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Recently at CES, JVC announced their new Marshmallow headphones that are set to come in seven different colors, they claim to coordinate with the latest iPod’s. Basically, the new Marshmallow in-ear canal headphones were designed to be extra comfortable and provide great sound quality.

The HA-FX34 Marshmallow comes with super-soft earpieces to provide a snug and comfortable fit inside your ear. They claim that the colors of the headphones perfectly complement with Apple’s 3rd gen iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle. Also, these headphones are fully compatible with the iPhone. If you have either of these Apple devices, you might want to consider picking up one these JVC headphones to match your iPod.

Additionally, there is a 3.28 foot cord, that is designed to reduce noise, from the noise generated when it brushes against clothing.

The HA-F130 Gummy in-ear headphones, are now available in three new and different colors, they are Raspberry Red, Mint Blue and Melon Green, so the total of the gummy colors are now eight. These have been designed to provide maximum comfort in your ears, and likewise with the Marshmallow lineup, it comes with a gold-plated iPhone and iPod compatibility.

The Marshmallow headphones will be available in February ‘08 for 20 dollars, and the Gummy HA-F130 are now available costing only 10 bucks.

V-MODA has come out with new colors for their popular Vibe earphones to brighten up your (or special others) Valentines day.

The two new colours, Red Roxx will match a a special Red iPod nano perfectly, and the other, La Mocha is made perfectly to match Microsoft’s Brown Zune.

These earphones dont just look great, they have been reviewed by many popular publications such as iLounge and received great ratings. I have a pair for myself, and couldn’t be happier with the sound and bass they deliver over Apple’s stock iPod earphones. Spice up this Valentines day and buy your special someone a Red Nano and V-Moda Vibe earphones to show them how much you care.

They are priced at $101.00 and can be bought from V-Moda’s online store.

Product [V-Moda] via [PopGadget]

Product: Shure E500PTH Sound Isolating Earphones
Price: $499
Rating: 7.25/10
Pros: Built-in microphone to hear others during noise cancellation, ample options of included cables and ear adaptors, comfortable design.
Cons: Light on the bass, bulky, expensive.
Overall: Shure’s push-to-talk feature is a very cool way to eliminate background noise, but in this price range, sound quality is more important and was sub-par in our tests.

The SureE500PTH headphones are expensive at $550 for the set. I know that this will take many of you out of the running, but I urge you to stop and actually consider moving away from your crappy, white, iPod ear buds. The 500’s are in-the-ear earphones with triple-driver design (a tweeter, and two woofers in each bud) as well a unique push-to-hear adapter that allows you to have a conversation with someone without pulling out your earphones.

Design and Features – 7.5 – While other sites were extremely impressed with the sound quality of the E500PTH headphones, I thought the product page and PTH features were far superior (yes I was more excited about the headphones coming with 15 different ear buds than the sound they produced). The set is very comfortable to wear in your ears and does a good job of blocking ambient noise (Shure claims 90 percent of external noise is blocked out). The drives are covered in a smokey metallic colored plastic. As I referenced before, the headphones come with a variety of sleeves for your ear, including: yellow formfitting memory foam sleeves, translucent PVC, rubber, and triple-flange—and they all come in a variety of sizes as well. Like most Shure headphones, the cables are designed to wrap over and back behind your ear.

The E500 system is modular, with the main earphone cable reaching only 19 inches; an extender cable adds an additional 3 feet, or you can attach the push-to-hear adapter in between your headphones and audio player for some added room. The phones also come with a 9-inch extension cable, a 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch stereo adapter plug, a cleaning tool, a level attenuator (a small adapter that controls master volume), and a hard/protective carrying pouch.

Performance – 7 – The push-to-hear controller is about the size of a mini-remote. It functions via a built-in microphone that can be turned on and off from a switch on top of the unit. When powered with two AAA batteries and the switch flipped to the “on” position, you immediately can clearly hear the world around you. This is a great way to escape from your hectic life without being completely tuned out. Think the people next to you are talking about you? Just discreetly flip the switch to hear what they are saying as well as everything else going on around you. There is a volume adjustment for those times when the people on the other side are having a screaming match and you just want to listen in. PTH is a cool feature but a better concept. The unit adds more clunk to your headphones than benefit. I would have sacrificed PTH for added bass any day of the week. 

You really aren’t doing too much this Sunday afternoon, right? So why not sit down, break out of your box, and show some creativity. We are planning on doing some video-podcasts in the near future and our podcast theme song is getting a little stale. Doug and I are looking for something with a little more feeling that we can love. And come on, what is a tech blog without a theme song?

To enter: Email us your submission to “gadgetell (at) gmail (dot) com” or post a comment with a url where we can find the audio clip. We would never ask something from you if there wasn’t anything for you—if you win, you can expect to get a copy of Adobe Audition 2.0 ($349 value) and Shure E4c earphones ($319 value).

For all of the rule and a guide to entering click here.

We took in all of your feedback from the slogan contest and posted a few other easy to win contests since. This time the entry is harder, but we have faith in you, our readers, and will reward the winner handsomely (if entries are really good there will be a runner-up prize too). We are planning on doing some video-podcasts in the near future and our podcast theme song is getting a little stale. Doug and I are looking for something with a little more feeling that we can love. And come on, what is a tech blog without a theme song. Before we get to specifics of what we are looking for, check out the sweet prizes (thanks to Shure and Adobe):

Record, mix, edit, and master digital audio files with powerful tools that bring flexibility and control to your desktop studio. Easily create music, produce radio spots, and restore imperfect recordings. Bring audio and video together using smart integration with Adobe video applications. Get professional results in real time with Adobe Audition 2.0 software ($349).

