Philips Showcases Range Of Headphones At IFA

Philips today demonstrated its increasing emphasis on the headphones category by focusing on a range of new products at IFA. Each model – ranging from additions to the company’s Fidelio line of premium products offering rich bass, natural mids and clear highs to the CitiScape line for urban and fashion-forward music fans — reflects Philips’ commitment to innovative design, craftsmanship and sound quality.

“We’re taking bold, new steps in the headphones space,” said Alexander van der Heijden, consumer marketing for headphones at Philips Lifestyle Entertainment. “We’ve broadened our portfolio to cover everyone from the ‘fashion forward’ crowd who view their headphones as an extension of their personal image to the connoisseur who wants the best possible sound. And while our product line-up is diverse, the need for innovation, craftsmanship and quality drives everything we do.”

Philips Fidelio S2

The line-up includes:

• Fidelio L2: Philips Fidelio L2 headphones offer a premium, high-fidelity experience wherever you go. As part of the company’s Fidelio line which offers a unique sound signature based on precise tuning of everything from the rear and front housing to the driver and cushion, the L2 is tuned for clarity. Features include high-definition, optimally vented neodymium speaker drivers, engineered aluminum earshells for acoustic precision, an acoustic, semi-open back architecture for natural sound and carefully test drivers for optimum balance.

  The speakers are tilted to the ear’s natural angle for clarity, with a frequency response that is tuned to the most discerning listening preferences. Double-layered earshells, internally integrated cables, and an aluminum hinge system all contribute to an optimum sound experience. Designed for longer listening, the L2 headphones also offer an ergonomic fit and enhanced noise isolation. A finely-stitched leather outer headband, combined with a soft, adjustable inner headband creates an unrestricted fit. A built-in mic allows users to easily manage their calls and music. The L2 headphones also include a universal remote, a 3.5 mm audio cable and a 3.5 to 6.3 mm jack adapter. The Fidelio L2 headphones are now available in Europe at a recommended retail price of EUR 279.99.

• Fidelio M1 Bluetooth: Philips is introducing a Bluetooth version of its premium Fidelio M1 line of headphones. As part of the M1 range, these headphones offer clear, detailed sound reproduction and a dynamic base in a lightweight, sturdy and stylish design. They deliver high-definition sound with 40 mm high magnetic intensity neodymium speaker drivers that provide a wide dynamic range, meaning you can hear the most subtle details of your favorite tracks. They also feature an acoustic, closed-back architecture with a Bass Reflex System (BRS) to ensure excellent noise isolation while delivering a controlled and dynamic base so you can hear every beat and every instrument with all the clarity the artist intended. The Bluetooth functionality, new to the M1 range, allows users to enjoy both their music and phone calls wirelessly. Controls on the ear ‘cans’ make it easy to switch tracks without pulling out a music player.

  The M1 Bluetooth edition works with a variety of Bluetooth smartphones, tablets and music players. It is compatible with AptX, a transmission coding technology allowing Bluetooth devices to offer a premium quality wireless experience and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) which improves on the file compression technology behind MP3 and marries it with the MPEG-4 standard to deliver audio in a package designed for a wide range of delivery and playback tools. The M1 Bluetooth edition is made out of lightweight and premium materials including aluminum, fine leather and breathable cushions. The Fidelio M1 Bluetooth headphones are now available in Europe at a recommended retail price of EUR 249.99.

• Fidelio M1 Colors: Philips has also introduced two, new color schemes to its premium Fidelio M1 line of headphones: Black with orange accents and white. The Fidelio M1 Colors offer premium audio quality features – including high-definition sound with 40 mm high magnetic intensity neodymium speaker drivers that provide a wide dynamic range, meaning you can hear the most subtle details of your favorite tracks and an acoustic closed-back architecture with a Bass Reflex System (BRS). And as part of the M1 family, they are designed using lightweight and premium materials including fine leather, aluminum, breathable cushions and memory foam ear pads. These adjustable headphones also come in a headset version, allowing users to manage calls and music in the easiest way possible. The Fidelio M1 Colors are now available in Europe at a recommended retail price of EUR 199.
• Fidelio S2 in-ear headphones: Philips Fidelio S2 in-ear headphones are precisely engineered to deliver natural, balanced sound in a lightweight yet durable design. They feature 13.5mm neodymium drivers for exceptional sound quality; a finely engineered copper metal housing that reduces vibration and resonance; a semi-closed back design for sound balance and bass extension and hand-picked, tuned and tested drivers to offer the most balanced and natural sound possible. Layered Motion Control (LMC) drivers – featuring a multi-layer diaphragm – allow for the reproduction of high-resolution sound and prevent unnecessary resonances. Unlike common drivers made of a single layer of polymer and therefore subject to vibration and uncontrolled resonance, the LMC drivers in the S2 headphones sandwich a layer of damping gel between two layers of polymer, meaning they absorb and dampen any exaggerated energy at high frequencies.

