Sony DS6000
Price: $300 retail, $230 street
Impressions: You'll notice the solid build quality immediately. Featuring soft cups that fit around your ears, the headphones turn on automatically when placed on your head. Testing out Superman Returns, we were impressed by bright trumpets and deep, powerful planets whizzing by our head during the opening credits alone. When Superman returns to the Kent farm, we felt and then heard the subtle roar of an asteroid approaching from behind our ears—while dishes clanked in the foreground and water gurgled in the middle of our ears. We were able to appreciate the crisp, distinct sound design in a way we never had before.

Acoustic Research AWD510
Price: $250 retail, $200 street
Impressions: We were disappointed that while the earcups appear oversized, they didn't wrap around our ears all the way. So even when the sound localization—our made-up term for how far or close the sounds felt from our ears—may have actually been slightly superior to the Sony model, we wondered why Acoustic Research didn't seal the deal and disconnect us completely from our wives/kids/lives by covering 100% of the ear. On the sound front, the AWD510 had a tinniness that was a real turn-off. It might have been a product of compression: on the other end, the headphones never once roared, and often left us craving more.

Sennheiser RS 130
Price: $170 retail, $110 street
Impressions: See the two headphones above these? They have two things in common. 1. True surround sound capabilities. 2. They run on 2.4ghz radio signals. These Sennheisers are a cheaper alternative, instead supporting SRS (fake 3D sound with only two speakers) and IR (infrared) data streaming. So how big are these compromises?

Actually, the SRS works pretty well. You won't get those a-ha! moments like, say, when Superman flies by the screen and you'd swear his cape is in your face, but there's a lot to say about really good stereo-esque sound attached to your head. It's the IR that's a deal breaker. From the second we put the headphones on our ears, we heard a hiss that never left and occasionally got worse. And it's a shame, because otherwise the headphones sound pretty good, though mid- to low-range speech left a bit to be desired.

Pioneer SE-DHP800
Price:$475 retail, $275 street
Impressions: (We didn't like our picture). There's no doubt, this pair of Pioneer headphones emphasizes clarity. The moment that stuck out most for us was during the space credits, a shattered meteor whizzed by our heads and we could distinguish more pieces, eyes closed, than on any other model. If the Acoustic Research model features good localization, the Pioneers sound even better. The catch? They cheat you out of the low ranges almost completely. And the effect is like eating reduced fat cheese: it seems alright in the first bite, but you're missing a whole dimension of fulfillment. Ultimately, they feel like a headphone experience.

Oh, and these bad boys are infrared as well, but we didn't encounter problems like we did with the Sennheisers (we could only make the sound fail by placing our hands in front of both our ears). As we've found with previous experience, avoid cheap IR headphones...they will probably just disappoint you.

VERDICT: We favor the Sony DS6000, especially since they're cheaper than Pioneer's offerings. From their easy dock charging to their very solid (and best-rounded) listening experience, we wouldn't mind turning off the speakers if it meant we were turning these on.* The Pioneers come in a close second, but felt like surround sound without a subwoofer: technically impressive, but at the end of the day, coming up a bit short on our id factor.

*But buyer beware, the Sony system's powerful radio transmission has occasionally interfered with both our Wi-Fi connection and, surprisingly enough, the clarity of our wireless Xbox LIVE headsets. We still recommend the product, but it's something to keep in mind if you have a small space and heavy Wi-Fi dependence. The Pioneer model should cause no such interferences.

Also of note, Panasonic has an interesting competitive model we were not able to acquire at the time of this testing.

The ARRU449 can handle everything from your DVD player to your DVR to a satellite receiver. Yes, its nice to not have to change the channel or squash the picture to see what's playing elsewhere, or change what the girlfriend is watching to get the latest sports scores, but for $399.99, the girlfriend can go to hell — I'm sticking with my sticky 3-year old remote control.

ACOUSTIC RESEARCH "WI-FI" REMOTE DELIVERS ON-REMOTE GUIDES, NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS INFORMATION

DENVER, September 6, 2007 - Offering a unique combination of sophistication and simplicity, the new Acoustic Research Wi-Fi Universal Remote controls a myriad of entertainment products and uses the home Wi-Fi network to deliver an Electronic Program Guide and personalized news, weather and sports headlines to the color LCD
display. The ARRU449 from Audiovox Accessories, which functions seamlessly without wires and without a computer, will be available in October with a suggested retail price of $399.99

"This innovative Acoustic Research Wi-Fi Remote is perfect for the consumer in a broadband-connected household that is seeking a simple, direct solution for controlling multiple products," said Lou Lenzi, senior vice president, product management, Audiovox Accessories. "Additionally, there is tremendous demand for instant access to the
latest news, sports and weather, and the WiFi remote expediently and efficiently delivers personalized guide information," he added.

