Patent ID: 8218799

Claim:
An audio system for delivering acoustic audio to a listener comprising: an audio source providing an audio signal representing audio from other than ambient sounds; said audio signal including frequency components in a bass range; a first speaker responsive to said audio signal of said audio source, said first speaker capable of insertion into an ear canal without occluding the ear canal; said speaker assembly for listening to an audio source while allowing ambient sounds to be heard through the ear canal; said first speaker having a cross sectional area less than 30 square millimeters through a plane perpendicular to an ear canal axis when inserted into the ear canal; said first speaker having a proximal end close to the ear drum and a distal end distant from the ear drum when the first speaker is inserted into the ear canal; a spring member attached to said first speaker at the distal end of said first speaker; said spring member for holding said first speaker against one side of said ear canal by pressing against the ear concha when the speaker assembly is installed in the ear; an electrical signal cable for delivering said audio signal to said first speaker; said electrical signal cable also for looping over the ear to provide mechanical positioning support for said first speaker when said speaker assembly is installed in said ear.