CES 2015: Bang & Olufsen introduces BeoPlay H8, first wireless headphones

It looks as sleek as any other Bang & Olufsen device. The new BeoPlay H8 from the premium audio brand is the company’s first Bluetooth, noise-cancelling headphones. It has high-quality playback features like aptX/A2DP and features a custom metal touch interface. Active noise cancelling is touted to last for around 30 hours when wired and 14 hours when wire-free. But with this high-quality cans expect to pay a hefty price. It’ll set you back US$500 when it launches later in the month.

Source: Engadget

Sony introduces new headphones for high-res audio listening

If you are a stickler for audio quality and hope you can bring your high-resolution audio with you everywhere, Sony is introducing three new options for you: MDR-Z7 headphones, MDR-1ADAC headphones, and XBA-Z5 in-ears.

The MDR-Z7 is meant to bring studio-quality sounds with you. It has 70mm HD drivers to make sure you hear every note in its purest form. Lightweight, responsive aluminum-coat liquid crystal polymer diaphragms help give you more precise, consistent sound across the entire frequency range. It comes with four silver-coated copper wires and independent gournd wires for both channels to improve sound further. The MDR-Z7 has ergonomic urethane ear pads that keep the shape of the internal cushions and has inward axis structure to bring the pads closer to your ears and provide long-term comfort.

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Bose and Beats to settle lawsuit out of court

In this rare occasion, two tech companies have decided to settle out of court instead of drawing out a patent lawsuit. Bose accused Beats earlier this year of violating five Bose patents on noise-canceling technology. Now, the two firms agreed to skip the hassle of going to court and agreed on an unspecified settlement. They have asked the International Trade Commission to stop investigations.

However, it doesn’t seem like the war over audio supremacy is far from over. Bose is enforcing strict exclusivity contract with the NFL and are slapping players with wrong headphones US$10,000 fines. There are also rumours that Apple plans to take out Bose products from its stores in the coming week.

Source: Engadget

Review: Parrot Zik Yellow Gold bluetooth headphones

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

During the course of the year, I get to try and test various headphones and headsets. Some of them come as partners to devices like smartphones and PCs, others are standalone wired on-hear or earbud type headphones as well as wireless bluetooth headphones. Throughout my tests, I realized there is no perfect pair and that it is a process of finding the best solution for my use case with the least compromises. 

One model I keep coming back to is Parrot’s Zik smart headphones. Admittedly a premium set of cans with a lot to set it apart from the rest of the gaggle. It is designed by Philippe Starck, the audio has been tuned by late music icon Lou Reed and it features lavish leather on yellow gold treatment that’s visually striking but still rather muted.

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