that should have come from Apple
The Android show highlighted some new tech that we want to see in Apple products.
We haven't seen the last of the Apple Car
From Al to CarPlay, Apple’s efforts weren't for naught.
AI is coming to the iPhone-and it could change everything
Generative Al is set to impact every corner of Apple’s ecosystem.
U.S. Justice Department sues Apple over its 'iPhone monopoly'
The DOJ is joined by 16 state and district attorneys general in claiming that Apple has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.