Headphone News

CrunchGear have posed a detailed hands on of the Etymotic ety.8 Bluetooth earphones and the verdict is the same as previous reviews - good earphones but hella ugly.

The sound quality is noted as a positive in the review, with the caveat that this quality can sometimes expose limitations in the Bluetooth signal bandwidth. In addition, the comfort and ease of use also come in for praise.

Shame they’re so completely hideous.

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Going almost unnoticed amongst all of the iPhone excitement, Apple have also announced an updated set of iPod earphones plus a new Bluetooth headset.

First up is a refresh to the now classic earphones that come bundled with iPods. The new models will feature a small in-cable box (in white, obviously) with a microphone and squeeze switch for use with the new iPhone cellular capabilities.

Secondly, the announcement of an amazingly small looiking Bluetooth headset, again for use with the iPhone. Details on it’s capabilities are sketchy at the moment with the only real info being that it will have a single button for controlling phone functions. No matter what the spec, it’s size (assuming the pictured model doesn’t have an enormous head) is sure to gain it a lot of attention.

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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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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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No, you haven’t misread the headline, these Bluetooth headphones actually clip onto your earbuds just like earrings. Oh, and if that wasn’t weird enough, they also vibrate.

These aren’t the first vibrating earphones I’ve seen but I have to say, these seem even more pointless than the RWC iTan ITN-VR10 that confused me back in June. According to the manufacturers the clip on design will “prevent possible auditory disease” which is good. Of course, they’ll sound rubbish, which isn’t so good.

At the moment, these earbuds are for the Korean market only - expect them to stay there.

[Found via Engadget]

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Koss have added to their earphone range with the announcement of the QZ77 Dual Noise Reduction earbuds.

These earbuds offer noise reduction both via noise-isolating earbuds (i.e. they fill your ear canal to block out background noise) and via electronic noise-cancelling technology that attempts to cancel out background noise.

In common with all noise-canceling earphones, the QZ77 requires batteries to power the active noise cancelation system.

These earphones will cost around £75 in the UK (although they can already be found for around £25 cheaper) and are available now.

[Found via Pocket-Lint]

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