NEW FORWARD CONCEPTS REPORT CHRONICLES EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IN THE MARKET FOR CLASS D AMPLIFICATION

Tempe AZ—June 15, 2004—Forward Concepts has announced the publication of a comprehensive market study on class D power amplification with an emphasis on chip-based implementations. This is the first and only report of its kind and examines an extremely important but generally neglected innovation with major implications for a myriad of consumer electronics product categories and applications.

According to the report’s author, Dr. Daniel Sweeney, “Class D amplification is emerging as a truly disruptive technology and one that may eventually replace linear amplifiers in most audio frequency applications.” This study examines current and projected markets for class D chipsets, and provides forecasts (in dollars and units) through 2008 for class D in DVD receivers, AV receivers, hearing aids, cellphones, plasma displays, aftermarket autosound, OEM autosound, personal computers, PDAs, CD headphones, boom boxes, and professional audio. Market prospects for non-audio applications, like LCD display drivers, DSL line drivers, CRT monitors, and motor controllers are also discussed.

The report is based upon interviews with individuals directly employed by class D chip manufacturers as well as with independent design engineers and manufacturers of assembled audio and video components who utilize class D amplifiers. The study also reflects an extensive review of the literature and the author’s own experience as a principal in an amplifier manufacturing concern. Progress and diversification in class D circuit design is given ample coverage in this study.

The report shows very impressive growth to-date, and projects continued strong growth over the next several years within most categories. The sale of class D integrated circuits increased over 200% last year to $84 million dollars worldwide, largely on the strength of the sales of DVD receivers, the first category in which class D has established dominance. The report predicts that the class D market will increase by a further 68% this year, and will grow almost tenfold to $823 million in sales by 2008.

According to the report, likely winners are already establishing themselves at this early stage of the market. Texas Instruments, Philips Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, and Apogee Technology dominate the market in that order, with the independent Tripath Technology offering its unique product solution. According to Dr. Sweeney, “The leaders are apt to continue their dominance, but they could well be challenged in the higher-end markets by companies such as D2Audio, Jam Technologies, and Bang & Olufsen, all of whom are touting proprietary circuits offering purportedly superior performance.”

The 150-page report, “Emerging Markets for Class D Amplification,” includes 28 figures and 14 detailed tables and is priced at $1,850 in North America. A global enterprise license for the electronic version is priced at $3,700. Details of the report and ordering information is available on the company’s website at www.fwdconcepts.com

Contact: Forward Concepts, Tempe

wis@fwdconcepts.com

Will Strauss (480-968-3759)