Outside of musicians, performers and audiophiles, there hasn’t really been a push to get custom-fitted earphones into consumer’s hands. Yes, there are services that will make them for you, and they don’t quite cost a king’s ransom. But the process is complicated requiring you to make a mold of your ear by yourself, or visit someone who will do it for you. And that’s the part of the process that a Montreal-based company called Sonomax is trying to eliminate.
While you won’t be able to run out to the store and buy them anytime soon, today the company was showing off their Sculpted eers custom molded earphone system which can be made by anyone, by themselves, in just 4 minutes. The process looks fairly simple and straightforward too. The default silicone tips on the earphones are very soft and can be inflated like a balloon, but instead of pumping them full of air the headband fills them with a soft solution that fills your ear canal. So when they solidify after 4 minutes you’re left with a perfect fitting pair of custom earphones which provide better sound isolation than even the most expensive generic pairs you can buy.
It looks like 50 Cent is the next music star to slap their brand on high-end headphones, with Sleek Audio giving us a sneak preview of the headphones they plan to announce later this week at CES 2011. We don’t have any hardware details on the Sleek by 50 Cent headphones that we can share, but there certainly appears to be plenty of carbon fiber involved in their construction.
As we’ve seen on previous Sleek Audio earphones, the company has been working with a military composite specialist (that’s also responsible for producing drones for the US government) to produce carbon fiber components, so we’re guessing this is the real-deal. Otherwise there’s not much to go on; we can’t see any physical controls, but that’s not to say they’re not lurking on the other ear-cup.
We’re catching up with Sleek later in the week and will hopefully find out all the details then, including pricing for the new Sleek by 50 Cent headphones.
Midland Radio has announced new headphones that are aimed at the user that spends a lot of time outside in the cold and wants to listen to their music. The new headsets include the SubZero and the BT SKI. The SubZero headset looks like a set of ear warmers, but the things are actually corded headphones that can connect to your iPhone or anything else that uses a 3.5mm headphone port.
The subzero have warm fleecy ear cups that will keep your ears from freezing off while you get your groove on outside. The headphones are adjustable and should fit any size head. They also have a noise-cancelling mic for making phone calls.
The BT SKI is designed for skiers and has wireless connectivity with Bluetooth to a smartphone, music device, or a Midlands 2-way radio. The idea is to allow the skier to communicate without being tied down with wires while keeping both hands available. Both of the headsets are offered in black or camo colors.
If you listen to music a lot, and you mainly do so with headphones in (or on) your ears, then you probably take your ‘phones pretty seriously. Because of that, you can generally justify spending quite a bit of money on your next pair, just as long as the feature list matches what you’re willing to shell out. If you’re looking for a pair of advanced in-ear buds, which feature the world’s first four-driver universal fit earphones, then hopefully you’re willing to look at them now, but wait until early 2011 to get them.
Westone Laboratories has just announced their latest and greatest in the headphone department. The Westone 4 are designed specifically for audiophiles, and anyone else who might call themselves an enthusiast when it comes to music. The Westone 4 feature an EPIC cable, four balanced armature drivers, and a three-way crossover. Westone Laboratories are planning on showing off their glowing achievement at CES 2011 in January. And if you think they’re nice enough to buy, the company says they should be ready to go by some time in the first quarter of 2011. Check out the full press release below for more information.
Press Release
Westone 4 the World’s First Four Driver Universal Fit Earphone
Westone Laboratories, Inc. Introduces the World’s First Universal Fit Earphone With Four Balanced Armature Drivers
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO–(Marketwire – December 14, 2010) – Westone Laboratories, Inc. introduces the Westone 4, the world’s first four driver balanced armature universal fit earphone designed specifically for the serious audiophile and music enthusiast.
“The earphone market has become quite crowded in the last several years with lots of ‘me too’ types of products. Westone was an early pioneer back in the early 90′s working with bands like Def Leppard and Rush to develop an in-ear monitoring solution to combat excessive stage noise,” explains Lynn Kehler, President & CEO, Westone. “Developing the first universal four driver product is a statement of our commitment to leading the market with products that are superior in both sound and quality.”
