Vizio XVT HB100 Bluetooth Headphones

Even headphones have gone through a process of innovation that made them relevant with updated technology. Bluetooth headphones are now available by virtue of the wide popularity of Bluetooth devices nowadays. Vizio has come up with its new XVT HB100 Bluetooth Headphones in order to take advantage of this.

The Vizio XVT HB100 Bluetooth Headphones are not just limited for using to take and make calls, as what most Bluetooth headsets are primarily designed to do. The new Vizio XVT HB100 not only can be connected to a smartphone but also to a Bluetooth enabled laptop or HDTV. It also comes with a standard 3.5 mm jack to allow this over the ear headphones to be connected to virtually all types of audio sources.

The Vizio XVT HB100 Bluetooth Headphones feature high performance 30mm neodymium drivers that comes with SRS WOW HD sound processing. Its rechargeable battery is good for up to 9 hours of continued operation. The Vizio XVT HB100 Bluetooth Headphones is now available at Amazon for US$90.

Source

Read rest of entry

Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset review

When a product takes well over a full year to go from introduction to release, it's natural for consumer expectations to amp themselves up a notch or two. Such is the case with Razer's Chimaera, an Xbox 360-centric wireless gaming headset that was initially teased at CES 2010, and just started shipping to end users early this year. The company's been in the gaming headset business for some time now -- if you'll recall, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the (wired) Carcharias headset right around two years back. This 2.1 system promises to give Xbox Live yappers exactly what they've been waiting for, but is it really worth the $129.99 entry fee? Head on past the break for our take.

For all intents and purposes, the Chimaera is a pretty simple product. There's a wireless base station with a 3.5mm audio input jack, a 3.5mm microphone output port, a sync button (not unlike the Wiimote situation you deal with on a daily basis) and a standby button. Upon unboxing 'em, you'll probably spend the first ten minutes trying to figure out where a pair of rechargeable AAA batteries (included, phew!) are to be inserted. Here's a tip: rip the panel from the earcup that lacks a microphone. You'll thank us.

The sync process is a lot easier, and while the charging stand is hardly childproof (a simple bump will have your headset tumbling), it serves the purpose without being too unsightly. The headset itself, unfortunately, is both heavy and intimidating. And by that, we mean large. Having ample padding around the top edge and on the ear cups is certainly appreciated, but unless you have a rather sizable noggin, you'll most likely wonder how on Earth to adjust the band down. We've never had any issues with the sizing on any prior headset, but the Chimaera essentially swallowed our head, and with no way to extend the band tighter (there's only ten notches of extension -- you know, for Goliath's intense gaming sessions), we were left in an uncomfortable pinch.


In all seriousness, we'd recommend stopping by a retail shop and trying these on before buying -- it's hard to imagine them not being too large for a huge swath of people. In an attempt to make the most of it, we kept 'em loosely draped around our skull for a bit of gaming, and while the wireless performance was stellar, we found the 3.5mm headphone input to be (also) a bit on the large side. We tried three different cables, and all of them just felt a wee bit loose. No connection troubles were noticed, but it still managed to get under our skin. Audio quality was above-average for wireless gaming headsets, but these certainly won't be your go-to cans when it comes time to sink back into a sofa and enjoy an album. The lows were definitely accentuated, likely to enhance explosions often felt in first-person shooters, and we're guessing that everything's equalized to best suit movies and games, not music.

The fold-down boom mic was perfectly positioned, and our chats soared through loud and clear; we couldn't help but long for a USB connection option in order to use this as a Skype headset in a pinch, but alas, no such luck. All told, the Chimaera feels like a solid product that wasn't exactly executed to perfection -- the large, bulky design turned us off right away, and the shoddy 3.5mm input didn't do much to rebuild that lost confidence. At $129.99, you've simply too many other options from the likes of Turtle Beach and SteelSeries (just to name a couple), and unless your cranium is larger than most, you'll probably have no choice but to pass this one by.

