Bone Conduction Earbuds Product Design for Daily Audio

Innovation Insights

Market Insight

Project Background

Dongguan Transsound Electronics Co., Ltd. is a foreign-invested enterprise specializing in the production of microphones, miniature speakers, receivers, and other core electroacoustic components.

The product was developed to allow ordinary users to enjoy high-quality music while keeping their ears open for normal communication with the surrounding environment.

It eliminates the blocked-ear sensation associated with conventional earphones while providing a stable fit during exercise.

Innovation Value

The exclusive newly patented bone-conduction transducer overcomes common limitations of traditional bone-conduction earphones, including sound leakage and insufficient bass performance.

This technology effectively improves the overall sound quality of the earphones.

Design Strategy

Market Analysis

Bluetooth earphones from mid- to high-end brands priced above RMB 200 are mainly available in bean-shaped designs, while products developed by smartphone manufacturers commonly adopt stem-style structures.

Bean-shaped earphones priced below RMB 200 often have lower material and manufacturing quality, together with limited visual recognition.

Stem-style earphones priced below RMB 100 achieve high sales volumes on Tmall, but many of them closely resemble the appearance of Apple AirPods.

This true wireless bone-conduction earphone was positioned as a mid- to high-end, high-volume product for general consumers across multiple age groups.

Its overall design style was defined as urban, minimalist, refined, and fashionable.

Product Positioning

The true wireless earphones use bone-conduction technology to eliminate the blocked-ear sensation during use.

Users can clearly hear sounds from their surroundings while simultaneously enjoying high-quality music without the two experiences interfering with each other.

The product also allows users with hearing difficulties to enjoy music more naturally in public environments.

💡 Solution

1. Structural Challenges and Internal Layout Optimization

The functional earphone originally presented two major problems.

First, the vibration unit was relatively large. Forcing it into the ear canal caused discomfort and pain.

The solution was to position the vibration unit outside the ear canal.

Second, the internal component stack was too thick. A large portion of the earphone remained suspended and protruded when worn, making it more likely to fall off.

The first solution was to replace the button battery with a cylindrical battery.

The second solution was to move the PCB between the vibration unit and the battery.

This shifted the center of gravity inward and reduced the product’s bulky appearance.

2. Wearing Tests and Modular Design

After multiple rounds of wearing tests, the design was optimized into a nearly production-ready true wireless bone-conduction earphone.

The final product features a more creative appearance and provides a more comfortable and stable fit.

Breaking away from conventional earphone design concepts, it adopts a modular structure that allows users with different ear sizes to wear the product easily and securely.

3. Lightweight Semi-In-Ear Bone-Conduction Experience

As a globally advanced semi-in-ear bone-conduction earphone, the product uses a newly patented bone-conduction transducer to overcome the limitations of conventional earphones.

Its lighter structure and improved wearing position provide a more comfortable experience.

The touch-based interaction also eliminates the pressure associated with physical buttons, freeing users’ hands and allowing them to enjoy true wireless freedom.