Pushing the limits of both technology and ergonomics, the Westone 4 uses a four driver balanced armature design with 3-way crossover to achieve breathtaking clarity and realism. The EPIC Cable (Earphone Precision Interconnect Cable) is both durable and guards against microphonics. Westone’s exclusive True-Fit technology, based on over 50 years of experience with in-ear applications, results in an earphone that is extremely comfortable, lightweight and compact.
“A Westone customer expects a truly engaging music experience. Not only does the Westone 4 take the experience to the next level, but these earphones can lend themselves to so many applications due to their compact size and sound signature,” describes David Slepak, Manager of Marketing. “For the audiophile it’s pure heaven, gamers will feel like the action is surrounding them, we’ve even had exceptional feedback from the home and field recording community as an alternative to bulky over-the-ear headphones and difficult to use near field monitors.”
The Westone 4 will be revealed to the world in Westone’s exhibit located within the iLounge Pavillion at the Consumer Electronics Show January 6th in Las Vegas. The world’s first four driver universal fit earphone will carry a suggested retail price of $449 and start shipping early in the first quarter of 2011.
Westone, The In-Ear Experts since 1959, has been at the forefront of in-ear monitoring technology since the early 1990′s. Offering a wide range of custom and universal-fit products for music lovers and musicians the world over, Westone musicians’ monitors are used by acts ranging from Third Day and Playing for Change to Flyleaf and Nine Inch Nails. Westone is committed to superior customer service, with musicians on the development team, experienced audiologists on staff and knowledgeable technical support personnel available to answer any questions.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has used some of its cool space tech to create a set of headphones for the iPhone that can monitor your heart rate as you jog or exercise. Anyone that has used a device that monitors heart rate while exercising knows that the things have belts that you have to put around your chest that are not very comfortable.
The headphones the ESA has crafted are able to get the heart rate of the wearer for the tissues of the ear so the only thing the person needs to monitor their vital signs is to put the phoned phones on and listen to their favorite music. The ESA also says that future versions of the headphones could also collect other vital signs.
For instance, people prone to low oxygen levels in the blood with exercise could use headphones that monitor the level of oxygen in their blood. These headphones could be perfect for the rehabilitation industry and for people who like to exercise and keep their heart rate in a specific range. The headphones would use an app to show the user the data recorded. There is no word on when the tech will come to market in a product you can buy.
If you are a fan of the colorful and nice sounding line of headphones from Urbanears, you will be glad to hear that the company has updated its popular Tanto series. The headphones have some new features to make them more comfortable and work better.
Among those new features is improved clamping force and better ergonomics. The better clamping force should help keep the headphones on your cranium with exertion. The ear cushions have been updated and are made from a different material for more comfort and longer life.
The painted parts of the headphones are now powder coated with a matte finish for better looks. The updated Tanto also uses a new 40mm driver for sound for better sound quality. The headphones sell for $40 and are available to buy right now in a hoard of colors.
Coloud is a company that has grown notorious for making over-the-ear headphones interesting again, by not only providing some unique designs, but doing so with a sense of passion. While we’ve seen the company’s take on Marvel Hero (and anti-hero)-themed headphones, the company must have felt it was time to dive into another franchise. And instead of just going the easy way, the company managed to give these new R2-D2 themed headphones that bit of attention to detail we’ve come to expect.
The headphones are made to look like the top of R2-D2′s domed head. The rest of the ‘phones are meant to match the little astromech’s color scheme. And obviously you’ll get the Star Wars logo, right there where everyone can see it. The headphones feature a foldable design, for easy carrying, and also an in-line remote/microphone. That means you’ll be able to plug these headphones into your phone and use them as a headset. These R2-D2 headphones are available right now through here, and you’ll have to drop $49.90. The perfect gift for the Star Wars fan in your life. We think so.
