Audfly, a hearing/acoustic technology company based in Hong Kong, has been developing nifty glass-panel directional audio speakers since 2019.
Using ultrasound for directional audio is certainly nothing new. The general idea is that listeners can immerse themselves in a personal sound bubble without affecting other people in the room and without wearing headphones. Being able to do this through a smooth glass surface makes it the first device of its kind.
After years of research and development, the speaker actually consists of two components. There’s a multi-layered glass panel that’s home to a tiny “vibrating unit” that directs the audio to the listener over a narrow radius. The 14-inch panel is housed in an aluminum frame and comes with a hinged stand to adjust the angle, and given its see-through nature, the speaker can be used to view family photos without affecting audio delivery. can also be hosted behind.
Audfly/Focus Sound
It also has a driver box for connecting source devices such as TVs, computers, game consoles, smartphones, etc. via cable or Bluetooth. The system also employs a “proprietary multi-sound zone algorithm” to promise “a full-range sound effect and spatial audio experience for the listener.” The frequency range is 300 Hz to 20 kHz, the sound pressure level is 74 dB, and the total harmonic distortion is less than 10%.
That said, the company admits, “Focusound’s sound quality is decent, but it won’t blow away audiophiles as the focus of Focusound products is more on directional sound than pure fidelity.”
The speakers are available on Kickstarter as a single unit with a $329 pledge, or as a pair for $419. The Solo unit has an estimated retail price of $699, while the Duo is $969. If all goes according to plan with the rest of the campaign already funded, shipments are expected to begin in June.
Source: Audfly
