When we cover headphones here on Home Theater Review, we often focus almost entirely on the music-listening experience. But for some, headphones are an essential element of AV, as well. That's especially true for viewers who are hard of hearing, who often rely on Bluetooth headphones to hear their favorite shows at a comfortabe listening level without disturbing everyone else in the home.
Now, via the Play-Fi Headphones app, those users will be able to tap straight into the audio being played via select Play-Fi enabled soundbars, and also tap into music streams being played on several different Play-Fi wireless speakers. DTS notes that more devices will be supported as time goes by, and hopefully that will include AV receivers with Play-Fi built in, too.
From DTS:
DTS, a global leader in high-definition audio solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Corporation (Nasdaq: XPER) ("Xperi"), is pleased to announce the new DTS Play-Fi Headphones app, now available on iOS and coming to Android in early July, as a companion app to select DTS Play-Fi audio products. The free app enables users to stream content over Wi-Fi that is playing on any DTS Play-Fi-supported product to any pair of headphones connected to a phone or tablet* for a private listening experience. With DTS Play-Fi's A/V synchronization technology, audio stays in line with the video content being played on the TV. Users enjoy the benefits of full Wi-Fi range within their home, eliminating the in-room limitations of Bluetooth solutions.
The DTS Play-Fi Headphones app will stream audio from any of the compatible inputs (HDMI, optical, etc.) on the compatible products listed below. Up to four listeners can join the audio streaming session for a private listening party without disturbing others around them. When used in conjunction with DTS Play-Fi's new whole-home TV audio streaming feature, the app allows a user to join an ongoing TV audio multiroom session and enjoy it at a different volume for themselves, while still being part of the group.
"We are excited to announce the new DTS Play-Fi Headphones app, bringing a private listening experience to the whole-home audio ecosystem," said Dannie Lau, general manager, DTS Play-Fi, at Xperi. "Whether it's enjoying shared content at a higher volume, or multiple users enjoying the same content through individual headphones so they won't disturb others, the DTS Play-Fi Headphones app delivers high quality audio and performance over Wi-Fi."
The DTS Play-Fi Headphones app can stream audio from the following DTS Play-Fi-enabled products, with more launching throughout the year:
DTS Play-Fi technology enables lossless multi-room wireless audio streaming on any supported product from the world's most popular music services including Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Juke, KKBox, Napster, Pandora, Qobuz, QQ Music, SiriusXM, Spotify and TIDAL, thousands of Internet radio stations, as well as personal music libraries. In addition, DTS Play-Fi technology features advance streaming functionality like wireless surround sound, stereo pairing, music station presets, and audio/video synchronization.
The DTS Play-Fi ecosystem features the largest collection of products in the whole-home wireless audio space, with more than 200 interoperable speakers, sound bars, set-top boxes, and A/V receivers from the top names in premium audio including Aerix, Anthem, Arcam, Definitive Technology, DISH TV, Elite, Integra, Fusion Research, Klipsch, MartinLogan, McIntosh, Onkyo, Paradigm, Phorus, Pioneer, Polk Audio, Rotel, Sonus faber, Soundcast, SVS Sound, THIEL Audio and Wren Sound.
For more information about DTS, please visit www.dts.com or connect with DTS on Facebook, Twitter (@DTS) and Instagram (@DTS).
*Wired headphones, connected to the phone or tablet, are recommended for use with video content. Bluetooth headphones may introduce additional latency to the audio signal.
Additional Resources
• For more information, visit the Play-Fi website.
•Pioneer Announces New 9.2 Elite VSX-LX503 AV Receiver at HomeTheaterReview.com.
