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Tips to Properly Care for In-Ear Headphones

by Penny Lane on April 5, 2012

Velodyne's vPulse In-ear Headphone

Personal audio products are invaluable to many of us who can’t live without our music. When I run long distances, nothing keeps me more motivated than invigorating songs. I am fortunate that my current set of earbuds have been with me for over a year, so I haven’t experienced much downtime. Time and time again, I hear of friends complaining that their earphones from all price ranges have stopped working, sometimes after only a few months. Some choose to stick with cheaper brands and go through them like crazy, not thinking twice about tossing them out for a new pair. This practice can become expensive over time. It is ideal to keep them in good working order for as long as possible, especially if you splurged on a pricier set. Here are some tips to keep in mind to give your earphones the best possible chance at a longer life.

The vPulse comes with a handy case to protect your earphones

Keep them in a case when not in use. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy, or even specifically for earphones. The goal is to prevent exposure to debris. A roomy pouch or sack that will prevent the cord from getting crimped, caught or tangled is ideal. Avoid stuffing them into your pants pocket, which is very popular, as excessive rubbing and pulling could damage the cord.
Treat them gently. It seems the most common method of “caring” for earphones – which I don’t recommend – is to wrap the cord around iPods or other listening devices. In general, try to avoid tightly wrapping or folding the cord, and unplug it from your listening device. When unplugging the cord, grasp the plug rather than pull on the cord.
Replace foam covers from time to time. Some earphones have foam that covers the earbud that is inserted into your ear canal. This material can break down over time and is not meant to last forever. Fortunately, these covers are very inexpensive to replace.
Keep them away from water. Submerging your earphones or holding them under running water generally won’t end well. Just sayin’.
Keep them clean. Dirt, oils and earwax may interfere with listening quality. There are different cleaning methods recommended depending on your specific type of earphone, but a soft cloth with a dab of rubbing alcohol should safely remove any debris from your earbud. If your earbuds come with removable parts, such as a silicone cover, cleaning these occasionally will prevent buildup as well.

If your earphones have stopped working, try cleaning them before you give up on them and move on to another pair. Otherwise, check your warranty information to see if you are eligible for a replacement.

How do you store your earphones when not in use? If you have any other recommendations for general care or tips for prolonging the life of in-ear headphones we’d love to hear them!

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Rock out and Win $500! vPulse Photo Contest

by admin on March 2, 2012

We’re overwhelmed by the positive responses to our very first foray into mobile audio, the vPulse in-ear headphones. From customer vPulse reviews to professional vPulse reviews, it seems like we’re on the right track. While the details of our upcoming projects are still under wraps, we can say that more exciting things are in the works.

Since so many of you love the vPulse, we want to see how you rock it. Velodyne is offering a $500 cash prize for the best user-submitted photo of someone wearing the vPulse in a way that makes us go, “Wow!!” We want to see you guys get crazy for the camera. You can submit your photo via our Facebook Contest app any time between now and the end of April. After that, a panel of Velodyne judges will select finalists. Once our finalists have been announced, the public will have a chance to vote and decide which wild and crazy photo deserves the $500 grand prize.

If you’re interested in taking your shot at the cash, have a look at our Rock Out and Win 500! vPulse Photo Contest Details. Submit your photo using the Facebook Contest app.

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March 2012 Velodyne.com event: Buy an Impact 10 and a set of vPulse is included

by admin on March 2, 2012

There’s a spring in our step at Velodyne headquarters. The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining, and the fresh March air is invigorating. We’re passing on the good mood to Velodyne fans with not one, but TWO events going on through the month of March. In addition to the two-month vPulse photo contest, we’re including a very special gift with your purchase of an Impact-10: a set of vPulse in the color of your choosing! (Limit one per household; read promotion details.)

Has spring sprung in your neck of the woods yet?

Admin note: This promotion is no longer in effect. Please visit Velodyne.com to learn about current promotions.

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3 inventions that changed personal audio forever

by AudiOdysseus on February 29, 2012

Velodyne has just thrown its proverbial hat into the arena of personal audio products. The incredible reception to vPulse is exceeding all of our expectations. And as we gear up for some amazing new releases in the near future, our brains are filled with visions of technology that may have seemed like an impossible dream 100 years ago. But we’ve become so accustomed to technology in our daily lives that it sometimes loses its zing. It’s almost impossible to remember life without it.

