US 2006/0133630 A1 · In-ear monitor with hybrid dual diaphragm and single armature design

Abstract

An in-ear monitor for use with either a recorded or a live audio source is provided. The disclosed in-ear monitor combines a pair of diaphragm drivers and a single armature driver within a single earpiece, thereby taking advantage of the capabilities of both types of driver. Preferably, the diaphragm is used to reproduce the lower frequencies while the higher frequencies are accurately reproduced by the armature driver. Such a hybrid design offers improved fidelity across the desired frequency spectrum and does so at a reduced cost in comparison to multiple armature designs. In addition to the two drivers, the disclosed in-ear monitor includes means for splitting the incoming signal into separate inputs for each driver. Typically this function is performed by a passive crossover circuit although an active crossover circuit can also be used. In at least one embodiment, acoustic dampers are interposed between at least one driver output and the eartip.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An in-ear monitor comprising:

a in-ear monitor enclosure;
means for receiving a signal from an external source;
a diaphragm enclosure disposed within said in-ear monitor;
a first diaphragm driver mechanically coupled to said diaphragm enclosure and electrically coupled to said receiving means, wherein a first primary output surface of said first diaphragm driver is directed into said diaphragm enclosure;
a second diaphragm driver mechanically coupled to said diaphragm enclosure and electrically coupled to said receiving means, wherein a second primary output surface of said second diaphragm driver is directed into said diaphragm enclosure;
a first acoustic output coupled to said diaphragm enclosure;
an armature driver disposed within said in-ear monitor enclosure and electrically coupled to said receiving means and mechanically separate from said first and second diaphragm drivers, said armature driver having a second acoustic output;
and
an eartip acoustically coupled to said first and second acoustic outputs.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

In-ear monitor with hybrid dual diaphragm and single armature design

Life of this patent

In-ear monitor with hybrid dual diaphragm and single armature design

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18