Philips Unveils Lightning-Based Fidelio NC1L Noise Canceling Headphones With No Need for Batteries

philips_fidelio_nc1lPhilips today added to its lineup of Lightning-equipped headphones with the new Fidelio NC1L. Similar to its predecessor the Fidelio M2L, the NC1L headphones use a 24-bit digital to analog converter to provide high-quality audio playback.

As detailed by The Verge, the Fidelio NC1L headphones plug directly into the Lightning port, providing a direct digital connection to the phone and a power supply for the headphone's onboard noise cancellation technology. The Lightning connector power allows Philips to provide a valuable feature like noise cancellation without requiring the additional bulk of a battery.

Digital Trends went hands-on with a prototype of the new headphones and found they offered solid performance.

As for the performance, our initial audition of the cans impressed, as they blocked out an immense amount of ambient noise even at low volume levels. The set we tried out is only a prototype, and the final version will undergo some interior and exterior design changes. But even at the early stages, we’re excited about this technology.

Designed for usage in a variety of environments, the Fidelio NC1L headphones also include multiple noise profiles suitable for making phone calls and for allowing ambient noise when awareness of your surroundings is necessary. The Fidelio NC1Ls should launch in North America in April for $299.

Tag: Philips

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Top Rated Comments

Blorzoga Avatar
140 months ago
I very rarely use headphones with my iPhone, but these will work nicely with my MBA.

Too bad your MBA doesn't have a lightning port.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdlink Avatar
140 months ago
So, instead of having their own batteries they run down the battery on your iPhone? Not sure that's quite an improvement.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benz240 Avatar
140 months ago
The Fidelio NC1Ls should launch in North America in April for $299.

And I'm out
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbeagle Avatar
140 months ago
Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blorzoga Avatar
140 months ago
Maybe I'm just not an audiophile - but I absolutely hate people using the word 'cans' to describe headphones. Sounds so ghetto and disrespectful to me.

And using the term "ghetto" isn't disrespectful? Get a clue, dude.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TWSS37 Avatar
140 months ago
How is using the term 'ghetto' disrespectful? I'm referring to the term 'cans' sounding not high class - which is EXACTLY what ghetto means. Are more words magically disappearing from our culture because someone is offended?

"Sticks and Stones will break your bones, but names will never hurt you" - I learned this while growing up. What has happened to society being offended by every little word now?

...says the poster who claims 'cans' is disrespectful?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)