Murten, Switzerland (April 2008) - The proVocanto, an ingeniously designed professional boom microphone for stage, TV and podium use, has won both the 2008 iF Product Design Gold Award and the 2008 red dot design award.
Designed by Phonak, a leading manufacturer of innovative hearing systems, the proVocanto is a fully adjustable, lightweight boom-microphone that provides optimum sound and unparalleled design.
The miniaturized boom microphone features a uniquely designed fitting system - great for musicians, broadcasters, moderators, stage actors and others who desire high comfort, discrete appearance and uncompromised quality.
The proVocanto is comfortable, easy to wear, simple to use and can be securely adjusted to fit nearly everyone. Wearers simply place the ear-loop around either ear and tighten with a gentle tug. Integrated with silicone fittings, the proVocanto will stay where it's been put. The length and orientation of the boom are also adjustable for minimum background interference and optimum sound performance. Finally, the boom also includes an anti-perspiration ring that keeps 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."
The proVocanto weighs 2g and features a bandwidth of 20.000 Hz and a high maximum sound pressure level to ensure an excellent sound quality.
For 54 years, the iF design award has served as an internationally recognized trademark for outstanding design. The iF design gold award is even more prestigious because out of 2,771 entries, 821 were awarded iF awards, only 50 of which received an iF gold award. Across the globe, the iF brand, with offices in Hannover, Munich and Taipei, is an established symbol for exceptional design achievement.
The red dot design award is a large and coveted international product design prize awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany. The aim of the prize is to honor outstanding design quality and trendsetters. A total of 1,253 companies from 51 countries submitted more than 3,200 products for expert assessment. In total 50 top products, including Apple's iPhone and Loewe's Connect 37 LCD TV, received the "red dot: best of the best" for their outstanding and innovative design.
Winning products are presented in the red dot design museum on the premises of the Zollverein World Cultural Heritage site in Essen.
About Phonak
Headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland, Phonak has developed, produced and globally distributed state-of-the-art hearing systems and wireless devices for over 50 years. The combination of expertise in hearing technology, mastery in acoustics and strong cooperation with hearing care professionals allows Phonak to significantly improve people's hearing ability and speech understanding and therefore their quality of life.
Phonak offers a complete range of digital hearing instruments, along with complementary wireless communication systems. With 2,500 employees worldwide, Phonak drives innovation and sets new industry benchmarks regarding miniaturization and performance.
For more information, please visit www.phonak-communications.com or the Phonak Web Channel on Audiology Online.
