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
| Specification | Value |
| Driver Type | 8mm Planar-Dynamic Driver |
| Driver Material | Beryllium + Graphene composite diaphragm |
| Magnet | N52 Neodymium |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 20kHz |
| Cable Length | 48 inches (122 cm) |
| Cable Type | Premium braided fiber-weave |
| Connector | USB-C (digital audio) |
| Built-in Amplifier | High-current DAC/AMP (Audio Cortex) |
| DSP | Real-time adaptive processing |
| Microphone | Adaptive learning AI microphone system |
| LED Interface | RGB programmable (Audio Cortex) |
| Weight | 87g |
| Included Ear Tip Sizes | 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm |
| Included Sport Hook Sizes | 18mm, 22mm, 26mm |
| Compatible Devices | Any USB-C audio output device (iPhone 15+, Android, PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck, etc.) |
| Operating Temperature | 32°F to 95°F (0°C to 35°C) |
| Storage Temperature | -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C) |
13. Warranty 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
- Contact SAN support at support@sansound.com
- Provide proof of purchase and description of issue
- 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: [Link to video library - Coming soon]
- 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:
- High-current amplifier: purpose-built to drive our demanding Planar-Dynamic drivers
- Advanced DSP: real-time audio processing (EQ, phase correction, dynamic optimization)
- Adaptive microphone AI: learning system that improves voice clarity over time
- Programmable controller: button mapping, LED control, firmware updates
- 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.
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:
- Multitasks the drivers, drivers have to produce both your music AND the anti-noise waveform simultaneously
- Pollutes the audio signal, adds phase shifts, delays, and artifacts
- Reduces dynamic range, compression and limiting to prevent clipping
- Alters frequency response, especially in the bass region
- 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.
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