Tag Archives: Sennheiser

Sennheiser’s URBANITE XL Goes Wireless

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Sennheiser URBANITE XL WIRELESSSennheiser introduced a new wireless version of its URBANITE headphone range at CES. The new versions add Bluetooth and NFC to the winning URBANITE formula of cool urban style and uncompromising sound, with massive bass and crystal clear trebles.

The URBANITE XL WIRELESS deploys the latest cutting-edge wireless technologies for great sound and the ultimate ease of use. The latest apt-X codec is used to deliver clear, CD-quality sound. The set up is effortless thanks to NFC, which allows easy Bluetooth paring to NFC-compatible devices or by bringing the headset into close proximity. Use of the latest Bluetooth 4.0 standard enables multi-connectivity – pairing with up to eight different devices as well as simultaneous connections to two devices, which make it possible to link the URBANITE XL WIRELESS to, for example, a smartphone and a computer at the same time.

The Sennheiser URBANITE XL WIRELESS also has great durability. They can deliver an impressive 25 hours of playback, and are constructed with durable materials including strong metal components. The clever collapsible design makes it easy to fold and store it in the supplied soft pouch.

Touch Control Panel on Sennheiser URBANITE XL WIRELESSIt also includes an intuitive, state-of-the-art touch control panel on the right ear cup that makes it possible to adjust the volume and skip to the next track by sliding a finger across the panel or tapping it. Touch control is enhanced by voice prompts that provide all necessary information about the status of the headphones. Crystal clear sound quality is ensured by dual microphones within the ear cups that continuously monitor ambient noise to dynamically cancel out external interference for clearer speech.

Sennheiser has New Portable Speakerphones

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Sennheiser SP 20 SpeakerphoneThe Sennheiser Speakerphone Series features portable, stylish, speakerphones that can easily be used by business professionals who need to attend online conferences. It can also be used for personal communication. Each speakerphone comes with its own protective carrying pouch. Plug it into your computer and you are ready for a conference call.

The SP 10 and the SP 20 enable business professionals to easily make personal or small group conference calls. Each model features “plug in and talk” simplicity. The SP 10 connects to the PC/softphone. The SP 20 connects to the PC/softphone via a USB cable, or to a mobile phone or tablet via a 3.5 mm jack plug. The SP 20/20 version lets call participants connect via mobile phone and PC.

Both speakerphones use Sennheiser’s high definition sound quality, voice clarity, and echo cancellation. The “dual talk” button lets users interrupt a conversation more naturally. Together, these features ensure better call interactions.

The interface on the speakerphones is intuitive. There are buttons that you can use to control the volume and to mute the mic. It gives you “hands free” control. When you aren’t on a conference call, the speakerphones can be used to play music.

The Sennheiser Speakerphone Series is compatible with all UC providers. They are also optimized for Microsoft Lync on both Microsoft Windows and Mac. They are also compatible for use with UC providers like Avaya, IBM, and Cisco. Both speakerphones are available now. The SP 10 is $179.95 and the SP 20 is $199.95.

Sennheiser Launches “Let Your Ears Be Loved” Campaign

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Sennheiser UrbaniteSennheiser has launched an advertising campaign that includes some contests. Participation requires both online and offline activity. It is called Let Your Ears be Loved. The purpose is to feature Sennheiser’s Urbanite headphones. The ads that go along with the contest are unique.

The target audience of the ads are the generation of Millennials who Sennheiser’s believes want headphones that not only sound good but also look good. As such, they created an idea that emphasizes how much one’s ears will love the Urbanite headphones.

Personally, I find the ads uncomfortable. Each features a “love scene” in which a person who is dressed like an Urbanite headphone is pampering a giant ear. The headphone has a German accent. In one ad, the ear is lying across a massage table and the headphone is providing the massage. In another, the ear is in a bubble bath, and the headphone is outside the bath tub and holding a washcloth.

To me, it’s a little icky. That being said, I’m in my 40’s, and not the demographic that Sennheiser is trying to attract with this particular ad campaign. Maybe Millennials, people who are between the ages of 18 and 25, see the ads completely differently than I do. I’ll give Sennheiser this: the ads are very creative!

