KitSound generally manage to come up with audio devices that perform way past their price point. It looks like they might have done it again with the Brooklyn headphones.

I have just got word of their new Brooklyn headphones.

The Brooklyn look pretty neat. The press release says that they are lightweight and foldable. That makes them easily stashable in a bag.

KitSound says that the new headphones have been designed with comfort in mind: a secure yet cosy fit, soft touch earcups, and a braided detachable cable.

You can keep in touch on the move thanks to the built-in call-handling.

Brooklyn headphones price and availability

Perhaps the most impressive part of the press release is the price that KitSound are able to put these out at.

Believe it or not, these headphones have an RRP of £10.

I’ll just let that sink in for a bit.

You can grab them now on Amazon for a tenner in either black, white or pink.

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KitSound are after new music. Their ‘Music Brings Us Together’ campaign is something that GadgetyNews can certainly get behind.

Music has power. The connection music can build between us all that is deeper than sound. It has passion, and an emotional connection that can inspire, inform, motivate, and establish relationships.

No matter the genre, language, or geographic location of music, people are moved by it. It cultivates emotions, starts conversations, and has the power to unite even strangers.

Music brings us together

KitSound’s ‘Music Brings Us Together’ campaign was born from an enthusiasm to be a part of those connections. They want bring people closer together, to follow, support, and shout about inspiring emerging bands.

Not only that, they are looking to provide a platform from which they can share their stories, nurture their passion for music, and continue to create organic musical conversations to inspire, and bring us together through their music.

KitSound collaborations

The first collaborations to be released will be with up-and-coming bands HNTR, The Leylines, Shields, and artists, Lucy Mason and Nate James.

HNTR (pronounced Hunter) is a five piece Essex/London band with their own signature British indie rock/folk sound, drawing inspiration from Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

The Leylines take folk in a different direction – towards punk with striking bass lines and soulful vocals.

Shields offer haunting vocals that stick with you throughout the day.

Lucy Mason turns pop on its head and surprises with every track, and completes the current KitSound group.

Nate James was awarded with two MOBO nominations for his first album. This soul singer-songwriter has performed with Jools Holland and is constantly surprising his fans with his innovative writing style.

The campaign started this month, revealing behind the scenes footage, video interviews, and sneak peek photographs of the different artists, so make sure that you’re following KitSound on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Artist or band?

If you’re an emerging artist or band KitSound is on the lookout for you to join the campaign.

Get in contact with KitSound, and become a part of a quest to bring more people together.

Bands and artists can send their details to KitSound here https://www.kitsound.co.uk/band-collaboration, or email connect@kitsound.co.uk.

KitSound products are available in most high street and online retailers. For further product information and details on where to buy, please visit www.kitsound.co.uk

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I have seen people wearing headphones over their woolly hats. Granted, this is usually users of certain fashion cans but there is a need to combine winter fashion with built-in headphones. The KitSound Winter Collection brings style, practicality and music together for both men and women.

Winter is coming. KitSound have a range of beanies, earmuffs, and audio headbands which have been designed using “technology only usually seen in high-end headphones with huge price tags”.

With their fashionable design and soft materials, these accessories are ideal for keeping your ears warm, while the 40 mm drivers are said to retain solid bass, clarity, and sound stage.

If these warming sound chuckers seem to be the thing you need, or perhaps the ideal stocking filler then the range has an RRP: from £19.99 – £24.99.

For further product information and details on where to buy, please visit www.kitsound.co.uk

Specifications:

• Compatible with most smartphones, tablets and MP3 players

• 5 mm jack

• Frequency response: 40 Hz - 18 kHz

• Sensitivity: 103 dB

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You may have noticed that many a different headphone and earphone passes through GadgetyNews. From the £1100 Oppo PM-1 and their slightly more affordable stablemate, the PM-3, right the way through to the sporty Veho ZS-2 and £20 KitSound Arcade via the £150 Musical Fidelity EB-50 IEMs. The Marsboy Bone Conductive headset is definitely a first for GadgetyNews.

This is not the first time I’ve tried on a set of bone conductive headthings though. My first encounter with this technology was at last year’s Wearable Technology Show and Damson’s Headbones headset.

In that environment they seemed to work. Now I have had a chance to live with the Marsboy nice2 headset for a while in real life situations, what do I think?

