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Philips and O'Neill launch durable headphones -- shaka bra!
In what amounts to yet another co-branding marketing kerfuffle, Philips and O'Neill have teamed up on a foursome of so-called durable headphones. The Stretch headphones (pictured) are the toughest of the bunch, constructed from an ultra-durable, temperature-resistant, and awesome-sounding material called TR 55LX that boasts a surface hardness six times greater than the polycarbonate stuff found in most headphones. The Snug series boasts "bold graphics" and can fold flat, while the in-ear Covert buds brings an iPhone controller. Last, and apparently least, is the "stylish" Specked with tangle free cord. Amazing. All are said to have been tested by the "toughest O'Neill team riders." As proof, O'Neill is trotting out Jeremy Jones, Mark Mathews, and Ane Enderud to promote its new gear, presumably because they want to and not because they are contractually obligated under the terms of their respective high-paying sponsorships. Needless to say, these headphones aren't for you if you don't know who these people are or you lack the fragile hipster ego required to wear them. No prices were announced, but you can expect them to match the "premium" description when these arrive for retail in Europe and the US sometime this month. We did give Stretch a go for a quickie ears-on, and honestly, while the cloth cord was a nice touch and they do seem to be super rugged, we'd prefer that the team paid a bit more attention to the sound quality than the finish.%Gallery-101026%
Corsair sails into gaming headset waters with noise-isolating HS1 cans
For some people, the association of Corsair and quality PC components is so strong that they'd buy anything that bears the triple sail logo. It makes perfect sense, therefore, for the company that made its name by producing memory sticks to diversify its portfolio even further, this time into gaming headsets, with the introduction of the HS1. It's a USB headset offering multichannel audio via 50mm drivers, a noise-isolating closed design, noise-cancelling and articulating mic, and inline volume and microphone mute controls. Aside from the larger than usual drivers, we're not seeing anything particularly unique here, but that ethereal element of quality is rarely apparent on black and white fact sheets. Availability is said to be immediate, though our quick pricing investigation threw up only a UK pre-order for £84 ($129). So yeah, Corsair's certainly pricing the HS1 as a premium product. [Thanks, Mark S.]
TDK's TH-WR700 cans do wireless over Kleer
The majority of the wireless music options we've seen rocking Kleer have, to this point, been of the ear bud variety -- nice, but not if you're more of a can man. For those who like a little more heft, welcome to TDK's TH-WR700 wireless headphones, a $190 set that still looks to be too small if you're going for the completely immersive over-the-ear style, but are said to provide less noise than comparable Bluetooth units and pledge to perform with 32Ω impedance, 20Hz–20kHz frequency response, and 108 dB/mW sensitivity. That price also nabs you the Kleer transmitter adapter, which has a 3.5mm input and just so happens to be fit perfectly on an iPhone. Coincidence? Don't bet on it.
Modder merges Bose headphones with inline Apple remote, shows you how (video)
Everybody knows that Apple's default headphones aren't the best, and while many would argue that those from Bose aren't exactly top-notch either, they're surely a step up. What if you want Cupertino's inline controls and some over-the-ear isolation from Framingham's most famous foreign-sounding speaker company? That's what Freddy Deeble wanted, and that's what he achieved. What seems like a challenging feat is actually a reasonably straightforward mod if you have some soldering skills -- and a general disregard for warranties. The whole process is described in a thoroughly helpful video after the break but, as always, don't call us if you wind up with a set of severed wires and a smoldering pile of rosin. [Thanks, Freddy]
Bowers & Wilkins first ever P5 headphones follow the iPod money trail
When you've got the brand cachet of a Bowers & Wilkins, the decision to launch your first-ever headphone will be met head-on with plenty of pre-defined market expectations. But with products spread wide across diverse audio tastes and prices, well, pretty much anything goes. So it's probably no surprise then to find B&W prostrating itself to the dollar with its P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone. These Made for iPod noise-isolating cans with speech and device control are meant for use far beyond your carefully constructed "critical listening" audio nest at home. You can, however, swap out the iPod cable for the B&W supplied gold-plated cable by popping off the magnetically attached ear pad. Mind you, the P5 does not offer electronic noise cancelation, instead, the listener is isolated through a combination of the P5's closed-back design and sealed leather ear pads. They also bring the promise of "unfatiguing performance" thanks to B&W developed ultra-linear neodynium magnets and Mylar diaphragms. Naturally, we'll reserve judgment until these babies ship sometime