News
Etymotic to unveil Ety8 wireless earphones
By LC Angell
Contributing Editor
Published: Wednesday, November 1, 2006
News Categories: iPod Accessories
Etymotic has unveiled a new set of iPod-compatible wireless earphones. As noted in the iLounge 2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide, the Etymotic Ety8 earphones “combine the styling of the ER-4 series in-canal earbuds with two lightweight boxes containing wireless Bluetooth components and a 6-9 hour battery.” The iPod connection is handled through a bottom-mounting transmitter. Several silicone rubber and foam ear flanges are included, as are extra filters, a cleaning tool, and a leather carrying case. The Etymotic Ety8 earphones are expected to be available in late December for $299 with an iPod adapter or $199 without. Be sure to check out our 2007 iPod Buyers’ Guide for more unreleased iPod gear.
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21
Boxy , expensive & good. They should have the Volvo logo on them…
Posted by institutoaplaplac on November 2, 2006 at 6:34 PM (PST)
22
I think I would prefer a hearing aid style design better. Wrap it around the ear and put the box behind the ear.
Posted by Hitoyou on November 2, 2006 at 11:28 PM (PST)
23
The article meantions that they’re lightweight. I’d like to know exactly how much each earpiece weighs. If too much, then they will not work well whilest exercising.
Second, currently, the unit has to be this size in order to receive a good signal at all, plus there does have to be volume controls. It looks as though they also have tracking control, requiring the unit to be able to send more than just, “Hi, I’m here, receiving.” Adding further to the req’d size. My preference would be to have all of that only on one side; the other can be just an earbud. Might save money that way, too.
Design cues could be taken from some wireless cellphone headsets, or the business end of the Oakley mp3 player/sunglasses.
I do agree that a set of wireless earbuds which essentially look like a pair of simple earplugs would be fantastic. But, with current technology, they are truly a simple fantasy. For now.
In regards to the suggestion of a box that clips to your shirt collar: you can currently get that exact setup by purchasing a 2G shuffle and the shorter-cabled Sony earbuds. Kinda limits your choices of mp3 players to the shuffle, though.
Just some thoughts. Great idea, whose time has not fully come.
Posted by box on November 3, 2006 at 2:38 PM (PST)
24
Headphone for geeks
Posted by William Li on November 3, 2006 at 11:20 PM (PST)
25
I like hitoyou’s idea a lot. a hearing aid design would be really cool. (especially if you wanna listen to music in class, lol)
Posted by QWER on November 4, 2006 at 10:47 AM (PST)
26
Quick, Lt. Uhura, get me the Commodores!
Posted by Metups on November 5, 2006 at 9:54 PM (PST)
27
Fxxking Ugly :-(
Posted by Trust on November 13, 2006 at 6:39 PM (PST)
28
Silly and butt ugly. I think whoever developed this product is in for a bad ride (as in perhaps loose their job at Etymotic).
With the new Shuffle at that size, it will soon be cheper and better to connect your MP3 player straight to your ear instead of 2 extra squares that wirelessly receives the signal from an iPod that is clipped to your belt which then must be connected to a transmitter (adaptor as someone else said). So now you have 1,2,3,4 things, all to avoid a wire. All for a bargain price of $300. No thanks. Try again…
Posted by Joey on December 21, 2006 at 3:14 PM (PST)
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