Since 1972 Polk Audio has made a serious name for itself with its home and automobile speakers. Now, some 40 years later, the company continues to make strides with its range of audio products, including noise-reduction and noise-canceling headphones, as well as sports headphones.
This year, the company looked to expand its headphone selection to 10 models, including the first three headphones from Polk Audio designed for use with Android Smartphones, as well as a new noise-canceling headphone featuring a hands-free microphone and in-line Apple controls.
The new in-ear 6000i line of noise-canceling headphones, which are available in multiple colors, have just been released for $149. This line provides the same features as the noise-canceling 6000, but adds a microphone and in-line Apple control for iOS devices including the iPhone and iPod, allowing users play/pause, fast-forward/rewind, stop, and answer/hang up on phone calls.
The headphones also offer a talk-through feature that allows users to mute the music, defeat noise cancellation and amplify external sounds to make it easier to talk to someone without taking the headphone off. To escape those ambient sounds, the 6000i offers active noise cancellation that promises to greatly reduce external noise levels – the function can even remain active when used to take calls, if desired.
On the Android side of things, Polk Audio has introduced three new versions of the UltraFit in-ear headphones. The $69 UltraFit 100a features an in-line three-button remote control and microphone and two tangle-free, planar audio cables which terminate with a standard 3.5mm connector. It is available in black/red or white/gray and includes a 14-inch cable, three pairs of StayFit silicone tips and a vented protective case.
The $69 UltraFit 2000a features the same controls, along with a tangle-free planar cable, “airframe” design and reflective wraparound headband (perfect for joggers!). This model is available in black/red and white/orange with zippered protective case, one pair of silicone ear pads, two pair foam ear pads and one pair of cold-weather shearling ear pads.
Finally, the step up $99 UltraFit 3000a in-ear headphone offers two tangle-free planar cables, and is available in black/red, white/gray and white/orange with a zippered, vented protective case. It has an extra long 41-inch cable plus 14-inch cable, and comes with three pairs of StayFit silicone tips, two pairs of StayFit three-flange silicone tips and three pairs of memory-foam tips.