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Adidas' latest workout headphones have knitted bands and ear cushions
Adidas has unveiled its latest headphone models designed for those who like to work up a sweat. The $149 FWD-01 is a wireless in-ear set targeted towards runners. There are in-line controls on the knitted cord connecting the two earpieces and a "passive transparency" feature Adidas says will help you hear what's going on around you.
Marshall adds the in-ear Minor II to its line of wireless headphones
When you examine Marshall's line of wireless headphones, there's a glaring omission: an in-ear model. The company has certainly offered in-ear options, but the current lineup only includes fully wired units. Marshall aims to change that today with the addition of the Minor II: a pair of wireless earbuds that are connected with a cable for behind-the-neck (or down in front) wear like the BeatsX.
B&O Play redesigns its Earset headphones for the wireless generation
Today, B&O Play announced a refresh of its Earset earphones. These new premium in-ear headphones keep the adjustable design of their predecessors, but they've been updated with the latest technology. You can preorder the Earset wireless bluetooth earphones on B&O Play's website for $299 (£269 in the UK), though only the Graphite Brown model is available. They also come in white, which will ship starting June 1st.
Audeze makes $2,495 earbuds only an audiophile could love
Audeze built a reputation on really good (and more portable) planar magnetic headphones. Back in September the company debuted its first in-ear model: the iSine. Despite looking somewhat like a mini TIE fighter, those bulkier earbuds do a solid job of improving sound quality for people who prefer that fit to an on-ear or over-ear set of headphones. There's even a separate model made specifically to pair with a VR headset. This week, Audeze took another huge step in its in-ear lineup by announcing the $2,495 LCDi4.
Bragi's latest wireless earbuds are now available for $149
Bragi announced the follow-up to its feature-packed activity tracking Dash wireless earbuds back in September. That product, known as the Headphone, was slated to ship in November, but after a short delay it's now available to everyone. The new $149 set of wireless in-ear headphones don't carry the same tracking abilities and hand gestures as its $300 predecessor, but don't let the lack of smarts fool you. This more affordable model is still a solid set of wireless earbuds.
Sony expands its Extra Bass headphone and speaker line
Sony debuted its MDR-1000X high-end wireless noise-canceling headphones back in September, but here at CES the company is adding a truckload of new midrange options to its Extra Bass line. First, there are two wireless models, the MDR-XB950N1 and MDR-XB950B1, with the key difference being the addition of noise-canceling tech on the N1. Both use NFC to make Bluetooth pairing a breeze with AptX and AAC on board to keep that connection strong.
Audeze modified its in-ear planar magnetic headphones for VR
When Audeze announced it's iSine in-ear planar magnetic headphones last summer, the company also touted the device's ability to play nice with the Oculus Rift. Here at CES, Audeze is officially announcing a dedicated VR version of the TIE fighter-esque audio accessory. The iSine VR, as it's called, will work with the HTC Vive, PlayStation VR and StarVR headsets, on top of the previously announced Rift compatibility.
Apple's BeatsX wireless headphones are delayed until February
When Apple announced it was killing the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, it revealed a handful of wireless options to keep the music going. In addition to those AirPods that just went on sale today, the company's Beats line pulled the wraps off of three headphone models that featured the same W1 quick-pairing chip as Apple's delayed wireless option. Today, Apple also updated the BeatsX product page to note that the set of wireless in-ear headphones won't ship until February.
Jabra's headphones can be prescribed by a doctor to monitor fitness
Doctors can now prescribe fitness-tracking headphones as part of of a patient's health management regime. Jabra announced today that ts newly announced Sport Pulse wireless headphones are now part of TrainerMD's HIPPA-compliant 360 Health Program. This means that the audio accessory can be prescribed by a physician or trainer to help a patient with fitness and nutrition. What's more, Jabra says that this is the first time a wearable device has been made available as part of a prescription wellness program to combat obesity, diabetes and cancer.
Fender now offers musicians guitar gear and headphones
If you're looking for some affordable in-ear monitors and a new guitar, Fender's got you covered. The company joined fellow guitar maker Gibson in a product category we all should've seen coming: headphones. More specifically, Fender now has a range of wired in-ear monitors with five models ranging from $99 up to $500. For the tech inside, the company turned to headphone maker Aurisonics. In fact, Fender bought the small company that mostly catered to pro musicians and audiophiles last year.
