Knowles Launches Advanced Audio Solution for Hearables and Premium Earphones

Advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and specialty component solutions specialists, Knowles Corporation, announced the launch of Versant advanced voice technology, an advanced audio solution for hearables and premium earphones that optimizes the user’s voice in noisy environments, such as wind or crowds. A first implementation example includes Munich-based, Bragi, which has recently introduced a software upgrade to its The Dash earbuds featuring Knowles Versant technology.

Knowles Corporation showcased new advanced audio systems for mobile, wearable, hearable, and Internet of Things devices (IoT) at the Mobile World Congress 2016, in Barcelona. The company confirmed that it has shipped more than 8 billion MEMS microphones globally and reaffirmed the decision to sell its speaker and receiver product line segment of the company.

This VC Spotlight article, from Mike Klasco includes some really great insight on upcoming developments and new companies active in the MEMS field. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) loudspeakers are just now appearing. As Mike explains “this is a really new technology, so new that only recently were functional lab prototypes operational.” Article originally published in Voice Coil, May 2015.

Knowles completed the acquisition of Audience, following an updated offer for a mix of cash and shares of Knowles common stock. The acquisition and merger of the two companies was already approved by Korean regulators and should enable the world leader in MEMS devices and transducers for mobile devices to access Audience’s advanced voice and audio processing technologies.

A new analysis for 2014 titled “The Global and China Micro Electronic-Acoustics Component Industry Report, 2013-2014” was published in October 2014 by Research in China and shows that the earphone and headphone categories have been the main growth areas since the second half of 2013. The 95 pages report provides the most recent data and information on the micro electronic-acoustics industry, detailing profiles of 21 micro electronic-acoustics manufacturers.