The new RAF Series, including IPx7 models, enables premium hearable
and earphone designers greater flexibility to improve critical features
such as audio quality, connectivity, battery life, and water resistance
without sacrificing size or comfort.
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2017--
Today, Knowles
Corporation (NYSE:KN) launched the new RAF
Series balanced armature drivers to improve how hearable and
earphone designers create the next generation of premium headsets.
Developed for wireless products, the receiver’s small dimensions and
high efficiency make it ideal for a number of applications including
premium music earphones, hearables, Bluetooth headsets, communications
earpieces, and miniature sound amplifiers.
As consumers increasingly use smartphones to stream music, podcasts and
audiobooks, sound quality remains one of the most important features of
a headset. A recent industry study* discovered that 90 percent of
respondents want high quality audio from their devices. The same study
discovered that 92 percent of respondents are frustrated when the
connection between the audio player and headphones doesn’t occur and 84
percent are concerned with the current state of connectivity. With sound
quality and connectivity paramount to adoption, the industry will
benefit from the RAF drivers ability to deliver premium sound and design
flexibility.
“Knowles continues to drive the industry forward with pioneering
solutions for hearables and premium headsets,” said Christian Scherp,
president, Audio. “With the rapid growth of wireless products, the RAF
Series provides the rich, premium sound consumers want, with the small
size designers need to accommodate improved antennas for better
connectivity or larger batteries for longer operating life.”
To support the demand for greater audio quality and enable manufacturers
to offer improved connectivity, the RAF Series occupies less volume than
even the smallest dynamic driver. RAF uses an innovative design that
shifts the terminal ports from the rear of the component to the side.
This seemingly simple, yet complex, shift maintains Knowles’ premium
audio quality and “frees” space behind the driver for larger batteries
and enhanced antennas. The new design enables greater design flexibility
to address consumer concerns and demands.
The small size of the RAF Series is an evolution of the successful RAB
Series receiver. Both series enable manufacturers to offer consumer
devices that are more comfortable, more discrete, and deliver a more
enjoyable listening experience. The low power consumption receivers help
preserve battery life and contributes to longer operating times between
recharges.
To address the growing demand for sport earphones, the RAF and RAB
series offer models with an IPx7 waterproof rating. An increasingly
important rating for earphones, wearables, and smartphones, the IPx7
rating enables the Knowles drivers to be immersed in up to one meter of
water for up to 30 minutes. The waterproof drivers address the needs of
sport hearables without an additional protective membrane that can
reduce the sound quality.
The RAF Series and RAB Series are currently available in
production quantities.
This announcement is in conjunction with Knowles’ presence at the
Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the Knowles
team is meeting with customers, partners, and investors. Additionally,
Chief Technology Officer Alexis Bernard is sharing insight on sensors in
hearables, internet of things devices, and smart homes as part of a panel
on innovation and trends. For more information on Knowles’ presence
at CES, visit Knowles.com/CES
or follow @KnowlesCorp on Twitter
and Facebook.
*The State of Play: Consumer audio trends, attitudes and purchase
drivers. October 2016. Qualcomm Technologies International Ltd.
About Knowles Corporation
Knowles Corporation (NYSE:KN) is a market leader and global supplier of
advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and specialty component
solutions, serving the mobile consumer electronics, communications,
medical, military, aerospace, and industrial markets. Knowles uses its
leading position in MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) microphones
and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize
audio systems and improve the user experience in smartphones, tablets,
and wearables. Knowles is also the leader in acoustics components used
in hearing aids and has a strong position in high-end oscillators
(timing devices) and capacitors. Knowles’ focus on the customer,
combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques,
rigorous testing and global scale, enables it to deliver innovative
solutions that optimize the user experience. Founded in 1946 and
headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has employees in 15 countries
around the world. For more information, visit knowles.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170103005455/en/
Source: Knowles Corporation
Knowles Communications
Media
Roxanne Pipitone,
630-238-5257
Roxanne.Pipitone@Knowles.com
or
Investors
Mike
Knapp, 630-238-5236
Mike.Knapp@Knowles.com