AKG is positioning the Bluetooth set as the more flexible everyday option, while the Kleer set are targeted at audiophiles. The K830BT headphones promise up to 8hrs battery life, have an integrated microphone for hands-free use, and controls for track playback, volume and call/end.

The K840KL, meanwhile, lack the microphone and only have volume controls, but do offer up to two weeks of battery life, up to 65ft range and CD-quality sound with uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1kHz audio reproduction. Both are available now, priced at $249 for the Bluetooth set and $299 for the Kleer set.

Press Release:

AKG Unveils New Wireless Headphones: AKG® K 830 BT and AKG® K 840 KL On-Ears

New Headphones Utilize Bluetooth® and Kleer® Wireless Technology to Stream Music Without the Hassle of Cords for On-the-Go Lifestyle

STAMFORD, Conn. – HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), today announced the availability of two new wireless headphones, the AKG K 830 BT and AKG K 840 KL. Running through the airport, catching the next conference call or listening to the latest tunes on the plane will be a much more pleasant and stress-free experience with the new AKG® wireless headphones.

Perfect for the constant jetsetter who takes calls on the run yet enjoys listening to tunes on the train, the K 830 BT features Bluetooth® technology and is compatible with iPod and iPhone models, and other Bluetooth portable players. For the audiophile who wants to lose himself in music without being bound by a cord, the K 840 KL features Kleer® wireless technology and streams lossless CD-quality audio over the air from iPod and iPhone models, or other portable music players. Both pairs of headphones feature a proprietary 3D-Axis2 folding headband for a comfortable fit without pinching or ear fatigue.

The ear-cup-mounded control on the K 830 BT headphones allows users to raise and lower volume, and answer and end phone calls, and can play, pause or skip music tracks. Users can leave their source device safely in a pocket, backpack or briefcase while on the go with up to eight hours of playback time between charges. A directional microphone, also on the ear cup, eliminates the need for a boom mic.

The K 840 KL headphones deliver pure, uncompressed 16-bit stereo audio over a robust 2.4 GHz radio link, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the music with virtually no interference. With these mini on-ear headphones, users can freely move as far as 65 feet from the audio source and still enjoy high-quality sound. For added convenience, users can adjust the volume on the actual ear cup, as with the K 830 BTs. The K 840 KLs also feature an extended battery life of up to two weeks in normal use.

“Phone charger, laptop AC adapter, iPod headphones – we have too many cords in our lives,” said David Slump, president, HARMAN Consumer Division. “AKG is proud to introduce innovative products that continue to bring studio-quality sound to every ear for a portable and more seamless experience in our everyday lives.”

Availability

The AKG K 830 BT mini on-ear headphones featuring Bluetooth technology are available now for $249 at www.harmanaudio.com/AKG830BT. The AKG K 840 KL mini headphones featuring Kleer wireless technology are available now for $299 at www.harmanaudio.com/AKG840KL.

AKG K 830 BT Features

· Bluetooth wireless technology streams music and phone calls from any Bluetooth device

· Volume, music and phone controls on-ear cup limit the need to interact with source device

· Directional microphone on-ear cup offers compact design while eliminating the need for a boom mic

· Comfortable fit enables hours of continuous listening with no pinching or ear fatigue

· 3D-Axis2 folding headband folds compactly for easy portability

· Long battery life includes up to eight hours of playback time between charges

AKG K 840 KL Features

· Kleer wireless technology features CD-quality sound with uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1kHz audio reproduction

· Extended battery life gives listeners more playback time and less downtime with up to two weeks between charges with normal use

· Extended operating range offers more freedom of movement, working more than 65 feet from the audio source

· Comfortable fit allows for hours of continuous use with no pinching or ear fatigue

· Passive noise reduction effectively seals out most ambient sounds for undisturbed listening

· 3D-Axis2 headband folds to fit into a compact hard carrying case for easy portability

As for the hardware, the Audio Plus Services’ Focal Bird speaker system consists of two small satellite speakers, which are connected to the “Power Bird” unified amplifier, subwoofer, and DAC. The speakers can be set pretty much anywhere you’d want: you can lay them flat, stand them up, or even hang them on the wall, depending on what fits your room best.

The whole set-up comes packaged with a Focal Kleer Technology wireless dongle, which should offer up some seamless connections with Apple’s iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. But, if the Kleer Technology isn’t good enough for you, you can add an option USB dongle (for $99.95), which will make it possible to stream music wirelessly from any device with a USB port. Audio Plus Services is including a universal remote inside the box, too. The Focal Bird speaker system will be available some time this Fall from Audio Plus Services in several configurations. You’ll be able to pick it up for somewhere around $995.

[via eCoustics]

Because of Kleer’s multipoint technology, up to five sets of headphones can be paired with any one transmitter, and since its not infra-red like other in-car audio systems it doesn’t require line-of-sight and won’t be overcome on sunny days.  Mercedes will be including a couple of sets of headphones in the car – as well they should, given how much an E- or S-Class will set you back – but any Kleer headphones you have will work too.

