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Etymotic unveiled a number of new headsets and headphones this week, along with a new program where buyers can have the in-ear tips for their Etymotic headphones custom molded and fitted to their ears. The new Etymotic MC3 and M5 in-ear earphones both bring superior audio quality to a colorful set of earbuds. The MC3 comes with an in-line control pod and noise-isolating microphone that allows you to adjust the volume when you’re listening to music or take phone calls. Both models are polished aluminum and come in black, red, blue, and green. The MC3 and its included headset retails for $99, and the M5 earphones retail for $79.

Etymotic also unveiled the $179 hf3 in-ear headset, which is a step up from the MC-series. It also comes in three colors and will work with any device with a 3.5-mm audio jack, but is designed for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The h3 also features a noise-isolating microphone and three-button control pod that’s in-line with the audio cable.

If you prefer wireless headsets, the new etyBLU2 Bluetooth headset will run you $129, and features a noise-isolating boom microphone strip that attaches to the headset, unlike other so-called “cheekbone” Bluetooth headsets. It also uses Etymotic’s interchangeable fitted eartips for maximum comfort and noise isolation for call clarity.

In addition to the new line of earphones and headsets, Etymotic also announced a new program for all of its products where buyers can sign up for a voucher to see an audiologist to be fitted for custom eartips that match their ears for free. Once your custom fitting is complete, the audiologist will send your ear impressions to a lab where your impressions will become custom-molded, Etymotic-compatible eartips. Each set of custom eartips will be $100 and carry a 1-year warranty. The program begins on July 1, and buyers of any qualifying Etymotic product can participate.  

Urbanears has had the Medis earphones on their Web site for ages now, but the company announced today that they would finally start appearing on the shelves of Bloomingdales, Turntable Lab, Rock and Soul, and other retailers both online and brick-and-mortar, retailing for $50.00 USD.

The Medis earphones feature Urbanears’ new “EarClick” technology, which makes the earphones a combination between earbuds and over-the-ear headphones. The earphones come with a clip on the outside to keep them on your ears, and the actual earbud piece fits into your ear, but not as far into the ear canal as normal earbuds would. Even so, the Medis ship with four inserts to make sure that they fit well on any ear.

As with all of Urbanears’ headsets, the Medis come with an in-line microphone so you can use them for your portable audio player and your cell phone interchangeably, and they come in over a dozen colors to match your tastes and preferences. 

Not even Engadget’s firm ban on Monster Cable can keep the word “Diddybeats” off these pages.

Diddy, Beats combine to make… Diddybeats originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 May 2010 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do you want a flashy alternative to the earbuds that came with your portable music player? Are you under the age of 20? If so, look to the four lines of earphones released by Empire Brands. They’re eye-catching and they offer noise isolation, gold-plated tips, and extra-long 1.2 meter cords.

Starting from the left, there’s the Wicked Little Buds line ($29.99) which has a semi-gloss finish and a lightweight form. They come in four colors.

The Wicked Empire line (34.99) is punk-inspired and comes in several designs, including skull, eight ball, ace of spades, star and knight symbol.

The Jaw Breakers line ($17.99) comes in four candy colors. Are they lickable? Probably not.

The Metallics line ($12.99) offers a bargain price and comes in four metallic hues.

All four lines are available now at the Empire Brands site, as well as FYE and Fry’s Electronics, among other stores. 

Do you find yourself whipping about earbuds like boleadoras when you’re bored? Here’s a pair that can take your abuse. The long-awaited successor to Sleek Audio’s famous SA6 ‘phones — dubbed the SA7 — have the same adjustable bass / treble ports and removable cords of their predecessor, but in a case machined from solid aluminum with a carbon fiber shell and titanium screws. Inside, the drivers are cushioned by shock-absorbing silicone that lets them take a 14,000 G beating, which Wikipedia tells us is roughly the same rating as a navigation chip inside an artillery round. The company told Popular Science the SA7’s thin aluminum shell lets listeners hear a whole extra octave; if that tempts you, you’ll only have to cough up $400 and change (plus an extra $100 for a wireless Kleer kit) for the privilege.

Update: Sleek Audio pinged us to say that the SA6 is still hanging around; the SA7 is simply the new flagship. It’ll be shipping at some point in 2010 — we’ll keep you posted.

Sleek Audio’s SA7 earphones withstand 14,000 Gs of acceleration, dent your wallet accordingly originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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