Monster’s iSport brand has been around for some time now, gaining a reputation as a go-to brand for fitness freaks looking for a jolt of their favorite music. Just in time for IFA 2016, the company has unleashed a volley of updated products in the line aimed at a variety of different use cases and price points.
All of the new models share a similar aesthetic, with black, gray, green, and blue playing major parts in the design of each product. There are a total of seven new models across the line, with three new wired models and four new wireless models ranging in price from $30 to $200.
“As today’s fitness, sport, and active lifestyle culture continues to grow, headphones geared toward athletic-minded music lovers have become the fastest-growing segment in the [consumer electronics] industry,” Monster CEO Noel Lee said in a statement. “Monster has been leading the way in unprecedented growth of fitness headphones since the beginning, and we’re proud to continue driving the segment with the launch of our latest iSport models.”
The wired models offer the lowest prices, with the $30 iSport Achieve offering a basic sporty pair of in-ears, with a tangle-free flat cable, and inline mic and remote as the biggest features. For $40, the iSport Strive v3 adds Monster’s patented SportClip ear hooks to help them stay in place, while noise isolation is backed off to help runners stay alert. Finally, for $50, the iSport Compete adds one-button ControlTalk for hands-free calls, as well as a carrying case.
Moving to the wireless models, the new iSport Achieve BT adds wireless connectivity and five hours of playback time to the standard Achieve in-ears for $60. Meanwhile, the iSport Intensity adds a new reflective cable for better safety at night. This model is sweatproof and offers more than six hours of playback time for $80.
The iSport Victory BT come in a new, smaller design, with two custom sound profiles — warm-up and sport — and features the same reflective cable as the Intensity. This model is sweatproof, features more than eight hours of playback time and sells for $100.
The lone on-ear model, the iSport Freedom v2, offers touch-based controls similar to the Parrot Zik headphones and Samsung’s Level line. In addition to wired and wireless operation, the iSport Freedom v2 also features USB direct digital audio playback. Other features include low battery voice prompts, the ability to pair with another unit to share music, and two different sound profiles: standard, and “turbo.” This model sells for $200.
There is currently no word on when exactly the new and updated models will be available, but they are expected to be released some time this fall. For more information on Monster headphones, see the company’s website.
