Latest ProDJ Headphones form Pioneer
Pioneer has announced today that they are extending their ProDJ headphone lineup with the addition of the HDJ-2000 to complement their already popular HDJ-1000.
Press Release
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.’s Professional Sound and Visual Division, the leader in ProDJ products and the innovator of the CDJ and DVJ turntables, today unveiled the new reference model, HDJ-2000, the latest addition to its popular, professional DJ headphone series.
The development of the Pioneer HDJ-2000 stems from numerous requests from top DJs around the world desiring headphones with:
* Exceptional high-quality sound that clearly and accurately reproduces audio
* Comfortable fit to minimize fatigue from long periods of use
* High durability that withstands demanding conditions and touring
“Our engineers put great care and thought into every aspect of our product line; from our scratch emulation technology to headphone features, we place a strong emphasis on design, sound quality, and overall performance.” said Matt Dever, vice president of Pioneer’s Professional Sound and Visual Division. “These new headphones are a testament to our dedication to elevating the user and artist experience.”
Accurate Sound Quality
The headphone is uniquely designed to improve sound quality and reliability-perfect for use in DJ environments and studios.
* Thick 35?? Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) diaphragm improves rigidity and strength needed for better lower frequency response.
* PET material used in the diaphragm also helps to dampen unwanted resonance.
* Wide frequency response with high clarity and detail results from a large 50mm driver, ideal for all types of music.
Additionally, the headphones have an enclosed “over-ear” design with ear pads that seal around the user’s ears, reducing ambient noise and providing superior sound isolation for tracking in a loud club environment or a studio. The ear pad’s unique material, memory foam (Polyurethane foam), provides a tight yet comfortable seal, further enhancing sound reproduction especially in the mid to high frequency ranges.
Maximum Comfort for Extended Wear
The HDJ-2000’s lightweight construction and soft comfortable ear pads are ideal for long listening/recording sessions and reduce the well-known phenomenon of “headphone fatigue.” The headphones feature:
* “Protein Leather”1 Wrapped Pads - provide durability while making long use of the headphones more comfortable.
* Low-rebound memory foam2 - used inside the ear pads and head pad, contouring to the shape of the head and maintaining a snug fit.
* Magnesium alloy components - used in the main body components to achieve both a lightweight and durable design to minimize stress on the user’s head and ensure comfortable DJ play.
Sturdy, Stylish Design and Construction
The HDJ-2000 employs a Mini XLR connection to join the main body with the nearly ten feet of cable to achieve both a quality “sound” connection and easy replacement. With a new i-type hinge, a smooth and integral form has been achieved that naturally fits the hands at any time during DJ performance. The headphone’s ear pads have a spun finish aluminum ring that matches the design of Pioneer’s CDJ players’ “play/cue” buttons for a cohesive stylish design.
Other Features
* Folding Structure: The headphones fold into a compact configuration for portability and storage.
* Swivel Mechanism: The ear cups turn 90 degrees for more convenient single-ear or on-shoulder monitoring use. A torsion system returns the ear-cup to its normal position after each use.
* Click Mechanism: Ear cups and hinges gently click into place to prevent inadvertent rotation or folding of the headphones during use.
* Mono/Stereo Switch: Combines the audio signal for single-ear monitoring.
* Carrying Bag: A soft pouch is included to protect the headphones when not in use.
The HDJ-2000 will be available in December 2008 with a manufacturer suggested retail price of $450.
Specifications
Type: Tightly closed dynamic stereo headphones
Frequency range: 5Hz - 30kHz
Impedance: 36?
Maximum input: 3,500mW
Output sound level: 107dB/m
Unit type: 50mm dome
Plug: ø3.5mm 3P mini plus (Gold-plated, Screw-type)
Weight: 290g / 10.23 ounces (excluding cord)
Included accessories: ø6.3mm 3P plug adapter (Gold-plated, Screw-type), Carrying bag
Connection cord: 1.2m long single coiled cable (about 3m when straight)
*1 Protein Leather: Synthetic leather developed jointly by Idemitsu Technofine Co., Ltd. and Komatsu Seiren Co., Ltd.
*2?Low rebound memory foam: Polyurethane foam that slowly moulds itself to a shape and recovers to its original profile.
Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ equipment through its Professional Sound and Visual Division. Its DJM, CDJ and DVJ Professional DJ equipment is known for its high quality sound and reliability and is considered the industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world. For more information, visit www.PioneerProDj.com.
Best Buy will Aquire Napster
Looks like Best Buy is going to be getting a bit larger soon. With Napster being one of the largest digital audio retailers, Best Buy just couldn’t keep their hands off. It seems as though few changes will come, so Napster fans rest easy…at least for now. Read more
More New Sony Gear
Yesterday, I covered the new Sony Walkman MP3 players. Today, let’s take a look at some of hte other new audio gear from Sony.
Sony Xplod In-Dash Receivers
Sony has announced four new Xplod in-dash recievers for your car that are slated to be availabe in September. The new CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP, CDX-GT330 and CDX-GT130 receivers carry features such as HD Radio, iPod connectivity and USB ports. Check out more details on these units over at CrunchGear .
Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD Player
It’s supposed to have the best audio quality . . . ever. For $1500, it better be. More at SlashGear .
Sony TA-DA5400ES and TA-DA3400ES AV Receivers
More ES series receivers from Sony too. The TA-DA5400ES features a 120-watt x 7 channel internal amplifier, six HDMI inputs, 2 outputs, six optical audio jacks and three sets of component inputs. Via Engadget .
