Jabra has worked together with Dolby to provide an even better music listening experience to consumers. With these new line-up of headphones comes support for Dolby’s Digital Plus technology. Users can download Jabra’s exclusive sound app for iOS and Android devices to enhance their music listening experience, similar to how Beats Audio devices are optimized for Beats Audio’s headphones.

Jabra emphasizes that its new lineup of headsets are able to be “used and abused”. The Jabra REVO headphones are built using steel aluminum frame, steel hinges, a shatter-proof headband. The Jabra VOX has tangle-free, durable cables that won’t tear apart when pulled too roughly. So you can spend the small fortune to purchase these headsets, and not have to worry about them breaking within a short amount of time.

The Jabra REVO headphones and Jabra VOX earphones are now available on both Amazon and Dell’s websites. You can purchase the Jabra REVO Wireless Bluetooth headphone for $249.99, the Jabra REVO corded headphone for $199.99, and the Jabra VOX earphones for $99.99. For those of you who don’t know, Jabra is a renown brand in the audio business, and has recently won the Red Dot Design Award, an award given to the “best in design and business”.

With the Crossfade M-100 model you’ve got 50MM “Dual-Diaphragm” Drivers with dual inputs at the bottom of either shell. You can plug your cord into the bottom of your rightphone and on the left you’ve got a real-deal V-CORK to seal the deal. Unlike most solutions that simply leave the second port open, V-MODA provides a couple of rubbery plastic corks you can use to keep your innards safe from environmental harm – simple and useful!

You’ve got hardcore quality with this set of phones as well, bringing on some rather extreme promises from the V-MODA crew, starting with kevlar-reinforced detachable cables complete with 45-degree plug strain relief – on both cords, mind you. These cords can withstand bends “more than 1 million times” according to V-MODA, this being, again according to the company, “over 100x industry standards.”

Both cords are rather fabulous to work with, also, one of them a “SharePlay” audio cable that’s able to bust out another port right through the first, the other a SpeakEasy mic cable that allows you to work with a built-in microphone solution. The color scheme here is black and orange – if you didn’t already notice – this a rather unique way of providing differentiation at first glance from earlier models and bringing on one of three different color combinations.

You’ve got a choice between Matte Black, Shadow, and White Silver combinations – and like previous V-MODA over-ear solutions, you also get extra shield customizability as well. While there aren’t replacement shields in the box like there were for the LP2 Limited Edition model, you can order extras when you head to the V-MODA online store – and get custom engravings, as well. You’ll be paying $310 USD for the phones themselves, then a shield kit will cost you an additional $25.

These phones extend out for the largest of heads and fold up and in with V-MODA’s own “CliqFold” system to get as small as possible for easy mobility. You also get a shell for extra protection and portability, this holding every bit of gear you get in the box. You’ll also find that you’re getting a 2 Year + Immortal Life 50% deal with this purchase as well – that’s V-MODA’s way of saying “thank you” for joining their team – discounts forever.

These phones work with frequency response between 5 and 30 kHz and have a sensitivity of 103 dB @ 1kHz 1mW. The Crossfade M-100s are the highest quality headphones V-MODA has ever offered, audio and all. Here you’ll find that the biggest difference between the LP2 model we’ve heard before and the M-100 is the base, first of all – when the deepness matters the most, a round punch in the drum is what you’ll heard the hardest on the M-100s.

In the end, it’s all about refinement. V-MODA’s Crossfade M-100 headphones are the finest combination of sound quality, tactile quality, and comfort I’ve experienced at this price range in a pair of headphones – only the LP2s come close. These headphones will be your go-to choice for everyday listening and will be the pair you grab when you’re about to board a 10 hour overseas flight – I know I will.

Almost right off the bat, iFixit expresses doubt that the EarPods’ single-driver setup can offer quality to match other headphones that cost hundreds of dollars for just $29, like Apple claims. After running through the aesthetic changes Apple has made with this latest iteration, the iFixit crew gets to work pulling them apart, starting with the redesigned remote. On the inside, the remote isn’t too terribly different from the one found on the old earbuds – it still sports three buttons and a microphone – but iFixit points out that the sealing on this new remote is much better than the sealing on the old one, meaning that you don’t have to worry about water making your remote non-functional as often.

After the remote has been removed, it’s time to dig into the actual EarPods. Since they can’t be pulled apart, iFixit had to get in there with an exacto knife, something the team doesn’t suggest regular consumers do. Once inside, we’re greeted by a diaphragm, a voice coil, a magnet, and a cabinet, which make up the speakers. iFixit found that the diaphragm consists of “a paper cone and a polymer surround,” which is a first for Apple; normally, the diaphragm is all plastic. Despite the fact that these EarPods look quite different from the regular old earbuds on the outside, on the inside, they look pretty similar.

The image you see above is a shot comparing the new EarPods (bottom) to the first generation earbuds (middle) and the previous generation earbuds for iPhone (top), with iFixit stating that the biggest differences are the EarPods’ new design and the new paper cone. iFixit says that these do make some significant durability improvements over past versions, pointing once again to the better-protected remote and saying that the paper cones mean that you’re less likely to blow out your drivers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that repairing these guys is essentially out of the question, considering that they’re hard to get into and cheap enough that you’ll just want to buy a new pair if yours ever break.

iFixit’s full teardown is very fascinating, so if you have a few minutes, be sure to read through the whole thing. What do you think of Apple’s new EarPods?

