Sounds Good to Me: Amazing New Headphones at CES 2015
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MDR-1A, Image via Sony
On a long-haul flight, there’s nothing like blocking out the cabin chaos around you, immersing yourself in that subtitled film you’ve never heard of before, pleased with how worldly you’ll seem as you discuss it at the next cocktail party. Let’s upgrade your headphones.
Bose has traditionally owned cruising-altitude noise-canceling headphones through strategic airline partnerships, though Panasonic and Soundchip are making a move with their HD-AUDIO system. If you’re flying with an airline that won’t offer either of these audio systems (or if you’re just stuck in coach class with me), don’t panic: Several intriguing headphone options are popping up at CES 2015. Aural has never felt so good.
Hey, DJ!
Sony’s MDR-1A noise-cancelling headphones will deliver insanely good sound while convincing your cabinmates that you’re an international DJ en route to something exclusive, somewhere exotic. You won’t be able to hear them gossiping, though. Their noise will be cancelled.
You can buy these now for three hundred bucks.
Impossibly Ambient
Bragi’s The Dash are ultra-low-profile earbuds for travelers who are allergic to encumbrance. These thingies are wireless, so the excuse-me-pardon-me dude in the middle seat can squeeze past you without yanking you from your musical reverie.
Check these out… they store 4GB of music on their own, so you don’t even need to keep your phone switched on.
The Dash will also monitor your vitals as you exercise, and can be linked to your smart device to act as a personal training tool. Use it as a hands-free kit for your phone, as well: Your ear bones become microphones. The Dash (you gotta say the whole thing) were the result of an insanely successful Kickstarter campaign, and are on presale for $299. Don’t they remind you of Puss in Boots from Shrek 2? Those eyes.
Jammie Jams
Billed as “pajamas for your ears,” SleepPhones consist of a headband with ultra-thin speakers embedded within. You can lean against your seat (or neighbor) and dream away, without hard bits of plastic jabbing into the side of your head.
SleepPhones are already available, costing $40.
Ultra-immersive
- V-720: Ready, Player One! Image via CES
The Vusix V-720 takes a page from Hannibal Smith’s playbook: “Overkill is underrated.” Not just headphones, the V-720 incorporates smart-glasses to provide an immersive gaming experience. No more seatback in front of you, just your game or movie. No pricing info on these yet, but Vusix sells other VR-ready headsets for around $600.
We Can Rebuild Them
- Henri XV, Image via CES
Zalman is introducing the Henri XV headphones at this year’s CES. Entering such a crowded market, the Henri XV offers customization and scalability: You can swap out modules to upgrade your headphones as technology improves. This is Zalman’s wheelhouse, the South Korean company specializes in after-market computer components. These are also the only headphones at CES to be named for a 13th century Bavarian duke, so there’s that.
It’s thrilling to see so many travel-friendly offerings at CES. Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing even more new toys with you soon. In the meantime, watch this classic video: