Technology

Adding a diamond-like diaphragm to a driver unit is a major advance in acoustic technology, combining the traditional moving-coil (dynamic) design with the cutting-edge materials science of diamond-like carbon (DLC) compounds. This combination not only improves sound quality; more importantly, it offers the possibility of complete control over timbre!

The diaphragm is a principal component of an audio transducer. It operates through electromagnetic induction: a coil attached to the diaphragm moves in a magnetic field to produce sound. The diaphragm’s material and design are crucial to sound fidelity and range. Traditionally, diaphragms have been made from paper, plastic or metal alloys, but each material has limitations in hardness, durability and acoustic properties.

Diamond-like carbon coatings, or diaphragms made from diamond-like materials, promise to combine extremely high hardness and stiffness with extremely low mass—properties essential to high-fidelity sound reproduction. The principle behind using diamond-like materials is to make the diaphragm’s movement more precise and responsive, producing clearer, more delicate sound across a wider frequency range, particularly at high frequencies, where traditional materials may bend or resonate and cause distortion.

Diamond-like materials are known for their toughness and wear resistance, extending the service life of dynamic drivers under both normal and extreme conditions.

Although strong, diamond-like diaphragms are extremely light and require less energy to move. This helps improve the efficiency of the moving-coil mechanism and, in turn, the device’s overall energy efficiency.

Integrating a diamond-like diaphragm into a dynamic-driver assembly requires careful design adjustments to balance its stiffness and mass with the desired acoustic properties. We have carried out extensive research and development to optimize the diaphragm’s shape, thickness and connection to the coil.

Adapting a dynamic driver with a diamond-like diaphragm lies at the intersection of materials science and acoustic engineering. Although the cost and complexity of the material present challenges, its potential audio-performance advantages offer a promising path toward outstanding sound quality and durability.

This technology is a major innovation in in-ear headphones, intended to unlock more of the transducer’s potential, further control sound and address the discomfort caused by pressure buildup in the ear canal.

It does not rely on electricity or additional drivers. This approach requires cuts and holes in the earpiece housing to achieve a natural balance of air and sound pressure within the ear canal.

The principle is to create a dynamic chamber structure that automatically balances air and sound pressure, passively adjusting air pressure according to sound-wave frequency and sound pressure, ensuring that users can fully enjoy accurate, natural sound during extended listening.

At the heart of development is the design of precisely cut small holes in the earphone housing, strategically positioned to enable passive airflow. This requires extensive acoustic modeling to understand the interaction between air and sound pressure in the ear canal.

Prototypes undergo rigorous testing to refine the size and position of the holes, ensuring the best balance between pressure equalization and sound quality. User feedback is an integral part of this iterative process, guiding our adjustments toward optimum comfort and sound quality.

We integrate this passive adaptive-pressure system into the earphones without compromising their appearance or functionality, ensuring that these changes have no impact on the user experience.

Dr. Julian Mendoza is a neuroscientist whose research interests in auditory processing and neurodegenerative diseases led him to explore the neuroprotective properties of sound.

Dr. Mendoza hypothesized that certain sound frequencies and patterns could enhance neuroplasticity and prevent cognitive decline. He focused on the potential role of stimulating acoustic frequency bands in the brain health of people at high risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Mendoza conducted a comprehensive review of existing research on auditory stimulation, neuroplasticity and neuroprotection to identify areas in which innovative acoustic products could make a contribution.

Using advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological measurements, he tested the effects of different sound frequencies on brain activity in animal models and identified patterns that appeared to promote neural health and connectivity.

Dr. Mendoza worked with our acoustics team to develop a technological model that, through sound modulation assisted by an evoked-potential system, allows users to significantly alleviate depression or anxiety while enjoying music.

The basic premise behind MARS derives from two scientific principles: the ability of sound waves to carry information and the potential for the human body to perceive magnetic fields, although usually at a subconscious level.

1. Sound-wave transmission: Sound waves are vibrations that travel through air (or another medium). The ears can receive them and convert these vibrations into signals the brain can understand. This principle is widely known and is the foundation of all acoustic technology today.

2. Magnetic-field perception: Certain animals, such as migratory birds and sea turtles, use the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation. Although humans do not naturally possess this perceptual ability, research indicates that the human brain can detect and respond to magnetic fields, though not consciously (Wang, C., Bao, L., Lockwood, M., et al., "Human brain wave patterns respond to changes in geomagnetic activity," Nature Scientific Reports, 2019).

Combining these principles, MARS can use optimization of the Brilbell driver to make magnetic-field changes in auditory signals particularly prominent, allowing listeners to perceive magnetic fields as part of the musical experience.

Just as high-fidelity audio and surround-sound systems enhance the depth and immersion of music listening, MARS can bring new emotional and sensory engagement to music through the perception of magnetic fields.

Research into music therapy shows substantial benefits for mental health, cognitive function and physical health. MARS technology can add a new dimension to this, using the potential effects of magnetic fields on the human body for therapeutic purposes, similar to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is used to treat depression.

By adding a new sensory dimension to music, MARS can encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of music, opening new avenues for creative expression and educational approaches that engage multiple senses.