Source

Read rest of entry

Plan-B Headphones With A Built-in MP3 Player

Amazon has started selling the Plan-B headphones that come equipped with a built-in MP3 player. You can store your favorite music on an SD/MMC card and then plays them using this wearable gadget. You can also use the Plan-B headphones for Skype or online chat. $29.99 is all you need to bring home the Plan-B headphones.

Source

Read rest of entry

Samsung’s Stick-Thin Bluetooth Headset

Wearing a Bluetooth headset nowadays may seem convenient, but it really does not look appealing and unfashionable. However, it also becomes more of a necessity as smartphones become bigger and heavier as they become more advance.

Samsung is testing out a new slim-stick type Bluetooth headset that looks more like an expensive fountain pen. It may look like it has the same functionality as any Bluetooth headset, but at least you do not need to hang it on your ear and instead hold the slim stick like a very light cell phone when taking calls.

Once this stick-thin Bluetooth headset from Samsung is given a green light, expect it to become an ideal accessory for image-conscious users who do not want to look like a robotic soldier with the headset hanging.

Source

Read rest of entry

Wicked Audio Helix Earphones

Earphones today seem to be not just a functional accessory used to listen to favorite tunes stored in portable media players. They are now being used as a means to look cool and have become some sort of fashion accessory used by both genders. That may be the reason why new earphones like the ones coming from Wicked Audio are becoming wickedly cool inside and out. Just by looking at the new Wicked Helix Earphones and you will get the drift.

The new Wicked Audio Helix Earphones sports that cool mix of design and color to give users a reason to wear it for the looks. But that is not all that these attractive earphones offer. Its function is just as attractive as well.
The Wicker Helix features a 10mm driver to provide great sound quality. It also comes with maximum noise isolation features to maintain good sound quality without outside noise interference. It is fitted with the EarHugger technology, which allows users to be as active as they can be without having to worry about the earphones falling out of their ears. This makes it quite ideal for extreme athletes as well as simple music lovers who happen to move and dance around a lot. The new Wicked Audio Helix Earphones is available at selected retailers for US$15.

Source

Read rest of entry

Westone 4 earphones review

Westone isn't exactly a household name, even in the earphone universe. But what the company lacks in recognition, it more than makes up for in quality. If you'll recall, we had a listen to its ES5 custom in-ear monitors earlier in the year, and while they cost a staggering $950, they also managed to melt our brain and thoroughly spoil us in the process. Thankfully, there's a budget alternative: the Westone 4. Granted, even 50 percent off still lands you right around $449, but many audiophiles would argue that said price is a small one to pay when looking at a quad-driver setup, a three-way crossover network and an insanely robust set of earbud tips. There's no question that these guys are aimed at the professionals in the crowd, and if you're interested in seriously stepping up your mobile listening game, you owe it to yourself to peek our full review.

Westone 4 earphones hands-on There's actually quite a bit of competition at this level in the earbud / in-ear monitor world, but Westone has managed to carve our somewhat of a niche; the 4s offer four balanced armature drivers and a custom set of earbud tips that do a better job of canceling noise than some of the active models we've listened to. Upon cracking open the box, we immediately noticed just how light these guys are. There's a conventional braided cable (which does a better-than-decent job at avoiding tangles) and larger-than-average driver modules. 'Course, Westone anticipates that you'll be wearing these a lot like an in-ear monitor, so the bulk of it the size curls up within your ear. Yeah, it requires a bit of precision when inserting them, but as you'll read below, it's well worth doing right. The company also includes a zippered hardshell case with an in-line volume control and a bag full of varied ear tips (not to mention a tip cleaner). Outside of that, you won't find any significant bells and / or whistles. No in-line iPod remote, no microphone, and no extension cord. It's pretty clear that the outfit focused its energy on the audio portion, and you'll understand immediately after trying 'em out. The left / right cable split happens around 11 inches from the earbud tips, which is just enough room to wrap each one around the top of your ear and insert the earbud. Would we have preferred a bit more leniency here? Sure, but it's not like wearing the 'buds in this manner is uncomfortable in the least.

