It was a natural choice for beyerdynamic to use the IFA 2018 show in Berlin to introduce its new corporate image (new redesigned logo and warm colors, orange and brown) but also to introduce its latest premium headphones, the first to combine cutting-edge active noise cancelling and innovative MOSAYC dynamic sound personalization. The new headphones Blue BYRD ANC and LAGOON ANC also bring a fresh take on wireless music pleasure with multiple design features that enhance the overall user experience.Since the IFA show in 2017, we have seen beyerdynamic strongly promoting the merits of sound personalization and its collaboration with Mimi Hearing Technologies, already available in the brand's Xelento, Aventho and Amiron Wireless headphones. A year later, beyerdynamic doubles down on that strategy with a unique combination of state-of-the-art noise cancellation and sound personalization.
The new Blue BYRD ANC (in-ear) and LAGOON ANC (closed-circumaural) headphones not only offer a complete, relaxing silence but also intend to offer the highest sound quality to outperform other ANC headphones - which tend to suffer on frequency response when ANC is activated - by allowing the user to adjust the overall response to the each users' hearing profile and capability. This makes sense, given that basically the two new headphone models are actually leveraging the existing audio processing capabilities of the platform to perform those complementary functions.
The new beyerdynamic wireless neckband in-ear headphones Blue BYRD ANC and the over-ear model LAGOON ANC also set new standards in design. The Blue BYRD ANC surprises with its ultra sleek ergonomic casing while LAGOON ANC plays on a whole new level regarding design, comfort and user interaction, with a clever LED lighting scheme that guides the user while setting up the features.
First, beyerdynamic uses digital active noise cancelling with a hybrid technology to eliminate environmental sounds. To achieve perfect noise cancellation it combines microphones on the outside of the casing with microphones inside the ear cup to detect unwanted sounds. These get cancelled out with a counter-noise wave produced by the integrated technology. This state-of-the-art hybrid ANC technology is only the beginning. After ensuring that the user enjoys the resulting silence, the solution uses the innovative MOSAYC sound personalization system to optimize the music and audio signals. As beyerdynamic puts it, "these headphones surpass all ANC models to date. The combination of technologies marks an outstanding novelty and will revolutionize the headphone market for years to come."
That bold statement is something that needs to be proven in the field, but there is no doubt that hearing is a highly individual experience that changes with the environment (e.g. with the atmospheric pressure inside a plane) and over the course of a lifetime.
"Like in a mosaic picture, individual pieces get lost, changing the acoustic picture, rendering it incomplete or fading. Subtle details get blurred out, single frequencies or tones vanish. The innovative MOSAYC sound personalization by beyerdynamic restores the picture, using Mimi Defined. An individualized hearing profile is calculated after a hearing test in the MIY app for Android and iOS devices. This test is based on the research by Mimi Hearing Technologies in Berlin," the company explains.
With the resulting personalized hearing profile, the sound of the headphones get adjusted to the individual hearing capability of its wearer, allowing for "the missing pieces of the mosaic" ti be restored. The individualized listening profile is also stored in the headphones, so that users can apply it with every wireless source – even without the app. All headphones by beyerdynamic with MOSAYC sound personalization will feature a distinct logo.
Even though the cooperation with Mimi Hearing Technologies has been ongoing for some time, beyerdynamic did explain that the MOSAYC technology represents the latest generation of Mimi Defined - the company's personalization and hearing test features. This is also complemented by a new MIY app to take personalization to the next level when combined with beyerdynamic's Bluetooth headphones, which includes tracking the user's daily listening habits and the ability to adjust the level of sensitivity
New In-Ear with ANC
The competition for the lucrative ANC Headphone travelers-market is increasing, and this IFA show introduced strong new contenders from Sony and Harman/AKG. But beyerdynamic extended the concept also to the in-ear category. The new top model of the BYRD in-ear series from beyerdynamic combines ANC and MOSAYC in a stylish design that impresses with high-quality materials and optimum wearing comfort.
The in-ear headphones have been specially adapted to the shape of the human ear and are particularly slim. They fit perfectly in any situation, do not protrude from the auricle and will not press on the ear even when the user is lying on the side. The neck strap made of soft, smooth polymer, five pairs of eartips and robust cables with a velvety surface ensure not only a pleasant wearing comfort, but also maximum durability and minimum cable noise. The eartips and protective grilles can be easily cleaned or replaced. Decorative panels made of anodized and glass-bead blasted aluminum create visual highlights.
