New wireless audio and telephony headphones from Parrot

The headphones host state-of-the-art technologies: highly performing active noise control, "spatialized" musical image, touch panel that enables sensual movements, head detection sensor, bone conduction sensor, five microphones and a powerful digital signal processor.

It is the headset for the smartphone generation, with specific engineering development to get a clear hands-free conversation. Playing music or receiving calls wirelessly over Bluetooth, the headphone is compatible with all Bluetooth compatible devices (iPhone, iPad, tablets, smartphones, PC, Mac, etc.) with NFC technology for instant pairing. It is equipped with two directional microphones (for high frequency) and an osseous conductor sensor (for low frequency). The headphone senses vibrations from the jawbone and merges it with voice signals making hands free telephony quick and easy - just one short press of the headset to accept the call and a longer press to refuse the call.

The intuitive touch panel directly on the headset facilitates smooth and simple music control with a touch sensitive panel on the right ear cup and Intuitive gesture detection. It couldn't be easier, just brush your hand in an upwards direction along the headset to turn the volume up or down to lower it or from left or right to pass through songs - no more having to operate these functions from your smartphone. With the Automatic Head Detection function, you simply need to remove the headphone from your head and place it around your neck for the music to pause. If you do this whilst on a call, the call will automatically switch to your phone.

Another feature is the Active Noise Cancellation, isolating users from external sound through use of four active microphones resulting in a 25 decibel (98%) reduction of external noise. This is achieved through highly advanced technology that takes the noise signal from the outside world, records and inverts it and then mixes it with the signal from the audio source - as a result, the ambient noise from outside is affectively cancelled out.

The audio engineering team has developed a sound effect called the Concert Hall Effect (CHE) to make users feel as if the sound is coming from the front, as in a concert hall. Traditionally with a standard headphone, the right ear can only listen to sound from the right ear cup and the left ear from the left ear cup - but with CHE the effect is completely different, bringing a more natural way of listening whilst reducing tiredness.

The headphones are distributed in South Africa by SMAC, leaders in vehicle accessories and aftermarket products and can be purchased online at www.smac.co.za or leading music and IT stores for R3999.

For more information, go to www.parrot.com/zik/usa/videos.