Tech Digest

Review: Philips SHN9500 noise cancelling headphones

The Propaganda

The SHN 9500 noise-cancelling headphones from Philips promise to cut out 85% of background noise, so are perfect for planes, trains and automobiles. They're premium range, so expect a lot of padding. Did you not know that's what premium means? How disappointing.

Noise cancellation headphones are always pretty chunky, especially when they've got technology integrates which actually takes into account the outside noise, rather than just attempting to muffle it. These create an opposite waveform to the outside noise, and in doing so, neutralises it.  There is also a set of neodynamic magnets in the speaker drivers to deliver accurate sound

The Good

Comfort-wise, they're probably the most comfortable I've tried. There is a serious amount of padding going on on the earpieces, and there's more padding on the top of the headband. I wore them on a train for 4 hours, and they were only mildly uncomfortable by the end of it. This was despite wearing glasses, which normally makes headphones sit pressed against that particular pressure point which gives you a blinding headache.

With premium headphones come a few bells and whistles that you don't get on budget models (although admittedly there's only  a limited amount you can do with headphones). On these, you've got a mute button which will allow you to listen to things like train announcements (handy for finding out you're on the wrong train) and oncoming lorries.  There's also an adaptor for the two prong airplane jacks and a carry case. A further adaptor means you can use them with things that have both a 3.5 or a 6.5 mm jack. 

The Bad

The bad news is the noise cancelling element, which might be a problem for Philips. It's quite ineffective, making me check several times if I'd turned the switch on. I had, and yet I still had a significant amount of the tube noise. At one point I could even hear the tinny innnc-innnnc-innnnc  from the headphones of the boy next to me. 

It's supposed to be the low frequency noise that is best cancelled, and Philips quote an improvement of 85%, which means that the tube shouldn't have been a problem. Voices and sudden loud noises don't count, since the technology isn't yet that fast at neutralising, but even so. The overall effect was better than listening through something such as in-ear phones, but I suspect that this was because of all the padding around the ears.

In our opinion

These headphones are really comfortable. And they come with lots of extras. But unfortunately, the noise cancelling element isn't really up to scratch. When you've got to check that they're on, you know there' s a problem... You can however, pick up a pair for £150 at Dixons

Logitech introduce X-540 matrix surround sound speaker system

Logitech have announced their X-540 speaker system, a very affordable system aimed primarily at gamers that is supposed to provide a decent surround sound experience even with stereo audio sources (which most are).

They say that most 5:1 speaker systems are wasted because the source audio on many games, CDs and TV programmes is in stereo. However, their Matrix Surround Sound system splits an audio signal out into five channels for sending to the individual speakers, without distorting the sound quality. It sounds as if it's a feature that can be turned on or off by a button on the control centre, which also houses the power button, volume controls and headphone jack.

The system features a clip-on centre channel speaker to cater for the rise in flat panel displays where a speaker can't be rested. The clip also doubles as a stand for those on CRT monitors or those who prefer to put the speaker on the desk.

The X-540 produces balanced surround sound by way of that central speaker and acoustically matched front and rear satellite speakers. Logitech's Frequency Directed Dual Driver technology helps the speakers produce richer sounds by having two drivers in each satellite speaker. It also overcomes high-frequency overlap that leads to uneven sound.

The system delivers 70 watts of RMS power through the 5 satellites and subwoofer. They feature a new industrial design that adds more angles and style to the five satellites, with durable metal grilles protecting the satellites and a down-firing design shielding the subwoofer driver.

And the price for all this lovely tech. A very tasty £69.99, which sounds not half bad at all. Available this month.

Logitech

Classical music lovers embrace downloads too

Last month the Royal Scottish National Orchestra launched an online music service and new research from Gramophone magazine suggests it could be quite popular.

Their new research suggests that one in three classical music lovers have digital music players, download music from the Internet, and listen to digital, streaming radio as well as ripping their classical CDs. One in five legally download music, averaging 12 downloads per person.

The big services provide a reasonable amount of classical music, including iTunes and eMusic, though more specialist services will still probably be the way to go for serious classical connoisseurs. Classical music tracks are usually longer and part of collections (symphonies, for example) and they often benefit more from being encoded at a higher rate due to their dynamic range. You'll still not really notice any quality loss when travelling in noisy environments though.

(Via m4music)

Bose release new Acoustic Wave music system

Bose has updated its Acoustic Wave system with the release of system II which it claims brings music even closer the sound of a live performance. The original won awards for being a breakthrough in audio reproduction, and this new model improves on the sound and functionality that Bose says makes it unique to the industry.

The Acoustic Wave system II is based on Dr Amar G Bose's waveguide speaker technology, but the 2.3 meter long waveguide folded inside is now combined with the latest Bose advancements in signal processing.

The system boasts clearer and more accurate reproduction of musical instruments and more natural human voice, even at higher volumes or outside.

The CD player plays back both audio and MP3 CDs, displaying track information when available. There's also an FM/AM radio tuner, and an audio input jack for connecting other equipment. The backlit remote control has powerful IR emitters so doesn't have to be pointed directly at the system. An optional 5-CD changer module can be added to the system. It runs from AC power or via optional power case and battery pack.

It comes in platinum white or graphite grey and will cost £885 for the system, £299 for the CD changer, and £35 for the remote (shame it's not bundled at this price). Available from their Regent Street store or direct from their website.

Bose

Who scooped gongs at the BT Digital Music Awards 2006?

Last night saw hundreds of musicians, celebs and music professionals descend on Camden's Roundhouse to find out who had won at the BT Digital Music Awards 2006.

Gong winners included Peter Gabriel who received a 'Pioneer Award' for his contribution to digital music over the years, Lily Allen for Best Pop Artist, McFly for Best Official Website, NME for Best Music Mag, MySpace for Best Innovation, and London Electricity for Best Podcast.

Best Unsigned Artist went to Brighton's 'The Wonderfuls'. Muse, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead each scooped two gongs.

All the results should be posted soon on the DMA06 web site, and the action's being televised on Channel 4 this coming Saturday (7th October) at midnight, and the 21st October also at midnight.

All very cool, but one thing that I noticed in the news release was the following statement: "As part of its partnership with the music industry, BT is restricting participation in the awards to sites and services that have licensed music from record companies, ensuring that artists are properly rewarded for their work."

OK, well BT:

1. you've been on slightly shaky ground with MySpace.
2. does this kill off the chance for totally independent artists who can't or refuse to use record companies any chance of getting a gong?

Now the statement might be meant to combat piracy and illegal downloads - fair enough - but it's vague enough to make me wonder how 'cool' these awards really are. Just a corporate excuse to promote the BT Home Hub? Surely not...

TEAC unveil latest thin hi-fi system: CD-X9

TEAC have released their latest CD and radio stereo system, the very flat CD-X9. It features NXT's flat panel loudspeakers, and very nice they look too, given our new fascination with thin technology (TVs, hi-fi, iPods). It can even be wall-mounted.

Though it doesn't feature the most up-to-date tech in other areas - for example, it sports an AM/FM radio not DAB - it's still a nice piece of kit at reasonable price. The only brick-like object that comes with it is the subwoofer which offers enhanced bass.

The 3.5 inch main unit is decked out in matt silver, features a vertical-loading CD which looks quite good, and supports all CD formats. The radio is 20-preset AM/FM. It has a multi-function LCD with backlight, digital clock with sleep/timer, and remote control.

It should be available now, priced £180.

Teac web site

Pioneer offer home network audio through power lines

Pioneer's MT-01 Power Line Sound System is a home audio system that links together up to 6 networked speakers throughout the home via regular power cabling.

The Sound Station control unit features two USB ports, 1 audio input and 2 analogue inputs and can play one or two audio sources around the connected speakers. It also features motion sensors which will turn the speakers on when someone enters the room, though I could imagine that becoming a little annoying after a while.

It also comes with a remote control that will interact with the speakers.

The standard MT-01 package includes a Sound Station main unit, one large 2 x 25W Network Speaker, a small 5W Network Speaker and a keyring-sized remote control. Both the large and small speakers will also be available separately, so you can build your system according to your own household requirements.

It's due to be available at the end of the month, price to be confirmed.

Pioneer MT-01 product page

iSymphony micro music system with iPod dock

I'm not sure if I'm taken by home stereo systems which hold your iPod aloft, but they're appearing in growing numbers, so maybe I'm in minority. The latest is iSymphony - which looks very much like a home micro system - except for that iPod growth on top.

Indeed, it does everything you'd expect of a home stereo system, with 50 watts output power, front loading CD player with CD/CD-R/RW compatibility, MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) playback, AM and FM radio with 40 station memory, equaliser and full remote control. And in addition, there's built-in Universal Dock for iPod, with charging whilst docked, USB connectivity for playback from USB devices, SD and MMC card slots and a clock radio, which can be set to play your favourite iPod-based tune in the morning.