Boston Acoustics’ Horizon i-DS2 iPod Speaker System
Finally, an iPod Dock Worthy of Playing your Favorite Music!
Stylish and Compact System Lets Users Share their iPod ® Music in Rich High-Performance Stereo, with Deep Powerful Bass
PEABODY, Mass. - Boston Acoustics, Inc., a world-renowned manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, today announced the introduction of the Horizon i-DS 2 iPod Speaker System (MAP: $179.99), a stylish and compact solution for bringing the music of any Apple® iPod® to life in great room-filling stereo sound. With built-in dual 3 1/2” full-range speakers and 60 watts of dynamic power, the Horizon i-DS2 is a high performance system with deep powerful bass and crisp clean stereo sound that lets users dock and charge their iPods while listening to their favorite music. And reflecting Boston Acoustics’ Play Smart™ attitude, the i-DS2 features the company’ s innovative P.O.P. design concept, which lets users quickly and easily change the look of their unit to match any room’ s dé cor using a variety of different colored speaker grilles. Read more
Wedding Bells for XM and Sirius
For better or worse the FCC has granted marriage license to XM and Sirius dispite an agreement to never become anticompetitive, heavy opposition, and a history of not cooperating with FCC regulation to an extent. Maybe the FCC feels that terrestrial tunes have become a staple in American culture and anything short of partnering the two sat broadcasters means the demise of an American freedom.
Lets take a look at the brief history of satellite radio. “Satellite radio” took off in 1992 when the FCC set aside a portion of spectrum, the “S” band (2.3GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based digital audio radio service. Four companies applied for a broadcast license, XM and Sirius being 2 of them. They were given approval to broadcast in 1997. XM began broadcasting in September, 2001 and Sirius nine months later in June, 2002.
At any rate here we are. The two are united. So what does that mean for you and me. The FCC has put several restrictions on the deal. Like, a price lock for three years, minority and community based programming. Radios that receive XM and Sirius signals and a la carte programming will also be offered so we can pick and choose our channels from both. The new company is said to be named Sirius XM Radio Inc.
Press Release
NEW YORK, July 29, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio today announced that they have completed their merger, resulting in the nation’s premier radio company. The new company plans to change its corporate name to SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. The combined company’s stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SIRI.”
SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers, making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription media business in the U.S. With under 10% penetration of the home and car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.
“I am delighted to announce the completion of this exciting merger between SIRIUS and XM,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. “We have worked diligently to close this transaction and we look forward to integrating our best-in-class management teams and operations so we can begin delivering on our promise of more choices and lower prices for subscribers.”
“Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are well positioned for increased subscriber growth. Our laser focus on subscribers will continue and listeners can be assured that there will be no disruption in service. We also believe that the completion of the merger will eliminate any confusion that has been lingering in the marketplace,” added Karmazin.
XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM.
Competitive New Options for Consumers
SIRIUS XM Radio broadcasts more than 300 channels of programming, including exclusive radio offerings from Howard Stern, Oprah, Opie & Anthony and Martha Stewart, among others. SIRIUS XM Radio will offer these expanded options to consumers through arrangements with the world’s leading automakers and its relationships with nationwide retailers.
As a result of the merger, SIRIUS XM Radio will also be able to offer consumers new packages in audio entertainment, including the first-ever a la carte programming option in subscription media. In addition to two a la carte options, the new packages will include: “Best of Both,” giving subscribers the option to access certain programming from the other network; discounted Family Friendly packages; and tailored packages including “Mostly Music” and “News, Talk and Sports.” The first of the new packages will be available in the early Fall.
“One of the most exciting benefits of this transaction is the ability to offer subscribers the option of expanding their subscriptions to include the Best of Both services. Given the respective popularity of exclusive programming on both SIRIUS and XM, we expect many subscribers will upgrade their current subscription,” said Karmazin.
“The upside potential for both consumers and shareholders is huge. Consumers have the ease of adding premier programming without purchasing a new device. For shareholders, this kind of organic growth is a key part of the company’s future and the success we expect to see,” said Karmazin.
As promised when the merger was first announced, existing radios will continue to work and every subscriber has the option of maintaining their current service package.
Benefits for Shareholders Begin Immediately, Integration Already Under Way
SIRIUS XM Radio expects to begin realizing the synergies expected from this transaction immediately.
“In addition to realizing significant potential revenue growth, the management team will move quickly to capitalize on the synergies that many analysts have predicted for this combination. We expect to begin achieving those synergies without sacrificing any of the world-class programming and marketing we are known for,” said Karmazin.
The company today also reiterated guidance for the combined SIRIUS XM Radio. Based upon a preliminary analysis, the combined company expects to realize total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies, of approximately $400 million in 2009; to post adjusted EBITDA exceeding $300 million in 2009; and to achieve positive free cash flow, before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009. The company also expects that both synergies and adjusted EBITDA will continue growing beyond 2009.
“We have all the tools necessary to begin executing as a combined company with high aspirations for subscriber growth and greater financial performance in part from the significant synergies that we begin realizing literally today — on Day One. We are moving quickly to integrate the operations,” said Karmazin.
The corporate headquarters will be located in New York, NY and XM Satellite Radio, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, will remain headquartered in Washington, DC.
Effective after the close of the market yesterday, trading in XMSR common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ceased.
What can we expect in the future?
- Better programming
- More subscription choices
- Lower overall pricing
- Radios capable of accepting XM and Sirius signals
- Continued company growth
- Hopefully a profit
