Audio

Update: Sony releases INZONE Buds for US$199.99. Sony is preparing to release the Inzone Buds, which will also be known as the WF-G700. Allegedly, Sony will sell the earbuds for considerably less than the WF-1000XM5, despite including ANC, Inzone 360 Spatial Sound and a low latency connectivity option through a USB Type-C dongle.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live price has dropped by a considerable 39% on Amazon. The ANC-capable earbuds rock a unique design with a bean-like shape and a glossy outer surface. Samsung claims the design results in an all-day comfortable fit. Additionally, the earbuds feature touch-controls and a battery life of up to 21 hours with the case.

Google has re-released its flagship TWS earbuds in new colorways to mark its latest major product event. The Pixel Buds Pro will also soon upgrade to the Redmond giant's Clear Calling feature, and will also start optimizing latency in gaming soon. Then again, these new features are compatible with the new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro smartphones.

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Buds FE, a cheaper alternative to the likes of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro. While Samsung's first Fan Edition earbuds start at under US$100, they retain ANC, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and 30 hours of battery life with their charging case factored in.

Vizio's budget soundbar will not produce the most impressive soundstage while watching blockbuster movies, but for shoppers with around US$100 to spend, the current 2023 iteration of the affordable V-Series can be worth consideration.

CheckMag Music lockers have always been curious creatures. Amazon, Google and Apple promised they would bring legacy music collections forward into the cloud age – but all three pivoted to streaming services as they saw the way the wind was blowing, leaving only a few of these rare beasts still surviving today.

The Poly Voyager Surround 85 UC are new Bluetooth headphones that the user can charge simply by placing them on their custom stand. It is powered by NuCurrent NuSync technology to power up via a "unique" near-field communication (NFC) system. The Surround 85 UC headset also supports adaptive ANC and is rated for up to 21 hours of use.

Beyerdynamic is extending its foray into gaming audio with the launch of the MMX 200 wireless, its first wireless gaming headphone, featuring a closed-back design, a transparency mode, low-latency with USB-C dongle, and a detachable boom mic. Its 35 hour battery life and foam-filled faux leather earcups are ideal for long gaming sessions. The MMX 200 is on sale now for US$249.

True wireless stereo (or TWS) earbuds are a prominent personal audio category by now. According to the latest market analysis, they still have a lot of growth left in them - as much as ~US$121 billion of it over the next four years, in fact. More affordable earbuds are thought to drive the segment to these heights.

The standalone JBL soundbar is an affordable speaker system for small rooms or secondary televisions. Although the Bar 2.0 does not support Dolby Atmos or comes with a dedicated subwoofer, it should provide a considerably better audio experience compared to most integrated TV speakers.

Shure has just launched the SM7dB XLR microphone, an updated version of the iconic SM7B that improves upon its gain-hungry predecessor with a built-in preamp for up to +28 dB boost in the output signal. The SM7dB remains unchanged in terms of its design, signature sound and EQ controls, and at US$499, costs US$100 more.

Sony has announced three new wireless microphones aimed at content creators. The ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S are designed for vlogging and interviews, with discreet, clippable transmitters, and cost US$470 and US$350 respectively. The ECM-S1 is a wireless desktop mic costing US$420. All three feature digital noise reduction, and start shipping in late October.

It appears that Samsung is finally ready to showcase its next generation of Fan Edition devices. While the company has remained quiet about new FE devices on the whole, it briefly revealed what it has up its sleeve in an unusual disclosure.

LAVA Music has launched its new LAVA ME 4 lineup of 'smart' acoustic-electric guitars, featuring a powerful new DSP system running onboard effects. The new OS has new apps for online jamming, interactive learning, 24-bit recording and new effects presets. Also new is a truss rod for adjusting string height, longer battery life and a pair of wireless foot pedals. The guitars come in carbon fiber, spruce-top and laminate body versions and a range of colors, and are priced from US$399 to US$999.

Nothing’s new sub-brand CMF has just launched the Buds Pro TWS earbuds (alongside a smartwatch and a GaN charger) for INR3,499 (~US$42). The budget earbuds feature ANC, transparency mode, Bluetooth 5.3 with fast pair, IP54 rating and 11 hours (or 6.5 hours with ANC) of battery life with Fast Charge support. The CMF Buds Pro are available for pre-order in India.

Huawei has formally unveiled its latest FreeBuds Pro-series TWS earbuds as part of its major Autumn 2023 product event in China. The in-house Kirin A2 chip is touted to confer industry-first "super-CD-level lossless transmission" on the accessories. The Pro 3s are also rated to support LDAC as well as Huawei's own L2HC codec for around US$200.

