Simon Cowell Teams Up With Sony To Create X Headphones For The True Music Lover

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony today unveiled the X Headphones in collaboration with Syco Entertainment, a global joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.  Combining Simon Cowell's expertise seeking perfection in music with Sony's legendary audio engineering, the new X Headphones offer music lovers the truest sound reproduction along with the utmost in style and quality.

Sony has always been committed to extraordinary sound performance and together with Simon Cowell, Sony sound engineers were able to deliver an unprecedented level of audio performance to match Cowell's high level of excellence for finding the right sound and style.

"I chose to make a set of headphones with Sony because I simply wanted something better than what is in the market today," said Cowell.  "I've tried all of them, literally every single one. Sony and I set out to create the best headphone in the world.  We are absolutely blown away by these. With the X headphones, it's like being in the recording studio when the records are made. The sound is that clear."

"Our X Headphones are for the true listeners, the music fanatics who share Sony's uncompromising passion for music and precision in sound," said Andrew Sivori, vice president of the Personal Audio Division at Sony Electronics. "Created by Sony and Simon Cowell, the new X Headphones deliver an amazing listening experience wrapped up in a cutting-edge design for the ultimate in self-expression."

Rich and Powerful Sound

The premium X Headphones were engineered with an enhanced acoustic configuration for a high level of noise isolation and exceptional bass response.  Featuring precision 50mm drivers, they deliver a rich, full-range audio experience that's ideal for all popular music genres.

With their pressure-relieving memory foam ear pads, the X Headphones conform to each listener's unique ear shape, providing a highly effective acoustic seal.  Besides reinforcing the headphones' powerful sub-bass reproduction capability, the ear pads deliver a supportive, wrap-around feel, ideal for long-term wearing comfort.

Head-Turning Design

The X Headphones were designed to look as great as they perform.  Sporting aluminum headbands, swivel mechanisms and end caps, they project an image that's as strong and solid as their sound.

Their dual folding style allows the user to swivel the noise isolating ear pads for listening flexibility, as well as conveniently fold the headphones for hassle-free portability.  Once folded, they easily slip into their included carrying case.

Featuring grooved serrations on its surface, the X Headphones' detachable cord provides an innovative design that eliminates friction between cable surfaces, reducing the incidence of frustrating tangles.  For iPod®, iPhone® and iPad® users, the X Headphones include an Apple® 3-button control with a microphone, track, and volume control functionality.

The X FACTOR

The new X headphones will be showcased at the star-studded premiere event of THE X FACTOR in Los Angeles on September 11.  As the official headphone partner of THE X FACTOR, the new X Headphones will be seen in episodes throughout the season as well as featured in a key in-show integration.

Pricing and Availability

The X Headphones will be available September 10, 2012 at Sony Stores online at http://store.sony.com, in Sony Stores from September 15^th, and other authorized retailers nationwide by the end of the month for $299. For images and information, please visit www.sony.com/news.

Please visit www.sony.com/XHeadphones or Follow #SonyX on Twitter for the latest X Headphone news. Please also stay tuned to the Sony Blog for up-coming opportunities to win your own X Headphones.

SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

Syco Entertainment is a leading global music, television, film and digital production company. Syco is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, with offices in London and Los Angeles. Syco's television and music assets include leading global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent, as well as artists as diverse as One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Cher Lloyd, Il Divo, Labrinth, Loveable Rogues and Jonathan & Charlotte, Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcick, Chris Rene, Astro, Rachel Crow and Marcus Canty.

The X Factor launched in 2004 in the UK. Airing on ITV1, The X Factor has been the No 1 show in the UK for eight years, with the 2010 finale achieving a peak of 21.2 million viewers, and a 65% share. The 2011 finale, held at Wembley Arena in front of a live audience of 12,000, was the most watched entertainment TV show of the year. The X Factor launched in the US in the fall of 2011 on Fox, immediately becoming the No 1 unscripted show of the season. The X Factor also gave Fox victory in the November sweep among adults aged 18 to 49 for only the second time in the network's history. The US version airs in 166 countries. Local versions of The X Factor are now produced in more than 41 territories and artists discovered by The X Factor format have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 110 No 1's, 270 Top 10 records, and 501 Top 50 releases.

Got Talent launched in the USA in 2006, as America's Got Talent. In the US, America's Got Talent has been the highest rated series on NBC for the last four seasons, reaching average audiences of up to 16.4 million viewers. The US version airs in 177 countries. Britain's Got Talent launched in the UK in 2007, and was the nation's highest-rated new entertainment programme of the year. The 2012 series final which saw Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey the dog triumph, had a peak audience of 14.5 million making it the highest rated UK entertainment television show to date this year. Local versions of the show have been produced in 54 territories so far, with the 2011 final of China's Got Talent delivering a record-breaking 60 million viewers.

About Sony Electronics

Headquartered in San Diego, Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service.

Sony is noted for a wide range of consumer audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA® LCD and 3D high-definition televisions, Cyber-shot® digital camera, Handycam® camcorder and Walkman® personal stereo. Sony is also an innovator in the IT arena with its VAIO® personal computers; and in high-definition professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD and CineAlta™ lines of cameras and camcorders, and the SXRD™ 4K digital projector. The latest news and information is available at www.sony.com/news.

SOURCE Sony Electronics