(January 25, 2024) HED UNITY, a Swiss company defined by its first product, Unity, a headphone that streams lossless audio via Wi-Fi, has announced a strategic partnership with HEAR360, an outfit specializing in spatial audio solutions. The collaboration finds HED's powerful streaming approach mated with HEAR360’s Spatial Audio Engine, further pushing Unity into unique territory.
Unity was first announced in April 2023 (read coverage), promising to preserve the detail and nuance of music by eliminating the side effects of compression native to most wireless technologies. While Unity carries Wi-Fi as its preferred wireless conduit, it still gives owners connectivity options with onboard Bluetooth and a direct connection via a wired dongle, all of which are enhanced with immersive spatial audio provided by HEAR360’s Spatial Audio Engine.
Unity's build qualities are bold and seriously deep. Internally, it carries an integrated dual-core processor, 16 gigs of onboard eMMC memory, and one gig of RAM. It also has an onboard nine-axis Internal Measurement Unit (IMU) comprising a 3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and a 3-axis compass for head-tracking motion detection. You'll also find 12 dedicated microphones for Active Noise Cancellation and eliminating background noise during calls. All of those technologies are complimented by 40mm titanium-coated drivers that deliver a frequency response of 20Hz-22kHz.
With their new partnership, HEAR360 and HED UNITY aim to provide a premium audio experience that is compatible with existing content libraries, streaming audio services, and OTT content delivery platforms. The intention is to make advanced audio experiences accessible to all users, enhancing both live and on-demand listening scenarios.
Through the Unity app, users can access a full assortment of feature sets, including ANC, head-tracking, channel gain, dialogue enhancement and clarity, and EQ presets. HEAR360 enters the picture by using Unity’s nine-axis motion sensor to deliver head-tracked spatial audio. The app also provides access to music services with its embedded streaming music capability. Not all features are currently available; go to getunity.com and follow to receive updates on when new features will be released via free over-the-air software downloads.
“This flagship product sets the bar for the next generation of premium sonic experiences, and we are proud to be an integral part of Unity’s groundbreaking launch,” says Matt Marrin, CEO and Co-Founder of HEAR360. “We look forward to continuing to push boundaries through our joint innovation efforts with Tim Degraye (HED’s CEO and Co-Founder) and the HED team.”
