iHome's iHMP5 headphones double as lackluster portable speaker system
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 18th 2009 6:33PM
posted Aug 18th 2009 6:33PM
DUAL MODE HEADPHONES GO FROM PRIVATE TO PARTY AS iHOME LAUNCHES THE NEW iHMP5
Built-In Amplifier Turns Personal Headphones Into Portable Speakers
RAHWAY, N.J., August 18, 2009 – Up until now, personal headphones meant an isolated experience, and for subway rides, visiting in-laws and plane trips, that's a welcomed relief. But what happens when you want to turn a personal reverie into a portable party? That solution is now here as iHome, a leading supplier of innovative iPod/iPhone speaker solutions, today introduced the iHMP5 2-in-1 Stereo Speaker / Headphone System. The first, over-the-ear headphone offering from iHome, the iHMP5 is unique among other headphones as it is fitted with an inline pre-amp that when activated can fill a room with stereo sound.
"At iHome, we continue to drive innovation throughout our product line by imagining new interpretations of product categories and applying creative design options to make them a reality," said Evan Stein, vice president of Marketing, iHome. "Our iHMP5 is a perfect example of this as we completely change the way people view headphones by allowing them to turn it into a portable speaker system."
The iHMP5 allows users to configure the unit in two ways: as a personal set of headphone to listen to music privately, or as a speaker system to share the fun with friends. Available in three fashionable colors, the iHMP5 is outfitted with a lightweight, adjustable headband and full 360-degree padding on the ear-cups for noise isolation, making the private listening experience both comfortable and clear. However, for those times when sharing is a must, consumers can simply activate the battery powered amplifier and the stereo sound is there for everyone.
The iHMP5 is currently available for purchase at The Apple Online Store and on ihomeaudio.com for a suggested retail price of $59.99.
Just don't mistakenly put those on your ears with volume turned up.
I'm going to guess the amp won't work unless it is rotated to the outward position, not just for obvious reasons but to avoid getting sued for hearing loss.
I'ma blow my brains out with these. When you talk to me all I'll hear is "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"......
you know some douche will do that on purpose. there's always some guy on the bus who's turned his ipod headphones so loud i can hear his music clearly from 5 feet away.
It's funny, because most portable headphone-jack speakers are about as loud as my Sennheiser cans anyway.
You are going to reduce quality output if you max volume them like that. Please don't do it...it's for the headphones.
quality loss? they're Sennheiser!
Yeah what do you mean they reduce quality? Your SUPPOSED to leave them on full blast for 10 hours to break 'em in in the first place.
Very interesting. Though I can already see people shitting bricks when someone flips the amp to ON accidentally/to someone else= while they have it on their ears.
ah sure. it's probably not even that loud anyway
They probably sound like crap
Or at least they will after you blow the speaker by turning up the volume to 100%.
This really makes no sense. You will most likely destroy any quality that was in the drivers to begin with by utilizing this 'feature'.
And if you stick it into your Mic-In jack it'll probably suffice as a disappointing microphone. 3 products in 1, what a steal for 60 bucks!
This can go down one of two ways: it'll be way too quiet as a speaker, or the maker will get sued for deafening people.
Well, I suppose since they are rotated for speaker mode, you could put a safety lockout switch on the pivot to disable/gain-limit the amplifier.
The model reviewed on iLounge does have a safety switch. The headphones look totally different, even though the model number is the same.
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/ihome-ihmp5-2-in-1-stereo-speakers-plus-headphones/
Coming soon to a Brooklyn-bound subway train near you!
just plain irresponsible. kids will turn it to speaker for their headphones on purpose because they don't know any better. why are companies trying so hard to make teenagers more annoying than they already are on public transport.
And why are older people always full of complaint and disdain on public transport?
Look, I can generalise too!
two mode speaker/headphone system? great so kids can put them on their ears in speaker mode and blow their ears out...
Speaker amp is only on when they are pivoted open and joined by a magnetic coupling. This ensure the headphones can NEVER be put on while in speaker-amp mode.
are they any better than the Jabra BT8030?
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/19/jabra-bt8030-bluetooth-headset-works-as-a-speaker-too/
Now that's impossibly stupid.
iHMP5 your mom.
Yes, we need more annoying people playing loud music in public.
Go look at the site people, it is impossible to turn on the amp while you are wearing the headphones. There is a magnetic coupling on the bottom of each headphone that needs to be paired up in order for the amp to be engaged. That sounds like the exact opposite of irresponsible to me, it sounds like they were taking into account the safety of people using it.