New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Philips Unveils Lightning-Based Fidelio NC1L Noise Canceling Headphones With No Need for Batteries

Thursday January 8, 2015 6:43 am PST by Kelly Hodgkins
philips_fidelio_nc1lPhilips today added to its lineup of Lightning-equipped headphones with the new Fidelio NC1L. Similar to its predecessor the Fidelio M2L, the NC1L headphones use a 24-bit digital to analog converter to provide high-quality audio playback.

As detailed by The Verge, the Fidelio NC1L headphones plug directly into the Lightning port, providing a direct digital connection to the phone and a power supply for the headphone's onboard noise cancellation technology. The Lightning connector power allows Philips to provide a valuable feature like noise cancellation without requiring the additional bulk of a battery.

Digital Trends went hands-on with a prototype of the new headphones and found they offered solid performance.
As for the performance, our initial audition of the cans impressed, as they blocked out an immense amount of ambient noise even at low volume levels. The set we tried out is only a prototype, and the final version will undergo some interior and exterior design changes. But even at the early stages, we’re excited about this technology.
Designed for usage in a variety of environments, the Fidelio NC1L headphones also include multiple noise profiles suitable for making phone calls and for allowing ambient noise when awareness of your surroundings is necessary. The Fidelio NC1Ls should launch in North America in April for $299.

Tag: Philips
[ 133 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
Blorzoga
54 months ago

I very rarely use headphones with my iPhone, but these will work nicely with my MBA.


Too bad your MBA doesn't have a lightning port.
Rating: 24 Votes
Avatar
rdlink
54 months ago
So, instead of having their own batteries they run down the battery on your iPhone? Not sure that's quite an improvement.
Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
benz240
54 months ago

The Fidelio NC1Ls should launch in North America in April for $299.


And I'm out
Rating: 21 Votes
Avatar
bbeagle
54 months ago
Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.
Rating: 20 Votes
Avatar
Blorzoga
54 months ago

Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.


And using the term "ghetto" isn't disrespectful? Get a clue, dude.
Rating: 16 Votes
Avatar
TWSS37
54 months ago

How is using the term 'ghetto' disrespectful? I'm referring to the term 'cans' sounding not high class - which is EXACTLY what ghetto means. Are more words magically disappearing from our culture because someone is offended?

"Sticks and Stones will break your bones, but names will never hurt you" - I learned this while growing up. What has happened to society being offended by every little word now?


...says the poster who claims 'cans' is disrespectful?
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
a0me
54 months ago

Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.

I'm not an audiophile but "cans" has been a broadcast term for decades.
Rating: 13 Votes
Avatar
evansls
54 months ago
So, how would you charge your iPhone when these headphones are using the lighting connector? It would be nice if the headphones came with some kind of pass-through connector.
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
kanselmo
54 months ago

Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.


That term has been commonly used in recording studios for decades.
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
JeffyTheQuik
54 months ago

Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.


I can't wait to see a beautiful woman on the subway wearing these, and I can legitimately say, "Look at her cans!"

:D
Rating: 11 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]