in January. %Gallery-77847% Show full PR text Bowers & Wilkins headphones hit the streets Concert for one Unfatiguing natural sound gets you closer to the music. Noise isolating design for use on the move. Metal an sealed-leather construction maximizes comfort, for life-long listening. Made for iPod®, weith cables supplied for speech and device control. Bowers & Wilkins is proud to announce its first ever headphone. Designed for use on the move, the P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone allows people to have Bowers & Wilkins sound quality wherever they are. Some 45 years of audio experience has gone into the P5; close to five-decades of research into what true sound is. The ultimate aim of all Bowers & Wilkins products is to bring the listener as close as possible to the sound intended by the recording engineers. That is as true of the world-renowned 800 Series speakers used in the likes of Abbey Road Studio, as it is for the best sounding premium iPod® speaker available, Zeppelin. And now it's true for Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones. Recognizing that many mobile headphones can be tiring when listened to over extended periods, Bowers & Wilkins' engineers at the world-famous Stenying Research Establishment have worked tirelessly to produce a headphone with a natural, unfatiguing performance. The use of specially developed ultra-linear neodymium magnets and highly optimized Mylar diaphragms provide the best possible sound quality. As always, countless hours of critical listening and tuning have played a major part in the P5's natural and engaging performance. This pristine sound performance is married to design and construction techniques aimed at isolating as much noise as possible, for consumers that do not require full electronic noise cancellation. This isolation is achieved through a combination of the closed-back design featuring a rigid metal faceplate, and the sealed-leather ear pads. These materials not only remove a lot of external noise, providing an enveloping listening experience without completely removing the user's sense of place, they also offer an extremely comfortable user experience. The leather-clad headband has been designed for extreme comfort where it interfaces with the side of the head, while the softest available sheep's leather from New Zealand has been used for the ear pads. Recognizing the dominance of Apple's iPod and iPhone® in the portable media market, the P5 comes supplied with a Made For iPod approved cable, which allows for speech and device control. It also comes supplied with a high-quality, standard audio cable with gold-plated plugs. Switching between the two is facilitated by the magnetically attached ear pads, which simply pop off allowing access to the cable. Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin and Zeppelin Mini provide the best possible sound from an iPod at home, and now the P5 lets you take that great performance with you wherever you go. Bowers & Wilkins P5 is available from January 2010 To find your nearest Bowers & Wilkins stockist visit www.bowers-wilkins.com.
Ultrasone goes 'airy' with $329 HFI-2400 headphones
They're no Edition 8s, but Ultrasone's newest cans are still aiming to make a believer out of you. The mid-range (by its standards, anyway) HFI-2400 headphones are collapsible, over-the-head cans that promise an "airy tone" from the 40 millimeter drivers. Encased in black and silver, these definitely look the part, and the bundled velvet case and demo CD certainly go a long way towards making you feel like a real epicurean. The pain? Just $329, and they should be up for order as we speak.%Gallery-74862%
Griffin's volume-limiting MyPhones can't crank to 11... or 8
Griffin Technology's MyPhones are far from being the first cans on the market with volume limiting tech built-in, but unlike some parent-friendly options, these can never, ever be cranked to levels appropriate for ear bashing. You see, rather than giving adults (you know, those Earthlings that are already hard of hearing) the chance to set the limit too high for their offspring, Griffin has implemented an "always-on sound-control circuit to cap peak volume levels at 85 decibels." That's the maximum level recommended by many auditory health organizations, and if you don't like it, tough noogies. But we mean, just look at those two kiddos above -- don't they just look elated? Kidz Bop 14 at barely-audible levels tends to have that effect, or so we hear.[Via Macworld]
Sony's MDR-DS7100 7.1 channel cans cut the cord
Big, comfy, over-the-ear headphones will never go out of style if we have anything to say about it, but we could do without the thick, coiled cords that usually come with them. Sony's latest ditches the tether in favor of a 2.4GHz wireless system, capable of receiving 7.1 channels at a range of about 100-feet -- all without a single tap into your central nervous system. The broadcasting will be handled by what looks to be a the same bulky base station we saw in the MDR-DS7000, but the new 7100 offers a larger 50mm driver and 13 hours of battery life; a 30 percent boost. No word on pricing for when these ship in October, but the previous model is available for around $250, so we don't expect 'em to break the bank.
