Abstract: A system (20) includes a plurality of microphones (22), configured to generate different respective signals in response to acoustic waves (36) arriving at the microphones, and a processor (34). The processor is configured to receive the signals, to combine the signals into multiple channels, which correspond to different respective directions relative to the microphones by virtue of each channel representing any portion of the acoustic waves arriving from the corresponding direction with greater weight, relative to others of the directions, to calculate respective energy measures of the channels, to select one of the directions, in response to the energy measure for the channel corresponding to the selected direction passing one or more energy thresholds, and to output a combined signal representing the selected direction with greater weight, relative to others of the directions. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Audio apparatus includes a neckband, which is sized and shaped to be worn around a neck of a human subject and includes left and right sides that rest respectively above the left and right clavicles of the human subject wearing the neckband. First and second arrays of microphones are disposed respectively on the left and right sides of the neckband and configured to produce respective electrical signals in response to acoustical inputs to the microphones. One or more earphones are worn in the ears of the human subject. Processing circuitry is coupled to receive and mix the electrical signals from the microphones in the first and second arrays in accordance with a specified directional response relative to the neckband so as to generate a combined audio signal for output via the one or more earphones.