The engineers behind XL4D have decades of sound engineering experience behind them, having created custom speaker enclosures, bass reinforcement resonators, and P.A. systems and they are now turning their attention to acoustic enhancing cell phone cases. Their line of 3D printed acoustic cases and stands for cell phones are designed to enhance the sound from the integrated phone speakers and are 3D printed to order by Sculpteo.
The new web store currently only has cases available for various models of iPhones, however they are quickly expanding their number of products. Because of the acoustics that the phone cases need to achieve requires a design too difficult to produce using traditional injection molding, currently 3D printing is the only way to manufacturer XL4D products. The line of cell phone cases is produced using an SLS 3D printer that creates them out of extremely durable polished plastic in a variety of colors.
“We think a case should do more than just protect, it should also add to the experience. You know, do something, not just snap on and wait to be dinged up. Our Tone Cases align the sound from the external speaker, and brings this into phase with the video screen. This is a very important distinction and a key in reality of the experience. Sound alignment greatly enhances the realism of videos, while the added amplification boosts the sound volume, for movies, VoIP, speakerphone, games or speech. Adds richness to your audio output. All without any extra power, totally passive.” Explain XL4D on their website.
XL4D uses the 3D manufacturing services of Sculpteo, so fulfillment is pretty quick and painless. Sculpteo has production facilities in several parts of the world so shipping worldwide isn’t going to be an expensive hassle. The French 3D printing company has always been one of the leaders in online 3D printing services since they formed in 2009. It wasn’t until mid-2011 when they introduced their Pro. Sculpteo service that they became one of the largest on demand manufacturing providers in the world.
The principles of their phone case designs are similar to those of a horn speaker. The cone shape of the speaker directs the sound in a specific direction, making it clearer and louder. They have options for holding an iPhone is portrait mode, or in landscape hope. They also have a case that can be attached to a GoPro. You can see more of their products on their website, or over on their Sculpteo shop.
The technology used to design and create these smartphone cases is wonderful and creative, but as nice as these cases are they still don’t excuse you playing your music on public transportation. So please, use your iPhone acoustic enhancing cell phone case when you are in your home or office and don’t make the rest of us listen to Nickelback’s Greatest Hits. That’s just not cool.
