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Master & Dynamic's new headphones take cues from Bamford watches
It's no secret that Master & Dynamic makes some of the best-looking headphones around these days, and the company routinely enlists other like-minded brands to join them. On heels of a Leica collaboration, M&D teamed up with UK-based Bamford Watch Department to re-imagine its wireless MW60 headphones. While Master & Dynamic's signature metal construction is still here with a matte black finish, it's the details from the luxury watchmaker that offer a new spin on the familiar over-ear headphones.
Marshall's next long-lasting wireless headphone has a familiar look
Until now, if you wanted a set of wireless headphones that matched your Marshall guitar amp, you had to choose between two on-ear options. Today, the company revealed an over-ear model in the Monitor Bluetooth. As the name suggestions, this new entry into Marshall's personal audio line is a wireless version of the Monitor headphones it launched it 2013.
B&O adds a $299 option to its wireless headphone line
When it comes to Bang and Olufsen's audio gear, you have to be willing to shell out some extra cash to get the company's mix of design and sound. The Beoplay line does offer some more affordable options and today the over-ear Beoplay H4 wireless headphones make their debut. Priced at $299 (£249/€299), the H4s are $100 less than B&O's current most affordable wireless option: the over-ear H7.
Sennheiser's wireless headphones give Bose some competition
When it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, Bose is widely regarded as best in class, with its QuietComfort 35s doing a stellar job at blocking out unwanted distractions. Here at CES, Sennheiser has its own wireless model with active noise cancellation: the HD 4.50BTNC. Naturally we wanted to see how the headphones held up in the chaos of a trade show booth. Spoiler alert: Bose may have some competition on its hands.
Blue's pricey planar magnetic headphones feature a built-in amp
Blue may be a company known more for its studio-grade and USB microphones, but in 2017 it's taking a deeper dive into headphones. After the 2014 introduction of Mo-Fi, a set of headphones with a built-in amplifier, the company released Lola last year. Although that second set didn't feature an amp, it did still offer Blue's rather unique hinged design cut out the added heft. At CES today, the company already took the wraps off of the wireless Satellite headphones and it also has two other models that are set to ship early this year.
B&O brings noise cancellation to its wireless over-ear headphones
Bang & Olufsen debuted its wireless over-ear headphones over two years ago and despite offering active noise cancellation (ANC) for its on-ear model, the Beoplay H7 lacked that important feature. Just in time for Christmas, the company is back with an update to those over-ear headphones that delivers ANC for $100 more. The new Beoplay H9 looks nearly identical to the H7s with the only aesthetic difference being the addition of microphones on the outside of the ear cups to help block out unwanted noise.
Sennheiser's HD 6XX headphones offer audiophile audio for $200 (updated)
Sennheiser's HD 650 have been popular over-ear headphones among audiophiles since their debut over 10 years ago. At $500, the audio gear is priced just out of reach for people who were curious about high-end headphones, but didn't have a ton of extra cash to commit to the cause. However, they were widely regarded as some of the best headphones under $1,000. Thanks to a collaboration with online retailer Massdrop, Sennheiser has revived the HD 650 with the new $200 HD 6XX.
Blue's Lola headphones nix features in favor of comfort
When it comes to headphones, comfort is at the top of my list of demands. It even edges out sound quality. Blue's Mo-Fi headphones were announced last year, and while they offered great sound, a built-in amp added an uncomfortable amount of bulk. Thankfully, the company announced a lighter version, the Lola, just before the end of the year. These new headphones weigh less, but that's because they don't have that on-board headphone amplifier. The new model is $100 cheaper, but is it still worth the investment without the fancy tech?
Master & Dynamic's MW60s are a stellar mix of style and sound
My first experience with Master & Dynamic's audio gear was the time I spent with the MH40 wired headphones this summer. I noticed the company's knack for stellar design a while back, but I hadn't been able to give the goods a try. Now, the company continues its aesthetic prowess with a new set of cans: the MW60. Keeping many of the striking design details from the MH40, the MW60s nix the required cable in favor of Bluetooth connectivity. Those same materials that give the MH40s their attractive look are back once more. The combination of leather and metal not only looks sophisticated, but maintains comfort and keeps the extra heft to a minimum, even with the added wireless components. However, the added Bluetooth feature does arrive with a $149 price hike. I took a pre-production unit for a spin to see if they lived up to Master & Dynamic's reputation for stellar audio products, and here's what I found.
