They're awesome, but awesomelyexpensive. They're Sennheiser's MX W1, and they might be the
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When Ericsson Mobile set out in 1994 to develop the Bluetooth wireless standard, earpieces were one of the things that it first had in mind. Despite this, consumers haven't yet seen many Bluetooth audio devices that can reproduce full stereo sound. But that is starting to change. At CES this year there were a number of stereo headphones that promised to bring high-quality dual-channel sound to consumers. One such device is Bluetake's i-Phono Hi-Fi Sports Headphones.
Don't take these as just an expensive replacement for the cheap earbuds that come with most portable audio players today. We got a chance to give one a try, and found out that it has a couple of [more] tricks up its sleeve.
But before we get to the tricks, some background. The first question we had was: why are these devices just hitting the market now, when Bluetooth has been available to consumers since 1998? One expert on the CES floor explained that there have been two main obstacles: chip prices and data transmission rates. As Bluetooth has become more popular and its use more widespread, manufacturing costs have been on the decline, removing one problem. But obviously there hasn't been an increase in the amount of data that the 2.4 GHz band is able to carry. Even though the specification standard 1.2 is already in most devices crossing register counters today, manufacturers are still limited by a 1 Mbps data rate.
While 1 Mbps may seem adequate to transmit a stereo signal to a pair of headphones, other information particular to the Bluetooth standard must also share the bandwidth. Signal encryption, error-correction protocols and device authentication codes all have to be broadcast and received alongside any user specified data. That doesn't leave a lot of room to send the latest Britney song in Hi Fi Stereo through the air, but it can be done.
Several manufacturers have begun adding advanced compression capabilities - referred to as the advanced audio distribution profile (AD2P) - to the latest Bluetooth chips, allowing them to work with each other to carry high quality, split signal sound. Like two friends sharing a .zip file over email, the file is shrunk in the Bluetooth transmitter, sent, and then decompressed in the headphones. The separate signals are then sent to the left and right channels. This is obviously a bit more complex than the procedure used to send relatively low quality voice signals between a phone and an earpiece.
The i-Phono has hinges which allow it to be collapsed for travel.
Now let's get to the headset itself. The basic i-Phono Headset package comes with the headphones, an audio dongle, an AC adapter, a 1-to-2 adapter connector - for easy simultaneous charging of the dongle and the headphones - a USB charging cable, 4 sets of color plates, and a manual.
The LED on the dongle flashes blue when paired with the headset.
The dongle features an LED status indicator, a pairing button, a power switch, a power jack, and the audio-in jack. The batteries in both the dongle and the headphones usually last around six hours.
Save the power switch, all controls are on the right earpiece.
On the headphones there is a volume +/- button, a pairing/talk button, a power switch, a charging LED indicator, a status LED indicator, a small female DC port, and a fold-away boom microphone. Each button or switch has a unique raised pattern that, with only a little practice, will let you easily operate the headphones while wearing them.
All of this sounds like a lot to fit into a pair of headphones, and it is. These definitely aren't the small headphones they hand out on airplanes, and they aren't meant to be a replacement for your $300 enthusiast cans either. They are aimed at the active MP3 player owners that seem to be growing in numbers daily.
Something different
Silence x Sound: the future of headphones now – from Sony
As the world gets noisier, silence becomes more precious. At work or relaxing, travelling or at rest, silence matters. Using specially developed digital technology, Sony has created the new MDR-NC100D and MDR-NC200D noise-cancelling headphones for silence on demand.
MDR-NC200D
These highly portable headphones mean aircraft and train journeys need no longer be an endurance test. Music does not have to compete with background noise. You can turn down the volume, spare your ears and still hear every note from your MP3 player. A busy office or departure lounge is no longer an annoying distraction when you need to concentrate.
Both models are powered by the Sony S-Master Full Digital amplifier which ensures excellent overall audio quality. Each showcases Sony Digital Noise Cancelling (DNC) technology that achieves a precision of ambient noise sampling and anti-phasing beyond the reach of analogue systems.
The result is extremely efficient noise reduction which is further enhanced with signal processing by the Sony Digital Equalizer. This ensures that audio output closely matches the characteristics of the original signal. A notable benefit is the elimination of the exaggerated bass that is typically associated with noise-reduction systems.
Best of all, the noise-cancelling algorithm is intelligently flexible and responsive to different environments. A touch of a button invokes the Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancelling (AINC) capability which samples ambient noise and automatically selects the best mode for optimum noise-cancellation.
Physically, the two headphone models are quite distinct. The MDR-NC100D has ear buds and can be carried in a pocket. These incorporate large 13.5mm drivers with a wide frequency and dynamic range for high-quality music reproduction. The vertical, in-ear design yields both better wearing comfort and a more secure fit than conventional alternatives.
The MDR-NC200D has full-size 40mm driver units for outstanding fidelity. The housings are fitted with a pressure-relieving urethane cushion in the ear pad which works with the overall light weight design to ensure hours of comfortable use. The housings fold up below the headband, making the MDR-NC200D exceptionally compact when packed away.
People can choose the model that best suits their needs, but in either case they will benefit from sophisticated noise-cancellation, outstanding audio quality and top-end design.
Notes to editors
1 Under the Sony measurement standard.
2 Equivalent to approx. 98.2% reduction of energy of sound compared with not wearing headphones.
3 May not be compatible with some in-flight music services.
Technical specifications
2 Equivalent to approx. 98.2% reduction of energy of sound compared with not wearing headphones.
3 May not be compatible with some in-flight music services.
Technical specifications
Model | MDR-NC200D | MDR-NC100D |
Type | Dynamic, closed | Dynamic, closed |
Driver units | 40mm, dome type (CCAW adopted | 13.5mm, dome type (CCAW adopted |
Power handling capacity | 50mW | 50mW |
Impedance | 68Ω at 1 kHz (when power is on) 35 Ω at 1kHz (when power is off) | 70Ω at 1 kHz (when power is on) 16 Ω at 1kHz (when power is off) |
Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW (when power is on) 102 dB/mW (when power is off) | 110 dB/mW (when power is on) 103 dB/mW (when power is off) |
Frequency response | 8 Hz – 23 kHz | 8 Hz – 23 kHz |
Total noise suppression ratio1 | Approx 17.5 dB2 | Approx 17.5 dB2 |
Power source | DC 1.5V 1 x LR03 (AAA) battery | DC 1.5V 1 x LR03 (AAA) battery |
Cord | Approx. 1.5 m OFC Litz cord, neck-chain (including control box) | |
Mass | Approx 180g | Approx 9 g headphones (not including cord) Approx. 26 g control box (including battery, not including cord) |
Included items | Headphones (1) Plug adaptor for in-flight use3(single/dual) (1) Connecting cord (1.5 m, gold plated L type stereo mini plug) (1) Carrying case (1) Sony LR03 (size AAA) battery (1) Operating Instructions (1) Warranty card (1) | Headphones (1) Plug adaptor for in-flight use*3 (single/dual) (1) Noise Isolation Earbuds (S x 2, M x 2, L x 2) Cord adjuster (1) Carrying pouch (1) Sony LR03 (size AAA) battery (1) Operating Instructions (1) Warranty card (1) |
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Sony is a leading global innovator of audio, video, communications and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA™ LCD high-definition (HD) television, Cyber-shot™ digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “α” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIO™ personal computers and 3D HD professional broadcast equipment. Offering a complete end-to-end 3D value chain and with its electronics, music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands, employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide.
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