Audio Video News

You know Dolby Labs as a long-time provider (licensor) of technologies that enhance home audio and home theater experiences, including most recently Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) and Dolby Atmos surround sound. In the ‘60s and ‘70s it was Dolby noise reduction and, of course, Dolby technology extends to movie theaters and pro audio. But did you know Dolby also makes home entertainment products?

Well, actually, they don’t — or at least didn’t…until now. On Wednesday the company quietly unveiled it’s first-ever product: Dolby Dimension Wireless Headphones. Hailed as the “first wireless headphones perfected for home entertainment,” the headphones sell for $599 on dolby.com and will be available in select b8ta stores December 1st.

In Dolby’s words, the Dimension headphones are designed to “ensure long-lasting comfort for binge sessions, allowing people to relax and escape for long periods of time with total peace of mind.” The phones are equipped with ommidirectional microphones and proprietary signal processing to “help consumers immerse themselves in their shows like never before — all while allowing them to stay present where it matters most.”

Progressive-foam-padded ear pads surround custom 1.6-inch drivers and “intuitive” touch controls on the right ear cup let you swipe and tap to adjust volume, activate Siri or Google Assistant, play/pause/skip tracks, answer the phone or end/reject calls, and engage a proprietary technology called Dolby LifeMix. With LifeMix engaged you can create a perfect blend of the world around you and the entertainment you’re enjoying on the headphones via a 10-step Transparency mode, boost sounds around you (the 11th step), or completely block out the surrounding environment with active noise cancellation.

There are also three source buttons on the edge of the ear cup for one-touch switching between a phone, computer, tablet, TV, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can also control the headphones using the free Dolby Dimension app (iOS and Android), which allows listeners to manage paired devices and access LifeMix and other key features, including Virtualization and Head Tracking.

“With Dolby Dimension, consumers can be fully immersed with cinematic sound, while staying connected to their important everyday life moments, all while binge watching their favorite hit series on Netflix, iTunes, or Amazon Prime Video,” Dolby said in the press release announcing the headphones.

The headphones come with a charging dock said to provide enough power to watch a movie with a 15-minute charge, a USB cable for on-the-go charging, and a carrying pouch. It takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery, which is rated to last up to 15 hours in low-power mode or up to 10 hours with LifeMix and Virtualization engaged. Dolby offers a 30-day in-home trial with free return shipping.

For more information, visit dolby.com.