Skip to main content

This iPhone case plays the music you want to hear, the way your ears want to hear it

Music is a very personal thing, and so is our hearing. SoundFocus has come up with an iPhone case which not only has two speakers built-in for improved audio performance, but also software which actually tailors the sound produced specifically for your own ears. It’s called the Amp, and it makes music sound exactly the way you want it to.

By using the same technology which drives hearing aids, the Amp case performs an audio test to measure your hearing patterns, backed up by your own list of preferences when it comes to listening to music. Finally, it’ll keep notes on your environment, and change according to what’s going on around it. Once it’s done, music played through the Amp will be specially tuned for you, your ears, and your surroundings.

What’s more, this isn’t just a fancy tech demo for the speakers inside the case, SoundFocus’ wizardry also works through the headphone socket. Because of this versatility, the Amp case should enhance audio across all aspects of the iPhone – from video to calls – no matter how you’re listening to it.

The case has a pair of 14 x 20mm speakers built in, along with a battery large enough to provide seven hours of playback through them, or 20 hours when using a set of headphones. The battery can also be used to top-up your iPhone’s battery, but don’t expect much more than 25-percent, so it’s more for emergency use than anything else. An ARM M4 processor, a 24-bit DAC, and a headphone amplifier are all hidden inside, taking care of the audio tweaks.

SoundFocus’ Amp case will be released around spring 2015, but it can be pre-ordered for $70 now, through the company’s own website. Cases compatible with the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be joined with versions for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. If you’d like to hear SoundFocus’s audio enhancing tech in action before then, the firm has an app which does just that, and it’s available as a free download through the iTunes App Store now.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
The iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button has a serious flaw
Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple’s Wonderlust event brought us a revamped iPhone 15 lineup, including the iPhone 15 Pro, as well as the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

With the iPhone 15 lineup, the Dynamic Island and USB-C charging make their way to all models. The iPhone 15 Pro models got even more cool new hardware features — including the highly anticipated Action button, which was inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra.

Read more
The best iPhone 15 Pro cases in 2023: 12 best ones so far
iBlason iPhone 15 Pro case sponsored

Apple raised the bar again at its September 2023 event: The Apple iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are the two new top ways to experience Apple's smartphone world. These are the greatest iPhones available, with all of the new features and — excitingly for anyone who travels with a laptop or iPad — a USB-C port at the bottom. The iPhone 15 Pro is the phone to get if you want strong performance paired with a more manageable 6.1-inch display, and many would argue it's the perfect blend of size and power.

But while the iPhone 15 Pro may be more easily handled than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, that won't matter one bit if it takes a tumble out of your hand and onto concrete. This is a $1,000 phone, and if you're anything like us, you want to keep that investment as pristine as possible. Thankfully, it's easy to do. Simply slap on a protective case that can weather the everyday hazards you come across, including drops, bumps, and even just minor scratches. We have case options from across the accessory world, from slim cases all the way to the biggest, baddest rugged cases out there. Take a look, as there's sure to be something you love.

Read more
Can my iPhone get iOS 17? Here’s every supported model
Someone holding an iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro next to each other.

The latest version of iOS, iOS 17, comes with a host of new features, including phone call customizations, Live Voicemail, updated iMessage features, and many more. While the update is compatible with many iPhone models, it is not supported by all.

Apple's iOS 17 was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2023) alongside iPadOS, macOS, and more updates. It's an exciting update, but is it one you can get on your iPhone?
Which iPhone models can download iOS 17?
Apple iPhone 8 Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Read more