Abstract: An ear insert having a funnel-shaped wall defining a tapering channel extending between first and second open ends, the first open end having a diameter greater than that of the second open end, wherein a portion of the funnel-shaped wall adjacent the second open end enables the ear insert to be located within the opening of a user's ear canal, with the first open end adjacent the user's tragus and the second open end facing the user's tympanic membrane, at least a portion of the tapering channel having an acoustic wave reflecting region extending from a location at or near the first open end toward the second open end at an angle of 60°-75° relative to a lateral plane defined by the edge of the funnel-shaped wall at the first open end.

Abstract: A headphone or earphone (10; 50) consists of a casing (12) adapted to fit to a user's ear, the casing (12) enclosing a driver (22) with a diaphragm. Behind the driver (22) is a rear closure element (15; 52); and the driver (22) is clamped against at least one resilient element (23) that engages with its front face near the periphery, or alternatively is clamped between two such resilient elements (23, 24). The casing (12) defines a cavity in front of the driver (22) that communicates with a sound outlet duct (18) adapted to provide sound to the user's ear. The sound outlet duct (18) may define a restrictive duct portion with a cross-sectional area between 18% and 28% of the cross-sectional area of the diaphragm. Behind the driver (22) may be an enclosed airtight cavity, or alternatively the rear closure element (52) may define a rear outlet duct (54) aligned with the sound outlet duct (18).

Abstract: An acoustic device (90) for use with a movable loudspeaker element (12), the acoustic device defining an enclosure (16) with an aperture to locate the movable loudspeaker element (12), and with a port (20, 28) communicating with the outside of the enclosure, wherein the acoustic device includes at least one sound-suppressing duct (22) incorporating at least one vortex chamber (24) to absorb sound waves propagating through the duct and so suppress sound waves from the port. The acoustic device (90) may be a driver or a frame for a driver; alternatively it may be a loudspeaker or a housing for a loudspeaker.

Abstract: A loudspeaker (130) comprises an electro-acoustic transducer such as a loudspeaker driver (135) mounted to a housing. The housing has side walls (132) subjected to a compressive force by bolts (50), which may extend between rigid end plates (133, 134). The side walls may be formed by a stack of plates. The housing defines a recess such that when the loudspeaker driver (135) is mounted in the housing, there is a cavity behind the loudspeaker driver (135). Such a housing may be used for a range of different electro-acoustic transducers. The compressive force suppresses resonance and improves performance of the electro-acoustic transducer.