We should point out that these ship with a small set of grey foam tips, which fit best after they're smashed a bit before insertion - think ear plugs, and you'll grok the concept. Also like ear plugs, it takes about 30 seconds for the foam to re-expand once in your ear and create a snug seal, but once that seal is formed, you're in for a treat. We honestly had a very difficult time hearing any outside noise whatsoever once these filled up within our ear, and if you've been shopping for an ideal set of earbuds for your jetsetter lifestyle, we'd estimate that these would be perfect on the airplane. The real question, however, is this: how does a $449 pair of 'buds handle music? In a word: magically. In a trifecta of them: insanely, incredibly well. There's really just no reason to get complicated here - regardless of the genre, the Westone 4s managed to perform with precision, and they have instantly become our favorite earbuds in the sub-$500 realm. We tried out seven other eartips that the company included, and none fit our canals as well as the stock foam tips. Granted, those with larger / smaller ears will appreciate the varied sizes and shapes (including a triple-flanged rubber tip), but the seal and sound came from the foamies. If pressed to describe the sound, we'd compare it to Klipsch's $350 X10i in a lot of ways, but without the iconic Klipsch bump in the mid / high range. Truth be told, we were downright floored by just how level these felt. We didn't sense one iota of distortion, nor did we get the feeling that these had been EQ'd at the factory to bring out one particular frequency range. The music sounds exactly like the producer intended, and we were able to hear layers in jams from The Limousines to Lupe Fiasco to Mumford & Sons that we missed using our lower-end assortment. In general, we tend to fell that perfectly flat headphones end up lacking a bit in the low-end department, but we're absolutely elated to report that it's simply different with the 4s. Mids, highs and lows were all powerful, clear as crystal and easy to discern. If you were doubting the noticeability of those four drivers, don't.

We also pushed the volume to near-uncomfortable levels, and never heard a peek of distortion. Of course, with such an insane seal, you can actually keep the volume at reasonable levels, but those who enjoy destroying one of their most vital senses will definitely enjoy the ride. We also found these guys to be remarkably comfortable even in long-term sessions - three straight hours of listening left our ears no worse off than they were before. Frankly, it's tough to justify $449 for a set of earbuds, particularly a set that doesn't double as a smartphone microphone and isn't exactly tailored for gym rats (though they'll definitely remain planted should you choose to sweat on 'em). But if you place an absurdly high value on precision and comfort, and would rather hear your music than the gentle roar of airline engines when flying, we can't help but wholeheartedly recommend the Westone 4s. Are they $100 better than the heralded X10i from Klipsch? Probably not, but if you're dead-set on getting a pair with an in-ear monitor type of fit, your search ends here. Sadly, these guys still aren't shipping, but so long as that "Q1 2011" estimate remains legitimate, it shouldn't be too long now.

Source

Read rest of entry

Jabra Freeway In Car Speakerphone

Bluetooth speakerphones and hands free devices now seem to be a dime a dozen. That may be a bit exaggerated, but such devices have now become quite common among those who have mobile phones always handy. Jabra is just but one of the companies who are known for their Bluetooth speakerphones and other similar devices. It recently introduced a new product that is dubbed as the Jabra Freeway In Car Speakerphone.

If most Bluetooth speakerphones in the market offer almost the same features, then the Jabra Freeway adds some bit of enhancement to them that makes it more unique. The Jabra Freeway features 3 speakers with Virtual Surround sound to provide better stereo audio quality. It also comes with a dual mic that helps reduce ambient noise. It is also equipped with a motion sensor that turns the device on when you get inside the car.

Another useful feature of the Jabra Freeway is that it supports voice commands for making, answering, ending and rejecting calls. That is as hands free as a device can get. It is also multi-use as it can connect to 2 Bluetooth devices at the same time. The Jabra Freeway is good for 14 hours of talk time and up to 40 hours of standby time. It is now available at Jabra for US$129.

