Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie

There are a number of apparel companies who are now integrating headphones into clothing. There is the InSound Headphone Hoodie line and Rusty’s Wired Series Clothing line, just to name a few. This blend of fashion and technology is a nice idea in principal, but till this point hasn’t worked well because either they look awkward or break easily. With this said, Aerial7’s Sound Disk Beanie is different from the rest.

The Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie is just as it sounds, a beanie with 2 small speakers. With the heart of winter quickly approaching, what better way to listen to your music then inside a warm, soft beanie? They are a must have for any skier or snowboarder as they might be that extra help you need to land that tough trick you’ve been trying for years.

Because of my doubts about the collaboration of clothing and technology in the past, I was skeptical about testing out the Sound Disk Beanie. However, after testing them out for a few days, I have a renewed confidence. Inside of the beanie there are 2 small slits where you place each of the sound disks, which are basically small speakers. Once the sound disks are inside the beanie, you can adjust them to fit as close to your ears as you would like. I was expecting the beanie to leak a lot of sound, but I was completely wrong. Unless you have your MP3 player at max volume, not even the person sitting next to you on the ski lift up the mountain will know what song your listening to. I really liked that the beanies, even with the speakers, aren’t bulky at all. One flaw is that there is no way anyone could know your beanie is different from anyone else’s. Sound quality is definitely not one of its pros, but were you really expecting great sound with beanie headphones?! 

I tested out 2 styles of the Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie: Blue Bonfire & Black Perisher. The Blue Bonfire beanie is an oversized beanie that is much thinner than the Black Perisher. Both are made of an extremely comfortable material with the black one being a little thicker and warmer. Overall, the Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie is a great gift for anyone who loves music and enjoys winter sports. They are available in 14 different colors and styles.

Available Now

Price: $60

Pros

• Easy to Use
• Extremely Comfortable
• 14 Designs

Cons

• Expensive
• Average Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 8/10

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.

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