Avantone Pro has launched the Planar II, a revision to its reference-grade planar magnetic wired headphones. It features an open-back design ideal for hi-fi listening and professional mixing use, and is now lighter for enhanced comfort over longer listening sessions. The Planar II is now available for US$399.

A Reddit user while digging through the Spotify app code has discovered details of its 'Supremium' HiFi plan that is likely to be launched soon. It will feature 24-bit lossless audio, AI-enabled playlist creation, 30 hours of audiobooks every month and DJ-like BPM matching and transitioning between tracks. The plan pricing is listed as US$19.99/month.

Just two months after its launch, Sony's popular AirPods Pro alternative has dropped to its most affordable sale price thus far as a 20% coupon code on eBay brings the wireless WF-1000XM5 earbuds with an effective ANC functionality down to just US$238.

OnePlus has announced a new version of its flagship TWS earbuds for the European market. The 2Rs have most of the same specs as their premium counterparts, which include wide-band active noise cancellation (ANC), LHDC codec support and up to 39 hours of battery life. Then again, OnePlus might have factored the discounts that make the original Buds Pro 2 a better deal into their pricing.

Xiaomi has begun offering the Redmi Buds 5, a pair of earbuds that retails for CNY 199 (~US$27) in China. Available in three colours, the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 has ANC, 8 hours of battery life with the technology activated and Bluetooth Multipoint, among other features.

The Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar is discounted in the UK and the US, where you can now buy the device for US$198. The 2.1ch gadget can upscale audio to close to 7.1.2ch quality with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Other features include 4K HDR pass-through, a voice enhancement tool and Bluetooth connectivity.

Amazon has launched its Fire TV Soundbar in the US. The 2.0 channel device provides virtual surround sound and supports DTS and Dolby technologies. The cheaper model is easy to set up, connecting to your TV via HDMI, with the option to connect further gadgets via Bluetooth.

Soundcore asserts that its latest portable Bluetooth speakers are tough enough to be thrown into a bag and accompany the user at a barbeque or bonfire. One might indeed be inclined to keep the Motion 100 or 300 around at all times due to their support of the LDAC codec, not to mention "wireless Hi-Res audio". They also boast at least 12 hours of maximum battery life and a "premium" appearance.

Amazon just unveiled the third generation Echo Show 8 at its launch event yesterday. The smart speaker now features spatial immersive audio and room adaptation, and its 8” screen features proximity-based Adaptive Content for maximum legibility. It can now connect with Zigbee, Sidewalk, Thread, Bluetooth, and Matter compatible devices. The new Echo Show can be pre-ordered for US$150 and will begin shipping on October 25.

The 9.1.4-channel soundbar is from Samsung's 2023 model year and features a total of 17 speakers, which should provide an immersive audio experience thanks to support for DTS:X and wireless Dolby Atmos, which is particularly convenient for owners of a compatible Samsung TV.

The Huawei Eyewear 2 smart glasses have been revealed ahead of their October launch in Europe. The wearable has built-in speakers, allowing you to listen to music or make voice calls. Compared to the original Huawei Eyewear, the new model has increased battery life and faster charging, with a lightweight titanium frame.

More details about the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE have turned up online ahead of its official release. Reportedly launching for under US$100, the Galaxy Buds FE is rumoured to have 12 mm drivers, touch controls and AKG tunings, among other features.

Bose's new flagship TWS earbuds are now officially Ultra as well as QuietComfort-series flagships. They are rated for the same high-end specs as their Headphone counterparts - first-gen Immersive Audio included - just in a TWS IPX4-rated package. Then again, potential customers may find their battery life does not match up to their sky-high pricing.

Bose has finally confirmed that its new top-end QuietComfort headphones are Ultra for the first time. They have also launched with first-gen Immersive Audio, the iconic brand's take on spatial audio. The Ultra Headphones also boast noise cancellation and up-to-date internals.

The Pixel Tablet won't revolutionize the tablet market but it does broaden the use case behavior for the masses. Although our review shows there is still room for improvement here or there, the fusion of a speaker and a tablet is still successful.

Evidence of the Galaxy Buds FE has now emerged online, possibly only a month or so before its official release. Unsurprisingly, the Fan Edition earbuds look like a scaled-down version of Samsung's flagship alternatives, as do the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus.

