Sennheiser in the Kleer with wireless audio

Consumer Electronics Show 2008

Audio firm Sennheiser has unveiled what it claims is the industry's first wireless stereo earphones capable of delivering true CD-quality sound.

The MX W1 wireless earphones operate in the crowded 2.4GHz band, but use technology from semiconductor firm Kleer to filter out unwanted noise.

"Kleer's digital radio transmission technology produces excellent sound quality which allows us to offer wireless earphones without compromising our Sennheiser sound," said Stijn Jans, managing director of Sennheiser Consumer Electronics in Singapore.

"Kleer's very low audio signal latency, coupled with interference-free transmission, also translates into considerably longer battery life than with conventional transmission standards."

The MX W1 comprises two untethered ear pieces, and Kleer claims a five to 10 times power advantage over Bluetooth in a rechargeable coin cell.

The headphones will be available in May and are being demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.