Sol Republic Master Tracks: Improved design for second-generation headphones

LAS VEGAS--Sol Republic, the fledgling upstart headphone company, has taken the wraps off its second-generation Tracks headphones at a press event here at CES. The new model, Master Tracks, is set to ship in late February and will be available for preorder on Sol Republic's site tomorrow.

At $199, the Master Tracks is the company's highest-end model, and it sports a new design with a more comfortable fit. Like its previous full-size models (it also makes some in-ear headphones), you'll be able to swap out the headband and customize the look of the headphones.

The Master Tracks come in three different "base" color options: gunmetal, white, and blue. You can then purchase optional "remix" bands and slide the earpieces -- Sol Republic calls them sound "engines" -- onto whatever headband you have.

At launch, remix bands will be available in fluoro red, ion green, and progressive purple. No word on pricing yet, but previous headbands were somewhat pricey at $29.99.

As soon as I get some hands-on time with the product, I'll update this post with more details and let you know how they sound.