That means you could hook up a set of Sleek Audio Kleer-enabled earbuds or perhaps some cheaper DigiFi versions and still hear the same thing, only at higher audio quality and with longer battery life than Bluetooth cans.  Meanwhile Kleer won’t interfere with the Mercs’ WiFi or Bluetooth, either, unlike other 2.4GHz systems.

No word on how much you’ll be looking for to equip your new ride with Kleer, but with the company being acquired by SMSC – who make audio equipment for Audi, BMW, Daimler AG/Mercedes- Benz, Hyundai/Kia, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Toyota and Volvo among others – we’re hoping it’ll trickle down into cheaper models.

Press Release:

SMSC’s Wireless Audio Using Kleer® Technology To Be Implemented in Automotive Infotainment System of Selected Mercedes-Benz Models

Model Wins Mark SMSC’s First Automotive Customer for Kleer Technology

Hauppauge, New York – June 24, 2010 – SMSC (NASDAQ: SMSC), today announced that its Kleer® wireless audio technology has been selected by Daimler AG as part of the rear seat entertainment system for the company’s 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class models. These two Mercedes-Benz models are the first automobiles to implement Kleer technology and add to the growing list of products consumers can choose from to enjoy the high quality wireless audio that Kleer can offer.

Kleer technology transmits CD-quality digital wireless audio from two video screens on the back of the seats to multiple wireless headphones in both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class models. Each screen can display different content and occupants can select which audio stream their headphones receive. Multiple occupants can share the same stream. The ultra low power consumption of Kleer technology ensures many hours of enjoyment before headphone battery charging is needed. Mercedes-Benz owners have the choice of using the brand’s headphones provided with the car or using their favorite third-party Kleer-based headphones or earbuds as they are available for example from AKG, Sennheiser or TDK.

“We are pleased to announce Daimler AG’s selection of Kleer technology in these two prestigious Mercedes- Benz models,” said Dr. Christian Thiel, Vice President and General Manager of SMSC’s Automotive Information Systems group. “Kleer’s high quality audio, exceptional radio performance and industry-leading low power consumption make it an ideal choice for streaming wireless audio in the portable, home and automotive markets.”
Kleer wireless audio technology resolves the issues associated with analog Infra-Red (IR) technology, which has been the primary technology used in wireless automotive headphones to date. Analog IR transmission of audio suffers from low quality audio, interference from visible light sources like sunlight, and high power consumption. It also requires an uninterrupted line-of-sight path from transmitter to receiver. Kleer addresses these issues and adds the ability to have multiple audio streams transmitting in the vehicle simultaneously.

“Consumer demand for in-vehicle multimedia experiences continues to grow at a rapid pace, and wireless audio is a crucial element,” said Mark Fitzgerald, associate director, Global Automotive Practice at Strategy Analytics. “Wireless solutions that offer high quality audio and low power characteristics are positioned well in this expanding market.”

In addition to its high audio quality and low power consumption, Kleer technology also offers excellent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth co-existence capabilities. This means that the vehicle’s infotainment system, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled devices can all be used simultaneously in the vehicle with no interference.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class also feature the MOST® multimedia networking standard, which is the de facto standard for efficiently moving high-bandwidth infotainment content around the vehicle. MOST
and Kleer are synergistic technologies. While MOST represents the backbone of the whole infotainment system and moves all signal streams between the devices, Kleer is the high quality wireless link for headphones and remote controls.

About SMSC

SMSC is a leading developer of Smart Mixed-Signal ConnectivityTM solutions. SMSC employs a unique systems level approach that incorporates a broad set of technologies and intellectual property to deliver differentiating products to its customers. The company is focused on delivering connectivity solutions that enable the proliferation of data in personal computers, automobiles, portable consumer devices and other applications. SMSC’s feature-rich products drive a number of industry standards and include USB, MOST® automotive networking, Kleer® wireless audio, embedded system control and analog solutions, including thermal management and RightTouchTM capacitive sensing. SMSC is headquartered in New York and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia, Europe and India. Additional information is available at www.smsc.com.

In February 2010, SMSC acquired substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of Kleer Semiconductor Corporation, a designer of high quality, interoperable wireless audio technology addressing headphones and earphones, home audio/theater systems and speakers, portable audio/media players and automotive sound systems. Kleer technology powers the world’s best sounding wireless audio devices for use in the home, on the go and in the car. Kleer’s products are based on the first wireless technology to combine high quality audio and robust ISM band coexistence with low power consumption. Unlike Bluetooth and WiFi, Kleer technology’s sub-sampling radio architecture was designed from the ground up to communicate lossless, CD-quality, digital stereo audio over a robust 2.4GHz radio link while achieving several times the battery life of a comparable Bluetooth solution as well as audio coexistence with WiFi hot spots. Kleer technology is well suited for portable music players, iPod® and other personal media accessories, home audio/theater/TV systems, earbuds, headphones, speakers and automobile entertainment systems.

About SMSC’s Automotive Product Line

SMSC’s Automotive Information Systems is a supplier of TrueAutoTM infotainment and information semiconductor and software solutions to major automakers, including Audi, BMW, Daimler AG/Mercedes- Benz, Hyundai/Kia, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Toyota and Volvo. SMSC is a founding member of the MOST Cooperation, a cooperative of automakers, automotive systems architects and manufacturers and key components suppliers working to extend and refine the MOST® standard for the evolving requirements of automotive multimedia networking. Additional information is available at www.smsc-ais.com.

Of course, the iPad already has integrated Bluetooth with A2DP support, but then you’re dealing with limited audio quality and the trouble of finding an audio system with Bluetooth itself.  Kleer, meanwhile, promises CD-quality audio and the ability to simultaneously pair one transmitter with up to four receivers; you could, for instance, have your Kleer-based headphones paired with the same transmitter, switching easily between private playback or routing audio through your speakers.

What doesn’t work is track control and menu navigation from the speaker dock’s remote.  We can adjust volume, but not navigate the iPad’s music; still, since the tablet isn’t actually docked you can simply carry it around and control it directly.  It would make particular sense for a party or any sort of gathering, where you could pass the iPad around and everyone have a hand in creating a custom playlist.  Range is listed as 10m in open space; we got smooth playback even with a couple of walls in-between.

You can pick up the iFreeHifi kit – which consists of both the S5T transmitter and RX1 receiver – for £75 ($114); alternatively, they’re sold separately for £42 ($64) and £35 ($53) respectively.  There’s also an iDock, for £15 ($23), which bridges your HiFi’s auxiliary input and the S5T.

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]

If you the S5 headphones look familiar, that’s because they’re identical in design to DigiFi’s Digital Opera S2 set which we reviewed back in January. The earbuds themselves are tethered to a small receiver/power box, intended to hang at the back of your neck; there’s a USB charging cable to power it up. Where the two sets differ is in the transmitter: while the S2′s came with a generic dongle that plugged into a 3.5mm headphone socket, the S5′s come with an iPod-specific dongle that slots into your Apple PMP’s dock connector.

While that limits the S5′s to an Apple-owning audience, it also means DigiFi can add in some remote control support. Whereas on the S2′s one set of earbud buttons controlled volume and the other toggled the “3D” DSP on and off, the S5 earbuds control volume and track control. Since the dock connector provides power, there’s no internal battery in the transmitter either; that means one less thing to remember to charge up, which we’re always grateful for.

DigiFi supply the transmitter/receiver pre-paired, but there are instructions for associating one or both with other existing Kleer-based kit in the box. Similarly you can pair up to four receivers with a single transmitter, so that multiple people can listen in. If you picked up one of the D&A RX1 iPod speaker-dock adapters we reviewed in February, you could easily cut the cord between your iPod and its speakers, but still leave yourself able to turn on some headphones for private listening.

As we said of the S2′s, Kleer’s selling point is that the audio it transmits is CD-quality (16-bit, 44KHz) rather than the lossier audio you’d get with Bluetooth A2DP. However, that also means you’re at the mercy of the earphones themselves for the eventual sound quality; we went away disappointed with the performance of the Digital Opera S2 set. However, we were told that along with the new iPod functionality, DigiFi had reworked the S5′s to improve audio quality, and official resellers WireFreeHifi bundled a set of Comply ear-tips (which they sell as accessories) which they promised would make a real difference to audio quality.

To be fair, with the regular tips DigiFi provide, the S5′s do sound better than the S2′s. They still lack the richness of bass we’d prefer, and there’s a lack of top-end sparkle, but it’s not quite so muddy as the previous headphones. Swap out the standard flanged rubber tips for the Comply foam buds and things improve again, primarily because more outside noise is removed. They’re also comfier and feel more secure in your ear canals, which made us more confident about jogging and exercising while wearing them.

A single charge of the receiver is rated for up to 10hrs of playback, and we found – when we didn’t attempt to stretch the 10m wireless range – we could manage 8-9hrs of solid use. As with the S2′s you can’t use the S5′s while recharging them, however, a process which takes around 2.5hrs.

While the DigiFi Digital Opera S5′s are obviously narrower in their scope than the S2′s, the improvement in audio quality and the ability to control iPod playback add up to a better experience overall. Priced at £85/$129 they’re not cheap for headphones, and a wired set – at the same cost – will likely give you better audio quality; still, now at least there’s a better balance between performance and the useful freedom of cutting the cord. We can recommend them now, something we couldn’t with the S2′s, just make sure to budget an extra £6.25/$9 for the Comply foam tips.

A quick Kleer refresher for those unfamiliar with the technology. An alternative to Bluetooth A2DP, Kleer has a similar 10m range but higher audio quality; think 16-bit 44KHz CD quality rather than the sometimes crunchy sound you get from stereo Bluetooth headphones. You can also pair a single transmitter – which can plug into a standard 3.5mm headphone socket or into the 30-pin Dock connector of an iPod – with up to four receivers simultaneously.

