The gaming headset is compatible with PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and the Wii U. Monster says the MVP Carbon represent the company’s introduction into gaming accessories, so we’ll no doubt see them move further and further into that realm. Aside from the HDHS, the new headset contain powerful 30mm drivers.

There’s an integrated microphone that’s also detachable via 3.5mm headphone jack, and can be used for voice chat naturally. Much like offerings from Turtle Beach and Astro, the Monster headset also includes a standalone headphone amplifier, which the company is calling the Gamebox. As you can see from the photos, the headset is plastered with the EA Sports logo on either side.

And as the name suggests, the headset is lined with a carbon fiber vinyl around the outside of the headset, and the ear cushions are surprisingly soft, suggesting that hardcore gamers won’t have a problem with them during marathons. The MVP Carbon headset is slated to be available in both black and white starting in February 2013 for a steep $269.

The leaked ads are snazzy in bright magenta with Nokia’s blue graphics getting vandalized by Monster graffiti. Instead of the tame Nokia and its “fabulous” headset, thanks to a partnership with Monster, you’re getting a “fierce” new headset. They definitely convey the vibe that Monster is making good old Nokia more “cool.”

It’s not clear whether the partnership will pan out to be an exclusive deal like HTC’s Beats deal, but more details will likely be unveiled at the upcoming Nokia World event later this month, where the company is expected to launch its much rumored Windows Phone 7.5 Mango handsets. Rumors have suggested three new handsets from the company, including the Nokia Sea Ray, Sabre, and the Ace.

[via PocketNow]

And if you’re taking a break from the trailers, you can indulge in the surround-sound mix of Daft Punk’s soundtrack for the movie as it’s included in the box! The LED Light Drive System that lights up your head to look like you’re on the Grid is a first for Monster headphones. This set also has noise-isolation and can double as a headset with its removable boom mic which can be attached to either ear. And they cost $350 USD.

[Via iPodNN]

Two versions will be on offer, an on-ear set of JustBeats headphones finished in matte purple (which, incidently, is Justin’s favorite color; he also enjoys long walks in small cupboards and speaking in tongues) and an in-ear set finished in purple and chrome (like his cold, robotic heart).  No word on what exactly they’ll bring to the table in terms of audio quality – beyond the wretched tagline “sound is the emotion between us” which has probably already knocked a legion of tweenage girls off their feet – but knowing Beats by Dr. Dre it’ll be lashings of bass.

The on-ear JustBeats will be $199.95 while the in-ear JustBeats will be $119.95, and if you don’t buy them for me, Mom, then I’m going to totally run away and never finish my SATs.  Meanwhile there’s also the Beatbox iPhone/iPod “party in a box” ($399.95), Powerbeats made in partnership with LeBron James ($169.95), and iBeats, headphones with an Apple controller integrated into the cable ($119.95).

Press Release:

Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ and Monster® Introduce the Next Generation of Sound

Five Game-Changing New Products Take Beats’ Signature Sound to New Heights

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Insert the following new graph after second graph of release:

“What you’re seeing today is what me and Jimmy set out to do with Beats. It’s not just about headphones it’s about changing the whole game in terms of the listening experience. And it’s still just the beginning…”
Dr. Dre noted: “What you’re seeing today is what me and Jimmy set out to do with Beats. It’s not just about headphones it’s about changing the whole game in terms of the listening experience. And it’s still just the beginning…”

The corrected release reads:

BEATS™ BY DR. DRE™ AND MONSTER® INTRODUCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOUND

Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ and Monster® announced today five new products that redefine the music experience and present exciting new listening opportunities. The new additions to the Beats family include: Beatbox™, the brand’s first digital sound system with iPod docking station that expands the Beats experience from individual enjoyment of high-end audio quality to a social experience; Powerbeats™, a ground breaking new sports performance headphone inspired by 2009 and 2010 NBA MVP Lebron James; Beats Pro™, a breakthrough studio-quality headphone for professionals and prosumers; iBeats™, affordably priced in-ear headphone ideal for use with the Apple iPad™, iPod™, iPhone® and all portable music players; and JustBeats™, a collaboration with pop music phenomenon Justin Bieber and the first headphones specially aimed at “opening the ears” of young music fans to the richer listening experience that comes with high quality sound. The new Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ products from Monster will be available at leading U.S. retailers in coming weeks, in addition to the UK, France and Germany.

