Headphone News

I4U News have a review of the Genius HS-04U gaming headphones and rate them as a pretty good 7 out of 10. Designed to connect to a spare USB port for use without a sound card, the Genius headphones are a budget choice at $39.99.

The review mentions some nice features like the back-lit volume control and they are described as being comfortable to wear. The sound is also rated as decent but a bit lacking in the bass department. Overall they seem a reasonable purchase for those short on money but there are better options for those willing to pay a bit more.

Bookmark to:

New York Times writer David Pogue has an interesting round-up of 9 noise-canceling headphones. The article compares headphones like the JVC HA-NC100, the Logitech Noise Canceling Headphones and the Sennheiser PXC 450 against the market leading Quiet Comfort 2 and Quiet Comfort 3 from Bose.

As expected, Pogue has the Bose models as his favorite but does rate the Panasonic RP-HC500 and Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 as being right up there. It’s an interesting read and shows that you can get almost match the Bose Quiet Comforts and for a lot less money.

Bookmark to:

Here’s another variation on iPod Shuffle-headphones hybrid design, the Monster’s iFreePlay.

Designed to accept 2G iPod Shuffle’s only, the iFreePlay gives you wireless music without the need for Bluetooth or any other technology. They do look a bit clunky, but are probably around the most attractive of the similar headset’s I’ve seen.

Assuming they fit snugly, then these could be an ideal choice for joggers, but remember to watch out for traffic.

Available now for $49.95.

[Found via Engadget]

Bookmark to:

I’ve seen some very strange headphones here at Headphone News, but I think the TubeSurround Sound Headphones stands a pretty good chance of being the weirdest.

Looking like some sort of personal halo, the TubeSurround headphones incorporate six individuals speakers positioned around the head designed to give full 5.1 surround sound. Understand the unusual shape now?

However, that’s not it. Just to add that extra level of craziness, the headphones use bone conduction and direct sound at the same time. Told you they were strange.

Being a natural cynic, I’m a bit unconvinced but Jasmine France at Crave has had a go and reckons they work pretty decently. Well. better than those virtual surround sound headphones that were all the rage about five years ago.

Available now for $99, but don’t blame me if you get laughed at for using them.

Bookmark to:

It’s been a while since I featured a pair of gaming headphones on Headphone News but I couldn’t resist Genius’ new pair of vibrating headphones, the HS-04V.

The full size headphones are, unsurprisingly, designed to vibrate with any bass giving extra realism to bass heavy sounds like explosions, gunshots and engine sounds. The vibration obviously needs power and the ability to power it from either a AAA battery or a USB port is a nice touch.

Priced at a bargain $24.90, the HS-04V also feature nice touches like an in-built microphone and in-line volume control. Available now direct from Genius.

Bookmark to:

Just a few days after showing my surprise at the positive reviews for the budget Targus Travel-Ease Active Noise Cancellation headphones, CNET have stepped in and dropped a pretty average review for the headphones.

With a rating of 6.5 out of 10, CNET seem to feel that most of the features of the Targus headphones match it’s $70 price tag with sound being rated as Ok but not spectacular. The build quality and choice of materials also seem to match their cost although the noise-canceling is well received.

Bookmark to:

Anyone interested in winning a pair of Sennheiser PX100 headphones might want to check the competition over at Headphonedeals right now.

It’s a fairly simple competition to enter, all you have to do is suggest a pair of headphones for Matthew to review. My choice? The Targus Travel-Ease noise canceling headphones simply because I struggle to believe the positive reviews this seemingly cheap pair of headphones have received.

Bookmark to:

Although far from being an original design, there’s something a bit charming about the clunky retro stylings of the Novac LP-IP002 iWalk headphones.

Designed to hold a 2nd generation iPod Nano in the most visible way possible the iWalk is available for around $80.

[Found via I4U News]

Bookmark to:

Despite my constant attempts to pour scorn over previous bone conducting headphones, TEAC are undeterred and have announced their very own set, the HP-F100.

Actually a re-branded set of Filltune headphones, the HP-F100 come with an amplifier and give around 10 hours of use on a single set of batteries.

If you want a pair, a trip to Japan will probably be in order with the price converting to around $440.

[Found via Engadget]

Bookmark to:

Looking to leverage their successful in-ear Zen Aurvana headphones, Creative are introducing the new Aurvana DJ Headphones.

Aimed mainly at home DJs though with an eye on the portable music player market, Creative have gone for fairly high-spec components including oxygen-free copper cabling and gold-plated plugs. They also boast Creative’s X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio system which, as these things tend to, promises all sorts of amazing stuff.

The headphones also have a few nice design touches with the single sided-cable and 180 degree rubber-grip swiveling earcups showing their DJ credentials. Looks wise, the Aurvana DJ headphones sport a nice brushed metal look on the earcups with the headband looking thick and capable of handing some rough use.

Available in Singapore only at the moment priced at around $170, expect to see these heading to the rest of the world fairly soon.

Bookmark to: