CAMPBELL, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Adaptive Sound Technologies, Inc. (ASTI) today announced the Ecotones Duet, the latest in the company's line of sound machines to employ its patented Adaptive Sound Technology for superior sound masking.

Chronic insomnia and numerous sleep-related problems are so pervasive that an estimated 500 million people worldwide suffer from them, including 25% of Americans according to the Centers for Disease Control. As noise pollution, urban crowding, economic and health anxieties, and general stress continue to rise, the sleep deprived turn to over-the-counter and prescription drugs for help.

Ecotones Duet is a non-invasive alternative. Designed from the ground up especially for sleep, Ecotones Duet has none of the negative side-effects common with drugs, nor the limitations of basic white noise and sound machines.

"The original Ecotones raised the bar for sound machine quality and performance," said Sam Nicolino, Founder and CEO of Adaptive Sound Technologies, Inc. "With input from loyal customers using the Ecotones, sleep specialists and beta testers, Ecotones Duet incorporates superior features to help millions of people with occasional and chronic sleep disorders to relax and sleep."

Backed by a 30-day, money-back guarantee and a one-year limited warranty, Ecotones Duet is available now for an MSRP of $149.95. To buy Ecotones or Ecotones Duet, visit www.ecotones.com

ABOUT ECOTONES DUET

Designed with help from original Ecotones customers, beta testers, and sleep and sleep disorder consultants, Ecotones Duet has features to help you relax and sleep more quickly.

    --  Long, natural sound recordings: Unlike competing sound machines,
        Ecotones Duet plays high-quality, lengthy, and primarily natural sound
        recordings.  This reduces the annoying repetition of short sounds and
        the irritation of poor-quality, short or synthesized recordings that can
        actually raise stress and disrupt sleep.
    --  Real-time sound composition: Each of Ecotones Duet's 10 SoundStories has
        a library of dozens of enhancing sounds.  The Duet's "Richness" setting
        determines how many sounds are added to augment the base SoundStory. 
        Real-time variations introduced when Richness is increased make Ecotones
        Duet SoundStories seem nearly infinite in length.

    --  Nighttime operating features: Features like the ability to turn Adaptive
        Mode OFF and ON; four sleep timers with automatic, gradual off; and the
        ability to turn display lights off further make Ecotones Duet ideal for
        nighttime use.

Ecotones Duet offers 10 SoundStories -- high-quality, mostly natural recordings of relaxing sounds from ocean waves to crackling fires. Its built-in computer and microphone continuously "listen" for intruding noises such as barking dogs, automobiles, overhead airplanes, or loud roommates. In Adaptive Mode, Ecotones Duet dynamically adds sounds to the SoundStory and automatically adjusts volume to offer superior sound masking or neutralizing capabilities. All that's left to hear is a soothing natural sound that minimizes disruptions that disturb or interrupt sleep. As intrusive noises subside, Ecotones Duet gradually and automatically returns to normal playback settings.

Sound and "white noise" machines have long been used to help people mask unwanted background noise. However, even leading brands fail to use the latest audio software and technology. Although more people are attuned to high-quality audio from experience with MP3 and CD audio players, home theaters and PCs with external speakers or headphones, sound machines largely ignore improvements in case design, speakers and other components that can provide the quality people now expect from audio products.

Ecotones Duet leverages over fifteen years of research and breakthrough patents for its Adaptive Sound Technology. With a case designed to produce quality sound, high-quality speakers and proprietary, natural sound recordings, Ecotones Duet is simply the best quality sound machine available today. A demo of Adaptive Sound is available on the web at http://ecotones.com/sound-demo.php

ABOUT ADAPTIVE SOUND TECHNOLOGIES

At work or home, background noise can range from passing cars to overhead airplanes, slamming doors, ringing phones and talkative roommates. Such noise intrusions can limit work productivity and keep people awake.

ASTI's unique Adaptive Sound Technology "listens" to an environment and automatically adapts audio playback based on noise in that environment. Ecotones Duet employs Adaptive Sound to maximize the quality and richness of the chosen SoundStory while minimizing unwanted background noise. Combining this technology with natural sounds recorded at a higher quality than audio CDs, Ecotones Duet has been acoustically engineered for the highest possible sound quality and precision to improve the sleep experience.

Silicon Valley-based Adaptive Sound Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets products that use Adaptive Sound Technology --a patented method of automatically adapting audio playback based on the unique ambient and acoustical characteristics of one's environment. ASTI products based on its adaptive sound technology allow consumers to neutralize unwanted background noises to maximize the sound environment at home and at work. For more information, visit ASTI on the web at http://www.ecotones.com

SOURCE Adaptive Sound Technologies, Inc.