just when you thought speakers couldn't change....

[Treamaya]

and Apple files this patent this year..

http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20160721ptan20160212546.php

This changes the whole magnetic structure of a speaker... more sensitive and smaller than ever.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Would like to see some input from people who actually know about design of speaker if this is any good in reality.

 

[highfigh]

Whoever wrote that really likes the word 'embodiment'.

Looks like it's for phones and other mall devices, but I didn't see any dimensions on the drawings, either.

 

[shadyJ]

and Apple files this patent this year..

http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20160721ptan20160212546.php

This changes the whole magnetic structure of a speaker... more sensitive and smaller than ever.

I have seen designs where a permanent magnet was used as a pole piece before. I think the Steallus designs do that. I don't see anything else that is unusual with this driver design.

 

[Treamaya]

They are using a Halbach array, which creates greater magnetic fields in one direction with less in the opposite. Essentially a directional magnet. This allows for less material in the magnet structure to achieve the same magnetic field on the coils.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halbach_array

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Was confused by Apple involvement with speaker design till I saw this:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-salvatti-04463916
Check his employment history, it's quite possible that he worked closely with Dr. Toole during employment at JBL.