Sennheiser pulls Momentum Wireless headphones after Bluetooth issues
Sennheiser's Momentum headphones have been a staff favorite here at Engadget for a while. When the company announced a wireless version at CES, I was eager to get my hands on a pair for review. Unfortunately, when listening to music with the Bluetooth headphones and using an Apple Magic Mouse with my MacBook Air, I noticed regular music drop outs -- almost every time I moved my mouse. As it turns out, I wasn't the only one. After what Sennheisers says is a "small number" of customer complaints, it stopped production and shipment of the Momentum Wireless until the issue is fixed. Of course, stopping production tells me there's a big problem, but the company maintains the cases are "limited." In addition to interruptions when playing tunes, users experienced issues trying to make calls, too. Sennheiser explained the culprit could be a number of factors that prey on wireless connections, which could include anything from interference to signal strength that can't handle high-traffic areas.
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.
SOL Republic outs Master Tracks XC over-ear headphones for $250
SOL Republic's just taken the wraps off of what it's calling the first "professional-caliber" headphones it's made: the Master Tracks XC. When it comes to audio chops, the company says it created a new XC Sound Engine design for the cans that grant them acoustic accuracy, reproducing deep bass and a strong, distortion-free mid-range. What's more, the over-ear headphones have been been "studio tuned" by DJ Calvin Harris, and more than a year's work has gone into their creation. A rugged six-foot cable with a 5-inch coil and a 1/4-inch adapter accompanies the hardware, as does a cable bearing a microphone and three buttons. If the Master Tracks XC strikes your fancy, you can scoop them up this month for $250.
Bowers & Wilkins launches the P7, its first pair of over-ear headphones
We've seen on-ear and in-ear headphones come out of Bowers & Wilkins' labs for quite some time, but now the company has announced its first over-ear pair. The new P7s boast the style's natural advantages, of course -- ear-covering cushions that mold to the wearer's head, improving noise isolation. B&W crafted new audio drivers for the cans too, which it claims are designed more like "traditional audiophile speaker" than a pair of premium headphones. The device's leather and metal finish looks sleek, but it doesn't come cheap -- a pair will set you back $400 when it comes out this September. Too rich for your blood? Well, you can always opt for one of B&W's relatively more affordable options.
B&O Play H3 and H6 bring Bang & Olufsen's newer badge to headphones
Bang & Olufsen already offers headphones, and it has the B&O Play line to serve a mobile-oriented world. Wouldn't it be nice if the two categories mixed? As of today, they do. The B&O Play H3 in-ears and H6 over-ears apply that Danish love of aluminum and leather to the kind of headphones you'd want to pack with your MP3 player or smartphone. The H3 carries 10.8mm drivers, a mini bass port and a 20Hz to 16kHz range in a unibody shape that should hold up to exercise; the slightly more stationary H6 over-ears sport 40mm drivers and a wider 20Hz to 22kHz range. Both have primarily iOS-oriented in-line mics and remotes, although the H6 alone has Monster-sourced daisy chaining support to share tunes with others. Don't expect a significant break in B&O's premium pricing just because they're B&O Play-branded headsets, however. The H3 and H6 will respectively cost €249 and €399 when they hit some retail stores in May, and US pricing isn't likely to be much cheaper.
Jabra's Revo, Revo Wireless and Vox headphones get priced, now shipping
Jabra's fresh batch of stereo headphones were first trotted out at CES, and now they've just been graced with price tags and are up for grabs. The Revo Wireless over-ear headphone rings up at $249, while the wired flavor will set folks back $199. Jabra's in-ear Vox hardware hits wallets with a little less force thanks to a $99 asking price. If you're in need a refresher, the gear was designed with durability in mind, sports Dolby Digital Plus tech and works with its manufacturer's Sound App for iOS and Android, which promises souped-up audio quality. Pining for a set of the cans? You'll have to head over to Amazon or Dell's online storefront to pick one up.
