Sennheiser Debuts Wired, Wireless Headphones - Twice

OLD LYME, CONN. — Sennheiser introduced a variety of new headphones this month in both the wired and wireless categories.

The first models in a series of wireless headphones — models RS 160, RS 170 and RS 180 — are all said to feature audio via uncompressed wireless transmission from Kleer.

The RS 180 can be used at a radius of up to 328 feet, while the RS 160 can be used up to 65 feet and the RS 170 up to 262 feet. Dynamic transducers with neodymium magnets and a distortion of 0.5 percent reproduce even the subtlest musical nuances, the company said. The frequency range is listed as 18,000Hz to 21,000Hz, with a sound pressure level of 110dB.

Other features include padded ear cups and adjustable headbands.

Suggested retail are as follows: RS 160, $259; RS 170, $329.95; and RS 180, $389.95.

The PX 210 BT portable mini headphones, equipped with Bluetooth and new Apt-X coding technology, has a transmission range of up to 33 feet and are said to weigh less than 4 ounces. The earpiece features audio controls, which can activate or deactivate the Bluetooth function, regulate the volume and navigate a playlist. The rechargeable lithium-polymer battery provides up to 12 hours of use before needing to be recharged, the company said.

Frequency response is listed at 15,000Hz to 22,000Hz. Sennheiser said its patented Duofol diaphragms almost entirely eliminate standing waves to reproduce brilliant highs and fast, tight low end with impeccable clarity.

The Apt-X coding technology for compressing audio data was originally developed for use in the professional audio and broadcasting sectors, the company said, claiming it is one of the first manufacturers to incorporate this technology into consumer headphones.

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Turtle Beach Ear Force X41 - headset - CNET Reviews

Wireless headphones have been around for a while, but it’s only been in the past few years that quality has gotten high enough for discerning listeners to consider using them. Many manufacturers, for instance, have turned to infrared (IR) technology for wireless signal transmission, which powered the Turtle Beach X4 we looked at last year. Overall we felt the IR radius was a bit narrow and we really disliked the fact that they didn’t work well while using a plasma TV.

The Turtle Beach X41 headphones are essentially the same product, but instead of using an IR signal, this headset takes advantage of an RF (radio frequency) to provide wireless audio. Besides a few hiccups and a hefty price tag, the X41s are one of the best wireless gaming headsets around.

While the Ear Force X41s are designed with the Xbox 360 in mind–they include a removable microphone and connections for chatting on Xbox Live–the headphones will actually deliver convincing surround sound from nearly any home theater source, thanks to their built-in 7.1-channel Dolby Digital processing.

The Ear Force X41 headphones include two main components: the wireless headphones themselves and a base station that houses most of the necessary jacks. The base gives you the option of either using a digital audio connection or an analog signal via a set of stereo RCA cables (red/white). That means that they will work with pretty much any audio source–anything with an optical digital output (such as a DVD player or the Apple TV) or standard analog line outs (pretty much everything). You could easily use the X41 headphones with a PlayStation 3 or Wii, but just don’t expect to take advantage of voice chat–that’ll only work with the Xbox 360.

The system boasts both Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing; the former handles the bit-stream surround soundtracks on DVD and Blu-ray movies and most video games, while the latter does a decent job of creating a faux-surround effect from any stereo source. The X41s’ transmitter base also have a line-in volume control allowing you to just adjust the level of the incoming source. Up front there’s also a headphone jack with a volume adjuster that will play the same audio being broadcasted. Finally, the base also features a “bypass” button that will allow you to hear unprocessed audio.

Setting up the Ear Force X41 headphones is fairly simple. For Dolby Digital processing, you’ll use the included 7-foot optical cable to connect your Xbox 360 (or another digital source) to the “digital in” port on the transmitter base. If you’re also using an AV receiver and surround speakers, don’t worry; there’s a digital out port for passing the signal on, so you don’t have to constantly unplug and plug in wires whenever you want to play using the headphones.

Turtle Beach includes all the cables you need to start gaming and chatting.

For power, the X41s ship with a USB cord that plugs directly into the base unit. You can plus the USB end of the wire anywhere (including the 360 itself). We had an empty USB port on our cable set-top box, which worked fine. We should note that USB power is your only option here. The unit does not ship with a USB-to-AC adapter.

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Tenqa Bluetooth Headphones and Bluetooth Speakers Now Available at Amazon.com - Earthtimes (press release)

On Saturday, September 12th, the Tenqa HP-109 Bluetooth® Wireless Stereo Headphones, SP-99 Bluetooth® Portable Wireless Stereo Speaker, and SP-109 Bluetooth® Wireless Desktop Speaker became available for purchase on Amazon.com. Tenqa Bluetooth® Wireless stereo audio speakers and headphones allow the user to receive wireless music and audio up to 33 feet away from their iPod touch®, iPhone™, Blackberry®, or any cell phone equipped with Bluetooth® A2DP wireless stereo capabilities as well as mp3 players, computers, or devices equipped with Bluetooth® A2DP technology.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) September 12, 2009 — Bluetooth Accessories, a consumer electronics brand centered on using Bluetooth® Wireless A2DP Stereo capabilities to eliminate the wires between you and your music, released a line of Bluetooth® Wireless Headphones and Speakers today on Amazon.com, America’s largest online retailer.

Tenqa Bluetooth Speakers and Bluetooth Headphones eliminate the need for a wired connection between your speakers or headphones and an iPod touch®, iPhone™, Blackberry®, or any cell phone equipped with stereo Bluetooth capabilities. These devices can function as a “remote control” and transmit audio across the room to Tenqa Bluetooth Speakers and Bluetooth Headphones while leaving the control of the tracks in the hands of the user. In addition, mp3 players and computers equipped with stereo Bluetooth capabilities also allow the user to receive wireless music from an audio source up to 33 feet away away.

The Tenqa SP-99 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a compact, portable design and battery power capabilities allowing the user to take the device anywhere around the home, work, or when travelling. The SP-99 features integrated music controls that allow the user to change the music track and volume directly from the speaker from up to 33 feet away–without wires.

The Tenqa SP-109 Bluetooth Speaker is an ultra slim, compact wireless speaker best suited for placement in a home, office, dorm or anywhere else that wireless music is desired. Its slim design allows for discreet placement on a desktop, shelf, or counter top while providing full wireless stereo sound from a remote audio source.

The Tenqa HP-109 Bluetooth Headphones let the user store a Bluetooth enabled music player in a convenient location while working out, jogging, riding a bike, commuting, or on the go and keep tangling wires at bay. The comfortable design wraps around the back of the head keeping the HP-109 firmly in place. The HP-109 features a listening time up to 15 hours and a standby time up to 160 hours. Controls on the headphones allow the user to change tracks remotely up to 33 feet away from the audio source–without having to remove the audio player from a pocket. When the HP-109 Bluetooth Headphones are paired with a cell phone the HP-109 functions as a “handsfree” device for receiving phone calls. When a phone call is received, the music on the cell phone pauses and calls are answered simply by pressing a button on the HP-109 and communicating through the built-in microphone. Upon ending the call, the music automatically resumes where it stopped.