The Blue BYRD ANC also supports the latest audio codecs for Bluetooth transmission such as Qualcomm aptX and aptX Low Latency for Android and AAC for iOS devices.. The universal three-button remote control offers convenience when the Blue BYRD ANC is used as a headset and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. This allows flexible control of media playback, calls or personal assistants (Google, Siri). As a convenient alternative to the remote control, the headphones have a volume control knob. The high-quality microphone from beyerdynamic combined with Qualcomm's cVc technology increase speech intelligibility when making phone calls. With up to 18 hours of battery life with ANC disabled and up to ten hours with ANC, the headphones are a reliable companion for every day. They are recharged in no time via USB type C and thus ready for use at any time, even when traveling.
LAGOON ANC Everywhere
For those who travel a lot, the mobile LAGOON ANC premium headphones from beyerdynamic are now a strong alternative to the familiar offerings in this space. These stylish Bluetooth Over Ears combine the sound quality of beyerdynamic headphones with the latest digital active noise cancelling, the intensity of which can also be adjusted in two levels with a switch. ANC can also be deactivated and the headphones can be used with the supplied cable. Like the Blue BYRD ANC in-ears, when used in wireless mode, with activated ANC, the effect of the noise-cancellation is counterbalanced by the innovative MOSAYC sound personalization processing, effectively creating a way to compensate for any side-effects and to optimize reproduction in any environment with more or less ANC - and adapted to individual hearing ability.
The comfortable design of the LAGOON ANC makes it perfect for traveling. The ear-enclosing pads made of high-quality memory foam with protein synthetic leather covers are particularly smooth, follow the anatomy of the ear and are comfortable to wear. As a result, the over-ear closes up very well and reduces noise even without active ANC. The high-quality spring steel shackle sits comfortably – not too tight, but securely – on the head. The cans can be turned and folded flat for easy transport, making it easy to fit the headphones in the included compact hard case.
Unique to the LAGOON ANC is the Light Guide System to make operation easier. A very well thought out feature, the inside of the headphones shine in different colors, allowing the user to see the current status when they are removed. This way, there are no flashing of bright LED lights while wearing the headphones, but the Light Guide System will be useful exactly when setting up the headphones or simply to indicate left and right. The touchpad on the right earpiece also guarantees effortless fingertip operation.
As a state-of-the-art Bluetooth headset, the LAGOON ANC also features the latest audio codecs such as Qualcomm aptX, aptX Low Latency and AAC. Qualcomm cVc technology is used for maximum speech intelligibility in headset operation, and voice announcements are available in both English and German. With a battery life of up to 24 hours when the ANC is activated (5 more than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, but 6 less than the new Sony WH-1000XM3's) and up to 46 hours when the noise cancellation is off, the headphones will last effortlessly even on long journeys before they need to be recharged via USB type C.
The Blue BYRD ANC will be available during the fourth quarter 2018 in the online shop on beyerdynamic.de and in retail. The recommended retail price is 249.00 euros (including VAT). The LAGOON ANC is available in the variants Traveller (black/blue) and Explorer (grey/brown) from Q4 2018 online and in retail. Its recommended retail price is 399.00 euros (incl. VAT).
New In-Ear Models
Also new from beyerdynamic is the entry-level in-ear headphones Beat BYRD, already branded with the new beyerdynamic look, an orange cable, and the distinctive Y signet that will be featured on many products made by the audio experts from Heilbronn in the future. Like all of the new BYRD models, their casing is designed to be ultra-flat, so they do not protrude from the auricle and will not press on the ear even when the user is lying on their side.
The other new wired in-ear model in the BYRD series is the premium Soul BYRD. Featuring exquisite materials, stylish design and durability, the Soul BYRD comes with five pairs of eartips made from supple silicone and additional special eartips by Comply (series 400). Parts like the eartips and the protective grilles can be cleaned or replaced. For even more convenience in everyday use, the Soul BYRD features a three-button remote for iOS and Android devices, allowing for particularly easy access to digital assistants like Siri or Google. With the integrated microphone, the Soul BYRD becomes a high-end headset as well.
For users who prefer wireless, beyerdynamic introduced the Blue BYRD Bluetooth premium in-ear headsets, similar to the wired sibling Soul BYRD, complemented with a battery for up to six hours and quick charging via USB type C. There's a universal three-button remote for iOS and Android devices, and the Blue BYRD also combines the latest audio codecs like aptX, aptX Low Latency and AAC. The one technological feature that makes the Blue BYRD truly special is the individual MOSAYC sound personalization, like in the new ANC models.beyerdynamic Beat BYRD will be available by the end of September, Soul BYRD will be available by mid-October and Blue BYRD will be available in Q4 2018. The Beat BYRD will be sold via beyerdynamic.de exclusively for a recommended retail price of 24.90 euros (including VAT). Soul BYRD and Blue BYRD will be available online and in retail. The recommended retail price (including VAT) for Soul BYRD is 79.00 euros, Blue BYRD is sold for a recommended retail price of 129.00 euros (including VAT).
www.beyerdynamic.com
