Nexonic Rises From the Remnants of Audio-Technica’s Alteros

New venture is collateral to closure of the high-band–wireless subsidiary

Audio-Technica quietly shuttered its three-year-old Alteros subsidiary in October. The company had been intended to develop alternative wireless-microphone products for applications including broadcast sports, and its flagship GTX 6.5-GHz Ultra Wide Band digital wireless microphone system is being used by ESPN and other broadcasters. A-T offered no explanation for the subsidiary’s closure other than a statement on its website that the closure was “due to corporate strategic decisions.”

Former Alteros exec Jackie Green says that Nexonic will target the broadcast and live-wireless markets.

Subsequently, Alteros President/CTO Jackie Green and EVP, Product Engineering, Bob Green formed Nexonic, a product-development and consulting firm that will address operational issues in the wake of the RF-spectrum disruptions that followed the auctioning off of the 700 MHz and 600 MHz frequency ranges. The two, who had a combined 64 years at A-T (22 as a married couple), departed Audio-Technica when Alteros closed.

“We’re targeting broadcast and live wireless markets and, possibly, installed [AV] markets,” Jackie Green says.

The company’s first product will be a custom RF filter, made specifically for a client’s broadcast application. Declining to disclose the name of that initial customer, she says the product represents a key market aspect: refinements to the proliferating array of wireless microphone products and systems that have come to market or been adapted for the wireless-RF sector in the wake of frequency reallocation.

Former Alteros exec Bob Green says the new company might eventually develop its own professional-wireless products.

“It’s the kinds of services that wireless users will need going forward,” she explains. “Even very good wireless products will need further fine-tuning and customization as the RF environment becomes more challenging.”

Bob Green states that Nexonic might eventually begin to design, manufacture, and market its own products for the professional-wireless industry. “It’s an area that we know a lot about and have had a lot of experience in, including for broadcast-sports applications.”

Audio-Technica has indicated that, with the closing of the subsidiary, all manufacturing and development of Alteros products will cease, although A-T U.S. will provide warranty and support for existing customers.

“Transferring inventory of product and parts to Audio-Technica U.S. will enable the fulfillment of existing orders and commitments,” the company says in an online statement. “The Alteros team will train and equip qualified service and support personnel, allowing continuation of service.”

No further information was available.