Take a stroll through the music

Adding convenience to your enjoyment of high-quality music, the NW7000 wireless headphones from Nakamichi – a Japanese firm that’s been making high-fidelity audio products since 1948 – ensure clarity and deep, natural bass tones up to 30 metres from the source.

The minimalist headphones come in a classic black matte finish and are light and comfortable to wear.

The wireless audio transmitter and headphones are linked by 2.4GHz digital ultra-high-frequency (UHF) technology, using a 31-channel auto-frequency hopping system.

The transmitter is powered by a DC 5V power adapter that’s part of the package, while the headphones take two AAA-size NiMH batteries, also provided.

When not in use, you hang the headphones on the transmitter and it doubles as a rapid charger for the NiMH batteries. Once fully charged the batteries last eight to 10 hours.

The headphone unit has power button on the right ear cup, along with a power-level indicator and volume buttons.

Located behind the transmitter are left- and right-channel RCA inputs for connecting to an audio source. You get an audio cable with a 3.5mm stereo jack at one end and two RCA jacks on the other for hooking up to a mobile phone, MP3 player, iPad or iPphone, CD player, hi-fi system or even a TV set with analog audio output.

The transmitter has a switch for changing the audition setting to match the type of audio source, whether a mobile device or a hi-fi system. It will reduce the power level from the desktop system with the switch to match the level for headphones.

The NW7000 has a frequency response between 30Hz and 20kHz and a signal-to-noise ratio above 75dB.

I tested the phones with an iPad and my home-theatre system connected to a Blu-ray disc player. The package comes with a 63mm stereo plug for linking the 3.5mm audio cable to a hi-fi system.

I tried several CDs on the Blu-ray player and MP3 files on the iPad and was delighted with the music clarity, picking up fine details in the instruments. The bass wasn’t exactly booming, but it sounded natural and deep, certainly powerful enough to get a lot out of the music.

The headphones are great for both light and rock music. I enjoyed listening to the album “Best Audiophile Voices V” because the voices sounded so sweet and the instruments came through crystal clear. All the tiny nuances of Roger Waters’ CD “Amused to Death” could be heard as well, right down to the ambient sound effects used to enhance the songs’ meanings.

The wireless headphones really make it convenient to listen to music while doing housework. You’ll soon be humming along to a favourite tune while doing the dishes or roaming around with the vacuum cleaner.

The transmitter provides a good range of music. I could hear everything just fine up on the second floor, the transmitter doing a solid job on the first floor. I even wandered outside, venturing several metres away from the house, and noticed no interruption in the transmission.

Then I was off to the rooftop, the equivalent of a third floor at my place, and the music kept coming. Up there, though, I had to keep still – the reception dropped off if I walked around.

The Nakamichi NW7000 system is distributed by NWA Marketing for Bt4,990. Grab it at Munkong Gadgets or Matchbox or online at sites like Lazada, Tohome and Tarad.com.

 

KEY SPECS

 

Transmitting technology: 2.4GHz digital ultra-high frequency (UHF)

Connecting channels: 31-channel auto-frequency hopping system

Operation time: Eight to 10 hours

Corded headphone application: Supported with 3.5mm audio cable

Operating distance: 30 metres of open area

Frequency response: 30Hz to 20KHz

S/N ratio: More than 70dB

Operating voltage: Transmitter DC 5V 550mA; receiver two AAA size rechargeable NiMH batteries

Compatible with DVD and CD players, iPod, MP3, TV sets, VCR, hi-fi system and radio

Accessories: RCA cable, 3.5mm direct line-in cable, AC/DC adapter, two NiMH AAA batteries, 3.5-to-63mm stereo plug