Vizio continued a string of mid-year AV updates with a turn towards audio and Blu-ray players. The VHE211 is its first real mobile in-ear headphones and include a built-in mic for iPhones and other smartphones to handle calls. Vizio claims to have better quality than usual in the class with 9mm neodymium drivers and a flat design to fight tangling; they ship in white or black this summer for $30.
An upgrade to the company’s higher-end soundbar, the VHT215, is coming soon. The new version has two HDMI 1.4a inputs, one matching output, and one input each for co-ax optical, digital optical, and regular stereo. A new front panel display better shows volume and active input on the system, whose signature trick is a wireless subwoofer. The bar ships in August for $329.
3D TV owners are getting new XPG201 (single-pair) and XPG202 (two-pair) passive shutter glasses kits that tout curved lenses. Their pricing isn’t available but will see both in stores before the end of the month.
A slew of new devices are already in stores. The XVTHP200 ($310) home theater headphones have a wireless dock for listening to an iPod. XVTHB100 Bluetooth headphones ($100) pair up with any device for both listening and audio out. The VBR122 and VBR133 Blu-ray players ($110 and $120) both offer basic movie playing along with Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and Netflix; the VBR133 adds 3D. An XWH200 universal Wireless HD kit ($230) brings the standard to Blu-ray players, game consoles and other devices where going wireless with 1080p 2D or 3D video isn’t normally an option. Finally, the VSB205 ($119) is a basic soundbar that lacks a wireless subwoofer and has regular RCA and 3.5mm inputs.
