Madison Avenue BiGR Audio Headphones

The first feature that stands out with the new Madison Avenue Headphones is the packaging. All of BiGR products like the Crooks & Castles, Hellz Bellz, and MLB Over-Ear Headphones include the signature bamboo case. The BiGR Bamboo Box consists of all natural fiber and ultra strong construction for extra protection for your headphones. In addition to the headphone, BiGR Audio has included an ultra soft carrying case that is amazingly, also made of bamboo. Both the headphones and box are green and environmentally conscious.

The design features argyle stitched leather on the outer portion of the earcups. These are the only headphones that I have seen that have leather on the outside of the headphones. The headband also features the same argyle pattern. In my opinion, the Madison Avenue Headphones are extremely stylish and look more expensive than they actually are. One problem that I had with the headphones is that the headband seems to stick out and aren’t streamline at all.

Usually, my biggest gripe with on-ear headphones is comfort. What usually happens is that the small earcups end up pinching the back of your ears, which causes major discomfort. While I would still prefer over-ear headphones, the Madison Avenue Headphones are one of the most comfortable on-ears that I have tested. Another feature that I found with these headphones is that they block ambient noise extremely well. When listening to music, it’s extremely hard to hear people at all.

Now onto the sound quality. Sound quality with these headphones is above average, but not exceptional. Sound quality is most similar to the Matix Domepiece On-Ear Headphones. These headphones don’t provide much bass at all so if you’re into bass heavy headphones, these definitely aren’t for you. One nice design feature is that they include an inline microphone for Smart Phone users or for stopping/playing music.

At $130, the BiGR Audio Madison Avenue Headphones are a little more expensive than most but some might feel that the fashionable design outweighs the extra cost. They are available in 2 colors: Black & White.

Price: $130

Available Now

Pros

• Argyle Leather Stitching
• Lightweight
• Bamboo Case

Cons

• Minimal Bass
• Headband Sticks Out On Sides
• Expensive

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Beats by Dre Retail Store Advantages

One announcement at Tuesday’s press conference that has been overlooked by many is the decision to open a Beats by Dre retail store. It will be located in lower Manhattan and the plan is to keep it open till the end of the holiday season. One part of the press conference that caught my attention was how Jimmy Iovine kept comparing the newly released headphones to an exclusive pair of sneakers that can only be found in boutique shops. 

Now I will give my opinion on why I feel this newest development could lead to a new business for the Beats by Dre Company. If the test store is successful, it could lead to a whole new business for the company. There are many reasons as to why a Beats by Dre retail store could be successful and beneficial to the company. Nothing creates more brand recognition and growth in popularity than a retail store (look at NikeTown & Apple Stores).

Some might ask what a Beats by Dre retail store would even have or sell. I mean, you can find any headphone at any Best Buy or any electronic store around the country, and pretty much anything can be found online. While all of this is true, there is no place that sells all of their growing number of products in one place. The key to merchandising is creating a brand. When you walk into a NikeTown, all you see is the swoosh logo, and the same goes for Apple and its logo. Walking into an electronic store and seeing a Beats product would feel completely different than walking into a Beats retail store with the infamous “b” logo surrounding you.

A customization counter could be another added business that only a retail store could bring. With the popularity of NikeID and ColorWare, the retail stores could feature a booth which would let you customize your Beats. To play off the sneaker comparison, retail stores could sell ultra exclusive headphones that wouldn’t be available online or at other retail stores. This would help create buzz in the marketplace which could help make Beats headphones turn into the equivalent of Air Jordan sneakers. Another advantage would be that the company could showcase its partnerships with Beats incorporated HTC, HP and even Chrysler products. Employees could help demonstrate the innovations that the partnerships have. Along with the obvious ultra-premium headphones and sound systems, customers would be able to test out HP laptops, HTC mobile phones, and Chrysler cars all with Beats technology. For all of these reasons and more, I feel like the upcoming retail store in NYC could be the start of a whole new journey for the Beats by Dre Company.

Beats by Dre News Conference

On Tuesday, Beats by Dre executives unveiled three new products and two announcements to the media in New York City.  

Since the company was first started, they have been trying to figure out how to make a great sounding headphone that uses Bluetooth technology. Finally, they are ready to unveil the new Beats Wireless Solo on-ear Bluetooth model Headphone. They will be released next month and price has not been announced. It's a little funny to me that both the SMS by 50 Cent wireless Headphones, and now the Beats by Dre wireless Headphones are being released next month and both have yet to announce their price.

Although they had already been known for a few weeks, the next product to be announced were their newest DJ Headphones, called the Mixr DJ Headphones. Beats has worked with David Guetta to release an over-ear headphone that is made to be used by professional DJ's.  Jimmy said the headphones will be "strong, light, durable and powerful." We'll see if it's all of those things Jimmy...

There will also be a new portable Beatbox dock in time for the holidays. The Beats Electronic President has said that with this new dock,  "you can connect your phone, your tablet, your computer, anything with Bluetooth pairing for audio out, which is almost every device now." The new dock will cosmetically look a little different from the one thats out now. It will feature the Beats signature logo on the front and a handle on each side. I much prefer this new look to the previous BeatBox, which was kind of plain and generic.

The last announcement made was the limited availability of Studio Beats in new colors. Next week, the Studio Beats will be available in 5 more colors, bringing the total to 8 (not including the Boston Red Sox edition). The 5 new colors will be purple, blue, orange, pink and brushed aluminum. Frankly, I am surprised it took them this long but I'm glad that it finally happened.

Woo Audio Headphone Stand

Where are your CelebHeadphones right now? If their not on your head, they are probably in a drawer or laying on a desk. Why not show off your stylish headphones as if they were a piece of art? Woo Audio has  created a way to show off your CelebHeadphones in an elegant and sleek stand. The height of the stand is adjustable which gives you flexibility. The hanger distributes the weight of the headphones evenly which keeps them looking as fresh as possible. The bottom of the stand has a rubber bottom which protects surfaces and keeps them more secure. The Woo Audio Headphone Stands are available in 2 designs: Single headphone or a double headphone. They are available in 2 colors: Black and Silver Aluminum.

Price: $59 Single Headphone

          $79 Double Headphone

Available Now

InCase Sonic Headphone

InCase is another technology accessory brand that has developed their own line of headphones. In the past, I have been a big fan of InCase products, so I was especially excited to check out their Sonic Headphones. Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of the overall minimalist design that InCase was going for. That being said, there are some who might find the smooth look attractive. One good feature about these headphones is that they have a matte finish, which means that fingerprints will never be a problem. The ear cups are made of memory foam and covered with suede. The overall comfort is surprisingly impressive. One problem that I found was that the cord length was a few inches shorter than I would have liked. This small problem is something that I'm sure they will fix in their next series of headphones.

Truthfully, I had very low expectations for the sound quality of these headphones. Usually, technology accessory brands don't make the best sounding headphones (See iFrogz, iHome, BlueAnt). After checking out the Sonic Headphones, I was pleasantly surprised. While they weren't the best, they definitely weren't the worst. The amount of bass is on the low side, especially compared to other $200 headphones. The InCase Sonic Headphones come in 3 colors: Black, White & Grey.

Price: $200
Available Now

Pros

• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Matte Finish

Cons

• Short Cable
• Expensive
• Average Bass

Overall Rating: 7/10