Stockholm, Sweden – Marshall Headphones, which licenses the Marshall name from guitar-amp maker Marshall Amps, launched a music-oriented Android smartphone with high-resolution 192kHz/24-bit Wolfson DAC.
The Marshall London phone will initially be available in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Scandinavia and the Baltic States, a spokesperson said. Plans for U.S. availability haven’t been announced.
As it does with its U.S.-market consumer headphones and Bluetooth speakers, Marshall Headphones designed the phone to match the cosmetics of Marshall guitar amps. The phone’s matte black surface, for example, is similar to the skin of Marshall amps. The phone also incorporates Marshall’s brass details and button design, which appears on an analog scroll wheel.
The LTE-equipped Android 5.0.2 phone will play back 192/24 FLAC files as well as other files. It comes with Marshall ear buds.
The device also features dual speakers and dual microphones .Two stereo jacks at the top of the phone let two users share music simultaneously at different volume levels. A global equalizer works across music apps so users don’t have to adjust each music app’s EQ controls.
A preloaded apps let users record audio in four channels. Anothe preloaded app lets users play one track through speakers, such as a Bluetooth speaker, while cueing up another track that’s playing through headphones.
Other key features include 4.7-inch 720p screen, 2GB RAM, Snapdragon 410 1.4GHz quad-core processor, 16 GB storage, 126GB microSD card slot, 8- and 2-megapixel cameras, and Bluetooth aptX.
The phone will be available in August at 4,995 Swedish Krona, or about $579.
Marshall Headphones is owned by Stockholm-based Zound Industries, which also markets Urbanears headphones in the U.S. The company collaborates with Marshall Amps in the design of its products, including the smartphone.
The Stockholm-based company unveiled the phone in London at an event marked by appearances by former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, Phil Campbell from Motörhead, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, and the London Community Gospel Choir.
