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Sennheiser has announced that the unique Ambeo Smart Headset it previewed at CES 2017 is now available.

Hailed as a leap forward in content creation, the $300 headset uses omnidirectional microphones integrated in its earpieces to make “3D” binaural recordings that replicate the direction of sounds and the natural spatial characteristics of the recording location when played back on ordinary stereo headphones.

The microphones, by virtue of being built into the earpieces, are spaced at perfect binaural width, enabling them to capture subtle differences in timing, volume, and timbre that occur as sounds from different directions reach each ear, according to Sennheiser.

“When played back on any pair of headphones, the recorded audio simulates the way sounds are heard naturally by the ears, recreating a lifelike high-fidelity audio experience that places the listener directly within the captured sound field,” the company explained in a press release. “The effect can convincingly transport the listener to any locale, from a bustling city block to a secluded spot in the wilderness, and is a powerful complement to high-definition video.”

The Ambeo headset records audio directly onto iOS devices via Apple’s Lightning connector and integrates with the standard iOS camera app so you can store binaural audio with video; an Android version is planned for release at a later date.

Microphone sensitivity can be adjusted using the in-line Smart Slider, which can be further programmed for individual preferences via a free app. There’s also a “situational awareness” a rocker switch with two settings for ambient noise level — one fades noise for safety, the other engages active noise cancellation. The feature, which is defeatable, can also be used for recording and when making a call.

To ensure a “convincing experience,” the headset has a built-in mic preamp and high-quality Apogee analog-to-digital converter, and uses Apogee’s SoftLimit technology to preserve dynamic detail by optimizing recording levels on the fly.

For more information, visit en-us.sennheiser.com.

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