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.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the audio performance of an earpiece and the resultant device are provided. The disclosed earpiece combines at least two drivers within a single earpiece. If a pair of drivers is used, each driver has a discrete sound delivery tube. If more than two drivers are used, preferably the outputs from the two lower frequency drivers are merged into a single sound delivery tube while the output from the third driver is maintained in a separate, discrete sound tube. To compensate for the inherent phase shift of the earpiece the lengths of the sound delivery tubes, and thus driver offset, are regulated. Further audio performance optimization can be achieved through an iterative process of measuring the performance of the earpiece and making further, minor adjustments to the sound delivery tube lengths. The sound delivery tubes can include transition regions. The earpiece is configured to use removable/replaceable eartips.