XtremeMac, Future Sonics to develop new earphones

XtremeMac and Future Sonics haved announced a joint agreement to develop and market advanced consumer earphones and earphone products. These products will combine XtremeMac's brand awareness and distribution channels in the digital multimedia and consumer electronics markets with Future Sonics' focus on the professional audio, sound reinforcement and musical instrument markets. The first product to be released will feature newly developed technologies for high-quality audio in a new earphone. (The companies did not say when the product would be released.) Future Sonics Ears ($100), currently available, offers 20MHz-20KHz response, AND (Ambient Noise Technology), and other features.

The companies say that these products will feature co-branding of both companies by using the 'Powered by Future Sonics' badge under the XtremeMac brand. "The enhanced audio earphone market is significant. Combining our brand with audio pioneer Future Sonics will put us at the top of a rapidly growing segment."

XtremeMac says it will leverage its large share and visibility within the iPod accessories market, along with its prominent placement with Apple retail stores, other US retailers, and a network of authorized resellers.

"We feel very strongly that XtremeMac is the appropriate teammate and an excellent vehicle for our designs and technologies," reports Marty Garcia, president of Future Sonics. "We have worked very long and hard to respond to the input we have received from consumers who have discovered our products for use with their iPods, laptops and home studios as well as our professional musicians, engineers and broadcasters."

Under the terms of the agreement, XtremeMac will exclusively market and distribute new products developed in cooperation with Future Sonics and using their proprietary technologies. For Future Sonics, this partnership follows several successful OEM product offerings in the professional audio market with companies, such as Sennheiser, Crest and others.

Filed under: iPod, industry