Digital silicone-chip 'speakers'. Really?

[HughThistle]

This company, Audio Pixels, claims that they have created the first ever truly digital speakers --just 1mm thick --which will "exceed the performance specifications and design demands of the world's top consumer electronics manufacturers"

Technology - Audio Pixels Limited

If it works as described then it should be as revolutionary as described ... but that's a big IF.

Has anyone heard of them or the technology?

I came across this doing some research into built-in speakers for mobile phones from a commercial angle and I'm at the limit of my knowledge, so I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. I'm finding it hard to get my head around how a silicone chip could replicate the affect of air and sound waves from analog speakers!

Many thanks.

 

[theJman]

Certainly sounds intriguing. Perhaps something will come of it.

 

[cpp]

MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) it notes devices have been using this technology to include ; " inkjet-printer cartridges, accelerometers, miniature robots, microengines, locks, inertial sensors, microtransmissions, micromirrors, micro actuators, optical scanners, fluid pumps, transducers, and chemical, pressure and flow sensors

https://www.mems-exchange.org/MEMS/what-is.html

Interesting what science can and will do... Never know until a speaker is released.

 

[nogaro]

Definitely quite interesting. This is what I found and this was a couple years back:Sony, Audio Pixels to co-develop low-cost MEMS speakers

Looks like we'll be able to hear them reasonably soon, unless that project ended up going nowhere.

 

[jotham]

This is kinda bogus. Not in the sense of what they are claiming but in the sense of what people think they are claiming.

Basically, they've invented a clever way to make extremely thin speakers. I particularly like the idea that the processor activates different "cells" in order to accomplish the necessary frequency and output.

That said, it should have similar performance to something like the NXT based speakers.
Sonic Impact 5029 Soundpads Stick-On Speakers 300-950

This would mean that high frequencies will sound fine, mid-range will require a larger surface but bass is basically out of the question.

I don't think these speakers are challenging any conventional physics so they're not going to be capable of moving large quantities of air to simulate lower frequencies. This is why it is well suited to stuff like TVs and phones where quality doesn't matter.

All they are really saying is that if you need a thin speaker, theirs is the best, not that it is actually good.

Jotham

 

[theJman]

That said, it should have similar performance to something like the NXT based speakers.
Sonic Impact 5029 Soundpads Stick-On Speakers 300-950

That's an 'exciter', which is a different type of technology then what this company has created. There stuff seems to be almost like 'nano-speakers' or something.

 

[jotham]

That's an 'exciter', which is a different type of technology then what this company has created. There stuff seems to be almost like 'nano-speakers' or something.

Sure, I realize it's a different technology. I should add that the MEMS approach is much more interesting and has much more potential. That said, my point is that MEMS approach should have similar limitations as the exciter approach has. If you had a sheet of MEMS the size of a 4x8 piece of plywood, then maybe it would have some bass.

 

[cpp]

Sure, I realize it's a different technology. I should add that the MEMS approach is much more interesting and has much more potential. That said, my point is that MEMS approach should have similar limitations as the exciter approach has. If you had a sheet of MEMS the size of a 4x8 piece of plywood, then maybe it would have some bass.

I guess nobody really knows until that company actually makes a speaker. Think of cell phones and ear buds some of these devices use piezoelectric speakers and electret diaphragms that are as thin as a piece of paper so anything is possible