Turtle Beach Ear Force X41 Headphones – XBOX LIVE Chat – CNET Reviews
November 20, 2009 by admin
Filed under Archive, Reviews, Wireless Headphones
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.
Cutting the Cord, Keeping the Music in Stereo
August 5, 2009 by admin
Filed under Archive, Bluetooth Earbuds, Reviews
Great article by Bob Tedeschi on 3 wireless headphones featured in the New York Times. Most were already featured in separate articles on our site.
MP3-enabled mobile phones are a hallmark of the wireless age. So why use wired headsets to listen to your music?
The question has probably struck more than a few iPhone owners as they propped their gadget on the treadmill and set off on a jog, hoping not to accidentally hook their wires and send the expensive new device flying.
Watch TV Wirelessly…
Broadcom(R) Bluetooth(R) Technology Enables New LGE Digital Televisions to Interplay with Cell Phones and Wireless Headsets
RVINE, Calif., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that LG Electronics (LGE) has integrated its advanced Bluetooth(R) technology into a new line of digital televisions (DTVs) that are now shipping. Broadcom(R) Bluetooth capabilities featured in these new LGE televisions enable an innovative and personalized user experience by allowing consumers to connect other devices, such as wireless stereo headphones and cell phones, to the TV set.
By enabling the cell phone and headset to interplay with the TV via Broadcom Bluetooth technology, LGE takes advantage of the existing ecosystem of Bluetooth devices to bring advanced audio streaming and digital media sharing features to consumers. Broadcom’s technology also positions the cell phone for future applications such as functioning as a TV remote control or a QWERTY keyboard input device for TV-based widgets and electronics commerce applications.
Additionally, Broadcom Bluetooth technology allows the new LGE TVs to act as a wireless docking station for MP3-enabled cell phones and portable media players (PMPs), allowing music and other audio to play over TV speaker systems. It also allows ‘picture push’ capabilities that enable users to wirelessly move digital photos and other graphic files from Bluetooth-enabled camera phones to the LGE TV for viewing and sharing.
“Consumers are continuing to discover that Bluetooth is much more than just a wireless headset, with the technology rapidly gaining adoption in digital televisions,” said Fernanda Summa, TV Product Manager, LG Electronics. “Broadcom Bluetooth technology provides the right combination of features and performance for embedded and consumer electronics applications, delivering advanced multimedia capabilities and low power consumption driven by Broadcom’s expertise in mobile handsets.”
Wireless Technologies Changing Digital TV Experience
The Bluetooth ecosystem continues to expand, bringing relevance to the technology far beyond the traditional mobile phone/hands-free headset applications for which it is best known. Bluetooth connectivity enables viewers to leverage common DTV features, such as high-end speaker systems and large format display capabilities, to enjoy media content stored on their MP3 players and mobile phones (with digital photo capabilities) while also allowing viewers to privately enjoy high quality sound streamed to headphones without cords or wires. Broadcom estimates that the total available market (TAM) for embedded Bluetooth solutions will be more than 938 million units by 2012.
“The increasing adoption of Broadcom Bluetooth technology into digital televisions and other consumer electronics devices is driving an emerging connectivity ecosystem, allowing existing products with Bluetooth connectivity like cell phones and wireless headsets to play new roles,” said Craig Ochikubo, Vice President & General Manager of Broadcom’s Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business. “Broadcom is helping to drive this trend and we look forward to our continued collaboration with LGE to transform consumer interaction with these devices.”
Headphones Don’t Need to Have Wires
July 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Archive, Reviews, Wireless Headphones
In Audiovox’s latest earnings call, chief executive Patrick M. Lavelle told investors that his consumer electronics company will be rolling out some new products in the coming year, including new wireless headphones. But in a market so dominated by giants like Bose and Sony, how many of you know about Audioviox’s current lineup?
Audiovox’s Acoustic Research division manufactures a whole line of premium headphones, many of which are wireless.
It’s entry-level set, the AW722, retails for $99 and allows user to be up to 150 feet away from the signal coming from an iPod, a stereo or even a television.
HTC Wired Remote Control Headset
While the availability of Bluetooth headsets with stereo capability is growing, some still like the wired versions better. For those HTC users who prefer the wired approach and want more functionality with their headsets, HTC offers the Wired Remote Control Stereo Headphones which not only offers you a stereo headset but also remote controls to allow you to keep your phone holstered while you enjoy listening to music files as well as controlling basic phone controls.
Bluetooth: What’s hot and what’s not?
Wireless Bluetooth devices are popping up everywhere, but can consumers be persuaded to wear them?
When a Danish King called Bluetooth united warring Scandinavian territories during the Middle Ages, he probably never dreamt his legacy would be a universal wireless technology.