Inside the sleek design of each Shure E4c sound isolating earphones ($319) is a high definition speaker with Tuned Port Technology to improve airflow around the speaker for enhanced bass. The earphones have a sound isolating design, and are ultra lightweight (just over 1 oz).

To enter: Email us your submission to “gadgetell (at) gmail (dot) com” or post a comment with a url where we can find the audio clip. To help guide you, the theme song must sound tech related, incorporate Gadgetell or other parts of the site, be flexible enough for audio or video podcasts, or other use (please let your creativity roam free).  Please only submit your own work and keep it between :15 and :60 seconds.

The rules:

• You can only win once during the extent of the “v2 giveaway” contest, but can enter each one


• The winner will be sent a notice via email and has 72 hours to reply with their mailing address to claim their prize—make sure you use a valid email address


• This post will close on Monday, December 11, then we’ll pick the winner—maybe we’ll even have the readers vote on it.


• Gadgetell has the right to any and all submissions in any way, shape or form.
• You will be shipped your prize as soon as we get it into the mail, but don’t worry it’s coming

Good luck!

So the Zune will cost $249.99 but what about the must have, long list of accessories...check ‘em out:

• Zune AV Output Cable: Connects to a TV or stereo for $19.99.


• Zune AC Adapter: power for $29.99.


• Zune Sync Cable: Connects to your PC or AC Adapter for $19.99.


• Zune Car Charger: Works with the FM Tuner for $24.99.


• Zune Dock: For Syncing or displaying next to your TV when using the AV Output Cable for $39.99.


• Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock: self explanatory, but you may need the on-screen menu as well to see the menus $29.99.


• Zune Dual Connect Remote: An in-line remote that hooks up to your Zune and your headphones for $29.99.


• Zune FM transmitter with AutoSeek: AM, FM, XM, Sirius, and ZM...Zune radio? (once your transmit it over) $69.99.


• Zune Gear Bag: A bag for $29.99.


• Zune Premium Earphones: Admitting that it comes with crappy headphones for $39.99.

And remember, these are only the first party accessories, just wait till Belkin, Griffin, DLO...you get the point...get their hands of the Zune.

Read [Microsoft] Via [Gizmodo]

iLuv first offered love to your iPod via an extended battery pack. Now the company is back with an entire line of pod products. Some of the accessories available now from Incipio Technologies include:

• iLuv i1055 DVD Player for iPod with Video LCD Screen
  This feature packed device allows you to play the pre-recorded content on a bright 7” wide-screen display.


• iLuv Audio & Speaker System for Apple iPod i552DBLK
  The speaker system out performs everything in its class not just in looks and features but also in right deep sound quality with jAura acoustic technology. In this beautiful Completely self-contained for portable operation.


• iLuv i177DBLK Audio & Speaker System
  This alarm clock unit will allow you to wake to your favorite tunes on your iPod or your local FM station. Also features a very nice ultra sleek remote control.

Creative Zen Aurvana was designed to boost your music experience, and to reduce up to 90% of ambient noise. Elegant design and Ergonomically designed, Zen Aurvana has a Precise Audio Reproduction due an efficient Balanced Armature drivers.

Sound power is not all.  The device comfort is also very important. Aurvana is built with silicon rubber that is hypoallergenic, durable and capable of shielding out unwanted noises for a comfortable fit and a contoured silicon rubber also to fit your ears and for Noise Isolation. Plus… it comes with an airplane adapter! You can use your Aurvana to replace those umconfortable airplanes earphones.

Read on for more about the Zen Aurvana.

Package contents

• 1 pair of noise isolation earphones
• 2 sets of contoured silicon earbuds (2 pairs, 3 sizes)
• 1 airplane adaptor
• 1 cleaning tool
• 1 travel case with integrated cable management
• 1 user guide

1. AuraSeal noise isolation technology immerses you in your music by blocking out up to 90% of ambient noise. Nearly twice as effective as leading noise cancellation headphones.
2. Ergonomically designed, the soft contoured silicon earbuds ensure a secure fit and are comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time.
3. Double-injection moulded enclosure with high-gloss finishing for durability.
4. Ultrasonically sealed enclosure delivers distortion-free audio and weighs only 13g (0.46 oz), making it the lightest set of earphones in its class.

Read [Zen Aurvana]

Back at Pepcom Digital Experience, we got a good hands on with Shure’s new E Series Sound Isolating Earphones.  They look like any old pair of earbuds, but oh, they’re so much more.  The E500PTH has “Triple Hi-Definition Drivers,” meaning 1 tweeter and 2 woofers, and what the company is calling “Push-To-Hear Control,” which allows you to adjust the level of outside noise you hear.  It utilizes the VoicePort which is essentially a microphone that lets you hear things around you while you’re enjoying the isolation of the headphones.  If you’re familiar with Shure’s premium products, you already know that these are quite expensive.  They’re now available at your favorite electronics store for $549.

Read [Shure]