Sony rolls out headphones aplenty, including wireless 7.1 cans

Sony's showing off a whole range of headphones at its dealer convention in Japan this week, covering everything from earbuds to Bluetooth headsets to full-size cans. On the latter front, and likely of most note, are the company's new MDR-DS7000 headphones, which promise 7.1 channel audio (or some approximation thereof) and Dolby Digital, DTS, and AAC decoding. What's more, the headphones are also wireless, relying on the oft-used 2.4GHz to throw all that sound across the room. Look for those to hit Japan in November for ¥30,000 ($260). Also on display are a the DR-BT25NX and DR-BT30QA Bluetooth headphones, the former consisting of some earphones and a neckstrap contraption, and the later opting for headphones of the clip-on variety (check 'em out after the break). Rounding out the lot are some noise-canceling earphones, a couple of low-cost earbuds, and Sony's previously announced PFR-V1 "personal field speaker" headset. Look for all that to trickle out in Japan over the course of October and November.

[NHAnimator @ Sep 12th 2007 11:37AM]

Great. Now I just need 5.1 more ears.

[Xzavier @ Sep 12th 2007 11:38AM]

I just love how somebody can give you 7.1 surround sound with only 2 speakers!

[Andir3.0 @ Sep 12th 2007 12:38PM]

I was at the Disney Epcot center back in 1992(?) and they had headsets with multiple speakers in the "ear muff". I'm sure with multiple voice coils or some sort of variation you could closely reproduce that.

[andi @ Sep 12th 2007 1:01PM]

I have a 5.1 headset with 6 speakers, 3 in each can... And it's REAL surround, not emulated bullshit... very very cool... I wonder what sony did here, and if there're only 2 speakers, or 6/8

[Andy @ Sep 12th 2007 6:43PM]

We only have 2 ears and still can tell sound from our surroundings and where it's coming from. Everything from the shape of the ear to the path of the sound and little echoes and delays tell our brain that info. It is not unreasonable to try and emulate that with headphones. In fact, Dolby Headphone works pretty great. Try it. It's the single most underrated technology that I've tried. Other emulators don't work as well or are just horrible, but that doesn't mean it can't work.

As for multiple speaker headphones, they don't work well unless they're emulating too, because you can tell how close the speakers are, and the surround effect is not good.

Also, check out holophonics (google it) and your jaw will drop. This technology is not feasible for home theater, though, because it's done from the recording stage with special mics.

[Stella Roy @ Sep 12th 2007 12:33PM]

The pricing seem to be too high.

-Stella Roy

[zunq @ Sep 12th 2007 12:28PM]

LOL the second pic looks like you know what.

[everthecynic @ Sep 12th 2007 12:51PM]

An elephant?

[Jagannath A @ Sep 12th 2007 12:57PM]

what ?

[ark_v2 @ Sep 12th 2007 1:56PM]

No, I don't

[Maff @ Sep 12th 2007 5:33PM]

a womb?

[BananaFish @ Sep 12th 2007 12:43PM]

Agreed.... there is no reason to assume that earphones are just two large speakers that go over each ear. I'll bet a company like Sony can fit lots of speakers into the area in question. ;-)

[Eli @ Sep 12th 2007 1:06PM]

When will Sony drop the gimmicks and make a pair of headphones worthy of that price? I don't give a damn about fake surround sound, I just want my $250 worth of sound quality, which Sony doesn't seem to be interested in giving me.

[Matt B @ Sep 12th 2007 1:14PM]

I wonder if I can use it on my PS3.

[Denver_80203 @ Sep 12th 2007 1:25PM]

Not so sure about wireless. I have a pair I bought a few years ago that picked up so much static from the computer equipment and building they were generally useless.

I wait for the high end Bluetooth models. Or perhaps they already exist?

[derkaderka @ Sep 12th 2007 2:05PM]

2.4 ghz... wont that interfere with phones/routers?

[Sky @ Sep 12th 2007 2:43PM]

Wow. Bluetooth headphone art that's not only functional but looks like the male and female reproductive systems as shown in my middle school health curriculum textbooks.