So far all the Kleer receivers we’ve tried have been integrated with headphone systems, whether modular (but using proprietary plugs) as with Sleek Audio, or built into headphones as with Digital Opera. D&A’s RX1, meanwhile, is intended to plug into an iPod audio dock, streaming music from your iPod over to the speaker system.

Setup is straightforward, as it should be when you have a single button and a single LED as your user-interface. Pairing with a Kleer transmitter requires plugging each into their respective device (dock and iPod) and holding down the pairing button on each for 7 seconds; everything else is done automatically, and takes less than a minute. Subsequently, as soon as there’s power they’ll automatically reconnect.

Once that’s done, you basically operate the iPod as you would if it were in the dock, and the bottom line is that we noticed no difference in audio quality. D&A say the RX1 will work with most iPod docks, though whether the dock’s playback controls or remote will be functional seems to depend on manufacturer and model (obviously you’ll need to use a Kleer transmitter that plugs into the dock port if you want any chance of remote control). There’s a list of those known to be fully compatible here.

The main benefit is that you can be browsing the internet, emailing and generally using other features on your iPod while still playing music through the speakers. Another benefit, however, is that it opens up the iPod dock market to non-Apple audio sources. Use one of the generic Kleer transmitters, and anything with a 3.5mm headphone socket can transmit audio, be it your laptop, a non-Apple PMP or anything else.

If you’ve already got a Kleer headphones system and an iPod dock then – at £35 ($56) – the RX1 is a no-brainer addition. Rival Bluetooth systems do exist, and may even be a little cheaper, but you lose out on audio quality. If you’re yet to climb on board the Kleer wagon, things get a little more expensive; you can pick up an S5T wireless audio transmitter (which plugs into the iPod’s docking connector) for £42 ($67), or in a bundle with the RX1 for £75 ($120). Those with basic speaker docks might not deem the flexibility worth it, but if you’re using a more audiophile-friendly system and want to cut the cord, the RX1 blows Bluetooth A2DP out of the water.

As with other headphones we’ve seen, the Kleer receiver is integrated into the cans themselves, and there’s a simple transmitter dongle with a 3.5mm headphone plug which slots into your computer, iPhone or PMP.  Range is up to 10m and battery life up to 40hrs, and as with other Kleer products you can connect up to four receivers up to one single transmitter.

No word on a US or European launch as yet, but the TDK TH-WR700 headphones will arrive in Japan on March 1st 2010, priced at the equivalent of $190.

[via CrunchGear]

The resemblance between DigiFi’s system and Sleek Audio’s W1 wireless adapter is obvious, neither much adapted from Kleer’s original reference design. Where they do differ is in the earbuds themselves; Sleek use their standard plug connector, meaning you can use any of the company’s range with the W1 adapter, while the S2 earbuds are attached with a springy coil section midway through the short length of cable. The right earbud has a volume control – the buttons a little firmer than we’d like – and the left earbud a “3D audio” mode control, while there’s a power button on the main receiver section.

The transmitter, meanwhile, has a single power button and a 3.5mm gold-plated plug, and DigiFi also throw a short extension cable into the box just in case you’re dealing with a PMP with a recessed headphone socket. Setup is basically as simple as plugging in a pair of regular headphones, since the Digital Opera S2′s come pre-paired; you’re also able to hook up a further three Kleer receivers to the single transmitter, all hearing the same audio.

Both halves charge using a miniUSB connection, and there’s a double-headed USB-to-miniUSB cable supplied. Finally DigiFi add a soft carrying pouch and a number of alternative rubber earbuds; we were able to get a pretty decent fit, thanks to their longer reach and pronounced flanges. The receiver section hangs at the back of your neck and can – if you’re jogging – bounce around a little distractingly. We did have a couple of occasions where an earbud was tugged out by the movement, but generally they fit snugly.

Unfortunately, while the Kleer system may be lossless, that still leaves you at the mercy of the earbuds themselves. The “3D mode” pseudo surround sound effect is unconvincing, and like many cheap headphones they lack bass and mid-range definition. It’s obvious that most of the money has gone on the wireless tech rather than the audio quality; DigiFi squander the Kleer advantage and deliver something more on a par with Bluetooth A2DP performance.

Range is roughly 15-20 feet, and held up better than we find many Bluetooth headsets can manage, while battery life came in around 8-9hrs of solid use. A recharge took around 2.5hrs, but it’s worth noting that you can’t listen to music while this is taking place.

We found it difficult to get enthusiastic about the DigiFi Digital Opera S2 Wireless Headphones. While the Sleek Audio system makes up for the slight frustration of the separate Kleer transmitter dongle (rather than Bluetooth, which many devices have built-in) by virtue of the improved audio quality, we’re hard pressed to notice the difference between a similarly-priced set of Bluetooth cans and the S2′s. Throw in the fact that you sacrifice hands-free call functionality, which most stereo Bluetooth systems include, and the argument for DigiFi gets more tenuous. Kleer deserves more market recognition, but pairing it with underwhelming earphones is a false economy.