How did this evolution happen? Pondering the history of personal audio has started some great conversation in the hallways of Velodyne, as well as blissful reminiscing about the good old days.

A set of antique Nathaniel Baldwin headphones

The Invention of headphones

Born in 1878, Nathaniel Baldwin was a natural tinkerer and inventor throughout his life. He was also a devout Mormon and reportedly, grew frustrated when he couldn’t hear Mormon sermons over the noise of the crowds at the vast Salt Lake Tabernacle. Baldwin began experimenting with sound amplification , which led to the invention of the first modern headphones in 1910. Baldwin sold his invention to the U.S. Navy. His headphones were made by hand in his kitchen and, despite the Navy’s suggestion; he never patented his invention because he considered it to be trivial.

It’s not incidental that his imagined headphones were first thought of as a way to block out crowd noise. Workers and soldiers have long used them to mute the din of machines or artillery while receiving one-way orders from someone with a microphone.

Baldwin eventually started the Baldwin Radio Company. He became quite wealthy and used his success to help support the post-manifesto polygamous movement in the 1920s. Many officers in his company were leading polygamists who assisted in creating the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Baldwin himself actually only married once. Sadly, this celebrated genius was bankrupt by 1924 and impoverished when he died in 1961.

That last part had nothing to do with headphones, but I found it interesting.

The first audio cassette player

No way...I was just listening to that song in my car!

The idea for this product came from Masaru Ibuka, the founder of Sony. He challenged Sony engineer Nobutoshi Kihara to come up with a simple, playback-only stereo version of the small Pressman tape recorder. Kihara certainly met that challenge.

The first Walkman model was unveiled on June 22, 1979. Journalists were invited to Yoyogi (a major park in Tokyo) and given a Walkman to wear. They listened to an explanation of the product in stereo while Sony staff members carried out various demonstrations, including a young man and woman listening to a Walkman while riding on a tandem bicycle. Many journalists predicted the product would never take off since it didn’t include a recording device.

In 1986 the name Walkman was included in the Oxford English Dictionary. By 1995, the total production of Walkman units reached 150 million and over 300 different models have been produced.

A single product that changes the course of music, media, and entertainment

On October 23, 2001 Apple publicly announced the introduction of their iPod line. The initial reaction was somewhat hostile because of the $400 price tag, the unconventional scroll wheel, and the lack of Windows compatibility. It was only a few months later that Apple introduced iTunes, the first legal way for the public to download music. It was the perfect companion to the iPod. A decade later, the iPod is a household name along with a small army of other gadgets attached to its legacy.

The iPod was named by Vinnie Chieco, a freelance copywriter who was called by Apple for advice on how to introduce the player to the public. After seeing the prototype, Chieco thought of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and the phrase “Open the pod bay door, Hal,” which refers to the white EVA Pods of the Discovery One spaceship. Chieco saw an analogy to the relationship between the spaceship and the smaller independent pods and the relationship between a personal computer and the music player.

At the unveiling of the iPod in California, Steve Jobs told journalists; “No one has found the recipe yet for digital music. And we think not only can we find the recipe, but we think the Apple brand is going to be fantastic, because people trust the Apple brand to get their great digital electronics from…we’re introducing a product today that takes us exactly there, and that product is called iPod.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

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vPulse Review and Specials

by admin on February 14, 2012

Happy Velodyne’s Day, everyone! We’re still celebrating with an extra-special promo: [promotion] Head on over to Velodyne.com, add 2 sets of vPulse to your cart, enter the promo code BEMYVELODYNE, and [promotion]. Tomorrow’s the last day for this event, so don’t miss out if you’ve been eyeing these in-ear headphones.

Admin note: This promotion is no longer in effect. Please visit Velodyne.com to learn about current promotions.

