Graphene, that wonder material that seems to have no limits to its usefulness, is now being used to give humans the gift of ultrasonic hearing. With the lightweight ultrasonic microphones and loudspeakers created by UC Berkeley physicists Alex Zettl, Qin Zhou, and their colleagues, people can now hear high frequencies just like dolphins and bats. The devices were made by replacing the traditional paper or plastic diaphragms found in microphones and speakers with sheets of one-atom-thick graphene. The novel material makes it possible for the devices to operate at incredible frequencies.

Humans normally hear in the 20 hertz to 20,000 hertz range while bats hear in the 9 to 200 kilohertz range. The graphene devices operate from subsonic to supersonic frequencies: from under 20 hertz to over 500 kilohertz. Because the graphene membrane is so thin, light, and responsive, it is far more efficient than current diaphragm materials. Current speakers only convert around 8 percent of received energy into sound; the graphene versions can convert over 99 percent of that energy into sound.

The ultrasonic graphene devices could be used to transmit information in electromagnetic waves through objects or even underwater – with far greater detail and reliability than traditional sonar. In the somewhat far-off future, the researchers anticipate that devices like mobile phones, speakers, and headphones will use diaphragms made of graphene sheets. But for now, the technology will be used to study high-frequency auditory signals, including the bat chirps that are normally far outside of human hearing range.

The post Ultra-Thin Graphene Membranes Will Let Humans Hear Like Bats first appeared on Gajitz.

You could walk into any electronics store and be confronted by hundreds of wireless Bluetooth speakers, but they would all pretty much look the same. The Om/One breaks the mold with its seriously different form: an orb floating above a glowing blue light.

The Om/One works with Bluetooth 4.0 technology to hook up to your devices for playback, just like any other speaker. As it spins your beats it also rotates above the base, delivering decent sound quality which is even better when it’s paired with a second Om/One.

There’s also a built-in microphone that allows you to use the device as a speakerphone. We can’t speak to the sound quality of the phone setup, but it would definitely be a more attractive option than putting your iPhone on the table and shouting in its direction. The speaker is rechargeable and portable, so if you want to take the orb along with you to a party or just another room it’s easily movable. It can run up to 15 hours on a single charge away from the base.

Om/One is currently crowdraising funds through Tilt for its first production run; the team expects the first shipment to go out in time for the 2014 holiday season. They’re currently offering the Om/One in black, white, and disco ball color options for the early supporter price of $179.

Despite the slick form factor, the price is actually on par with other Bluetooth speakers of similar specs, which makes it seem like a pretty good deal if you’re into things like levitating, spinning speakers – and why wouldn’t you be?

The post Mystical Music: Levitating Orb Speaker Floats Out the Tunes first appeared on Gajitz.

If you’ve ever wanted to live inside of your favorite music, gigantic speakers called AudioOrbs can make it happen. The makers of AudioOrbs say they’re the first speakers in the world that you can sit inside.

The orb is like a huge sound bubble that can contain an entire human on its built-in seat. The included cushions can be rearranged to provide exactly the right sitting position for listening to your favorite songs on the 18 built-in speakers.

Of course, the privilege of your own personal live-in music bubble doesn’t come cheap. The project was listed on IndieGoGo with the only funding amount being $15,000: the price of one AudioOrb. According to ST, the Scandinavian design lab behind the AudioOrb, it’s likely that only two of the orbs will ever be produced.

The post Live Inside the Music in a Giant Bubble-Shaped Speaker first appeared on Gajitz.

The trend of prominently displaying your home stereo system has faded into the realm of tackiness. Whether it’s the wall-mounted squares of the classic Bose surround sound system (were we supposed to believe those speakers were unobtrusive, floating up there in the corner?) or, god forbid, the old component towers, these systems have antiquated connectivity and are very aesthetically unpleasing. Amina Technologies has a very modern solution.

The company’s iQ series works like modern electronic instruments – electrical engineering is crossed with acoustic sound manipulation. Best of all,  the AIW5X Dual-Channel speaker is flat, can be built into walls and in a world first, can be covered with up to 2mm of plaster. They quite literally become invisible. Amina’s website claims they offer more creative freedom by “allowing designers and builders a very high quality wall or ceiling finish ready to accept a decoration of choice (paint, paper, etc).” Are they expensive? Of course. But the sound quality and uses for the AIW5X are enough to no doubt attract a myriad of sound enthusiasts.

The post Plastered: New Invisible Speaker Can Be Built Into Walls first appeared on Gajitz.

This modern art sculpture would look at home on any mantle, side table, or desk…but as beautiful as it is, it also has a very important job to do. The two glass bowls and the wooden base are actually speakers, not just home decorations. Designer Casey Lin designed the Timbre Speakers after choosing materials for their acoustic properties.

The wooden base hides all of the electronic bits while looking simple and lovely. The only clue to the assembly’s true nature is the small plastic power/volume knob.

Inside the wooden box are surface transducers which cause the box’s surface to vibrate like a set of speakers when playing music. As the sound travels up to the glass bowls, it is amplified by the bowls’ concave shape.

Since the bowls have uneven tops, they can be turned into different positions to change the treble and bass levels. Even when they are completely silent, these speakers are undoubtedly the kind you would want to display rather than hide.

The post Sculptural Sound: Decorative Wood and Glass Speakers first appeared on Gajitz.