xMEMS Labs Solid State Micro Speakers Available
xMEMS Labs, pioneers in Solid-State Fidelity, recently announced the availability of three revolutionary audio transducer (speaker) solutions for immediate integration into next-generation true wireless (TWS) earphones, in-ear-monitors (IEMs), digital hearing aids, and other emerging personal audio electronics, including smart glasses and sleep buds. Their patented silicon-based speaker technology is on the fast track to one day replace century-old coil speakers with their manufacturing technique allowing for high-volume, reliable mass production of solid-state speakers using semiconductor fabrication methods resulting in more precise, higher fidelity, high-resolution audio.
The Technology
So what is this new audio transducer, are our subs being replaced? Not yet, but our mid-range and certainly tweeters might be in upcoming speaker designs.
For those new to the MEMS acronym it stands for Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems. As far back as 2007 it was used for the design of MEMS microphones.
xMEMS microspeaker technology is based on the inverse piezoelectric effect using piezoMEMS material. The inverse piezoelectric effect is created by applying an electrical voltage (about 30 volts) to make the piezoMEMS contract or expand, converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. This energy excites an integrated silicon membrane to move air and generate acoustic sound pressure waves.
Unlike bulk piezoceramics or crystals, which have been used to create low-grade speakers and buzzers for decades, xMEMS’ piezoMEMS actuators offer an increased range of movement enabling rich, full-range and loud audio.
This thin-film piezo technology becomes the speaker actuator and when combined with silicon as the speaker diaphragm replaces the conventional coil and magnet plastic and paper cone systems. Creating a solid-state speaker that can be manufactured using standard semiconductor processes and packaging so they can be produced rapidly, uniformly, and cost-effectively at scale.
The result of this new design and process is a high-performing speaker that is about 1/10th the weight and 40 percent the size of a similar coil speaker. Having no moving parts, an xMEMS solid-state micro speaker is more reliable and durable than current technologies and meets IP58 standards of protection from dust and sweat.
Features At A Glance:
- Distinct, high-quality sound
- Full frequency range (20Hz-20kHz)
- +/-1° phase consistency for improved spatial audio performance
- No in-band resonances
- 0.5% THD (94dB @ 1kHz)
- Excellent high frequency fidelity due to integrated silicon membrane with high resonant frequency
- Faster response due to direct piezo drive
- Small form factor with approx. 1mm thickness, capable of replacing multiple traditional speakers
- Low power consumption due to piezoelectric actuation (field drive) vs. current induced magnetic driven voice coil speakers
- True MEMS microspeaker with both actuation and membrane integrated
- All-silicon process delivers accuracy, reproducibility, uniformity versus manually assembled voice coil approaches
Who Are xMEMS Labs?
xMEMS Labs was founded in 2018 and has reinvented transducer design with the world’s first solid-state True MEMS speakers for TWS and other personal audio devices, now having over 100 granted patents worldwide for its technology. Their systems architecture implements both actuation and diaphragm in silicon, producing the world’s fastest and most precise micro speakers and eliminating the spring and suspension recovery of coil speakers. This results in very accurate time domain music reproduction and excellent sound clarity.
The xMEMS silicon membrane architecture is said to be about 95 times stiffer than conventional membrane materials, offering improved clarity and reducing muddy midranges and treble responses. The silicon architecture is claimed to deliver a 150 times faster impulse response compared to the slow attack and decay of coil architectures, offering the most pulse-true and accurate sound reproduction.
With their latest announcement, xMEMS Labs has begun shipping three solid-state solutions:
- Cowell: The world’s smallest solid-state micro speaker, for TWS earphones and hearing aids: SPL @ 1kHz / 30VPP 111dB, THD @ 1KHz/94dB SPL 0.5%.
- Montara Plus: The world’s highest output MEMS micro speaker, is capable of sound pressure levels up to 120 dB @ 200 Hz making it an ideal full-bandwidth transducer for audiophile-level, high-resolution in-ear monitors: SPL @ 2kHz / 30VPP 127dB, THD @ 1KHz/94dB SPL 0.5%.
- Skyline DynamicVent: The world’s first piezoMEMS, DSP-controllable vent, blends the benefits of open- and closed-fit earbuds and hearing aids.
So high fidelity, audiophile MEMS technology will soon be appearing in smaller devices like earphones, hearing aids and in-ear devices, maybe even handheld devices. Time will tell if the design can be successfully scaled for use in the world of audiophile stereo and home theater speakers.
For more information about xMEMS and its solid-state solutions, visit xmems.com.
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