If you want to learn a little more about the vPulse, TechKings has an in-depth review of the vPulse. Make sure to click through to all three pages to see what they have to say. Here’s a preview:

Velodyne’s first attempt at in-ear headphones was a success: prominent bass response while maintaining clarity over the entire frequency range. A very durable yet stylish aluminum design coupled with flatwire ‘vPulse’ cord technology ensure the headphones will last a lifetime. [...] I look forward to the next line of ear buds and I can’t wait to see what features Velodyne will come up with in the future.” Read more…

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Be Our Velodyne! vPulse special at Velodyne.com

by admin on February 9, 2012

Love is in the air at Velodyne! To celebrate the most romantic of holidays, Velodyne.com is offering two sets of vPulse in-ear headphones for the price of one–so you’ll have a pair for yourself and one for someone you love. Just put two units of vPulse in your cart (any colors), go to your shopping cart, and enter promo code BEMYVELODYNE before checkout to take advantage of this event. Unlike true love, this promotion won’t last forever; the promo code expires after February 15th.

Selected promo details (see promotion detail page for more):

Limit one free pair of vPulse per household.

Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers; this promotion only applies to vPulse headphones purchased at full retail price.

Offer valid only on orders placed February 6th through February 15th (PST).

Admin note: This promotion is no longer in effect. Please visit Velodyne.com to learn about current promotions.

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The Perfect Hump Day Playlist

by TheBenevolentSiren on February 8, 2012

Note: You can find this and all my other playlists on Spotify by using the post titles as search terms.

It’s Hump Day! Are you dragging? Need some RADICAL TUNES to pump you up and get you through the rest of the week? Here’s a list of jams that are currently putting a pep in my proverbial step.

“Big Machine” by the Goo Goo Dolls
“People, Running” by Jack’s Mannequin
“Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon
“Paradise” by Coldplay
“Baba O’Riley” by The Who
“Mad Season” by Matchbox Twenty
“This Love” by Maroon 5
“Shake it Out” by Florence + the Machine
“Ooh La La” by Goldfrapp
“Sail” by AWOLNATION
“Sing Out” by The Grand Magnolias

And if you need a new pair of in-ear headphones to rock out at work, there’s a 2-for-1 sale on vPulse at Velodyne.com in celebration of Valentine’s Day with promo code BEMYVELODYNE (1 per household; see promotion details). Because if there’s one thing I love more than music, it’s free stuff.

-Benevolent Siren

Admin note: This promotion is no longer in effect. Please visit Velodyne.com to learn about current promotions.

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The Perfect 30-Minute Cardio Workout Playlist

by TheBenevolentSiren on January 20, 2012

Note: You can find this and all my other playlists on Spotify by using the post titles as search terms.

Hi there! I’m the Benevolent Siren, and I’m going to be a regular columnist here on Velodyne’s blog. If you want to know more about me, feel free to read my bio. I’m thrilled to be sharing my thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams with all you Velodyne fans. (Actually, it’ll be mostly music/audio talk, but I’ll probably slip a few hopes and dreams in there now and again.)

Now that we’ve been introduced, I’d like to share my formula for the PERFECT playlist for a 30-minute cardio workout. Assuming each song is about 3-4 minutes long, it’ll take about 10 perfectly-chosen songs to guide you through your workout without missing a beat. After all, pushing yourself is all about mind over matter, and as long as there’s music on your mind, fatigue won’t matter!

Songs 1-2: Upbeat, Dance-y and Cheerful (Sample song: I Like It Like That by Hot Chelle Rae): Welcome to your workout! The first few songs in your playlist should ease you in with a fun and bouncy track, reminding you that exercise can be fun even before your endorphins kick in. Warm up with a pop song with a catchy melody, like Hot Chelle Rae’s “I Like It Like That,” and before you know it you’re dancing down the track (or treadmill, or trail, or whatever).

Songs 3-5: Badass and Bass-Heavy (Sample songs: SexyBack by Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland, How We Do by The Game): Now that you’re warmed up, it’s time to start taking yourself—and your workout—seriously. You’ve taken the time out to do something great for yourself, and you deserve to feel like a freaking badass doing it! Dominate your workout with pumped up, ego-boosting songs like SexyBack by Justin Timberlake or How We Do by The Game. Make sure songs 3-5 hit hard with the bass, so the music resonates throughout your whole body and keeps you going strong. A good rule of thumb: the more the bass kicks, the more you’ll kick ass!

