Hasta La Gadget!

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Cam, who don’t need no stinkin’ app store for his next digital audio player. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m getting quite sick of my Sansa Clip, with it deciding when and when it doesn’t want to work. I’m looking for a new PMP. The only requirement is that it has at least 4GB of storage, and supports FLAC files. Expandable memory would be cool too.”

We appreciate the brevity, Cam. In your spirit, we’ll skip the usual coaxing and just demand that those with lovable gym-certified PMPs drop some knowledge in comments below. And… go!

Ask Engadget: Best no-frills portable media player? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are so many sounds you might want to block out during a flight. First up is the droning captain’s announcements telling you how high you’re cruising, when you’re going to land, or what the weather will be like when you get there. Next comes babies on board, stewardesses with drink carts, and, of course, engine noise. If someone could just block that out, flying might be a little more bearable.

For fellow travelers who crave silence, Sennheiser introduces the PXC 250-II Travel Headphone. This compact pair builds upon the original PXC 250 with improved NoiseGard technology, which reduces all types of ambient noise. Your music is delivered with high-performing neodymium magnets for a detailed sound with a frequency response from 10 to 21,000 Hertz. An included adapter cable lets them work with in-flight entertainment systems. The $259.95 price tag sounds well worth it for the peace of mind they’ll bring.

Some people never warm up to earbuds because they find them so uncomfortable. If that’s you, consider Phiaton’s PS 210 “half in-ear” earbuds. Their ergonomic design puts them just outside the ear canal, so you won’t feel constricted. They’re made of lightweight aluminum and come with four sizes of silicon ear tips (XS, S, M, and L) for the best fit.

No earbuds are good if they don’t deliver a strong sound, and the PS 210 combines the strong bass of in-ear models with the clear highs of open ear buds. They offer a 10-to-27,000-Hz frequency range and weigh .29 ounces without the cord. Pick them up for $99 from the Phiaton site.

As far as formats go, MP3 has managed to hang around for an impressive amount of time. To date, we’ve yet to see another digital audio file garner a similar amount of support (though ATRAC had a fighting chance!), but it looks as if an alternative from BACH Technology could be gunning for that crown. The new proposal is dubbed MusicDNA, and contrary to what you may expect, Dagfinn Bach — who tinkered with the first MP3 player back in 1993 — is all for it. Much like iTunes LP, the new format would include “lyrics, videos, artwork and blog posts, which [would] continually be updated.” We’re told that pirated files would still play back (as in, DRM shouldn’t be an issue here), but none of the aforesaid updates would arrive. Currently, no major labels are onboard with the idea, but the company has suggested that the initial response has been pretty positive. Too bad it’ll never go anywhere without a recognizable online storefront, but hey, we’re rootin’ for you over here!

Update: The musicDNA used in the currently available musicGPS iPhone app is something completely different. Who knows if this will lead to a scuffle over naming rights.

MusicDNA looks to supplant MP3, bring along updatable extras originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are bargain headphones, and there are luxury headphones. The Ultrasone Edition 8 Palladium is definitely luxury. Based on the design of the company’s Edition 8 headphones, the outer earcups of this version are adorned with palladium, a rare metal that increases durability and limits tarnishing. The earcups are also embossed with a high-tech ceramic inlay. Each Edition 8 headphone is stamped with its own serial number and comes in a sleek leather bag.

As for components, the Edition 8 Palladium uses Ultrasone’s latest S-Logic Plus technology for what it describes as “an impartial acoustic feeling that affords the listener the utmost spacious tonal perception.” So how much can the demanding audiophile expect to pay for this? They list for $1699, which is quite a bit more than my last pair or earbuds cost. Look for them at the Edition 8 site or with high-end audio dealers.