Sony is launching its fifth model of noise canceling headphones with a new lightweight design that reduces weight from the headband and earpieces by placing the battery pack onto the cord of the headphone. The Sony MDR-NC40 has an open air design that distributes pressure evenly across the outer ear, and the soft, pressure-reducing urethane cushioning prevents user fatigue during long trips.

Available in March for about $100, these noise canceling headphones fold into a case the size of a softball to fit easily in your carry-on bag or briefcase.

Sony is updating its flagship EX series of earbud headphones with a new reference standard, the MDR-EX700LP model. These feature lightweight magnesium housings, an exclusive 16mm multilayer diaphragm for reproducing your audio with balance and clarity, and seven sizes of silicone earbuds to give users a more comfortable and secure fit. This model will be available in March for about $300 but a similar model, the MDR-EX700SL, is currently imported via AudioCubes.com for $299.

Specifications:
► Frequency response: 04Hz ~ 28kHz
► Nominal impedance: 16Ω
► Sensitivity: 108dB/mW
► Power handling: 200mW

Sony updated its Blu-ray disc player line today with two new models, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550. Both models support Bonus View and BD-Live interactive features, include USB connectivity for external storage, AVCHD discs encoded support, 1080p HDMI, DVD upscaling to 1080p and HD audio processing for Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital plus. The BDP-S550 adds DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

Sony's BDP-S350 ships this summer for about $400 and BDP-S550 will be available this fall for about $500.

Yamaha has launched five new A/V receivers from 5.1 to 7.2-channel. This product line comprises the HTR-6130 ($229), HTR-6140 ($349), HTR-6150 ($449), HTR-6160 ($549) and the HTR-6180 ($999).

The low-end HTR-6130 (5x 100W) incorporates 192kHz/24-bit DACs and HDMI switching with 1080p video pass-through while the Yamaha HTR-6140 (5x 105W) offers 1080p-compatible HDMI, Burr-Brown DACs, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready and YPAO sound optimization. The HTR-6150 (7x 90W) is the 7.1-ch. version of the HTR-6140 which adds multi room capability.

Flagship models, HTR-6150 (7x 95W) and HTR-6160 (7x 105W) are fully compatible High-Definition with Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and include full HD 1080p HDMI. The HTR-6160 also includes analog video (480i or 480p) upscaling to full HD 1080p and HD Radio digital broadcast reception capability.

Other common features are a built-in AM/FM tuner and iPod/Bluetooth compatibility via Yamaha's optional Dock.

Yamaha has recently launched a few home theater in a box systems in its YHT series, after the YHT-390 an YHT-590, there are the YHT-690 and YHT-790, priced at $649.95 and $849.95, respectively. Both systems come with the HTR-6140 receiver which boasts 5.1 channels (105 watts x 5), Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs, Dolby Digital/Dolby Pro Logic II/DTS decoding, 1080p-compatible HDMI, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility via Yamaha's Docks.

The speakers systems delivers the same powers but are different for each system, the YHT-690 employs "regular" speakers with a 100W subwoofer while has flat speakers and a 130W subwoofer with advanced YST II and FD-Bass technology. Also Yamaha's YHT-690 includes a DVD player (DV-S6160) compatible DivX, MP3 and JPEG. It supports USB storage devices and features video up-conversion and HDMI connectivity.

The YHT-390 (pictured) and YHT-590 are the latest entry-level 5.1-channel home theater in a box (HTiB) systems to be introduced by Yamaha. Both models are equipped with the HTR-6130 A/V receiver which features 600W of power (including subwoofer), HDMI switching with 1080p video pass through, 192kHz/24-bit DACs, Dolby Pro Logic/Dolby Pro Logic II/DTS audio decoding, iPod compatibility and built-in FM/AM tuner with 40 presets.

The main difference between these two HTiBs are the speakers, the YHT-590 comes with different speakers along with the new YST-FSW050 down-Firing subwoofer. Price for the YHT-390 is $399.95 while the YHT-590 is priced at $549.95.

Yamaha released an interesting Bluetooth dock, the YBA-10. This wireless audio receiver that lets you connect to your compatible Yamaha's receiver, supports A2DP audio streaming within a range of 10m from any Bluetooth device such as mobile phones, MP3 players, computers, etc. No word on pricing or availability at this time.

Amazon.com offers a great deal, for only $899.95 purchase the Yamaha HTR-6080BL A/V receiver and get a free Thorens TD185 turntable.

The Yamaha HTR-6080BL is a 7.1-channel digital home theater receiver with 840 Watts of maximum power, it features Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs, HDMI I/O (1.2a) with video up-scaling to 720p/1080i.The Thorens TD185 is a drive belt turntable with 3 play speeds (33, 45 and 78 rpm), it comes with an OM-10 phono cartridge, removeable headshell, and dust cover.

Kenwood Japan will start shipping on February 29th will sold only 50 units of these high-end stereo systems, the Kseries Silver Limited (Sound Meister Edition), which combines the R-K1 CD receiver with the LS-K1000-B speakers.

The receiver has a special 11mm thick aluminium faceplate for this special series along with a high-gloss black finish for the LS-K1000-B speakers. Other features include an output power up to 2x 45W into 4Ω, built-in AM/FM tuner, Wolfson WM8740 D/A converters, Supreme EX tone quality technology to enhance sound quality and the price of this high-end thing is about $2,000.

Audio-Technica has released in Japan the ATH-SJ1 for only $25. These cheap headphones were developed for personal use or DJ monitoring with rotatable ear cups for one-ear listening. Also this lightweight model features a pair of large 36mm driver units to provide powerful bass.

Specifications:
► Frequency response: 15Hz ~ 22kHz
► Nominal impedance: 35Ω
► Sensitivity: 104dB/mW
► Power handling: 500mW