As a parent, we were often frustrated with the products for children, which were ‘toy’ versions of the real thing, especially when it came to headphones. Brightly colored, they were often cheaply made and delivered substandard sound. And they would break in a minute.
Kidz Gear set out to fix that, delivering a line of products and accessories with adult product features, performance, and quality levels, but still available at a price-point in-line with products for children. Their award-winning headphones also stand up to the most destructive toddler.
We had a chance to interview Jack Peterson, the President of Kidz Gear and ask him for some summer travel tips — and what’s coming up next for the company.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
With summer trips coming up on the calendar, what tips do you have for parents traveling with young children?
JACK PETERSON:
Top Four Tips for Traveling With Children
My Top Four Tips for Traveling With Children
- Bring Snacks! A hungry child is an unhappy child.
- Lots of Apps! Load your phone/tablet with lots of fun apps – NOT just movies. There are lots of interactive games and learning apps that kids can enjoy.
- Charge ALL Batteries and Bring a Power Juice Pack! There is nothing like the sound of a child when their movie or game stops mid-playback!
- Use A Pair of Kidz Gear Standard or Boom Microphone Headphones to provide a safe, enjoyable listening experience for all your children’s traveling adventures.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
Why is it important for parents to be able to limit the volume on the Kids Gear Headphones?
JACK PETERSON:
Today’s audio content – movies, songs, even games – can be mastered at volume levels in excess of 100dB (decibels). At this level, permanent hearing loss can occur over long periods of time. ALL Kidz Gear Wired Headphones include KidzControl – a Volume Limiting Design that “caps” the maximum volume level at approximately 85dB – a MUCH safer volume level for both children and adults to listen to their audio. Kidz Gear was the first company to offer Volume Limiting for Children in a headphone design (2001). However; even with this safe volume level solution, Kidz Gear recommends that children take short “listening breaks” to help reduce the overall duration of volume exposure.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
What is the difference between Volume Control and Volume Limiting with the KidzControl Volume Limit Cable?
JACK PETERSON:
All Kidz Gear “WIRED” headphones model CH68KGXX come with both a Volume Control Function as well as a Volume Limit Cable (KidzControl Volume Limit Cable). Controlling the level and Limiting the maximum level are two separate functions.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
Is there an “inline” Volume Control on these headphones?
JACK PETERSON:
Yes, however, please note that Volume CONTROL is different from Volume LIMITING. Imagine a car with a speed governor. The governor is the LIMITER – it stops you from going too fast, or in our case, getting too loud. The CONTROL is the 0 – 100MPH. With the use of the KidzControl Volume Limit Cable (provided FREE with the Kidz Gear Headphones), the MAXIMUM “Speed” or “Volume Level” you will have is between 80dB – 90dB. This is considered a SAFE level by listening experts.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
Is the KidzControl™ Volume Limit Technology a separate function? Can it be turned off or on?
JACK PETERSON:
Yes, Kidz Gear was the first company (and still the only one) that offers volume limiting through an external solution. The KidzControl Volume Limit Cable is attached, or detached to the headphone cable depending on the background environment of the listener. Models with “always-on” limiting are severely limited when used for example on an airplane. In other words, the limiting is too much and actually the volume needs to be louder. With the Kidz Gear KidzControl Cable option, the headphones are perfect for any listening environment.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
What does the Boom Mic do?
JACK PETERSON:
The Standard KidzControl Volume Limit Headphones can also be purchased with a lightweight flexible boom microphone feature that can clearly pick up omnidirectional sound and speech. This additional feature makes the Kidz Gear Headphones with Boom Mic ideal for entertaining kids on the road with games and videos, English and foreign language studies, audio/verbal test-taking, music study, YouTube video creation, Skype phone calls, and more.
DAILY CANDID NEWS:
What’s next for Kidz Gear? What is the company working on?
JACK PETERSON:
Well, as you can imagine, safety is and has been a top priority for Kidz Gear since we started in 2001. We are working on the first addition to a new line of products or should we say “gear” that will take the safety, reliability, and quality of our audio products into new areas where children currently do not have solutions. Without giving too much away, it is safe to say it will NOT be in the audio space. Stay tuned – no pun intended.