Sony Debuts Ear Buds During PMA Show

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 3/9/2009

LAS VEGAS — Sony announced new ear bud models during the PMA Show, held here last week.

The new ear buds are part of the company’s EX series. All feature removable hybrid silicone rubber tips in three sizes.

The top-of-the-line MDR-EX300LP ($80) and MDR-EX500LP ($130) units are engineered with a “vertical in the ear” design, which reportedly has a larger driver for higher quality audio.

The MDR-EX300LP model, available in both black and white, features high quality sound via newly developed 13.5mm driver units. The MDR-EX500LP headphones were constructed with metal to minimize vibration, said Sony, and feature a multiple layer diaphragm for reproducing audio with balance and clarity. It also houses a 13.5mm driver unit for reproducing high-resolution sound and “was tuned by hand for the best audio.” Both lines include carrying cases.

The MDR-EX33LP and MDR-EX35LP (both $20) are the lowest-priced EX-series headphones Sony has offered, the company said. The MDR-EX33LP are available in light metallic shades of blue, green, pink, silver, white and gold, while the MDR-EX35LP are available in two-toned color combinations: violet/blue, blue/red, red/green and green/violet.

“We are constantly expanding our lineup of premium headphones,” said Andy Bubala, marketing director for audio accessory products at Sony Electronics, in a statement. “Earbud headphones continue to grow in popularity, as our customers are demanding better fashion and style, in addition to audio quality.”