First things first: they’re a solid improvement over the standard Apple earphones. That wouldn’t take a huge amount, though, but it’s a welcome change for those picking up one of today’s new devices. Whereas before we would probably have recommended everyone replacing the standard set with some aftermarket alternatives, the EarPods are reasonable enough options to at least audition for a while before settling on a replacement.

The gimmick is in the trio of apertures for the sound, both at the tip as usual, but also arranged around the body of each bud. They also get a new design of casing, which is said to improve in-ear fit. We had no problems keeping them in place, and they do feel more secure than the version they replace, but a sturdy rubber or foam tip (or, better still, a set of custom-molded buds) will always feel less precarious.

What those options usual have against them is cost, and there the EarPods strike a balance. We’ll have to spend more time with them to figure out quite the quality difference – amid the noise of the demo floor they were certainly better than the old set, with noticeably stronger bass, but we won’t judge any more than that – and listening to other people testing them it was clear that these aren’t the headphones to choose if you want to keep your musical tastes completely secret. There’s definitely some overspill in noise.

The earphones use active noise cancellation technology and have Bluetooth 3.0 integrated. The enhanced noise cancellation technology promises to neutralize up 95% of ambient background noise wherever you are. Bluetooth 3.0 allows the earphones to have improved bandwidth, clarity, and sound quality compared to devices using older versions Bluetooth.

These particular earphones also support connectivity with your smartphone for making and receiving calls. The internal battery is good for 12 hours of phone calls, 14 hours of music listening, and 250 hours on standby per charge. The design of the headphones uses what the company calls “half in-ear” for comfort and a better fit.

Another interesting feature is special Echo-off noise reduction technology to eliminate background noise from the microphone while on a call. The drivers inside the earphones are 14.3 mm units promising high sound quality. The earphones will sell for $159 and be purchased online and in retail outlets.

The video you see below originally had sound, but a new version without any audio has since been uploaded in the original’s place. Luckily, MacRumors was able to translate the audio before that switch occurred. Apparently these new earphones are smaller than Apple’s traditional earbuds (though only slightly, judging by the comparison pictures), and it seems that they would fit the ear better than the older round shape. It isn’t exactly a secret that Apple’s earbuds weren’t the most comfortable things to wear, and indeed, Tinhte says that these new ones don’t hurt when put them in your ears.

Tinhte also says that each earpiece is made in such a way that it looks like it’s all one “fully integrated, single unit.” This means that these earphones might not come apart as easily, which should be welcomed change since the old earbuds could feel a little fragile at times. Have a look at the video below to get a first glimpse at what may just be the iPhone’s redesigned earphones:

If Apple is planning a new design for the next iPhone like some of the rumors claim, it wouldn’t surprise us at all to see the earbuds undergo a reboot as well. The last few weeks have brought a pretty steady stream of parts leaks, and in just 10 short days we should be finding out if any of them were legitimate. Keep it here at SlashGear for more information, and be sure to check out our timeline below for the latest iPhone 5 rumors.

That’s because, for starters, these earphones sport a frequency response of 5 to 46,500 Hz, allowing for a “lifelike sound image.” The hardware in these earphones is held in a ceramic housing, and as you can see from the image, the have quite a nice-looking finish. The star of these earphones is the Sennheiser-developed Extra Wide Band (XWB) driver, which comes in at only 7mm in diameter and provides excellent sound quality with perfect timing.

Also included in this package is Sennheiser’s new vented magnet system, which is meant to bring distortion to a minimum. “The oscillating motion of the diaphragm produces an air flow in the magnet system housing that causes the diaphragm to wobble slightly,” said Senior Acoustic Engineer Axel Grell in a company statement. “By positioning two precisely defined vent holes in the housing directly under the magnets, we can cause the air to flow in a specific direction. This minimises the wobbling motion of the diaphragm and reduces total harmonic distortion to less than 0.06 percent.”

Sennheiser also claims to have solved the problem of masking – which is when low-volume frequencies are masked by louder low-frequency sounds – through the use of a new absorber. These absorb all of the extra energy from the loud low-frequency sounds, allowing users to hear all of the frequencies without having to worry about masking. Sennheiser has also developed new oval-shaped ear adapters that allow for a better fit, but the company also includes the more common round ear adapters should you decide that you prefer those.

They sound pretty impressive at the end of everything, but you’ll be handing over a hefty chunk of change if you want to get your hands on the IE 800 earphones. They come in at $999.95, so only those who are very serious about sound quality need apply. They’ll be available in the US “later this fall” but other that, we don’t have a solid release date. Are you going to pick up a pair of these, or are they a little too expensive for your tastes?

Let’s jump right in with the Logitech UE Boombox and the Logitech UE Mobile Boombox. Both allow you to connect smartphones and tablets through Bluetooth – the Boombox can support up to 8 devices connected through Bluetooth, and it can handle three connected at once. The Mobile Boombox can only handle two devices connected at once, but its advantage comes in its rechargeable battery. While both come with a rechargeable battery, the Mobile Boombox can go for 10 hours, whereas the Boombox is only quoted for six hours of use. You’ll be getting better sound quality with the Boombox, as it Logitech says it comes with “eight custom-tuned drivers,” but the trade-off is that the Mobile Boombox’s smaller form makes it easier to use on the go. There’s also price to consider, with the Boombox coming in at $249.99 and the Mobile Boombox priced at $99.99.

