Knowles Introduces New Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature for Premium Sound Performance

Knowles Corporation announced its new dual-diaphragm balanced armature (BA), a patented design that the manufacturer believes to be a revolutionary advancement in the world of BA technology. The first product to benefit from this advancement is a new in-ear monitor (IEM) intended for the high end audio market, jointly-promoted by Astell&Kern and Campfire Audio. The new Pathfinder IEM earphone is one of many new products in this segment launched at the High End Munich show by Campfire Audio. Designed for premium products, extending the performance available from the already improved RAQ series of full-range balanced armature drivers recently introduced by Knowles, the new patented dual-diaphragm RLQ technology allows the BA to achieve higher output levels while maintaining a small footprint. The design incorporates two chambers, each housing its own diaphragm and drive rod actuated by a single coil. The combined output of the two chambers, according to Knowles, provides "a warm, clear sound and more natural quality" for premium earphones and discreet hearing devices.

The first implementation of the Knowles RLQ balanced armatures can be now experienced to the full extent of "clarity, equalization and realism," that Campfire Audio says it obtained in the new Pathfinder IEM design. The dual-diaphragm BA completes the recipe for premium mid-range performance, which has been long-sought after by these brands and others. And once again, Knowles worked in close partnership with the Portland, Oregon-based brand, which is premiering multiple new products in the top end of the IEM segment at the High End show in Munich. In this case, the Pathfinder design is promoted together with Astell&Kern, a company that designs and manufactures very expensive portable audio players/DACs, able to drive IEMs to their best performance. “The new dual-diaphragm BA from Knowles signals a game-changing shift in the technology," says Campfire Audio VP Caleb Rosenau. "We're proud to be the first manufacturer to utilize this all-new BA with our design of the Pathfinder for Astell&Kern and can say that this driver technology is set to be a defining element delivering a new level of performance and clarity in the next generation of Campfire Audio earphone designs."

Campfire also confirms that these Knowles dual-diaphragm BAs will be a continued feature of the company's upcoming high-performance premium earphones, mainly intended for the most hardcore music enthusiasts always seeking better music quality. Of course, Knowles is also increasingly seeing the demand for smaller and more comfortable IEMs, earbuds and even hearing aids/hearables, and one way to achieve those goals is to create receivers with higher power to size ratio. A balanced armature with two diaphragms allows just that and delivers a step change in performance from everything that is available today from balanced armatures, according to the Illinois-based company. "Significant design and manufacturing challenges had to be overcome to create a BA with two self-contained diaphragms driven by a single coil and armature," describes Jon Kiachian, Vice President and GM of Knowles Hearing Health Technologies. “Derived from Knowles’ 75-year track record of innovation, the dual-diaphragm BA delivers best-in-class output for its size; there’s no other BA like it.”
www.astellnkern.com | www.campfireaudio.com
www.KnowlesPremiumSound.com