Panphonics manufactures thin panel electrostatic speaker elements. Their unique audio and physical properties make these elements suitable for a wide variety of applications. The elements are supplied as components to application developers for incorporation into end-products.
Panphonics Audio Elements consist of a thin plastic film sandwiched between two protective porous panels. To reproduce sound, the plastic film is caused to vibrate between the panels by application of a bias voltage and audio signal. Only 4 mm thick and extremely light, the elements are available in a number of standard sizes and can be manufactured to custom sizes and shapes. They can be overprinted or covered with sound-permeable material.
The elements contain no metal structures or magnets. As they do not require high signal or biasing voltages, control is straightforward. They can be connected to a conventional amplifier via a passive audio adapter, or driven by a purpose-designed active amplifier or 70 / 100 V line amplifier.
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| The elements are available in several standard sizes, and can also be produced in custom sizes and shapes. |
High quality audio
The entire audio frequency range is reproduced with very low distortion. The surface radiates sound in exactly the same phase, resulting in a plane wave with very high directivity. The elements operate like 'sound lasers', producing focused sound with a much lower rate of attenuation over distance than with conventional technologies.
Suitable for use almost everywhere where high quality sound is needed, the elements are ideal for applications where sound needs to be focused. In places like malls and shops, exhibition halls, and museums, they can be used to focus audio in a specific direction or area with minimum overlap into adjacent areas. In banks, for instance, they are being used in sound masking systems.
The elements can be built into walls or ceilings, and in video conferencing, AV, and home entertainment applications they can be incorporated into the video screen itself. In the retail environment, they have been built into CD listening posts and 'sound showers', and they can be concealed in banners and signs. They are also ideal for use in aircraft, trains, and cars.
Noise cancellation
The use of the elements in Active Noise Control (ANC) applications is also under development. The aim in ANC is to use electro-acoustic means to cancel unwanted sounds. The elements already have the necessary technical properties for use in HVAC ducts to cancel noise from ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
Panphonics was founded in 1997, and, following intense R&D work, has been producing audio elements for over a year. The company is backed by institutional investors, and its technology is protected by international patents. Panphonics supplies audio elements to application developers, and does not manufacture end-products itself. It is actively seeking partners to develop new applications for its technology.
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| The Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Helsinki monitors 18 different voice channels. Panphonics elements are installed behind the ceiling tiles above the workstations, allowing operators to concentrate on their own channels without disturbance from other workstations. |
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