AAC, GoerTek join lead pack of mini-microphone suppliers

With Apple as their major customer, Chinese electronics components makers AAC Technologies and GoerTek have vaulted into the top tier of suppliers of complex, miniature microphones used in media tablets and smartphones.

The global market for so-called microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones reached US$583 million last year, with AAC and GoerTek generating combined sales of US$144 million, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.

Jérémie Bouchaud, a director at IHS, said installing three MEMS microphones on a smartphone was fast becoming an industry standard since Apple introduced the set-up on the iPhone 5, which was launched in September.

Mid-range to high-end smartphones mostly used two such microphones in 2010 and 2011, but Apple added a third device on the back of the iPhone 5 to support high-definition video recording. These microphones are also used in headsets, gaming consoles, cameras, televisions and hearing aids.

"Apple has led the way in the adoption of MEMS microphone technology … compelling competitors to follow suit," Bouchaud said.

Hong Kong-listed AAC, which has its headquarters in Shenzhen, is now the world's second-biggest supplier of the microphones behind United States-based market leader Knowles Electronics.