Behind Aura Nebula: Why SoC Selection and Expertise Matter

When it comes to true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has become an essential feature. Today, even many entry-level models come equipped with ANC as a standard function. As a result, when a TWS product does not include ANC, it is usually for one of two reasons: either the feature was intentionally omitted to achieve the lowest possible cost, or the product adopts an open-ear design, where the expected effectiveness of noise cancellation is limited and ANC is therefore not included.

Aura Nebula is also equipped with ANC. This decision was not only based on our belief that ANC has become an important and practical feature, but also because we had the right technical foundation to implement it effectively.

One of those advantages comes from the Bluetooth SoC platform we selected. Aura Nebula is powered by Qualcomm’s third-generation S3 Audio Platform, the QCC3091, which supports Snapdragon Sound technology and incorporates a range of powerful features designed specifically for TWS devices. Support for high-quality codecs such as aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive is certainly one of its highlights, but that is only part of the story.

Another key advantage lies in its ANC-related capabilities. The QCC3091 features a dual-core DSP (Kalimba DSP) with a maximum operating frequency of 240MHz. Its strong processing power helps accelerate the entire ANC process, from capturing external noise to generating the inverse sound waves needed to reduce it. This not only improves noise cancellation performance, but also helps reduce the uncomfortable sensations that can sometimes come with ANC, such as pressure or a feeling of blockage in the ears, resulting in a more natural and comfortable listening experience.

In addition, the ANC system supports Adaptive ANC. It can detect the real-time fit between the earbuds and the ears, including whether there are any gaps caused by differences in wearing conditions, and automatically adjust the ANC filter characteristics instantly. This helps maintain consistent noise reduction performance despite variations in how each user wears the earbuds.

The QCC3091 platform has already been widely used in our products, including Air5 Pro/Pro+ and H3. In other words, we have accumulated extensive experience and know-how in areas such as sound tuning and the algorithms used to enhance ANC performance, and we were able to apply that knowledge directly to Aura Nebula. We see this continuity as a significant advantage.

At SOUNDPEATS, we place great importance on technical continuity and on deeply understanding and optimizing the functions and core components we use. We believe that this philosophy is reflected not only in Aura Nebula’s sound quality, but also in the overall effectiveness and comfort of its ANC performance.