Marsboy nice2 bone conductive headset technology

I think the Marsboy moniker is quite apt as these don’t really look like any headphone or earphone you will have every encountered.

They do look quite space age.

Before I go any further it might be best to explain what this bone conduction tech is all about first. The basic premise is actually quite simple. Bone conduction is the act of passing sound based on its resonance through the bones in the skull to the inner ear (on the right in the diagram below), rather than via the ear canal directly (the left example below).

This technique is used in some hearing aid products and, more recently, Google utilised bone conductivity in their Google Glass product to transmit information rather than the user having to wear earphones.

So, what’s the point?

Well, I guess that they’re more hygienic than earphones and IEMs for a start, but I generally prefer over the ear headphones any way.

Some state that, as the sound source isn’t directly in or over your ear, it alleviates the threat of volume jumps and pitch differences from damaging your inner ear. That’s going to be a plus in anyone’s book.

For me, however, I think the most salient point is that not covering up or shoving something in to your ears means that you are more aware of your surroundings and less likely to be hit by a vehicle or jumped from behind.

Marsboy nice2 bone conductive headset design

The Marsboy headset is targeted at those who enjoy working out with motivational beats being pumped in to their auditory canals.

There’s a distinct lack of the expected sporty pizzazz on the packaging. Don’t get me wrong, I love understated and clean but for such a futuristic product I was a little underwhelmed by the natural coloured cardboard box initially. Then the design grew on me as it started to remind me of those ‘futuristic’ designs from the 40s and 50s – who fails to fall for retro-futurism? Not I.

Inside the box you’ll find the headset and a PBT Bandage (a rubber support that can be used if the users’ head is particularly small). You also get a micro USB charging cable, 2 safety ear plugs and a brief user guide.

As with most Bluetooth sports headphones and earphones the band that connects the ear pieces sits behind the head and the nice2 is designed in the same way.

The neck-band houses an on/off switch, covered USB charging port, Bluetooth LED, and volume up/down buttons. The conduction pads sit over your ear, and settle just in front around where your jaw is hinged.

Both the left and the right conduction pads have buttons on them – on the left pad is the phone/call button and the on right is the play/pause button.

The outer edge of the Marsboy headset is shiny black (a bit of a finger print magnet) whilst the inside is a slightly textured matte affair. The conductive pads are soft rubber.

They do look quite good, I have to admit.

Marsboy nice2 bone conductive headset performance

Speaking, or rather typing, as someone who prefers ‘proper’ headphones offering me to review earphones is sometimes a risky business. Now, with bone conductivity, I have no idea what to expect. Which should be a good thing I guess.

The nice2 headset feels sturdy enough, with flexibility where it belongs, in the arms.

I did have a minor issue thanks to my long hair but, once I got the band under my locks and the conductive pads where they should be all was comfortable for the most part. I won’t say that it felt the most natural thing in the world for the first few wears, but you do get used to it.

The device is very light, tipping the balance at just 43 grams, and this certainly goes some way in to making the device feel comfortable. The pads seem to grip the head about right without feeling like a vice.

As a spectacle-wearer I am also pleased to report that the nice2 didn’t have an issue with my glasses.

Pairing the Marsboy with my phone or tablet is typically simple. Turn the device on and use your smart device to find the Marsboy bluetooth ID, and tap it. Sorted.

The call button, along with with the headset’s in-built microphone actually makes using Google Voice or Siri simple. Both buttons on the pads work as intended but I would’ve liked a double-tap option to skip to the next track – but that’s just me.

Making and taking calls is a tad other-worldly at first but the voice on the other end of calls come through clear and close even in built-up areas. According to my call partners, the microphone on the device did a good job of passing along my dulcet Northern tones to their lugholes.

The headset stayed in place even on long brisk walks – I don’t jog or cycle but I am fairly confident that they’d stay put.

Marsboy nice2 bone conductive headset audio quality

Using the Marsboy nice2 to take calls is one thing. I was interested in how this conductive tech would work with reproducing the complexities and nuances of music.

After a number of hours I can state that bone conductivity does work. I was getting music in my head and I could control the volume which, incidentally, can be turned up plenty loud and the volume control is well stepped.

