When Dr. Dre rapped that he would "keep those heads ringin," the Grammy-winning artist perhaps only meant to foreshadow the Friday release of his new headphones, "Beats by Dr. Dre."
While they are marketed with the name of the rapper-turned-producer, the headphones are actually made by Monster Cable, which specializes in audio and video accessories. Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, also was on the development team.
Monster claims that the Beats headphones are "the most advanced headphone ever built." According to the product Web site, they were designed so that consumers could hear music at the same quality as producers in the studio, specifically clearer music with an emphasis on bass.
"Beats by Dr. Dre" headphones have extra-large speaker drivers and a high-power digital amplifier, isolation technology to lessen outside noise, and a Monster iSoniTalk headphone cable with microphone, so the device can connect to music-enabled phones, according to the Apple Store.
Starting July 25, the headphones will be sold at Apple Stores and Best Buys around the nation and online, as well as BeatsByDre.com. In-store purchasers can also test out the high-end headphones, which retail for $349.95.