Part of the “Let Your Ears Be Loved” campaign are contests in which someone will win free Urbanite headphones. To participate, you must go to the website and select one of the “romantic” videos to watch. Next, share that video on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. After you do that, a clue will appear on the Sennheiser website. The clue gives you an idea of where in New York City to go looking for a golden ear. Those who find a golden ear will receive free Urbanite headsets. This contest runs from September 12 through September 21, 2014, in New York City. A similar contest will be held in London starting October 20 and ending November 2, 2014.

Or, you could participate in the “Show Me Your Ears” portion of the campaign. Take an “ear selfie” and post it to Instagram. Tag that selfie with @Sennheiserurbanite and #Earlove. The best ones will win free Urbanites. This contest is limited to people who live in the United States, Canada, and members of the European Union. Visit the Sennheiser website for more details.

Sennheiser Announces Urbanite Range and Momentum In-Ears

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Sennheiser has been busy over the past few days announcing two new products, Urbanite headphones and Momentum In-Ear earbuds, both of which look outstanding.

Sennheiser Urbanite HeadphonesThe new Urbanite headphones are aimed at the fashion-conscious Gen Ys, with a high quality product that emphasises bass.

“Sennheiser Urbanite headphones are for the generation of Millennials who know more and demand more. They love their tunes heavy and love to look good, but are smart consumers who won’t compromise on quality. They want bass but want it done right,” says Tim Voelker, Director of Sales and Marketing. Ok, so Sennheiser are taking the fight to Beats. Good luck.

The Urbanite range has two models, the standard on-ear and an over-ear, the Urbanite XL, with larger earpads. There’s a wide choice of colours, including denim, with some colours exclusive to each model. To control music on the go, the Urbanites have an in-line remote with microphone, and there are versions for both Apple iOS and Android devices.

Priced at GB£149.99 and GB£199.99 for the standard and XL respectively, the Urbanite headphones are available now.

The Momentum In-Ear buds extend the Momentum range from over-the-ear, through on-the-ear to into the ear and if they’re anything like the Momentum On-Ears that I tested earlier in the year, they should be both amazingly well designed and sound fantastic.

Momentum In-Ears

Available in black and red and made in stainless steel with chrome detailing, the In-Ears use proprietary Sennheiser transducer technology which “carefully replicates the sound signature that characterises the Momentum range: a powerful bass response, detailed vocal projection and a great sound stage.”

The Momentum In-Ears have a three button in-line remote with integrated for both controlling the music and taking phone calls. The earphones will come in two versions, one for Apple iOS devices and one primarily for Android devices, though it should work with Windows too.

The Momentum In-Ears will be available in time for Christmas for €99 and US$99.95.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear Headphones Review

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Sennheiser LogoI was watching an ABBA retrospective on BBC4 last night and to my surprise, there was Benny and Bjorn wearing Sennheiser HD414s in the recording studio. Lest anyone think that I’m a complete Sennheiser nerd, the HD414s have bright yellow earpads and are very recognisable. With the trip down memory lane complete, let’s take a look and a listen to an entirely more modern set of headphones, the Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear.

Momentum On-Ear

Extending Sennheiser’s Momentum range, the On-Ear is is more compact version of the original over-ear Momentum, and is aimed squarely at the fashion-conscious, iPhone-toting music lover. Although lighter and small, the On-Ear retains much of the luxury and audio quality of its bigger brother but with smaller cups that rest on the ears rather than enclosing them completely.

It’s the attention to detail on the headphones that really stands out – the adjustment, the fixings, the stitching, the soft Alacantara material on the headband and ear cups. The Momentums are a pleasure to handle, hold and wear. I found them comfortable but the trick to extended listening was to keep the cups slightly forward. Too far back and my ears started to get sore.

Ear AdjustmentScrewsStitchingEar Cups

Audio-wise, the Momentum On-Ears are everything that you’d expect from headphones in this price range. Excellent definition and clarity, with musical subtleties coming through beautifully. As might be expected, on lower bit-rate MP3s the On-Ears easily showed up the limitations of the format, while with higher bit-rates, the sound filled out nicely revealing the detail. Plugged into an amp (a Yamaha DSP-AX763) with a CD player source (a Technics SL-PG580A) , the music was incredibly good. I could really listen to the tracks rather than just hear them. It’s hard to get over the audio experience in words, but let’s just say I’m impressed.