If the boomboxes aren’t quite your cup of tea, the company is also offering the Logitech UE Smart Radio. Using “one simple, unified interface,” users can access their favorite Internet radio stations, music services or their personal music collections on PC or Mac, and it even comes with a color display that shows the track name, album art and station information. Users can also save their favorite stations to access them quickly in the future, and connect an iPhone, iPad or Android device to use it for navigation. The Logitech UE Smart Radio comes with a six-hour rechargeable battery and will set you back $179.99.

Next up, we have a rather expensive set of earphones – the Logitech UE 900 Noise-Isolating Earphones, to be specific. The earphones’ “four-armature speakers and a three-way crossover in a
universal fit” allow for excellent sound quality, and the earphones come with two detachable cables, one of which includes a mic and controls. To make sure the sound you’re hearing is as clean as possible, the earphones also feature five silicon and three Comply Foam tips. You better be ready to shell out a lot of cash for these, though, as Logitech UE has given these a price of $399.99.

In addition to these new earphones, Logitech UE will also be launching three new sets of headphones. The Logitech UE 9000 Headphones are the most impressive of the bunch, but they’re also the most expensive. The headphones feature Bluetooth connectivity, meaning that you can listen wirelessly, but there’s also a cord included in case you run out of juice during an extended listening period. Touch controls allow you to answer calls, switch between songs and change the volume, and Logitech’s “high-resolution drivers” are present to ensure that sound quality is top notch. Featuring around-the-ear cushions made of memory foam and articulating joints, the Logitech 9000 Headphones come in at $399.99.

If you want a good set of headphones but don’t want to shell $400 for them, Logitech has you covered there too. The Logitech UE 6000 Headphones feature a fold-up design, plush around-the-ear memory foam cushions, UE sound signature and active noise canceling technology. The UE 6000 sports a price tag of $199.99, which is a little more manageable than the $400 the 9000 demands. Even cheaper still are the Logitech UE 4000 Headphones, complete with Logitech’s high-sensitivity drivers, plush memory foam cushions in an on-the-ear design, and – like the 900 earphones – an on-cord mic and controls. They also fold up when you’re not using them, and come with a travel pouch to store them in. Expect to pay $99.99 for these bad boys.

Logitech says that all of these products should be available beginning in September, which as you may have already noticed is right around the corner. Since all of these products are compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, you’ll be able to find them at Apple Stores across the country. Are you planning on buying any of these new products?

These headphones have a silver body with a blue trim ring around the earpiece sporting white stars. The air tip cushions and a small section of your earphone body are red. USA is stenciled on each side in white. These earphones are for active users and have ear hooks. Monster calls the special athlete inspired ear tips OMNITIP.

The special limited-edition headphones will only be produced for one month. They will sell at an MSRP of $149.95. Monster promises that you can run, exercise, and do just about anything you want wearing these earphones, and they won’t slip and fall out of your ears. They’re also sweatproof and washable.

They even come in a jewelry-esque box which lifts the headphones up toward you as you open the lid. So far so good – they even sound decent too – but we’re glad Monster ditched their original tagline of “Edgy like diamonds, smooth like tears” as it almost sounds like a threat.

If the Diamond Tears aren’t butch and manly enough for you – or if you fly a top-secret spy plane – then the Monster VEKTR with Diesel might fit the bill. Fewer facets and a lot more black plastic, they use similar internals but tuned to the fashion brand’s “musical style” which, as far as we can tell, is a mixture of thumpy-thumpy and punchy treble.

Looking almost pedestrian in comparison are the Monster Inspiration headphones, squared off and folding conveniently, with a choice of regular or active-noise-cancellation models. They feature interchangeable headband inserts, which snap into place magnetically, allowing you to replace the discrete black leather default with studded, colored or fabric alternatives. Monster will be running a promotion in the UK for the Olympics, bundling two different bands as standard and offering buyers their choice of a country-themed insert too.

Then there’s Monster’s range for teens, slotting into the gap, so the company explained to us, where previously it would have been pushing the Beats Solo headphones. Both over-the-ear and in-ear options are offered; the former, rather than folding, have a “practically indestructible” headband based on the idea that most wearers tend to hang their ‘phones around their neck when they’re not using them, rather than putting them in a bag.

The in-ear alternative, meanwhile, has neat anti-tangle flat wires and magnetic backs that click together behind your neck, allowing you to wear the set like a lanyard.

These glasses are actually available for order right now, a clip-on available for those of you who wish not only to be able to hear and read the movie you’re watching, but to see 3D movies as well. Of course to make these glasses work, you’ll need to have paired with the theater’s pre-made tracks beforehand. That said, we’ll see the implementation of these glasses, with Regal Entertainment Group providing the connections you need, by the third quarter of 2012.

The image you see above comes from a press release from Sony from back in October of 2011 – the look of the glasses will likely change significantly before their actual release.

This fabulous advancement in technology for the otherwise sight or hearing impaired audience will likely be adopted slowly, but will certainly have a chance at changing the way that audience is able to be entertained as the rest of this earth’s population is on a regular basis. The glasses themselves only weigh in at less than 3 ounces, and are able to be programmed in 6 different languages. Sony has not yet posted a sale location for these glasses – but we’re sure to see one soon!

