xMEMS Introduces Montara Pro Micro Speaker with Integrated DynamicVent

     xMEMS Labs announced the Montara Pro, a single-chip MEMS speaker integrated with DynamicVent, that combines the benefits of open-back and closed-back earbuds, enabling smart TWS (True Wireless Bluetooth) earbuds and hearing aids to create the best of both worlds. At this week's CES Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, xMEMS debuted the Montara Pro at Venetian Suite 29-325.

     Montara Pro's patented DynamicVent technology is intelligently enabled or disabled through the earbud's system DSP based on ambient noise levels detected by the microphone or user activity detected by motion sensors. When the vent valve is closed, the Montara Pro uses the best passive isolation to create a great music and media listening environment, or to help improve focus in noisy backgrounds. When the vent valve is open, the Montara Pro improves spatial perception, increases listening comfort, and reduces occlusion effects such as the perception that the user's own voice is too loud, "rumble" or "hollow." Equally important, DynamicVent eliminates the need for traditional static vents, which typically create persistent low-frequency rolloffs that affect the quality of music and media, as well as consumers with low-frequency hearing loss. DynamicVent also eliminates the need for oversized speakers for in-ear headphones, which are often used to compensate for low-frequency impairments caused by persistent, static vents.

     Dr. Jiongcheng Luo, co-founder and VP of Design at xMEMS said: "With our mission to 'reinvent sound', we are expanding the performance of speakers in small form factor systems. Achieving the highest quality sound reproduction is a top priority, and now with DynamicVent technology , we enable system designers to balance the benefits of open-back and closed-back earphone architectures to deliver smarter, high-performance solutions for consumers in a variety of listening environments."

     Abram Bailey, COO and Ph.D. of Audiology, Hearing Tracker, said: “Sound pressure venting is critical to TWS earbuds and hearing aids. In the past, when choosing between open/drain or closed/occluded builds, a trade-off had to be made, and both Neither option provides the best listening performance in all environments and life scenarios. The advent of active sound pressure emission technologies such as xMEMS' DynamicVent is a pleasant surprise for consumers and hearing care professionals alike, without trade-offs. And make consumer audio products and listening performance adaptable to any environment.”

     The speakers of the Montara Pro exhibit a smooth frequency response curve of up to 115dB SPL (sound pressure level) at 1kHz, and provide up to 18dB of additional gain above 1kHz, improving the clarity of vocals and instruments. The Montara Pro is a monolithic, single-chip architecture where both the speaker and DynamicVent are fabricated from "silicon", resulting in unparalleled part-to-part frequency response consistency and reduced speaker pairing or calibration time during manufacture. This patented and innovative sound-exit structure results in an ultra-fast and ultra-precise loudspeaker that eliminates the springs and suspension systems used by traditional coil loudspeakers for audio quality and soundstage reproduction.

      The differential design implemented by the DynamicVent of the Montara Pro eliminates open/closed noise. The large bleed valve produces a decompression equivalent to a 1.5mm2 hole and provides 20dB of attenuation from 500Hz to 20Hz. Unlike other non-MEMS active sound pressure venting practices, the DynamicVent is IP58 rated for better resilience to particle and moisture intrusion, increasing end product life.