Reaffirming the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ Commitment to Great Performance and Style

Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ was co-founded by legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that musical artists and producers hear in professional recording studios. All of the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ products are engineered to the most demanding specifications in order to reproduce the full sound of todays digitally produced, sonically demanding R&B, rock, and hip-hop music styles, while giving users the opportunity to express their personal style.

Dr. Dre noted: “What you’re seeing today is what me and Jimmy set out to do with Beats. It’s not just about headphones it’s about changing the whole game in terms of the listening experience. And it’s still just the beginning…”

Head Monster Noel Lee noted: “Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphones from Monster have become incredibly popular because they offer a dramatically enhanced, more powerful and more emotionally engaging music listening experience. With the debut of these five new products, we’re vastly expanding the Beats family and giving people brand new opportunities for enjoying the ‘Beats Sound’ in a wide range of environments, style choices and price points. Each new product incorporates advanced sonic technologies derived from the renowned Beats headphone lineup, including the proprietary bass drivers in Beatbox™, the ambient noise-isolation capabilities of Beats Pro™ and the high-end audio refinements of iBeats™ and Just Beats™ – the result is unprecedented audio quality and dynamics with total flexibility and listening luxury.”

Beatbox™: “Bring the Party Home”

The Beatbox™ is a “game-changing” digital sound system and iPod dock that expands the Beats experience from individual enjoyment of high-end audio quality to a social experience – one that lets users literally “bring the party home,” unleashing the driving bass, lush midrange, and soaring highs of a multi-speaker club system in one amazing compact and portable box. Beatbox is the first non-headphone product from the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ line of products.

“A party in a box”, the Beatbox™, brings iPod™ and iPhone® music to life in an astounding new way. The product features innovative digital amplification circuitry for jaw dropping performance, with proprietary dual 5.25-inch long throw bass drivers for superior bass reproduction and two optimized 2-inch concave high frequency drivers for precise soundstaging. The Beatbox™ plays all styles of music effortlessly, and is engineered to handle the most demanding sonic challenges, including hip-hop.

To create the uniquely stylish Beatbox™, the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ team continued its long term development collaboration with renowned San Francisco-based industrial design firm Ammunition and its founder Robert Brunner. The result is a product that offers the ultimate in aesthetic form-meets-function. With its sleek black trapezoidal shape, the simple yet elegant Beatbox™ is designed to be the center of the party. The iconic shape even lets users place the Beatbox™ in a corner and still enjoy room-filling sound, with incredibly powerful bass. The cabinet features a rugged ABS housing in a subtle black-on-black color scheme with an easy to carry ergonomically designed handle for easy, comfortable portability. The top surface has a soft touch finish and the speaker grill is made of steel with a semi-gloss black finish. The Beatbox™ also features tactile silicone rubber for the power button, volume knob, and feet. The BeatBox™ presents a stunning minimalist aesthetic combined with superior audio performance to truly set the design benchmark in portable audio

“In my opinion, the Beatbox isn’t here a minute too soon! Dre and I have been looking for something portable that could fill a room. This product allows you to feel the bass and yet hear every dynamic of the song. It literally is a party in a box,” said Iovine.

Powerbeats™: “The Power of Sound”

Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ and Monster have teamed with 2009 and 2010 NBA MVP LeBron James of the Miami Heat to develop a groundbreaking new performance sports headphone – Powerbeats™. The stylish, ultra durable headphones, which will be available in black, red and white styles, combine the unprecedented sound quality made possible by Monster engineering with innovative new design elements that make them ideal for use by sports enthusiasts, athletes and anyone who wants to bring a superior music listening experience to his or her active lifestyle.

“Dre and LeBron work out all the time and have been looking for an earbud that has the power but stays on and delivers the inspiration of music consistently. Powerbeats is the answer. It’s a combination of in and on ear with two drivers that delivers the power and keeps you moving in the toughest of workouts,” Iovine added.

To ensure optimum sound quality, Powerbeats™ feature an exclusive new dual driver design that features two unique speakers, with a built-in subwoofer that pumps out massive bass, and a midrange tweeter that reproduces ultra smooth vocals and clear, crisp highs. Users enjoy the legendary Beats sound with clarity and power at any volume. Additionally, the non-noise occluding headphone eartip is ported so listeners can enjoy their music while still being aware of peripheral sounds that deserve their attention, such as the sirens of emergency vehicles, phone calls or other audio cues. Among the new active lifestyle-friendly design elements in Powerbeats™ is an adjustable/bendable ear hook with a flexible arm that runs around the outside of the ear to keep the headphones securely in place during vigorous activities such as exercising, jogging, biking, or even competitive basketball.