[via Gizmo P]

The company isn’t short on hyperbole. The IE 800 earphones are the first to use a new, 7mm extra-wide band driver which Sennheiser designed – and patented – itself, and which delivers a full 5 – 46,500 Hz audio range. The shiny “exhausts” aren’t merely decorative, instead acting as bass tubes and broadening the sound stage, at least in theory.

The earphone cables themselves are non-removable – unlike some rivals, which allow you to unplug the cord and replace it with a shorter or longer version, or indeed swap it if it breaks – which Sennheiser says was a conscious decision so as to keep the bulk down. While that may have an effect on how much is dangling from each ear, it won’t in the pocket: Sennheiser’s default case, while conveniently having a plastic insert to safely stow the earbuds and wrap the cable, is nonetheless bulky like a tiny zippered hatbox.

The question hanging over the IE 800′s is whether would-be buyers should splash out €599 ($787) or look to a set of custom earphones instead: molded to suit their own ear canals, rather than using interchangeable (yet still generic) rubber tips. Audio performance from the IE 800′s was certainly clear and spacious, with the sound more akin to what we’ve heard from bulkier twin-driver earbuds despite the single driver.

Sennheiser had a range of music to trial, and the sparkly top-end from the new earphones was certainly noticeable. Bass, meanwhile, had a reasonable thump to it, though we’d need more time and some lossless tracks of our own to really put them through their paces. Still, the hybrid hard/soft eartips – which are soft silicone on the outside, but rigid on the inside to make clipping them in place more straightforward – were comfortable, and the light weight overall is welcome. We’ll know more when the IE 800′s arrive this coming summer.

The IE800 earphones use a new, 7mm extra-wide band driver of Sennheiser’s own design, which the company reckons is the smallest in the industry. That patented design still delivers a 5 – 46,500 Hz audio range, though.

The drivers are clad in ceramic casings, with acoustic stainless steel vents on the back for improved bass and “more defined” air flow. Frankly, they look like twin tailpipes on some performance hotrod, which is reason enough to find them appealing, and Sennheiser says the ceramic build should mean they last long enough to justify the not-inconsiderable initial outlay.

As for the HDVD 800, Sennheiser has apparently been pestered by amp lovers to develop its own headphone amplifier, hence the arrival of this premium model. A slab of anodized aluminum with a glass window on top to show the symmetrical digital amp, it supports up to 24-bit 192kHz sources and is designed for use particularly with Sennheiser’s own HD 800, HD 700, HD 650 and HD 600 earphones.

The Sennheiser IE 800 earphones will go on sale this summer, priced at €599 ($787), while the HDVD 800 headphone amp will arrive at the same time, priced at €1,499 ($1,973).

RHA is the audio arm of the Reid and Heath Group, a Glasgow, UK based headphones start-up. The promise is pro-grade audio with affordable price tags, and indeed the three models that have graced the SlashGear test bench all come in at under £50/$82.

RHA SA-850

The SA-850 headphones sit at the top of RHA’s new range, though at £49.95 ($82) they’re an affordable flagship. The company has spared no hyperbole, as you’d expect, and so they get 40mm titanium-coated mylar drivers with neodymium magnets and CCAW coils, adding up to a 16-22,000Hz frequency range, 113dB sensitivity and 32ohms impedance.

The earcups themselves are compact but eye-catching, thanks to gloss-finish casings, chrome mounts – within which they rotate but don’t swivel – and a leather-effect headband that has ben liberally stitched as though the seats on a classic sportscar. RHA has finished things off with a detachable, fabric-braided 1.2m cable (with gold connectors) that does an excellent job of avoiding tangles and is easy to unknot.

Unfortunately, despite the rotating earcups, we had some problems getting an entirely comfortable fit. Although there’s plenty of scope to twist them down, the earcups simply wouldn’t rotate upward as far as we’d have liked, because of the – seemingly intentional – design of the hinge itself. That left the headphones failing to sit evenly on our ears, and proved somewhat uncomfortable after extended use. If you have a broader head you probably won’t have the same issue, though we wouldn’t say we were unnaturally narrow-faced.

It’s a shame, because with a decent fit the SA-850 produce a solid sound, despite the price tag. Bass is thoroughly evident and sturdy, managing a powerful thump without losing definition, while the mids and top end are clean and reasonably crisp. We might be tempted to up our budget if we listened primarily to vocal or string-heavy tracks, seeing as the SA-850′s lack a little of the sparkle more expensive cans manage, but there’s a healthy dollop of twang from electric guitars and dance or rock aficionados will find plenty to please them.

RHA SA-500

The SA-500′s slot into the middle of RHA’s traditional headphone range (the SA-200 are the entry-level model, which we didn’t have to review) but, at £34.95 ($57), they’re priced more like budget cans from rival firms. At first glance they’re very similar to the SA-850 set, but closer examination shows the glossy earcup covers have been replaced with matte, the chrome trim is missing and the headband is more discrete without the stitched quilting pattern.

40mm mylar drivers are used, as in the more expensive set, but they lose out on the titanium coating. Perhaps more worrying to the bass-heads among us, the frequency range has been curtailed somewhat, spanning 20-20,000Hz. You still get the fabric-braided cable, however, and the somewhat frustrating earcup design that lacks swivel exactly where we’d like it.

The shortened bottom end has little impact on what are still some bass-friendly headphones, with the SA-500′s still more than capable of drilling through your ears with a slap of well-timed lower frequencies. In side-by-side comparison with the SA-850′s a little muddying of the mid-range becomes apparently – those twangy guitars lose a little of their definition and luster – but altogether they’re still miles ahead of the dreary bundled headphones most PMPs are supplied with.

