OTHER NEWS - Jan. 19, 1993

Computer Sound Chips Licensed: BBE Sound Inc. said Monday that it has signed an agreement to supply Alpine Electronics Inc. with its patented high-definition computer sound chips for Alpine’s car stereo systems. In addition, said John C. McLaren Sr., BBE’s chairman, the licensing agreement calls for the BBE trademark to be listed on the products that Alpine sells. The purpose, he said, is to give the Huntington Beach company an industry cachet in the sound-definition area, much as the Dolby name represents noise reduction. Under the open-ended contract, Alpine, one of the world’s largest car stereo makers, will give BBE $20,000 for the license to use BBE chips and $5 for every microchip it uses, McLaren said. Alpine, a subsidiary of Alps Electric Co. in Tokyo, is expected to use the chips initially in two or three products and, eventually, in all of them, he said. BBE’s microchips enhance the sound of ordinary stereos by boosting high-frequency sounds in audio recordings, separating them from middle and low frequencies.