MEMS and Other Leading-Edge Devices for Wearables - 2021 Update

In this article for Voice Coil, Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) recaps MEMS Drivers and related hot technologies for 2021, providing an update about products and companies that stood out in 2020. The article, which summarizes the more extensive reports published by audioXpress in January 2020 and 2021, looks at the impact of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for audio and discusses the implications for other game-changing technologies that reduce size, increase performance, extend battery life, and enhance features and functionality in headphones, wearables and compact speakers.

In this article for Voice Coil focused on MEMS loudspeakers, Mike Klasco reviews a bit of the history of the technology and previews the evolution and impact on the audio industry in general. The article examines MEMS devices in general, provides a basic explanation of how the various types of MEMS speakers work, and what commercialization challenges are ahead. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, December 2019.

Following years of intense research and development work, GraphAudio will debut and demo its proprietary 100% graphene speakers at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. For demo purposes, the technology will be implemented in an earbud, amplifier, and microphone and attendees are invited to visit GraphAudio at The Venetian to experience the pure graphene-powered speaker's enhanced, high definition, audiophile-quality sound.

Voice Coil April 2019 featured another great Focus article by Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) discussing trends in Microspeakers. With more than 1.6 billion mobile phones built annually, each with a microspeaker for the speakerphone and another for the receiver, this side of the speaker industry attracts the giants. Get the full scoop on one of the hottest market segments.

For the January 2019 edition of Voice Coil magazine, Mike Klasco and Nora Wong have compiled a special Focus article on New Materials for Earphones and Headphones. For those looking to differentiate their new products, the two Menlo Scientific consultants provide a unique and valuable perspective on multiple possibilities and designs for drivers, materials for assemblies and enclosures, choices for headbands and ear cushions, signal processing, and even cables.

audioXpress February 2018 explores the progress being made by ORA Sound and GraphAudio, two pioneering companies with distinctly different approaches to the use of graphene based transducers. We explain why open reel analog tapes are coming back in force, the differences between Line Source and Point Source speakers, and how Dante Domain Manager is providing an integrated approach to media network management. All this and much more, now available!