World’s First MEMS Microspeaker For Intelligent Audio Production

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Its DynamicVent technology enables benefits of True MEMS speaker and DynamicVent in a single silicon die

The Montara Pro by xMEMS Labs is the world’s first monolithic MEMS µspeaker that enables smart TWS earbuds and hearing aids to become intelligent closed-fit (occluded) and open-fit earbuds based on ambient noise levels detected by microphones or movement from motion sensors.

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Thanks to the integrated DynamicVent technology, Montara Pro eliminates the background noise to create a listening environment with the best passive isolation for music and media when the vent is closed. With the vent open, Montara Pro improves spatial awareness, increases listening comfort and reduces occlusion effects, such as the perception of the user’s voice being too loud, “boomy” or “hollow”.

The DynamicVent technology also eliminates traditional static vents that create a persistent low-frequency roll-off. This effect generally impacts music and media quality and also consumers with low-frequency hearing loss. The DynamicVent can also eliminate the need for oversized speakers in earbuds that are commonly used to compensate for low-frequency loss caused by persistent, static vents.

The DynamicVent technology implements a differential design that eliminates open/close noise. The large vent opening creates relief equivalent to a 1.5mm2 hole and offers 20dB of attenuation from 500Hz to 20Hz. Unlike other non-MEMS approaches to active venting, the DynamicVent achieves an IP58 rating, providing better resilience to particulate and moisture ingress, and improving the longevity of the end-product.

“Achieving the highest quality sound reproduction remains job one, but now with DynamicVent technology we enable system designers to balance the benefits of open and closed-fit earbud architectures that lead the way to more intelligent and higher-performance solutions for consumers in a variety of listening environments,” said Dr Chiung Lo, xMEMS Co-Founder and VP of Design.

“In the past, trade-offs had to be made when selecting either an open-fit/vented or closed-fit/occluded implementation. Neither choice provided the best listening performance in all environments and life situations,” said Dr Abram Bailey, AuD. and CEO of Hearing Tracker, Inc. “The emergence of active venting technologies, like DynamicVent, is a windfall for both consumers and hearing care professionals, eliminating trade-offs and enabling consumer audio products and listening performance that can adapt to any environment.”

Montara Pro’s µspeaker delivers a flat frequency response, achieving 115dB SPL up to 1kHz and providing up to 18dB of gain above 1kHz for improved voice and instrument clarity. Montara Pro is a monolithic, single-die architecture implementing both the speaker and the DynamicVent in silicon that results in unmatched part-to-part frequency response consistency and reduced speaker matching or calibration time at manufacturing.

This innovative transduction mechanism has also eliminated spring and suspension recovery of coil speakers, which has improved audio quality and sound field reproduction.

Montara Pro is available in a side-firing (5.15 x 1.15 x 10.8mm) LGA package. Montara Pro is paired with the xMEMS Aptos Class-H audio amplifier (1.92 x 1.92 x 0.6mm WLCSP).