Beats Pro™: “Hear it like the Pros”

The state-of-the-art, over-ear Beats Pro™ headphones are the flagship product in the Beats headphone line– a reference headphone designed by audio professionals for audio professionals. They combine sophisticated construction and advanced sonic technologies to deliver the power, extra durability and sound isolation that until now has been lacking in professional headphones. Ideal for in-studio production and ultimate quality music listening, Beats Pro™ headphones are tailored for use by discriminating music lovers, producers, engineers and musicians.

To recreate the quietness of an isolated recording studio listening experience, Beats Pro™ headphones feature a variety of ambient noise-isolation capabilities, allowing users to hear the music clearly, even in the noisiest environments. And notably, to create a headphone capable of standing up to the rigors of rough and repeated professional use, every aspect of Beats Pro™ headphones was designed for rock-solid durability. Built from strong yet lightweight aluminum for rugged use on-the-go, Beats Pro’s flip up ear cups let DJs monitor the room without taking the headphones off. Dual input/output cable ports even enable users to share mixes by daisy-chaining headphones. Most importantly, in addition to their all-metal body construction, Beats Pro™ feature tough all-metal hinges, often a “weak point” in conventional headphones with plastic hinges.

iBeats™: “Hear What the Artist Intended”

With the introduction of iBeats™ in-ear headphones, the breakthrough Beats listening experience is now more affordable than ever before. Specially engineered to reproduce high-resolution sound from the iPad™, iPod™, iPhone® and all portable music devices, iBeats™ feature a new sealed in-ear design that literally reduces external noise for a better music experience. Monster’s exclusive driver design pumps out deep bass, soaring highs and ultra-clear midrange response. The solid metal iBeats™ construction provides durability and eliminates vibrations for incredibly clear, rock-solid sound. The ultra lightweight iBeats™ are ideal for exercising and active lifestyles, and Monster’s super-convenient Monster ControlTalk™ headphone cable can be used with iPhone™ and iPod™ for music playback control as well as to take hands-free calls with iPhone® and many smartphones. Notably, the specially designed iBeats™ cables make tangles a thing of the past, and for total user comfort and flexibility, three custom-fit eartip sizes ensure secure fit every time.

“We live in a time when most young people experience music for the first time from a terribly compressed file to an inadequate earbud. Most earbuds are made very poorly and don’t come close to reproducing the music in your iPod. Beats has come up with an affordable comfortable solution to buy for your iPod. It makes no sense to have an iPod and then have an earbud that doesn’t deliver half the sound and emotion,” said Iovine.

JustBeats™: “Sound is the Emotion Between Us”

Available in both in-ear and stylish on-ear versions, JustBeats™ by Dr. Dre™ are the first high quality Beats™ headphone specifically aimed at “opening the ears” of young music listeners. Most young music fans are used to listening to their favorite songs on standard earbuds and computers, having never been exposed to high-quality sound. JustBeats™ deliver the richer Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ listening experience, in a stylishly hip on-ear headphone featuring an eye-catching matte purple finish, Justin’s favorite color, and an in-ear version featuring a purple and chrome finish. The introduction of JustBeats™ is a major step forward in brining a new level of sound quality and the enhanced audio experience of Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ to younger audiences. JustBeats will be exclusively available at Best Buy for this holiday season.

“We asked Justin Bieber to help us with the message of sound really matters. Young people today are being introduced to music through inferior technology in the form of ripped mp3′s, ill designed laptops and crippled earbuds and headphones. When they listen to music because of the inferior quality of earbuds the only recourse they have is volume, which isn’t going to do anything but damage their ears. Justin is a great musician that puts a lot of care into his music — who better qualified to take this message to the kids,” said Iovine.

Pricing for the new Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ products are as follows:

Beatbox™ by Dr. Dre™ (SRP: $399.95)
Powerbeats™ In-ear Headphones by Dr. Dre™ (SRP: $169.95)
Beats Pro™ by Dr. Dre™ (SRP: $449.95)
iBeats™ by Dr. Dre™ (SRP: $119.95)
JustBeats™ by Dr. Dre™ (SRP: $199.95 for on-ear version, $119.95 for in-ear version)
* The ControlTalk remote and mic are supported by iPod nano (4th and 5th generation), iPod classic (120GB), iPod touch (2nd generation), and iPhone 3GS and newer, but not all, Blackberry models. The remote is supported by iPod shuffle (3rd generation). Audio is supported by all iPod models. Requires software version 1.0.3 for iPod nano (4th or 5th generation), 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB), and 2.2 or later for iPod touch (2nd generation). Support for Blackberry varies by model. Subject to change.

The exact details of James’ headphones are currently unknown.  The original Beats model was a set of active headphones that amplified the bass tones for a distinctive, thumping profile.  More recently Monster branched into eye-catching in-ear buds with their crystal-encrusted Lady Gaga earphones.

Of course, it’s also an opportunity for Monster CEO Noel Lee to mention how important music is, and the outspoken exec obviously reckons audio performance is vital to sportspeople.  ”It’s their way of focusing energy” before games, he explained.

Monster unveiled the Beats Solo headphones back in September 2009 in its Beats by Dr. Dre line. Monster has now announced a special edition of the headphones called the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition. The headphones are clad in the red hue associated with the charitable (PRODUCT)RED line that raises money for the Global Fund to fund AIDS treatment and research.

The special edition headphones are the same technically as the other headphones in the Solo line. They feature the ControlTalk controller to give listeners control over music on the iPod and iPhone. The Solo headphones also have a mic for making and receiving calls while listening to tunes. The special edition version of the Solo headphones sell for $229.95 and a portion of each sale goes to the Global Fund.

Monster’s new Jamz in-ear headphone line includes the Jamz, the entry-level Lil’ Jamz, and the Mobile Jamz.  The Jamz headphones are completely made out of 100% solid metal, and the scratch and corrosion-resistant chromed finish insures that you won’t have to worry about scratching them up.

Monster has taken its Turbine Pro, revamped it, and with a copper-chrome finish emerges the Turbine Pro Copper, which provides a crisp accuracy over all audio frequencies and new comfy foam SuperTips.

Monster Jamz in-ear headphones will be available for the following suggested retail prices: Jamz – (SRP: 119.95, $149.95 with ControlTalk); Lil’ Jamz” (SRP: $99.95, $119.95 with ControlTalk); Mobile Jamz (SRP: $149.95, includes ControlTalk).  Monster Turbine Pro Copper In-Ear Speakers are available for a suggested retail price of $399.95 per pair or $429.95 with Monster’s ControlTalk headphone cable.

The headphones promise to be the first in-ear headphones to deliver reference-quality sound needed to meet the demands of music pros today and audiophiles. The headphones retuned to create a personal listening solution with impact, power, and performance.

Monster is also unveiling a new ear tip design along with the Turbine headphones that is called the Super Tip offering superior noise isolation. The Super Tips with the Turbine Pro headphones come in small and large. Monster also includes its traditional ear tips for users who don’t like the new ear tip design. The headphones sell for $299.95 or for $329.99 with the Monster ControlTalk cable.

There’s also a new in-line control box, complete with a microphone, which allows the Beats Solo to be used as a cellphone hands-free kit as well as to control compatible iPods.  The same controller will be used on Monster’s own headphone range, as an option.

The new Monster Beats Solo will be available in black and white, and go on sale from November.  They’ll be priced at around $219.99.

Press Release:

Monster and Beats by Dr. Dre Announce “Beats Solo™”

New Addition to Popular “Beats™ By Dr. Dre™ Headphone Line is Lightweight, More Compact Option; Available in Black and White Versions

BERLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Monster and Beats by Dr. Dre, today announced an exciting new development in the evolution of the popular “Beats™ By Dr. Dre™ headphone line – the on-ear “Beats Solo” headphones (MAP: $179.95, SRP: $219.95). The new Beats Solo high-performance headphones offer users an ideal entry level Beats by Dr. Dre personal listening experience in a lightweight and smaller version. Beats Solo will be available in November 2009 in both black and white versions.

Noel Lee, the Head Monster, noted: “When Monster teamed up with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphones our goal was to change the way people experience their music by simply letting them hear what musicians recorded in the studio – with the extreme clarity, deep bass and full power that had been lacking in conventional headphones. Thanks to Beats, people have begun to understand that sound really does matter. Now, with the introduction of Beats Solo, we’re thrilled to make the Beats by Dr. Dre from Monster experience available in a smaller, lighter on-ear headphone.” Mr. Lee continued: “There were significant challenges in the creation of Beats Solo, including how to achieve really great sound from a small speaker driver. This required serious innovation and creative audio engineering. We were also challenged to take the familiar Beats design and morph it into something smaller and more compact, yet still recognizably ‘Beats.’ I’m delighted to say that we rose to both these challenges – the result is one of the easiest-to-use, easiest-to-wear and best-sounding headphones ever created, with a look that is pure Beats and pure Dr. Dre.”

Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M said: “For Beats Solo, Dre and I worked along with Monster to create the best sound possible in light, comfortable but powerful headphones.”

To provide users with the ultimate in convenience and performance when used with today’s portable music devices, Beats Solo headphones feature “ControlTalk,” an advanced on-cable feature that provides users with full control of their listening experience when using their 3GS iPhone®, iPod® shuffle and other new iPods and portable music devices. The special Monster ControlTalk™ headphone cable features an integrated high grade microphone and answer button and allows users to access their music and answer phone calls without having to reach into their pocketbook, backpack or pocket.

In addition to its availability with Beats Solo and all Beats by Dr. Dre headphones from Monster, including the new white version of Beats Studio and Heartbeats by Lady Gaga from Monster, the ControlTalk feature is also being made available as an option with all Monster brand headphones as well.

The ControlTalk remote and mic are supported by iPod nano (4th generation), iPod classic (120GB), iPod touch (2nd generation), and iPhone 3GS and newer, but not all, Blackberry models. The remote is supported by iPod shuffle (3rd generation). Audio is supported by all iPod models. Requires software version 1.0.3 for iPod nano (4th generation), 2.0.1 for iPod classic (120GB), and 2.2 or later for iPod touch (2nd generation). Support for Blackberry varies by model. Subject to change.

The result pairs Monster’s admittedly useful flat, tangle-avoiding cable with some ear jewellery that requires more than a little flair to pull off.  They come with multiple ear-tips and a travel case, and according to the company – never ones to shy from hyperbole – “the amazing hit of the deep bass … pitch perfect highs and lows.”

Frankly we’re more keen on the Dr. Dre beats tour in-ear headphones, which have paled into looking almost nondescript in the face of these glistening Gaga trinkets.  Available in October 2009, the Heartbeats by Lady Gaga will be priced at between $99.95 and $149.95.

V-moda described the alternative to the in-line controller having the chip as being a separate remote circuit, demanding a second jack for the controls to plug into.  This would obviously have prevented Apple’s attempts to shrink the iPod shuffle 4GB.

According to Apple, the “control chip” will be legitimately offered by companies that have signed up to its Made for iPod program, which assures customers that third-party products meet Apple’s own specifications.  It also demands a fee from the manufacturers, which is inevitably passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.  Contrary to original speculation, Apple have not used any sort of encryption or DRM in the control chip, and so third-party companies looking to circumnavigate the Made for iPod program could realistically reverse-engineer the chip’s mechanism and release cheaper products with Apple’s blessing.

Of course, the end result remains the same: until third-parties can get their headphones and adapter cables to market, iPod shuffle 4GB buyers are stuck using Apple’s bundled headphones.

With RedMere on board, Monster Cables will utilize MagnifEye Active chip technology to mass produce more overpriced Monster Cables, but there will be more substance than snake-oil cable this time.

Physically, it will be smaller, lighter, thinner and more flexible using a direct signal conditioning booster instead of a heavy-gauge copper assembly. Technologically, the chipset is compliant to HDMI v. 1.3c standard and supports up to refresh rates of 10.2Gps.

The announcement doesn’t cover product availability or pricing, but based on the track record, you bet the new cable will be retailed at “Monster” price.

NEW YORK –(Business Wire)– Mar 16, 2009 RedMere, a leader in silicon chip development, announced today that it has teamed up with Monster, the world’s leading manufacturer of high performance audio/video cables and accessories, to introduce the world’s thinnest “smart” active HDMI-certified cables. Featuring RedMere’s MagnifEye Active chip technology, the new ultra-thin Monster cables will provide optimum performance when used with a wide range of products, including portable video and audio devices, home theater components and on-the-go computer storage applications. The innovative RedMere technology will enable Monster cables to deliver a new industry-leading data rate, and the implementation of the new ultra-thin cable will result in easier cable management and portability. Details on the introduction of the new Monster cables will be announced shortly.

“Monster has always delivered cables which match the performance and style of the products they connect, whether it’s a DV camera, a games console or a home theater system. Using RedMere’s MagnifEye Active chip technology, Monster is adding intelligence directly into the cable, creating a range of smart cables which use the chip to adapt to the changing conditions in the application. These cables are smaller and lighter, matching the sleek appearance of the CE products they connect,” said Peter Smyth, CEO of RedMere.

Commented Noel Lee, Head Monster at Monster, “At Monster, we’re committed to giving our customers the widest range of choice in products that offer the best possible performance, quality and reliability. RedMere’s active cable is a great addition to our HDMI lineup, and with CE trends today leaning toward miniaturization and total connectivity, RedMere’s MagnifEye design is truly a cutting-edge design that will offer consumers a new level of flexibility, convenience and performance.”

Monster Cable is a renowned market leader and is continuing to bring high performance products to consumers. By combining Monster’s cables and RedMere’s chip technology, the two companies are adding further value and intelligence to HDMI cable products.

Why did you choose Monster Music for this?

Ludacris: I’ve worked with them before, we’ve got a long history. They’re at the forefront of their game, and so am I – it was a natural partnership. And as soon as I heard the High Definition Surround (HDS) demo they sent over, I was like “whoa, this is what I want for my album!” It was an opportunity to make history, the first rap record to be released in HDS, and I always want to be pushing into new things.

Monster have obviously worked with Dr.Dre on a range of headphones. Do you have any hardware plans?

L: Yeah, we’ve got lots of plans, but nothing we can announce now. I’d like all of my albums to be produced in HDS from now on. We’ve thrown the gauntlet down and other people have to compete.

How difficult was it to remaster?

L: [Noel Lee] actually did all of the remastering

Noel Lee: It was very difficult! In the studio we isolate every individual voice, every individual instrument, and we can place them anywhere around the sound stage. Not just from a speaker in the corner, or from the center speaker, but we can position different parts between speakers, in the middle of the room, anywhere.

When they sent over Ludacris’ record, I was overwhelmed by how complex it was. It took us a long time to separate out all of the pieces, but then the quality of the end result you heard for yourself.

How involved were you in that remastering process?

L: I listened to each track as it was worked on, and I was blown away by the work they’d done.

The music industry is under siege at the moment from piracy and illegal downloads. Do you see this DVD and HDS as something that could change that?

L: Yes, this is definitely something more attractive than what you can find to download.

N: We see this as a way to rejuvenate the music industry and give them back an optical, physical product they can sell. About offering something new to consumers that they don’t necessarily get online.

What’s next?

N: The DVD is first, and then there’ll be a Blu-ray version with higher quality high-definition audio and video.

Because it’s DVD, is there extra content on there?

L: Oh yeah, it has lots of video, all sorts of extra content.

You ran a competition to go along with the launch; what was that about?

N: We asked people to submit videos to go along with the HDS DVD, trying to connect with the fan community and encourage interest. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response. The results will be announced today [January 7th].

We had a chance to listen to some of the new Theater of the Mind album with Ludacris and Eric, and it’s certainly a different experience to a standard stereo album.  Different settings allow you to sit in different places in a virtual auditorium: from the midst of the audience, to the front row, to right in among the musicians, selectable by the audio soundtrack control.  It’s a far more immersive way of listening to music, though we’re not sure it’ll be enough to turn the tide of internet piracy; after all, with the increase in bandwidth for home broadband connections, downloading an illegally ripped DVD doesn’t take all that much longer than a CD.

Meanwhile, Netgear’s EVA9000 Digital Entertainer Elite was announced and promptly caught on video, while elsewhere in DVR land TiVo managed to please and frustrate in pretty much equal measure.  Hurrah for Netflix Watch Instantly on the popular DVR platform; boo at paused TV targeted adverts.

It’s also been a week of straightforward and bizarre ideas, with Addonics NAS Adapter sitting at the sensible “why didn’t I make that?” end of the scale while the Kickbee Twittering baby monitor lurks at the other extreme.  Sony, too, had the arguably crazed idea of pushing out their new Home beta to every PS3 user worldwide, and then promptly ended up fielding complaints as the service was inevitably overloaded.

In reviews this week, we went personal-audio crazy with both the Monster Cables Dr. Dre Beats Tour in-ear headset together with the Ultrasone HFI-680 headphones.  Meanwhile we gently drooled over Apple’s 24-inch LED Cinema Display.  We’ve also said goodbye to one of our writers, Brenda Stokes, who has left to pursue a new and mysterious adventure.

Finally, we announced the winner of our HP Workstation Giveaway, and kicked off the SlashGear HP Magic Giveaway this week.  Entering is straightforward, but please do read the rules as to where to register your participation!

These headphones will only be available from the Ron Herman boutique store in Los Angeles. The white Beats cost more because there a “fashion accessory” painted in Ron Herman white, blue, and gold. Ron Herman himself said, “Our Ron Herman boutiques are the quintessential environment where one can experience the unification of fashion, music and culture. Beats By Dr. Dre are more than just headphones, they are a fashion accessory.”

Monster Cable had a hard time getting these headphones out the door because of the coating. They were faced with the challenge of coating these bad boys with both a glossy coating and paint that were able to bend freely without cracking. Colorware was also in on the scheme, which boosted the price due to the cost of their services. The only thing harder than coming up with the money for these will be snatching one of only 20 pairs available. If earphones are more your kind of thing you can pick up the Dr. Dre Beats Tour for $150.

The primary concept is the tangle-free cable, and while that’s something many headphones advertised it’s also not something usually delivered.  Monster’s approach is to make the cables broad and flat, like under-carpet speaker wire, and give them a “Duraflex” jacket.

As with their larger predecessors, everything about the Tour squeals excess.  The packaging is multi-layered and over-designed, as is the circular carrying case.  Included with the earphones themselves are five pairs of silicone tips, both bubble and flanged, in different sizes.  Meanwhile the color scheme can’t be described as shy or retiring, with bright red cables plus the red and grey Beats logo on each ear bud.  They’re good looking, but if you prefer your headphones to be heard and not seen then the Beats Tour perhaps aren’t for you.

Unlike the over-the-ear Beats headphones, the Tour aren’t powered.  That means you’re reliant on whatever output your PMP can provide; it also means there’s no noise-reduction.  What all that adds up to is a less immersive, less isolating sound stage with the Tour, and a situation where you’re generally required to crank up the volume to hear the full detail of your music.

To be fair, the ear buds themselves need to shoulder some of the blame too.  Monster may provide two different types and multiple sizes, but we had more than a little trouble getting a perfect fit.  In-ear they often felt precarious and as though about to fall out; the ear-canal seal was also less impressive than other such headphones we’ve tested.  Peripheral noise proved intrusive, and while we don’t expect custom-fit style performance we found ourselves wanting more from $150 earphones.

It’s a shame, because the audio quality in general is great.  Bass and the low-end in general is the same solid mass that we’ve grown to expect from the Monster/Dre pairing, both thumping and delineated, while the treble fizzes and pops; these are ideal for R’n'B, Hip Hop and similar musical styles.  Overall, though, they can be wearing, primarily because you have to ramp up the volume in order to work around the ear bud issues.

As for the tangle-free cable, it works as well as advertized.  We’re not quite sure how much is the “Duraflex” marketing-speak, and how much the simple fact that relatively stiff, flat cables are less prone to staying twisted, but the end result is the same.  If you like to throw your headphones, unchecked, into a rucksack or bag then the Monster Beats Tour may be the choice for you.

In the end, though, the final judgment comes down to how well your ears play with the supplied ear buds.  Perhaps we have strange ear canals here at SlashGear, but ours are not the only complaints we’ve heard.  If you can try the Tour out before buying, or find a retailer that will allow you to bring them back should your ears prove as recalcitrant as ours, then they’re definitely worth a try musically.  In terms of a follow-up to their headphone predecessors, though, it’s not quite the clean sweep Monster and Dr Dre may have hoped for.

Unboxing Dr. Dre beats tour

How to properly insert the Beats tour

What really makes these earbuds interesting is that they feature a 4-foot long cable that lays flat and has a Duraflex jacket. This supposedly makes it tangle-free. We could only hope! The headphones themselves offer up low-mass sound and its magnetic FluxTube design, 24K gold contacts and other factors make for high audio quality.

Included with your purchase are three different pairs of eartips, allowing you to find the fit that suits you best. Also included is the Apple Sound Check feature, which adjusts the sound range for audio that’s cranked up past its normal volume. You can get the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre in-ear headphones now for $150.

