Adidas has released two models of the company's first wireless earphones for sports "FWD-01" and wireless headphones "RPT-01". At "IFA 2019" held in Berlin, Germany, the product was exhibited at the Zound Industries booth, a co-development partner.
Wireless earphones for sports Earphones "FWD-01" and wireless headphones "RPT-01" are now available from Adidas Adidas will be exhibiting at the IFA 2019 venue. Zound Industries, which unveiled the product, is a manufacturer that handles Marshall's audio products, etc., combining the company's audio technology with the knowledge of adidas, a global sports brand, with sound quality optimized for use during exercise and unique to adidas. It is said that it has both design. At the Zound Industries booth, Marshall and URBANEARS product exhibits will be held in three cities, NY, London and Paris, and will be held in Berlin on September 9, local time. It will be released on September 25th at adidas stores and web shops. In addition to directly managed stores in Japan, it is planned to be sold at Yodobashi and Bic Camera, and "aims to be released simultaneously with the global market." At PHILE WEB, we interviewed Anders Olsson, Product Manager of Zound Industries, who was in charge of product development, and Ella Renneus, Industrial Designer. We also talked about the product concept, features, and future. Interview with Zound Industries industrial designer Ella Renneus (left photo) and product manager Anders Olsson (right photo) ■ Sports earphone "FWD-01" pursuing comfortable wearability Wireless earphone "FWD-01" Developed mainly for use outside such as running. It is equipped with a φ13mm driver and is said to have been tuned with sports in mind in terms of sound quality. Equipped with a wireless earphone "FWD-01" φ13mm driver "I think that it is more motivating and effective to hear the bass firmly when exercising. On the other hand, if the bass is too strong and other sounds are drowned out. It doesn't make sense. I tried to achieve a clear sound as a whole, "Anders said. In addition to the waterproof performance of IPX4, we are particular about wearability during exercise. The shape of the mounting part was designed based on ergonomics so that it will not slip or fall while running and that it will not hurt your ears even after long-term use. In addition, while achieving a high wearing feeling, it can deliver music firmly to the ear and also capture surrounding sounds. It also considers safety when used outdoors. If you look closely at the products that are designed with a focus on wearing comfort so that your ears do not hurt even for a long time and do not slip or fall off, you can see the earphones that attach the ear tips and fins, and the characteristic polygonal shape on the outside. It is divided into parts. A driver is built into the earphone part, and the combination of ear tips and fins realizes a high fit. The ear tips and fins are also ergonomically designed and are available in 4 sizes (XS / S / M / L). The outer polygon has a built-in wireless device, and the right side also has a rechargeable battery and two microphones. It is divided into an earphone part and a polygonal part with a built-in wireless function and battery. USB-C is used for the charging terminal. Ear tips and fins are available in 4 sizes. The housing, which allows you to adjust the fit to your ears, is made of plastic, and the outer surface is specially processed to prevent scratches. In addition, a magnet is built in at the tip of the polygonal part, and when it is attached, music playback is stopped and the charge save mode is set. When not in use, it can be worn around the neck like a necklace. When you remove the magnet, it turns on and you can start using it smoothly. It has a built-in housing magnet that has been specially processed to prevent scratches, and when attached, it enters a charge save mode and automatically stops music playback. A slim and lightweight 3-button remote controller is used so that the operation can be performed as quickly as possible. It is located on the right side of the cable, and a 1-button remote control is also installed on the left side. The remote control on the left links to the dedicated app "adidas headphone" that will be released at the same time as the product. Adopting a 3-button remote control As an "action button", it can be directly connected to Spotify, which is scheduled to be linked with the app, and the voice assistant function. We plan to make it possible to customize the function you want to use according to the number of times you press it once, twice, or three times. The app will also have an equalizer function. Streaming services other than Spotify are under consideration, and it is planned to increase in the future. The "action button" cable part, which allows you to assign your favorite functions in cooperation with the dedicated app "adidas headphone", is made of fabric and uses the same material as adidas sneakers. It doesn't rub against the neck even with vigorous movements and feels good on the skin. Bluetooth is version 5.0. Continuous playback is up to 16 hours, and it also supports quick charging, and it is possible to play music for 4 hours with a 15-minute charge. A carrying case is attached to this machine. It has a material like sports apparel and has a charging cable storage pocket inside. A dedicated carrying case is available. There is a pocket that can store the charging cable. ■ Headphones "RPT-01" also ensure sound insulation. The wireless headphones "RPT-01", which