earphones
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Apple tracking an issue with defective Monster headphones?
We just received a tip and some screencaps, purportedly from the Apple-verse, with a word of warning about Monster's headphone lineup. Apple is apparently blaming the "conductive flanges" used in many of Monster's earbuds for erratic stopping and starting of playback on Apple devices. The point of this internal memo seems for support staff to recognize that what a consumer might assume is a defect in an Apple product might actually be a Monster problem. Interestingly, Apple's list of problem headphones doesn't mention any of the Beats-labeled products that Apple actually sells, and is limited to Monster headphones that include "ControlTalk" tech for controlling playback with a cable-mounted mic / volume / pause remote, modeled after Apple's own iPhone-bundled earbuds. We're not sure if this means Monster is mis-applying Apple standards or just has a manufacturing defect, and it's also unclear if this problem also extends to the ControlTalk-equipped products in the joint-developed Beats lineup, but if you've been having some trouble with random stop-starts in your music on your $400 pair of Copper Turbines (and you aren't listening to James Blake), perhaps this will clear up some confusion. A full list of the affected 'buds is after the break. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Future Sonics debuts Atrio Special Edition professional earphones
Looking for some earphones below a $999 reference set of buds but above the mid-range fare filling the shelves at your local department store? Then you can now at Future Sonics' new Atrio Special Edition "professional" earphones to your list of options. Coming at $229, the earphones pack the company's MG7 transducer and so called TrueTimbre technology to provide what's described as "rich, dynamic and full sound" -- in terms of specs, you'll get a frequency response of 8Hz – 20,000Hz, along with a sensitivity level of 112dB at 30Hz, and ambient noise rejection of +/- 26 dB. As a bonus, you'll also get a carrying case made from reclaimed tires, which is not only environmentally-friendly but one of a kind in appearance. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and hit up the link below for a hands-on look courtesy of Gadling.
Marshall Headphones joining your JCM 900 on November 15
Details are few and far betwixt right now, but a legendary name in guitar amplification is about to branch out in a big way. The cans you see above are slated to launch officially on November 15th, proudly boasting the Marshall label, a 1/4-inch input jack and soft, pillowy earcups. We get the impression that at least the initial run may be a limited time offer, so those interested in getting a head start can peek the source link for an early pre-order signup. Mum's the word on price, but given that you sunk well over a grand into the tubes behind you, there's little doubt that you'll be overlooking a modest premium.
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.
iPhone Awareness! app selectively filters outside noises into your headphones, saves hipster lives
Apps are funny things. They tend to provide narrow utility -- focusing intensely on one specific thing -- but once you get used to them, you wonder how you lived without them. Take this Awareness! app, for example: it gauges environmental noise levels, sets up a threshold, and then pipes in anything louder than that into your skull alongside your music. Reasons why you'd want that to happen include oncoming SUVs, mothers screaming because their babies are in peril (from oncoming SUVs), or something as benign as your teacher yelling at you for not paying attention in class. There's a nice set of options too, such as manually adjusting how loud a sound must be to be allowed entry into your cranium, as well as pausing of the app or of your music. Awareness! is available for five bucks on the iPhone and iPod touch, and will soon jump on to the iPad, Android, Symbian, and even the Mac and PC.
TUAW earphone throwdown: Altec Lansing Muzx Ultra vs. Scosche IDR655m
When it comes to listening to music, watching movies on the run, or even making phone calls, the earphones you use on your iDevice make a difference. Apple's iconic white earbuds are everywhere, and the inline remote control and mic can be used on every iPhone, iPod, and iPad to some extent, although the lower-end iPods logically can't use the mic. For audiophile Apple fans, those white earbuds just don't cut it, so a number of manufacturers have come out with high-end earphones. As fate would have it, two of those earphones -- the Altec Lansing Muzx Ultra (US$99.95) and Scosche IDR655m ($99.99) both arrived at my door about the same time. When I have competing reviews to do, I go the lazy route and force the entries to face off in a TUAW throwdown. Click the Read More link below and see who the winner is in this head-to-head battle of the earphones.
