New arrival: Senheiser AMBEO Smart Headset for 3D audio

The AMBEO Smart Headset brings binaural sound recording to the consumer market. Price & availability TBA.

The Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset features an integrated premium Apogee A/D Converter built into the remote control.

Sennheiser has designed the AMBEO Smart Headset to be an intuitive, compact and mobile binaural recording headset.

First showcased at the CES 2017, the AMBEO Smart Headset captures immersive 3D audio with the simplicity of a mobile device.

“With this new headset you can use your iOS device’s camera to record, experience and relive the same balance of three dimensional sound and 180° visual perspective that we as human beings are accustomed to in our perception of the world,” explains Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, co-CEO Sennheiser.

The binaural audio recordings created with the AMBEO Smart Headset offer a stunning 3D experience – placing the listener inside the soundscape and playing back the direction of sounds and natural spatial characteristics of a location.

To create this headset, Sennheiser partnered with Apogee, the manufacturer of professional audio device, and an industry leader of digital audio recording.

The AMBEO Smart Headset produces detailed and realistic recording via two omni-directional microphones integrated in the ear pieces that work alongside a premium A/D converter, mic preamp and SoftLimit from Apogee.

The two microphones capture the subtle differences in timing, volume and timbre that occur as sounds from different directions reach each ear.

When played back on headphones, the result is a lifelike audio experience in picture-perfect fidelity.

It places the listener in the exact, original sound field, so whether you capture a rainforest or a buzzing city – listening to the binaural recording is supposed to make you feel like you are there.

Seamless mobile device integration

The AMBEO Smart Headset enables consumers to precisely record in 3D directly onto Apple iOS devices featuring a Lightning connector.

The easy-to-use headset creates immersive binaural audio that matches the high-quality video that is now available on mobile devices.

“The first time you put on headphones and hear a video made with the AMBEO Smart Headset you will be amazed. It adds an entirely new dimension to watching videos and memories captured on your iPhone. The AMBEO Smart Headset is truly special because it offers the best of what Sennheiser and Apogee have achieved together making products for audio recording professionals in an effortless and transformative product everyone will love,” says Betty Bennett, Apogee co-founder and CEO.

It also complements the convenience and simplicity of the mobile device experience, with intuitive handling that makes the spontaneous capture of brilliant three-dimensional sound as easy as shooting a high-definition video.

Recording via the AMBEO Smart Headset is made simple by seamlessly complementing the standard iOS camera app, letting you record and store binaural audio along with the video.

Once captured, the 3D sound files can be enjoyed through any pair of stereo headphones.

To translate every dynamic detail with clarity and accuracy into digital information the AMBEO Smart Headset uses a premium Apogee analog to digital converter, mic preamp and SoftLimit.

Apogee’s SoftLimit is a unique technology that automatically optimises recording levels so you do not have to worry about distortion.

All of this skillfully captured sound is delivered through the Lightning port of your iOS device as pristine digital audio and back to your ears through high-quality Apogee digital to analog conversion.

The headset also offers everyday versatility thanks to a built-in microphone for telephone calls and voice control.

At launch the AMBEO Smart Headset will be available for Apple iOS devices featuring a Lightning connector.

A version for Android devices is planned for release later this year.

Transparent Hearing functionality

The AMBEO Smart Headset also offers Transparent Hearing, an important safety feature that lets you hear what is going on around you while using the headset.

“Sound is crucial to how we understand the space around us, and the AMBEO Smart Headset lets you record this sense of depth, detail and realism. Together the AMBEO Smart Headset and your mobile device can become powerful creative tools for capturing your world in an entirely new way,” adds Daniel Sennheiser, co-CEO Sennheiser.

The Transparent Hearing feature can be conveniently adjusted using the headset’s 3-step rocker switch.

The earphones also deliver excellent linear sound attenuation, limiting external noise and offering the same effect as with high-quality earplugs.

For the ultimate in comfort and sound quality, the optimised earhook design minimises structure-borne noise, while ensuring an excellent secure fit for incredible sound and comfort on the move.

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