Though many smartphones are also very capable music players, there are some of us who prefer to listen to tunes from a dedicated device while out and about. Whatever your poison, you'll also need to carry some headphones, and perhaps even a set of speakers for those moments when you've just got to share with those around you. Sony has combined three devices into one to create the new Walkman WH Series headphones, saving you space in your overloaded backpack and eliminating the chance of annoying cable snag.
Sony has launched the new Walkman WH Series with two headphones, the NWZ-WH505 and the NWZ-WH303. Each features a digital music player with built-in storage, an integrated battery for 20 hours of playback on a full charge (or an hour of music in return for a three minute quick top up), stereo "surround sound" speakers and dynamic dome type headphone drivers. They both also have LED Walkman logos.
The NWZ-WH505 model has 40 mm headphone drivers with a frequency range between 5 Hz and 25 kHz, 105 dB/mW sensitivity and 40 ohm impedance. The headphones sport 16 GB of solid state storage, which can be filled up with MP3, WMA, AAC-LC, and Linear PCM format files via USB.
Each earcup housing is home to playback control buttons, and a switch to opt for listening through the headphone drivers or via the speakers mounted on the arms of the headband. The latter are reported to create immersive listening thanks to a combination of Sony's xLOUD and VPT speaker technologies.
The NWZ-WH303 headphones include 4 GB of storage, and 30 mm headphone drivers with a 30 Hz - 20 kHz frequency range, 107 dB/mW sensitivity and a 30 ohm impedance. The battery life is claimed the same as the more powerful Series siblings.
Either pair of headphones can also be used with a smartphone, tablet or dedicated music player via the supplied audio cable.
At the time of writing, we have no information on availability or price.
Source: Sony Europe