iHome's iHMP5 headphones double as lackluster portable speaker system
It's a dilemma that even your mother has likely faced. You'd like a new set of headphones, but you'd also like to fill your dorm room with sound should a few friends stop by. In a beautiful effort to solve said quandary, iHome has introduced a 2-in-1 stereo speaker / headphone system dubbed the iHMP5. For those unaware, these are the first over-the-ear cans produced by the company, and unlike most other alternatives, these boast an inline pre-amp that flip 'em "from private to party" mode on a moment's notice. In other words, these headphones double as a portable speaker system, and they're available in a trio of colors right now for $59.99. Don't you love it when a plan comes together?
Shure introduces three new sets of cans for pros and poseurs
Sure, you know Shure, the audio company best known in the consumer realm for its line of high-end, in-ear buds. The company's moving out, introducing three new over-the-ear headsets said to offer "professional" audio quality at prices that are a fraction of some of the other cans we've seen lately. The SRH240 are the lowest-end, intended for "consumer listening devices" (i.e. that knock-off MP3 player you got down on Canal Street) and expected to sell for under $60. Next up is the SRH440, positioned for console and DJ use, and available for under $100. Finally there's the high-end SRH840, featuring "reference-quality frequence response" and plenty of other hyperbolic traits for a retail price of $199.99. The three should cover most listeners' budgets and, while the demure styling won't win over the Skullcandy crowd, anyone looking for a solid value in listening isolation will surely want to tune in when these hit the streets the next few weeks.
Ultrasone Edition 8 headphones hands-on and impressions
Ultrasone's been kickin' out $1.5k headphones for as long as we can remember, and it only takes a glimpse at the Edition 9s from 2006 to see just how far we've come. The newest model, curiously titled the Edition 8, was initially announced a few months back, and we've just now been able to stuff our cranium between its Ethiopian sheepskin-covered earcups and hear 'em out. We've listened to our fair share of audio products over the years, and we definitely feel as if these are some of the most exquisite we've had the pleasure of experiencing. Still, with a $1,500 price tag, it'll take a little more than "yeah, these are pretty wicked" to win us over. Head on past the break for our two pennies.%Gallery-68194%
Creative's Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset MkII hands-on, and news of its sequel
Cans are so hot right now; the bigger and gaudier the better, because nothing says "Don't talk to me" like giant domes covering your ears. Creative's latest set, Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset MkII, don't really have much to offer in the flash category and certainly aren't excessively sized, but for serious gamers they seem to be a solid option and just the thing to keep your mom from interrupting your session. Shipping next week for $99, they offer an over-ear design with memory-foam surrounds and a sophisticated but not particularly flashy look that says "I want to look cool while wearing these, but I'll leave the chrome to my CPU fan, thanks." They sport a detachable boom that has not one but two microphones in it and some apparently fancy-schmantsy processing that can discern your howl of war from your dog's howl of neglect, meaning your CS teammates hear only the former. Unfortunately we weren't able to try that out for ourselves, so we'll have to see how well that pans out in the real world. The set uses the standard jumble of 3.5mm audio jacks to connect to your machine, but a Creative rep was kind enough to disclose plans for a USB version that'll work sans-soundcard. That model is due sometime next month for a $30 premium.
Skullcandy intros Decibel Collection headphones for the young, hip, and colorblind
We thought that Skullcandy might not be able to top its Special Edition Metallica Death Magnetic headphones in terms of aesthetic loudness, but we were apparently mistaken. The company's just launched its vast Decibel (dB) Collection, a wide range of wildly styled, Limited Edition "high performance" cans that take design up to eleven, to say the very least. With customizable lines including Big Slick, Vibe, Dream Team, Lurker, Catfight, Audiophile, and Illustrative, it's safe to say that Skullcandy will probably have whatever it is you're looking for in headphones... as long as what you're looking for is truly insane. Hit the read link to check out the myriad designs.[Via Coolest Gadgets]
Ultrasone intros audiophile-grade Edition 8 headphones
Ultrasone has never been one to pop out low-end cans, but its latest model is decidedly luxurious. The Edition 8 headphones employ the company's S-Logic Plus technology for an "impartial acoustic feeling that allows the listener even more of a spacious tonal perception." These were created with the "audio connoisseur" in mind, with the interior ear cups covered in fine Ethiopian sheepskin (something that Sir Dave Chappelle would argue does not help sound quality) and the outer ear cups doused in Ruthenium. Each set is individually stamped and arrives in a leather case for storage, but you'll be asked to hand over a whopping $1,499 before you indulge. The full release is after the break.
