New York – The headphones category showed no signs of slowing in
the fourth quarter, with new models and upgrades being announced in the final
weeks of 2011 as manufacturers hoped to get a piece of the holiday selling
season pie. What follows is a roundup of products announced in just the last
few weeks, and see the Nov. 21 issue of TWICE for even more fourth-quarter
introductions.
V-Moda
updated its
Crossfade headphones line with the LP2 Metal headphones. They feature 50mm
dual-diaphragm drivers and V-Port 3D staging, which the company said can
recreate the sound of multiple drivers with the quality and consistency of a
single driver.
“The driver’s diaphragm is constructed of a harder inner ring for
mids and highs and a soft outer ring dedicated to deep bass extension so you
can actually feel the music, even with low powered sources,” it noted.
They also have a 31-band EQ and are tested under MIL-STD-810G
military testing, as well as the company’s own guidelines. As a result, the LP2
can reportedly survive more than 70 drops on concrete from six feet, and its
Kevlar-reinforced detachable cables and 45-degree plug strain relief are said
to be able to each bend more than 1 million times.
The headband can bend flat more than 10 times without breaking,
V-Moda said.
Other features of the LP2 include replaceable memory foam ear
cushions; two fabric cables, one with a three-button remote; a two-year
warranty; and inclusion in the company’s Immortal Life Program, which provides
a 50 percent lifetime discount to replace consumer-damaged headphones.
They’re currently available for $199. Customizable color shields
are available for an additional $45.
Urbanears
launched its
first model into its new Editions line of headphones. The Quilted Plattan
features a padded headband and ear cushions wrapped in an all-over quilted
stitching. They have 40mm drivers, a frequency Response of 20Hz to 20kHz,
impedance 60 ohms, sensitivity of 115dB and a max input power of 40mW.
They’re currently
available for $80.
Sennheiser
introduced its first Xbox gaming headsets with the X 320 and X 2.
The X 320 ($149) has a noise-canceling
microphone, dual volume control and automatic mic mute by raising the boom.
At $29.95, the
single-sided X 2 headset is billed as the more budget-friendly headset. It also
features a noise-canceling microphone.
Both are currently
available and come with a two-year warranty.
Velodyne
, a
manufacturer of high-end subwoofers based in Morgan Hill, Calif., has entered
the headphones market.
The vPulse in-ear
headphones feature aluminum driver housings, 10mm drivers, a tangle-resistant
cable and built-in controls. According to the company, the vPulse have a pressure-relief
system that reduces air pressure within the ear canal for safer and more
comfortable listening.
Frequency range is
listed at 20Hz to 20kHz, with a sensitivity of 98.8dB/1 mW, and an impedance of
16 ohms.
They’re currently
available for $89.00.
SOL Republic
said its
Tracks and Trcks HD headphones can now be customized with Coloware, allowing
consumers to personalize the devices with various color schemes, designs,
artwork or messages.
Finally, the House of
Marley announced it was embarking on a Satisfy Your Soul tour throughout
Southern California, including a stop at the Los Angeles Ski Show and Snowboard
Expo.
The tour will allow
consumers to look at the Marley products, engage in music mash-ups, and record
a video singing their own version of a classic Marley song, all from a fully
restored Marley-inspired 1958 VW van, the company said.
The tour will run
through December and will reportedly help provide funding for Little Kids Rock
through 1Love.org, the non-profit started by the Marley family. Little Kids
Rock is a non-profit that provides children with free instruments and music
lessons.