My first outing with it all was fine until I got on an almost empty tube train one Saturday morning. As I stepped in to the carriage the guy sat on the first seat gave me a curious look – this I am generally used to. But, when I sat down, I got what could only be described as a glare from the lady opposite.

If you have ever used open-backed headphones on a train then these looks will be familiar to you. The thing is there is pretty much no isolation with the Marsboy headset.

Outside and on the street this isn’t really an issue and, even at home, as long as you temper the volume, the leakage is no more than that of some earbuds.

The thing is, if you’ve had the volume loud enough to hear the track outside then it’s going to be too loud for your fellow travelers when you get on the bus or train.

Audio quality is a bit muffled and middley. A bit like when you wear Bluetooth headphones and start the track on your phone and then realise you haven’t paired the device.

I chose a to play Prince’s new release ‘HITNRUN Phase One’ and whilst the Purple One’s voice came through the music tended to get a bit lost amongst traffic noise and other distractions. Fortunately, the headset comes with some earplugs for when you want to shut out the world.

I’ll tell you what though – if you ever get to test some bone conductive noise makers, get used to listening to a track playing through them and then stick your fingers in your ears. Being able to still hear the track when you know you’ve your fingers shoved in your ears takes a while for your brain to compute what’s happening!

The earplugs do help but the nice2 fails to reach the same level of audio clarity as even some moderately priced earbuds in my opinion.

Marsboy bone nice2 conductive headset review conclusion

I can see the benefits of the Marsboy nice2 and other bone conductive headsets, especially the safety aspect. I was wowed by the other headset I tried on briefly and I was looking forward to a similar experience.

The nice2 appears to do everything it is supposed to. The build quality is pretty decent and it is comfortable to wear once you get used to it.

I did enjoy being able to hold conversations, ok order a coffee, without having to take off my headphones and be fully aware of what was happening around me even with the volume cranked up.

I am afraid that I am used to having more definition when listening to music on headphones and compared with my daily drivers of the NAD Viso HP50 and Oppo PM-3 closed-back headphones, the Marsboy didn’t come close.

Perhaps I’ve been spoilt by the headphones I use? Perhaps the bone conductive technology is not for me – although audiologists have used it to remedy hearing loss.

Yes, the Marsboy nice2 bone conductive headset is lightweight, pairs up with any device via Bluetooth swiftly and without issue and its 6+ hours battery life are all pluses, not to mention the safety bonus, but it just falls down on music reproduction for me.

If you fancy trying out the futuristic bone conductive technology, the Marsboy nice2 headset is available now and Amazon.co.uk is showing them with a £17 discount – so they can be yours for under £50.

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A decent pair of Bluetooth headphones is a must for London commuting. When I’ve attempted the morning scrum with wired cans I enevitably get caught up with someones backpack, rings, etc. Are the Arcade from KitSound decent though?

I know that I, of all people, should never judge a book by its cover but when these arrived at my desk I thought, well they don’t look what I’d call premium.

What was I expecting? You know how much these cost, right?

KitSound Arcade design

Some might say dated, some might even cruelly say plastic-y, but KitSound call it retro.

After using the KitSound Arcade headphones a while, I’d agree more with KitSound. Yes, they do look like something that should be connected to a Matsui or Aiwa tape deck but, having lived through that era, I kinda dig that about them.

Yes, the plastic is shiny but  so were the 80s! I loved the Koss Porta Pro headphones that I owned and I think that the Arcade has a similar vibe.

I’ve been sent the blue version. On the bottom of the left ear-piece you’ll find the mini USB charging port. Over on the other side is the control rocker switch and the audio in port should you want to plug the KitSound cans in to your computer or other device that isn’t equipped with Bluetooth – a very neat feature at this price point.

On this side also lives the on/off button which, I found much to a friend’s annoyance (sorry Sameer!) that this will also call the last number dialled if you don’t hold it down long enough with wanting to turn the headset off.

There’s a nice bit of padding under the headband and the earcups fold flat for packing away.

The Arcade headphones have a frequency response of 20Hz – 20kHz and a Bluetooth range of 10m.

Sound is squirted to your ears via their 40mm drivers.

KitSound Arcade use

I paired up the Arcades with my M7 without any issues. The first sound signifies that the headset is on and then, moments later, another beep announces that its paired with your Bluetooth source.

