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Chinese 2025 may mark the first commercial wave of small digital silicon speakers using MEMS technology.
MEMS (Micro‑Electro‑Mechanical Systems) speakers manufactured with standard semiconductor processes are nearing full-scale production.
At the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the Danish‑Israeli startup Sonic Edge is developing an ultrasound‑driven MEMS speaker variant.
Since Peter L. Jensen and Edwin Pridham built the first moving‑coil loudspeaker in 1915, audio playback has relied on electromagnetic principles.
Over a century later, ultrasonic MEMS designs promise to upend that legacy by replacing voice coils with micro‑actuators.
These next‑generation MEMS speakers aim for robust bass, full‑bandwidth response up to 20 kHz, and ultra‑compact form factors.
Expanding Applications: From Earbuds to MRI Headphones
Initially focused on earbuds and hearing aids, MEMS speakers are scaling up to over‑ear headphone designs—xMEMS even offers 2‑way over‑ear reference modules.
At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, xMEMS showcased earbuds with built‑in noise filtering, while Sonic Edge continues R&D toward its first launch.
In Austria, USound’s MEMS speakers use piezoelectric actuators on a silicon chip to eliminate magnetic coils—ideal for MRI‑compatible headphones.
Industry Competition Accelerates: xMEMS, USound, Bosch
US‑based xMEMS already brings products to market, while Sonic Edge targets a 2024 product debut backed by manufacturing pacts.
USound’s Ganymede series powers MRI‑safe headphones, directly integrating non‑magnetic MEMS speakers inside scanners.
In 2022, Bosch Sensortec acquired Arioso Systems to expand from MEMS microphones into silicon microspeakers.
Bosch is also investing heavily in semiconductor fabs, including a state‑of‑the‑art Dresden facility.
About Wuxi Silicon Source Technology Co., Ltd.
At Wuxi Silicon Source Technology Co., Ltd. (www.sistc.com), we specialize in designing and manufacturing high‑performance MEMS MIC products.
Our MEMS MIC portfolio delivers ultra‑precise sound digitization, wide dynamic range, and low power consumption—perfect for smartphones, wearables, smart‑home devices, medical equipment, and beyond.
