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Researchers made a sonar-equipped earphone that can capture facial expressions
The 'earable' bounces sound off the inside of the wearer's cheeks to detect face movements.
Cornell researchers created an earphone that can track facial expressions
The team says C-Face works even when the subject is wearing a mask.
RHA MA450i noise isolating earphones a great alternative to new EarPods
To be sure, I'm not an audiophile, but I am discerning enough to know what headphones sound better than the ones I'm used to. I'm not a big fan of the new EarPods Apple released last month. While they are an improvement over the old earbuds, I've recently found a pair of earphones I like a lot better: RHA's MA450i noise isolating earphones. I've been trying out the RHA MA450i earphones for a few weeks now and I'm happy to say they're the first earphones I've found that sound good, stay in my ears and are reasonably priced. The earphones are machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and come in black or white. Each pair also comes with a set of seven silicon ear-tips so you can choose the size that is right for your ear. And as is a must for any earphones used with the iPhone, the RHA MA450i has an in-line remote and mic so you can operate your iPhone without taking it our of your pocket. But what I really like about these earphones is that they have a fabric-braided cable -- meaning it's not cheap plastic -- so it doesn't get all tangled and it lasts a lot longer than normal earphone cables. RHA is relatively new to the audio scene. It's a Glasgow, UK, company that was founded in 2008, but spent three years in research and development before launching its first products. Based on my usage, I think we'll see plenty of great audio products from RHA in the future. The RHA MA450i earphones are available in Apple stores and online at RHA's website for US$49.95.
Sennheiser boasts anti-counterfeit efforts, unveils new authentication technologies
Sennheiser is using Tesa PrioSpot authenticity labels plus a "fool-proof" online look-up system as part of its anti-counterfeit efforts in China.
Ferrari, Logic3 team on headphones, may be closest we get to an Enzo's engine note
Ferrari likes to brand just about everything. That said, the two new lines of in-ear and over-ear headphones it's introducing with Logic3's help seem like more natural fits for the supercar brand than for other gadgets. The speed-loving elite will inevitably swing towards the Cavallino series' premium materials and universal microphone remote. Us plebeians have to consider the more plastic-laden Scuderia range, which still manages to pack in some Formula 1 styling along with the remote control. Prices are high at $150 to $315 for the Scuderias, or $201 to $352 for high rollers eying the Cavallinos -- but it's hard to dispute that either series is much more likely to turn up at our houses than a hybrid Enzo.
Barely visible Bluetooth earphones from Novero spotted at the FCC
Walk along that sparse borderline between Bluetooth headset and pearl necklace and you'll eventually come across a company called Novero. It specializes in vaguely ridiculous bejeweled wireless things, but it has some serious products too -- including these surreptitious little Rockaway earphones that have just been approved by the FCC. They'll cope with hands-free calling, 5.5 hours of stereo music and 250 hours in standby -- plus they weigh just 10 grams. Perfect for any NYC cabbie wanting to flout the rules at 50MPH.
Crapgadget: 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' edition
We're sure that most inventors out there are genuinely looking to make the world a better place, but the best intentions don't always produce the best inventions, and while the following gadgets will all likely appeal to someone, somewhere, we can't exactly recommend, say, an ear-shaped iPhone case or a $300 toothpaste squeezer. But as the saying goes, "one man's crapgadget is another man's treasure." Read - It's like a beanbag chair for your iPad! For your lap! Read - At $300, this toothpaste tube squeezer should pay for itself exactly one day before the sun burns out. Read - How is this iPhone case different than all other iPhone cases? Simple: it makes it look like you've contracted some sort of engorged ear disease. Never get bothered during important phone calls again! Read - It's a battery charger! For the ladies!%Poll-69353%
Bose BT2 Bluetooth headset cruises through the FCC, unsurprisingly mum on specifications
We're surmising that Bose has at least one other thing on the docket for its September 15th press event, but for those who still think Bluetooth headsets are must-have accessories... well, this guy ought to be hitting store shelves soon. The BT2 just passed through the FCC's database, showcasing a left ear placement and letting us know that it'll be "powered by a rechargeable, non-replaceable lithium-ion polymer battery." We're guessing it'll be priced accordingly (read: incomprehensibly out of reach for most), and will have precisely zero specifications printed on the box. But hey -- would you really expect anything else? Stay tuned.
Engadget's back to school guide 2011: headphones
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we're giving your ears some love with a plethora of headphones that will keep you rocking around campus -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Whether you're dubstepping, duck walking or just plain sprinting to and from classes, you may want to add a soundtrack to your campus travels with some slick new headphones. Although, with so many choices and styles it can be a bit overwhelming to find a set that's right for you. Luckily, we're here to help! Don't forget to enter our giveaway as well if you want a shot at winning your own set B&W's brand spankin' new C5 in-ears -- not to mention more than $3,000 worth of gadgets that are sure to induce an extreme case of Gadget Acquisition Syndrome!You'll find some of our own recommendations just past the break, and another chance to enter our back to school giveaway. Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win, and click on over to our giveaway page for all the details.
