Shure adds SE215 buds, cans for DJs and studios alike

The NAMM trade show -- also known as the musician's candy store -- is kicking off today out in Anaheim, which means that audio-focused press releases are starting to pour in. Headset and mic manufacturer Shure is beefing up its line with the introduction of three new models

a set of buds plus two cans. On the bud side, the SE 215 slots in predictably beneath the SE315, offering a budget-friendly single driver in your choice of black or fancy translucent casing; it comes in at a retail price of $99, some $100 less than the SE315. Moving to cans, the SRH550DJ (pictured center) is -- as the name implies -- targeted at DJs with a "super-aural design" for full isolation and a 90-degree swiveling headband for flexible wearing positions; this one will set you back $99 on the store shelf. On the upscale side, the SRH940 is billed as a reference set with a premium padded headband, and you'll pay for it: it's $299 at retail. All three models will be available this spring; follow the break for the press releases.

Nox Audio Scout mini headset on sale now, boasts world's smallest mic button and some decent sound

NOX Audio sprang out of obscurity this year with two pairs of stylish 'phones -- the moderately disappointing Specialist supra-aural cans with a retractable, flexible mic, and the promising Scout earbud headset pictured immediately above, now on sale. Even at first glance the Scout's not your average pair of in-line earbuds, connected to your phone of choice via a piece of rubber linguini that acts as a no-tangle cord, but they also have balanced armature drivers that delivered some surprisingly good sound even in the bustle of a busy trade show. (They've also got a ludicrously tiny send/end button for the headset buried in the cord's joint, if you're fond of playing spy.) We haven't had a chance to put our review unit through its paces quite yet, but if you want to give NOX the benefit of the doubt, you'll find the Scout at "select retailers" and the company's online store for $80 right now.

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