The SA1 earphones are all about making high-quality audio more personal, with their VQ tuning system that allows you to tweak the treble performance according to your individual tastes, so we’re keen to find out what helped your music get personal. To stand a chance of winning a set of SA1 earphones, or the SA6 W-1 bundle, head over to this forum thread and let us know about your first portable music system. Maybe you were an early iPod adopter, or perhaps you rocked an old Sony Walkman and still long wistfully for the old days of cassette tapes.

Entries will be accepted until midnight EST on December 3rd, and we’ll be picking three comments at random: one to win the SA6 W-1 bundle and two to take away a set of SA1 earphones each. Full competition rules are below; good luck!

Rules

Competition is open to residents of the US over the age of 18. Family members of Sleek Audio and SlashGear are not permitted to enter. Competition entries are only accepted via the specified SlashGear forum thread; entries left in the comments section of this or any other post will not be recognized. Entries should be submitted before midnight eastern time on December 3rd 2009; one entry per person (and yes, we check).

The winners will be announced on SlashGear and contacted via email (make sure to use a real email address!); they will be expected to respond within 24 hours else their prize may be forfeit and another winner selected. Editors decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winner agrees that their name and details of their entry may be used for promotional purposes by, but not limited to, SlashGear.

Prize consists of one SA6 W-1 Wireless Bundle and two sets of SA1 earphones to be shared between three winners. There is no cash alternative. Should this prize become unavailable, SlashGear and Sleek Audio reserve the right to substitute another prize of equal or greater value.

That means users can control play, pause, track skip in both directions, fast-forward and rewind, as well as volume, from the DigiFi S5 earbuds themselves, without having to take the iPod out of a pocket or bag.  Kleer’s wireless technology, meanwhile, streams uncompressed, lossless, CD-quality (16-bit 44.1KHz audio, rather than the compressed audio you’d get with Bluetooth.  You can read our review of Sleek Audio’s Kleer implementation – which uses the same wireless technology – here; one transmitter can stream to up to four headsets.

We grabbed a quick hands-on with the DigiFi prototypes back at CES.  The DigiFi Digital Opera S2 and Opera S5 will both be released worldwide on June 20th; no pricing details have been given.

Press Release:

DigiFi™ and Kleer™ Launch Digital Opera S2 And iPod®-Compatible Digital Opera S5 Wireless Earbuds

Change iPod Tracks And Volume Levels Remotely Using Buttons Conveniently Located On The Wireless Earbuds

Anyang, South Korea, May 19, 2009 – DigiFi and Kleer today announced the availability of the Digital Opera S2 and the ‘Made for iPod’ Digital Opera S5 wireless earbuds that feature volume and track control buttons conveniently located on the wireless earbuds. Ideal for people who like to listen to high-fidelity music without the wires at work or the gym, the Opera S2 and iPod-compatible Opera S5 use Kleer wireless technology to stream uncompressed, lossless, CD‑quality (16-bit, 44.1KHz-sampled) digital stereo audio. In addition, both wireless earbuds have a range of 32 feet (10 m), offer a listening time of up to 10 hours, and can stream audio to a maximum of four people who are using Kleer-based wireless earbuds.

“We’re very excited to announce the Opera S2 and the iPod-compatible Opera S5,” said No Young Park, CEO of DigiFi. “We believe these wireless earbuds will revolutionize the wireless headphone space as they offer an unparalleled wireless music listening experience. People will no longer need to dig their iPod out of their purse or pocket to change the volume or the song. Now, volume and track controls are easily managed remotely while their iPod is stored safely away.”

“DigiFi continues to impress the market by adding customer-driven features to its wireless earbuds,” said Steve Humphreys, President & CEO of Kleer. “With these new easy-to-use features, people will be able to change songs and volume without missing a beat. And since both earbuds use Kleer wireless audio technology, this means people are able to listen to uncompressed, lossless, CD-quality, digital stereo audio without the wires wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, by themselves or with friends, for longer than any earbuds this size.”

For customers wanting to stream music from a variety of portable and stationary media players the Opera S2 is ideal as its 3.5mm-compatible transmitter takes advantage of the popular 3.5mm stereo audio jack found on most media players — MP3 players, home stereo systems, computers, mobile phones, televisions, iPod docks, and more. For customers who only use an iPod, then the Opera S5 is ideal as its iPod-compatible transmitter offers customers the ability to play, pause, advance, previous, fast forward, and rewind a song using the track control buttons on the wireless earbuds.

The Opera S2 and iPod-compatible Opera S5 will be released worldwide on June 20, 2009. Final retail price depends on the country and distributor.

About DigiFi
Using Kleer wireless audio technology, DigiFi continues to innovate, design, and deliver wireless audio products aimed at the ever-growing consumer electronic market. In addition to marketing its own wireless earbud and wireless speaker product lines, DigiFi also offers original design manufacturing (ODM) capabilities for companies requiring a full service design shop who can take a product from vision to reality on time and on budget. For more information about DigiFi, please visit www.digifi.kr

About Kleer
Kleer is a fabless semiconductor company that has developed the first wireless audio technology to combine high quality audio and robust ISM band coexistence with low power consumption to address portable, home and automotive audio markets. Unlike Bluetooth, Kleer’s patented subsampling radio architecture was designed from the ground up to communicate lossless CD-quality digital stereo audio over a robust 2.4GHz radio link, while achieving 10 times the battery life of a comparable Bluetooth solution. Kleer’s Audio LP technology is ideally suited for OEMs of portable audio players, iPod® and other player accessories, home audio/theater systems, earphones, headphones, and speakers. Kleer distributes its products via direct sales in North America, Korea, Japan, and via DIP International (www.dipinternational.co.uk) for the UK & Europe. The Company is headquartered in Cupertino, California with product development facilities in Ottawa, Ontario.

