proVocanto design plaudits hit new heights as microphone awarded

‘best of the best’ prize

Murten, Switzerland, October 27, 2008

Phonak Communications’ revolutionary boom microphone, proVocanto, has been awarded its third and most prestigious design trophy to date after being recognized by Germany’s renowned Designpreis der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

proVocanto’s Silver Designpreis 2009 award effectively positions Phonak Communications’ sleek and discrete studio microphone as one of the world’s 25 best designed products of the past year.

“That Germany’s highest product design panel has recognized proVocanto’s inspired and functional design confirms what a game-changing release this microphone is,” commented Evert Dijkstra, CEO of Phonak Communications. “For studio professionals in need of a sleek, attractive and adaptable miniature boom mic, there is currently no better choice on the market.”

The renowned Designpreis is open only to products that have already received design prizes; proVocanto was previously awarded a 2008 red dot design award and a 2008 iF Product Design Gold Award.

Following the submission of no less than 1240 Designpreis nominations this year, the competition’s panel of industry judges chose just 20 Silver and 5 Gold prize winners. proVocanto’s Silver award places it alongside other cutting-edge creations from the likes of BMW Group Design and Stefano Giovannoni.

Comfortable, lightweight and easily adjustable to all ear sizes, proVocanto is available now from Phonak approved distributors

Download Press release

Phonak's proVocanto wins gold

Daily News, IBC Amsterdam - Sunday 14 September 2008

The proVocanto boom mic is a double award-winner

by David Davies

The proVocanto professional boom microphone for stage, TV and podium use recently picked up both the 2008 iF Product Design Gold Award and the 2008 red dot design award.

Developed by Phonak to be a fully adjustable, lightweight boom-microphone, the device incorporates a fitting system intended for musicians, broadcasters, moderators, stage actors and others who favour "high comfort, discrete appearance and uncompromised quality."

The design of the unit means that wearers place the ear-loop around either ear and tighten with a gentle tug. The length and orientation of the boom are also designed to be adjustable for minimum background interference and optimum sound performance. The boom also includes an anti-perspiration ring to keep moisture away from the microphone capsule.

"The proVocanto was designed to provide a discrete appearance while still maintaining the sound quality for which Phonak products are known," said Valentin Chapero, CEO of Phonak. "It is one more example of our steadfast commitment to developing the latest innovation and design."

8.E29

Press release, for immediate release

Hannover, 4 March 2008

proVocanto wins IFproduct design award 2008 gold

proVocanto, an ingeniously designed professional boom imcrophone for stage, TV and podium has won the prestigious iF product design award 2008 gold. Phonak Communications is delighted that proVocanto will carry the iF quality seal - out of a total of 2,771 entries from 35 different nations. proVocanto was submitted in the Audio and Video competition category.

proVocanto was designed by Phonak's engineers, who took miniaturization of the various components to extremes. Still proVocanto can be adjusted to all ear and head sizes. Positionning of a boom microphone is crucial and proVocanto lets everyone look good. The microphone weighs a mere 2 grams. proVocanto combines the best looks with optimum sound. A bandwidth of 20.000 Hz and a maximum sound pressure level of 135 dB ensure an excellent sound quality.

For 54 years, the iF design award has served as an internationally recognized trademark for outstanding design. Across the globe, the iF brand, with offices in Hannover, Munich and Taipei, is an established symbol for exceptional design achievement.

On Phonak Communications

Phonak Communications AG is the technology and market leader in the development, design, production and distribution worldwide of ultra miniaturized wireless systems since 1992. The company is part of the Sonova Group, one of the world's top manufacturers of hearing systems, present in over 70 countries and with a workforce of around 4,000 people. By combining its expertise in hearing technology with ongoing research at the highest level, Phonak Commmunications AG has succeeded in making substantial advances in fields like television and broadcast where Swiss perfection translates into greater efficiency, spontaniety and assurance.

For more information, please contact

Jörg Windhorst, Sales Manager

Phonak Communications AG
CH-3280 Murten, Switzerland
Tel. +41 26 672 9249
Mobile : +41 79 822 2404
invisity (Skype)
joerg.windhorst@phonak.com

Head-worn high-quality microphone with unique wearing comfort:

proVocanto by Phonak

Phonak presents a new and clever innovation in the field of broadcast, stage and conference. proVocanto is a miniaturized high-quality boom microphone with a unique fixation system, specially developed by Swiss engineers. The patented mechanics and a system weight of just 2 g stands for superb wearing comfort, very easy handling and perfect positioning, combined with optimum very easy handling and perfect positioning, combined with optimum sound and unmatched unobtrusiveness.There are no technical restrictions of use for this one-ear-headband. Furthermore, it comes at a surprisingly attractive price. proVocanto helps you run the show - smoothly.

Optimal positioning of the microphone means everything

Positioning of a boom microphone is crucial for sound and looks. Even the most sophisticated technology is inefficient if not on the right spot. With proVocanto, both length and orientation of the boom are adjustable. Whatever the shape or size of your head, the capsule can be positioned for optimum sound, minimum noise and maximum discretion. The versatile system is simply and securely adjustable to both sides too. Just open the loop, put it around the ear and tighten itwith a gentle tug. An integrated mechanism provides for final adjustment with high precision. proVocanto may look filigree, but the clever mechanics is render it more immune to damage than one would  think – and what’s even better: it usually prevents malpractice before hand due to its ease of use.   

Optimum sound and unmatched discretion

The omnidirectional high grade microphone performs highest sound quality and is non-sensitive to background noise, feedback or crosstalk. The capsule is safely protected from moisture, salt and dust. In addition, an effective anti-perspiration ring keeps sweat away. The proVocanto never interferes with your makeup, headdress or jewelry. The superb wearing comfort, the elegant design and the tan (beige) color suits ideally for applications requiring minimum visibility. Play safe, in situations where things move fast and performances needs to be perfect.

Produced by the technology leader of ultra miniaturized wireless systems

Phonak Communications AG is the technology and market leader  in the worldwide development, design, production and distribution of ultra miniaturized wireless systems. Phonak’s engineers combine their expertise in hearing technology with ongoing research at the highest level. Swiss perfection to perform substantial advances in the fields of ProAudio, broadcast, stage and conference.
The Phonak website www.phonak-communications.com provides a list of distributors in your country as well as catalogs, software manuals and FAQs for download.