AMPACS, a leader in headphone design and manufacturing, has taken a significant step forward in the integration of solid-state micro speakers into over-the-ear headphones.
The company announced the development of a turnkey 2-way headphone solution, created in collaboration with xMEMS Labs, a pioneer in MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) audio and semiconductor technology. The new solution, which is designed to elevate the audio experience to unprecedented levels, is now available in pre-production prototypes, with production-ready models expected to be released in September.
This innovative design leverages xMEMS' Cowell, the world's smallest solid-state micro speaker, known for its ability to deliver precisely rendered high and mid frequencies. Complementing this is AMPACS' dynamic driver, which is responsible for producing deep and satisfying bass. Together, these components form a modular solution that can be easily integrated into virtually any headphone design, whether it be open-back, closed-back, wired, or wireless. This flexibility makes the solution ideal for a variety of applications, including next-level gaming and music listening experiences.
Mike Housholder, the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at xMEMS, explained that the 2-way headphone concept was developed to offer audio brands a broader soundstage, particularly for spatial audio applications, while enhancing sound clarity and detail. This design also provides a faster time-to-market solution, which can help reduce production costs for manufacturers.
"Our collaboration with AMPACS is driven by the strong belief that solid-state MEMS speakers are poised to redefine the future of personal audio," Housholder said. "By introducing this 2-way design, we are bringing the headphone market closer to a solid-state future. We invite all interested brands to connect with AMPACS to start producing headphones that are not only more affordable but also lighter and superior in sound quality compared to anything currently on the market."
For years, advances in driver design and the availability of sufficient space in speaker enclosures have allowed bookshelf speaker manufacturers to separate high and mid frequencies from bass, resulting in a clearer, cleaner, and more detailed listening experience. However, achieving this level of separation has been a challenge for even the most advanced single-driver headphones.
The xMEMS Cowell, fabricated as a single piece of silicon, functions as a miniature midrange-tweeter in the 2-way headphone design, offering unparalleled clarity and detail in the mid and high frequencies. The low-end frequencies are handled by a smaller-than-usual 40-millimeter dynamic driver from AMPACS, which is specially designed for high-end headphones.
This new design offers several key benefits to headphone manufacturers. First, it improves the reproduction of mid and high-end frequencies, resulting in cleaner vocals and better spatial imaging. Second, the design is lighter, enhancing comfort for the wearer. Third, the simplified back-volume acoustic design allows for faster time to market. Importantly, despite incorporating cutting-edge solid-state technology, the design does not increase costs. In fact, replacing traditional materials like graphene or carbon fiber with this straightforward 2-way system can actually reduce the bill of materials (BOM) costs.
"As a global leader in original design manufacturing (ODM) for headphones, AMPACS is uniquely positioned to bring xMEMS' groundbreaking innovations to audio brands and manufacturers worldwide," said James Hsu, Vice Chairman of AMPACS. "With our extensive research and development capabilities and advanced production technology, we have created a truly disruptive solution that offers better sound quality at a lower cost than the single-driver headphones currently available on the market."
This collaboration between AMPACS and xMEMS marks a significant milestone in the evolution of headphone technology. By combining the strengths of solid-state micro speakers with dynamic drivers, they have developed a 2-way headphone solution that not only enhances the audio experience but also makes high-quality sound more accessible and affordable for consumers. As the production-ready models become available in September, the industry is likely to see a shift towards more innovative and cost-effective headphone designs, further cementing the role of solid-state technology in the future of personal audio.
