Audiophile Brands Extend Their Reach Through High-Volume Headphone Partnerships

Headphone announcements last week show high-end audio companies extending their reach with high-volume partners. LG extended its relationship with Meridian Audio on a trio of Bluetooth 5.0 wireless headsets in its Tone lineup. The Meridian hi-fi solution brings audio improvements to the line, LG said. A composite diaphragm inside the speaker unit is said to produce clarity in high and low ranges for a more detailed and balanced sound. Treble is reproduced by a high-strength metal layer; a plastic layer provides “deep bass,” LG said. A fast-charging battery delivers up to three hours’ use from a 10-minute charge. Dual mics are said to make phone calls more audible in noisy environments. The HBS-XL7 Tone Flex ($149) with EQ by Meridian, has a 32-bit hi-fi digital-to-analog converter and Google Assistant button; the $129 HBS-SL6S Tone Style comes with an external speaker that allows users to make phone calls or listen to music without the earbuds; and the $99 HBS-SL5 Tone Style, like the SL6, offers eight hours’ playtime. The collaboration is an extension of the companies’ relationship beyond wireless speakers and sound bars, said Tim Alessi, LG head-home entertainment product marketing. Master & Dynamic, meanwhile, said select Verizon Wireless stores in San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, Nashville and Charlotte -- along with verizonwireless.com -- will carry its MW07 true wireless earphones ($199), MW65 active noise-canceling wireless over-ear headphones ($499), and the MW50+ 2-in-1 wireless over-ear headphones ($349).