Songs 6-8: Motivational and Fast-Paced (Sample songs: My Body by Young The Giant, Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO)

LMFAO works out--and if you do too, they've got some sweet tracks to keep you moving.

Getting tired? Must be time for songs 6-8. Any good workout will have its tough moments, and that’s when you need your tunes to take over and push you through with flying colors. Pay attention to the lyrics when selecting these songs; the right track can act as your personal trainer singing motivation right into your ear. For example, “My body tells me “NO”//But I won’t quit//’Cause I want more” (My Body, Young the Giant) or “I wanna see you move” (Chris Cox Britney Spears Megamix) or “I work out!” (Sexy & I Know It, LMFAO).

Song 9: Your Favorite, Fastest-Paced Song! (Sample song: Drop by the Ying Yang Twins, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana)

Now that you’re nearing the end of your workout, it’s time to pull out all the stops and throw your blood, sweat and tears into the next three minutes. This is the last song before cool-down, so dig deep and enjoy the endorphins you’ve worked so hard for. This is the place for your most motivational, fastest-paced, hardcore-to-the-max song, and I’m betting you already know what it is. For me, it’s Magic by B.O.B. feat. Rivers Cuomo, because by this time in my run I’ve proved to myself once again that I do, in fact, have the magic in me. Some other great choices are Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, Till The World Ends by Britney Spears, or Bangarang by Skrillex feat. Sirah.

Song 10: Moderately-Paced and Feel-Good (Sample song: Good Feeling by Flo Rida)

Good job! You’ve made it to the cool-down, but the workout’s not over yet, and neither is your playlist. You owe it to yourself to finish your workout on a high note, so choose a track that makes you feel amazing about yourself and your accomplishments. That said, this song should be a little mellower than your previous tracks. Bring your heart-rate down with a laid-back hip hop song like Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z if that’s your jam, or choose something more literal like Good Feeling by Flo Rida. Either way, ride that “good feeling” all the way to the end.

Phew! I pumped myself up writing this, so I’m going to go work out some energy on a run. Here’s the playlist I just made for myself following these guidelines, and I can’t wait to pop in my vPulse earphones and test it out. It’s about 37 minutes long, which gives me leeway to skip a song or two in my 30-minute run if I’m not feeling a particular track at the moment it comes on. Feel free to borrow from it:

1. Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae
2. Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
3. I’m Really Hot by Missy Elliot
4. SexyBack by Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland
5. Drop by the Ying Yang Twins
6. Chris Cox Britney Spears Megamix
7. Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO
8. My Body by Young The Giant
9. Magic by B.O.B. feat. River Cuomo
10. Young, Wild and Free by Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg

Happy workout!

-Benevolent Siren

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Types of Headphones: An Overview

by admin on January 19, 2012

There are a lot of terms to describe different kinds of headphones: Bluetooth, noise canceling, in-ear, earbuds, earphones, on-ear, over-ear, studio…and sometimes it’s hard to keep track of what each of them really mean. That’s why we’ve assembled a short glossary of terms to help you keep them all straight! Without further ado:

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that connects portable devices using short-length radio waves.

Bluetooth headphones are often used with stereo Bluetooth-ready phones & computers. Bluetooth is a relatively short-range transmission method, allowing connection between devices up to about 30 feet apart. Some wireless headphones, however, can transmit longer distances and can be used anywhere in the home or office.

In-Ear or Ear Bud Headphones

The vPulse in-ear headphones from Velodyne are compatible with most iDevices, allowing you to easily switch between calls and music.

In-ear headphones offer great sound in a small, lightweight, and portable package. They are excellent for on-the-go cell phone and music listening.

In-ear headphones (also called in-ear monitors, IEM, earphones, ear canal headphones, ear buds, and canal-phones) are small earphones that fit into and seal the ear canal. In-ear headphones are commonly used by pro performers to monitor sound mixes; this prevents possible feedback from stage monitors and isolates the artist from audience noise.