Available in white or black, the DigiFi system comprises a transmitter – with a 3.5mm plug – that hooks up to your iPod, PMP or laptop, and a headset.  The industrial design is almost identical to Sleek Audio’s W-1 system, only the DigiFi earbuds are fixed rather than removable like the SA6′s.  Still, that means using the Digital Opera headset is likely to be very simple, just a case of hitting both buttons on the transmitter and receiver and waiting a second or two for them to synchronize.

DigiFi are suggesting you can see in excess of 10hrs of playback through the headset, with a 20HZ to 20KHz frequency range, 86dB signal to noise ratio and less than 0.1-percent distortion.  The short-range Kleer wireless has 2.37Mbps bandwidth and a range of up to ten meters

The DigiFi Digital Opera wireless headphones are priced at $98 each, and available now.  One transmitter can be used with up to four headsets, and anything based on Kleer technology – meaning the DigiFi, Sleek Audio and Sennheiser headsets – can be used interchangeably.

You can see our video unboxing and initial gallery here.  Inside the box there’s the wireless transmitter, a 4 x 2.5 x 1.1cm box with a single button, LED and protruding 3.5mm stereo plug, together with the receiver unit.  That measures 6 x 2 x 0.8cm; roughly the same as three or four sticks of gum stacked.  It’s light, too, which is good as it sits at the back of your neck.  A single button and LED, just like the transmitter, are the main controls.  Under a narrow hatch on both there’s a narrow port to plug in the double-headed USB recharging cable, plus a very fiddly main power switch.

Setup is straightforward, as the two parts come ready paired.  Unplug the SA6 earbuds from the normal cable, then plug in to the 15cm wires on the receiver.  The transmitter goes into the headphone port of your PMP or cellphone (either directly or via the short extension cable if the port is recessed); hold down the power button on both parts and after around four seconds of blinking music starts streaming.

There’s little adjustment possible, none in terms of the sound – though you can obviously tweak the bass and treble in the SA6 earbuds themselves – and the only changes to be made on the wireless receiver is shortening the cables by pulling them back through the rubber flex guards.  The LEDs blink periodically to show the system is powered on, but it’s not bright enough to be a distraction.  After a short period of no sound both go to sleep to conserve power, and can be woken with a quick press of the main buttons.

Sound quality is pretty much indistinguishable from a wired connection in most scenarios.  Kleer supports wireless frequencies between 20Hz and 20KHz with less than 0.1-percent distortion; in practical terms, all the uncompressed and 320kbps tracks that sounded so fantastic with the wired SA6′s sounded just as full bodied and clear with the wireless.  Tested side-by-side with a number of different A2DP stereo Bluetooth headphones the SA6 wireless setup consistently outperformed the competition, with more detail and less distortion.

Battery life is rated between 8 and 15hrs continuous use, which seems a realistic prediction.  We’ve been using the wireless system frequently since it arrived, with the initial two-hour charge giving us roughly ten hours of listening.  Sleek Audio offer an AC adapter, but it’s not included as standard; however the USB cable will work with most USB adapters (5.7v, 750mA) that come with cellphones and other mobile devices, if your laptop or PC is not to hand.  Should the batteries expire, you can plug back in the standard cable and keep on listening, which is something not generally possible with Bluetooth headsets.

One of Kleer’s benefits is the ability to simultaneously pair up to four receivers to a single transmitter, meaning four people could listen in at once.  While we only had a single W-1 set to review, additional pairing looks to be an easy process.  Furthermore, it will work with any Kleer system, so if you buy products using the technology from another manufacturer they’ll be compatible.

Our main criticism would be the main power switches, which really demand the tip of a pen to flick.  In general use, though, you won’t need them; holding down the button on transmitter and receiver puts each into standby, with battery lasting around seven days.  Using the main switches extends that to up to three months.  Unlike Bluetooth there’s no remote profile for skipping/pausing/controlling volume from the headphones, either.

If you can’t tell by now, we’re huge fans of the SA6 Wireless W-1 system.  There’s no compromise demanded in cutting the cord: the lossless or high-bitrate tracks that were so time-consuming to encode aren’t mangled in the journey from PMP to ear.  Sleek Audio have promised that future earphones will be compatible with the current wireless system, meaning that if you upgrade to a set of custom molded earphones or one of the company’s planned ranges you’ll still be able to listen wirelessly. 

