Fool's Gold AiAiAi TMA-1 DJ Headphones

The mega-rise of Electronic Dance Music in the past few years has promoted some of the genre's best artists to a level of super stardom only previously known to the likes of Jay-Z, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber. With the recent collaboration of EDM and Hip Hop, EDM producers like David Guetta and Calvin Harris are becoming just as famous as their Hip Hop counterparts. Dre and 50 Cent have their own brands of headphones so it would make sense that EDM DJs would start creating their own headphones. The world famous DJ spinmaster A-Trak and the other DJs on his Brooklyn based Fool's Gold record label have done just that. Fool's Gold Records includes the likes of Laidback Luke, Flosstradamus, and Chromeo. They have collaborated with AIAIAI, a audio design company, to create a headphone made especially for the hardworking, traveling DJ. 

Changing some of the features of AIAIAI's standard TMA-1 design to suit the needs of a working DJ. The design has a minimalistic and urban look that can go with any DJ set up. As any DJ knows from experience, the most important thing they look for in a pair of headphones (beside the sound quality of course) is its durability. A good DJ is moving just as much as his or her audience and the headphones are constantly coming off and being thrown around, which is why AIAIAI has installed a lock feature into the headset so that they cannot be unplugged by the movements of the DJ. At the end of a show no one wants to be delicate with their equipment, they just want to throw their gear in a bag and go. The headphones flexible nylon material makes it extremely bendable and hard to break making it perfect not just for DJ's but also for any type of fast moving traveler. Check out the videos below for more information behind the special headphones.

Price: $250
Available Now

   

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