Aerophonic design

Aerophonics describes the production and amplification of sound, caused by natural vibrations in a volume of air. The word is traditionally used to describe the noise-generating action of wind instruments requiring a blow or draw of air. The shape, volume of space and build quality all contribute to the aerophonic function of an instrument, or in the case of RHA, an earphone.

The traditional earphone shape pushes sound out of the driver into a compact chamber, forcing the sound through a narrow channel, which means that the sound approaching the ear canal can be harsh and muddled.

The RHA research and development team sought to create an earphone which produces sound that is as clear and natural across the audio spectrum as possible; and soon realised the traditional earphone shape would not allow them to achieve their goal. Where they failed to find inspiration in traditional design, they instead found it in the aerophonic properties of the bell of a trumpet, the shape of which is perfectly designed to channel air and sound efficiently.

RHA inverted the normal airflow system used by trumpets and designed an earphone which directs air from the widest part of the bell shape to the narrowest. This concentrates sound naturally and allows air to progress unobstructed and unforced from the speaker into the ear. RHA’s signature aerophonic design, used in the MA150, MA450i and MA350 earphones, produces clearer more natural sound than traditional earphones, as well as allowing full and deep bass response.