The outer ear plays an important role in the hearing process by collecting sound waves, amplifying them, and directing them into the ear canal. The main components of the outer ear are the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory canal.
The auricle captures sound waves from the environment and directs them through the ear canal to the eardrum. The ear canal amplifies certain frequencies (especially in the range of 2,000 to 5,000 Hz), which improves the sensitivity of hearing. This is particularly important for the perception of speech.
The shape of the auricle helps determine the direction and distance of sound sources. It modifies sound waves depending on their angle of incidence, giving the brain cues about the vertical and horizontal position of the sound source. This process helps distinguish whether a sound comes from the front, back, above, or below.
These functions of the outer ear are essential for hearing and for accurately locating sound sources, which is of great importance for orientation and survival in the environment—and of course just as important for the enjoyment of music.
My opinion on this:
Of course, the pinna is far more than a decorative feature or a place to hold glasses. As early as 2001, after a discussion with Sennheiser, I wanted to publish an image showing a head with nothing but a hole on the side, because at that time no headphone manufacturer had recognized its importance. It is the DNA of ULTRASONE and the foundation of S-LOGIC to guide the sound over the pinna in order to create spatial sound. We have been researching this since 1986. And only we can do it correctly—in terms of technology we are proud that people say we do it better than anyone else.
Today many companies have recognized this, including Axel Grell, formerly of Sennheiser, whom I spoke with this year at the Munich High End exhibition.
And what is important to understand is this: we only hear correctly with our own outer ear. That is why all approaches that rely on electronics or work with dummy heads or artificial ears are ultimately doomed to fail, even if they have improved.
True immersion exists only with our AI—the Acoustic Intelligence.
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