New Balance has tied up with iPod accessories specialist iHome in a partnership that will see the two companies launch a line of New Balance-branded sport earphones and headphones. The collection has been specially designed and engineered for runners and endurance athletes.
The New Balance Sport Headphone collection will be available on a limited basis in late 2010, with expanded distribution planned for 2011.
This latest move from New Balance follows Adidas’ partnership with Sennheiser last year to launch the Adidas- Sennheiser CX 680 earphones.
"New Balance is dedicated to offering innovative products to help athletes of all abilities perform at their best," says John Cullen, General Manager for licensing at New Balance. "iHome’s experience and expertise in the audio solutions industry will allow us to offer a range of innovative sport headphones to complement our existing line of performance footwear, apparel and accessories."
The New Balance headphone range includes the NB439, which is a 2-in-1 sport earbud with removable ear hooks for added stability, interchangeable coloured accent caps, and in-line volume controls. The NB439 has an RSP of US$35.
The NB447 is a pair of foldable sport headphones featuring interchangeable cord lengths and an in-line remote/mic that also sells for US$35.
The NB467 headphones offer a set of foldable behind-the-neck earbuds with interchangeable cord lengths that sells for US$25.
"Listening to the right type of music while running, training or competing in an endurance-style event can have a very positive effect on performance," said Evan Stein, Vice President of Marketing for iHome.
"Merging iHome’s ability to create compelling audio devices with New Balance’s expertise in the world of athletic products is sure to be a winning combination, and we hope many athletes will soon be beating their personal bests with the release of our New Balance Sport Headphones this holiday season."
