NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highly regarded audio technology innovator Velodyne Acoustics, Inc. wowed attendees at last week’s CE Week FashionWare showcase with its artistic over-ear headphones featuring one-of-a-kind personalized, customizable designer “skins” that match any wardrobe, mood or occasion.
Widely recognized as the leading manufacturer of high-performance, low distortion powered subwoofers prized primarily by men, Velodyne was the first company to envision a set of headphones as an artistic canvas and to offer custom-designed skins as accessories with headphones that appeal to both men and women.
Velodyne President and well-known artist Marta Hall and a team of Velodyne engineers began designing lightweight headphones and “artistic edition” skins shortly after Hall joined the company in 2011. It introduced the lightweight vFree® Bluetooth® model headphone, designed with an inverted tear-drop shape and customized modern art-like control buttons, in 2012, along with the collapsible vLeve® Bluetooth® headphone. (The somewhat larger vBold® Bluetooth® model with its geometric ear covering and control buttons was launched in 2013.) Simultaneous with the launch of the vFree®, Velodyne introduced a line of 20 flexible, silicon-based skins, which enable music lovers to match the style of the headphones they wear to the fashions and sounds they prefer.
“Velodyne designer skins add a dramatic visual dimension to an already dynamic audio experience,” Hall said. “The vFree and vLeve are the ideal canvas for people who value high-quality sound and high style, and who see wearable technology, such as skins, as a new way to express themselves.”
Hall added that Velodyne currently is working on a website portal that will enable headphone users to upload their own images and create their own designs. “We believe everybody is an artist,” Hall adds. “With this new portal, anyone who wants to create their own skin designs can do so.”
Velodyne skins are designed to be easy to put on and take off, protect the headset and customize the look. Since the initial skins were launched, dozens of additional skins – many of them limited-edition designs created by artists, musicians, non-profit groups and celebrities – have been introduced. Select Velodyne headphones and skins are available at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Velodyne.com, and at 90 Airport Wireless and 15 Techshowcase stores located in airports nationwide. Skin prices start at $19.
Among the Velodyne skin-enabled headphones on display at CE Week’s FashionWare Exhibit:
- vLeve headphones
Velodyne’s new on-ear vLeve headphones, available with designer accessory skins, enable music lovers to match the style to the sound. The vLeve can be folded up for compact storage; flexible designer skins provide a distinctive stamp and can be modified literally in a snap.
- vFree headphones
Velodyne’s vFree® on-ear headphones remove the constraints of wired headphones and offer the perfect canvas for Velodyne’s personalized skins, enabling consumers to instantly and easily change the look of the headphones to match the mood.
- vBold headphones
Velodyne’s vBold wireless headphones offer Bluetooth® connectivity compatible with the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, iPad® or any Bluetooth®-capable device. Wireless sound reproduction is accurate and true, thanks to aptX® coding. A direct connect audio cable is included for optional wired connection. In addition to the convenience of being wireless, the vBold can be folded up for compact storage. (vBold skins will be available shortly.)
- vQuiet headphones
Velodyne’s vQuiet noise-cancelling on-ear headphones reduce unwanted sound by 90 percent, enabling consumers to focus on nothing but the music they love. The vQuiet can be folded up for compact storage. (vQuiet skins will be available shortly.)
Other Velodyne models include:
- vTrue headphones
vTrue® raises the bar for studio headphones, combining Velodyne’s award-winning audio technology and unrivaled design to bring a true sound experience to the most discerning of music lovers. A forged aluminum design complements supple leather headband and over-ear cups. Accurate sound is produced through a 50mm driver tuned to the exacting standards of Velodyne’s trademarked low-distortion bass reproduction.
- vPulse headphones
vPulse® in-ear headphones combine a secure fit with outstanding sound quality, making them the ideal choice for music and mobile calls on the go. vPulse headphones feature precise, low-distortion audio quality, the result of a 10mm driver and aluminum housing. Intuitive in-line controls provide options for volume, music playback and mobile phone calls.
About Velodyne
Founded in 1983 and based in California’s Silicon Valley, Velodyne, Inc. is a diversified technology company known worldwide for its high-performance audio equipment and real-time LiDAR sensors. The company is widely recognized as the leading manufacturer of high-performance, low-distortion, powered subwoofers and an expanding line of technically innovative in-ear and over-ear audio products, which include interchangeable, custom-designed skins that enable audiophiles to personalize the look of their headphones. Velodyne products are available online at www.velodyne.com and from a select group of authorized dealers, custom installers and distributors worldwide. Since 2007, Velodyne’s LiDAR division has emerged as a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of real-time LiDAR sensor technology used in a variety of commercial applications including autonomous vehicles, vehicle safety systems, 3D mobile mapping, 3D aerial mapping and security. For more information, visit www.velodynelidar.com. For the latest information on new products and to receive Velodyne’s newsletter, register here.