19
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by Tea@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world

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.

all 22 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] unphazed@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago
[-] embed_me@programming.dev 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)
[-] Mbourgon@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago
[-] Akrenion@slrpnk.net 5 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] ProfessorProteus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks 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?

[-] Akrenion@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 weeks 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.

[-] Venator@lemmy.nz 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks 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.

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago

Fuck no they don't sound good as regular headphones. They leak raw sound it. I've tried many major brands and the top devices. Plugins to bluetooth and more all best brands and models. It was thousands but worth it. I learned a lot about technology along the way.

[-] morbidcactus@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks 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.

[-] Nalivai@lemmy.world -1 points 2 weeks 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.

[-] futatorius@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago

Especially if you attach them to your mastoid with a couple wood screws.

[-] Cort@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

You'll actually want to use metal screws, as wood screws don't conduct the ultrasonic waves as well, since they're not as stiff

[-] don@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] alecbowles@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago

Induced schizophrenia anyone?

[-] dance_ninja@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Makes me think of the episode of Batman Beyond called "Shriek."

[-] overload@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago

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

[-] Beacon@fedia.io 0 points 2 weeks ago

Sooooo many potential applications!

[-] futatorius@lemm.ee 1 points 2 weeks ago

Back in the 60s, at one of the Acid Tests, Owsley (who was the Grateful Dead's soundman) used directional mikes and speakers along with tape loops to do a version of this. You could be having a conversation in one part of the venue, wander off somewhere else, and hear your conversation played back. Someone near you wouldn't hear it. It was all pretty much random, it didn't actually track people, but the effect (according to someone I know who was there) was quite unnerving, especially while on a couple hits of acid (also courtesy of Owsley).

this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
19 points (100.0% liked)

Technology

68349 readers
1945 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related news or articles.
  3. Be excellent to each other!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, this includes using AI responses and summaries. To ask if your bot can be added please contact a mod.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
  10. Accounts 7 days and younger will have their posts automatically removed.

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS