Bose Releases 2 New Products

Bose has revealed two new products: the Soundlink Mini Bluetooth Speaker and QuietComfort 20 in-ear headphones, both of which are quickly creating quite a buzz. 

The new Soundlink Mini Bluetooth Speaker is an obvious move to compete in the emerging ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker market, with products such as the Beats by Dre Pill or the Jawbone Jambox already available.  The Soundlink Mini, weighing about 1.5 pounds and sitting at about seven inches in length, provides exceptional sound, with loud audio that does not get distorted at higher volumes.  It utilizes a Bluetooth technology that can remember up to six devices when paired and, additionally, it offers wireless charging due to an included charging pad.  Early reports indicate that the battery can last up to seven hours on a single charge.  Bose also offers fun blue, orange, and green covers for the speaker, which disappointingly, will set you back an extra $25. 

With the QuietComfort 20 In-Ear headphones, Bose has put its famous noise-cancelling greatness on full display.  To start, these are the first in-ear noise cancelling headphones that Bose has manufactured.  They use a dual-microphone system which recognizes volume levels inside the headphone along with outside noises and adjusts in order to fully eliminate any outside sound.  Bose, however, has recognized that total outside silence is not always practical, so they have created a new listening mode, called “Aware Mode,” which allows the listener to press and button and listen to low level music and still have a conversation or listen to an announcement.  These headphones come with a lithium ion battery and are said to provide up to 16 hours of continuous use. 

Be on the look out for a full review of both products, once they are officially released later this summer. 

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Price: $199

Available: July 1 (Pre-Order Here)

Bose QuietComfort 20 Earbuds

Price: $299 

Available: August 1 (Pre-Order Here)

 

Sony X-Factor Headphones

Back in September, we heard that Simon Cowell had announced his own X-Factor signature Headphones. Over the past few weeks, I have finally been able to test them out and I found some great features and some definite drawbacks.

First and foremost, I am not a fan of the overall design of the X-Factor Headphones. From the shiny metallic earcups to the "X-Factor" branding, these are too over-the-top for my taste. I especially don't like the headband which looks a little too futuristic for me. I asked myself, "would I wear these headphones in public?" I can't say that I would. They draw too much attention and I feel like people would judge me for wearing Simon Cowell Headphones. 

However, I loved the actual headphones. Although I am usually not a fan of on-ear headphones, the Sony X Headphones are easily one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever tried on. Without question, they can be worn all day without any ear fatigue. They still might cause your ears to sweat, but that happens with all large headphones. Sony has also done a great job making these headphones portable by making them easily collapsible.

The best part of the headphones is its sound quality. Every music genre sounded fantastic and I had absolutely no complaints. With a similar price, these headphones sound much better than Beats by Dre Studio's or Soul by Ludacris SL300's. If it wasn't for the gaudy design and high price tag, the Sony X-Factor Headphones fantastic sound quality and supreme comfort would have made them a top choice.

Price: $199.99

Available Now

Pros

• Sound Quality
• Extremely Comfortable
• Lightweight

Cons

• Metallic Finish
• "X-Factor" Theme
• Carrying Case

Overall Rating: 7/10

 

Neon Colored Beats by Dre Mixr's

Beats by Dre has introduced its Mixr Headphones in an assortment of brand new Neon colors. Now, there's really no excuse for purchasing the Solo's over the MixR's. For a full review of the David Guetta Mixr Headphones, Click Here.

Available: Target stores nationwide May 19, elsewhere June 2

Monster Debuts Sound Machine Headphones

Grammy Award-winner Emilio Estefan is the latest celebrity with their own headphone line. Monster Audio has teamed up with the Estefan's over their brand new Sound Machine Headphone line. The line is composed of 2 models: on-ear and over-ear models. The Sound Machine line is the first headphone line which is designed especially for Latin music. With the new inclusion of a latin specific headphone, there is now a celebrity-endorsed headphone dedicated to whichever genre of music you prefer including country music, rap and hip-hop, house or jazz. Target will sell the headphones exclusively for the first 60 days (debuts April 14), and national retailers will thus begin after. Stay tuned for a full review.

Price: On-Ear - $149, Over-Ear - $249
Available: April 14 in Target Stores, June 14 elsewhere

$25 Beets Headphones

Yes, these are Beets Headphones, but no, they are not by Dr. Dre. The Beets Headphones by OrigAudio were first launched as a April Fool's parody, but now are available for purchase. With each Beets Headphone sold, OrigAudio promises to donate a can of beets to the Second Harvest Food Back of Orange County. Since the headphones only cost $25, go ahead and buy 6 of your closest friends a pair of Beets Headphones and it will still cost you less than just one pair of Beats Headphone. Given Beats by Dre's history with trademark lawsuits, its got to be only a matter of time till OrigAudio gets a not so friendly letter in their mailbox from the headphone giant.

Price: $25

Available Now