Onkyo Enters The Headphone Market With ES-HF300 and ES-FC300 Headphones

Onkyo, the manufacturer of home theater and hi-fi components, has entered a new product category with the introduction of headphones at the Consumer Electronics Show, which opened here today. The company has focused its vast engineering talent on producing a range of headphones that offer users an authentic hi-fi experience on the go.

As smartphone sales continue to skyrocket, interest in headphones is at an all-time high. Onkyo aims to introduce this generation of listeners to component-quality sound with headphones they can comfortably take on the road. Considerable time and resources were spent tuning these new models, with Onkyo's research and development team committed to extracting the best dynamic performance from an all-new titanium driver design. They all include detachable and replaceable cables to economically resolve user mishaps.

Onkyo ES-HF300

Two closed-back on-ear models will be first to hit stores—the ES-HF300, which features a audiophile-grade cable, and the ES-FC300, packaged with a tangle-free elastomer cable. These folding on-ear headphones bring listeners closer to genuine hi-fi performance. Two wide-range 40 mm titanium drivers deliver stunning clarity in the mid- and high-frequency bands. Onkyo's unique ported bass sub-chambers, meanwhile, help define a deep, muscular bottom-end response. The aluminum driver housing (shaped to resemble the volume control on Onkyo's hi-fi and A/V components) and single aluminum hanger presents a clean, understated profile.

Onkyo is offering the ES-HF300 with a 6N oxygen-free copper cable encased in clear elastomer, providing almost perfect conductivity while keeping touch noise to a minimum. Gold-plated MMCX connectors and mini-stereo plug reflect the highest build standards.

The ES-FC300 is available in three striking finishes: black with a red cable, white with a white cable, and violet with a violet cable. It features an elastomer cable with a flattened cross-section to minimize tangles—a feature that essentially eliminates a common annoyance to real-world headphone enthusiasts.. Both the high-quality copper and flat elastomer cables will be available for separate sale should the user wish to upgrade or seek a replacement, thereby extending the life of the product.

Two aluminum in-ear models—the IE-HF300 and IE-FC300—are scheduled for release over the coming months. Powered by a 14.3 mm dynamic transducer, these in-ear headphones balance silky bass with an open and natural mid range. The IE-HF300 is packaged with audiophile-grade 6N copper cable, while the IE-FC300 comes with red, violet, or white tangle-free elastomer cable.

Also in the development pipeline is a powerful headphone equalizer app for smartphone and tablet, allowing users to quickly and precisely adjust frequency response to suit their personal taste. The app is designed to partner Onkyo's headphone line, granting smartphone and tablet users unparalleled control over their audio.

Pricing And Availability

The Onkyo ES-HF300 and ES-FC300 will have suggested retail prices of $179 and $149 respectively, and IE-HF300 and IE-FC300 will have suggested retail prices of $129 and $99. They will be available in the first quarter of 2013.