Nokia Mobile TV Headset acts as a TV antenna for your unreleased Symbian^3 device
Okay, so Symbian^3 is still just a glint in our eyes, but that launch date is fast approaching and here's a neat little accessory to keep up excitement for the platform: the Mobile TV Headset. You know how most phones use the cord of your earphones as an FM aerial? Well, this thing does the same, only with DVB-H teevee signals, piping them straight through into your USB-on-the-go-equipped Nokia handset. It comes with channel-changing, call-receiving, and volume controls, and will set you back €40 ($51) before taxes in Q4 of this year. [Thanks, Maximus]
Sleek Audio's SA7 earphones briefly tested, dubbed 'stonkingly good'
We didn't get to hear them for ourselves at IFA 2010, and it sounds like we missed out -- a pair of publications are already showering Sleek Audio's nigh-bulletproof SA7 buds with praise. The tightly-woven carbon fiber casing may look stylish, but both SlashGear and TrustedReviews were even more impressed by the sound, calling the combination of dual-armature drivers and one-piece aluminum housing "more precise" and "stonkingly good" respectively. Both noted hugely powerful bass that sounded fantastic alongside the trebles and mids, rather than drowning them out, and high frequencies that remained comfortable to listen to even at higher volume -- a mark of excellence, to be sure. Of course, one typically expects quality audio when slapping four Benjamins down -- we'll have to hear how these stack up against other audiophile buds.
Klipsch Image S5i Rugged in-ear headphones earn our respect (video)
"Rugged" is one of those terms thrown around pretty loosely by the consumer electronics industry. So when Klipsch, a name that's not exactly synonymous with husky men in the saddle, rolled out a rugged version of its S4i in-ear speakers under the Image S5i Rugged moniker, well, we just had to put them to the test. But first we had to give these $129.99 'buds a listen... from the very noisy floor of the Messe Berlin convention center. Fortunately, the oval ear tips did an excellent of job of isolating most external sounds, thus allowing us to hear a rich reproduction of lows and mids with a noticeable emphasis on bass. Not a surprise since the Image S5i headphones feature the same acoustic characteristics as the Image S4i and Image S4 headphones that came before them. But what we really wanted to know was how that "moisture-resistant" (not waterproof) Apple-compatible three-button remote / mic would hold-up to a torture test. Fortunately, the Image S5i Rugged managed to keep the music playing and under control even after a generous bath of bottled water. Rugged and classy? Looks like iPod, iPhone, and iPad owners just made a new friend.
Ultimate Ears announces $999 In-Ear Reference Monitors and $19.99 Blue Robots, because it can
Ultimate Ears is pushing out a tag team of in-ear earphones that clearly demonstrates the heights (and depths) the Logitech-owned company is willing to scale. Starting at the extreme high end are the Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitors. The $999 price tag should help clarify the target audience here (hint: professional producers and recording / mixing engineers on the go). Each handcrafted monitor, developed in partnership with EMI Music's Capitol Studios, contains three individually tuned, balanced armature speakers with an extended wide band response from 5Hz to 18kHz. They provide up to 32dB of noise isolation with a low-distortion braided cable replacing the typical Y-joint connector. Dialing things down just a bit (uh hem) for consumers are the $19.99 Ultimate Ears 100 (pictured after the break). These "trendy" noise-isolating earphones offer 24dBs of noise isolation and ship in five styles, including our personal fave "Blue Robots." Look for each to ship to Europe and the US sometime in September.
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%
Samsung Galaxy Tab to have HDMI dock, leather case, and other sideshow trinkets
We're starting to think Samsung has given up the pretense of keeping the Galaxy Tab's details secret and is letting them all out now. Accessories for its upcoming 7-inch Android tablet have been spotted on one of Sammy's many online portals, complete with pricing. The headline act here will be that "table charging station" on the top left, which happens to have a neat set of HDMI and audio output ports, making the Tab a quirky but viable choice for pumping movies into your HDTV. It's said to be priced at €54 ($69), which we might consider expensive if it wasn't for the keyboard peripheral costing €82 ($105). The relative bargain of the set is the leather case that doubles as a stand, asking for only €41 ($52).
Nox Audio explores audiophile options with Scout mini headset, we go ears-on
When the Scout in-ear headset launches this fall, it'll actually be Nox Audio's second debut product -- the first is the Specialist we just reviewed -- but unlike that pair of supra-aural cans, these little devils may actually have quality sound. Even in the hustle and bustle of the E3 2010 floor, we were able to make out clear, nuanced audio from their balanced armature drivers, and were impressed by the build quality as well. The silicone tab attached to each phone kept them more easily affixed to the ears, and both the in-line microphone and send / end button for calls were so tiny a Nox rep had to point them out -- at first, we thought they were part of the cord. At an estimated $70, though, we'll be eager to see how they compete with Klipsch, not to mention Apple's model. %Gallery-95517%
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.
