XMEMS Labs has announced the full availability of its three revolutionary MEMS micro speaker solutions, Cowell, Montara Plus, Skyline DynamicVent. Instantly integrated into the next generation of true wireless stereo (TWS) headphones, in-ear headphones (IEM), digital hearing AIDS, and emerging personal audio electronics such as smart glasses and sleep earplugs. xMEMS's patented silicon-based speaker technology will replace century-old voice coil speakers, enabling large-scale, highly reliable production of solid-state speakers using semiconductor manufacturing methods and delivering more precise, hi-fi, high-resolution audio.
"Since the release of our first product, the audio industry has been extremely positive about our solid state fidelity solutions," said Mike Housholder, vice president of marketing and Business Development at xMEMS. Unlike traditional voice coil speakers, our speakers are monolithic and the silicon film provides better material stiffness and exponentially faster impulse response than traditional speakers, enabling the superior audio performance of xMEMS solid-state fidelity technology."
In fact, the xMEMS silicon film structure increases stiffness by 95 times, providing better clarity and eliminating the muddy IF and high-frequency response of traditional speaker film materials. In addition, the silicon structure also provides a pulse response 150 times faster than traditional designs, providing the most realistic pulse and the most accurate sound reproduction, which is not possible with traditional voice coil structures.
XMEMS solid-state fidelity technology is driving the shift to all-silicon audio systems. The shift began to gain traction in 2007, when MEMS microphones accounted for just 5 percent of the overall microphone market. By 2022, it was more than 80 percent. xMEMS is leading a similar shift in speakers. "The MEMS micro speaker market is expected to follow a MEMS microphone-like trajectory," said Peter Cooney, founder of SAR Insight. Consumer demand for high-resolution, spatial audio, lossless streaming audio represents a generational shift in audio content that requires a similar evolution in sound reproduction. Solid state fidelity provides more accurate source sound reproduction and superior listening experience."
MEMS speakers use piezoelectric film technology as actuators instead of coils and magnets. When the piezoelectric film is combined with silicon as the speaker diaphragm, the world's first solid-state speaker is realized. Unlike traditional voice coil speakers used in electronics, xMEMS micro speakers are manufactured using standard semiconductor processes and packaging, so they can be mass-produced quickly, consistently, and cost-effectively. The result is a high-performance speaker that is only about one-tenth the weight and 40 percent the size of a similar voice coil speaker. With no traditional motion components, xMEMS solid-state microspeakers are more reliable and durable than existing technologies, and even meet IP58 dust and sweat standards.
Thanks to their architectural strengths, solid-state fidelity headphones can survive harsh conditions, such as being forgotten in the user's pocket past the washer and dryer. "Solid-state fidelity speakers are definitely a game changer." Housholder concluded, "Until now, the loudspeaker is still one of the few electronic components that has not been improved by silicon technology. xMEMS's true solid-state miniature speakers can now fundamentally change the way people listen to sound."
