DigiFi and Kleer debut Digital Opera S2, S5 wireless earbuds
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 19th 2009 2:51PM
posted May 19th 2009 2:51PM
We haven't heard much from the Kleer / DigiFi combo since they finally brought their first Opera wireless earbuds to the US at the beginning of the year, but they're now back with not one but two new sets of 'phones, including the follow-up Digital Opera S2 and the Made for iPod Digital Opera S5. As you might suspect, both models are mostly identical, and pack the same 32 foot range and ten hours of playtime as before, along with the usual promise of uncompressed, CD quality audio. The S5 model, however, adds an iPod-compatible transmitter and some control buttons right on the headphones themselves, while the S2 opts for a basic 3.5mm-based transmitter to accomodate your non-Apple gadgets. No word on pricing just yet, but both should be available on June 20th.
It might just be me, but those 'phones don't exacatly look wireless.
It's just you. Those are the buds and receiver. There is a transmitter piece that is plugged into the device, that is not connected to the buds with a wire, this wireless.
this=thus
@shamwow
yea, but the point is theres still wires. call me when the day comes when there are just two little earpieces similar to etymotics Er-6i's but completely wireless with battery and transmitter built into them.
until then i will be unimpressed
I came to say the same thing. I distinctly see wires.
It's just like the whole wiimote+classic controller/nunchuck. It's not wireless if there is a wire in there
If you want truly wireless you can look at the Senheiser MXW1; no wires between the earsets!
Quite impressive but expensive! the Digifi Opera S2 offers a better quality price ratio.
You can find them on www.dipecomm.co.uk
Yep, they are not wireless. I see the wires right there.
yea, its a rather stupid idea methinks as well. what do you need a 32 foot range for, its not like an ipod is too big to fit into your pocket and having a little black cord going up to your Bose or Sennheisers or Sony headphones or really isnt that big of a deal. besides, those will keep running forever, no battery recharge necessary every 10 hours. except for QC2 and QC3 which can last 35-40 hours.
Boy, it looks like a true marvel of innovation, pushing the limits of technology to places we only dreamed of!! I am so happy to be able to trade a longer wire for that clunky receiver module hanging from my neck!!!!
/sarcasm
There are certain applications where this would be very useful, at least for me. Snowboarding comes to mind. Some jackets come with nice wire loops and good pockets...but mine doesn't. I lost a 120GB player because my pocket was partially unzipped so the headphone wire could come through it. I'd definitely opt for this type of a solution. Player securely zipped up.
I have the Kleer/ Sleek Audio SA6 wireless earbuds, they ROCK. The sound is almost equal to my very high end Shure's and you would not believe how many people I've met by them asking questions about them. They're so light you don't even think about it, battery life is excellent, and they're apparently sweat resistant at the gym. I never saw the SA6 reviewed on engadget after it was announced, but I give them a 10. These are 1/3 the price of the SA6, if I can get a review or some specs on the speaker quality in the earbuds, I might pick em up.
As RDM says, the Sennheiser MXW1 also use Kleer wireless and are untethered - they have a receiver for each ear. It really depends what style you like - the tethered type like the DigiFi's are smaller earbuds which fit in the ear. Personally, I prefer this style and the earbuds stay in the ear - useful at the gym or out running. I find the wireless link between the earbuds and my MP3 player is really useful at the gym. I was forever catching the wire on equipment and pulling them out with my old wired earbuds.
Can anyone recommend other in-ear wireless headphones. I was thinking about sony's own (not sure of model) but i'm sure there are others out there that i didn't find
try the Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth
You will never have the same quality with a Bluetooth solution; Bluetooth only stream compressed music; so if you really like music you certainly record your CDs using lossless format like WAV, Apple Lossless...
Also with the Kleer based products, you can connect up to 4 earsets to the same audio source; perfect to share your music with your friends!
I am still waiting for an over the ear solution, I was hoping to get something from either Sennheiser or AKG, but they've said nothing yet. I am looking at some AKG 701's but will hold out until the June iPhone announcement to see if Kleer is built in.
I just got a set of these. They took some getting used to because the little rubber bud that fits more inside the ear than the ear buds I was used to. The quality of sound is pretty good, I'd say 8/10. Sometimes the bass is fuzzy. I use them at work. I was tired of having ear buds connected to my computer and I couldn't even swivel my chair to get the other side of my desk. Plus, with a standard tethered ear bud the wire kept catching on stuff on my desk - a real pain. I don't even notice the receiver/wire that connects the ear buds, it drapes around the back of your neck completely out of the way. The range is pretty good, I think it goes a little further than 32 feet, but I don't use em like that, I can't imagine the looks I would get around the office if I were to walk to the printer with these in. The 10 hours of listening time seems to last longer than that because they automatically turn off after a few minutes if no sound is being transmitted. I can get about three days between charges. I have not tried them in a gym setting or with a lot of movements, but they seem pretty secure in my ears with what I use them for. I would recommend if you are looking for no-hassle and no tether.
I agree with Greg for the most part. The rubber buds are horrible. I swapped them out with a set from another pair I have and that helped. I don't know who product tested the comfort of the buds, but they must have a bizarre ear canal. At any rate, the sound is good. I agree the receiver unit is barely noticeable once the buds are situated comfortably. Charging was a snap. It actually took less time than advertised. I will say that since there is no battery indicator, they'll just go dead without warning, and that's always disappointing. I use them while riding my motorcycle so I have no chord to contend with getting snagged on my jacket. I've been happy so far. As such, I've had no reason to test the range.
Overall I'd say they are a 7/10. Fixing the earbud ergonomics would go a long way. If they could go completely wireless (no receiver unit) it would make them a 10/10.
Call it cordless from device to earphones......Maybe...I prefer earbuds over earcovers (they hurt my ears after awhile.