The Wi-Fi Universal remote operates as "command central" for controlling a virtually unlimited number of entertainment components including DVRs, DVD players, cable and satellite receivers, DVD recorders, CD players, sound systems and more. When not in use, the remote rests in a custom-designed charging cradle that keeps it ready for operation at all times.

The ARRU449 utilizes the click365™ technology, wireless content and services network developed by tvCompass Inc. The Chicago-based company provides diverse wireless interactive TV and real-time entertainment services for the consumer, Wi-Fi, mobile phone and PDA markets.

The Electronic Program Guide is automatically updated through the remote's wireless Wi-Fi connection, enabling the family to continue watching TV while searching the on-remote screen for optional cable, satellite or analog or digital broadcast programming choices. With individual customization capabilities, the viewer can select from "All
Channels," "My Channels," "My Shows" or sort the guide to display HDTV movies, family or sports programming. Another convenience option is the ability to view program details and set "reminders" for select program times. The viewer is provided with updates through the Wi-Fi connection of national headline news, sports, weather information and program guide listings based on your postal ZIP codes.

As an added convenience, the ARRU449 offers simple device setup right in front of your components with no wired PC connection needed. All you need to know is the brand of component. The Wi-Fi remote offers activities that are simple to set-up for most common usage of a product. For example, commands can be programmed to "Watch DVD", "Watch DVR", "Watch Satellite" with the selection of a soft-key icon navigation on the LCD screen. On-screen assistance for set-up of these functions is also provided.

While delivering highly advanced services, the ARRU449 is extremely consumer friendly. On-screen menus provide "start-up welcome" support that includes essential feature descriptions that serve as a basic tutorial for easy product usage.

Among other advantages, the ARRU449 gives you the best options by providing an extensive library of "smart codes" in the Wi-Fi remote to link together multiple branded products. Since it is a "learning remote," the ARRU449 can easily replicate the functions of all component remote control brands for instant fingertip control.

• Jensen NVX225 - The low end of portable GPS navigators keeps getting lower. This little one with SiRFStar III chip and Navteq data lists for a pretty damn low $249. Wonder what its street price will be?

• Jensen NVX430BT navigator with, yep you guessed it, Bluetooth. Price is TBD, and the product ships this fall.

• Audiovox digital photo frames (DPF) in 7", 8" and 10.4" models ($99 to $199). Standard frames, just like most other China-based manufacturers, but these have clock and calendar software. I'm wondering how beneficial a clock will be in a picture frame, but it's a neat idea. I'd like to see the clock superimposed over my images, though. Not sure if that's possible. Yet.

• Two portable Audiovox 8" DVD players: $199 with iPod iPod dock for video out (no iPhones!), and $149 for DVDs only. These were my favorite pieces of the show (besides the cute remote-start keychain in the gallery). I like the matte black finish, and the 8" screen looked decent. The iPod dock does DivX and has a USB jack too.

• Model ARE05 noise-isolating earbuds for $79, about middle of the pack, price wise, and looked fairly decent. Of course, I didn't stick them in my ears.

• The priciest announcements were in the wireless headphone category, where the 2.1 AWD210 set lists for $199, and the AWD510 5.1 surround wireless headphones list for $349; both use 2.4GHz RF, rather than the previous Acoustic Research wireless headphones that used 900MHz technology.

Acoustic Research Shows Off Wireless 5.1 Speaker Package [Electronic House]

It might be good sport to pick out a variety of fake clocks, candle holders, books and sconces for the speakers, and complement those with a vase or a trunk to disguise that sub. Maybe put a pair of those Groucho Marx glasses on another. I know a few gals who would really dig this whole idea. Check out the gallery below for the full collection. – Charlie White

Hide Speakers in Books, Vases, Planters and More [Electronic House] Thanks, Rachel!

Looks unique and expensive, but it's just $199 including a remote. Available in February. – Charlie White

Press Release [Acoustic Research]