Samsung Wants to Sell You $350 Headphones
On Wednesday, Samsung Mobile launched a premium family of audio products called Samsung Level. It includes three headphones – Level Over, Level On, and Level In -- and one Bluetooth speaker called Level Box. All four devices work with smartphones and tablets, and are designed to be highly portable and very stylish.
The $349.99 Level Over is an over-the-ear Bluetooth headphone that includes Active Noise Cancellation, using four microphones on the inside and outside to cancel external sounds. The headphone also uses technology that prevents resonance between the vibration plate and the frame. Smart Control Technology mounted on the side of the headphone allows the user to control volume, navigate tracks, pause or stop music, answer or end a call.
The $179.99 Level On model is an on-ear wired headphone featuring soft polyurethane cushioning and a foldable ergonomic design. Rather use the in-ear option? That’s the $149.99 Level In headphone that includes a three-way speaker system to control deep bass, mid-range and treble.
Finally the $169.99 Level Box is a premium, compact Bluetooth speaker that streams high quality audio from any Bluetooth compatible device. The overall design isn’t just for looks: Samsung reports that the form factor provides noise reduction and echo cancellation. A built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 15 hours of continuous playback.
"One touch Near-Field Communications (NFC) or the dedicated Bluetooth pairing button provides effortless synching," according to the Samsung press release. "Control buttons make it easy to adjust volume or play/pause music, and a high-quality HD built-in microphone makes it a great device for phone or conference calls."
As a price comparison, Beats Audio provides the Studio Wireless for $379.95, which seems to be a direct competitor to Samsung’s Level Over headphone. The Beats Audio Solo HD sells for $169.95, making it $10 cheaper than the Level On. The Beats Audio Tour costs $149.99, which is the same price as the Level In headphone. And then we have the Beats Audio Beats Pill, which is probably the Level Box’s closest rival, costing $199.95, slightly higher than the Samsung device.
Starting Thursday, this family of products will be a Gilt.com exclusive. The new line will then be available on Amazon.com on July 20, Samsung.com on July 21, and select Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy stores on July 27.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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dstarr3 I need to find a Chrome extension that prevents me from reading articles that mention Beats.Reply -
qlum They are both headphones for people who do the same level of research and have the same level of intellect.Reply -
falchard All I care for in a headphone is comfort. Hate when they pinch my ears or puts pressure on my head.Reply -
jase240 All you pay for is a brand!Reply
If you are going to buy quality headphones and spend over $100 then get studio headphones, they are much better and even cheaper than this junk. -
godnodog Samsung, fix the crappy kitkat update for galaxy note 10.1.Reply
Launching an update just because.... is embarrassing yourselves -
Amdlova some one can tell if the Cellphone have good audio ? my lumia 800 and my new shine lumia 630 have a shit audio. even on the car lack of bass and highs. =) head phones for mobile devices is dumb. some people say the last good portable music players are ipod's old generations.Reply -
zoenphlux ReplyI need to find a Chrome extension that prevents me from reading articles that mention Beats.
I logged in just to like this comment. Someone please do this!
If your primary area isn't to produce high end audio products, then you shouldn't try to produce a product that competes there. You give a bad impression for those who do produce a product worthy of the price your asking. Samsung is trying to cover too many areas like a buffet. Got plenty to choose from, but most of it ends up being tasteless. -
zoenphlux Worse then a bad impression, you teach people low quality "Sounds great!" I've heard beats headphones, and they suck for the money. I would feel ashamed to be saying that my product is worthy of competing against a real audiophile headset. 90% marketing, 10% research = audiofooled headset.Reply