Sony is launching its fifth model of noise canceling headphones with a new lightweight design that reduces weight from the headband and earpieces by placing the battery pack onto the cord of the headphone. The Sony MDR-NC40 has an open air design that distributes pressure evenly across the outer ear, and the soft, pressure-reducing urethane cushioning prevents user fatigue during long trips.

Available in March for about $100, these noise canceling headphones fold into a case the size of a softball to fit easily in your carry-on bag or briefcase.

Sony is updating its flagship EX series of earbud headphones with a new reference standard, the MDR-EX700LP model. These feature lightweight magnesium housings, an exclusive 16mm multilayer diaphragm for reproducing your audio with balance and clarity, and seven sizes of silicone earbuds to give users a more comfortable and secure fit. This model will be available in March for about $300 but a similar model, the MDR-EX700SL, is currently imported via AudioCubes.com for $299.

Specifications:
► Frequency response: 04Hz ~ 28kHz
► Nominal impedance: 16Ω
► Sensitivity: 108dB/mW
► Power handling: 200mW

Sony updated its Blu-ray disc player line today with two new models, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S550. Both models support Bonus View and BD-Live interactive features, include USB connectivity for external storage, AVCHD discs encoded support, 1080p HDMI, DVD upscaling to 1080p and HD audio processing for Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital plus. The BDP-S550 adds DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

Sony's BDP-S350 ships this summer for about $400 and BDP-S550 will be available this fall for about $500.

Sony Japan is going to launch the RHT-G900 in May, its latest integrated home theater Cabinet designed especially for its BRAVIA TVs. This TV rack includes a subwoofer, three built-in speakers, left, center and right channels and delivers 5.1ch surround sound with the "S-Force PRO" technology with a total of 470W. THe RHT-G900 incorporates HDMI inputs, digital audio inputs, digital media port, different preset equalizers and a digital audio decoder compatible Dolby digital, DTS, MPEG-2 AAC and PCM.

The RHT-G900 measures 1115x 400x 500mm, weighs about 54kg and supports Sony's BRAVIA TVs up to 46-inch.

Sony unveiled two compact stereo systems made for iPod, the CMT-BX20i and CMT-BX50BTi models. These new music systems offer a sleek and simple design with a glossy black finish and vivid fluorescent display.

The front-loading CD player supports CD-R, CD-RW and MP3 Playback, along with an audio-in jack to connect your digital music player or PC, in addition to the iPod dock on the top. Also the system has a AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets and a remote control.

The CMT-BX20i micro shelf system will be available in February for about $130 while the CMT-BX50BTi which is equipped with Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) technology so you can wirelessly stream CD-quality music to other Bluetooth stereo devices will be priced at $180.

The Sound Wall RHT-S10 home theater stand with an included surround sound system is the first Sony’s 5.1-channel surround sound system to offer built-in speakers, an amplifier and a subwoofer in one slim speaker package. The sound system is attached to a free-standing wall facade that also serves as a mount for a television. Wires are hidden behind the wall and connected to an integrated A/V rack anchored at the base of the media stand.

The system delivers a total of 350W through five speakers by a S-Master digital amplifier and it incorporates a subwoofer built into the unit. The RHT-S10 has four digital audio inputs (three optical, one coaxial), two analog audio inputs, an LFE output and pass-through HDMI.

The Sound Wall RHT-S10 system will be available in Spring but no word on price yet.

Sony announced its two latest HD Radio products. They include the XDR-F1HD tuner and the XDR-S10HDiP (pictured) HD radio model with iPod compatibility.

The XDR-F1HD tuner transforms an existing audio system with an auxiliary input into an HD Radio receiver. The high fidelity HD Radio technology provides clear digital radio reception and FM multicasting. On its LCD display, the XDR-F1HD displays music information, including artist names and song titles plus radio station names and genres, where available, the unit also includes a wireless remote and will be available in March for about $100.

The XDR-S10HDiP adds an additional iPod dock designed to work with most iPod models, the included wireless remote features full access to the iPod player menu, as well as to radio tuning and volume functions. The unit also charges the iPod while it's docked and provides clock radio functionality. Sony's XDR-S10HDiP model will be available this summer for $180.

Sony unveiled at the CES the MDR-NC500D, the world's first digital noise cancelling headphones. This headphones use digital technology to more accurately reduce stress-inducing noise from planes, trains and busses, while providing a high-quality audio experience.

Sony claims the MDR-NC500D can reduce up to 99 percent of ambient noise at 160HZ, which is the peak frequency of a jet engine. These headphones use a unique digital noise canceling software engine and three digital filters located in the built-in digital signal processor, which has been specifically tuned for effective noise reduction in airplane, train/ bus, or office sound environments. The internal lithium-ion battery lasts for up to 16 hours, also have an external battery box holds two AA batteries for when there is no access to a wall plug.

The MDR-NC500D headphones will be available in February for about $400.

Sony is going to release in Japan on November 10th for $200, the MDR-DS7000, a wireless 7.1 channel surround sound headphones.

Successor of the 5.1 channel headphones MDR-DS6000 model, the Sony MDR-DS7000 delivers a 7.1 channel sound with the Sony's "Virtualphones Technology" (VPT) wireless via the 2.4Ghz band. The MDR-DS7000 adopts a 40mm driver with a frequency response of 6Hz - 25kHz and the internal lithium-ion battery lasts for 10 hours of continuous playback.

Moreover the external decoder is compatible DTS, DTS-ES, AAC and gets two digital inputs and one analog input.

Sony Japan has announced its new MDR-EX55SL earphones, available in black, white, blue or pink color bundled with 3 differents sized eartips.

The MDR-EX55SL features a silicon body with a 9 millimeters driver and it weighs only 3g. The power cord measures 0.5m and an 1m extension cord is also include in the package. These earphones have a frequency response range of 6-23,000 Hz @ 16 Ω, a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW and it supports a maximum input of 100mW.

Well Sony's MDR-EX55SL will be on shelves for the next month and will cost you about $25.