Swedish brand Urbanista has announced it will show off the second generation of its solar-charging headphones and ear monitors at CES 2024, which opens next week in Las Vegas.
The updated Los Angeles and Phoenix models are equipped with the latest generation of flexible Powerfoyle material, developed by the Swedish company Exeger, which allows batteries to be continuously charged from exposure to artificial and natural light. First introduced in the Los Angeles headphones in 2021 and the Phoenix in-ear monitors in December 2022, the technology has received significant improvements in efficiency and design.
Made from recycled plastic, both models are the result of a complete overhaul with improved ergonomics and an adaptive noise-canceling system tuned to eliminate extraneous noise as much as possible while maintaining clarity of sound. In addition, the second generation of Los Angeles headphones received larger ear pads, and Phoenix ear monitors received an increased noise reduction level of up to –45 dB.
Solar-powered headphones from Urbanista
Claimed battery life on a full charge is 60 hours for Los Angeles and 8 hours for Phoenix, plus an additional 32 hours thanks to the charging case. The Phoenix model is water resistant (IP54) and comes with silicone tips and a charging case that is more compact than its predecessor.
Both models are presented in black for now, but additional options are promised in the future. They are compatible with the Urbanista mobile app, where equalizer settings and charge tracking are available. Other features include Bluetooth 5.3, in-ear detection for automatic pause and play, and Bluetooth that allows you to connect to multiple devices at the same time.
Shipment of new models is planned for 2024, but specific dates have not been announced. Prices are $178 for Los Angeles and $129 for Phoenix. More information is available at urbanista.com.