ConnectorIncluded in the box with the headphones is a semi-rigid case, a soft carrying bag and two leads. One has a standard 3.5″mm stereo jack for connecting into digital music players or amps, but the other lead has an in-line iRemote for use with Apple products such as the iPhone. The leads have a neat little moulding on the headphone-end that secures the connector into the headset so it doesn’t come out unintentionally.

The Momentum On-Ears come in a range of seven colours – high-gloss black, classic brown, red, ivory, blue, green and pink. There’s a new Samba edition to tie in with World Cup in Brazil this summer which has yellow cups, bringing us back to the original 414s.

Priced at £169.99, these aren’t pocket money, but they are lovely headphones. As with all things hi-fi, there will always be better and more expensive headphones but the Momentum On-Ears seem to occupy a good spot, balancing cost and audio quality. Try them out for yourself.

Thanks to Sennheiser for the loan of the Momentum On-Ears.

Sennheiser has Unveiled its New MK 8 Microphone

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Sennheiser MK8Sennheiser unveiled its new MK 8, large-diaphragm, condenser studio microphone at NAB 2014. The new microphone features five selectable polar patterns. They are: omni-directional, wide cardioid, cardioid, super-cardioid, and figure-of-eight. The MK 8 also has a low cut/roll-off filter and selectable pad.

The MK 8 was designed and manufactured in Germany. It echos the sleek design of the MK 4 studio microphone. The fixed cardioid MK 4 was designed for plug-and-play simplicity. The multi-pattern MK 8 offers additional control for the refined recording engineer.

The new microphone has a one-inch, dual-diaphragm capsule, precisely spattered with 24-carat gold and elastically mounted to reduce structure-borne noise. It also has a three-position filter that allows the user to either eliminate low-frequency noise below 60 Hz (-18 dB/octave, low-cut position) or introduce a softer roll-off effect from 100 Hz down to compensate for the proximity effect in close miking (-6 dB/octave, roll-off position).

The MK 8 is encased in a sturdy metal housing. This gives it relatively low sensitivity to humidity, as the impedance conversion is done within the capsule. It is packaged with a microphone clip and protective pouch. Optional accessories include an elastic suspension, a foam windshield, a pop filter, and a hard case. The new MK 8 microphone will be available in late summer of 2014.

Minimalist Momentum Headphones from Sennheiser at CES

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Sennheiser LogoSennheiser are usually my headphone manufacturer of choice when it comes to music, so I’m always interested in the latest news from the German team. To be honest, it’s not massive news but when the headphones look as good as these, who cares?

For CES, Sennheiser have updated their “minimalist urban” headphones, the Momentum On-Ear with three new colours; high-gloss black, classic brown and intense red. Nice. The ear pads and headband have been finished in Alcantara, a high-tech soft-touch material produced in Italy. Alcantara provides a combination of suppleness, durability and breathability that makes it popular in the fashion, interior design, and automotive industries, and the use of the material by Sennheiser makes the headphones very comfortable for long listening sessions. The headband is made of brushed stainless steel. All round, they look great.

Momentum On-Ear

Audio-wise, the On-Ear is driven by Sennheiser’s proprietary 18-ohm transducers, delivering the usual Sennheiser experience of incredible clarity and detail with a slight bass emphasis. The closed, on-ear design ensures reliable isolation from external noise for a great listening experience on the move, even in noisy urban environments.

The Momentum On-Ear headphones feature a single-sided detachable cable with in-line remote and microphone for Apple devices to control music playback, and to make and receive calls on the go.

“With the three new colour versions, Sennheiser has reimagined this essential, cool design in richer, more subtle tones,” said Charles Cha, Product Manager at Sennheiser. “Where the Momentum On-Ear headphones first showed their playful and extroverted character, the new versions are a more discrete revelation of luxury that hints at their superb performance.”

The MSRP seems to be US$299 but they currently seem to be on-sale in the Sennheiser store for $199.

I want.