That’s a good thing, as Sleek Audio aren’t exactly catering to the budget end of the market.  The SA6 earphones in their wired state cost $249.99; the W-1 system is priced at $120.  Alternatively there’s a bundle including SA6 and W-1 for $320 (saving almost $50) or the W-1 and a set of custom earphones for $399.99.  That’s not cheap, no, but nor is it out of line for the sound quality, convenience and flexibility on offer.  Frankly, anyone who already has SA6 earphones would be a fool not to pick up the W-1 wireless adapter, and anyone in the market for a set of high-end wireless headphones should certainly have the Sleek Audio system on their shortlist.

Like the sound of the Sleek Audio SA6 earphones?  Interested in your own W-1 Wireless Adapter?  Stay tuned to SlashGear for the chance to win your own!

Unboxing video and gallery of the Sleek Audio Wireless adapter after the cut

The adapter comes in two parts, the transmitter which plugs into a standard 3.5mm headphone socket, and the receiver, which plugs into the SA6 earbuds instead of the standard cable. Also in the box there’s a USB charging cable (with two plugs, to simultaneously recharge both the transmitter and receiver), a short headphone extension cable and a suede-effect carrying pouch.

Battery life is an estimated ten hours from a full two hour charge, and the range is up to 60 feet. Four independent receiver units can be paired with the transmitter simultaneously, and Sleek are promising that the system will be compatible with any future products they release. As we said, it’s too soon to make any definitive statements about the Sleek Audio Wireless system, so check back soon for the full SlashGear review.

Unboxing Video:

The wireless adapter plugs into the SA6 earphones instead of the standard cable; that means, if the battery runs down, you can switch back to wired and keep listening.  It also ensures that people who have already bought the SA6 earphones will be able to update to wireless without having to buy a whole new set.

Battery life is rated at up to ten hours, and since the transmitter plugs into a standard 3.5mm headphone socket it can be used with just about any PMP or source, with no impact on that device’s own battery life.  Range is up to 60 feet, and up to four wireless receivers can connect to one transmitter at any one time.

Mark Krywko, one of the Sleek Audio founders, also confirmed to SlashGear that the company is in talks with other high-end earphone manufacturers about using the wireless adapters.  The Sleek Audio Kleer wireless adapter is priced at $120, while a bundle with it and the SA6 earphones is priced at $299.99; we’ll be reviewing the system as soon as the first samples start shipping.

Press Release:

A New Standard is Set for Wireless Earphones; Sleek Audio Launches their KLEER Wireless Application for the SA6 and Sleek Customs

Music lovers are freed from the limitations of cords with Sleek Audio’s award winning earphones that offer CD quality digital audio for the ultimate wireless listening experience

Bradenton, Fl. October 08 – Sleek Audio, developer of the award winning SA6 earphones, has teamed with KLEER™, the leading wireless audio application developer, to create a wireless audio experience that sets a new standard for audio quality, comfort and flexibility.

Sleek Audio wireless earphones using KLEER technology are a breakthrough in sound quality from a wireless platform. They are the first to offer true, CD quality sound wirelessly through a customizable, ultra-wide balanced armature driver. No detail, range or power is lost as the audio signal travels from the music player to the earphones, allowing listeners to “escape” into their music like never before. They are also the first wireless earphones to resolve battery issues that other wireless systems struggle with. Previous wireless earbuds were rendered useless if the wireless application ran out of power and the listener was out of luck until they could recharge the battery. Thanks to the SA6’s detachable wire, if the wireless application runs out of battery, the original cable can simply be plugged in, and the listener is back in business.

“It’s amazing how far wireless technology has come along over the years. Until KLEER, wireless technology really did not do justice to our SA6’s, but now wireless technology has caught up with the audio side and we can offer wireless earphones that don’t sacrifice sound quality,” said Mark Krywko, CEO of Sleek Audio. “Our earphones are designed to evolve, and allow music lovers to escape into their music by offering unparalleled sound quality, comfort and ESC (Environmental Sound Control). Wireless is the next step in that evolution allowing for more freedom than ever. We’ve tested our wireless SA6’s with the most particular audiophiles we could find, and they couldn’t believe the quality of sound coming from our earphones using a wireless platform, we’ve really set the bar high and are excited to bring this application to music lovers around the world,” added Krywko.

The KLEER wireless system attaches seamlessly to all current and future Sleek Audio products thanks to the proprietary detachable cable that comes standard. It provides up to ten hours of battery life independent of the media player and allows up to four people to listen from a single audio stream with 60 feet of freedom thanks to KLEER’s multi-point Listen in™ technology.

“Sleek Audio really is a leading innovator in personal audio and after seeing (and listening to) what they had developed with their SA6 earphones we knew we were going to do some incredible work together as two leaders in our respective fields,” said Levent Gun, President & CEO for Kleer . “Sleek Audio really thought of everything when they created their SA6 earphones, and it made it relatively easy for a wireless application to be developed,” added Gun.

The wireless application is available for pre-purchase at www.sleek-audio.com and is currently adaptable to both the SA6 and Sleek Customs.