RHA MA-350

RHA only has a single set of in-ear earphones in its range, but don’t assume they’re an afterthought. The distinctive shape – which reminds us a little of a B&O speaker, with its arching aluminum cone – is apparently based upon “the aerophonic design of a trumpet’s bell” while the fabric-braided (non-detachable) cable and gold-plated connectors are carried over from the headphone line.

You get a fair amount for your £29.95 ($49): the earphones, a soft carry case for them, and three sizes of silicone tip to suit different scales of ear. The latter may not be bristling in flanges and moldings like some tips we’ve seen, but they slot into the ear and grip with no issues, even while jogging.

Given the price, we were cautious of expecting too much from the MA-350′s; happily the cut-price earphones proved us wrong. We’re not sure whether the trumpet-styling adds to it, but the sound has a decent slug of bass that undercuts a full-bodied midrange and some neatly crisp treble. Pitted against more expensive in-ear options and the RHA’s understandably come off worse, but what’s impressive is how well the sound from the MA-350′s sits together. It’s a very natural, listenable audio, without any of the imbalance that could end up showing up shortcomings elsewhere.

Wrap-Up

We’ve been stung before by low-price headphones that promise the world but deliver audio that sounds like it’s been delivered through an echoey bucket. Happily, the RHA trio go a long way in restoring our faith. Budget needn’t mean uninspiring and, when judged against the sticker price on any of the three models, it’s tough not to be impressed by what music they can produce.

Our lingering concern about the SA-850 and SA-500 headphones is in the fit, not the function. Obviously that’s a subjective element; if you can try them on before you buy, we’d recommend it. Ironically the cheapest model, the MA-350, is perhaps the most successful when you take into account how little is being asked for them.

The budget headphone segment is a hotly contested one, difficult to break into when Sennheiser, Sony and others have huge economy of scale and coveted shelf space at retailers. What’s clear, though, is that there’s a big improvement to be had by upgrading the bundled earphones that come with a new phone or iPod with a set of aftermarket alternatives. Fit quibbles aside, each of the RHA options offer a significant step up in musicality for the equivalent of a couple of albums (if, that is, anybody still buys those).

The earphones have an IPX7 protection rating and can be immersed in water up to 1 meter deep. Inside the earphones is a filter that has a mesh layer and a rubber ring along with a stainless steel plate for a solid inner base. The ear holder portion of the design is round to help keep the earphones in place when you are moving around.

Pioneer ships the earphones with four sizes of soft rubber tips for a customized fit. The drivers inside the earphones are 9mm units with a playback frequency of 10Hz to 20KHz with an impedance of 16 ohms. The plug is a 3.5mm unit so they earphones will work with just about any smartphone and media player. The price is $59.99 and it’s not clear when these earphones will be available to purchase.

[via Audiocubes]

The MSRP for the earphones is $99 and they are available to buy right now online and in some retail locations. The earphones can be custom fit with the Etymotic Custom-fit program. The headphones promised accurate sound reproduction, high levels of noise isolation with up to 42dB reduction, and they use Accu-chamber tech.

The drivers are 8mm dual-magnet moving coil offerings. The headphones come with a 2-year warranty. The headphone cable is Kevlar reinforced for durability and the Accu-filter tech has replaceable filters to protect from earwax. The maker claims that the earphones are documented to provide the most noise isolation of any earphones or headphones on the market today.

The EarSet 3i replaces the EarSet 3 and while we expected them to cost $250, B&O is offering the earphones for the same $199 price as the predecessor. The EarSet 3i is designed for use with the iPhone, iPod, and iPad and has an inline remote that will allow you to control tracks. That remote also has a mic for making and receiving phone calls.

B&O promises outstanding sound quality, which is what the brand is known for. Each of the earpieces weight 8 grams and they have loops to help them stay in place with activity. The earphones are made from aluminum and soft touch rubber and have a 1m long cord. The frequency range is 50-20,000 Hz and the connector is a 3.5mm mini jack.

The line-up will consist of in-ear buds up to full headphones, with plenty of metal and Kevlar-reinforced cables to keep them distinct. There’s plenty of vampire-themed puns in the V-MODA press release, but we were impressed by the audio quality from the Crossfade LP set to listened to, so we’re reasonably hopeful that the True Blood collection won’t be all bark and no bite (sorry, we couldn’t help it).

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the six models, though they should all go on sale by the time True Blood hits the airwaves again on June 26. However, we also have a giveaway coming up where you can win a pair, so keep reading SlashGear for details on how to enter!

Press Release:

V-MODA and HBO® Partner to Create “V-MODA for True Blood” Line

Sexy, stylish headphones for those whose lives begin at night

June 1, 2011 – Hollywood, Calif. – V-MODA, the music lifestyle brand that pioneered the fashion headphone category, and HBO, America’s most successful premium television company, today announce their partnership to establish a collection of headphones that embodies the spirit of the award-winning series, True Blood®. Scheduled to launch this June, the “V-MODA for True Blood” collection offers six models ranging from ear buds to headphones, including a brand new style specifically crafted for this line. The “Hearwear” is tailored to the tastes and sensibilities of the millions who identify with True Blood’s alluring, sexy style.

