Headphone News

Just in time for Christmas, Creative have added to their headphones range with the release of the Creative SE2300 Wireless Headphones.

The clip-on Bluetooth headphones support both A2DP and AVRCP profiles allowing you full control over any compatible devices (audio players or cellphones) directly from the earpiece. If you don’t already have a Bluetooth-enabled device then the SE2300 come bundled with a Bluetooth adaptor that connects into any standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

Offering a not too impressive 8 hours of battery life, these ‘phones can be charged via the supplied AC or USB power adapter.

Available now priced at around $99.

[Found via MobileWhack.com]

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Here’s another great review from The Tech Lounge, this time for the Altec Lansing AHP612 Wireless Studio headphones.

These wireless headphones use the 900MHz frequency range and are large, so are mainly designed for use in the home. The reviewer tested them with music, games and movies and was impressed with all three although the bass was a slight let down.

Apart from that, the only real problem the reviewer found with these cans was some slight interference problems around fluorescent lights so that probably rules out office use.

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CNET have become the latest to review the Etymotic ety.8 Bluetooth earphones and have awarded them an excellent 8 out of 10.

Praising them for their excellent sound quality and noise-isolation, CNET certainly rate these headphones. However, in common with earlier reviews, CNET have problems with the looks of these distinctive headphones. It’s a shame that it keeps coming down the cosmetic nature of the ‘phones but considering these earbuds are most likely to be worn in public, it’s certainly a complaint I can appreciate.

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Australian newspaper The Age have a quick round up of four headphones that anyone thinking of getting a set of headphones as a last minute Christmas present should check out.

First up is the Skullcandy Skullcrushers which are awarded a lowly 2 out of 5 due to their overwhelming (and over-vibrating) bass. Slightly better are the Sennheiser MX90VC receiving 3.5 out of 5 but much worse are the Creative SL3100 which only get 1 out of 5.

Finally, and best of all, are the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 recieving 4 out of 5. The Age were impressed by the noise-canceling technology on these ‘phones but feel the comfort let them down.

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Sci-Fi Tech have a list of their top 10 ways to listen to an iPod which is an interesting read. Most of the choices are as to be expected with the Sony MDR-NC11 and the Shure i4c making an appearance.

However, their last choice, the AKG K240 Studio is a bit of a strange one. It’s not that often you see people wearing full size studio ‘phones with their iPods but obviously it’s something they go for at Sci-Fi Tech.

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To be honest, I’m not really too sure who the Evergreen !Tude are meant to appeal to but I guess some 12 year-old girls might be attracted to bright pink headphone cables that flash in time to your music. I’m not sure if they’ll be able to lift that huge battery pack though…

Available now in Japan for around $43.

[Found via Engadget]

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The guys over at iLounge.com have been quick to review the newly released Etymotic ety.8 headphones and it doesn’t seem things are up to Etymotic’s usual high standards.

Awarding the headphones a B rating, iLounge are impressed by the overall sound quality of these in-ear ‘phones but do note a problem with audible pops in bass-heavy songs.

However, the reviewer does praise Etymotic for being the first to introduce true wireless earbuds and managing to make them comfortable at same time. As is to be expected, the reviewer does have issues with the looks of the ety.8 - here’s hoping Etymotic can make them a little less ugly next time.

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It’s been a while since I last reported on a pair of DIY headphones but I though this design from Adam Zhang was too good to miss.

It’s actually a fairly simple design with the iPod Shuffle attached directly to the headband of a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-F55’s. Despite it’s simplicity, the Shuffle almost looks like it belongs on the headphones.

Apart from the duct tape, of course!

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Wes Phillips over at Stereophile.com has a review of the Sennheiser HDC 451 Noiseguard headphones that anyone interested in a pair of noise canceling headphones might want to check out.

Being a self-confessed audiophile, Wes is left a little bit cold by the sound quality of these ‘phones. As he says, they’re good but come out poorly compared to his usual headphones. However, considering the low cost of these ‘phones you can’t really expect to compete with a $1000 set of Grado GS1000’s.

On the other hand, Wes was impressed by the noise-canceling capabilities of the HDC 451’s. He recommends them for flying, using on the subway and any other time you need a bit of peace and quiet. It’s a shame he doesn’t compare them with some of the other noise-canceling headphones on the market but it’s obvious he likes the HDC 451’s capabilities.

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November was another busy month here at Headphone News, I’m really starting to feel the companies vying for your Christmas Dollars!

For me, probably the biggest news of the month was the official announcement of Etymotic’s ety.8 Bluetooth headphones. Although I’ve no doubt these will be excellent Bluetooth headphones, I really wish Etymotic could’ve worked a bit harder on the design.

November also saw the release of the rather fetching V-Moda Vibe earphones. They’ve already had at least one good review and they seem like a good Christmas buy.

Also, we wrote some informational articles that those interested in gaming headphones and noise-canceling headphones might want to check out.

November has also been an unusually good (or should that be bad?) month for weird and wonderful headphones. It’s a tough decision, but i think my favorite has got to be the N-Tech NVP100 and NVP200 - probably the best bright pink bone conducting headphones I’ve ever seen.

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