About Sleek Audio

Sleek Audio is a personal audio company dedicated to creating “Music in Tune with You.” Creators of the first ever acoustically customizable earphones, Sleek Audio are driven from decades of experience in the custom hearing aid and audio industry. Sleek Audio products are designed for high-performance use with all MP3players including iPod® and Zune®. For more information, visit the company website at www.sleek-audio.com.

About Kleer

Kleer is a fabless semiconductor company that has developed the first wireless audio technology to combine high quality audio and robust ISM band coexistence with low power consumption to address portable, home and automotive audio markets. Unlike Bluetooth, Kleer’s patented subsampling radio architecture was designed from the ground up to communicate lossless CD-quality digital stereo audio over a robust 2.4GHz radio link, while achieving 10 times the battery life of a comparable Bluetooth solution. Kleer’s Audio LP technology is ideally suited for OEMs of portable audio players, iPod® and other player accessories, home audio/theater systems, earphones, headphones, and speakers. Kleer distributes its products via direct sales in North America, and a distribution channel in Korea and Japan. The Company is headquartered in Cupertino, California with product development facilities in Ottawa, Ontario. For more information, contact the company at 19925 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 111, Cupertino, CA, 95014, Tel: 408-973-7255, Fax: 408-973-7256, Email: info@kleer.com, or visit the company web site at www.kleer.com

Sleek are the new kids on the in-ear block; both Mark and Jason come from a background in the hearing-aid industry, with over 35 years experience between them.  The company currently has just one product, the $209.99 SA6 in-ear earphones, the acoustic chambers of which took a full year of development.  Sleek worked with a high-end speaker manufacturer to develop a custom designed single driver, in fact the most expensive driver currently made.  That, together with their expertise in earpieces, adds up to between 27 and 40dB noise isolation (compared to 15-20dB from active noise cancelling over-the-ear headphones); since every ear is unique, the Krywkos added ‘VQ’, Variable Equalization, letting users finely tailor bass and treble responses in the earphones themselves.

The SA6′s were met with incredibly positive response, and spurred Sleek on to offer custom earbuds using the same moulding techniques that are used in hearing aids.  With these, users can expect 40-42dB noise reduction which, as Jason explained, means they can turn down the volume and be less at risk of ear damage.  They also offer a broader frequency range; “extra shimmer” at the extremes, as Jason put it.

Of course, the trend recently has been to go cable-free, and Sleek have been investigating possible wireless options for more than twelve months.  Bluetooth and the stereo A2DP profile were an obvious option, but the distinct loss of audio quality – Bluetooth has the same dynamic frequency range as FM radio – and poor battery life were unacceptable compromises.

In contrast, Kleer were offering CD-quality audio, much better battery performance, and ranges several times that of Bluetooth.  The Sleek Audio wireless adapter has a battery life of around 10hrs, plugging into whichever iPod, PMP or other device you choose and making no power demands on it.  In recent tests, indoor range – with multiple walls in-between – reached 45 to 50 feet with no loss of sound quality.  Total unimpeded range is listed as 60 feet, and up to four wireless adapters can pair with one transmitter.  Jason described a recent high-end audio show in Miami in which the wireless SA6 setup coped admirably despite a show-hall full of EMI.

The Sleek wireless system, then, plugs into the SA6 earphones to replace the usual cable.  Although that may not be as minimalist as, say, Sennheiser’s MX W1 earphones, each earbud of which is entirely wireless, it does keep prices down and make the system backward compatible to existing SA6 owners.  Jason suggested a fully wire-free setup would have cost buyers anything from $500; the upcoming bundle, including wireless and a pair of SA6 ‘phones, will set you back between $275 and $299 (pricing is not finalized).  The wireless system on its own will be priced at $120, and is available to preorder now.  Keeping it modular also means Sleek can offer a Bluetooth option in the future if, that is, customers want it.

Exclusively, Mark and Jason confirmed with SlashGear that they are working on a new, less expensive version of the SA6 that Sleek will release before the end of the year.  That will be followed in 6-8 months by new set of higher-end earphones, slotting in above the SA6.  Each of the earphones will use the same connectors as each other, meaning that no matter which version buyers choose, they’ll be able to take advantage of Sleek’s Kleer wireless system.  Mark also confirmed that the company is also in talks with other high-end earphone manufacturers about using the Sleek Audio wireless adapters.

Given the acquisition of Ultimate Ears by Logitech back in August, I asked Mark and Jason what they thought about the state of the independent earphone market.  They described the buy-out as an example of strength of the in-ear headphones market, but also a sign that people are beginning to recognise the quality of sound possible from PMPs.  Sleek admit that, if all you listen to are 128kbps MP3s, you’ll probably not see the point of the SA6′s – wireless or not – however encode at a higher bitrate and with good-quality in-ear earphones you can be hearing detail that previously would have demanded speakers costing many thousands of dollars.

Of course, many would say that $200+ is still plenty to pay for a set of earphones, so we’ve been testing the SA6′s and should have the full review later on this week.  We’ll also be testing out the Sleek’s wireless system once the first units make it out to reviewers, so stay tuned!