Many consumers have shifted from traditional headphones to earbuds during these years. The main reason is that earbuds are smaller and easy to wear and carry around. This raises a question in mind, how do earbuds work? And what kind of electronic parts are present inside an earbud? We’ll cover this in detail
What Are Earbuds?
An earbud is a tiny audio device or speaker that sits directly in your ear canals. Unlike traditional headphones with a separate mic piece, earbuds feature a built-in microphone to catch your voice.
Modern earbuds are equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC), wireless charging, spatial audio, etc, to enhance your listening experience. Moreover, the soft silicon tips on the earbuds snugly fit into your ear canals without causing discomfort to your ears.
How Earbuds Work?
This mainly depends upon the type of earbuds that you are using. If you use wired earbuds, the audio signal is passed via coil wires to the speakers.
On the other hand, wireless earbuds use Bluetooth or radio technology to receive and produce sound.
No matter which type of earbuds you use, the basic function remains the same. I’ve explained this in an easier using the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Signal Input
The basic operation starts when the primary earbud receives the signal from the audio source. In wired earbuds, this is done via the cord and jack connected to your device.
Wireless earbuds on the other hand use a built-in antenna inside the earpiece to receive signals. The built-in antenna communicates with your device with the help of Bluetooth technology.
Step 2: Signal Conversion
Once the digital signal is received, it is converted into an electrical signal.
Step 3: Signal Amplification
As the converted signal is weak, it is amplified to an audible range with the help of an amplifier.
Step 4: Splitting
The amplified signal is then split into two, one for the left earbud and the other for the right earbud.
Step 5: Transmission
Once the signals are amplified and split, they are sent to speakers via wires (in wired earbuds) and through Bluetooth (in wireless earbuds).
Step 6: Speaker Drivers
Within every earbud, there is a tiny speaker driver made up of a thin diaphragm and a magnet. When the amplified electrical signal reaches the driver, it interferes with the magnet to vibrate.
Step 7: Sound Production
The vibrations on the diaphragm result in sound waves. These waves then travel through your ear canal and reach your ear drum.
The eardrum vibrates in response to the approaching sound waves. The waves produced by the vibrating eardrum are then sent to the inner ear, which converts them into neural waves.
Working Mechanism of Wired Earbuds
In wired earbuds, the cable (wire) acts as a medium for transmitting electrical signals from the audio source to your earbuds.
The electrical signals then interfere with a magnet attached to a diaphragm.
The diaphragm then vibrates back and forth to produce sound.
Working Mechanism of Wireless Earbuds
In wireless earbuds, Bluetooth technology acts as a medium to transmit signals from the audio source to the antenna inside the earbuds. Bluetooth creates a secure connection between the audio source and earbuds.
First of all, the audio data on your device is converted into electrical signals, in the same way as it does in the wired earbuds.
The electrical signals are sent to the antenna installed on the primary earbud via Bluetooth radio waves.
The antenna receives the radio waves and converts them back into electrical signals.
Finally, the electrical signals are sent to the diaphragm to produce sound.
I’ve been writing about gadgets for over 7 years now. I have a strong taste for music, no matter if it’s pop or classic. My passion for music has enabled me to come closer to audio equipment. I like writing and sharing my personal experience with audio equipment that passes by me.
