Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Launches Headphones With New Listening Technology

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB16 during filming at Silverstone Circuit on June 25, 2020 in … [+] Northampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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It seems as if audio and fast cars are converging. On Wednesday, I posted a piece about the world’s first pure-electric hypercar from Automobili Pininfarina being fitted with a deluxe Naim audio system with 1,300W of power. A couple of weeks ago, I told you how McLaren was working with Klipsch to create a pair of true wireless earphones that would send almost any F1 fan into a spin. 

Today it’s the turn of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. They have teamed up with IRIS, an audio technology company, in a bid to bring fans closer to the track, with the launch of a limited edition state-of-the-art wireless IRIS Flow Headphones.

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing has partnered with IRIS to enhance the quality of the team’s audio communications by using some cutting-edge technology. The headphones, which have a patented technology that can, so IRIS claims, dramatically improve the audio experience. The headphones will go on sale to fans today, on the eve of the British Grand Prix.

The new headphones are the first to have IRIS technology built in.

IRIS

IRIS is a company that’s backed by music industry leaders, including Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor, and Concord, the world’s largest independent music company. The IRIS technology uses a proprietary algorithm that the company claims can restore sound quality lost during the recording process; making the music and audio sound as good as it did when live.

The technology within Red Bull Racing IRIS Flow Headphones has, according to a press release, been “scientifically proven to activate flow state, a neurological mindset of complete focus whilst simultaneously being relaxed and engaged”. I’m not quite sure how I’d go about testing that claim but it’s a bold one and certainly piqued my interest.

These neurological benefits are supported by independent research carried out by Joydeep Bhattacharya, Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London. According to Bhattacharya: “Listening to music with IRIS enhances the engagement and absorption of the music and provides more stimulation of the brain. This in turn can lead to a flow-like state for the listener as they are listening more actively – their brain is more engaged.”

The Aston Martin Red Bull IRIS headphones look every inch an F1 product.

IRIS

As I said, it’s a bold claim but possibly one that’s worth checking out. Christian Horner is Team Principal at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. Commenting on the launch of the new headphones, he said: “Communication is key in Formula One, especially in an environment where ambient noise is matched by a vast array of competing signals. The sound of Formula One cars on track excites the senses and in working with IRIS to develop the limited edition Flow Headphones, we’ve been able to bring together our passion for racing and IRIS’s new audio technology so that our fans can listen to their chosen audio product with the greatest level of clarity. We hope you enjoy the experience of listening to music differently with IRIS.”

Turning IRIS on apparently promotes “Active Listening” which it’s claimed can dramatically improve audio quality whilst simultaneously activating the brain. The IRIS headphones use a patented algorithm that “unlocks and resynthesizes lost audio information allowing the listener’s brain to play an active role in piecing it together, recreating the original live music experience”.

With Beryllium drivers and unique styling, these new Aston Martin Red Bull IRIS headphones should … [+] turn heads and ears.

IRIS

The Red Bull Racing IRIS Flow Headphones go on sale today for £379 (with an exclusive launch price of £279) and are the first headphones to have IRIS technology built in. With the click of a switch, a listener can enable the technology when listening to music on the likes of Spotify and Apple Music, podcasts, audiobooks or even video on Netflix. Any form of digital audio or video can receive IRIS treatment. The Red Bull Racing IRIS Flow Headphones are one of a select number of headphones to use beryllium drivers for a better listening experience that IRIS claims set a new standard in personal audio.

The limited-edition IRIS headphones feature exclusive Aston Martin Red Bull Racing colorways complete with a shell and protein leather in midnight teal, with grey metallic and red contrasting bezels and arms along with the Red Bull Racing emblem etched into the arms. Red Bull Racing IRIS Flow Headphones are can be bought from the IRIS website and will begin shipping from October 2020.

Pricing and availability: £379 (£279 exclusive launch offer) for delivery in October.

More info: 

IRIS Listen WellRed Bull Racing – IRIS Listen Well

Key features:

● 37-hour IRIS-enabled battery life, 30 hours with IRIS turned off.

● 40mm Beryllium drivers

● aptX HD & AAC codecs

● aptX low latency for synchronised gaming and video

● Audiophile-grade onboard amplifier and DAC

● Patented acoustic chamber

● Bluetooth BLE 5.1 and 3.5mm wired connections

● Dual microphones and Qualcomm cVc technology

● Magnetic removable ear pad cushions

● Frequency response: 5Hz-25,000Hz

● Ultra-fast USB-C charging

● USB-C to USB-A adapter and 6.35mm adapter included

● Over-the-air firmware updates

● 1-year warranty