‘Audible enclaves’ could enable private listening without headphones | Penn State University
www.psu.edu
In a new advancement in audio engineering, a team of researchers led by Yun Jing, professor of acoustics in the Penn State College of Engineering, has precisely narrowed where sound is perceived by creating localized pockets of sound zones, called audible enclaves. In an enclave, a listener can hear sound, while others standing nearby cannot, even if the people are in an enclosed space, like a vehicle, or standing directly in front of the audio source.

It may someday be possible to listen to a favorite podcast or song without disturbing the people around you, even without wearing headphones. In a new advancement in audio engineering, a team of researchers led by Yun Jing, professor of acoustics in the Penn State College of Engineering, has precisely narrowed where sound is perceived by creating localized pockets of sound zones, called audible enclaves. In an enclave, a listener can hear sound, while others standing nearby cannot, even if the people are in an enclosed space, like a vehicle, or standing directly in front of the audio source.

  • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    2 hours ago

    At wrk we have alcoves for more casual meetings or just getting away from your desk, that are surprisingly good at localizing the sound

  • Akrenion@slrpnk.netEnglish
    19·
    2 days ago

    I’ve found that bone conducting headphones work well for this. They are even secure enough for running and climbing.

    • ProfessorProteus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      1 day ago

      I’ve always been very curious about this technology, but I imagine that they wouldn’t be as good at transmitting high frequencies. I’m no audio engineer so it’s only a hunch of course. Do they sound comparable to a decent pair of buds in the ear?

      • Nalivai@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        3 hours ago

        I have Aftershokz, and for what they are, they’re better than most of the in ear buds I tried. Better quality, cleaner sound.

      • Venator@lemmy.nzEnglish
        5·
        11 hours ago

        They do high frequencies fine, it’s low frequencies that they seem to struggle with, or at least, the ones I got do, but then again i did spend a lot less on them than on my over ear ones. They’re about on par with in ear ones though.

      • Akrenion@slrpnk.netEnglish
        4·
        14 hours ago

        I’d say so yeah. I switched between headphones a lot recently and they don’t stand out. All headphones have their own sound anyway. I just embrace what they highlight and get to know my favourite songs again.

      • morbidcactus@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        12 hours ago

        The ones I have have some speakers aimed at your ear to fill in that part, actually works really well. I can’t stand the ear buds you physically insert into your ears, the rubber tipped ones, these have been good to replace my on ears for activity. Plus you can hear what’s around you which is why my partner gifted me them.

  • don@lemm.eeEnglish
    16·
    2 days ago

    Probably won’t do anything about those who actively want everyone else around to hear what they’re listening to.

      • PyroNeurosisEnglish
        3·
        11 hours ago

        You’ve got it reversed, I think. Our friend Don there is talking about people who want to broadcast their musical tastes to everyone else on the bus.

        • Venator@lemmy.nzEnglish
          2·
          11 hours ago

          Hmm, looks like I accidently the wrong comment, or maybe it got deleted as I was replying and caused a bug, as I don’t see the comment I was intending to reply to anymore.

          • KitEnglish
            1·
            3 hours ago

            Happens to the best of us. One time I accidentally a whole coca-cola bottle. It was bad.

  • overload@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    This could be very handy to be able to still be notifiable while not driving your family crazy.