Posse Audio is a company that makes a mixing device for musicians to finely tune their monitor. Using the same technology, they are creating a device called the Posse AMK to mix the sounds around you, and your music while you ride.
Consisting of two small microphones and the mixing device, the AMK can balance the ambient sound using a small dial wheel. These are made because of the idea that being able to hear your surroundings when you ride will keep you safer. Mostly for road cyclists to alert them to cars, but the AMK can also be tuned to work as an audio amplifier to actually increase your ability to hear.
Posse calls this technology “Hear it All”, and the news on the AMK is that it is now small enough to be used with ear buds or other small devices. The Posse team has decided to launch the AMK device on Kickstarter, and are trying to raise $30,000 to bring it to reality. See the details and sketches of the device after the jump…
Their main reason for making the AMK device as an add-on, is that they know most people already have ear phones they love, and want to keep. This kit is an add-on to those ear phones, so you can continue using what you are comfortable with.
Posse notes that there has been an alarming increase of incidents lately involving people wearing headphones. By adding this device, some of those incidents could have been prevented by the rider being able to hear outside of their music.
“Hear It All” is an ambient sound technology that gives you the same exact binaural hearing that is natural to your ears by using two powerful miniature omni-directional electret condenser microphones. The AMK allows you to pick up ambient sounds up to 100 feet away.
They are using Kickstarter to launch the AMK because they want the exposure and feedback from a group of consumers that they do not normally talk to. Still in the prototype stage, they will be continuing to work on the AMK, and using their contract manufacturers they have worked with since 1997 to perfect and produce the device.