In V-MODA, Chief Visionary Officer and DJ, Val Kolton, created a lifestyle brand that naturally aligns with True Blood’s sexy night life. True Blood fans, music lovers, night-dwellers and artisans alike will be drawn to the headphones’ almost immortal durability, made possible by V-MODA’s MaterialEDGE military-tough testing processes and over four years of quality engineering. The product line’s timeless materials – metal, Kevlar®-reinforced cables and luxurious fabrics – ensure functionality that, like True Blood’s vampires, can span years without signs of deterioration. And most importantly, each product has been masterfully tuned alongside legendary musicians, producers and DJs to deliver “supernatural” sound.

“The fantastical world of True Blood speaks to the vision and values of the V-MODA Tribe,” says Kolton. “Our products have been carefully crafted for those whose style and sophistication have evolved through the ages. With each season, more and more people have found it impossible to resist the allure of True Blood and we think the same will be true of the new “V-MODA for True Blood” line. Like the show, it’s appealingly seductive.”

“Music is a very integral part of the story telling for all of our programming, especially True Blood,” stated James Costos, vice president Licensing & Retailing, HBO. “So it made sense for us to partner with V-MODA which is an extremely forward-thinking music accessories company. In addition, their brand mirrors the edgy, provocative qualities that are so closely associated with the show.”

Arriving in time for the show’s fourth season premiere on June 26th, the “V-MODA for True Blood” line will be unveiled and available at select retailers, including V-MODA.com, Amazon (Amazon), (Newegg), and the HBO Shop® at (42nd St. & 6th Ave) and online (www.store.hbo.com).

The earphones get power for the active noise cancellation features with a single AAA battery. That one battery can power the headphones for 120 hours of music. The noise cancellation feature can also be turned off or bypassed when the battery is dead.

Pioneer ships the headphones with an in-flight plug adapter, interchangeable ear tips in four sizes, and a carry pouch. The cord is 4.6-feet long and the earphones sell for $99. You can order them right now and Pioneer promises that they cancel up to 90% of external sounds.

One of the features of the new earphones is a Microban antimicrobial protection on the earbuds and the mic to prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria. That makes the earphones more sanitary and helps prevent stains. The earbuds also have FlexFit necks for comfort.

The FlexFit neck is a first for the industry and allows the neck to flex when the user put the earphones into their ears for more comfort. They use a 3.5mm headphone port and will work with Skype, FaceTime, iChat and more. They come in several colors and sell for $39.99.

The earphones use SPL2 technology that claims to be able to prevent long term hearing damage from listening to music with earphones turned up too high. The SPL2 tech limits volume levels using advanced circuits and doesn’t need battery powered processing to do so.

The circuits preserve hearing and leave the music content largely unchanged according to dB Logic. The volume regulating technology doesn’t make the music sound clipped or distorted according to the maker. The EP-100 earphones can be ordered on Amazon for $29.99.

These little earphones are 6mm in size and promise a premium audio experience. The tiny 6mm earphone body is smaller than the ear tips of the headphones. The small size means that the headphones are lightweight at only 1.6 ounces and the case is made from aluminum alloy.

The ear tips are silicone and are elongated for better noise blocking capability. The Icon series ships with tips in small, medium, and large sizes. The drivers are magnesium-enriched and promise deep bass thanks to a special strontium magnet. You can get the headphones on Amazon right now for $29.99, which is much less than the $80 MSRP.

NOX is aiming the headphones at mobile gamers and music fans that want a set of headphones that delivers lots of bass without sacrificing vocal clarity. The headphones will work with the Nintendo DS, PSP, iPhone, iPod and just about anything else with a 3.5mm headphone port. The Scout headphones will also work with the Xbox and PS3 when used with the NOX Negotiator Optical Gaming Adapter.

The Scout has an omnidirecitonal mic for picking up sound and the cables are flat for good looks. The drivers inside the Scout are 6mm balanced units, the frequency response is 10Hz to 26Hz and the sensitivity is 107 dBSPL. They ship with a carry case and small, medium, and large ear cushions. The Scout headphones sell for $79.99 in black or white colors.

The headphones can be used with the Xbox Live or Playstation Network if they are purchased with the Astro MixAmp. Without the amp the headphones won’t work on game consoles. The earphones have a frequency response of 20 – 20,000Hz and promise clear sound.

The in-line control is on a medallion with pause/play, mute, volume, and call answer/hang-up functionality. A carry case is also included that is soft and fits in a pocket. The earphones can be pre-ordered now in black, white, or silver for $79.95.

The Major headphones come with a 6.3mm adapter and a 1m extension cable, and are constructed from the same vinyl used in Marshall amplifiers complete with the “original Marshall texture.” They’re priced at $99/€99 and available now.

Meanwhile the Minor earphones come with a regular stereo adapter – for use with non-handsfree devices – a cable clip and four different sizes of earbud. They’re $59/€59 but currently sold-out.

These new earphones use a new MG7 transducer and TrueTimbre audio features for rich and full sound with an eco friendly package. The earphones are also known as the ASE earphones and have the proprietary Future Sonics studio grade dynamic driver. The earphones can be picked up at Airport Wireless stores for $229.

Features include dynamic drivers that can reproduce frequencies below 150Hz better than multiple driver designs are capable of. The earphones are lightweight and have multiple ear tips for a comfortable fit. The earphones have a response range from 18Hz to 20,000Hz and a sensitivity level of 112dB @ 30Hz. They also ship with a zipper case made from rubber reclaimed from old inner tubes.

