Premium Sound
Premium Sound Media Hub
Knowles is the world leader in balanced armature solutions. We want you to understand the technology, its applications, and how it can work for you. Check back often for the latest news, updates and insights into the future of pure, premium sound.
Knowles Releases New TWS Reference Design with Best-In-Class Music Experience and Advanced Features
Press Release - September 29, 2022
Incorporating results of a new listening study, KN2 reference design delivers audio quality consumers demand
The Acoustical Challenges of Designing True Wireless Earphones
Andrew Bellavia
AudioXpress – June 28, 2022
Expanding the perspective on the evolution toward hearables, this article explores the current trends as well as the acoustical challenges and solutions for designing true wireless earphones.
CanJam Chicago: Knowles shares preferred listening curve, Jerry Harvey tells how he achieved ideal treble with new RAU Supertweeter
Cristina Downey, Acoustic Engineer & Jerry Harvey, founder JH Audio
Video – June 19, 2022
A concise description of a new preferred earphone listening curve and the science behind it, followed by an introduction to Knowles’ new supertweeter which makes implementing the curve easy. Then in-ear monitor pioneer Jerry Harvey reveals how the supertweeter solved their acoustic challenges to deliver unprecedented treble performance in the new IEM model Sharona.
AES Chicago: Knowles Unveils Study Leading To Preferred High Frequency Response for Earphones
Thomas Miller, Engineering Fellow & Cristina Downey, Acoustic Engineer
Video – May 17, 2022
At a meeting of the AES Chicago Chapter, Knowles presented for the first time a new study to determine for the first time the preferred listening response of earphones for frequencies above 10 kHz.
A Breakthrough in Premium Sound Performance: Knowles Redefines Premium Sound with New Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature
Press release May 16, 2022
"The new dual-diaphragm BA from Knowles signals a game-changing shift in the technology," - Campfire Audio VP Caleb Rosenau.
JH Audio Debuts Flagship In-Ear Monitor with Exceptional Treble by Knowles’ New Balanced Armature Supertweeter
Press release May 2, 2022
“We've been trying to achieve this frequency response for years. It wasn't possible until JH Audio partnered with Knowles to develop the new Supertweeter,” says Jerry Harvey, President & Founder at JH Audio.
HD Audio's Big Break: Optimizing Audio Delivery and Playback in TWS Earphones
Thomas Miller, Engineering Fellow
EE Web Magazine - January 3, 2022
As interest in HD audio continues its climb, significant demand for HD-capable TWS earphones with advanced features is peaking. This paper describes the technology behind HD music delivery and how audio designers can meet the growing need.
Knowles Partners with Ole Wolff to Deliver Compact Hybrid Driver for TWS Earphones with HD Audio and ANC
Press Release - December 16, 2021
Innovative small woofer matched to new balanced armature tweeter meets the need for premium sound, high-performance ANC, and hearing personalization in smaller size.
Knowles Partners with Lucid Hearing to Enable Hearing Aid Premium Audio Performance
Press Release - November 22, 2021
Supporting convergence of hearable functionality in hearing aids, new two-way BA driver delivers audiophile-quality music performance in RIC form factor.
Futuresource Audio Collaborative Panel: What's Next in Headphones and Hearables Mega Convergence?
Andrea Bellavia (Knowles), Anders Jessen (WSA), Damon Johnson (HyperX), and Philippe Wargniez Jørgensen (Jabra)
Recording free to watch after registration - November 10, 2021
As two booming markets combine and regulations ease, a new era of convergence has emerged and with it, huge opportunities. The four panelists discuss how that will play out for host Rasika D'Souza.
Changing Preferences in Consumer Audio: Breaking Down Qualcomm's 2021 State of Sound Report
Dr. James Fielding of Audeara and Andrea Bellavia of Knowles, with host Dave Kemp
This Week in Hearing Podcast - September 28, 2021
Dr. James Fielding, founder and MD of Audeara, and Andrew Bellavia break down the latest Qualcomm State of Sound Report and discuss the implications of the changing consumer preferences in audio with host Dave Kemp.
HD Audio – The Next Frontier in TWS Earphones
Andrew Bellavia
Webinar - September 21, 2021
Incorporating the latest survey results from Qualcomm and Sonova, Andrew Bellavia discusses in this 28 minute webinar the latest trends in TWS earphones, how companies are meeting consumer demands, and how Knowles contributes to the success of those designing future-facing devices.
Leveraging AI for Next-Generation Hearing Enhancement
Giles Tongue of Chatable and Andrew Bellavia of Knowles, with host Dave Kemp
This Week in Hearing podcast - August 17, 2021
Giles and Andrew describe the partnership to bring AI-based conversation enhancement to TWS earbuds, and how Knowles’ new TWS developers’ kit enables advanced use cases including premium sound, hands-free voice wake, and more.
