SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – Sonical has announced a partnership with Paul Watson and Rian Zoll-Khan, co-founders of Headliner Group, who will serve as Strategic Advisors to the company. Watson and Zoll-Khan bring experience in music, media, and audio technology, and their involvement is expected to support Sonical’s development of its CosmOS technology, an open operating system for hearables and smart audio devices.
Sonical’s CosmOS platform is designed to provide a software-driven approach to personal audio, allowing for more adaptive and customizable listening experiences. The technology aims to enable greater control over sound interaction, including applications in music, gaming, and assistive audio.
Watson and Zoll-Khan co-founded Headliner Group, a platform focused on professional audio and music industry innovation. Their industry connections are expected to help expand the adoption of Sonical’s technology among musicians, producers, and audio professionals.
Paul Watson, Co-Founder, Headliner Group
“It’s not very often you get to be part of a hugely disruptive technology like Sonical’s CosmOS,” said Paul Watson. “What excites me most is the potential to transform how we experience audio. CosmOS isn’t just another incremental upgrade – it’s a fundamental reimagining of personal audio technology. The ability to give users complete control over their listening experience, whether it’s music, gaming, or everyday sound, is truly revolutionary. We are excited to be involved in a technology that could redefine how we interact with sound and help the people that need it most.”
The role of personalized audio in wellness has been an area of growing interest, particularly in relation to sound therapy and mental well-being. Soundscapes have long been used for relaxation, sleep, focus, and energy, with potential benefits for the neurodiverse community. Technologies like personal spatial audio are being explored for their ability to create immersive 3D sound environments, which may enhance these therapeutic effects.
“Audio technology has always played a vital role in shaping how music is created and experienced,” said Rian Zoll-Khan. “With CosmOS, Sonical is opening up an entirely new world of possibilities for both artists and listeners. By connecting the music industry with this innovative platform, we can help bridge the gap between creativity and technology, empowering artists to engage with audiences in unprecedented ways. I’m excited to be part of this journey and to help Sonical bring its vision to the forefront of the industry.”
Rian Zoll-Khan, Co-Founder, Headliner Group
The appointment of Watson and Zoll-Khan aligns with Sonical’s efforts to integrate music industry expertise into the development of its platform. Their experience is expected to contribute to the company’s goal of advancing smart audio solutions for both creators and listeners.
Sonical CEO Gary Spittle highlighted the significance of the partnership: “We are extremely pleased to be working with the music industry powerhouse Headliner to bring Sonical’s technology to more audio professionals. Paul and Rian’s strategic insights and extensive network in the audio ecosystem will be instrumental in accelerating our mission to create a more immersive, personalized audio experience. Their appointment as strategic advisors represents a significant milestone for Sonical, providing us with unparalleled guidance as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with our ears.”
About Sonical:
Sonical is the leading provider of embedded platforms for audio products and is the team of experts behind CosmOS, the operating system for the ear, enabling Headphone 3.0 products. CosmOS makes products ‘appable’ giving the user complete control of how they listen to content, hear the world and monitor their health.
Source: Sonical