Denon's luxurious AH-D7000 headphones are nearly too pretty to use
You think we're kidding, but after spending around £800 ($1,164) on Denon's absolutely stunning AH-D7000 over-ear headphones, are you really about to squeeze your sweaty noggin in there without feeling the slightest bit guilty? The cans, which vaguely remind us of Audio Technica's ATH-ESW9, tout wooden ear cups made from natural mahogany, microfiber diaphragms, Acoustic Optimizer technology, a cloth-wrapped cable, gold-plated connector, magnesium frame / duralumin slider and leather ear pads. You'll also get a fanciful box to house 'em in when you're not enjoying the sweet sounds of twin 2-inch drivers, but sadly, a set of handcuffs aren't included for wearing them while waltzing through the occasionally dodgy streets of London. Two more looks are after the break.[Via TechDigest]
Ask Engadget: Best noise-canceling headphones?
Over at the Engadget household today, we staffers have gathered around a cornucopia of good eats, good gadgets, and most importantly, good times. When it came time to list all the things we were thankful for, our readers were undoubtedly the top choice. And with Ask Engadget questions like this one, can you really blame us? "I've been listening to your podcast since the day you reintroduced it and I really like it, but I have a hard time understanding what you're saying when I'm in the subway. So I'd like to know what are the best noise-suppressing headphones I could get for around $150. Either that, or you could just ask Nilay to speak louder... thanks a lot!"We'll be sure to pass the word to Nilay (he's a bit busy with the pumpkin pie at the moment), but for all of you overstuffed individuals out there, how's about giving Gabriel an answer he'll appreciate? Afterwards, send in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.
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]
Ask Engadget: What are the best waterproof headphones?
It's true -- hunting down a waterproof MP3 player is a cinch, but finding a decent pair of waterproof headphones to accompany said player can prove challenging. Have a look at Melinda's question, and after you're done providing your best advice, send over an inquiry of your own to ask at engadget dawt com. "I am an almost-daily lap swimmer, but lately I have been suffering from "lap boredom." I've been looking into the latest ways to take my MP3 player into the pool with me, and I need a set of waterproof headphones in order to do so. I've found waterproof earphones like H2O Audio and Aquatunes priced between $30 and $100, but I've also read many negative reviews. Before I spend this much money on waterproof 'phones, I want to know what I am getting. What brand / model do you recommend?" Climb on out of the kiddie pool and toss in your advice, swimmers. What 'buds do you use to listen to music while submerged?
Skullcandy and Metallica team up on Death Magnetic headphones
Now isn't this tie-up worthy of all the "awws" you can muster? The poster child for anti-Napster propaganda has teamed up with Skullcandy to deliver a pair of cans to commemorate the band's ninth (and surely most awesome) studio album, Death Magnetic. Two limited edition models will be made available -- the $69.95 Hesh and $49.95 Lowrider -- and those prices include "free" downloads of the aforementioned disc. The Hesh cans (pictured) possess a fatter, more comfortable headband with 50mm drivers, while the Lowrider includes 40mm drivers and a fold-up headband for portability. No telling how long it'll be before these disappear, but we're hearing this strange rumor that pre-loaded clips of Hetfield play underneath your tunes to subconsciously encourage you to uninstall your BitTorrent client. Not like that's even fathomable or anything.[Via MusicRadar]
Acoustic Research doles out ARNC01 noise-canceling earbuds
Audiovox's extravaganza is closing up with the introduction of the Acoustic Research ARNC01 ($59.99) earbuds, which promise to use whiz-bang active processing to reduce noise for airline addicts and those with a crib full of rambunctious youngsters. The circuitry is housed in an in-line module with an On / Off button and a compartment for a single AAAA (yes, AAAA) battery, which should last you around 50 hours. You know, plenty of time to head off to Akihabara and back for a few new Japanese exclusives.
