710798SoundShaper PoCClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKWe aim to develop new technology that will enable Blackstar to enter a new market - Home Audio. As designers and manufacturers of guitar amplifiers and guitar pedals, Blackstar have gained an international reputation for innovation and engineering quality, with several patents. The Soundshaper project creates a set of unique features that allow a portable wireless speaker to achieve the best quality of performance in any size room, wherever the speaker is placed. We will achieve this through a simple App control interface that allows sophisticated audio Equalisation so the user hears a full frequency-balanced sound at all volumes, balancing EQ patterns to the parameters of the room. We will combine Dynamic EQ features with our innovative potentially patentable SuperWide Stereo, (currently used in the ID:Core series of electric guitar amplifiers), to create an increased perception of width providing an immersive audio experience. As well as proving the concept for the above through both hardware and software development, Blackstar will complete testing and trials to judge the effectiveness of Soundshaper technology in different situations and to develop comparisons with potential competitors across mid-range portable, and high-end multipart audio systems. At project end, we expect to have identified new patentable IP for Soundshaper, proven the tech concept, evolving the strategy for further development. Blackstar have proven success with a TSB grant previously funding the innovative tech in our ID;Core range. As a result sales of our digital amps have grown to 50% of our revenue (transitioning us from a primarily valve amp manufacturer) positioning us as 2nd best selling guitar amplifiers in US and UK. Soundshaper offers a massive opportunity to diversify our market and build a brand presence in Home Audio. At $15b the global Home Audio market is far larger than the $544m global guitar amp market. This PoC (following a PoM) will be the 2nd step on this journey.