Sennheiser has announced the world’s first ‘intuitive, compact and mobile binaural recording headset’, also the company’s first Ambeo consumer product.
The Ambeo Smart Headset was developed in collaboration with Apogee and captures immersive 3D audio that places the listener inside the soundscape, playing back the direction of sounds and natural spatial characteristics of a location. Working with Apple iOS devices featuring a Lightning connector, it complements the convenience and simplicity of the mobile device.
Recording is achieved via two omni-directional microphones integrated in the ear pieces that work with an A/D converter, mic preamp and SoftLimit from Apogee. The microphones capture the differences in timing, volume and timbre that arrive at each each ear.
‘With this new headset you can use an 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 Sennheiser co-CEO, Dr Andreas Sennheiser. ‘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.’
‘The first time you put on headphones and hear a video made with the Ambeo Smart Headset you will be amazed,’ says Betty Bennett, Apogee co-founder and CEO. ‘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.’
Recording complements the standard iOs camera app, allowing recording and storage of binaural audio along with video. Once captured, the 3D sound files can be played through any pair of stereo headphones.
The Ambeo Smart Headset uses an Apogee analogue-to-digital converter, mic preamp and SoftLimit to automatically optimise recording levels. The headset also offers a built-in microphone for telephone calls and voice control. At launch, it will be available for Apple iOS devices featuring a Lightning connector. A version for Android devices is planned for release later in 2017.
The Ambeo Smart Headset also offers Transparent Hearing, a safety feature that lets you hear what is going on around you while using the headset. The Transparent Hearing feature can be adjusted using the headset’s three-step rocker switch. The earphones also deliver linear sound attenuation, limiting external noise and offering the same effect as with high-quality earplugs.
