Sennheiser's MX W1 Wireless Earbuds

Sennheiser doesn't play around with low-fidelity sound, like the kind you can expect from Bluetooth. These sultans of sound decreed their newest innovation at CES, a fully wireless hi-fidelity set of earbuds. These new buddies use 2.4 GHz radio transmission technology from Kleer.

RCA JetStream is the only other product on the market that uses Kleer's innovative technology. RCA’s arrangement is less than optimal. The great things about Sennheiser’s MX W1 is that there's no wire connecting the ear pieces and you aren't tied to a specific device; the transmitter jacks into any 1/8" output socket. The transmitter that plugs into your devices is smaller than a iPod Nano. It almost gets lost when straped to the back of the Nano, see pics.

The cost of using two receivers (two earbuds) rather than one, with a wire connecting the two phones, does bring the final cost up somewhat; innovation is costly. So, is being an early adopter. The price is rumored to be hovering around the $600 mark.

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from Sennheiser Available for Pre-order:

Sennheiser IE 7 In-Ear Monitor Earphones

Sennheiser IE 6 In-Ear Monitor Earphones

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RCA's Media Player Banks on the Fitness Niche

RCA Jet Stream Series media players promise fewer fitness related fumbles involving wired headphones. Jet Stream’s armband holder and wireless headphones provide this added security. RCA’s unwired wonder comes on the heels of Kleer’s market shaking…product enabling radio link technology. These digital RF wireless earbuds far exceed the sound quality of the compressed audio you get from Bluetooth connectivity. The prototype model had no wire connecting the two earphones (visually this was a design plus), but focus groups raised concerns about misplacing one earpiece so a wire connecting the earpieces, running behind the neck, materialized on the production model to alleviate these concerns.

Because there is one less transmitter, this modified configuration cost less to produce. This PMP is no sissy; it’s made for stressful situations, like the constant jostling of a morning jog or being drenched with sweat. Along with its 340 song capacity, 20 FM presets, and long battery life the RCA Jet Stream also integrates the most popular fitness gadgets into its software. With the stop watch, pedometer, calorie counter, and body mass calculator you can set more achievable goals, calculate your progress, and monitor your body’s changes closely for that added motivation. It’s a music player at heart, of course, so don’t forget to load up on those bass pumping workout tunes while you’re at it. ..via..

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5.1 Surround Sound from Headphones?

[Image courtesy Matsushita Electric industrial Co.and Ltd.]

Panasonic is a pioneer. (Is the word pioneer trademarked by the Pioneer Corporation?) In the pioneering spirit they’ve been busily perfecting that most elusive of beasts…getting five speakers and sub-woofer in a pair of headphones. Not just headphones, but wireless headphones to be exact. The Panasonic RP-WF5500 headphones really begin to impress once you discover their ability to work thorough walls and receive transmissions up to 30 meters from the base. The Panasonic RP-WF5500 phones are lightweights too, weighting in at measly 9oz with the battery attached. When you factor in their ability to reproduce a 5.1 channel system with a similar sense of directional sound, they really begin to out shine the competition. These marvels of modern technology are set to hit selves on November 20th. But don’t expect these to be listed on any holiday sale circulars stateside. They‘re only available in the consumer electronics ‘Mecca’ that only the U.S. could have spawned, Japan.

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