Ultimate Ears has launched the EPICBOOM, a rugged portable bluetooth speaker with immersive sound and 17 hours of battery. Pitched as a party and outdoor speaker, it’s designed to play loud but also clear, thanks to its auto EQ feature.

1More has released earphones with triple- and quad-driver set-ups - however, the OEM is truly reaching for audiophile appeal with a new generation of five drivers in total. The P50s also boast "premium materials" such as an aluminum alloy casing and OFC wire for their detachable cable. They are touted to deliver "the most authentic and immersive listening experience possible" via a 3.5mm jack.

1More has brought the proprietary ANC technology of its SonoFlow wireless headphones down to a new price-point with their new SE variant. Nevertheless, they are rated to retain the "cloud-like comfort" and potentially prolonged battery life of the original version. The SEs forgo some high-end perks for an improved starting price, however.

The Fit Open Earbuds S50 contain a number of signature 1More audio tech and tweaks despite their new non-in-ear design. They also offer appreciable battery life, which can be replenished via their wireless charging-enabled case. The Bluetooth 5.3-powered S50s have started at nearly US$150, although their introductory discount coupon brings that price down somewhat.

Sonos has just introduced the Move 2, its substantially upgraded portable WiFi speaker. Among other changes, it now has dual-tweeters for stereo sound, 24 hours of battery life and a new color option, while retaining its IP56 weather- and shock-resistance. The Move 2 can be pre-ordered for US$499 and will be available starting September 20.

The Asus ROG Cetra TWS gaming earbuds have a US$99.99 list price on Amazon, but the 25% discount which currently applies to the black color choice brings it to the lowest price in 30 days of US$74.99. Meanwhile, the white version of this handy audio accessory is 20% off and can be acquired for US$79.99.

Realme's latest Buds pack the same internals as their higher-end Air 5 siblings - and have a little more maximum battery life. They also boast a "360-degree Spatial Audio Effect" and their own new colorways. However, the T300s compromise on their active noise cancellation (ANC) by comparison for a more budget-friendly starting price.

JLab has just launched the smallest available true wireless earbuds on the market, the JBuds Mini, for an astounding US$40. There’s no compromise on account of the size – ANC, multipoint connectivity, IP55 sweat and dust resistance and a transparency mode and an adequate 5.5 hours of battery life make these earbuds an excellent value proposition.

With a list price of US$229.99, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro reached their best Amazon price of US$154.99 last year, in early September. However, the ongoing 23% discount only brings them to US$177.99, but this seems the best price recorded in 2023 by Camelcamelcamel, although not highlighted by Amazon accordingly.

Shure has launched the second iteration of its AONIC 50 wireless ANC headphones, featuring improved noise cancellation, in-built spatial with three modes, support for low-latency, lossless codecs and a battery life of 45 hours. The new features put them at par with established favorites from Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. The headphones are priced at US$349.

With the launch of the new Soundgear Sense earbuds, JBL has just become the latest brand to introduce open-ear technology to its lineup. The earphones house 16.2 mm drivers and four microphones, and features include a detachable neckband for extra security, IP54 weather resistance, multipoint connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3 LE audio and 6 plus 18 hours of battery life.

Focusrite has launched the fourth generation of its budget-friendly Scarlett audio interfaces. This iteration adds beginner-friendly features like auto-gain and ‘Clip-Safe’ while increasing dynamic range to an impressive 120 dB and introducing two modes in its signature ‘Air’ setting for a professional sound.

JBL has just introduced the first ever Wi-Fi speakers to integrate Alexa and Google simultaneously, allowing customers to switch between talking to either voice assistant seamlessly on the same device. All three models in the retro-styled Authentics lineup will be available starting September 17.

After some major leaks, Sennheiser’s Ambeo Soundbar Mini is now officially launching on September 1 for US$799.99. As the smallest member of the much-praised Ambeo soundbar range, the Mini has impressive 3D audio capabilities and boasts features like room calibration, 7.1.4 virtualized surround audio as well as support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, Alexa, Chromecast, AirPlay, and popular streaming services.

Jabra is now offering the Elite 8 Active, a US$50 cheaper option than the new Elite 10. The Jabra Elite 8 Active combines 6 mm drivers with up to 14 hours of battery life, or 8 hours with ANC enabled. The Elite 8 Active offers IP68 certification too, among other features.

Jabra has now unveiled the Elite 10, its latest pair of high-end earbuds. Available for US$249.99 in five colours, the Elite 10 support spatial audio through Dolby Head Tracking, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and Bluetooth Multipoint.