High Tech Lounge » Headphones

Sony presents new wireless headphones and noise-cancelling earbuds

adina — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:21:30 +0000

Sony UK has recently presented two new sets of headphones. The larger, over-the-ear MDR-RF865RK set benefits from a wireless range of up to 100 meters (almost 330 feet) and features integrated batteries which are recharged when the set is returned to its stand. They benefit from 40mm drivers for solid audio performance and an integrated volume control. A full recharge of the set takes about 3.5 hours, with battery life being rated at 25 hours.

Sony’s smaller MDR-NC13 noise cancelling in-ear headphones are especially designed for travelers. The company claims that these can reduce ambient noise by almost 87.4 percent. The set is shipped with a manganese battery. However, adding a single AAA alkaline battery would result in a total assumed life of 100 hours.

Both of Sony’s new sets of headphones will start shipping in April, even if the manufacturer hasn’t yet mentioned anything about the price.

Pioneer launches new earbuds with active noise cancellation feature

adina — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:52:34 +0000

Pioneer has recently released a new set of in-ear headphones which benefit from active noise-canceling. The SE-NC31C-k headphones are said to reduce 90 percent of all external noise and features 14.3mm drivers. This active noise cancellation feature is powered by an AAA battery which can power Pioneer’s device for about 120 hours. When the battery is exhausted, users have the option to bypass the feature and simply use the headphones like a conventional set. The new headphones come along with a 4.6-fot long cord, a battery, an in-flight adapter, four differently sized interchangeable ear tips and a carrying pouch.

Pioneer’s earbuds are already available, being priced at $100.

Ludacris and Signeo to team up for headphone lineup

adina — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:24:33 +0000

A new range of headphones, called Soul by Ludacris, has recently been unveiled by Signeo USA. This range comes as an alternative to Dr. Dre’s Beats headphones and is made up of five models. The SL300 Powered Noise Cancelling headphones are the range-toppers; it benefits from powered amplification thanks to its two AAA batteries.

Soul by Ludacris headphones are compatible with Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod; a detachable cord with an inline remote is included, as well as a gold-plated 3.5mm connector and adapter for quarter-inch jacks. Headphones are sold under a $300 price tag.

The SL150 headset lacks the amplifier, but offers the same features as the SL300. These headphones are sold for $200. The SL100 headphones are slightly smaller, including the drivers and cost $150; they have similar features as those of the SL150 set. The range also includes the SL99 earbuds, which sport gold-plated connectors, three ear tips, as well as tangle-resistant cables; they are compatible with Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod, retailing at $100. The SL40 earbuds are priced at $69 and offer slightly lower specs than the SL99 set; however, they offer the same features.

All Soul by Ludacris headphones come along with carrying cases and are expected to start shipping at an unspecified point in the future.

Swedish headphone maker Jays to be present in the US with its a-Jays Four

adina — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:26:54 +0000

Swedish headphone maker Jays has announced that it would be soon present in the United States with its headphones, more precisely with the a-Jays Four, its latest creation dedicated to iPhones as well as other smart phones. Jays’ in-ear earphone sports a fully compatible keypad and a high-quality microphone as well as a tangle-free flat cord.

An important feature of the a-Jays Four is its ability of fully interacting with the iPhone, which means calls and pausing and skipping tracks. The connector of the headphone is in a L-shaped configuration which lets it lay flatter on the iPhone surface’s top. It comes with five different earbud sizes in order to provide the best fit.

The frequency response of the headphones ranges between 20 and 21,000Hz and they have an impedance of 16Ohm measured at 1kHz as well as a sensitivity of 96dB at 1kHz. The a-Jays Four headphones are expected to launch at retailers soon this month and would have a price of $70.

Balanced PRO 2900 headphones from Ultrasone

adina — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:45:08 +0000

The latest headphones of Ultrasone have been released. They are the first offered with an open-backed design and in several versions. The PRO 2900 can be found in a standard version with a single cable, as well as in a double-cable version meant to provide transparent quality that eliminates excess bass and treble. The balanced set comes with a balanced amplifier meant to improve performance by doubling both the slew rate and the voltage swing power.

The sound is processed by a four-channel amplifier with two inverted positive channels using two wires per each earcup in order to provide positive and negative audio signals to each of them. There are titanium-plated drivers of 40mm in size and a soft USC-cable provided with Neurik connectors. The headphones ship in a hard-sided case and come with a spiral and straight removable cable as well as a spare set of ear pads.

The frequency range is between 6Hz and 42,000Hz and the impedance is 40Ohms. The sound pressure level reaches 96dB. The price of the standard PRO 2900 headphones is $550, while the Balanced PRO 2900 cost $800.

New colors for V-MODA’s Crossfade LP headphones

adina — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:34:17 +0000

Two new colors for V-Moda’s Crossfade LP over-ear headphones have been recently unveiled. The existing stable, which includes White Pearl, Phantom Chrome and Gunmetal Black, has been enriched with the new Rouge and Nero models. The models continue to center on 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers, which are supposed to be as efficient as a single driver, but with more distinct range.

