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xMEMS is bringing innovative driver technology to over-ear headphones

The new dual-driver design could mean a drastic improvement in headphone sound quality.
By

Published onJuly 23, 2024

xMEMS reference headphone.
xMEMS
TL;DR
  • Today xMEMS announced a new dual-driver headphone solution that promises to bring a wider soundstage and improved sound clarity to open-back, closed-back, wired, and wireless headphones.
  • The design uses xMEMS Cowell, the world’s smallest solid-state microspeaker, along with an AMPACS dynamic driver for low-end reproduction.
  • Pre-production prototypes are currently available, with production-ready models available starting in September.

Silicon-based driver technology is perhaps the most significant innovation in speaker technology in years. We’ve praised the dual-driver xMEMS technology in products such as the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 for delivering unparalleled sound quality among wireless earbuds. Last month, we reported that more xMEMS earbuds were coming soon. Today, xMEMS is bringing that same technology to over-ear headphones, with its announcement of a MEMS headphone reference design.

The dual-driver system uses the silicon-based xMEMS Cowell solid-state microspeaker for precise mids and highs. The microspeaker pairs with an AMPACS 40mm dynamic driver for deep low-end extension. You can plug the resulting modular solution into virtually any headphone design, including open-back, closed-back, wired, and wireless.

xMEMS headphone technology.
xMEMS
The solid-state driver is paired with a dynamic driver.

Taking inspiration from the traditional woofer and tweeter speaker design, the dual-driver system promises improved separation between the lows, mids, and highs compared to the current single-driver headphone technology. In addition to improved clarity and spatial imaging, the new driver system can also reduce headphone weight with a simpler back-volume acoustic design. Moreover, xMEMS claims that the design will not increase costs for manufacturers, and in some cases could reduce costs from graphene, carbon fiber, or other exotic dynamic driver diaphragm materials.

Manufacturers can access pre-production prototypes now, with production-ready solutions available starting in September. While you may not see xMEMS headphones on the shelf at your local retailer this holiday season, today’s announcement bodes well for the future of headphones in 2025 and beyond.

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