Creative Releases ZEN Aurvana

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.creative.com/press/releases/welcome.asp?pid=12537' target='_blank'>http://www.creative.com/press/releases/welcome.asp?pid=12537</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Creative Technology Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced the ZEN Aurvana™ In-Ear Earphones, featuring AuraSeal™ noise isolation technology that immerses you in accurate and detailed music playback by blocking out up to 90% of ambient noise; nearly twice as effective as leading noise cancellation-headphones. The ZEN Aurvana is constructed in a double-injected enclosure with a high-gloss finishing that is aesthetic and yet robust. The ZEN Aurvana In-Ear Earphones will be available in Singapore this month for US$ 99.99. Ultra-compact and weighing only 13g - the lightest in its class, the ZEN Aurvana In-Ear Earphones are ideal for use with any MP3 or portable media player with a regular headphone jack and in-flight entertainment system with the supplied airplane adapter. Powered by high precision Balanced Armature drivers, which were originally developed to provide crystal clear audio reproduction in high-end expensive hearing aids, the ZEN Aurvana In-Ear Earphones is further enhanced with high-purity Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) cable and gold-plated plugs to ensure a pure signal path and pristine audio reproduction at all volume levels."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/prod14702_hdr_1_6_1.jpg" /><br /><br />With every Creative Labs MP3 player that I've owned (three now), the included headphones have always been surprisingly decent. Not that I keep them mind you (my Shure E3C's are much nicer), but I think Creative is capable of making some very impressive headphones given their expertise in audio products. I've asked for a pair to review, so we'll see if I can tell you more. ;-)

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Speculation has it that this is based on the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3.

[mrozema]

Those look pretty decent. I'll have to do some reading on the actual specifications.
My interest in these types of earphones stems from being a musician. I'd love to know how these would perform up in a live music setting as cheap in-ear monitors.

Jason: Have you ever tried using your Shures as monitors while playing bass?

[Jason Dunn]

Jason: Have you ever tried using your Shures as monitors while playing bass?

Nope, never even occurred to me. What would I connect to? An XLR input in the ground box that's configured to be a monitor output? Being up in front of people probably limits this scenario for me. ;-)

[mrozema]

An XLR input in the ground box that's configured to be a monitor output?
I would image something just like that. Maybe also going into a small mixer so you can control the volume. I know Nate has done something very close to this, but with some Vic Firth isolating headphones.

[Jason Dunn]

I know Nate has done something very close to this, but with some Vic Firth isolating headphones.

Indeed, but Nate is a drummer sitting down on a stool at the back of the stage. I really don't think I could pull something like that off at the front of the stage, closer to people. ;-)

[mrozema]

That's a very good point.
It must just be a drummer thing then. Unless you went wireless! :lol: