Remember the headphones that come with the QUALIA 017? Sony has decided to offer just the headphones. Understandably expensive, since they're apparently brass.

Sony Marketing Corporation will release the "MDR-EXQ1" headphones, which are just the headphones that are included with the "Q017-MD1" MiniDisc player from the QUALIA brand. The headphones began sale o­n July 1st for the price of 21,000 yen.

The Q017-MD1 (QUALIA 017) is a 189,000 yen MiniDisc player released in April of Sony's handmade, very limited quantity "QUALIA" brand. The MDR-EXQ1 headphones released this time around are the same headphones included with the Q017-MD. While QUALIA brand products have previously o­nly been available by order at the QUALIA stores in Tokyo and Osaka or by calling the QUALIA Call Center, the MDR-EXQ1s will also be available for purchase o­n SonyStyle.

The "MDR-EXQ1" are earplug type inner earphones. The housing is brass, as used by many wind instruments, and the case has a low resonance. This is said to improve response and the spread of low frequencies.

A 9mm aperture is o­n the driver unit, that also uses a highly magnetic (440kh/m³) Neosium magnet, increasing the audio pressure sensitivity and resolution. The output level is 100dB/mW, the frequency response zone is from 5Hz ~ 24kHz, the max input is 100mW, and the impedence is 16 ohms.

The plug is a gold plated stereo mini plug. The weight is 11g. 3 sizes of the silicon earpieces are included - Small, Medium, and Large. A leather carrying case is also included.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040701/sony2.htm

Press Release:
http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/QUALIA/jp/information/017_receiver.html

QUALIA 017 (TechJapan article):
http://www.techjapan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=247