The case of the Vibrato earphones are die cast and have a very cool black and silver design. The earphones have 8mm dynamic HD neodymium driver for deep bass while still having good mid and high range sounds.

The earphones also have BLISS noise isolating technology inside to reduce background noise and make the bass deeper. The headphones ship with XS-L silicone ear tips and have the Active Flex ear hook for active users. The headphones use a 3.5mm plug and the remote allows the user to control volume, answering of calls and more. The earphones sell for $129.99.

The French designer EarSonics claims that the earphones are appropriate for audiophiles and professional musicians. The SM3 earphones feature triple balanced armature drivers with 3-way passive crossover. The frequency response for the earphones is 20Hz – 18 kHz with an impedance of 17 ohms.

Sensitivity for the earphone is 122dB/mW and they ship with a soft pouch for storage. Multiple ear tips are offered for a comfortable and custom fit with comply foam tips, silicon tips, and a wax removal tool is included. The earphones sell for $379 per set and are available now.

Altec Lansing promises that the earphones deliver a balanced and rich signal that leaves the music you hear just as it was recorded. The headphones are compatible with the iPod, iPhone, iPad, MP3 player, and computers as well as other devices. The frequency range they support is broad at 20Hz to 20kHz.

The bass promises to be crisp but not overwhelming and the Muzx Ultra earphones have 26dB of noise isolation. That is enough sound filtering to block things like traffic and engine noise. The earphones also have an inline remote control that works with the iPhone and iPods and a mic built-in for making and receiving phone calls. The cable is 46-inches long and the earphones include an 8-piece fitting kit and a carry case. Pricing for the MZX606 earphones is $99.95 and the ship date is set for October.

Unlike the plastic-bodied SA6 earphones, both the SA7 and SA6-R use the same solid aluminum core.  Around that core are bolted the shells: aluminum on the SA6-R’s (either brushed or a soft-touch blasted finish; what you can see in our photos are still non-final) while the SA7′s get custom carbon-fiber.  The latter is worth examining; it has the tightest weave of any carbon-fiber we’ve seen, and is in fact manufactured for Sleek by a military composite specialist responsible for producing drones for the US government.  Tricky to photograph, but it looks brilliant in real life.  The SA7′s get a dual armature driver to differentiate them from the single armature driver of the SA6-R’s.

As with the SA6′s, you can adjust the treble and bass response of the SA7′s and SA6-R’s using various tube and plug inserts as part of the company’s VQ System.  There are also various silicone tips (and you’ll still be able to get the CT6 Customs which are specifically molded to a cast of your ear canal) and you can detach the audio cables for easy replacement or to use the Kleer wireless system.

It’s too soon to say conclusively about audio quality, but our first impressions of the SA7′s are certainly positive.  We’re used to Sleek offering airy, twinkling high end frequencies paired with distinctive, clear bass (and you can tweak those, of course) but the new set seems even more precise.  We tried a broad range of musical styles – from classical through to pounding dance – and the real takeaway was the delineation of the different components of the audio.  Bass was powerful but wasn’t an overwhelming thump, coexisting well with other elements rather than drowning them out; mids and trebles, meanwhile, were piping clear and crisp.  The end result was more enjoyable music at quieter volumes (though that’s not to say the SA7′s can’t handle high power).

We’ll save anything more in-depth until review samples are available, which should be sooner rather than later: Sleek say the new sets are almost ready for release.  The SA6-R’s will be priced at roughly the same as the SA6′s they replace, around $200, while the SA7′s will be $350-400, still cheaper than rivals from Shure and others (and which are often made of plastic not metal).

Each set of earphones comes with four pairs of silicone ear cushions in sizes from XXS to M to get the right fit for all users. The headphones have 115cm long cables and weigh 12g. The sensitivity is 105dB/Mw with frequency response from 20 Hz – 20KHz. The impedance for the headphones is 16 ohms and they block up to 24dB of sound.

The connector for the earphones is the standard 3.5mm so they will work with most mobile devices. The UE 100 earphones are among the cheapest in the Ultimate Ears line at $19.99 per pair. They will ship in Europe and the US this month.

Logitech has come up with a new, proprietary design with three balanced armature speakers, and that’s paired with a rugged low profile, low distortion cable, dual acoustically tuned sound channels and multiple passive crossover points.  They’ll also finish them to your custom design, though don’t be surprised to see the price climb over the $1k mark if you take them up on the offer.

The UE 500 model headphones are the high-end offering of the new additions with a small design made to sit flush with the ears and a no-tangle cord. The 350 earphones are tuned for extra bass for fans of bass heavy music and are made from a sweat resistant material for people who like to wear them when they workout.

The 200 earphones are offered in pink, black, or blue colors and are made for comfort even for users with smaller ears. The 500vi and 200vi headsets are the same as the 200 and 500 with the addition of a mic for voice call compatibility with the iPhone and other smartphones. Pricing for the headphones is $29.99 for the 200, $49.99 for the 350, and $69.99 for the 500. The 200vi headset is $39.99 and the 500vi headset is $79.99 with availability for all of them set for next month.

In the box are the IDR655m earphones themselves, a choice of single- and double-flanged silicone earbuds in three sizes, a clip to pin the cable to your shirt or coat, and a travel pouch for when they’re not plugged into your iPhone. There’s a standard 3.5mm plug, so the audio and microphone will potentially work on non-iPhone handsets, but you probably won’t get the extra control functions Scosche bake in.