Jaybird's sport earbuds offer customized sound with an app
Jaybird's line of wireless in-ear headphones has become a popular choice for listening to music during a workout. At CES 2016, the company has two new models: Freedom and X3. While both offer wireless connectivity, the MySound companion app is perhaps the most appealing feature for both. The software allows you to customize the audio based on your listening habits: You can tweak the EQ as well as save settings to the Jaybird Freedom earbuds so that no matter which device you're listening from, your sound profile is there. In other words, the settings are synced on the headphones, and Jaybird says it's the first to offer the feature on wireless sport earbuds.
Sony's pricey noise cancelling PS4 headset launches next month
Sony already offers a varied range of official accessories for the PlayStation 4, but in-ear headphones have mostly been shunned in favor of on-ear headsets. The good news is that if you've been waiting for a pair of branded buds, the company is finally ready to step up to the plate. With its new In-ear Stereo Headset, Sony will debut its noise-reducing AudioShield technology, adding more immersion to your gaming sessions, while filtering out any unwanted background noise during your daily commute.
Sennheiser takes aim at Beats with new Urbanite headphones
Some folks enjoy a load of bass when it comes to their headphone selection. That's fine, and you won't get any judgment here. In fact, Sennheiser has taken notice, revealing its new Urbanite on-ear and over-ear (XL) headphones designed with a healthy portion of low-end tones. Claiming to keep "bringing the bass for an intense club experience on the move," the duo does indeed pack some thump while keeping the company's trademark clarity throughout. Don't expect anything overkill here. The cans have an in-line remote, stainless steel hinges for folding down to pack away, cloth-draped headbands, soft-wrapped earpads and aluminum sliders that adjust for a comfy fit. The company says it's these "high quality materials" that set the new wares apart from what the likes of Beats and others have released. It's looking to compete in the color department too, as six different schemes across iOS and Android/Windows models (including a denim option) are sure to suit most tastes. While the $199 on-ear Urbanite model goes on sale today, the $249 over-ear Urbanite XL is set to arrive in Q4.
Jabra's pulse-tracking earbuds tout Bluetooth for fewer tangles
Heart rate-tracking in-ear headphones are starting to pop up on the regular it seems. A couple weeks ago, SMS Audio revealed its collaborative effort with Intel, and now Jabra's joining the fray, but without the tether. In an effort to limit cord tangles, the audio outfit's Sport Pulse wireless earbuds connect to your phone via Bluetooth for sorting tunes and tracking your pulse. Dolby sound handles the listening duties while an in-line remote wrangles those mid-run track changes. Inside, an optical, biometric heart rate monitor keeps tabs on your workout, beaming collected data to the Sport Life companion app and peppering your activity with personalized coaching for added motivation. And as you might expect, the software helps plan workouts and logs info from each session. The wireless set goes on sale October 1st for $200 (£200), but you can pre-order now if you're unable to contain the excitement.
B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside: danish design, premium prices
It was just last month that Bang & Olufsen unveiled the H3 and H6 headphones under its cheaper-to-enter B&0 Play brand for the EU. Today, B&O introduced these two dapper additions stateside, announcing them at its SoHo NY shop. If you'll recall, the aluminum-clad H3 in-ears pack 10.3mm drivers aided by mini bass ports, while the H6 over-ears feature 40mm drivers and a healthy heaping of leather-wrapped memory foam padding. Both have an iOS-friendly inline remote and straight 3.5mm-capped cabling. We spent some time with the H6 and we're surprised at how light it is -- which also made for an extremely comfortable first impression when it was placed around this editor's ears. The sound from the H6's drivers is crispy and light with a fairly flat voicing that's free of any noticeable sibilance. A 3.5mm input resides on each of its earcups, which allows for daisy-chaining so you can listen with a buddy. We're told the H3 intra-aurals should sound similar (we couldn't get a clean pair to jam in our ears). %Gallery-187820% Expect to pay $250 for the H3 and $400 for the H6 come July, which is a bit pricier than the likes of B&W's P3 and P5 headphones. We'll have to get back to you about whether the prices match the products, but grab a look in the gallery for now.