The headphones benefit from a detachable cable with a three-button remote contro; and a microphone, which allow volume adjustments, as well as taking phone calls. They are built to resist in difficult conditions, featuring a steel frame, but also a bendable memory headband. All colors are priced at $250.

Diddybeats in-ear headphones from Monster

adina — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:34:56 +0000

Monster’s Diddybeats in-ear headphones are available from Best Buy and retail locations as well, according to a company’s announcement. They are the last added to Monster’s Beats by Dr. Dre series and are created as a result of the collaboration with Sean “Diddy” Combs. The design of the headphones is in aluminum with some colored accents.

The headphones are created to focus on providing deeper bass tones, but further detailed specifications are not clear. It is also possible for the users to take phone calls and to control music playback by using ControlTalk in-line controls that are supported by many iPods and the iPhone. There is also a white model compatible with BlackBerry devices.

Diddybeats are selling at Best Buy for $150. Each pair of headphones comes with a Sean John-inspired case and several eartips of various sizes.

V-Moda Remix renews its earbud line

adina — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:56:36 +0000

V-Moda has launched the Remix, its latest earbud line. The flagship product features a 9mm neodymium driver, reinforced Kevlar cables, and medical-grade, noise-isolating soft silicone tips. The Remix also has detachable earhooks, which provide stability for the earbuds and helps them stay in place while the user is moving.

The frequency response is from 5 Hz to 24 kHz. The cable is long enough as it has 32 inches. It also has a 24K gold-plated, 3.5mm plug. The new earbuds are already shipping at Amazon and V-Moda in pink, red and gunmetal colors. The price is set at $79.

V-MODA Remote Remix earbuds designed for iPhone and MacBooks

adina — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:11:44 +0000

V-MODA’s product lineup has recently been expanded with the Remote Remix in-ear headphones. The new earbuds have been especially designed to be used with the iPhone 3GS, as well as with recent models of iPod and MacBook. The Remote Remix headphones have an integrated microphone, used for hands-free calling, as well as a three button in-line control, used for music playback and VoiceOver or VoiceControl functions. Earbuds can be used with various devices and MP3 players which have a 3.5mm audio jack; despite this, they will only have limited features.

Full functionality for the Remote Remix headphones is offered for the iPhone 3GS and new versions of the iPod, like the fifth-generation iPod nano or third-run iPod shuffle; unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro systems to recognize the in-line commands also benefit from full functionality of the earbuds.

V-MODA’s Remote Remix earbuds are available starting the 25th of February on the company’s website, as well as at Apple retail stores, under a $100 price tag. Starting the end of March, the headphones will also be available at Apple’s Online Store.

New range of headphones released by JVC at CES

adina — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:47:37 +0000

JVC has released a new line of headphones at CES last week.

The HA-NC260 noise-cancelling headphones, with new circuitry monitoring outside sounds, removes up to 90 percent of the background noise, feedback included. There is a dual housing structure for each earpiece that allows better sound insulation. Memory foam cushioned ear pads provide better isolation of background noise. The pair of headphones uses a 40mm neodymium driver for each earpiece. The HA-NC260 is selling with a 4-inch cord, a .25-inch plug adapter, an airline dual plug adapter and a slim carrying case. The noise cancellation circuitry is powered by a 1.5-volt AAA battery. The headphones will be available in March and their price will be $200.

The HA-EB75 headphones provide a securely fitting adjustable ear clip in three colour versions – black, silver and blue. Their design is addressed to active users and they are splash proof and have adjustable ear clips. The headphones have .53-inch neodymium drivers for accurate bass reproduction and also a friction-noise reduction cord. They are scheduled to ship in February and their price will be $13.

As for the high-end Black series, it adds an in-ear model headphone featuring a Micro-HD driver, which helps placing the unit in the ear canal instead of outer housing. The HA-FXC80 headphone uses a carbon diaphragm and a carbon housing, designed in a tri-form triangular housing, its colour being black. Thanks to the design, the headphone can be worn in two ways – with the cord below the ear or with the cord over the top, behind the ear. The headphone is delivered with a carrying pouch and will ship later this month, at a price of $60.

The HA-FXP3 Designed for Fashionista inner ear headphones were designed by JVC for those paying attention to fashion. The new product comes in animal print patterns that include leopard, zebra, pink zebra and Dalmatian. Specially meant to women, they have medium, small or extra small silicone earpieces. The headphones use a .33-inch neodymium driver for bass reproduction, a friction-noise reduction cord and have a gold plated plug. Shipping window is February and the price is $20.

JVC has also upgraded four of its lines of current headphones in order to reflect the fifth-generation of iPod nano colours. The HA-F240 Gumy Air, HA-F140 New Gumy and HA-FX35 Marshmallow headphones are available in nine colours matching those of the iPod player of Apple. The JVC Flats offers a range of six modified colours. All these updated series will be ready for shipping in February.