In the rapidly evolving realm of audio technology, despite the ongoing advancements, traditional headphones continue to rely on physical amplifiers to produce sound. This age-old methodology, dating back over a century, is being challenged by xMEMS Labs, introducing an innovative alternative through their Cypress ultrasonic solid-state speaker tailored for TWS earbuds. Departing from conventional physical amplifiers, these speakers leverage ultrasonic sound pulses, typically imperceptible to the human ear.
xMEMS's groundbreaking achievement lies in the implementation of ultrasonic amplitude modulation transduction. The speaker generates ultrasonic sound pulses, directing them to a demodulator that transforms these pulses into audible sound for the user. The utilization of ultrasonic pulses promises an accurate acoustic replication of the source signal, potentially resulting in superior audio reproduction across all sound frequencies. The Cypress ultrasound speakers claim to deliver enhanced audio quality and intricate sound details compared to coil speakers, while still supporting high-resolution and spatial audio.
Each Cypress MEMS speaker is compact, fitting into a diminutive 6.3 x 6.5 x 1.65mm package, and is anticipated to provide more robust and resonant bass than conventional counterparts. The company asserts that its new ultrasound speaker can produce a low-frequency sound pressure level (SPL) of 140dB and reach frequencies as low as 20Hz. Another noteworthy feature is the extended ANC bandwidth, enabling earbuds equipped with Cypress MEMS speakers to effectively suppress a broader range of unwanted higher frequency noises. Furthermore, the new speakers are claimed to exhibit lower latency owing to their consistent electrical-to-acoustic conversion time.
Scheduled to be showcased at CES 2024, the Cypress ultrasonic speakers from xMEMS are slated for mass production commencement in late 2024. While specific pricing details remain undisclosed, the company has disclosed a manufacturing partnership with TSMC, emphasizing cost competitiveness with mass-market speakers designed for wireless headphones and earbuds.