Open-ear headphones: New technology should make headphones more suitable for everyday use

Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) wants to make it easier to listen to music in public with open-ear headphones without disturbing others. Plans for a new way to allow passengers to watch movies without headphones were originally announced. Now the technology will be applied to headphones as well. You should be able to listen to music privately even with earphones open without disturbing other passengers, for example on a train.

Dedicated Sound Zone: Listen to music without being overheard

NTT calls the Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) action. NTT has already provided the first application example: an airplane seat with built-in speakers, the sound of which should only be audible to the seated guest. The dedicated sound area is based on the specially designed speaker housing. With PSZ, positive-phase sound waves are counterbalanced by opposite-phase sound waves.

These emerge from small holes on the sides of the speaker cabinet. Even music with a volume of 80 dB should not be audible at a distance of 15 cm from the speakers. We already know a similar principle of Noise canceling headphones. Here, however, the anti-phase sound waves prevent disturbing noises in pierce your ear. If you are interested in ANC headphones, check out our leaderboard:

NTT Sonority MWE001: The first headphone model is already in the works

The first headphone model with the technology is already being planned. Sonority will launch sub-brand NTT MWE001. At first glance it looks wired in the ears However, they should not sit directly on the ear canal like this, but lie on top of it, in the ear. It clips on over the ear.

So it is a model Bone conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenRun Pro Mini Or a Bose SoundWear neck speaker. These open ear headphones, which leave the ear canal completely free, are ideal for anyone who wants to feel inside the ears or above the ears dislike, or who want to be aware of their surroundings without being disturbed. So they are good Sports headphonesbecause it makes you aware of traffic while you’re running, for example.

The disadvantages of many ears – especially open ones Hi-Fi headphonesr – is that it plays your music loudly in the surroundings – it’s not suitable for train trips, for example. With NTT technology, you should be able to enjoy your music without disturbing those around you. The MWE001 should already be on display at the NTT Trade Show on Wednesday, November 26th. out of place The official press release from NTT Unfortunately, it is not clear when the MWE001 will be available to customers. In the meantime, you can check out the headphones in a YouTube video:

Do you have experience with open headphones? Are models like the MWE001 interesting to you, or do you prefer the classic in-ear design? Write it in the comments!