Jabra readies Revo and Revo Wireless over-ear headphones, Vox in-ears
Jabra has been venturing further and further into headphones after years of focusing on headsets and speakerphones. CES 2013 is a perfect mirror of that shift: all three products it's launching at the show are geared towards music lovers rather than plain old conference calling. The Revo and Bluetooth-based Revo Wireless (above) both integrate Dolby Digital Plus audio processing and, along with a companion app for Android and iOS, may eke out more detail than usual from compressed songs. These and the in-ear Vox (after the break) are also designed to take a fair amount of abuse, Jabra says. The audio firm is mum on prices, but its new earpieces should grace ears sometime in the second quarter of the year. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
V-Moda's M-100 headphones get priced at $300, will ship 'in time for the holidays'
It wasn't long ago when we got an early look an listen to a near-final version of V-Moda's audiophile-tuned M-100 lifestyle headphones -- and now, after months of crowd-sourcing feedback, the company is finally green-lighting mass production. You may recall that pricing and availability hadn't been set, but now the company has confirmed that the fashionable metal-clad cans will be ready by the holidays, priced at a cool $300. As a refresher, that dollar amount snags you the foldable mil-spec 810G-rated headphones themselves, a hard-shell case, a duo of 3.5mm cables (one with a single button remote / mic, and another with an auxiliary output), corks for both cable inputs on the earcups and a quarter-inch adapter. You'll have a choice in color between white with gray, black with red (pictured) and matte black with an orange cable, while adding in an extra 10 bucks also lets you add-on a second set of customizable back-plate 'shields' and its Fader earplugs. If you're eager to ensure you'll have your own pair once the M-100 headphones are ready to ship, they'll be up for pre-order by day's end at the source link below. You'll find more details in the press release after the break -- and don't forget to peruse our detailed ears-on and interview with owner Val Kolton from last week while you make up your mind.
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.
Smartphones for audiophiles: is the iPhone 5 more musical than its rivals?
Related reviews Apple iPhone 5 Samsung Galaxy S III HTC Sensation XE (first phone with Beats Audio) The love of audio. It's a dangerous condition, because every minute spent obsessing over headphones or specs or conflicting opinions is a minute not spent enjoying your favorite tracks or discovering new ones. That's why a review like this, which compares the iPhone 5 with rival phones based largely on acoustic qualities, runs a high risk of time-wastage -- no one really needs a cacophony of flowery words with no concrete conclusions. How to steer clear of the technological equivalent of a wine-tasting? By trying our damnedest to focus only on the more practical pros and cons of these top handsets, specifically from the POV of someone who listens to a lot of music on their phone. We're talking about someone who likely prefers high-bitrate recordings and who is ready to spend money on something better than the earbuds (or EarPods) that come in the box. In addition to testing Apple's new flagship we'll also look at the iPhone 4S, which is now a ton cheaper than it was a few weeks ago, as well as the Galaxy S III (both the global and the Sprint US version) plus the HTC One X (global and AT&T), and run them all through an audiophile obstacle course that goes right from purely subjective observations through to slightly more scientific tests as well as storage, OS and battery comparisons. There'll also be some consideration of the iPhone 4, Nokia Lumia 800 and PureView 808, although it'll be more condensed. And yes, we'll end up with an overall winner, but the research here is about more than that. Different phones may suit different people, depending on their priorities. Moreover, new handsets are just around the corner -- the Lumia 920, the Note II, the LG Optimus G and whatever other goodies the future undoubtedly holds -- and so it makes sense to have a bed of knowledge against which new entrants can be judged. Interested? Then let's get started.
Logitech unveils lineup of UE headphones for in, on and around your ears (hands-on)
Logitech acquired Ultimate Ears awhile back to take advantage of its experience with professional audio, and now it's leveraged some of that institutional knowledge to create a UE line of headphones aimed at consumers. First up, there's the $100 UE 4000 on-ear model that comes in three colors: black, blue and magenta, plus a detachable cord with an in-line mic and audio controls compatible with iOS devices. The UE 6000 model takes things up a notch with an over-ear design that folds up for easy storage on the go, has an in-line remote, plus it adds active noise cancellation technology for $200. Then there's the UE 9000 Bluetooth wireless cans that also have ANC and a full suite of on-ear controls for iPhone or iPad, which can be had for $400. Lastly, there's the $400 UE 900 in-ear headphones sporting a quad-armature design and two sets braided cables -- one with in-line controls, and one without. All of the UE models start shipping in the US today, and will be available in Europe next month. We got to try on and try out all of Logitech's new gear for a brief listening session awhile back, so join us after the break for our impressions.%Gallery-163679%