Sony ships new Extra Bass headphone lineup to the US, delivers that Direct Vibe to your brain
If you'd like your Sony headphones to be a little less judgmental, we've got good news. The company's MDR-XB400, MDR-XB600 and MDR-XB800 Extra Bass headphones, along with the MDR-XB60EX in-ears, have arrived in the US for those who want low-end frequencies without the talent show branding. All four carry Sony's newer Advanced Direct Vibe to emphasize the sub-bass notes of "today's music styles" (read: electronic and hip-hop) as well as a serrated cord that keeps the cord tangling to a minimum. Working your way up the range mostly improves the frequency range, which starts at an already bass-heavy 5Hz to 22kHz in the XB400 and scales up to a tooth-rattling 3Hz to 28kHz for the XB800; you'll also see the sensitivity jump from 100dB/mW to 106. Provided you don't mind tweaking software to occasionally recover some treble, the entire collection is ready to wobble your head at prices that range from $60 for the starter XB400 headphones to $150 for the XB800.
SteelSeries Flux and Flux In-Ear Pro headsets ears-on (video)
"This is the best sounding in-ear product below $250," SteelSeries' Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Rom, told us between songs. "I'll go on record saying that." Rom was talking about the firm's new Flux In-Ear Pro headset, and had similar words for the brand's foldable on-ear Flux cans. The earbuds and their full sized companions are part of the company's "freedom to play" campaign, and it has the utmost confidence in them. Rom even told us the foldable Flux headset lasted 90 minutes in the firm's "soccer test," a SteelSeries tradition that plays out exactly like it sounds: international football with consumer electronics. Our hands-on was decidedly less rough.
Ears-on with Klipsch's latest intra-aural headphone lineup: Image S4 (II) series, X7i
Been fancying a new set of in-ear headphones as of late? If you'll recall, it was last week when Klipsch quietly revealed its new $200 Image X7i and a trio of Image S4 (II) series in-ears. Today, after getting our mitts on the new Image One on-ear models at its NYC event, we were able check out the in-ears for the first time. To refresh your memory, the X7i is the company's first set crafted from ceramic materials, featuring balanced-armature drivers and intended as a step-down option from its $350 X10i. The S4 (II) models, on the other hand, are unsurprisingly refreshes of its tried and true S4 line. So if you're interested in finding out more, join us past the break for our detailed impressions.
Klipsch quietly teases new in-ear headphone lineup: S4 (II) series, X7i set to arrive this month
Leave it to Klipsch to surprise us with new gear for our ears when we least expect it. Within the last day or so, the company quietly pushed a "coming soon" page live on its website chock full of new in-ear headphones. To start, the S4 series is getting a complete refresh across the lineup and taking up the (II) moniker -- namely, the $80 S4 (II), and the $100 S4i (II) and S4a (II), which respectively feature an inline remote / mic for iOS and Android devices. While the trio of intra-aurals look largely similar to their ear-pleasing predecessors, Klipsch has graced them with flat cables to kill the tangled-cord issues we've experienced. Better yet, it's also showcasing the $200 X7i (seen middle), a curvaceous set of balanced armature-loaded ceramic 'bubs, equipped with an iOS-compatible remote / mic. The S7i essentially fills the "mid-range" gap in price from the S4i to the $350 X10i. Detailed specs for all the sets aren't anywhere to be seen currently We'll be sure to get some impressions at Klipsch's NYC event next week, but for now, you can rest assured knowing that you'll have a choice of black or white for everything except the S4a (II) -- and that it's all already up for pre-order at the source link below.
Harman AKG teams up with Quincy Jones on Signature Line of headphones
Gone is the day when headphones could be respectable without some kind of corporate tie-in or Lady Gaga endorsement. Alas, even Harman's revered AKG division has roped in the venerable Quincy Jones for its new (wait for it) Quincy Jones Signature Line. We're talking three models here, ready for launch in October and ranging from the Q 701 "reference class" over-the-ear cans (pictured), the Q 460 lightweight headphones, and Q 350 buds. The Q 701 features ergonomically-shaped cushions of velvet, an "unbeatable" linear frequency response covering 10Hz to 39.8kHz, a 45-mm high excursion driver, and detachable 99-percent oxygen-free cables. The portable $229.99 Q 460 on-ear headphones feature a 3D-axis folding system and an iPhone compatible in-line remote with microphone and play, pause, and skip functions. The in-ear Q 350 also bring iPhone compatible and target the "audiophile on the go" with $149.99 to burn. Seems fitting for a man with 79 Grammy nominations (and 27 awards) to benefit from his name. And you can feel better about him selling out knowing that an undisclosed sum from every pair of headphones sold goes towards the Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium -- a foundation dediqated to eduqating Ameriqan kids about musiq. Ironic, because the Grammys might actually be relevant if American music corporations knew anything about good music.%Gallery-101028%