allows you to concentrate on your workout, are intended for indoor training use such as in the gym. Unlike the FWD-01, which was designed to capture environmental sounds in consideration of safety, we ensured high sound insulation so that you can concentrate on your workout. This unit also has Bluetooth version 5.0, continuous playback for up to 40 hours, and IPX4 waterproof performance. Wireless headphones "RPT-01" Charging terminal adopts USB-C Driver is equipped with φ40mm dynamic type. As with earphones, the concept of sound quality aims for clear sound quality with an emphasis on bass. I actually listened to it, but the reporter's experience clearly expresses vocals and the like, and although the bass is powerful, listening at a low volume gives a strong impression of clearness. As Anders said, it felt like a clean sound overall, with no other sounds buried in the bass. Even in the hustle and bustle of the IFA venue, it was confirmed that the outside sound was not so noticeable and the sound insulation was high. The headband is designed to improve sound insulation and allow you to concentrate on your workout, and the outside of the adidas-like three-line housing is scratch-resistant. The right housing is equipped with a square-shaped operation button, and you can adjust the volume (up / down) and forward / backward (left / right) by moving it up / down / left / right in addition to pushing. Equipped with an action button on the left like earphones. When I actually put it on, I was impressed by the fact that the lateral pressure was firm and the fit was high, and the operation buttons gave feedback on the feeling of actually moving them, making them intuitive to use. The square-shaped operation buttons are located on the right side. You can adjust the mounting position by sliding the housing that can be operated intuitively when you touch your hand while wearing it. The part that connects the left and right housings through the headband uses thin stainless steel inside. There is no problem with twisting the outer plastic, and it seems that it is okay to handle it a little rough. The headband is equipped with a silicon band inside, and it fits tightly to the shape of the head when worn. The silicone band is removable and can be washed if it gets dirty. The silicone band inside the headband that gives a good fit is removable. The RPT-01, which can be used to wipe off sweat and wash, has an appearance more reminiscent of sneakers, and the outer part of the headband and ear pads are decorated with knit material. Adidas uses 3D printing technology to develop prime knits with a high fit and flexibility, which are used in sneakers. Since this material allows air to pass through, it does not get stuffy and is lightweight, so it was adopted as being suitable for headphones. The sneakers that Ella wore are just like headphones. If you coordinate with adidas products, you will feel more comfortable and you will be able to exercise. The ear pads can be removed. It can be attached and detached while rotating, and it is possible to wash it in the washing machine, including the plastic of the pad part. There are no plans at this time, but it is said that it is considering selling the ear pad part separately in view of the market reaction. The ear pads are removable. Machine washable ear pads that use the same materials used for sneakers, such as the mesh part that allows the sound from the driver to pass through. There is a laundry sign on the inside! Both models were developed by repeating tests with professional runners and coaches belonging to the adidas runner community, aiming to create the best products as sports models. Based on the feedback obtained there, it is said that it was put together in its current form. We are particular about the packaging, and in consideration of environmental protection, we will reduce the use of plastic as much as possible and use paper material for the exterior. When you open it, the product is wrapped in wrapping paper, just like when you bought sneakers. I hate this kind of production. Plastic is used for the protruding parts for product display, and paper is used for the other package contents. The wrapping paper that wraps the product is the same as the sneaker product. ■ Will Adidas continue to develop audio? The possibilities of "02" and "03" are not limited to sports, adidas is actively holding "adidas ROCKSTARS" that combines climbing and music, and co-sponsoring the DJ party "The Do-Over". Originally, it has a deep connection with music. At the booth, in order to appeal the high wearing feeling, the workout experience to the music such as jump rope and this collaboration started from the fact that Adidas has been considering the development of audio products for a long time and Zound Industries called out. That is. The product names "FWD" and "RPT" are abbreviations for "Forward" and "Repeat". It was adopted as a word related to sports and training respectively. The name "01" is added after the product name, but when asked if there is any further expansion of the lineup, the answer was "We are planning to develop it. Please look forward to it!". It's just coming out, but I'm looking forward to the next audio product from the global brand Adidas. There is only one color variation. It has a cool impression based on black and gray, but sporting goods often use flashy colors such as lime yellow, orange, and pink. Regarding this point, he said, "Other colors may come out in future products ...?" I also want to expect this.
