MP3 Accessories

When I work out, I like my new gadgets to help me out with the monotony of the treadmill. You know what I'm talking about.....mp3 player, heart-rate monitor, headphones, etc. I've had to buy a larger gym bag these days to accommodate the electronics store I tote off to the gym.

New Balance, in conjunction with iHOME, just released the NB639 fitness headphones that promise to consolidate some of your gear, and make life a little easier. For starters it's a pedometer that accurately measures your running or walking steps. It's also a chronograph that you can use to time your workout, which eliminates the need for a stopwatch. The NB639 also has a built in heart rate monitor, where you just place your thumb over its sensor and it delivers real-time information.

Since the NB639 Fitness headphones don't have a digital display, it delivers your fitness information to you by talking to you. While you plug these babies into your media player, the NB639's also announces your pedometer, chronograph and heart-rate information. It can tell you not only your heart rate, but the number of steps you've taken, the calories you've burned, or the distance you've traveled without ever having to pause your music or stop your workout. It's a great feature, and works discretely with your music playing.Read more

Pioneer just introduced some earbud headphones for the active crowd. Featuring a water resistant design, the SE-CL331 earbuds can be rinsed off if they get dusty or sweaty from activities such as hiking or running.

The SE-CL331 uses 9mm drivers to deliver deeper bass response and the in-ear design along with four interchangeable ear-tips (XS, S, M, L) decreases outside noise. The earbuds have a long 3.9' cord and are available in four colors - pink, blue, yellow and white. A carrying pouch is also included.

SE-CL331 features:

• IPX5 and IPX7 Compliant (Official water resistant classification)
• Interchangeable ear tips (4 sizes in XS, S, M, L)
• Deep bass performance
• Carrying pouch
• 3.9' cord with L-type 3.5mm plug

The Pioneer SE-CL331 will be available in July for $59.

There is a new device for bikers, skateboarders (or any other sport that requires a helmet) that allows you to listen to music from your iPod without using earbuds. The Tunebug Shake is a small device that attaches to your helmet. It uses surface sound technology to send sound waves through the helmet, eliminating the need for earphones and allowing you to rock out to music while still being aware of what's going on around you.

Tunebug Shake can be connected to iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones, or any other portable music device using Bluetooth or via audio cable. It also features a rechargeable battery with about 5 hours of playtime and charges via the included USB cable. The Shake is available for $99.99 at a variety of retailers including select Apple Stores, www.Amazon.com and www.Tunebug.com.Read more

Just in time for Memorial Day, Grace Digital Audio just launched the Eco Extreme all-terrain waterproof case with built in speaker. It's a rugged shock proof, waterproof, and sand proof speaker case for your iPod, iPhone, most cell phones and MP3 players.

The Eco Extreme has been tested under 3ft water for a period of 30 minutes with no leaks occurring. No worries about dropping it in the ocean, lake or pool...the Eco Extreme floats and stays water sealed to protect your gear.

Eco Extreme features include:

• Waterproof and dirt resistant design protects your MP3 player from the outdoor elements
• High impact shock proof casing withstands drops, falls and spills
• Internal storage compartment holds keys, MP3 Player, credit cards, drivers license and cash, keeping it safe from sand, sun, and water
• 3.5mm audio jack works with any MP3 player, 3” full range forward firing speaker
• Includes a 2" detachable carabiner clip, making it ideal for backpacking, biking, beach trips, and camping.
• IPX7 Approved (International Weatherproofing Standard) will protect your valuables even if you submerse it in water, powered by 3 AA batteries which provide 30 hours of playing time at average volume levels
• Available in 3 colors (jet black, cobalt blue, and orange peel)

The Eco Extreme is available now at GraceDigitalAudio.com for $49.99.

Best Buy Mobile just announced the exclusive launch of Diddybeats In-Ear Headphones from Monster and Beats by Dre. These in-ear headphones are not only great for MP3 devices, but ideal for listening to music on your mobile phone.

The headphones feature Monster ControlTalk which allows you to listen to music as well as provide hands-free calling. They also come with a Sean John-inspired travel case, feature a leather-wrapped aluminum housing, and the black flat cable design keeps you tangle-free.

"We are proud that Best Buy Mobile has become the place to go to get the best and most desirable mobile technology. Bringing the Diddybeats to consumers builds on that momentum and we are extremely excited to offer the online presale," said Scott Moore, VP of marketing for Best Buy Mobile. "These headphones are game changers and will be a tremendous addition to Best Buy Mobile's already extensive line of smartphones, accessories and services."

Diddybeats is now available for preorder at www.bestbuy.com/diddybeats for $149.99 and will be in Best Buy stores on March 28.

H2O Audio just unveiled three new waterproof/sweatproof headphones, the Surge Pro, Surge Sportwrap and the Interval Waterproof Headphone System. The entire line of H2O Audio's headsets are 100% waterproof and sweatproof…because really, do you like putting on sweaty headphones day after day? Simply rinse them after heavy perspiration, and you're set! The headphones can also be submerged under water up to 12 ft. In fact, Michael Phelps is an H2O Audio Athlete Ambassador, and now trains with his iPod in the water!

"H2O Audio offers a great line of waterproof products and I am excited to see their progress in design and technology," commented Michael Phelps. "I hope more people get in the pool for exercise now that they can bring their music with them."

The new Surge Pro (pictured above) is the company's smallest and most high performance headphones. They are designed with a Balanced Armature driver for premium sound. Seven sets of earplugs are included with new foam fabrication for a perfect fit. They are available now for $99.99. Read more

iGo just unveiled a new wall charger, the iGo Charge Anywhere. This travel-friendly charger features an internal battery which allows you to charge your mobile device (smartphone, PSP, digital camera, etc.) with or without an outlet.

The iGo Charge Anywhere is compatible with almost every mobile and gaming electronic device on the market. You can even simultaneously power two devices while also charging its integrated battery to use when away from an outlet. The new charger not only works as a wall charger but also acts as a "transportable outlet." It features collapsible wall blades that fold away, and stores enough power in its battery to provide up to three full charges to most mobile devices without the need to recharge. Read more

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga is the latest addition to the popular Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line from Monster.

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga are high-performance headphones and will be available in three styles; a metallicized body with a rose red jewel-shaped earpiece, metallicized body with an all chrome jewel-shaped earpiece and a black-on-black body and jewel-shaped earpiece design. The headphones come in a red carrying case and with a variety of eartips for a comfortable fit. They also feature Monster's tangle-resistant flat cable design.

The headphones are also available with ControlTalk, an on-cable feature for use with 3GS iPhone, iPod shuffle and other portable music devices. The Monster ControlTalk headphone cable features a microphone and answer button and allows users to access music and answer phone calls by pushing a button on the cable rather than from the device.

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga are available for pre-order exclusively at BestBuy.com and will be available in all Best Buy stores on October 18. Read more

Monster's new Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers sound so clear and give you so much power and bass, you'd think you had high-end speakers on your ears! That's one reason Monster calls them speakers, not headphones. Monster Turbines can reproduce even the lowest bass notes without any distortion. For Noise Isolation, the Turbine Pro offers 5 different eartip designs, so you'll be sure to find the perfect fit for your ear. Outside noise will be a thing of the past.

The new Monster Turbine Pro headphones will be available in November 2009 in two designs, gold with black chrome, and copper with bright chrome. Turbine Pro In-Ear Speakers will be available for $299.95 per pair or $329.95 with Monster's ControlTalk headphone cable, which can be used with iPhone, iPod and most other smartphones for music playback control as well as to take hands-free calls. Read more

Sennheiser just announced several new full-sized HD headphones for portable players. But not just for your MP3 player, the HD 428, HD 438 and HD 448 also are good enough to use on your home hi-fi system.

All models have soft padding for comfort and a closed-back, around-the-ear design. And, for moving around without getting tangled up, the headphones feature a single-sided cable. Each headphone also comes with a gold-plated quarter-inch stereo adapter, so you can get great sound on a home stereo system.

The top-of-the-line HD 448 model offers a lifelike sound experience and includes a 5.2 foot extension cable. It sells for $129.95. The mid-range HD 438 also offers natural sound and comes with a 4.6-foot and 10-foot detachable cables. It is available for $119.95. For those wanting powerful bass, look no further than the HD 428. It is more focused on lower frequencies. The MSRP for the HD 428 is $99.95.

The HD 428, HD 438 and HD 448 are available online from J&R and will hit Best Buy stores in late October.