About: HARDWIRE

Wired USB-C studio and gaming earbuds

SANWEAR-HARDWIRE is a USB-C digital earbud system with a built-in high power amplifier and SAN’s Audio Cortex (audio + controls + mic learning). For best performance, select HARDWIRE as your device’s audio output and use the Soundscape App to customize EQ, button mapping, lights, and firmware.

HARDWIRE is a single, custom-built system designed to deliver high-end audio without extra research or equipment.

Technical Specifications

1Warranty and Support

Warranty Coverage

SANWEAR-HARDWIRE is covered by a 1-year limited warranty from date of purchase.

What’s covered:

• Manufacturing defects
• Driver failure under normal use
• Audio Cortex component failure
• Cable defects

What’s NOT covered:

• Physical damage from drops, crushing, or misuse
• Water damage (HARDWIRE is not waterproof)
• Damage from improper voltage/power delivery
• Normal wear and tear (ear tips, cable abrasion, etc.)
• Lost or stolen items

How to Claim Warranty Service

1. Contact SAN support at support@sansound.com
2. Provide proof of purchase and description of issue
3. Support team will assess and provide instructions (repair, replacement, or troubleshooting)

Note: You may be responsible for return shipping costs. SAN covers shipping for warranty replacements sent to you.

Support Resources

SAN Support Portal: support.sansound.com

Video Tutorials: 

• Quick Start Guide
• Ear tip fitting
• iPhone Lightning adapter setup
• Soundscape app pairing
• Button mapping
• LED customization
• Firmware updates
• Troubleshooting common issues

Community Forum: Discord.gg/san

Contact Email: support@sansound.com

Response time: Within 24-48 hours (business days)

Appendix

Technical Deep Dive

For those who want to understand the engineering inside HARDWIRE.

Planar-Dynamic Drivers: How They Work

HARDWIRE features our new Planar-Dynamic drivers, a hybrid design that combines the precision of a planar diaphragm with the range and power of a dynamic driver.

In technical terms: We use a dynamic motor (magnet and voice coil system), but the diaphragm is built like a planar sheet rather than a traditional dome.

This is only made possible by our specially developed microfluidic injection molding technique, the same process used to manufacture synthetic heart valves.

Why this matters:

Traditional dynamic drivers use stiff dome diaphragms that can “wobble” or break up at high frequencies, causing distortion. Our planar-style diaphragm remains pistonic (moves as a single rigid plane) across the entire frequency range.

How we manufacture it:

We form our diaphragms using microfluidic injection molding, guiding the polymer through ultra-fine channels before it sets. The result is uniform thickness and tension across the entire surface.

This precision allows our driver to deliver planar-level speed and accuracy from only a single dynamic motor. No need for complex multi-driver arrays.

Beryllium + Graphene Composite

Better ingredients mean better sound. We’ve chosen only the best materials, even when they’re more expensive to process than gold.

Our custom composite combines:

• Graphene: Ultra-low mass and exceptional speed
• Beryllium: Extreme rigidity, extended low-end mass, natural warmth

The result:

• Extended low-end throw (deep sub-bass)
• Precision transient response (starts and stops sounds instantly so hits feel sharper and details don’t smear.)
• Ultra-low distortion across the entire frequency range

N52 Neodymium Magnet

The most powerful magnet grade commercially available.

What this means for you:

• Extreme magnetic flux in minimal space
• Higher driving force on the diaphragm
• Greater output, faster attack, cleaner dynamics
• Better control across all volume levels

Audio Cortex: More Than Just a DAC/AMP

Traditional USB earbuds use cheap, integrated DAC/AMP chips that barely do the job. The Audio Cortex is different.

It’s more like a dedicated external audio interface, featuring:

1. High-current amplifier: purpose-built to drive our demanding Planar-Dynamic drivers
2. Advanced DSP: real-time audio processing (EQ, phase correction, dynamic optimization)
3. Adaptive microphone AI: learning system that improves voice clarity over time
4. Programmable controller: button mapping, LED control, firmware updates
5. Central OS: coordinates all components and receives updates via Soundscape

All of this runs on a single custom PCB. It’s a complete audio system, not just a simple converter.

