Headphone-less private listening is on its way to the masses with Israeli firm Noveto Kickstarting its SoundBeamer 1.0 device, slated for a December release.

Previewed to the press late last year and billed as a “third way of listening”, Noveto’s SoundBeamer technology uses ultrasonic waves to place sounds directly next to a listener’s ears with -20dB attenuation. A 3D sensing module built into the unit can track head position in real time.

This creates a personal 3D audio experience with no need for headphones; a person next to someone using the SoundBeamer will only hear 10 per cent of what they hear, and someone a metre away will hear only a whisper from a video call at normal volume.

According to Noveto, the SoundBeamer 1.0 – now live on crowdfunding site Kickstarter – is a compact desktop device aimed at consumers.

“Pair the SoundBeamer 1.0 via Bluetooth to your computer, tablet, smartphone or tv and start beaming audio straight outside your ears – comfortably and without headphones.

“The SoundBeamer 1.0 is ideal for video conferencing, listening to podcasts, meditation, playing video games and even home fitness,” the company says.

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This new technology won’t come cheap, however: the minimum early-bird pledge level to obtain the black SoundBeamer 1.0 is $345 USD ($439 AUD), limited to 500 backers. The full price – which comes with a limited edition Noveto chip encased in glass – is $595 USD ($757 AUD), while the limited-edition Arctic White SoundBeamer, of which only 100 will be released, will set you back $995 USD ($1264 AUD).

At time of writing, the SoundBeamer 1.0 has attracted $66,154 AUD of its $222,176 AUD goal, with 25 days to go.