Source

Read rest of entry

TRITTON AX Pro from Mad Catz

Mad Catz has just announced the TRITTON AX Pro, a Dolby Digital True 5.1 Gaming Headset that will make its way towards the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3, where it will make full use of 8 precision-balanced speakers (with 4 of them inside each ear cup) that are more than capable of reproducing 5.1 surround sound accurately sans emulation or simulation. Within each ear cup of the AX Pro, there is a front speaker, center speaker, rear speaker and subwoofer. Replicating a typical 5.1 home cinema installation, the TRITTON AX Pro will offer gamers with a realistic and unparalleled audio experience, boasting individual backlit volume controls which are located on the handy in-line remote. With an in-line remote, it enables pro-gamers to dial-in the exact sound field required in order to gain a slight (albeit competitive) advantage. You can continue gaming for hours thanks to its comfortable ear pads, it will retail for £149.99.

Read rest of entry

NuForce Icon uDAC-2 Headphone Amp/DAC Review

I have mentioned in the last few reviews that I am now reviewing headphones using the NuForce uDAC-2 USB amp/DAC plugged into my new iMac, when I am not using my iPod. There's a really good reason for this. The iMac audio output sounds like ... well, let's just say it sounds bad. Really, really bad. It finally dawned on me why anyone would spend hard-earned money on a decent pair of headphones or earphones only to have the experience ruined by the iMac's lousy internal DAC. No one should spend a dime on new headphones if all they are going to do is plug them directly into the audio-out port on the iMac. After putting up with distortion on some of my more challenging tracks in iTunes, I finally gave up. I just plugged phones into my iPod Classic or iPhone if I wanted decent audio.

Then I saw the uDAC-2. I knew that there were other headphone amps out there, many models by many brands in every price range. But I liked the NuForce name as I had reviewed one of their earphones in the past and liked their quality and price. So I was curious if the uDAC-2 could help clean up this aural mess from my computer.

First, let me explain what exactly a DAC and amplifier do. The amp part is just what it says. It amplifies the signal and allows you to connect headphones that may be too power hungry for your device, which can rob you of clarity and volume. The digital audio convertor (DAC) is a bit more tricky to explain. Basically a DAC reroutes the digital signal coming from your device and converts it to analog - the music you hear in your ears. So when you plug your headphones or earphones into the DAC instead of your computer, the signal is now cleaner, clearer, and more robust. However, sometimes DACs and amps are not that important, especially if you are using low cost earphones that don't require much power or if you device already has a decent DAC built in.

The DAC in my iMac is nowhere near as good as the one in my iPod. So I decided to bypass it and connect through the uDAC-2. I do not regret it. We'll get into specific improvements later, but I want to explain the setup. The uDAC-2 is an improvement over their original uDAC in almost every way. The uDAC-2 uses no separate power supply or batteries. It gets all of its power from a single USB connection. Because it is USB, there is a direct digital connection until the signal reaches your headphones or connected speaker through its miniplug port or standard RCA audio output. There is also a coaxial RCA digital output included.

The uDAC-2 measures 2.7 in. X 1.5 in. X .8 in. That is unbelievably small by any standard. Even though it's designed to use with a laptop, trust me, it works just as well on a desktop iMac. It is not made to use with an iPod or iPhone (NuForce makes the Icon Mobile amp for that). This thing is so small and light, the USB cord alone can easily slide it around on your desk, sometimes annoyingly so. Its lack of weight just won't hold it in place. I may have to get some velcro tape to correct this.

Even though I am using the uDAC-2 for headphones and earphones, I discovered that it also improved the sound of my monsterous Audioengine 5 speakers substantially. As I was writing part of this review, I had iTunes on shuffle and an old song, "Moonshine," by Shawn Phillips came on. I've always liked Phillips 70s folk-rock, but I was hearing subtle piano coming out of the right speaker I'd never really noticed before. I was not expecting this. The pre-amp on the uDAC-2 fits well with the A5s built in amplifier. Here I was using this tiny DAC to do its thing on some really hefty self-amplified speakers and I was getting this kind of improvement. There was a soundstage to the music that just didn't exist before. I was stunned.

But back to the headphones...

