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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: ScottT on October 01, 2014, 03:29:58 AM

Title: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: ScottT on October 01, 2014, 03:29:58 AM
I'm not sure how applicable it may be for our hobby (handling of high SPL was not addressed), but the idea is intriguing.  They say the chip they are using (http://www.csr.com/products/63/csr8670) can handle streaming 16-bit, 44.1kHz stereo.  You pair the mics to your phone via bluetooth and it will become your default mic for any application on your phone that records.  They have their own app that can send your recording to the cloud and can be streamed live.  These are also headphones that can be used for listening to music or in conjunction with the mics as a headset for gaming chat, making calls, etc.

You can also run them wired via stereo 1/8" mini and connect to a GoPro, DSLR, external recorder, etc.  The internal rechargeable lithium battery will supposedly be able to run a long time - they are hoping for at least 6 hours record time.

Kickstarter page. (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/124900576/hooke-wireless-3d-audio-headphones)

They almost hit $20k (out of $100k goal) during the first day of their 30 day fundraising effort.  Only a handful of the "donate $89 and get a copy" remain.  Looks like the retail price will be around $150 when they hit the market.  They are targeting delivery of the first run for June 2015.

I'm not affiliated in any way - just saw it posted online...
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: ScottT on October 01, 2014, 06:19:36 PM
I got a note back from the founder of the company who says that "concert recording [was] CRUCIAL" when designing the product, and that it will most definitely meet the needs of our hobby.   :)
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: acidjack on October 01, 2014, 09:56:21 PM
I bet it sounds at least as awesome as an IPhone camera looks relative to a real camera....
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 02, 2014, 12:07:30 PM
I bet it sounds at least as awesome as an IPhone camera looks relative to a real camera....

Well, Panasonic omni electret elements are cheap. We have around 20 years of experience with them as binaural stealth mics. If the signal chain to the AD converter is good, they shouldn't suck.

As good as a pair of B3 or DPAs? Not likely, but you get what you pay for.
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 02, 2014, 12:22:24 PM
Well, Panasonic omni electret elements are cheap.

Not anymore!  They are out of production and prices for remaining stocks have gone up.  But there are a lot of other capsule manufacturers.

Quote
If the signal chain to the AD converter is good, they shouldn't suck.

There probably is no signal chain, the SoC they are using (linked in OP) has direct microphone input, probably with onboard PGA.  So the signal path would be capsule-->chip-->antenna

Forgot that the Panasonics were discontinued.  ::)

Still, curious to see how they fare in a live situation.
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: Gutbucket on October 02, 2014, 12:43:40 PM
It needs a good noise cancelling app.  But might need to be done at the device for latency reasons which probably make that not a viable option.  Could then cancel low freqs and possibly work well enough for monitoring in loud situations beyond the limits of simple occlusion-attenuation plugs and IEMs.

Could then also work as as active 'ear-plug' with user-adjustable EQ and dynamic controls (reducing or eliminating attenuation at low SPLs,  re-EQ bloated sub-bass as necessary, add some 'sparkle' to the highs, monitor and log exposure levels, etc).

Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: Ozpeter on March 21, 2017, 08:41:51 PM
According to their facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/hookeaudio - this device is at last about to ship.
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: Massive Dynamic on March 22, 2017, 05:28:53 PM
According to their facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/hookeaudio - this device is at last about to ship.

April 1st, eh?
Title: Re: Hooke - wireless (bluetooth) binaural mic and headphones
Post by: illconditioned on March 24, 2017, 12:41:13 AM
I supported this kickstarter project.

I had given up all hope...