In an exciting collaboration with Queen, Onkyo & Pioneer Innovations Corporation (Onkyo) announces the Japan release of a Hi-Res Audio player, headphones and earbuds set. The launch marks the 70th anniversaries of both the foundation of Onkyo and of the birth of iconic Queen vocalist, Freddie Mercury whose birthday is celebrated September 5.
In a move that is sure to excite fans, Onkyo also announces the 22 June launch of a hi-res download service through “e-Onkyo Music”, Japan’s biggest hi-res audio specialty site, featuring the Queen catalogue. The initial launch will include five albums with others to follow and will feature many first-time hi-res releases offering fans the opportunity to enjoy the full brilliance of Freddie Mercury’s vocals and the music of Queen the way they meant it to be heard. The player, to be released in September, comes packaged with an exclusive SD card pre-loaded with five hi-res Queen catalogue tracks. This all takes place in a big year for Japanese fans with two QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT JAPAN CONERTS slated for Tokyo Budokan on 22 & 23 September.
The items to be releases are:
1 QUEEN x Onkyo Digital Audio Player “DP-X1” — Features the QUEEN logo engraved in leather on the rear of the unit, and on and original leather case. Also included is a limited edition SD Card containing 5 high-resolution audio QUEEN tracks (to be announced 22 June), and wallpaper specially selected from the vast QUEEN photo collection
2 QUEEN x Onkyo High-Res Audio Compatible Headphones “H500MB” — featuring the QUEEN logo on both the headphone unit and on the original carrying case.
3 QUEEN x Onkyo High-res Audio Compatible Earbuds “E700MB” — QUEEN logo hand-carved in sterling silver by master Japanese craftsmen on the earbuds with the original carrying case also embossed with the QUEEN logo
A portion of sales from all the three models shall be donated to “The Mercury Phoenix Trust”
Comment from Jim Beach who is the long-time manager of the band: “Queen are always delighted to embrace top-of-the-range new technology. Thank you ONKYO for supporting our AIDS charity the Mercury Phoenix Trust.”
Comment from Brian May’s Sound Engineer Justin Shirley-Smith : “I think these ONKYO ear-buds are the finest ear-buds available to humanity! Really – I haven’t heard any better. The sound quality surpasses the standard white ear-buds you see everywhere by a large margin. They reproduce crystal treble and deep bass with ease but, significantly, they maintain a true and proper mid-range presence unlike most other ear-buds. The physical shape of the buds is also very unique – they sit securely in the ear and manage to minimise exterior noise without feeling obtrusive or annoying. I love them and use them all the time now.”
Order Details –
Available by pre-order only through Onkyo and Universal Music Japan e-commerce sites.
– Order’s accepted from 12:00, 22 June ~ 12:00, 26 December 2016 (or as long as stock lasts)
– Shipping: On order-received basis from September 2016
– Prices (including shipping and sales tax):
– QUEEN x Onkyo Digital Audio Player “DP-X1” ¥74,800
– QUEEN x Onkyo High-res Audio Compatible Headphones “H500MB” ¥29,800
– QUEEN x Onkyo High-res Audio Compatible Earbuds “E700MB” ¥19,800
– Sold by : Onkyo & Pioneer Innovations Corporation