That’s a shame, as tapLINE II is half of what makes the IDR655m earphones special. The in-line control block has buttons for volume and play/pause or answering calls, but double-clicking the middle button skips the track forward and triple-clicking flicks back to the previous track. Holding the button down triggers VoiceOver voice control. The microphone is separate from the controller section, which means it can be closer to your mouth while leaving the buttons within easier reach.

Comfort-wise, the IDR655m’s are far easier on the ears than Apple’s regular buds. The silicone tips are on the right side of tenacious, without gripping painfully, and they’re light enough to wear while jogging and still be free from the fear that they’ll be tugged out. Scosche has used a flatter, nylon-wrapped cable that is more resilient to tangling, so it’s possible to whip them out of the pouch and be listening in seconds rather than having to spend five minutes unknotting them.

Unfortunately, that braided cable has a frustrating side-effect that rears its head whenever you’re moving. As it rubs against itself – and your clothes or bag – it sends vibrations all the way up and into your ears, and can prove seriously distracting if you’re listening to quieter music. It’s a shame, since the audio quality in general is decent: we wouldn’t argue with some extra bass, certainly, but the mid-range is pleasingly spaced and the trebles have the sort of sparkle you’d normally spend in the mid-$100s to achieve. Tweaking the iPhone’s EQ to over-emphasise the bass left things muddy: thumping, yes, but lacking definition.

In-call performance is also strong, with callers reporting clear audio from the IDR655m’s microphone. The earbuds do a decent job of cutting out environmental noise, too, though there’s no active noise cancellation.

At their full MRSP we’d be reserved in our enthusiasm about the Scosche IDR655 earphones; the market at the $100-mark is hotly contested, after all. Under $50, however, and they’re a far more tempting prospect. There are certainly earphones with better audio quality – particularly at the bass end – but you’re looking at nigh-on double the price for them, and in terms of the difference in performance above and beyond the standard Apple headset it’s night and day. The noise from the woven cord is worth bearing in mind if you generally listen to quieter, acoustic or classical music, mind. Still, for most iPhone owners it’s a decent upgrade and makes a world of difference from the out-of-the-box experience.

Many of the quality earphones on the market today include a number of tips made from silicon and many of them include foam tips from Comply as well. I like the Comply tips and use them on my earphones because they are more comfortable and help block out more external sound than the silicone tips typically can.

Comply has announced that you can now buy tips in several colors separately from your earphones. The new tips are offered in eight colors including Key Lime, Charcoal, Nickel, Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Combat Green, Blueberry and Schnozberry. I have no idea what that last color look looks like. The tips aren’t cheap though at $9.95 per set. Comply says that the tips will fit more than 100 earphone brands.

The Medis Earphones with EarClick Technology are offered in a bunch of different colors and look weird at first glance. The EarClick tech secures the earphones to your ears at two separate points.

The earphones are secured to your ear in the outer canal and the tips stick into your inner ear canal like normal ear buds. The design relieves pressure and eliminates the need for ear loops to keep the ear buds in place. They have 15.4mm drivers, a 47-inch cord, and use a 3.5mm headphone plug. The Medis earphones also have an inline mic and volume control.

These earphones look like a 9mm shell casing on the outside complete with a primer and stamps like a real bullet. The drivers inside the shell casing are 9mm units and the machined copper alloy housing is plated in 18k gold. The tips are made from silicone and the cable is reinforced with Kevlar fabric.

The cable uses a 3.5mm headphone jack making them work with just about any music device out here. The only downside is that the things are very expensive at $250 per set. A titanium version is said to be coming, perhaps they will be cheaper. That titanium version should land in August.

As these new images show, the earphones use a similar ear-nozzle arrangement to the SA1‘s, though unlike Sleek’s entry-level set they also have the full VQ sound adjustment control.  This consists of various bass and treble ports and plugs, which can be used to emphasise different aspects of the audio depending on the type of music you prefer listening to.

We chatted to Sleek Audio yesterday, and they told us that in comparison to the SA6 earphones, the new SA7′s extend the treble range by a full octave, together with heaping on extra bass.  Prices are expected to come in at around $350 to $400.

Inside, meanwhile, there are dual balanced armature transducers wrapped in shock-absorbing silicone that can apparently resist up to 14,000Gs.  Whether you’ll experience that sort of shock in your general listening is a different argument, of course, but at least you won’t have to worry about dropping them in your bag and bumping them around a bit.

They’re also paired with the Kleer wireless system, though looking at the single photo above it seems Sleek have a new controller which has track skip buttons and other playback keys; that presumably means you’ll be able to control your PMP without having to whip it out of your pocket.  Expected pricing is apparently in the $350 to $400 range, with the Kleer system another $100 on top; look for them to hit shelves within the next few months.

[via Head-Fi and via Sleek Audio Facebook page]

The earphones are offered in several styles, all of which are really weird. You can get the earphones with mushrooms on them, an arrow sticking out of an apple, a katana sword, and an ear. The ear ones are really strange making you look like some sort of Ferengi genetic accident.

I bet Steve Martin would be pumped about the katana and arrow designs. They are made to look like the sword or arrow are going all the way thorough your ears. If you have your heart set on a pair of these, you can get them over at GeekStuff4U.