Dolby Launches $599 Headphones With Ambient Sound Control for Video Streaming

Dolby began selling from its website its $599 Bluetooth headphones designed to improve the streaming video experience. Called Dolby Dimension, they are designed to let viewers control how much of their surroundings they hear from “transparency” to “shutting out the world,” it said. In a Wednesday news release, CEO Kevin Yeaman said the headphones are designed to eliminate “volume rodeos,” where consumers have to turn volume up and down so they don’t disturb others or turn on subtitles to hear soft dialogue. Features include LifeMix, which controls the amount of outside sound heard; cinematic sound, designed to provide an immersive experience; and one-touch switching, which toggles among Bluetooth sources. The Dolby Dimension app, for iOS and Android platforms, lets users adjust LifeMix, virtualization and head tracking and to manage paired devices. The headphones come with a power base for charging. The Dolby site says beamforming mics provide clarity for calls, and users can choose to take calls or activate Siri or Google Assistant. A chat agent said users press and hold the headphones’ control plate for a few seconds when connected to a Siri- or Google Assistant-enabled mobile device for an experience that’s like using the mic on a smartphone or tablet. A video promoting the headphones didn’t demo the voice feature. Dolby is offering a 30-day in-home trial of Dimension and will refund the original price paid -- and pay for return shipping -- if a customer isn’t satisfied. The company didn't respond to questions.