New Headphone products unveiled at CES

[steaxauce]

I thought it'd be a good idea to start a thread to list and discuss all of the new headphone products being unveiled at CES. From Sennheiser, we're getting a new line of high-end IEMs dubbed the IE-6, IE-7 and IE-8. These all use dynamic drivers as opposed to the balanced armature used in most high-end IEMs, so I'm betting they'll sound pretty different. I'm especially excited about the IE-8's adjustable bass feature. Different people have perceived very different frequency responses with the same IEM, I'm guessing because the different shapes of peoples' ears and ear canals--which effect sound differently for different people--don't have a roll in shaping sound with IEMs. The bass adjust screws will give you the ability to fine-tune the sound to your anatomy, not just your preference. For me the Shure E500 was by far the most ridiculously bassy headphone I've ever tried, and I absolutely couldn't stand them because of it; but I've heard other people call them bass light? A feature like this seems kind of necessary for an IEM that will work well for everyone. As for the IE-6 and IE-7, the IE-6 is supposed to have more bass, while the IE-7 is intended to sound more neutral. The IE-6 and IE-7 will be released in March, and the top-of-the-line IE-8 is coming in April. I haven't seen any pricing info yet, though I'd expect them to be pretty expensive. They've also introduced the CX-6 which I think should be more reasonably priced.

CX-6IE-6
IE-7IE-8

Sennheiser Worldwide: Microphones, Headphones and Wireless Systems



Also from Sennheiser is the MX W1, a new $600 bluetooth IEM that transmits 16bit/44.1KHz digital data (the same sample rate and bit depth as CDs). They say that makes them "lossless," though that's pretty much just a gimmick. You're not sending a digital signal straight through to the headphones. As with any other non-USB bluetooth headset, you're first converting the original digital signal to an analog one via your device's internal DAC, and then the transmitter is converting the analog signal to a digital one (in this case a 16/44.1 signal) to be transmitted tot the headphones. So you're going through a DAC (in your device), an ADC (in the transmitter), and a DAC (in the earphones. Its transmission signal being the same bit depth and sample rate as CD data is irrelevant, since the bluetooth headphones aren't starting with CD data to begin with. They're starting with the analog signal output by the device. They might just as well have chosen another format.

Despite its main selling point (in terms of audio quality) being only a gimmick, people are saying they sound pretty good. And let's not forget that these are probably the first untethered wireless IEMs available. Pretty cool product, if you ask me.

Sennheiser Worldwide: Microphones, Headphones and Wireless Systems



Many of us were disappointed to find out that Senn won't be releasing a successor to the HD650 this week, but hey, how much longer can they put it off? Right? :-|


Sony has introduced a new pair of noise canceling headphones, the MDR-NC500D, which use digital processing to better cancel outside noise. They claim that it effectively cancels 99% of outside noise (much better than any other noise cancelers out there), and they convert the audio signal to a digital one so that they can digitally EQ it, I'm guessing to compensate for the effects of noise canceling. Sony's addressed a lot of major issues common to most, if not all previous noise cancelers. This is probably a really nice pair of noise canceling headphones.

Headphones: First Grope of Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones



And for those of you who still want a new flagship full-sized headphone, Monster Cables has introduced the $399 "Beats," which are officially endorsed by Dr. Dre



If they do sound like the majority of this community is probably expecting them to, at least their appearance is socially acceptable, which is pretty rare among high-end full-sized headphones in our neck of the woods.

Ces 2008: Dr. Dre Creates Beats By Dr. Dre Headphones with Monster Cable

That's it for me. Please list whatever newly released products you find interesting, and say what you think!

[techniqu]

really interested in how the "beats" headphone sounds.

i'm thinking INTENSE bass and treble.

[earwicker7]

Wow, the people over at the Gizmodo boards are calling the Dr. Dre headphones expensive. I'd hate to see what they'd think if they visited our site.

[catscratch]

Yay. Now I'll have to look at spoiled metrosexual gits sporting Dr. Dre badged headphones on campus all day long

No new flagship headphones. More wireless, NC, and IEMs. Welcome to 2008!

Edit:

This struck me as especially funny (from Gizmodo site):

"When world-class producers like Dr. Dre record their music, they utilize large high-performance studio loudspeakers and high-powered amplifiers to craft richly detailed musical soundscapes. Until now, however, consumers listening back to the music using conventional headphones have never had the opportunity to experience the full sonic palette of these recordings, with the full dynamic range, low bass, punch and clarity intended by the producers"

Don't you mean, "consumers have never had the opportunity to hear the effects of the Loudness War, like overcompression, lacking dynamic range, and hard clipping, as intended by the producers?"

[Ross1]

those beats are going to take a bit of a beating on these boards, ill bet

[steaxauce]

Originally Posted by catscratch

Yay. Now I'll have to look at spoiled metrosexual gits sporting Dr. Dre badged headphones on campus all day long

You're a headphone geek, what do you know about fashion?

[dcpoor]

Originally Posted by earwicker7

Wow, the people over at the Gizmodo boards are calling the Dr. Dre headphones expensive. I'd hate to see what they'd think if they visited our site.

i call them expensive too. $400 for monster made headphones? you can get a k701 or hd650 for less.

[catscratch]

Originally Posted by steaxauce

You're a headphone geek, what do you know about fashion?

Well, I am aware that it exists... but that's about it.

[Exit Pupil]

no new sennheiser flagship! what a wonderful relief. to know that my HD650 remain unchallenged in the hifi world as the undisputed headphone king. sitting smugly on their well worn throne....

(for literal-heads, please see tongue firmly planted in cheek)

[earwicker7]

Originally Posted by dcpoor

i call them expensive too. $400 for monster made headphones? you can get a k701 or hd650 for less.

Overpriced, yes... hell yes! I can't imagine them sounding good, although I appreciate the fact that hip hop fans might now keep the music to themselves instead of forcing the entire block to vibrate along with their pimped out '95 Hondas.

But they are cheap in terms of higher-end headphones; that's maybe 15-20% of the cost of my best cans. I think the average Gizmodo fan would freak over this, while many of the Head Fi'ers can relate.

[espire]

Why are we even mentioning Gizmodo here?

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by steaxauce

And for those of you who still want a new flagship full-sized headphone, Monster Cables has introduced the $399 "Beats," which are officially endorsed by Dr. Dre

Now that's what I'm talkin' bout right there. I gotta get me one of them.

[Chickenman]

Who's seriously willing to buy the beats? Review them here!

[charley phogg]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Now that's what I'm talkin' bout right there. I gotta get me one of them.

What happens when you get your "hair tonic" caught up in what looks like the positive & negative recharging terminals..... hahahahahaharoflmao hair tonic....... sheesh, did I just age myslef about 50 eons..... i did... i did....

[soundfreq]

as dr. dre eloquently puts it: now that's the $h|t............