I want to point out two specific examples where the uDAC-2 absolutely proves its worth. This is detailed, but here are two concrete examples where a DAC/amp combo unit can raise the bar on audio expectations. These examples are not from mainstream albums but they do help explain the capabilities of the uDAC-2. The first example is the song, Water Shows The Hidden Heart" by Enya from her "Amaratine" album. At 1:40 minutes into the song, Enya's vocals hit higher notes that have always distorted a bit before. I thought it was just bad mastering, but it wasn't. The uDAC-2 took care of that. The same thing happened in the second example. "Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 41 – Hymn of the Cherubim" by Tchaikovsky from "Sacred Treasures" features Russian choral music that will give you goosebumps. At 2:39 minutes into the music, what sounds like angels kicks in and as before, distortion would kick in also. Not anymore. The sheer beauty of the voices shine through like sunlight through stained glass.

Other somewhat less dramatic improvements can be found. The re-remastered "Hallelujah" from Jeff Buckley's "So Real: Songs From Jeff Buckley" now has its original dynamics restored (that's why it's re-remastered). The uDAC-2 exploits this improvement. Now, Buckley's quiet pain comes through in heartbreaking clarity. Leonard Cohen may have written this song, but Buckley made it his own.

"FYT/Fond Affections" from the first This Mortal Coil album begins with a mounting cadence and slowly builds to a climactic growl that - with headphones - could give you nightmares. This is creepy stuff made even more creepy run through the uDAC-2.

The musicality of the uDAC-2 is too impressive to ignore. The fact that NuForce could get this kind of improvement from a package this small continues to impress me. From now on, I will test headphones and earphones through a DAC/amp.

While the uDAC-2 comes with specs any audio geek would love, it really comes down to the sound quality. Just ask yourself: With the uDAC-2, is the audio improved? Yes. Is it richer? Yes. Is it less distorted? Yes. Is it all worth it? Heck, yes.

Read rest of entry

Mil-Surplus Heli Helmet game headset looks far out

The Mil-Surplus Heli Helmet game headset that you see here is truly one-of-a-kind, after all, it is a DIY project that sees plenty of love go into it. What used to be a bargain-bin surplus helicopter helmet that already has integrated speakers and a microphone will be used to communicate with a gaming console or a handset via Bluetooth. Apart from that, it will also come with a whole second circuit that has been integrated to output to an RF-wireless headset which in turn, is also routed through the original system's speakers. This special combination will allow one to wear a helmet while experiencing ambient video-game sounds and chat-communications on a single device. Perfect for those late night gaming sessions without having to wake up the missus beside you, after all, wearing this will also help you drown out her snoring.

Source

Read rest of entry

Pioner HDJ-1000: Reliable, High-tech and Luxury

Pionner Electronics, through its Professional Sound and Visual Division, recently launched a quality headphone with HDJ-1000 titles. As quoted via Engadget, this gadget will be sold in limited editions.

Headphones are intended for the DJ (disc jockey) offers sound quality that is really reliable. Also, the HDJ-1000 presents quite trendy design. Headphones Pioners offers two color choices are black (HDJ-1000-K) and golden color (HDJ-1000-G). In addition, there is also a model with original chrome color shades. As a result, both models through sophisticated Pioners headphones HDJ-1000 is also going to look luxurious. Also, comfortable.

Headphones claim this Pionner will soon be available on the market in December, with official price range of about 209 U.S. dollars

Read rest of entry

Noise Cancel Headphone | Sound Blocking Headphones

Noise cancel headphone reduce unwanted ambient sounds (i.e., acoustic noise) by means of active noise control (ANC). Essentially, this involves using a microphones, placed near the ear, and electronic circuitry which generates an "antinoise" sound wave with the opposite polarity of the sound wave arriving at the microphones. This results in destructive interference, which cancels out the noise within the enclosed volume of the headphones.

Noise cancellation headphones makes it possible to enjoy music without raising the volume excessively. It can also help a passenger sleep in a noisy vehicle such as an airliner.

These headphones hush ambient noise by creating antinoise that obviates the noise at your ear. They don't eliminate noise, but the better models significantly reduce the whoosh of airplanes' air-conditioning systems. (They're somewhat less effective at quieting the background din on trains and buses.) Noise cancellation headphones come in all forms, from full size to earbuds. Since you no longer have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise, this type of headphones lets you listen at lower levels, which leads to reduced ear fatigue. You'll also hear more low-level detail in your music.

Read rest of entry