We review Koss Headphones’ Pro4S, and see if these studio/reference headphones hold their own compared to current industry standards.
Koss SP330 & SP540 Reshapes Music Listening
Koss Headphones new “D-Profile” SP330 & SP540 headphones will reshape the way you listen to music.
Battle of the Blue: K-Tek vs Orca Bags
K-Tek and Orca Bags, two location sound accessory manufacturers, have been battling head to head throughout the past year over their new sound bag products.
ASUS Xonar U7: An Audio Upgrade for All
OK Go's New Drone Music Video
Segway dancing, thousands of Japanese schoolgirls, and a continuous shot taken by a drone-mounted camera… … It must be the newest music video by OK Go. Alternative Pop band OK Go, masters of the viral music video, just released a new flick for their “I Won’t Let You Down” single. Every time the band seems to have outdone themselves, they push the envelope with something new. Directed by Morihino Harano, the four men glide around the Longwood Station Studios courtyard on Honda Uni-Cub segways, joined by hundreds of synced dancers, for fantastic visuals from all angles. Like OK Go’s “This Too Shall Pass” & “The Writing’s On the Wall” one-takers, there is a sense that
'2001' Gets A 21st Century Revival
Ignition Creative London delivered a dazzling, 21st-century trailer to celebrate Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”, for its first theatrical re-release in nearly fifty years. As part of the British Film Institute’s Sci-Fi: Days of Fears and Wonder program, a digitally remastered edition of this masterpiece returns to venues across the U.K. The trailer below perfectly blends the film’s most iconic moments with chilling narration by HAL9000 that has haunted us for generations. It will forever instill a level of fear of AI and machines that we as humans are very likely to remember forever, for as long as such a movie exists. On November 28th, the “2001: A Space Odyssey” screening will be followed with a panel with stars
Virgin America Launches 6-Hour Ad Campaign
In an act of sheer marketing brilliance (or insanity), Virgin America produced a new video that takes you on a boring journey from Newark (EWR) to San Francisco (SFO) – in real time. During this grueling 6-hour adventure, VA maddeningly illustrates the cross-country trek that economy flyers experience when travelling from East to West. With American airline companies financially struggling over the past decade, domestic flights are becoming less pleasant to endure, especially if you’re on a budget. Unfortunately, entertainment and comfort are seen more as line item luxuries that force loyalty, rather than encourage it. All of our planes come standard with windows, armrests, reading lights, and rear-mounted magazine pouches. #amenities #winning — BLAH
ATSC Wins Emmy for Loud Commericals Ban
The end of loud commercials? Definitely worth an award. The Advanced Television Systems Committee’s (ATSC) will be awarded a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award for their successful collaboration with industry groups to end the reign of really, really loud commercials on television. The FCC, SMPTE, and other organizations already mandate “safe level” broadcast standards for both video and audio. However, some advertisers would use heavy audio level compression to achieve much higher perceived loudness and clarity while staying within the approved decibel limits. This advertising practice became widely popular during the 2000’s, and when the US made its official switch to all-digital television broadcasting (DTV) in June 2009, it became even worse. Because digital audio signals are perceived
KOSS BT540i: Solid, Simple, Sound.
Remember when NFC was cool? It still is. With the NFC-enabled BT540i Bluetooth headphones from KOSS, you can easily pair to a compatible device and enjoy surprisingly sweet sound quality with just a tap. The BT540i is the latest in KOSS Corporation’s (KOSS) expansion of their “mobile” products line. Since 2012’s CES Show, KOSS has introduced many full-size, in-ear, and sport models that incorporate mobile device functionality, like many other consumer audio companies. This circumaural Bluetooth model utilizes updated componentry and touts exceptional sound quality, while being very simple to use. Here’s what you need to know: That was quick With our NFC-ready Google Nexus
KOSS Corp: 'Sticking to What We Do Best'
Miluawakee, WI – KOSS recently unveiled its new BT540i NFC-ready Bluetooth headphones, indicating what lies ahead for this iconic American audio brand. Bright Side of News* has an exclusive interview with Michael J. Koss, President and CEO of KOSS Corporation (NASDAQ: KOSS), about what went into the design of the BT540i, and how the company brand will stay fresh in the minds of music lovers in the years ahead. Bright Side of News*: I’m really digging the BT540i, and noticed that the design is based on a similar framework as your PRODJ200 model. Was there reason behind this? Michael J Koss: It’s already a robust design that gives
'David Bowie Is' Rocks the Windy City
It’s a perfect final week of Summer on Chicago Ave. With the right balance of humid heat and cooling breeze, locals are crowding city streets and parks for that last chance of T-shirt-and-shorts freedom. What better time to host the “David Bowie Is” exhibit’s USA debut at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, where visitors will be fully immersed in David Bowie’s archive of over 50 years of original costumes, photography, set designs, album artwork, and rare performance material. The exhibit itself is a chronological retrospective of how Bowie influenced the reinvention of musical and visual expression, challenging the essence of pop culture throughout the decades. From early childhood upbringings, his early influences & beginning
Instagram Launches New App 'Hyperlapse'