Even though I have a soft spot for Star Wars, I’ve been holding off writing about the recent glut of Star Wars-themed headphones because I feel they’ve been less than inspired. But once again that little astromech droid comes to the rescue. Instead of just slapping an image of Vader or a Stormtrooper on each side of the headphones, Coloud has graphic’d them up to look like R2-D2’s domed head. They also sport a matching color scheme, feature a foldable design and include an inline remote/microphone making them smartphone compatible. And while I can’t speak for the sound quality, they’re just $49.90 available directly from Coloud.
I’m not sure where kids learn some of the stuff they know. My daughter came home talking about Justin Bieber not long ago and asked if she could have a shirt with him on it, she is in kindergarten. It was one of the low points of parenthood for me. She then asked Santa for one of the Bieber dolls that sing and things got worse. If you have a kid that has Bieber Fever, you might want to keep them away from Best Buy.
Best Buy has announced that it is the exclusive launch partner for the Justbeats line of headphones. These things are not at all cheap and coming in purple only. If you are inclined, you can pick up the Justbeats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphone for $199.95 or the iBeats by Dr. Dre Justbeats edition for $119.95.
The second set is earbuds and they have the Control Talk cable to let the things work with your music phone. The ControlTalk remote cable works with most iPods and the iPhone. Right now, the only set listed on the Best Buy website is the iBeats version and they are on sale right now for $99.99.
Oh god, why am I reporting on such a terrifying event? The newest artist to collaborate with Dr Dre’s “Beats” line of headphones is none other than everyone’s favorite little haircut, Justin Bieber. These lovely new purple and white music blasters will bring all of Bieber’s fans the music “the way he intended it.” Oh Dre, I know you’ve got to get that money, but why? Why would you go so Bieber on everyone? Why? I’ll answer my own question by telling you how much these headphones cost: $199.95.
Those are the “Justbeats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphones” that are $200, the “iBeats by Dr. Dre Justbeats Edition” which are earplugs instead of full ear phones. Take a peek at the video below and see the tiny master work his magic in the studio with the godfather of gangster wrap, then have a look at the full press release below that:
Newest artist inspired headphone line from Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ and Monster® comes in Justin’s signature favorite color purple and allows fans to hear his music the way he intended it
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Pop music phenomenon Justin Bieber has launched a new line of headphones, Justbeats™ by Dr. Dre™, exclusively at Best Buy® stores in the U.S. and on BestBuy.com. As passionate about music and sound as he is about his fans, Justin saw the opportunity to team with Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ and Monster, a global leader in high performance headphones and AV accessories, as a way to bring his fans even closer to his music, to allow them to really feel the emotion that he wants each song to evoke. The headphones also express Justin’s signature style by offering both on-ear and in-ear versions in Justin’s favorite color purple. The Justbeats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphone (SRP $199.95™) and iBeats by Dr. Dre Justbeats Edition (SRP $119.95) include high tech features such as ControlTalk so that users can seamlessly answer a phone call while listening to music.
Beats by Dr. Dre has redefined the headphone category with its iconic style and mission to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that musical artists and producers hear in professional recording studios. By putting on a pair of Justbeats by Dr. Dre, Justin’s fans will now hear the intricate details of a song, really feel the music and unlock its emotion, “just” the way he intended it.
To purchase the Justbeats by Dr. Dre headphones from Monster, visit Best Buy stores across the U.S., or visit www.bestbuy.com/justbeats and http://www.beatsbydre.com/justbeats/.
* The ControlTalk remote and mic are supported by iPod nano (4th and 5th generation), iPod classic (120GB), iPod touch (2nd generation), and iPhone 3GS and newer, but not all, Blackberry models. The remote is supported by iPod shuffle (3rd generation). Audio is supported by all iPod models. Requires software version 1.0.3 for iPod nano (4th or 5th generation), 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB), and 2.2 or later for iPod touch (2nd generation). Support for Blackberry varies by model. Subject to change.
