New headphones that promise great sound quality are released regularly. Blue Microphones is looking to attract the attention of audiophiles with the release of its Mo-Fi headphones. The company says the high-end built-in amp provides up to six times more power than typical devices while high-end drivers deliver high levels of detail and accuracy.
As its name would suggest, Blue is known for its microphones. Along with its studio range, the company has branched out to produce new types microphones for the digital age, such as the Mikey Digital microphone for iPhone and iPad and the Tiki USB microphone.
The Mo-Fi headphones are the first to be produced by the company and Blue says they are aimed at delivering high-quality performance from any device, including laptops, smartphones and professional studio equipment. Blue argues that headphone sound quality is often limited by the amplifiers included in devices like smartphones or tablets. The company says that it has overcome this problem by building a high-quality amplifier and complementary drivers into the headphones themselves.
The Mo-Fi's amplifier has a power output of 240 mW. Frequency response ranges from 15 Hz to 20 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio is over 105 dB and total harmonic distortion is given as 0.004 percent. The amplifier also provides three different sound profiles. The "On" setting activates the amplifier and the "On+" setting uses the amplifier to enhance lower audio frequencies. Alternatively, with the amplifier switched off the headphones will work in passive mode, using the signal that has been delivered by the audio source. This is recommended for use with high-end or studio equipment.
Accompanying the in-built amplifier are two 50 mm audio drivers, which Blue says are among the largest on the market and can be successfully used only because of the built-in amplifier that provides much more power than a mobile device could provide. The drivers have the same frequency response as the amp, and an impedance of 42 ohms.
Blue has also given consideration to the design of the headphones. The ear-cups have been formed to match the shape of the ears and the multi-jointed headband is oblong with a rounded end to better fit the shape of a user's head.
The Mo-Fi headphones have a 1,020 mAh rechargeable battery that Blue says will charge fully via a USB charging cable in 3-4 hours and will provide 12 hours of listening time. They're available from selected online stockists now and have a recommended retail price of US$349.99.
The video below provides a brief overview of the Mo-Fi headphones.
Source: Blue
