Electrostatic speakers work in a different way to conventional speakers, with an ultrathin conductive diaphragm sandwiched between two electrically conductive grids. When an audio signal is inputted, the diaphragm is pulled back and forth between the grids, creating sound which is said to be an order of magnitude clearer than the cone drivers found in most audio devices.
Warwick Acoustics has previously embedded its electrostatic technology in high-end headphones, which come with their own unique amplifiers that deliver the high voltages required for electrostatic systems to work. The headphones start at around £5,000, with top of the range models retailing for several times more.
Now the company is targeting the $8 billion automotive audio market, with its newly released ‘ElectroAcoustic Panels’. According to Warwick, compared to conventional in-car audio technology, ElectroAcoustic Panels are up to 75 per cent lighter, consume up to 75 per cent less power and give designers greater freedom when it comes to interior layout and customisation. The panels can be moulded into diverse forms and embedded into almost all interior surface designs, creating additional space and the ability to deliver innovative visual interior designs and in-cabin experiences. In addition, Warwick says the panels are made using 100 per cent upcycled or recyclable materials and do not use any unsustainable rare earth elements.
“We believe that our revolutionary technology is capable of transforming premium audio within the automotive sector through both the extraordinary acoustic quality our solutions deliver to consumers, and the multifarious and significant benefits our solutions deliver to OEMs,” said Mike Grant, CEO of Warwick Acoustics.
“The relevance and value of our technology have only increased as the transition of the sector to sustainable technology quickly accelerates. The substantial improvements we have made in terms of weight saving and power reduction become even more compelling with EVs than ICE-powered vehicles. In addition, the sustainable benefits of our speakers in terms of the use of upcycled and recyclable materials is a game-changer for OEMs who are all rapidly seeking to decarbonise their supply bases.”