Some 1000 years later, his name has become synonymous with the little wireless headsets that let people chat hands-free on their mobiles while walking or driving.
Sleek Audio SA6 Wireless Earbud Bundle
June 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Archive, Bluetooth Earbuds, Featured
Ideal for iPod™ and MP3 players
The Sleek Audio SA6 earbuds are the first earbuds in the world that allow you to go from wired to wireless in just a few seconds.
To convert from wired to wireless, simply detach the earbuds/transducers from their wires and reattach them to the wireless accessory.
The Sleek Audio SA6 earbuds use Kleer™ technology to stream uncompressed, lossless, CD-quality (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) digital stereo music wirelessly.
Simply plug the Sleek Audio dongle/transmitter into your ipod™ or MP3 player, turn both wireless components on, and now you’re listening to your favorite music without the wires. Or simply plug the transmitter into your laptop, stereo system, or cell phone, any electronic device that accepts a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Range is up to 60 feet from the transmitter to the wireless earbuds and listening time is up to 10 hours. The batteries in the transmitter and accessory are easily recharged simultaneously with a USB recharger that comes included.
The Sleek Audio SA6 wireless earbuds are also capable of transmitting point to multipoint, meaning one transmitter can stream wireless music to up to four sets of Sleek Audio wireless earbuds.
And, the Sleek Audio earbuds can have their bass and high notes tweaked and configured separately by adding/replacing different audio components. In addition, the Sleek Audio earbuds use high quality transducers and audio components that result in high fidelity sound.
The Sleek Audio wireless earbuds are perfect for listening to high-fidelity music at work or at the gym or anyplace else where you don’t want to get tangled up in wires. In addition, this wireless bundle comes with a one year warranty from date of purchase.
Comes with an adapter plug in case your media/MP3 electronics don’t accept the 3.5 mm plug.
Wireless Features
* Wireless CD-quality music
* 10 hours of independent battery life
* 4 people can listen to one audio stream
* Up to 60 feet of freedom
SA6 Earbud Features
* Lightweight
* Wearable in Multiple Positions
* Wide Band Balanced Armature Driver with Custom Porting
* Replaceable / Interchangeable Swivel Cables
* Variable Equalization (VQ) System
* Included Accessories
* Multipack Ear Tips
* Tip Cleaner
* Treble Tuning Ports
* Bass Tuning Ports
* Carrying Case
Delivery Includes
* 1 set of SA6 high-fidelity earbuds
* 1 Sleek wireless accessory
* 1 wireless transmitter optimized for MP3, iPod (iPod is a registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and other countries), DVD and CD players as well as other AV devices with 3.5mm stereo plug
* 1 USB charging cable
* User manual
Warranty
The Sleek Audio Wireless Bundle comes with a one year warranty from date of purchase.
Look Ma…No Wires with Apple’s IPhone 3.0 Software Update
So everyone who has an iPhone I’m sure knows by now that Apple has released the iPhone 3.0 today. But you don’t really talk about the iPhone you say, you’re more headphones. True, but with this new update which includes support for for Bluetooth’s Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), it means you can now stream your music to wireless headphones via Bluetooth!
This lets you stream stereo audio over Bluetooth to other devices, such as wireless headphones, a speaker system, or a car stereo. Pairing an iPhone 3G with an A2DP speaker system and a set of A2DP headphones is simple, and the devices stay paired even when the phone goes in and out of range. However, you have to control volume on the audio device; the iPhone’s volume buttons are disabled when streaming audio over Bluetooth.
Read more on the iPhone update.
Ten of the Best… Noise-Canceling Headphones
Round-up When we organized a round-up of noise-isolating headphones recently, we were able to get hold of a couple of models that cost as little as £10. However, noise-cancelling headphones are a different kettle of fish. Rather than simply plugging up your ear canal to prevent external noise from getting through, noise-cancelling headphones are packed with sophisticated electronics – including microphones that allow them to analyse background noise and then generate their own sound waves that are designed to counter and nullify that background noise.…
Motorola Motorokr S305
June 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Archive, Featured, Reviews, Wireless Headphones
These superaffordable stereo headphones have a lot to like, including solid music and call quality, a comfortable fit, and easy-to-use controls–once you get the hang of things.
When it comes to the comfort of stereo Bluetooth headsets, I’d choose an earpad design (that is, an earmuff style) over earbuds any day, thank you. And if you have the same preference, look long and hard at the Motorola MotoRokr S305. This set of headphones handles calls and music with aplomb. The product delivers great-sounding conversations and tunes, a comfy fit against the ears, and a light feel on the noggin.
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