Earlier this week, the $1-billion Instagram introduced Hyperlapse, a simple and brilliant way to create timelapse videos on your phone. Like their original app, which currently has over 240 million users, Hyperlapse will initially only be available on iOS. While multiple timelapse camera apps have already popped up in both mobile marketplaces, Hyperlapse sports a minimalist interface, as well as image stabilization for every frame. The effect is pretty eye-catching: This video posted by The Verge compares a raw shaky walking video with Adobe’s warp stabilizer, to the same video processed with Hyperlapse. While not original in concept, the image stabilization on Hyperlapse is what really makes the app shine. At
Instagram Launches New App ‘Hyperlapse’
Earlier this week, the $1-billion Instagram introduced Hyperlapse, a simple and brilliant way to create timelapse videos on your phone. Like their original app, which currently has over 240 million users, Hyperlapse will initially only be available on iOS. While multiple timelapse camera apps have already popped up in both mobile marketplaces, Hyperlapse sports a minimalist interface, as well as image stabilization for every frame. The effect is pretty eye-catching: This video posted by The Verge compares a raw shaky walking video with Adobe’s warp stabilizer, to the same video processed with Hyperlapse. While not original in concept, the image stabilization on Hyperlapse is what really makes the app shine. At
Sennheiser-Driven David Bowie Exhibit Coming To Chicago
It’s difficult to imagine pop rock music today, without the iconic contributions from David Bowie over the past decades. From his early Ziggy days to his musical and aesthetic experimentation onward, Bowie influenced the continual reinvention of the art form, challenging the essence of pop culture. ‘David Bowie Is’, the first international retrospective exhibit of its kind, has already been viewed by more than half a million visitors around the world in London, Berlin, São Paulo and Toronto over the past year. Curated by London’s Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum, this experience is now heading to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. More than 300 objects including handwritten lyrics, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music
Blue Microphones Spark Digital: Start With A Studio Sound
Earlier this year, Blue Microphones updated their “Spark Digital” condenser microphone for compatibility with both PC/Mac and now Lightning-based iOS devices, giving budding artists a simple, entry-level tool they need for a studio sound at home, or on the go. USB condenser microphones and consumer mobile recording were all the rage at NAMM Show and other creative events over the past 5 years. Blue Mics believes their Spark Digital will deliver the “same performance and detailed audio found in professional studios”, elevating beginning artists to the “next level of home recording”. Sounds promising… but does it also talk the talk? Everything you’ll need to start recording is in box, with minimal
Google Updates KitKat Camera App
Earlier this week, Google quietly updated the stock camera app in Android KitKat 4.4 compatible devices, steadily rolling out this update to more phone models through the coming weeks. The Camera app feels streamlined overall, with noticeable changes in camera performance, features, and especially UI. This of course stems from Google receiving sub-par feedback for image quality on their “flagship” Nexus devices, and since mid-2013 it’s become their main mission for mobile. LG already packed a decent camera on the Nexus 5, but in its first weeks of release, the final image compression really caused sour response from Android enthusiasts. Snapping shots on other apps like
Sennheiser Powers First "Wireless" Opera in LA
The iconic Union Station in Los Angeles, California is not only the largest rail station in the western United States, but also the bustling hub of many historical and pop culture events since its opening in 1939. With its beautiful architecture inside and out, this landmark has also brought inspiration to the fine arts. Its large, ominous walls were showcased in classic noir flicks like In the Mood, and its cavernous, former ticketing hall was used several times for The Dark Knight trilogy. This week – Invisible Cities, an opera about Marco Polo?s descriptions of his journeys to Emperor Kublai Khan, was the first of
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone
Sennheiser has great microphones available for almost every level of profession and price point, in both music and entertainment applications. The MKE 600, a newer ?video journalist? version of their shotgun microphones, is no different. If you?re already familiar with their K6 module series, like the ME66, the MKE 600 combines the best of both into a one-piece product, like optional battery power, plus a high-pass/low cut filter. The MKE 600 is roughly 10 in. (265 mm) long, and weighs 128 g, housed in a lightweight but durable casing. The box also includes a foam windscreen, carrying pouch, user?s guide, and the MZS 600 hot-shoe
Shure Introduces VP83 & VP83F, Serious Camera-Mount Mics
NAB 2013: Shure gave us a first look at their VP83 & VP38F LensHopper hot-shoe microphones designed for the serious DSLR videographer who needs solid audio features on-the-go. These two new compact camera-top microphones really stood out on the show floor at the show this year, with its fantastic design and neat features built in. Both models have a directional supercardiod polar pattern, and have a more natural frequency response compared to the slightly ?tinny? feel of other similar products out today. Both models are hot-shoe mountable, come with foam windscreens, and are suspended by Rycote?s popular Lyre-series shockmounts, which we think is a very
MXL Microphones: Mobile is Our Future
NAB 2013: MXL has a large reputation in the music world for their lineup of vocal and instrument microphones, and now they plan to look ahead to tap the mobile multimedia market. The Marshall Electronics site was bustling with their newest rack mount and camera-top monitors and other broadcast products at this year?s NAB Show. At the corner of their floor space stood their new Mobile Media line of microphone systems built specifically for entry-level DSLR and mobile rigs. In general, these microphone systems are designed with mobile in mind, connecting directly to camera, tablet, or phone with a matching impedance signal to lower-Ohm devices.
