Listen to music as the artist intended with Sony's Hi-Res Audio range

Hi-Res Audio - Beyond CD Sound Quality

Dubai-UAE: 23 February, 2015

Sony, one of the first to make High-Resolution Audio products available to consumers, today launched a wide range of hi-res devices including Walkman®, headphones, portable amplifiers and digital stereo recorders aiming to bring audiophiles closer to the spirit and soul of the artist's actual performance - just as they'd hear it on stage or in a recording studio.

With seven times more data compared to a CD source, High-Resolution Audio captures the finest nuance of each note. Artists usually record their albums in Hi-Res (24 bit/96kHz) in the studio and, once mixed, the tracks are compressed for CD and music download (16 bit/44.1kHz). With studio quality sound delivered by High-Resolution Audio products, listeners are now closer to the original recording.

"For those passionate about music, Sony's High-Resolution Audio products truly raise the bar," said Satoru Arai, Head, Sony Middle East Marketing Company. "With the introduction of High-Resolution Audio, music lovers no longer have to choose between audio quality and portability - they can finally listen to their music library on-the-go, in the quality that the artist intended."

Sony High-Resolution Audio product range

Sony's new range of Hi-Res Audio products includes the beautifully styled Walkman®NW-ZX2 that features a host of meticulous design refinements ensuring excellent audio quality. The Walkman® NW-A15 is the world's smallest and lightest High-Res Audio digital music player that brings true audiophile credentials to portable high-resolution audio players. The headband-type MDR-Z7 features a newly-developed 70mm HD driver unit that completely envelopes the listener's ear, revealing every musical nuance with startling integrity - from powerful sub-bass lows to crystalline highs. The MDR-1A headphones utilize 40mm HD driver units, which render incredibly wide bandwidth audio performance, from low to ultra-high up to 100 kHz frequency. This level of quality produces atmospheric musical nuances that are characteristic of High-Resolution audio. Audiophiles can enhance audio quality with the compact PHA-1A and PHA-3 Portable Headphone Amplifiers, by connecting a compatible digital music device or smartphones via USB input to enjoy hi-res audio playback on-the-go. The premium 2.1 channel, WiFi-enabled SRS-X9 wireless speaker features an impressive 154W of music output power, a bi-amped subwoofer, and dual passive radiators to deliver powerful, full-range audio with amazing tonal balance and precise bass response. Sony's PCM-D100 portable stereo recorder is designed to deliver the highest sound quality in professional audio applications including live music events or theatrical performances.

Sony's Key Hi-Res Audio technologies

The higher sound quality is achieved by applying unique audio technologies such as the DSEE HX™ technology, which is used to upscale the quality of compressed digital files (MP3, AAC, and WMA) to surpass CD resolution, nearing High Resolution quality. The S-Master™ HX digital amplifier reduces distortion and noise while reproducing wide frequency response for a clearer acoustic experience.  Sony's new technology LDAC™ (low latency codec) enables users to enjoy high quality wireless audio via Bluetooth®. With three times the data transmitted, LDAC provides an enhanced wireless listening experience.

Hi-Res Audio content availability

With high-resolution audio hardware now available, Sony's next step is to make Hi-Res Audio music readily available. There is growing catalogue of Hi-Res music already with over 300,000 songs available. For the UAE, Sony has partnered with Sony Music Entertainment allowing audiophiles to download Hi-Res Audio tracks when they purchase select Sony Hi-Res Audio products.

The entire line-up of Sony Hi-Res Audio devices is currently available at the Sony Boutique at Dubai Mall, select Jumbo showrooms and other select electronics' retailers across the UAE.

*The portable headphone amplifier PHA-1A will be available in the UAE by end-April 2015.

-Ends-

About Sony Middle East and Africa
Sony Middle East and Africa FZE is a 100% subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is the regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa regions. The company is engaged in the business of Sony Consumer Electronics, Data media, Recording Media and Energy (Batteries and Storage media), Mobile Electronics (Car Audio) and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products in more than 50 countries in the region.

Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony leads the execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners and a network of 483 accredited third party service centres in the region.

For more information on Sony's products and services in the Middle East and Africa region, please visit www.sony-mea.com

For media inquiries, please contact:
Sony Middle East and Africa FZE
Neil D'Sylva
Tel:             (971)-4-8815488
Fax:            (971)-4-8817808
Email:         Neil.Dsylva@ap.sony.com

APCO Worldwide
Mathilda Saad
Dir.:         +9714 361 3879
Mob:       +971 55 699 9890
Email:    msaad@acpoworldwide.com

Nancy Sudheer
Dir.:         +9714 3754487
Mob:       +971 56 1142955
Email:      nsudheer@apcoworldwide.com

© Press Release 2015