A couple of new products from E-Kai - USB-powered wireless headphones and speakers. The speakers are pretty unremarkable but the headphones aren't a bad buy at 6000 yen or so. They include a built-in microphone too for use with audio chat programs such as Skype.

E-Kai will release two USB peripherals - a wireless headphone/mike set and speaker set - on 11 March. They will have no set retail price but will be priced at 5980 yen (headphones) and 3980 yen (speakers) on E-Kai's direct website. Supported operating systems are Windows 98, SE, ME, 2000 and XP.

USB Wireless Headphones



The USB Wireless Headphones and Mike are composed of a transmitter that connects via USB and a pair of headphones that contain the receiver. The transmitter functions as a USB audio device and sends audio to the headphones using infra-red. This apparently avoids interference with devices that use radio frequencies such as wireless mice, keyboards and wireless LAN. The range of the transmitter is approximately 7 metres.

The headphone receiver also contains a mike so it is possible to use them for voice chats as well.One AA battery supplies power for the headphones and a NiMH cell is included with the package. Charging occurs bu attaching the headphones to the transmitter unit using the supplied cable. The transmitter unit is bus-powered.

The headphones have neckband-style arms and also have a volume adjust dial. They weigh approximately 65 grams. The transmitter unit is 36 x 109 x 70 mm in size and weighs approx 65 grams.

USB Speakers



The USB speaker system is composed of two 2" speaker units and a centre unit. The centre unit contains a 3W x 2ch amplifier, speaker connections, USB plug, volume dial and an external analog input jack. It operates on USB bus power. The centre unit is 80 x 25 mm and weighs approximately 40 grams. The speakers are 80 x 85 x 91 mm and weigh approximately 220 grams.

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20050310/ekai2.htm

Product information:
http://www.e-kai.co.jp/USB-wireless-headphone1.htm
http://www.e-kai.co.jp/USB-speaker1.htm