Apple launches Headphones with Remote Replacement Program
Apple has launched a replacement program for third-generation iPod shuffle headphones with remote controls that exhibit performance problems. The symptoms of the issues, which have led to some lengthy discussions in Apple's Support Forum, include controls that are non-responsive or work intermittently, unexpected volume increase or decrease, and unexpected playing of voice feedback. The serial number ranges of the iPod shuffle with the affected headphones are xx909xxxxxx to xx952xxxxxx and xx001xxxxxx to xx004xxxxxx. A very small percentage of iPod shuffle owners have experienced the problems, according to Apple. The issue is apparently limited to headphones that were included with the 3rd gen iPod shuffle made between approximately February 2009 and February 2010. Apple also notes that any Apple earphones with built-in remote, like the ones that ship with the iPhone, are covered under this replacement program as well. Full details on the replacement program, including how to locate your serial number and the steps to go through to obtain your new headphones, are on the Apple Headphones with Remote Replacement Program page. Thanks to reader Michael B. for the tip.
Sleek Audio's SA7 earphones withstand 14,000 Gs of acceleration, dent your wallet accordingly
Do you find yourself whipping about earbuds like boleadoras when you're bored? Here's a pair that can take your abuse. The long-awaited successor to Sleek Audio's famous SA6 'phones -- dubbed the SA7 -- have the same adjustable bass / treble ports and removable cords of their predecessor, but in a case machined from solid aluminum with a carbon fiber shell and titanium screws. Inside, the drivers are cushioned by shock-absorbing silicone that lets them take a 14,000 G beating, which Wikipedia tells us is roughly the same rating as a navigation chip inside an artillery round. The company told Popular Science the SA7's thin aluminum shell lets listeners hear a whole extra octave; if that tempts you, you'll only have to cough up $400 and change (plus an extra $100 for a wireless Kleer kit) for the privilege. Update: Sleek Audio pinged us to say that the SA6 is still hanging around; the SA7 is simply the new flagship. It'll be shipping at some point in 2010 -- we'll keep you posted.
SolidAlliance's Crazy Earphones v2: because ear fungus sells
Japan's SolidAlliance earned a warm place in our collective nerd bosom long ago for the sheer lunacy of the products it creates. Today it's offering round two of its Crazy Earphone collection that includes some kind of mushroom (that is a mushroom, right?), the ol' Katana blade or arrow through the head trick, and a parasitical, conjoined ear if you want everyone to think you've been subjected to a tragic cloning experiment. Spec-wise your ¥2,000 (about $22) will take home a pair of in-ear buds with 20 ~ 20,000Hz frequency range assisted by a 10-mm driver. Not that it matters: there's no chance in hell that you're buying these for performance reasons.%Gallery-86590%
Jays to ship seven new earbuds this year, prestige x-JAYS included
We hate to point out the obvious, but it's been a hot minute (or two, actually) since we've seen any new gear from Sweden's own Jays. Evidently the company's been hoarding up its wares for a mass introduction, as seven new products were brought to the public's attention this week. The new a-JAYS and t-JAYS are both slated to hit the market in Q1 of this year, with each series being available in three different styles with different sound features. Each will ship with a protective travel case, and for those with extra coin to spend, a gaggle of accessories should also be available. The x-JAYS (citing as the "prestige" model) will ship in Q2, and these are described as being the planet's smallest in-ear headphones with a quadro armature. Mum's the word on pricing, but we're guessing they'll be somewhere between "reasonable" and "are you kidding me?" [Thanks, Anders]
Sony's noise-canceling earphones US-bound in February
You didn't have to wait until now to pick up Sony's MDR-NC300D noise-canceling earphones -- after all, they've been imported from Japan since their June debut. Still, now that the 'buds are hitting official status US routes in February, it'll be a heck of a lot easier to make that impulse buy. No price mentioned, but expect at least a few Benjamins to automatically eject from your wallet.
Etymotic moving-coil based earphones ears-on
Etymotic is holding down fort in the iLounge Pavilion at CES showcasing its new line of less expensive moving-coil based headphones. The mc-series consists of the hf2, hf3, and hf5, and employs the moving-coil sound tech instead of more expensive balanced armiture hardware. As Etymotic explained, it's the extra air chamber that makes the moving coil acoustics better than they would normally be. We're not crazy audiophiles, and we can't really make a realistic judgment in the middle of the Las Vegas Convention Center, but the sound quality was definitely passable. They've got a couple of models sporting in-line remote controls for iPhone / iPod touch, and you can score 'em in any color to match your iPod nano. Check the neon 'buds out in our gallery below. %Gallery-82486%
