Headphone design from the ground - based on years of experience.
Ole Wolff Elektronik A/S, Roedengvej 14, 4180 Soroe
sales@owolff.com, T: +45 5783 3830
sales@owolff.com, T: +45 5783 3830
20-03-2023
Extensive experience in headphone and earphone design
Ole Wolff has years of experience in Headphone design & Earphone design helping customers to achieve the sound they want.
There are several sound tuning parameters in the transducer design as well as the in way the transducer is built into the head- & earphone. We are proud to be one of our customers most preferred partners in the field of doing this.
A measured headphone response (magenta curve) compared to the target response (blue curve).
Design Target
Getting the sound you want.
We see a lot of variations between our customers preferred target response.
Some of this can be explained by physiological differences in the ear canal size/dimension and others are probably caused by differences in the music style and music traditions in between the various regions in the world.
Some customers prefer the target response based on the research by Harman (often referred to as "the Harman curve") and others prefer a lot of sub bass or extreme bandwidth. In either case Ole Wolff will adapt to these different customer requirements and tune the headphone / earphone accordingly.
Simulations
Analyzing and understanding the acoustics is key
At Ole Wolff we offer to set up an acoustic simulations containing all the elements in the transducer as well as in the air surrounding the driver inside the headphone/earphone. Depending on the application and complexity of the headphone design, either a 2D spice model or a full Comsol™ model is built. Using this setup we can quite accurately predict the sound performance and adjust parameters according to the customer's wishes.
Earphone modelled in Comsol™ using pressure acoustics and lumped electrical+mechanical parameters of the driver. Symmetry used in order to reduce calculation time. Read more about Comsol™ Simulation
Very often both 2D and 3D simulations are used to simulate the influence of leakage holes, front- and rear cavities etc.
COMSOL Multiphysics® is used to optimize linearity of the compliance and break-up modes. Image shows motion analysis performed on a diaphragm for a 50mm receiver.
Read more about diaphragm design
Prototyping
Drilling holes, modifying front-to-back leakage, changing mesh densities...
The above mentioned simulation tools helps us in giving the customer a very short delivery time for actual having the prototypes in hand for initial listening tests and also laboratory tests for documentation.
Normally “soft Tooling” parts will be made based on these simulation results using 3D printing. Laser Cutting, CNC processing, etc. leading to hand assembled prototypes ready for sharing with our customers for their evaluation.
Example of tuning the acoustics of an earphone by blocking leakage holes and reducing front volume using sticky tack.Verifying the performance
Using standardized test methods
A 711 coupler used for testing an in-ear earphone.
The Laboratories at the Development sites of Ole Wolff in Denmark and China are fitted with the most advanced standardized measurement equipment especially developed for the verification of performance of professional audio consumer products.
This includes Artificial ears, Head & Torso simulators, Anechoic Chambers etc. and are all parts of standardized test methods used and acknowledged all over the World.
This makes us possible to communicate test results in same technical “language” as our customers as well as other independent laboratories are using.
Picture to the right: The Ole Wolff head and torso simulator measuring a pair of noise cancelling headphones.
Do you want to know more about Headphone design and earphone design
Involve Ole Wolff early in your design process and you will get the best result.
Send an e-mail or contact your local sales contact to learn what Ole Wolff can do to help developing your products.