Sony's Altus 'phones offer 80kHz "HiFi" on the cheap
Given the fact that most human hearing maxes out at 20kHz, it seems a bit silly for Sony to be squeezing an 80kHz driver into their new "Altus" MDR-D777 headphones, and the assorted hyperbole they're bestowing on the 'phones seems a bit excessive for a pair of $150 cans, but Sony has been known to bust out a decent set now and then, so we won't hold it against them too terribly much. Beyond that 80kHz craziness the Altus headphones sport 40mm HD drivers, which sit parallel to your ears, along with an ambient sound-in switch, allowing you to switch between an open diaphragm that lets noise in and opens up the soundstage, and a closed diaphragm that isolates the listener. The Altus units sport aluminum earcups, and while there ain't no Ethiopian sheep leather to be seen here, they look comfortable enough, and should be out this November -- all prepped to annoy your dog with that excessively high upper register.
