SAR Insight & Consulting Forecasts Technology and Market Potential for MEMS Speakers

MEMS microspeakers and earphone drivers could threaten incumbent audio technologies by 2025 as consumers desire smaller and less power-hungry devices. Four billion devices with seven billion speakers were shipped during 2020, it has been estimated, across multiple sectors, including automotive, mobile phones, home AV, and many others. MEMS speakers could revolutionize the audio industry, thanks to their small form factor and low power capabilities, according to market analyst SAR Insight & Consulting.

True wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds account for almost half of all headphones sold, according to the latest market analysis from SAR Insight & Consulting, who says this figure will rise to more than 75% in 2025. Data collected for ‘True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earbuds, 2020 Update—Market Growth, Market Shares, Technologies Used’, show that while a range of technologies has driven the market to date, there is every sign that this will continue with further technological developments.

At first glance, the reason for the decision to allow the sale of OTC hearing aids in the US is clear. The market for hearing aids is going to be driven by over-the-counter sales, according to the latest research from analyst SAR Insight & Consulting. This assertion is given weight by the news that Bose — a market leader in home audio, headphones, and automotive audio systems —is the first company to be FDA approved for a patent on OTC hearing aids. As a result, many companies are diverting their attention to the medical hearing aid market.

The retail headphone market continues to show strength, with 365 million units shipped in 2019, according to SAR Insight & Consulting’s Latest Headphone and Headset Forecast DATAbase. Wireless headphones and in particular true wireless stereo (TWS) models continue to be the fastest growing categories, with shipments of gaming headphones doubling from a year ago. Consequences for the electronics component industry are also visible, such as the growth in the sales of MEMS microphones.

True wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds are driving innovation and creating a growth market. Total market revenues for the true wireless stereo earbuds (TWS) market are expected to reach almost $10 billion in 2019, outstripping all other headphone markets, according to the latest research from SAR Insight & Consulting, which reports "the market is expected to grow rapidly over the next 5 years accounting for more than 60% of all wireless stereo headphones shipped by 2023.”