The new P5 Mobile Headphone from B&W, designed for use with iPods

Terrific products are always arriving, so it can be hard for even us to keep up with all of it. Here’s a look at three great products to help YOU keep up.

Denon AVR-3311: When it comes to receivers, Denon always means quality, but the AVR-3311 takes that performance to a new level by being the first Denon receiver that’s network-ready AND capable of passing 3D video support. That means a whole new world of content choices, from Rhapsody to Napster, photo viewing via flickr, and access to photos and music tracks on your DLNA-compatible multi-media home PC. Learn more and find more receivers.

B&W P5 Headphones: Everyone knows B&W makes incredible speakers, but the company’s never made headphones in nearly five decades of audiophile excellence. Until now: meet the P5 Mobile Headphone, designed for use with iPods. B&W engineers have “worked tirelessly to produce a headphone with a natural, unfatiguing performance through a combination of the closed-back design and the sealed leather ear pads.” The P5 comes with a “Made for iPod” approved cable as well as a high-quality, standard cable with gold plated plugs. Learn more (in store only) and find more headphones.

B&W MM1 computer speakers: Speaking of that B&W speaker tradition, the company’s just launched these awesome, true hi-fi computer speakers. Most computer speakers have to make do with just one drive unit to handle the full spectrum of frequencies. The MM-1, just like a full-size speaker, has two drivers — one dedicated to bass and midrange frequencies and another for the treble. Learn more (in store only). Find more speakers.

So, you’re wondering, how is ESPN able to broadcast 3D television from the World Cup? Here’s a look inside the sports cable giant’s 3D Master Control Room. Right now, it’s a humble setting, but as Engadget reports, it’s a highly sophisticated one — and one that figures to grow dramatically in size and scope as more content becomes available and more consumers purchase 3D equipment for the home.

Want to watch the World Cup in 3D? Come by our Denver and Colorado Springs stores during the games or drop by anytime to watch what we have taped so far.

The new Nintendo 3DS has 3D-capability.

The E3 Conference has been creating buzz for the video gaming industry this week. Predictably, there has been a lot on 3D gaming, but there’s much more. Some stories of note:

• Sony Corp. showed off the ability of their PlayStation 3 console to play video games in stereoscopic 3-D, the same technology that has become the hottest thing in the movie industry this year. Read more at The Los Angeles Times.
• The gamers at Heavy.com liked most of the what that saw at the Microsoft gaming press conference.
• The big news at the Nintendo press conference was the announcement of 3DS, which offers 3D capability in its portable player. Read more at CNET.

Visit ListenUp to find great TVs to play all these games on. Follow us on Facebook for the latest on gaming, home theater, audio and video.

Let’s face it, 3D viewing at home is an exciting prospect, but how do you ever have enough glasses to invite over a raft of people for, say, a Super Bowl party? Toshiba just demo-ed a prototype LCD at the SID 2010 show in Seattle that allows 3D viewing WITHOUT glasses. Right now, the technology isn’t full developed, but as you can read at Electronics House, it’s a step toward a glasses-free 3D viewing experience.

Speaking of 3D, remember you can watch the World Cup in 3D at Listenup’s Denver store. Learn more here.

The World Cup isn’t just the planet’s biggest sporting event: It’s a launching pad for 3D broadcasts. Beginning with Friday’s tournament-opening game between South Africa and Mexico, ESPN will be airing multiple games in 3D.

Don’t have a 3D-enabled TV yet? No fancy 3D glasses? ListenUp has you covered. Chris Havekost, our Denver store manager, wants you to stop by during store hours whenever there’s a 3D game on and take in the action on Panasonic and Samsung 3D-ready TVs. Here’s a complete schedule of 3D game broadcasts (all times are Eastern) to help you plan your visit. (Games also will be taped for replay, so just about any time can work). Call the store (303-778-0780) at 685 S. Pearl St. with any other questions you might have.

Live farther south in Colorado? Our store in Colorado Springs (719-633-2600) is showing World Cup games in 3D on a 65-inch Panasonic Plasma screen.

We know you haven’t been hiding in a cave (for one thing, most don’t have broadband connections), but even someone following the decline in album sales would be wide-eyed at this story from MusicDealers.com. “For the week ending May 30, the U.S. music industry sold a total of 4.9 million albums, according to Nielsen Soundscan. This figure, which includes new and catalog releases, represents the fewest number of albums sold in one week since Soundscan began compiling this data in 1994.”

By comparison, album sales for the week ending May 31, 2009, totaled 5.76 million. The highest one-week tally recorded during the Soundscan era is 45.4 million albums, in late December, 2000. Whatever the comparison, the story notes “industry executives agree that this week’s album sales total of 4.98 million units is ‘pretty scary,’ in the words of Bruce Ogilvie, CEO of leading music wholesaler Super D.

One area where sales are still strong? Digital track sales for the week totaled 21.7 million, but are distinct from the album sales tally.  Read the story and find out where you can find free audiophile music online.

Check out ListenUp online for the latest audio, video and home theater gear. Our experts can help you make the right choice. Follow us on Facebook for news, deals and giveaways.

The home of Car Talk and All Things Considered is now a go-to destination for music fans looking to hear the next big thing — or the latest from a superstar. It’s true: the music portion of the NPR web site, launched in 2007, is attracting 1.6 million visitors a month to hear new music ranging from the Decemberists to Tom Waits, Arcade Fire to Bruce Springsteen. The Washington Post has a great story on the rise of the site.

And it’s Free Music Monday. Here’s where to go to find free, legal downloads.

Our Music Matters events brought the best in audio to Colorado

Have the last couple of weeks been a whirl of activity leading up to Memorial Day? Do you feel like you’ve missed a thing or two? We hear you, so here’s a look back at some of our best-read posts on the ListenUp blog to keep you up to date:

• The humble TV is humble no more. In fact, it’s becoming a central piece in your home. Find out how.
• Our “Music Matters” events played to full houses in Colorado Springs, Denver and Boulder. Learn the latest in recorded audio.
• The High Resolution Music movement wants you! Learn about it.
• James Cameron, who knows a little about this subject, recently predicted when he thinks 3D will rule in homes.
• Speaking of 3D, here are some updates about gaming, equipment and more.

And visit ListenUp online to check out this huge deal on Denon systems.