I wasn’t expecting much from the Arcade, especially at this price point, but when David Bowie’s ‘I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship’ started playing it actually stopped me midstep.

Pushing the rocker forwards, selecting the next random track, squirted the chugging intro of ‘Their Law’ by The Prodigy. The bass was good and the mids and highs clearer than I would have ever given the KitSound headphones credit for.

It’s not all rosey mind. I have already mentioned my accidental calling of a friend repeatidly when meaning to power the Arcade down but, as the rocker performs volume as well as forward and reverse duties, you can find yourself track skipping instead of volume changing or vice-versa. Once you have gotten used to this, it becomes less of an issue, but it does cause mild frustration for the first week-or-so of ownership.

Should your battery run flat and you are not able to access a USB powersource then running the headphones via the bundled cable is a sure-fire winner.

That being said though, battery life has been fantastic and clocked in up to 8 hours of playtime between charges.

The headphones seem to be quite solidly built although I have managed to scuff the bottom of one of the blue parts already.

That aside, I do feel that the Arcade will last for quite sometime.

The headband does allow for adjustment but, and this could be just down to my head shape, I still find that the headphones seem to rest on, rather than hold on, to my head and ears. I much prefer the fit of my AKG K830BT cans but then, there’s a heck of a price difference between those and the Arcade.

KitSound Arcade conclusion and price

I have mentioned that the KitSound Arcade bluetooth headphones are keenly priced a few times during this review and they are. Extremely well priced.

£45? Nope. £35? Nah. £25? Surely not?

Well, if you go over to Amazon.co.uk you can grab yourself a set for £20.

That’s right – these Bluetooth headphones are a £20 bargain!

The sound is great. They are rocking the retro looks and, apart from dropping out a couple of times when in places such as Liverpool Street station, have performed amazingly for the price.

I have yet to come across any Bluetooth headphones at this price that could challenge the KitSound Arcade – if you know otherwise, tell me.

The post KitSound Arcade wired / Bluetooth headphones review appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Which? has awarded the KitSound Boom Evolution with its “Best Buy” status and an 89% overall score.

The KS Boom Evolution is a Bluetooth connected speaker which will dish out tunes stored on your mobile phones and media players without using cables.

With its 6-inch down firing subwoofer and precision 3-inch satellite drivers, the Boom Evolution promises to give you a clear, powerfully loud sound with minimum distortion. What’s more, listeners can tailor the sound thanks to the unit’s bass and treble controls.

The Which? Best Buy review notes that the Boom Evolution “delivers a very credible all-round performance”, and recognised it as being a high performing speaker scoring it top marks in all areas of performance: “The Boom Evolution shows a good grasp of dynamic range during classic tracks, and there’s still plenty of clarity and detail”

Justin Christie from KitSound was obviously pleased by this result:

This award feels like the product equivalent of winning a Grammy. It is extremely exciting that all of the time and effort we put into this system has been recognised with this very high scoring Best Buy. We continue to push our boundaries in order to bring people to their music”

Check out the video for a quick tour:

[youtube id=”QIFqxVgQw6I”]

The KitSound Boom Evolution speaker is available in black or white and costs £199.99 direct from the KitSound site.

I hope to test the KitSound Boom Evolution myself so stayed tuned!

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If you’re looking for some headphones that won’t break the bank and work without wires then the new Arcade headphones from KitSound might be just the job.

According to the press release, the Arcade cans fuse retro design with modern, high quality wireless audio.

KitSound promises that the Arcade headphones will deliver rich sound with enhanced bass through the 40mm drivers and will last up to 6 hours before needing a recharge.

Thanks to its built-in Bluetooth functionality, when you get a call your music will automatically pause with answering and hanging all being done by the touch of a button.

Inspired by a retro style, the KS Arcade Headphones ooze retro cool. The controls are simple and durable, with a lightweight design that means you can concentrate fully on the music”

KitSound Arcade specifications

Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
 Bluetooth range: Up to 10 m
 Play time: Up to 6 hours
 Drivers: 40 mm
 Plug type: 3.5 mm

RRP: £20.00

Check out the product video below:

[youtube id=”rLHgX2KKVUw”]

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