Wearable technology company Doppler Labs has developed a set of wireless earbuds that connect with a smartphone app to augment the user's real-world audio experience.
Doppler Labs' Here Active Listening in-ear audio system comprises a pair of earbuds linked by Bluetooth to a smartphone app that allows users to "personalise every live listening experience" by adjusting the sound that reaches their ears.
The device enables music fans to enhance the sonic experience at concerts or festivals, and provides options for controlling the volume and equalisation (EQ) of ambient noise, as well as introducing special effects like bass boost, reverb and flange.
"Here does not stream or play recorded music," the Doppler Labs team explained.
"Instead, the Digital Signal Processor inside Here acts as a studio in your ears by providing you with a volume knob, equaliser and effects to transform real world audio. Use this 'remote control for your ears' to have an optimal listening experience every time."
Here's smartphone app features a range of filters that allow users to apply effects to ambient music. "Use the 'Hendrix' filter to rock out or 'Blue Note' to give your ears some time to chill," said the developers, who likened the concept to functionalities provided by photo-sharing app Instagram.
In addition to augmenting live music, the system provides active noise cancellation that can be used to reduce unwanted background noise or to suppress sounds like a plane's engine during a flight, traffic, chatter or a baby's cries.
The product features an outward-facing microphone that detects incoming sound waves, which are adapted by the digital signal processor before being relayed to the user's ear alongside the original audio signal.
The Here earbuds incorporate numerous components in a minimal wearable device, intended to be unobtrusive and elegant so wearers feel comfortable using them in public.
"At Doppler Labs, we believe in a post-mobile future where tech gets out of the way of the human experience," the team said. "We believe wearable technology should integrate seamlessly into our lives and enable us to curate our environment to our liking."
Doppler Labs launched in October 2013 and began developing Here in summer 2014, before launching a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in June 2015.
Setting out with a target of $250,000 (£164,000), the company raised a total of $635,189 (£417,500) in 28 days. The products are currently in production and will ship to Kickstarter backers in December. A limited number of pairs are available by signing up to the company's online Waitlist.
Plenty of other companies are using wearable technology to create products aimed at augmenting everyday life. Musician Imogen Heap's gesture-control gloves provide an alternative way of producing music, while designer Benjamin Hubert has developed a wearable device that lets users track their personal carbon footprint.