PIIQ MDRPQ2 headphones

Sony New Zealand today introduces the new PIIQ [pronounced ‘peek’] headphone series, featuring five distinctive headphones (both over the head / DJ and in-ear style) that make a bold and unique fashion statement. Drawing inspiration from artists, skaters and urban street culture, PIIQ headphones are meticulously designed with great attention to style, and combined with Sony’s sound performance and comfort.

Short storyline – the PIIQ concept
Rui Morisawa is a young designer at Sony who, a couple of years ago felt like headphones were missing something. Style. Details. Performance. Flash. A sense of surprise. So he set out with his friends - a group of artists, DJs, skaters and all-around limit pushers - to make a line of headphones that had those things. Headphones that don’t just make sense for headphones, but that make sense for life. “We wanted to reach our limit. Find something new, something different.” PIIQ is their final product.
“Sony, one of the leaders in the audio industry, designed the PIIQ line to inspire our consumers with new ways to express their individuality,” says Stephanie Thiebault, Personal Audio Product Coordinator, Sony New Zealand. “The inspiration for PIIQ form and function came from the real world, resulting in vivid, standout designs that can still withstand active wear – be it skateboarding tricks or hip hop dance moves.”

Bold urban design, solid audio performance
PIIQ offers a look that is starkly different from typical, monotone headphones. The unconventional design and styling of the new PIIQ headphones are influenced by the bold and active lifestyles of today’s youth with its bright, neon colour combinations. Users will also notice certain design features that are reminiscent of items in urban street culture – from the use of comfortable cushioning material similar to that of knee guards, to uniquely shaped ear buds that look like gas masks. However, the PIIQ series does not scrimp on audio quality. Depending on one’s music preferences, the five headphones offer Sony technologies that deliver crystal clear sounds as well as solid treble and bass performance.

The PIIQ series comes in five different variations to suit different audio and style preferences:

MDR-PQ1
Inspired by snowboard boot binders, the pink MDR-PQ1 features two velcro-lined adjustment tabs with a lock-down mechanism that ensure the headphones give a comfortable fit. For those who like to groove to strong beats, the MDR-PQ1 is equipped with 40mm driver units for deep, powerful bass tones. The MDR-PQ1 is also well padded in its headband and ear cups to offer a superior “cush feel” and eliminate any sense of discomfort from long time wear. In addition, the flat cord is secured by an elastic loop to avoid tangling.

MDR-PQ2
The MDR-PQ2 features a more organic design with flushed edges, and is available in three colour combinations. The 30mm driver units are made of Neodymium magnets, one of the strongest permanent magnets in the world, delivering crystal clear and powerful sound. Like the MDR-PQ1, the MDR-PQ2 is ergonomically designed as well with its well-padded headband and ear cups connected to a slick, durable flat cord.


 
MDR-PQ3
With a durable rubber-coated headband and housing, the unique design of the MDR-PQ3 reduces any possible impact damage and scratches that can come after a few vigorous skateboard flips and tricks. Aided by Neodymium magnet driver units, the MDR-PQ3 is big on both sound and aesthetics, and available in four fun colours.

MDR-PQ4
Available in brightly coloured hues, the MDR-PQ4 in-ear headphones come with a cord slider to prevent tangled cords, as well as hybrid silicone rubber ear buds of different sizes for maximum comfort. It also features a unique ear-clip design that allows users to clip the headphones to their earlobes for a secure, snug fit during vigorous activities like skating or dancing.

MDR-PQ5 
The MDR-PQ5 open-ear headphones stand out with its distinctive gas mask inspired design in two stunning colour combinations. Superior sound quality is achieved with the bass booster earpiece for a more distinct bass sound.

The PIIQ range of headphones will be available in New Zealand from beginning of October 2010 from RRP $39.95 (MDRPQ5) to $149.95 (MDRPQ1).