The Velodyne vPulse in-ear headphones fit snug in the ear canal and thus provide the best isolation and reduction of ambient noise. In-ear headphones help to ensure safe listening levels since they block ambient sounds so thoroughly you won’t have to turn the music up loud just to overcome noisy environments. The vPulse come with a variety of different sizes / types of eartip sleeves; it’s important to experiment to find the tip that works best for you. To get solid bass from in-ear headphones it is CRITICAL that you have a securely tight eartip seal within your ear canal. The Velodyne in-ear headphones, like most in-ear headphones, are efficient enough to work well directly out of an iPod or portable player without necessitating a headphone amp.

About Studio Headphones

Studio headphones fit comfortably over your ear for an immersive listening experience.

Studio headphones are full size headphones which fit completely around the ear for a rich and sensual sound experience.

Full size headphones may be open-back, closed, wireless or noise-canceling types. Generally speaking, full size headphones are the most comfortable to wear for listening around the home or office, but they are often too large for portable use. Some are easily powered and will reach satisfactory volume and sound quality direct from an iPod/iPhone, computer or portable player without the need for a headphone amp. Studio headphones will typically fit all the way around the ear (circumaural) and work best with home stereo equipment and/or headphone amps. All professional, high-end and audiophile full size headphones should be driven with a dedicated headphone amplifier for best acoustic performance.

What are Closed Headphones?

Closed headphones, aka sealed or closed-back headphones, have an enclosed, non-vented earpiece to most effectively block out ambient noise. Closed headphones are often used by DJs.

Closed headphones, also known as sealed headphones, have a solid-backed earcup construction preventing noise from leaking into or out of the headphone. Closed headphones block ambient noise and also prevent those nearby from hearing your music. Closed-back designs may be either full size (circumaural) or earpad (supra-aural) types, and all noise canceling headphones are also closed-back. Audio professionals such as DJs and location recordists – and also portable listeners — will often choose closed headphones. The sound quality of closed cans has continuously improved in recent years and some can now compete directly with the top open-back headphones.

About On-Ear Headphones

Also known as ‘supra-aural’ headphones, on-ear headphones have earpieces that will gently rest on the earlobes.

Earpad — or ‘on-ear’ — headphones are available in open, closed, and noise canceling types, and can vary greatly in size. On-ear headphones come in both open and closed-back earcup designs. They usually have a standard over-the-head headband (some fold for compact transport or storage), but earpad headphones can also be behind the neck or clip-on types as well. Closed back or sealed earpad headphones can isolate from some mild ambient noise, but typically not as well as closed-back studio, full size headphones.

The Headset

This Bluetooth headset allows you to talk hands-free.

Headset headphones let you talk while you listen with a built-in microphone. Compatible with iPhones & other cell phones, headsets include all types of headphones including Bluetooth, wired, full-size, and earbud style.

Headsets are designed to let you listen AND talk, and are commonly used with cell phones. There are many different types of headsets: wired mono (one earpiece) and stereo (two earpieces) headsets, earpad headsets, in-ear headsets, full size closed headsets, Bluetooth headsets, USB headsets and more. You can also turn any pair of headphones into a headset by adding a headset adapter with a microphone.

Noise Canceling Headphones and How They Work

Noise canceling headphones are designed to insulate you from outside noise by using ‘active’ battery-powered electronics.

Noise canceling headphones use tiny built-in microphones in the earpieces to sense ambient noise around the headphones with an active (battery powered) electronic circuit that amplifies and inverts those signals, then adds them into the music signal to ‘cancel’ the acoustic noise pressure present at the earpieces. Noise canceling headphones are designed primarily to block airline/train cabin noise during travel and usually isolate sound better than a basic closed headphone.

Clip-On or Wing-Style Headphones for Activity

Clip-on headphones, or ear-clip headphones, are designed to stay in place during physical activity.

Clip-on headphones and wing adaptions stay secure on the ear for listening while you are in motion. They are lightweight and compact, and you’ll be able to stay aware of your surroundings while running or walking. Waterproof styles are available for swimming. The clip-on style headphones will usually fit under a skateboard or bicycle helmet.

Now that you’re armed with knowledge, you can make an informed decision about which headphone type is perfect for you. Happy listening!

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