Spigen Intros Teka Aluminum In-Ear Headphones

If you like their protective smartphone and tablet cases, chances are that you'll also like their new in-ear headphones. That's right, Spigen's foray into the audio market is as real as it gets. Though for all we know these can simply be another rebranded pair of in-ears from an OEM. Not that it really matters as long as don't fall short. The Teka are Spigen's first Beats-inspired in-ear headphones crafted from aluminum with a wallet-friendly price tag. Like the Nocs NS500 Aluminum, the Teka's aluminum housing features diamond-cut chamfered edges, because we all know chamfered aluminum is really a must on anything that wants to look a bit more premium.

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Nocs Intros NS500 In-Ear Headphones With iPhone 5s-Inspired Design

Nocs has introduced its latest in-ear headphones today, the $80 NS500 Aluminum. These iPhone 5s-inspired in-ears are one of the prettiest we've seen. The NS500 share a similar refined and minimalist design language with Apple's iPhone 5s like a polished chamfered-cut edge, smooth sandblasted aluminum surface and construction anodized in a subtle champagne gold hue - or in a Space Gray shade to compliment your iOS handset. 

The NS500's 8mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers claim to deliver the listener with an "amazing sonic experience that offers impeccable balance, rich detail and a deep bass". A flat tangle-free, Kevlar reinforced cable features Nocs' slim and lightweight, iOS 7-compatible 3-button remote with MEMS microphone for headset use and music playback control. Don't fret though, there's also an Android-supported version of the NS500 available as well.

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a-Jays Five By JAYS Announced, In-Ears Designed Right

Renowned Swedish audio brand, JAYS, is finally back with a sequel to our much beloved a-Jays Four that we've reviewed back in 2011. The a-Jays Five are a totally new pair of in-ear headphones that have a durable one-piece rubberized construction that prevents cable strain, and which is also ergonomically shaped to fit the geometry of your ear canals. What's more, JAYS has improved its already incredible flat tangle-free audio cable which launched with the a-Jays series years ago with even more durability. And of course, the a-Jays Five feature redesigned custom JAYS drivers similar to those found in the a-Jays Four but "with powerful and precise bass but with even more dynamics and improved details in the midrange and highs".


Using a high performance MEMS technology, the microphone consists of an acoustic sensor, a low noise input buffer, and an output amplifier. The built-in echo cancellation makes the audio perfect in nearly all situations. It reduces surrounding noise and, best of all, unlike many other microphones, this one won’t degrade during time as it recharges the mic-magnets each time you connect your earphones to your phone.

JAYS wanted to bring compatibility of its award-winning, fully featured 3-button remote and mic with MEMS technology module to all popular smartphones and not just the iPhone this time. The a-Jays Five will be available in three models, each with its own custom 3-button remote and mic module designed to work specifically with either iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8. JAYS also improved upon its a-Jays Four remote which we thought was one of the best control and mic combination ever put on a pair of headphones. The a-Jays Five's in-line remote module is now slimmer by 20%. JAYS has yet to announced an availability date, but one thing we now for sure is that the a-Jays Five will retail for $100/€90 in matte black and white. 

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Griffin Intros WoodTones In-Ear Headphones Made From Wood

Griffin has released its new WoodTones in-ear headphones made with lightweight, reclaimed real wood housings for enhanced acoustics, and are said to also enhance voice and bass frequencies without coloring the sound. The WoodTones feature 8mm neodymium magnet drivers, 4 feet of smooth black cabling that reduces feedback noise interference and come with a drawstring storage pouch made from natural hemp. Griffin's WoodTones are available now for $30.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Jays Release t-Jays Four Headset

JAYS has released yet another pair of in-ear headset called the t-Jays Four, and extending its line of quality headset offerings. The t-Jays Four set to bring the best sound quality out of them all with the same high quality, MEMS microphone and full-featured 3-button remote found on the a-Jays Four iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S users will come to appreciate thanks to the metal band design. The t-Jays Four aren't built differently from the t-Jays Three we've reviewed and only bring remote and mic functionality that's fully compatible with iOS devices to the plate. The same 10mm TCD dynamic drivers, tangle-free cable and black matte coating are found on the t-Jays Four in-ear headset. It will be available in November for $129.

Monster Outs Studded Heartbeats 2.0 By Lady Gaga In-Ear Headphones

Monster has teamed up with Lady Gaga once again to release a brand new pair of fashionable pair of in-ear headphones. The Heartbeats 2.0 with ControlTalk will replace the more girly, original Hearbeats By Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga has designed these herself, not surprise here. Her inspiration? Those pointy studs on her leathery outfits. The new Heartbeats 2.0 by Lady Gaga will be available in two different colors for $149.95, and promise to deliver you with distortion-free music that is extremely clear and has a deep bass performance. Other features such as a flat, tangle-free cable and SportHooks will help you rock it out even harder. Monster has yet to announce when these should be available to purchase.

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief

Monster To Release New iSport Waterproof In-Ear Headphones

Monster contunies to add more headphones to their own Monster line of headphones other than the Beats By Dre with the iSport in-ear headphones. After releasing the $179 PowerBeats in-ear sport headphones, Monster's iSport targets active lifestyles with sand, sweat, splash and water-proof features up to 30 minutes at 1 meter as well as detachable clips for added stability. The iSport even sport the ControlTalk mic and remote feature for making phone calls and controlling music. The iSport will be available later this month for $149 - $199. 

Nir Schneider

Editor-in-Chief