[via iPodNN]

A little more compact, Dell launched their fourth generation Latitude E-series models, and SlashGear was in San Francisco to bring you live images.  Dell’s attempt for the headlines included 19hr battery life (on one particular model) and Instant On functionality.  All well and good, but Gateway perhaps just eases ahead in the bargain stakes with their new P-7811FX Centrino 2 gaming notebook.

As for rumors, Dell figured again with the suggestion that their upcoming ‘E’ netbook will actually be called the Inspiron 910 and launch as early as this coming Friday.  Apple also got a mention, their MacBook Air tipped for an imminent Penryn upgrade.

Chalk & cheese for NVIDIA and ATI this week, as the latter announced a top-spec new graphics card and the former some disappointing financial figures.  The ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 already has gamers salivating (and at least two companies promising liquid-cooling kits), while NVIDIA’s investors are probably less enthusiastic at the company’s first loss in five years.

It’s a similar contrast with Intel and VIA; one has a new processor announcement and the other a chipset withdrawal.  Intel’s news was to confirm the Core i7 name for their upcoming Nehalem processor, while VIA decided the motherboard chipset market is no longer for them.  They did manage to push out a new product, though; the EPIA N700 is the company’s lowest-profile Nano-ITX board yet.

Cellphone news normally gets left to our mobile sibling sites, but a few stories were too good to miss this week.  Android hit the headlines again, with the rumor that T-Mobile would be launching the first HTC handset, called the G1, in September.  Meanwhile Apple continues its vow of silence on the iPhone 3G reception issue, while blamed chipmaker Infineon denies its hardware is to blame and AT&T coyly point out that their network is running fine.

We also had a few mobile reviews and a surprise, with Sprint’s AIRAVE femtocell and Samsung’s Omnia i900 both landing on the test bench while news of the Palm Treo Pro leaked.

In other reviews, we looked at Mitsubishi’s 46-inch LCD HDTV (and came away square-eyed but impressed) as well as Iomega’s 500GB DVR Expander.  It’s billed by the company as the easiest way to add storage to your DVR, and for once the claims look to be true.  Finally, Bose’s noise-cancelling headphones got a challenge from Monster Cable’s Beats by Dr. Dre; we loved them.

Having just settled my electricity bill, however, and sobbed over every digit on the check, my favorite piece of news from the week is that IKEA are planning to sell cheap solar panels and other eco-technology.  We’ll have to wait anything from two to four years to see flat-pack, low-cost solar cells on their shelves; with power prices continuing to rise, it won’t be a moment too soon.

First impressions certainly are.  Though the design of the headphones themselves might be an acquired taste, the materials – high-quality plastic, soft leather cushioning – and the build quality are all reassuringly good.  In the red and black packaging are the Beats headphones, a sturdy carry case, plug adaptor for using them with a full-sized 1/4/-inch audio jack, standard stereo cable and Monster’s own iSoniTalk cable that has a microphone and call-answer button for use with your cellphone.  There’s also a cleaning cloth: the gloss-finish plastic is a real fingerprint magnet.

Slot two AAA batteries into the left ear cup, flick the power switch on the right side and you’re set.  An LED indicates battery status, and the only other control is a mute button in the on the right ear cup that kills both the music and the noise-cancellation should you need to talk with someone.

You’ll need it, too, as the Beats do a fine job of both keeping out noise and encouraging you to play more music.  Given the celebrity involved it’s no surprise that Monster quote rock, hip hop and R&B as key music styles the Beats are suited to, but with the exception of skiffle there’s no style that won’t benefit from the clarity of trebles, mids and bass.  It’s worth being cautious with the volume, too, as the combination of killer noise-cancellation and surprisingly powerful amplification could potentially add up to some serious ear drum damage if used too high for too long.

Frankly, if you were looking for an excuse to encode your digital music at a higher bitrate, the Beats could give you it.  Standard quality MP3s sound good, but uncompressed music is especially pleasing, with further subtleties of instrument and voice teased out on each listen.  While the Beats are a little bulky (though they do fold down somewhat for transport), at 250g they’re not especially heavy (though almost 100g more than Bose’s QuietComfort 3 noise-cancelling headphones) and long-term comfort is excellent.  We’d much prefer to pack the Beats than the QuietComfort 3′s for a long-distance flight.

Whether you think Dr. Dre’s “involvement” with the Beats is more marketing hyperbole or simply the latest in his star collaborations really doesn’t enter into it.  The Beats may be expensive – $349.95 – but they actually do what they say on the box: help you make the most of your favorite music.

Unboxing Video:

[rating: 3.5]