Why We Chose USB-C Digital Audio

Analog 3.5mm has limitations:

• Subject to interference and signal degradation
• Can’t carry power for amplification
• No data channel for firmware updates or app control
• Dependent on your device’s built-in DAC quality

USB-C digital audio gives us:

• Clean digital signal delivered directly to our custom DAC/AMP
• Power delivery for high-current amplification
• Bidirectional data for firmware updates and Soundscape control
• Consistent performance across all devices

HARDWIRE bypasses your device’s built-in audio hardware entirely. You get the same premium sound whether you’re plugged into a $200 phone or a $2000 laptop.

Has HARDWIRE been updated since launch?

Yes. SAN Sound continuously improves products based on customer feedback and ongoing development.

Over time, HARDWIRE has received updates to areas such as:

• Cable materials and construction
• Cable length and ergonomics
• Sport hook sizing and fitment
• Audio Cortex hardware components
• Packaging and documentation
• Firmware and software functionality

These updates are part of SAN Sound's ongoing product refinement process and do not indicate a product defect, recall, or safety issue.

Core HARDWIRE technologies, including the Audio Cortex, Soundscape integration, and overall audio philosophy, remain consistent across product revisions.

For the latest product announcements, firmware updates, and release notes, please visit the SAN Sound website.

Why No ANC? (The Full Explanation)

Active Noise Cancelling sounds great on paper. In practice, it’s a compromise we refused to make.

What ANC does to your audio:

1. Multitasks the drivers, drivers have to produce both your music AND the anti-noise waveform simultaneously
2. Pollutes the audio signal, adds phase shifts, delays, and artifacts
3. Reduces dynamic range, compression and limiting to prevent clipping
4. Alters frequency response, especially in the bass region
5. Drains battery (not applicable to wired, but affects wireless designs and power draw from device)

The truth: ANC is often used by manufacturers to compensate for poor passive isolation (bad fit, cheap ear tips). Truthfully, it’s a band-aid solution.

Our approach: Invest in excellent ear tips and a proper seal. With the right fit, you’ll get:

• Better passive noise isolation than most ANC systems (30dB Broad-Spectrum)
• Zero audio quality degradation
• Less battery drain (from source device)
• True sound as the artist/engineer intended

A great fit is all you need to block out the world.

Is There a 3.5mm Version of HARDWIRE?

HARDWIRE is currently designed around USB-C digital audio connectivity.

At this time, there is no officially released 3.5mm version of HARDWIRE available for purchase.

The USB-C connection is a core part of the HARDWIRE system and enables features such as:

• Audio Cortex functionality
• Digital audio processing
• Integrated amplification
• Firmware updates
• Soundscape app connectivity
• Low-latency audio performance

A traditional 3.5mm analog connection would not support the same digital audio processing and Audio Cortex features available through USB-C.

SAN Sound is actively exploring future products and connection options. However, no official release date or announcement regarding a 3.5mm version is available at this time.

For updates on future products and accessories, please follow SAN Sound announcements.

Glossary

Planar Driver: A type of audio driver where the diaphragm is a flat sheet (plane) rather than a dome. Known for exceptional speed and low distortion.

Dynamic Driver: The most common type of audio driver, using a voice coil attached to a diaphragm, driven by a magnet. Known for powerful bass and high output.

DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter): Converts digital audio signals (from your phone/computer) into analog signals that can drive speakers/earbuds.

AMP (Amplifier): Increases the power of the audio signal to drive the drivers at higher volumes and with better control.

DSP (Digital Signal Processor): A processor that manipulates audio signals in real time (EQ adjustments, phase correction, dynamics processing).

Frequency Response: The range of frequencies (bass to treble) that a driver can reproduce, measured in Hertz (Hz). Human hearing: ~20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Spatial Audio: Audio processing that creates a sense of 3D space and directionality (useful for gaming and immersive media).

Break-In: The process of using audio drivers for a period of time to allow materials to settle and optimize performance.

Passive Isolation: Blocking external noise physically (with ear tips creating a seal), as opposed to Active Noise Cancelling.

USB OTG (On-The-Go): A USB standard that allows devices like phones to act as USB hosts and connect to peripherals (like HARDWIRE).

END OF MANUAL

© 2024 SANWEAR. All rights reserved.
SANWEAR, HARDWIRE, and Audio Cortex are trademarks of SAN Sound Corporation.

For support, visit support.sansound.com

Version 1.0 | Last updated: Jan 15, 2026