Soundpeats H1 TWS Hybrid Earphones Are Well Worth A Listen
Mark Sparrow
Forbes – August 6, 2021
Review article of TWS earphone and the role Knowles plays in delivering premium sound.
Design Guide: Creating ANC Earphones with Balanced Armatures
Thomas Miller, Engineering Fellow
EDN Magazine – July 27, 2021
Helps engineers create ANC earphones and hearables with balanced armature and hybrid drivers.
Multi-Driver BA Earphones & IEMs
Andrew Bellavia
CES Webinar – May 4, 2021
Andrew Bellavia describes why multiple balanced armature drivers are used in earphones & IEMs, and the design considerations that go into making a successful multi-driver IEM.
Improving Understanding of Speech in Noise
Dave Kemp & Andrew Bellavia, with guest Giles Tongue of Chatable
FuturEar Radio Podcast Episode 65 – March 31, 2021
With Giles Tongue, CEO of Chatable, Dave Kemp & Andrew Bellavia explore the latest advances coming to TWS hearables – machine learning software to improve speech understanding in noise.
Premium Audio Goes Mainstream
Shay Kamin Braun
Knowles 'Sounding Board' Blog - March 9, 2021
When premium audio "experiences a leap forward, hardware evolves to match." Shay Kamin Braun shares more on our blog.
Hearables' Massive Growth in 2020 & What's on the Hearables Horizon
Dave Kemp & Andrew Bellavia, with guest Luke Pearce of Futuresource
FuturEar Radio Podcast Episode 60 - February 18, 2021
Dave Kemp and Andrew Bellavia break down Futuresource’s recent Hearables Market Report 2020 with Market Analyst Luke Pearce, discussing key trends fueling growth in hearables demand.
Seven Industry Leaders Share Their Vision for 2021 in Hearables and Voice
Including Andrew Bellavia
FuturEar Radio Podcast Episode 45 - December 17, 2020
Seven guests in hearing and voice answer the question, "what are you looking forward to in 2021 as it relates to your industry, expertise and passion?"
MEMS Mic Design, Performance, and Application in ANC Headsets
Erik Wiederholtz
THD Podcast Episode 15 - October 19, 2020
Knowles engineer Erik Wiederholtz takes a deep dive into MEMS microphone construction and performance with an emphasis on applications for noise cancelling headsets.
Balanced Armatures: Why You Might (or Might Not) Want Them
Brent Butterworth
SoundStage! Solo - October 1, 2020
Dynamic drivers and balanced armatures are very different in form and performance. SoundStage! Solo’s Brent Butterworth interviewed Knowles director of market development, Andrew Bellavia, and senior principal engineer, Tom Miller about the advantages and disadvantages of balanced armatures.
Review: Mackie MP-360 IEMs with Knowles Balanced Armatures
Tim Gideon
PC Mag - September 18, 2020
PC Mag reviews Mackie’s new MP Series in-ear monitors which feature Knowles balanced armature drivers for clear, unparallel sound with a focus on mid-range and high-frequency detail to complement deep but not excessive bass.
Product Spotlight, New MP Series IEMs - Featuring Knowles - The Ins & Outs with Mackie
Video - August 7, 2020
Mackie’s new MP Series in-ear monitors get their unparalleled sound from Knowles balanced armature drivers. Matthew Herrin, Product Manager at Mackie, and Andrew Bellavia, Director of Market Development at Knowles, discuss how this exciting partnership came about and what went into making these IEMs sound so good.
Black Shark Selects Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers for New, High Performance Wireless Gaming Headphones
Press Release - May 18, 2020
Black Shark Ophidian combines a Knowles balanced armature driver for exceptionally clear vocals and treble with a dynamic speaker for powerful bass.
Review: Edifier TWS6 Earbuds with Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers Inside
Karen S. Freeman
iMore - May 18, 2020
iMore reviews Edifier TWS6 True Wireless Earbuds featuring Knowles Balanced Armature for a compact and immersive experience.
Read more
Knowles Engineer Presents "Designing ANC Earphones" to AES
Tom Miller
Video - April 27, 2020
Knowles' Senior Principal Engineer Tom Miller packs a lot of useful detail into a one-hour discussion covering ANC theory, design methods, hardware selection, and an overview of coming advanced ANC systems.
Kugou Selects Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers for New Hi-Res X1 Earphone
Press Release - March 12, 2020
Two Knowles balanced armature drivers combined with a dynamic driver deliver the highest possible performance for listening to Hi-Res Audio.
Discussion on the Future of Advanced Hearables
Bret Kinsella, Dave Kemp, Andrew Bellavia
Voicebot Podcast - December 18, 2019
Hearables are wireless earbuds and headphones that provide always-available voice assistant access. Bret, Dave and Andrew discuss applications, consumer adoption, and how the biggest players intend to compete in this Voicebot podcast.