Koss Corp., the Milwaukee-based creator of the stereo headphones in 1958, today unveiled STRIVA, a new headphone and in-ear monitor system with Wi-Fi technology that receives music directly from the Internet without wires.
“Fifty-four years ago, my father revolutionized personal listening with the first Koss SP3 stereophone,” said Michael J. Koss, president and chief executive officer. “Today, thanks to the Internet, the revolution is in the air. Now all of your favorite music can be streamed directly from the Internet to our new headphones and in-ear monitors without wires using Koss STRIVA technology.”
Koss said the STRIVA development project commenced nearly four years ago.
All STRIVA products include the STRIVA CAP or Content Access Point. The matchbook-sized wireless access point converts music from a smartphone, music player or computer into a digital TCP/IP stack and transmits it directly to STRIVA-enabled headphones or in-ear monitors using Wi-Fi. The STRIVA CAP can be used in conjunction with a wireless router for digital connections throughout the Internet, or it can be used to create a direct local wireless connection whenever a Wi-Fi router or hot spot is unavailable.
“The Internet has been liberating music for over 10 years,” Koss said. “Now our STRIVA Wi-Fi technology will liberate music lovers who can finally cut the cord and enjoy their favorite music anywhere, anytime, without wires.”
The new systems cost $450 to $500.
“We created the STRIVA system with a specific focus on personalization,” Koss said. “We developed a platform that allows listeners to create their own music channels, based on their preferences, using MyKOSS options to filter music by genre, artist, or decade. Once the channel is set up, listeners can simply press a button or touch a sensor to send a thumbs up or thumbs down back to the MyKOSS server to remotely ‘fine tune’ the content delivered to their personalized channels. Both models feature a new capacitive touch control design that allows the listener to change volume, switch channels or jump streams with a simple swipe or tap.”
