We're looking for new writers to join us!

CES 2013: Onkyo debuting headphone lineup

by: Dan -
More On: CES 2013
Onkyo, long known for quality home theater and stereo A/V components will be getting into the headphone market at the 2013 International CES.  The company is showing off their ES and IE lineup of headphones which will range in price from $179 down to $99.  All have been designed with the smartphone and on-the-go user in mind and will feature detachable and replicable cables.  The ES lineup will come in three different color schemes (black with a red cable, white with a white cable, and violet with a violet cable) and will have tangle-free cords.  The Onkyo ES-HF300 ($179), ES-FC300 ($149) are on-ear models while IE-HF300 ($129) and IE-FC300 ($99) are in-ear models with a target release date is 1st Qtr 2013.  The images below are all of the ES lineup.

We have an appointment with Onkyo on Wednesday to check the lineup out, so check back for our photos and impressions.

Onkyo Headphones Take Component-Quality Audio on the Road

LAS VEGAS (1/8/13) -- Onkyo, the world's foremost manufacturer of home theater and hi-fi components, has entered a new product category with the introduction of headphones at the Consumer Electronics Show, which opened here today. The company has focused its vast engineering talent on producing a range of headphones that offer users an authentic hi-fi experience on the go.

As smartphone sales continue to skyrocket, interest in headphones is at an all-time high. Onkyo aims to introduce this generation of listeners to component-quality sound with headphones they can comfortably take on the road. Considerable time and resources were spent tuning these new models, with Onkyo's research and development team committed to extracting the best dynamic performance from an all-new titanium driver design. They all include detachable and replaceable cables to economically resolve user mishaps.  

Two closed-back on-ear models will be first to hit stores—the ES-HF300, which features a audiophile-grade cable, and the ES-FC300, packaged with a tangle-free elastomer cable. These folding on-ear headphones bring listeners closer to genuine hi-fi performance. Two wide-range 40 mm titanium drivers deliver stunning clarity in the mid- and high-frequency bands. Onkyo's unique ported bass sub-chambers, meanwhile, help define a deep, muscular bottom-end response. The aluminum driver housing (shaped to resemble the volume control on Onkyo's hi-fi and A/V components) and single aluminum hanger presents a clean, understated profile.

Onkyo is offering the ES-HF300 with a 6N oxygen-free copper cable encased in clear elastomer, providing almost perfect conductivity while keeping touch noise to a minimum. Gold-plated MMCX connectors and mini-stereo plug reflect the highest build standards.

The ES-FC300 is available in three striking finishes: black with a red cable, white with a white cable, and violet with a violet cable. It features an elastomer cable with a flattened cross-section to minimize tangles—a feature that essentially eliminates a common annoyance to real-world headphone enthusiasts. Both the high-quality copper and flat elastomer cables will be available for separate sale should the user wish to upgrade or seek a replacement, thereby extending the life of the product.

Two aluminum in-ear models—the IE-HF300 and IE-FC300—are scheduled for release over the coming months. Powered by a 14.3 mm dynamic transducer, these in-ear headphones balance silky bass with an open and natural mid range. The IE-HF300 is packaged with audiophile-grade 6N copper cable, while the IE-FC300 comes with red, violet, or white  tangle-free elastomer cable.

Also in the development pipeline is a powerful headphone equalizer app for smartphone and tablet, allowing users to quickly and precisely adjust frequency response to suit their personal taste. The app is designed to partner Onkyo's headphone line, granting smartphone and tablet users unparalleled control over their audio.

Onkyo is a trailblazing force in the home entertainment industry, anticipating market trends with intelligent, user-focused products. These new releases join a stable of acclaimed audio and A/V components, and will introduce more music lovers to the iconic Onkyo sound.

The Onkyo ES-HF300 and ES-FC300 will have suggested retail prices of $179 and $149 respectively, and IE-HF300 and IE-FC300 will have suggested retail prices of $129 and $99. They will be available in the first quarter of 2013.