Sony unveils its New Portable Audio Products at CES 2015


Today at the CES 2015 in Las Vegas, Sony electronics unveiled its new portable audio products which have been specifically designed to reproduce the ultimate audio sound quality without any...

Sennheiser unveils HDVA 600 analog headphone amp, asks for $1,600

Sennheiser unveils HDVA 600 analog headphone amp, asks for $1,600

Along with a few IFA 2012 announcements, Sennheiser peeled back the wraps from its HDVA 600 headphone amp, an analog flavor of the previously unveiled HDVD 800. Like its sibling, the freshly revealed hardware sports a glass panel for peeking at its innards and an anodized aluminum exterior, but leaves the digital inputs behind. While the 800 carries a hefty $2,000 price tag, the 600 will set customers back a smaller -- but still substantial -- sum of $1,600. Both units are tailored for the likes of Senn's flagship HD 800 headphones, so they should easily be able to drive cans that require up to 300-ohms. The pair won't be available in the US until later this fall, but in the meantime, you can breeze past the break for specs and more details in the press release.

Continue reading Sennheiser unveils HDVA 600 analog headphone amp, asks for $1,600

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Sennheiser unveils HDVA 600 analog headphone amp, asks for $1,600 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 08:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V-Moda VAMP for the iPhone: an analog converter and headphone amp with a $650 pricetag

VMODA VAMP for the iPhone an analog converter and extra battery power for a mere $650

If money really isn't an issue when it comes to your search for the finest sound possible from your iPhone, V-Moda has a new accessory for you to consider. The company has announced the VAMP: an iPhone 4 / 4S case that converts digital to analog for hi-fi listening. How does it work? Well, the kit uses a 150mW x 2 amplifier to bypass the smartphone's internals to offer the auditory elbow grease needed to adequately power that set of fancy headphones. For controls, you can expect a volume knob, hi / lo gain switch and toggle switch with LED indicator for either Pure or VQ listening mode. There's also an optical audio output for using your phone as a vehicle "for the purest and unparalleled audio listening experience," but you'll have to splurge for an extra cable to do so. In addition to the aforementioned conversion, the aircraft-grade metal add-on provides eight hours of playback from it's own battery -- which can be used as a backup for your Apple handset, should the need arise. Sound good so far? Well, the VAMP is now shipping and will set you back a whopping $650 with $50 of the asking price benefitting the InTheLoop Foundation. You know, if you happen to really love listening to Sigur Rós on the go and are obsessed with high fidelity playback.

Continue reading V-Moda VAMP for the iPhone: an analog converter and headphone amp with a $650 pricetag

V-Moda VAMP for the iPhone: an analog converter and headphone amp with a $650 pricetag originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sennheiser intros ritzy IE 800 headphones and HDVD 800 amp, your wallet screams

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You thought Sennheiser had already done enough to appease audiophiles this year at CES? Think again. The company has announced yet another new set of headphones with an amp to keep it warm at night, but the high-end wares come at a high-end price. The ceramic IE 800 buds (€599 or $787) offer a broad 5 - 46,000 Hz audio range in spite of their mere 7mm drivers, while stainless steel vents on the back supposedly "improve bass and airflow." If you need some extra juice and don't mind forking over the premium €1,499 ($1,973), the HDVD 800 headphone amp's shell is rocking anodized aluminum and a glass window for peering at the bantam circuitry within -- way over the top, but also, pretty amazing. It supports 24-bit 192kHz sources and is engineered for ideal synergy with Senn's HD 800, HD 700, HD 650 and HD 600. Both should hit the shelves by summer of this year.

Sennheiser intros ritzy IE 800 headphones and HDVD 800 amp, your wallet screams originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IRL: Evernote, Netgear N900 and FiiO’s E17 headphone amplifier

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Best of the best, best of the worst and best thing we didn't need. Those are some ringing endorsements we've got for you in this week's IRL. On the more enthusiastic end of the spectrum there's Darren, who finally found a dual-band router with strong enough range to service all three floors of his new home. Terrence is closing in on his fourth year using Evernote, the "least bad" note-taking app of the bunch. As for James, well, has he ever met a piece of audio equipment he didn't like?

Continue reading IRL: Evernote, Netgear N900 and FiiO's E17 headphone amplifier

IRL: Evernote, Netgear N900 and FiiO's E17 headphone amplifier originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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