The AS301DTS USB audio tube headphone amplifier delivers bass-enhanced surround sound to just about any pair of headphones attached to it.
The first thing you’ll notice when you plug theaim AS301DTS into a USB port is that tube-like glow from the blue light sitting inside the 18 carat gold-topped glass casing.
The audio enhancement is delivered courtesy of integrated DTS Surround Sensation Headphone Technology.Along with the VT1610 audio chip, DTS Surround Sensation gives users simulated five-speaker surround sound audio through just about any headphones, while the capacitor-less construction of the aim AS301DTS is said to offer improved performance at the low frequency band.The 0.9 x 1.77 inch, 0.4 ounce device certainly left Gizmag with a positive impression after some limited testing at Computex recently.
The AS301DTS USB audio tube, developed by Taiwan’s Formosa21 Inc, is compatible with numerous operating systems as it works from a system’s standard USB driver, although users will need to install the software to benefit from the DTS enhanced features. It’s connected to and powered by a laptop or computer via an included 90-degree USB adapter and there are sockets for stereo out (for headphones/speakers) and stereo line/mic-in (for its voice clarification feature).
The AS301DTS USB Audio tube took 1st place at the prestigious Computex Taipei Design & Innovation Awards 2010, and will be available shortly for an estimated retail price of around $32, although there’s no word on availability outside Japan.
Published on Jun 15, 2010
