Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is planning a happy new year for audio fans. The company announced two upcoming products, the P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone and the MM-1 desktop speaker. Both are expected to start selling in January 2010.

B&W says that it aims to "bring the listener as close as possible to the sound intended by the recording engineers." Nothing gets as close as a pair of headphones, right? The P5 is the company's very first headphone product.

The P5 provides a concert for one, with sound isolation techniques including a closed-back design and sealed-leather ear pads. The company has the long-term user in mind, too. They've included specially developed ultra-linear neodymium magnets and highly optimized Mylar diaphragms for the best possible sound -- even after endless hours of listening.

The P5 will come with a Made For iPod-approved cable, which provides access to speech and device control. It also comes supplied with a high-quality, standard audio cable with gold-plated plugs. Switching between the two is facilitated by the magnetically attached ear pads, which simply pop off allowing access to the cable.

If you want to share some of that sound with others, you can still do it in style with the MM-1 desktop speaker. With so much music stored on your computer setup, it's a no-brainer that you'd want some decent sound. B&W does one better for your desk-bound entertainment, using a full range, active, near field monitor, with two separate drive units, including an aluminum dome tweeter for a refined treble performance.

The MM-1 uses B&W's own Nautilus Tube Loaded tweeters, as well as Dynamic EQ for maximum bass output -- all without a subwoofer. The unit also comes with its own remote, which can also be used within iTunes and Windows Media Player.  

B&W says that the P5 and MM-1 will be available next year. However, they have yet to announce pricing for either product.

For More Information:

• B&W P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphone (Product Page)
• B&W MM-1 Computer Speakers (Product Page)