Some new headphones from Onkyo. USB. Wireless. 10,000 yen.

Onkyo will begin sales of the "MHP-UW1" 2.4GHz USB wireless headphones under its "WAVIO" brand from late November. There is no set retail price but the street price is expected to be approximately 10,000 yen.

The MHP-UW1 is a wireless headphone system consisting of the headphones and a USB transmitter. The USB transmitter connects to a PC's USB port and operates as a bus-powered USB audio device. Supported operating systems are Windows 2000 and XP. Input from non-USB devices such as analogue audio is not supported.

Music signals are transmitted from the USB transmitter to the headphones via the 2.4GHz band. Maximum usable range is approximately 10 m in a straight line. The USB transmitter has 8 selectable channels and can be used with up to 8 headsets at the same time.

The open-air, dynamic headphones have a driver unit with a 30 mm aperture. They are powered by 2 NiMH AA rechargeable batteries, which are included, along with a USB battery charger. Approximately 6 hours of use is possible with the included NiMH batteries. If alkaline batteries are used, 8 hours of use is possible.

The right headphone housing has a volume dial and power on/off switch. The earpads are designed to be "compact while delivering a superior fit, allowing for comfortable use over many hours." The length of the headband can also be adjusted.

Playback frequency response is 20 - 20,000 Hz and dynamic range is 92 dB. External dimension are 150 x 55 x 175 mm (WxDxH) and weight is 177 grams (including batteries).

The USB transmitter is 77 x 22 x 12 mm in size and weighs 13 grams (including cap).

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041028/onkyo.htm

News release:
http://www2.onkyo.com/jp/what/news.nsf/view/mhp_uw1