Fanny Wang headphones pack big sound and price
— -- With the Consumer Electronics Show around the corner, everyone's looking to find the next hottest gadget. Ahead of the show, I got a chance to try out a number of audio products that will be making their way to CES, from large speakers to tiny music players.
Fanny Wang headphones
Fanny Wang's cans are workhorses. Having tried the 3000 series, I will say these are among the more powerful headphones I've used, with a powered amp, 50 millimeter dual-plated drivers and sound that doesn't distort at higher volumes. The headphones have switches for four-way active noise cancellation and bass boost, bumping the beats up 6 decibels.
Concealed in one of the cans is a compartment for two AAA batteries, but the headphones themselves don't require any power to listen in regular mode, which is my preference. The cups latch on tight enough around the ears that there's sufficient passive noise canceling, especially if there's even a hint of music.
Despite the snug fit, these headphones are very comfortable, with their ultra plush cup lining. Fanny Wangs are notable for their detachable cord, which features a patent-pending sharing port, creating what Fanny Wang calls a social music experience. (Who knew social media could include hardware?) Unlike similar ports featured on other headphones, sharing doesn't deteriorate sound quality or volume.
In late 2011, the company announced it will paint the headphones to your liking, with more than 1 million possible custom color combinations (we checked the math, and it's true). After trying out a pair of standard black headphones, I have a list of mostly pros, but a few cons: 1. While these sound amazing, they're also some of the bulkiest headphones I've encountered (though a collapsible design makes up for that); and 2. The price tag. It costs $299.95 for a pair from the 3000 series, its top line.
Libratone Lounge
At CES this year, it's the Libratone Live that's going to grab everyone's attention, as the personal electronics honoree for CES' Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Awards. But don't overlook its older brother the Libratone Lounge. The Lounge is one of the most attractive speaker systems I've laid eyes on.
A product of Scandinavian design, the AirPlay-enabled speaker will no doubt add a dash of style to any living room, with its range of neutral (blueberry black, slate gray, vanilla beige) and accent (blood orange, lime green) colors. And the aesthetics don't stop there; the Lounge is made of wood with a high-end piano finish and covered with Italian cashmere wool from Florence, Italy.
With the help of an iOS app that optimizes sound based on placement, the Lounge can be put anywhere: floor, shelf or mounted on the wall. But what about the audio? While attractive, the Lounge isn't the most powerful. The sound's big, but $1,200 can buy more. You're paying for elegance here.
JayBird
The JayBird Freedom headphones were designed for the gym rat. As an audio partner of the USA Triathlon organization, JayBird knows what qualities make for good training headphones.
Not only are the Freedom earbuds shock- and sweat-proof, but the lack of long wires means a safe, fuss-free music experience when working out. Using Bluetooth connectivity, the headphones connect to music players and other mobile devices.
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