Turtle Beach Debuts Directional Glass Speakers

Turtle Beach, a manufacturer best known for gaming headsets, announced last month that it had developed directional speakers made from transparent glass. The company predicts that the glass speakers could be incorporated into desktop monitors and speakers, automobiles, and display equipment. According to Turtle Beach, the directional speakers could be used to enhance safety in automobiles by directing audible warnings directly at the driver.

Glass speakers can be incorporated into mobile devices

The new glass speakers generate a highly focused audio beam to listeners in a specific location. The company says that the technology, known as HyperSound, is similar to touchscreen glass, which incorporates multiple layers and electronic controls and sensors. HyperSound speakers feature a transparent film layered on top of thin glass, which facilitates a directable ultrasound beam.

The technology operates on low voltage, which makes it ideal for mobile and other low-power applications. Speaker panel size can be adapted to the application, meaning that the speakers can be incorporated into devices of various size.

Transparent glass speakers have a number of important commercial applications, too. Their specialty is creating a highly directional, focused beam of sound that remains clear over long distances. Because the beam is focused, applications can deliver sound to one person without disturbing others. This technology could be used to deliver information in a retail setting or a gallery. Directional audio could also be used to deliver warnings and advice. Turtle Beach envisions applications that include banking, entertainment, food service, health and fitness, hospitality, museums, retail, theme parks and trade shows.

According to the company, the glass speakers are already being tested in two different environments. Build-A-Bear Workshop is testing the HyperSound technology in its stores to provide audio at different workstations within the store. Turtle Beach also says that McDonald’s is conducting a pilot test of the technology in some of its restaurant to provide television audio at dining tables, which allows guests to watch video feeds at their tables without disturbing other diners in the area.

Glassprimer™ glass paint won’t provide directional sound, but it does offer an impressive array of color designed to be applied directly to glass surfaces. If you’re looking for design inspiration from glass, please view the rest of our website. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Turtle Beach