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: An ear insert that has a core with an inner wall defining a longitudinal channel for guiding sound waves, in use, from its first open end to its second open end. The inner wall defining the channel has a first acoustic wave reflecting region 28a positioned relative to the first open end so as to reflect, in use, acoustic sound waves through up to 90° onto a second acoustic wave reflecting region 28b that is configured to reflect, in use, acoustic sound waves back through an angle of up to 90° toward the second open end.

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: A panel (10) for sound suppression consists of a multiplicity of rigid elements (12) that extend parallel to each other, with gaps between adjacent rigid elements. Within each gap a vortex chamber (15) is defined to attenuate acoustic waves. The elements (12) may have curved edge portions (14), the edge portions (14) of adjacent elements (12) overlapping to define the vortex chamber (15), and also defining a first channel (16a) and a second channel (16b) communicating with the vortex chamber (15) at its periphery and aligned with a tangential component, such that if a fluid were to flow in through either channel (16a or 16b) the fluid would enter the vortex chamber (15) with a rotational sense relative to the vortex chamber (15), the rotational sense being the same for both the channels (16a, 16b). Such a sound-attenuating panel may for example be used as part of a wall of a loudspeaker housing (50).

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: A panel (10) for sound suppression consists of a multiplicity of rigid elements (12) that extend parallel to each other, with gaps between adjacent rigid elements. Within each gap a vortex chamber (15) is defined to attenuate acoustic waves. The elements (12) may have curved edge portions (14), the edge portions (14) of adjacent elements (12) overlapping to define the vortex chamber (15), and also defining a first channel (16a) and a second channel (16b) communicating with the vortex chamber (15) at its periphery and aligned with a tangential component, such that if a fluid were to flow in through either channel (16a or 16b) the fluid would enter the vortex chamber (15) with a rotational sense relative to the vortex chamber (15), the rotational sense being the same for both the channels (16a, 16b). Such a sound-attenuating panel may for example be used as part of a wall of a loudspeaker housing (50).

Abstract: A sub bass, bass and low mid frequency loudspeaker incorporates multiple loudspeaker drivers arranged in a semi-circle configuration contained within an enclosure. The symmetric multi-horn invention enables all associated loudspeaker drivers to couple their energy in phase coherence and time alignment to form one coherent sound wave upon exit of the loudspeaker. Low frequency sensitivity is greatly increased upon exit from the loudspeaker without creating resonance or transient decay. Additional loudspeakers can be added to form a larger system that maintains phase coherence and time alignment over all the loudspeakers contained in the system. Each additional loudspeaker added to the system increases low frequency sensitivity.