Marshall updates Major headphone with in-line mic for more talkin' between rockin'
Marshall struck solid gold when it lent spare amp parts to Zound Industries (Urbanears) for the Major and Minor headphones, and is now releasing a remixed version of the original smash hit. The updated headset is by all means a Major headphone, but it now features an in-line remote with a mic that's sure to please on-the-move fans of the supra-aural fit. At $119, the new cans will set you back about 20 bones more than the original, although you can't put a price on the amount of rockstar-cred you'll gain. The Major is available now from Marshall Headphones' web store and at your local brick and mortar if you're GASing for some new JCM-esque headgear. %Gallery-126735%
Westone 4 earphones review
Westone isn't exactly a household name, even in the earphone universe. But what the company lacks in recognition, it more than makes up for in quality. If you'll recall, we had a listen to its ES5 custom in-ear monitors earlier in the year, and while they cost a staggering $950, they also managed to melt our brain and thoroughly spoil us in the process. Thankfully, there's a budget alternative: the Westone 4. Granted, even 50 percent off still lands you right around $449, but many audiophiles would argue that said price is a small one to pay when looking at a quad-driver setup, a three-way crossover network and an insanely robust set of earbud tips. There's no question that these guys are aimed at the professionals in the crowd, and if you're interested in seriously stepping up your mobile listening game, you owe it to yourself to peek our full review. It's after the break, per usual. %Gallery-119832%
'Soul by Ludacris' headphone series priced from $69 to $299, shipping in May
You know what they say -- if you can't Beat 'em, undercut 'em. Signeo's Soul by Ludacris headphone series -- which made its debut a couple of months ago at CES -- has just been priced, and sure enough, each pair is cheaper than what Dr. Dre and co. are charging for the Beats assortment. The top-end SL300 is set to sell for $299, while the similarly styled SL150 goes for $199. The more conventional SL100 will list for $149, and if it's earbuds you're craving, the SL99 will sport an MSRP of $99 while the low-end SL49 offers itself for just $69. Specifics on each one are hosted up after the break, and Americans can expect to see the whole crew this May. As for everyone else? There's no time table yet, but we've been assured by the company that international distribution is being worked on as we speak. Word.
Razer Chimaera emerges at CES 2011, starts shipping to consumers
Talk about a long wait. Razer's Chimaera -- which first popped onto our radar in prototype form here in Vegas a year ago -- is finally shipping to end users. That's according to staff at the company's booth today at CES, who seemed quite pleased that they could change their answer when asked about it from eager (read: impatient) customers. The website still hasn't been updated, but the 5.1 channel surround sound headset ($199.99) should be more widely available to purchase soon. Also, a 2.1 version will be on sale for $129.99, rocking a fairly similar design and charging station. For those needing a refresher, this is a wireless Xbox 360 headset, complete with an equalizer, audio out jacks (on the station) and a flip-down microphone. Have a peek at the gallery below, and feel free to start checking your doorstep at an unhealthy clip. %Gallery-113103%
Sennheiser's sophisticated CXC 700 earbuds tout three levels of noise cancellation, TalkThrough functionality
Sennheiser has a thing for trotting out titillating new wares at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, and this year is proving to be no different in that regard. The audio specialist has just introduced one of the most fully-featured headsets we've seen in quite awhile, with the CXC 700 boasting not one, not two, but three levels of noise cancellation. The newfangled NoiseGard /digital technology gives owners a trifecta of noise-cancelling profiles, with each one optimized for something different. In fact, we'll let Senn do the explaining here: "Mode 1 absorbs low-frequency noise in particular (100 to 400 Hertz), such as engine noise from trains, buses or small passenger planes. Mode 2 focuses on cancelling noise in the medium frequency range (400 to 3,000 Hertz), which is caused above all by air-conditioning systems in large passenger aircraft or office buildings. Mode 3 has a particularly wide frequency range (100 to 3,000 Hertz), and combines the noise-cancelling effect in the medium and low-frequency ranges. As a result, background noise with different noise components, such as that which occurs at airports, railway stations or underground stations, can be effectively suppressed, although with a slightly lower noise-cancelling performance than in the first two modes." In case that's not enough to convince ya, these offer a frequency response of 20Hz to 21,000Hz, and they'll function just fine (albeit sans noise cancellation) even if your AAA battery keels over. Controls are embedded in the cabling, and users are able to activate the TalkThrough function if they'd prefer to conduct a conversation with someone without actually removing their earphones. Furthermore, changing between the NoiseGard profiles and activation of the TalkThrough function are indicated by both an acoustic and a visual signal. The company will be shipping these with a 4.5-foot long cable, an in-flight adapter, 6.35mm jack plug adapter, a small carrying case and a diaphragm protector, with sales to start later this month for around $320. %Gallery-112244%
Signeo reveals 'Soul by Ludacris' headphone series at CES
Here's an idea: start a headphone company, and then consult any 'ole musician for sponsorship. It's bound to work out well for you. HP has locked arms with Dr. Dre (and The Biebs!), Sleek Audio has done likewise with 50 Cent, Harman AKG has teamed with Quincy Jones, and now, Signeo is looking to Ludacris for a boost in the marketing department. Here at CES, the aforesaid outfit has just launched the cans you see above, aptly titled Soul by Ludacris. As you'd expect, they look mildly similar to the Beats headphone range that has seemingly taken the world by storm, and according to the release after the break, Luda was tightly involved in the construction of them. The Soul brand is debuting with five models in the line: the SL300 noise-cancelling headphones, on-ear SL150 / SL100 models and the SE99 / SE48 earbuds. The whole crew is tweaked to emit fairly intense bass ("without sacrificing the clarity of mids and highs," mind you), and while no pricing details are being shared just yet, we are told that you can find your own Soul when they hit shelves in "early 2011." One more look and the full release are after the break.
