At CES, Sony introduced three new additions to its h.ear series (two wireless headphones and a wireless portable speaker), as well as a new hi-res Walkman. All of the new products--including the h.ear on Wireless NC on-ear headphones (MDR-100ABN) and the h.ear in Wireless in-ear headphones (MDR-EX750BT)--are available in five vibrant color options. The h.ear.go portable speaker features 35mm full-range drivers, a rechrgeable battery, and built-in Google Cast, Spotify Connect, and multi-room capability via Sony's SongPal. The NW-A26HN Walkman (shown here) supports hi-res file playback, has 32 GB of internal memory and a microSD expansion slot, and comes with a set of noise-canceling earbuds. All products are slated for a spring release; pricing has not yet been announced.

From Sony
Sony Electronics has launched three new models in its h.ear series, combining premium audio quality, bold design and comfortable fit for a superior listening experience. Sony's h.ear on Wireless NC and h.ear in Wireless headphones and h.ear go wireless speakers are designed to add color to consumers' lives by getting them closer to their music with rich, elevated sound.

"At Sony, it is our belief that consumers should not have to sacrifice quality for portability. We are focused on delivering live, immersive sound to music lovers around the world," said Yamato "Tank" Tanikawa, Director, Home Entertainment & Sound, Sony Electronics. "Sony's new h.ear series products give consumers the ability hear high quality music, regardless of their location."

h.ear Simple, Stylish Design
Sony's h.ear series are designed using a single shape concept and a single color finish. To create products that are easily adaptable to consumers' personal style, only elements essential for listening to high quality music were included.

A variety of eye-catching colors provides consumers with the freedom to "hear their color" and choose their own style. Sony utilized in-between chroma saturation, featuring standout shades inspired by today's fashions as well as nuanced, in-between hues to achieve a dynamic look. Additionally, metallic colors were used in various elements to represent the premium audio quality.

The h.ear series includes LDAC support, an audio coding technology that supports several transmission rates for a wireless environment. It allows consumers to enjoy music with exceptional sound quality that approaches Hi-Res Audio, by transmitting at the maximum transfer rate: 990 kbps (approximately three times more data than conventional Bluetooth audio). LDAC provides an enhanced wireless listening experience for all genres of music.

h.ear Wireless Headphones
The new wireless headphones will include two models, providing consumers with more options for an enhanced, on-the-go listening experience.

The new h.ear on Wireless NC cuts out distracting ambient noise to let consumers focus on the music. Dual noise sensor technology featuring Digital Noise Canceling software reduces a variety of ambient sounds through microphones both inside and outside the housings. What's more, the Automatic Al Noise Canceling function constantly analyzes environmental ambient sound and selects the most effective noise-cancelling mode.

Delivering Hi-Res Audio compatibility, the h.ear on Wireless NC features 40mm HD drivers that reproduce sounds up to 40 kHz, and DSEE technology, resulting in natural and expansive sound. Augmented bass is complimented by lightweight CCAW voice coils, which yield high-linearity responses in high-pitched sounds. Aiming to provide a superior sound experience, the domes of the acoustic diaphragms have been titanium-coated to minimize unwanted vibrations. Meanwhile, Beat Response Control improves the transient characteristic in bass reproduction and delivers accurate rhythm, while an acoustic port on the housing controls air flow for optimal diaphragm movement and additional bass range.

The h.ear on Wireless NC also features a compressed body shape, a smooth, compact design and a seamless finish. Draped ear pads and folding mechanisms allow for exceptional comfort and portability for up to approximately 20 hours of continuous playback.

The new h.ear in Wireless earbuds combine audio quality with convenience and comfort. Featuring a compact 9mm driver unit, the h.ear in Wireless achieves broadband playback through optimization of the diaphragm shape, and enhanced driving power from an outer magnetic path-type magnetic circuit. Like the h.ear on Wireless NC, the h.ear in Wireless utilizes Beat Response Control. Clear voice hands-free calling with built-in microphone and HD Voice support is also included. With a slim smooth body and natural curved shape, the h.ear in Wireless gently fits around the neck for optimum comfort and portability.

h.ear Wireless Speakers
The new h.ear.go is the world's smallest Hi-Res compatible, portable wireless speakers with up to 12 hours of battery time. Delivering uncompromising premium audio quality in a round, compact and portable unit, the h.ear.go is equipped with all new Hi-Res compatible 35mm gauge full-range speaker units and Sony's own unique DSP signal processing to achieve powerful bass notes. The new h.ear.go supports Google Cast, Spotify Connect and multi-room capability via Sony SongPal link. Additionally, multiple speakers can be combined to create wireless surround and wireless stereo, creating the ability to enjoy the same music in every room throughout the home (available via software upgrade summer 2016).

NW-A26HN Walkman
A perfect complement to the h.ear series of headphones and speakers is the NW-A26HN Walkman. Like the h.ear series, the A26 Walkman adds more color to life with a simple stylish design in new, matching colors and a vibrant music experience with Hi-Res Audio compatibility. This Walkman is available in five vibrant hues, which match the h.ear series colors, and comes with a matching pair of noise-canceling earbuds. The included earbuds work in conjunction with the A26HN Walkman to provide Digital Noise Cancelling to mute distractions from the outside world.
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The NW-A26HN features an S-Master HX full digital amplifier to support playback of Hi-Res Audio and DSEE HX which upscales the quality of compressed sound sources to surpass CD quality, upgrading existing sound sources to near Hi-Res Audio quality. It also comes equipped with LDAC audio coding which allows users to enjoy exceptional wireless sound quality at near to High Resolution Audio by transmitting at the maximum transfer rate of 990 kbps (approximately three times more data than conventional Bluetooth audio).

The NW-A26HN adopts the high purity lead-free solder that Sony developed for High-End Audio products, resulting in better sound quality and improved sound resolution over the entire frequency range. This model features 32GB of built-in memory and a microSD memory card expansion slot, so consumers can store additional music. Battery life boasts an extended playback time of approximately 30 hours for Hi-Res Audio playback or 50 hours for MP3 audio playback.

Available Spring 2016.

Additional Resources
• Sony Unveils 2016 UHD TV Lineup at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Visit the Sony website for more product information.