Urbanista Los Angeles, The Solar Powered Hearphones
October 27, 2021Tech gadgets that rely on wireless technology enable us to roam about, untethered. However, it is inevitable that their batteries, once depleted, will need to be connected to a charger. It’s the Achilles Heel of most modern devices, especially headphones. This is why people choose to hold on to their wired ones instead of embracing the wireless revolution. But Urbanista has come up with a solution.
It’s over the ear headphones, the Urbanista Los Angeles is equipped with solar charging technology. The company teamed up with Exeger, a Swedish firm to incorporate its Powerfoyle solar cell into said gadget. Apparently, it can concert any form of light, even room light, into usable electrical energy to charge its battery.
Urbanista claims that if Los Angeles is worn outside on a sunny day, the solar cell is able to deliver enough power for three hours of playtime. On a cloudy day, spending an hour outside is enough for two hours of playtime. The company claims that when worn indoors, the headphones are still able to continue charging, although Engadget’s review disputes this claim.
The Los Angeles can still be charged by the traditional wired method. It has a USB-C port that you can connect a cable to, in order to top up the 750mAh internal battery. Theoretically,. The Powerfoyle solar cell is supposed to negate the need to reach for a power cord. However, we are unable to verify said claim at this time.
Styled like a traditional pair of headphones the Los Angeles features hybrid Active Noise Cancelling technology as well as ambient sound mode. There’s also on-ear detection, so the tech knows when the Los Angeles have been removed and immediately pauses the music. Once they are back on, the music resumes.
These are the key specifications:
- Drivers: 40 mm dynamic, moving coil
- Microphone: electret condenser
- Echo canceling: built-in DSP
- Battery capacity: 750 mAh
- Bluetooth version: 5.0
- USB type-C charging
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Siri and Google Assistant
- Compatible with iOS, Android and Windows
The cushioned ear cups are supposed to help keep the headphones securely placed on your ears while offering a comfortable fit. These matte black cans also come in pink, and retails for USD199 on Urbanista’s website.
