Beats by Dr Dre releases two headphones as part of Beats Decade Collection

Source: Beats. The Beats Decade Collection.

Styled in Defiant Black-Red in tribute to Beats by Dr Dre's beginnings and music’s dynamic emotion, the Beats Decade Collection celebrates the company's first 10 years of innovation and premium sound.

Two of the models are headphone versions:

Source: Beats. The Beats Studio³ wireless headphones, in folded mode.

Beats Studio³ wireless headphones (recommended consumer price or RCP: S$478). With a debossed earcup, classic red cable, and custom linen case, the collection’s Beats Studio³ wireless headphones deliver premium sound and defy noise and distractions with Pure adaptive noise cancelling (ANC). These headphones continuously pinpoint external sounds to block them while automatically responding to individual fit in real-time, optimising sound output to preserve a premium listening experience.

Take calls, skip songs, control your volume, and activate Siri using the on-ear controls. The Beats Studio³ Wireless headphone is designed for long-term comfort to match a battery life of up to 22 hours. The soft over-ear cushions feature advanced venting and signature ergonomic pivoting for a custom, flexible fit.

Source: Beats. The Beats Solo³ wireless headphones.

Beats Solo³ wireless headphones (RCP: S$398). The Beats Solo³ wireless headphones deliver premium sound and up to 40 hours of battery life. The headphones deliver premium playback that maximise clarity, breadth and balance. Comfort-cushion ear cups buffer outside noise for immersive sound.

Details:

The new models are available at all Beats authorised dealers in Singapore.

Plantronics launches headsets addressing modern call centre challenges

Plantronics has announced a new family of headset solutions designed for customer service centres and offices. 

Source: Plantronics. The EncorePro 500 family.

According to the company, customer service centres face new challenges with the trend towards using smartphones and self-service. Customers who call customer service representatives (CSRs) with a problem have likely already tried self-service and may even have much more information than the agent. A call has become an escalation that puts more pressure on the CSR to perform, even though the customer is more often than not speaking in a mobile environment with questionable audio quality.

Businesses are also using over-the-phone routes for complex, high-value transactions, where CSRs must work with high-quality audio and yet preserve the confidentiality of customer information.

The Plantronics EncorePro 500 Series is designed for such challenges. It features new materials and technologies that yield an ergonomic fit that is durable, lightweight, and comfortable for all-day wearing. The noise-cancelling technology ensures more focused and private calls, so conversations will be heard clearly with fewer misunderstood words and with reduced background noise from keyboards and close talkers.

The family includes the EncorePro 510/520, which are dedicated over-the-head models, and the EncorePro 540, a convertible model. All models support wideband audio.


"We are building on the world's most successful professional grade headset, the SupraPlus, and this is a challenge we did not take lightly. Our deep understanding of the new business needs and role of customer service, and the availability of new materials, design philosophies, manufacturing techniques and core technologies resulted in a new portfolio that is not only state-of-the-art by today's standards, but also future-proofed to adapt as the landscape changes," said Bill Loewenthal, VP, Enterprise Communications Solutions, Plantronics. 

The new EncorePro 540 (convertible) model is immediately available. The EncorePro 510/520 (dedicated over-the-head monaural and binaural models) will be available in both noise-cancelling and voice tube* versions in December. 

Visit www.plantronics.com/contactcenter for information and pricing. View the associated video here.

*Voice tubes transfer sound more clearly across a distance.

Bose announces SoundLink Bluetooth on-ear headphones

Source: Bose.

Bose has announced its first on-ear Bluetooth headphones, the SoundLink Bluetooth on-ear headphones. The new SoundLink on-ear Bluetooth headphones are lighter and more comfortable than conventional Bluetooth headphones, the company said, and deliver all the audio performance of a Bose wired headphone. 

Bose Active Equalization and TriPort technology combine for smoother, more balanced sound. Mid-high frequencies are natural, and low-frequencies are detailed and full. 

A new two-microphone system rejects distractions like wind, so callers can hear what you’re saying more, and the sounds around you less. Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology automatically changes volume based on speech level and ambient noise, letting wearers move from a quiet environment to a noisier one without missing a word.

The SoundLink on-ear Bluetooth headphones connect up to two devices at a time and let wearers switch between them, so a user can watch a video from a tablet while staying connected to a smartphone. Simple voice prompts identify who’s calling, battery status and source connection. With commands on the earcup, the wearer has controls to turn it on and off, answer and end a call, adjust volume, play/pause, or control tracks, without using the phone.

The SoundLink on-ear Bluetooth headphones come in black or white, and weigh 5.5 ounces (156g). Designed to be worn comfortably for hours, they feature soft ear cushions and a headband pad made of fabric used in high-end automotive applications. To stow away, they fold smoothly for compact storage in a matching case. The headphones charge easily with an included USB cable for up to 15 hours of listening, or up to two hours after a 15-minute charge.

The SoundLink on-ear Bluetooth headphones will be sold* for US$249.95. All SoundLink products are sold* at Bose retail stores, Bose.com, and at authorised Bose dealers.

*Image from Bose. Prices and availability varies across countries.