Consumer audio catches its stride with mobile
January 2013 – At the 2013 CES show – the buzz on mobile devices was how to get good sound out of the many mobile devices – phones / tablets / ultrabooks. The new generation of solutions is to get as far away from the little white round “noise makers” that have been known as iPod earbuds, and instead make devices with real audio quality and fidelity. These are being leveraged by the fact that a number of sources are creating and delivering high resolution digital music files that actually sound like music and can be played back as such.
The biggest splash at the event was the new integration of fashion and design by Monster with their new headphone lines. Inspired by the fashion industry (Diesel) , the music industry and other celebrities, new headphones pushing the edge of fashion with removable and changeable headbands that have new designs. These range from simple designs to studs to highly decorated crystal designs all the way up to full high fashion designs for headware as one would see at the Kentucky Derby or other high fashion sporting events., These are done with low noise, high efficiency speaker designs, with non-tangle cables and in some cases a sharable connection to daisy chain the headphones between multiple people. These were available for adults, and a new separate, flexible, lower cost and bright color line is available for kids. For the specialty line, they have partnered with EA to make a sporting video game headphones with microphone for team and multi-player play.
Bell’O, located at the show floor near Monster, took a bit more of a traditional and less flamboyant approach to the problem with a high performance over the ear product that has a very soft conforming foam ear cover that gives a great deal of isolation. These devices use a new high efficiency drivers so they get high quality sound at low volumes saving power in the mobile devices. The units have a microphone controller and volume controller in the cable and retail for an MSRP fo $49.95. There is also a high efficiency earbud in the same line that was launched in 2012.
iLuv wireless speakers
Shifting to Bluetooth – there was a plethora of wireless devices. ILUV had the Mobi Series (MobiRock and Mobi Aria). These Bluetooth connected devices had titanium tweeters and enhanced bass deice. In addition to the Bluetooth connection they have the traditonal 3.5mm aux jack. The Mobi Aria is also NFC enabled to simply sync with the mobile devices. The devices work up to 30 ft away in wireless mode. To allow for longer playing time, the Aria has a USB charging port to the mobile device, and the Mobi Rock is Qi enabled for wireless charging.
Voxx group – Audiovox / Acoustic Research / RCA / Jensen / Advent / Klipsch / Terk and many others, brought out a number of Bluetooth devices for the auto, home and lifestyle. The leadoff was the AR60 portable Bluetooth speaker with 16watts of power, 10 hrs operation from batteries or continuous with the power cord and a free Skinit Skin for personalization. Thee device features a removable panel for waterproof storage of your smart phone while connected to the device that also features an optional 3.5mm jack for lower power operation. They also launched a set of headphones the 808 branded models with a carry case, 2 cables – 1 with and 1 without a microphone for $129 MSRP.
The Voxx products also focused on charging. RCA had a new 4 port wall plat with USB2 charging plugs that are installable as a retrofit to existing outlets. There is also a 2 USB outlet version with a single 3 prong plug. This is designed for bedroom use to allow a clock or docking station to be plugged in and then use the USB for the mobile devices in a single outlet. A number of the devices from RCA and other brands were also incorporating Qi wireless charging. This has made its way into the automarket with Qi charging in a number of the tablet and smartphone holders.
aftershokz ces2013
On the other end of headphones, Aftershokz had their generation 2 bone conduction headphones for the mobile marketplace. Providing 6hrs of play, water resistance, and USB charging, the Bluetooth connected wireless device has improved sound, a better fit over the head, and leaves the ears open. This allows the stereo device to be used while riding a bike or driving, where most devices require a single ear unit to meet traffic regulations. The device is anticipated in production in early 2013, and has advanced error correction as well as availability with and without a microphone.
The trend is that wireless for audio is now a part of the mobile lifestyle and the Bluetooth 2.1 and 3.0 spec allows this with minimum drop out and error. Both connective use and music listening activities are part of the mobile device task list going forward with these new devices.