Turtle Beach adds dual radios, customizable presets and voice morphing to 7.1 Ear Force PX5 gaming headset
Hear that? That's the sound of a million new products being introduced here in Vegas... in glistening 7.1 Dolby surround sound, no less. Turtle Beach has just ushered out its new flagship device, the Ear Force PX5. Designed for use with Sony's PlayStation 3 (but perfectly usable with the Xbox 360 or any other audio source), this here gaming headset is wireless in nature and is the company's first to incorporate dual radios -- one for surround sound, and another for chatting on the PlayStation Network via Bluetooth. This is also the first of its kind to incorporate customizable presets; there's a DSP chip that lives inside, and the bundled software interface allows you to program voice prompts, custom EQ, compressors, Bass Boost, etc. Then, those settings are saved right on the headset, enabling your CPU to take a breather while the cans themselves handle the math. Moreover, the BT feature can be used to accept mobile phone calls or listen to audio streams, and if you needed any more reason to invest, it also supports voice morphing. You heard right -- it can be programmed to disguise a gamer's voice, which is partially awesome, and partially the worst thing ever to happen to online chat. Hop on past the break for the full feature list, and look for this one to land in the Spring for $249.95.
Wicked Audio's 3D headphones aren't what you think, border on unsightly
Okay, so maybe "border" is being generous. Wicked Audio is well known for its -- shall we say, vivacious -- line of earbuds and headphones, but none compare to the outfit's new 3D series of cans. Set to officially debut at CES next week, this line actually has embossed logos on each ear cup, enabling you to "feel" the graphics on the side. Hard to say who exactly this benefits, but for those who love raised artwork upside their noggins, we suppose it's perfect. As for specs? Keep dreaming -- all we know is that you'll be choosing the least offensive design from the three above next month when they go on sale for $29.99 at FYE.
Westone 4 earphones boast four drivers, on sale soon for $449
We've always had pleasant aural experiences with Westone earphones, and it's not hard to hazard a guess that the outfit's latest will also impress. The W4 is being hailed as the planet's first four-driver universal fit earphone, boasting a foursome of balanced armature drivers, a three-way crossover and a self-proclaimed EPIC cable, which is supposedly able to "guard against microphones." Further details are expected to be spilled at CES in just a couple of weeks, and they'll be loosed on the public in early Q1 2011 for $449. Yeah, not exactly cheap, but nothing fit for an audiophile ever is.
Motorola's wraparound S10-HD Bluetooth headphones: for the Usain Bolt in all of us
Clearly, introducing one Bluetooth headset in a single day just isn't enough for Motorola. In addition to the Oasis, the outfit has also let loose the new S10-HD, a wraparound set that is marketed as Bluetooth headphones rather than a BT headset (though it's fully capable of acting as either / both). As expected, these guys are designed to withstand all sorts of sweat beads, enabling fitness junkies to keep on rockin' in the free world regardless of how steamy the conditions may be. We're also told that the speakers are recessed in their housing with a new ear cushion interface and hydrophobic acoustic mesh (fancy!), and silicon seals are in place around all of the electrical components. Should you receive a call while streaming tunes, it'll gently pause the music until your call is done, and afterwards it'll resume automatically. The S9-HD's proper successor will be landing in Best Buy locations starting October 24th for $79.99.
Sony Qlasp earbuds wrap around your lobes, appeal to your sweet tooth
Sony's candy-colored PIIQ headphone lineup isn't for everyone, but at least the new lollypop-styled Qlasp earbuds have a useful feature: an integrated flexible clip designed to keep them firmly affixed to your head as you skate, swing and slide through your active hipster day. Sure, you could just slap a pair of Lobies on your Klipsch and get the same effect with better sound, but at the cost of uglification; for a mere $25, these low-end Sony units might get the job done without telegraphing your geekiness to the world. Taste all five flavors of Qlasp at the source link.
