Headphones that are smaller, lighter and of better quality than those equipped with a traditional speaker: this is the promise of electromechanical microsystems. The first products should be marketed in the coming weeks.
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A revolution is brewing in the world of audio with the arrival of the first headphones “without speakers”, that is to say, without the small speaker inside. Instead, we will use what we call micro-electromechanical systems, MEMS. To put it simply, these are computer chips that can have mechanical properties. For example, moving air like speakers do.
It’s ten times lighter and half the size of an equivalent speaker. And it uses much less electricity. Concretely, this will make it possible to have much better quality wireless headphones with greater autonomy and, above all, tiny. We won’t have these big bumps coming out of our ears anymore. The next models will become extremely discreet… And even easier to lose.
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They are smaller but with better sound quality for several reasons. First, the frequency range reproduced is often superior (worthy of the most high-end products). And then, it must be remembered: the principle of current loudspeakers has not changed since the 19th century. There is always a coil, a magnet and a membrane that moves. A purely analog operation which ends up reaching physical limits (it doesn’t vibrate enough, or it vibrates too much). This is why on small headphones, there are often distortions or lack of clarity. Problems that are more easily avoided with digital speakers that work like microprocessors.
A technology that is also used in hearing aids
This is a technology that has been around for a few years. But it is finally reaching maturity with several suppliers like xMEMS, USound and Sonic Edge. The first products should be marketed in the coming weeks.
Apart from wireless headphones that are easier to lose, we should also see a new generation of hearing aids. They too will become more discreet and look more and more like simple headphones. Which is a very good thing, because many people with hearing loss do not want to wear hearing aids because they find them too stigmatizing.