Onkyo introduces wireless MHP-UW2 headphones, iPod adapter

Onkyo's latest aren't the most stylish headphones we've ever seen -- far from it, actually -- but those more concerned with audio fidelity and iPod compatibility may be able to overlook the pedestrian design. The wireless MHP-UW2 headphones transmit tunes over the 2.4GHz frequency and come bundled with a handy-dandy iPod adapter that should work with practically any dock-connecting unit out there. We're told it can last around 8 hours before needing a recharge via USB (or AC adapter, should you choose), though it's hard to say when it'll ever ship to any market outside of Japan. Nevertheless, those in and around Tokyo can find the kit next month for ?20,000 ($201).

[Via UberGizmo]

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 10th 2008 8:30AM]

comression?...audio fidelity?...

nuclear?...extortion?...a woman named JOHN?

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 10th 2008 8:31AM]

"compression" excuse me

[Jeff @ Oct 10th 2008 2:32PM]

Never heard of lossless, I guess...

[swingin' dick hero @ Oct 10th 2008 3:02PM]

That's sad.

[EUP]-[ORIC @ Oct 10th 2008 8:31AM]

They sure look sexy, give me a Zune adaptor and I'm in! Onkyo rocks!

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 10th 2008 8:32AM]

Wow!! Nice. At least they look cool! But expensive!! Haven't spent so much on headphones!!!!

[NoAndThen @ Oct 10th 2008 8:56AM]

!!!!!!!!1

[Muhammad-Oli @ Oct 10th 2008 8:44AM]

So does your iPod have that thing dangling from it the whole time you're using them?

[sockatume @ Oct 10th 2008 8:52AM]

I don't know what you mean. Why, that adaptor's so slim and compact, it fits right on my iPod nano and you can't even tell it's there. (Mainly because the adaptor is so large that it generates a gravitational event horizon, I'll grant you.)

[jorvay @ Oct 10th 2008 9:31AM]

I'm sure audiophiles won't care about the size if it means they get the sound out of the player without it going through the questionable ipod sound processor (aka via the headphone jack). Personally, I think audiophiles are a bit over the top and need to remember that music is art, not an excuse to strive for technical perfection. On the other hand, if the sound quality is so bad that you can't appreciate the art, that's not good either.
Personally, I'd be happier with a nice Cowan player and a good mid-range set of Sennheizers or Grados or something. I'd probably get better results per $ that way. But that's just me.

[Mad Dick Bones @ Oct 10th 2008 9:38AM]

I'm sure audiophiles won't be at all interested because of the fact it's wireless. Wireless=loss in quality. Especially in the 2.4GHz range. If you have a wireless router and a cordless phone in that frequency, the audio quality is going to go to shit.

I just paid a fairly good amount for Sennheiser's top of the line wireless headphones, which operate at 2.4 GHz. The only other device I own that operates in that range is my router, which is two rooms away. The headphones are almost impossible to listen to. The incessant white noise in the background made me return them. Never again will I buy wireless headphones. I'd rather spend the money on a quality pair of wired headphones and just buy an extension cord.

[rock99rock @ Oct 10th 2008 9:49AM]

@Oli

MEME ME ME MEMEMEME ME ME. ME, ME MEME.. MEMEME ME ME ME.

(You know what im saying?)

[Muhammad-Oli @ Oct 10th 2008 7:01PM]

@rock99rock:

Yeah I agree. Kermit is a Tosser!

[Alexander @ Oct 10th 2008 8:51AM]

that's what makes it so special.

[NoAndThen @ Oct 10th 2008 9:08AM]

"but those more concerned with audio fidelity and iPod compatibility"

...I didn't know Engadget was into reporting on oxymorons.

[jorvay @ Oct 10th 2008 9:40AM]

I've been trying to figure this out for ages. I had an iPod once and, though I'm no audiophile, I just couldn't stand the garbled sound coming out of it (yes, with real headphones of course). Yet you hear all the time about audiophiles using ipods, and I think I've come to realize why:
1) storage - nobody else is selling large-capacity, HDD-based players anymore. Audiophiles need these for their precious lossless tunes.
2) popular docking jack - the iPod sound processing may suck, but you can get the music out of the player without relying on that sound processing if you use a dock connector. If you're going to listen to music most often on a stereo system (or on a set of headphones like these with the dock connector jack), then this is probably just fine. Combine that with the fact that everything from cars to toasters seem to have ipod docks and....well, you know...
3) posers - like all other hobbies, there are always some posers that just buy whatever they think is iconic of the hobby and claim to be hardcore.

[noyp @ Oct 10th 2008 11:32AM]

There is the iMod, but red wine charges as much as the iPod itself for the modifications. It supposedly makes it sound a lot better.

[tealfixie @ Oct 10th 2008 9:16AM]

can you use these on airplanes?

[Mad Dick Bones @ Oct 10th 2008 9:42AM]

Hi, my name is adam, and I'm addicted to posting on Engadget so that everyone can see the link to my awful gadget blog, in which the first two sentences of the most recent post read:

"One of the themes I want to try to stick to on this blog is making it educational. Hopefully some of my tips can help you, as you engage in the universe of High Definition video."

The grammar, the diction, the assumed superiority to the reader all should make you reconsider your blogging endeavor.

[Xenoterranos @ Oct 10th 2008 10:49AM]

That was the most thorough internet defeat I've witnessed in a long time. Adam, you have but one recourse now...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku

[adam @ Oct 10th 2008 11:26AM]

Dear Mad Dick,
It has come to my attention that you have some serious issues to work out with your emotions. If your goal is to discourage me, you have a long road ahead. There is absolutely no inference to superiourity, however if you would have taken the time to continue reading the post, as well as other posts on the blog you would be aware of that. The fact is that I have experience in shooting, editing, and viewing HD video and I am choosing to share my experiences with those who are interrested. As it turns out a few thousand people are interrested, and I'll continue as long as they keep coming back. Thanks for the insight, however I will stick to what I'm doing and continue to get better as time goes.

[noyp @ Oct 10th 2008 11:39AM]

The thing is, you put the plug in EVERY comment. I looked at your site. It's kind of plain and boring, but it is nice. Please stop the plugs

[noyp @ Oct 10th 2008 11:42AM]

Say what you want about them, but those pads look really comfy, but why are they superaural? They should lower their price first, maybe by half. $200 is kind of steep when you can get high quality wired headphones for that price.