Probably not the best-looking system around, but certainly worth a look for the functionality. It's available from October, price to be confirmed.

iSymphony website

Teac's slimline CD-X9 stereo system with NXT technology

Teac has used NXT technology to create a very stylish (and slimline) CD/stereo system - the CD-X9.

The standout feature at first glance is the NXT flat panel speakers. Slim, but according to Teac, they deliver "unparalleled, room-filling sound". The 3.5-inch main unit features a vertical CD drive unit with a motorised loading door, which supports CD-MP3/CD-R/RW playback. There's also a multi-function LCD display with backlight, an AM/FM stereo tuner with 20 preset-station memory, a digital clock with sleep and timer functions, an external FM antenna connector and a full-function remote control.

It's available now, priced around £180.

Teac website

Review: Parrot Wireless Speakers

According to Parrot, Bluetooth is the future. In fact, they're so confident in this that they deal exclusively in Bluetooth enabled devices - everything from picture frames to speakers.

Their wireless speakers, or SOUND SPEAKERS as they've rather shoutily dubbed them, incorporate two 60W speakers with integrated amplifier, which use Bluetooth to stream music from your mobile phone, MP3 player or computer, as long as they support the A2DP Bluetooth profile.

The Good

Setting up the speakers is simply a case of taking them out of the box, connecting each to a mains supply (it obviously comes with two leads for this purpose) and turning them on so that they're 'discoverable' by Bluetooth devices. There's an LED light on the front of each speaker which indicates it's status, depending on the red/blue combination.

The speakers support Bluetooth devices which have the A2DP profile, as well as those which you can adapt for that purpose. For instance, I used the Bluetooth dongle from the Plantronics Bluetooth headphones to connect my iPod, which worked perfectly.  And because life hasn't quite caught up with Parrot yet, they've supplied a line in connection and lead, so that non-Bluetooth players can be used with the speakers.

The speakers have a synch button on the front of each, as well as volume controls. However, you can control the volume from the player you're using. I've found many other speaker systems don't let you do this.

In terms of the sound you get from these speakers, 60W delivers you a decent amount of volume for a living room, and the bass is relatively clear. It won't compare to the quality you'd get from a speaker manufacturer, but that's not really the technology you're buying here.

The Bad

The speakers are wireless in as much as you don't have to have them connected to an audio source, but there is still the power to consider. Each speaker needs to be close enough to a power source for the lead, and the two supplied are about 3 metres each. This isn't something that any other manufacturer can remedy without a massive battery pack, but does need to be taken into consideration when you think "fantastic, completely wireless speakers" - it won't be easy to lug it into the garden without an extension lead.

The controls on the speakers are minimal - there's basically just an on switch and a volume control. Parrot obviously believe you're going to use the controls on your player or phone to control the volume, since there's no remote provided. This is fine, but in my case, since I use an iPod with a Bluetooth adaptor, means extra handling and grubbiness on the casing. The volume control is also slow to register - it's a case of trial and error in trying to get a decent volume level since it doesn't seem to adjust at the same speed you change it. This is similar when you're changing tracks. There's a definite lag.

The speakers support Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), a 2 channel stereo audio stream. Gradually, phone manufacturers in particular are ensuring their phones support this (LG and Motorola can both generally be relied upon). However, I use a Nokia N72, and the N Series isn't compatible so I couldn't stream music from my phone. I also had problems streaming from my computer. Despite installing the driver supplied on a CD from Parrot, and despite my computer recognising and connecting with the speakers, I couldn't get it to play music through them.

The speakers only come in a lacquered white casing, although you have the option of keeping the black covers over the speakers themselves, or taking them off and displaying them. They snap back over the top using magnets, so it's no fuss either way. However, the white finish might not fit in all living rooms, cover or no cover.

Geek Sheet

- Digital two-channel Class-D amplifier
- 60 W RMS power output per speaker
- 7band digital graphic equaliser
- Frequency range: 50 Hz - 20 kHz
- MP3*, MP3* decoder: 192, 160, 128, 112 Kbps
- SBC decoder: 320, 275, 250 and 150 Kbps
- RCA line-in input for all audio sources
- Power supply: 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz and 60 Hz

In Our Opinion

I love the idea of wireless speakers - the reason I don't have an overly complicated home stereo set up is because I'm fed up with the rats nest of wires I always seem to acquire every time I move house. The only detraction from these in the number of devices that actually work with these speakers. However, this is changing constantly as more and more manufacturers recognise the benefit, so buying these now will probably see them growing in use over the next year or so.  They should be in shops now, although I've had difficulty finding them online. When they are in stick, they'll retail for about £245.