Sound-bending tech lets you hear music without earphones while others are undisturbed

Penn State researchers have developed "audible enclaves" where sound is only heard at specific locations without disturbing others nearby. The system uses ultrasound transducers and an acoustic metasurface to create intersecting beams that produce audible sound only at their intersection point, creating a virtual headset effect. Currently, the system can transmit sound about one meter away at conversation volume. Future improvements could increase range and volume, potentially transforming personal audio experiences in shared spaces.