Hasta La Gadget!

To the joy and delight of babysitters everywhere, Sony announced a boatload of new noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds to keep you sane in loud situations. Leading the pack are the $200, on-ear active / passive MDR-NC200D headphones, which have a 40mm drivers in each ear, 22-hour battery and folding design. For $150, users wanting portability can cop the smaller in-ear MDR-NC100Ds, which have a lower price tag and 13.5mm drivers. Both headphones feature Sony’s “Artificial Intelligence Noise-Cancelling” technology, which claims to automatically reduce ambient noise by around 98.2 percent — because you know, precision matters.

Also launching today are two new smartphone headsets — the $40 in-ear DR-EX14VP and the $60 DR-XB23VP earbuds — with connectivity to Android, iPhone and BlackBerry phones, as well as Sony Ericsson, Nokia and other phones thanks to an included compatibility cord. Pulling up the rear are the new iPhone control headsets — the $60 DR-XB22iP in-ear silicone hybrids, the $40 DR-EX61iP earbuds and the $150 “over-the-head” DR-ZX701iP. Currently accepting pre-orders, the headphones will be available for purchase sometime in October — just in time to tune out the doorbell this Halloween. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Sony launches party pack of noise-cancelling headphones, your personal discotheque awaits

Sony launches party pack of noise-cancelling headphones, your personal discotheque awaits originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At $600, Harman Kardon’s SB16 sound bar is intended for someone who isn’t quite impressed with a $200 soundbar, but doesn’t want to drop $1000 on one that will inspire envy. More »

Philips’ line of smartphone-connected sound systems has been all up on iOS for quite sometime, but now Fidelio’s ready to show Android some love. The outfit just outed three new Android-ready speaker docks — the AS851, AS351 and AS111 — and is set to debut the flossy Fidelios at IFA this week. These new docks are so anxious to get close to your Android handset, that they’re rocking a micro-USB connector that adjusts in three dimensions to allow just about any phone to stand tall in portrait or kick back in landscape. Either way, the phone syncs the jams via Bluetooth and a dedicated app. The biggie of the bunch, the AS851, promises “lifelike, distortion-less music” and 30 watts of RMS power, while the smaller AS351 lets you take the show on the road with both AC and battery options and bumps 10 watts of RMS. The smallest of the three, the AS111, is dubbed as a bedside companion. There’s no word on pricing or when the docks will have your Android getting up with the get down, but we do have full PR for you after the break.

Continue reading Philips Fidelio for Android speaker docks get your little green robot bumpin’

Philips Fidelio for Android speaker docks get your little green robot bumpin’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative isn’t nearly the aural force it once was, but it’s still a respected name when it comes to headsets and — gasp! — sound cards. Here at IFA, the outfit has busted out a new range of Sound Blaster (yeah, seriously) gaming headsets for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Mac platforms. The 360-friendly Sound Blaster Tactic360 Sigma is being revealed with a steel core headband design and 50mm audio drivers, not to mention separate voice and game audio controls. Moving right along, the Tactic360 ION slims down with a pair of 40mm drivers, while the Tactic3D Wrath Wireless caters to Mac / PC users who’d rather not sweat the whole “cable” thing. The Tactic3D Omega Wireless does likewise for console gamers, and for those infatuated with three-dee, the outfit’s new Recon3D audio platform / sound cards sound give you reason to celebrate. Full details are posted up after the break, for those who find themselves strangely intrigued.

Continue reading Creative doles out Sound Blaster gaming headsets, Recon3D audio platform / sound cards

Creative doles out Sound Blaster gaming headsets, Recon3D audio platform / sound cards originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to enhance the audio in your man (or lady) cave? Then you may want to check out LG’s new HX906TX 9.1 cinema sound system — a ten-speaker package claiming to deliver “truly 360-degree sound.” It’s designed to make you feel like you’re at the center of the audio (even if you’re really at the far end of the room smooshed between two people on the couch) — the way you might hear in a concert hall or really large bathroom with great acoustics. LG says it uses a DSP algorithm to pump audio vertically and horizontally using 3D reflectors, extending sound upwards and filling in the gaps. You’ll also get added features like Blu-ray playback, WiFi Direct and Smart TV connectivity to smartphones and tablets using an app, although there’s no word yet on pricing or availability. PR after the break.

Continue reading LG HX906TX home theater system promises 3D sound, enviable Super Bowl acoustics

LG HX906TX home theater system promises 3D sound, enviable Super Bowl acoustics originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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