  The motion of the polymer layers remains under control, creating a smooth and flatter frequency response for a more balanced, natural and refined high-frequency range. The result is a set of in-ear headphones offering premium sound on-the-go. Crafted for comfort, the Fidelio S2 offers an ergonomic shape to fit your ear’s natural curve, 2 x Comply Foam Tips for superior comfort and noise isolation and five different sizes of hybrid caps for a personalized fit. The lightweight metal design features a glazed finish and a gold-plated metal deco ring. A built-in mic allows users to easily manage their calls and music. The Fidelio S2 is available in Piano Black (S2BK) and Ceramic White (S2WT) for a recommended retail price of EUR 149.99.

• Philips Frames: As part of its fashion-forward line of headphones designed for urban youth, Philips has introduced Frames, a line of headphones which make a ‘flexi-cool’ fashion statement while offering high-precision sound. In addition to offering 40 mm premium neodymium speakers for balanced, precise sound and pre-tilted earshells, Frames fold-up like a pair of sunglasses for easy storage when they’re not in use. Frames – which come in three colors (black, white and tortoise shell) – also include a built-in microphone for easy switching from music to phone calls. Frames are available in Europe for a recommended retail price of EUR 89 for the black and white versions and EUR 99 for the tortoise shell version.
• Philips CitiScape Foldie: These urban-inspired headphones feature an innovative twist: They are designed with the ‘biker’ crowd in mind. The fashionable headband wrap represents the handlebar grip on bicycles. The Foldie offers total sound immersion with 40mm high performance neodymium drivers, closed acoustic design and pre-tilted earshells for sound sealing. A flexible metal arm offers long-listening comfort, while the compact, foldable design makes the Foldie both portable and easy-to-store. A built-in microphone allows users to easily switch from music to phone calls and the detachable, anti-tangle fabric cable keeps the Foldie knot-free. The Foldie comes in a variety of colors and in two versions: Foldie (wired) for EUR 69 and Wire-Free (Bluetooth) for EUR 99.
• Philips CitiScape Jetts: Philips Jetts, the company’s new in-ear headphones, are inspired by casual street fashion. The sound quality is enhanced by a combination of an acoustic chamber structured specifically to maximize space for sound waves to move about freely, ergonomic oval sound tubes to ensure an optimum and comfortable fit and fine-tuned 9mm premium drivers. Noise isolating ear caps block out environmental noise. The design features an edgy, graphic-printed flat cable with urban camouflage prints in a choice of colors: Snow and Gold, Navy and Rose Copper, and Vespa (green) and Alu (aluminum). Metallic elements at the back of the ear cup are designed to resemble metal rivets and buttons. Jetts are available for a suggested retail price of EUR 45. A version with a built-in mic, allowing for easy switching between music and phone calls, is available at a recommended retail price of EUR 55.
• Philips Action Fit Sports Headband (SHQ5200): Tuned for sports, the Philips Action Fit – winner of the CEA Innovation Award — is the first headphone designed as a “sports headband,” meaning it offers a natural fit for active users and is ‘tuned for sports.’ A non-slip, snug-fit orange and black headband with a silicon grip lets you move liberally without missing a beat. The ultra lightweight design – only 99 gm – is perfect for sports enthusiasts. The sound – with 40mm neodymium drivers that pump out mega bass for peak performance – is equally energizing. An open acoustic design lets you stay alert to your surroundings. Designed for active use, the Philips Action Fit features detachable, washable ear cushions and extra durable Kevlar-reinforced cables. The headband, made with TR90 nylon, is lightweight and stretchable for enhanced bending and pulling performance. The Philips Action Fit Sports Headband (SHQ5200) is available for a recommended retail price of EUR 79.99.
• Philips CitiScape Denim Edition: Philips is offering a new “Denim Edition” of its popular, fashion-forward line of CitiScape Downtown headphones. Combining quality sound and urban fashion, the Downtown Denim edition features finely tuned, 40 mm drivers which deliver clear and natural sound; MusicSeal to keep your music in the headphone (all to yourself) and on-ear isolating cushions which block out the city’s noise. The soft denim fabric headband – available in Black (SHL5605FB), Olive (SHL5605GN) and Navy (SHL5605BL) – is designed for comfortable listening on-the-move. A built-in mic allows users to easily manage their calls and music. The Philips CitiScape Denim Edition will be available in June for a recommended retail price of EUR 69.99.