ASUS HP-100U Dolby Headphone Set
Introduction
Published: 20th November 2009 | Source: Asus | Price: N/A |
ASUS HP-100U Dolby Headphone Set
In 2007 ASUS broke the stranglehold Creative had on the soundcard market with the release of their Xonar range of audio products. The combination between excellent sound quality and sensible pricing was a hit and has lead to ASUS producing an array of Xonar based cards from the value models up to semi-professional quality.
Today we take a look at their combination of a Xonar U1 Audio Station, Dolby Headphones and a 2 channel vertical array microphone. This designed as an all-in-one solution for the mobile user, whilst the inclusion of the Xonar U1 should ensure that all users get the same quality of sound no matter what the abilities of their on-board soundcard are.
Specifications
Something of a rarity amongst hardware the HP-100U is compatible with both Windows based systems and Apple's Macintosh so the Mac fans among you should be pleased. Let's take a look at the technical specifications for the three components :
Headphones and Microphone Array
| Speaker Dimensions | 40mm |
| Array Microphone | Suppresses ambient noises up to 15dB |
| Dynamic Range | 125Hz ~ 20KHz |
| Sensitivity (S.P.L) | 117 ± 3dB at 1mW/1KHz |
| Frequency Response | 20 ~ 20KHz Output S.P.L ~10dB |
| Distortion | Less than 5% @ 1000Hz |
U1 Audio Performance
| Output SNR (silence, A-Weighted) | 100dB |
| Output SNR (~60dB, A-Weighted) | 96dB |
| Cross-talk (10Kohms, 1KHz) | ~104dB |
Build-in Headphone Amplifier
THD+N<0.006% @ 88mW x2 / 16ohms
96dB SNR
>1.1Vrms full-scale output voltage for >8ohms load
Frequency Response (~3dB/48KHz) : 20~20KHz for 32ohms
Headphone with a 8~150ohms @ >10mW x2 recommended.
On paper a very impressive set of parts. In-built headphone amplification is always a bonus. Anyone who's suffered through a VOIP conversation with someone who hasn't got a noise-cancelling microphone will appreciate it's ability to remove the underlying noises, and a very good dynamic range should ensure that all three uses, gaming, movies and music, will shine.
We will be looking at how those details translate into real-world results later, but as with all recent ASUS products the packaging is exemplary. So let's move on and have a closer look at that.
Most Recent Comments
Great review mate. As a bit of an audiophile myself i am quite into my headphones, been contemplating a pair of AKG 701's for quite some time, but these have me second guessing. Bundled with a mic and soundcard, sounds a good deal. The weight issue on the mic shouldnt affect my set up, as it would be beside my screen.
But yea, great review
But yea, great review
I think that the reason why manufacturers only include short cords has more to do with liability than the cost of the wire. Lets face it, including a 15 foot headphone cable as opposed to a four foot cable would only add on a few dollars at the most to the cost. However, someone tripping on a 15 foot cable and suing the company can cost thousands, even if the company wins the case. Alas, that's why we don't have sufficiently long cables. 
That's also why places like Monoprice will always be in business.
That's also why places like Monoprice will always be in business.Nice review. A good set of headphones, although I don't like the look of them.
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