Audio

The Beoplay H100 were an expensive pair of over-ear wireless headphones when they launched last year for $1,549. A year on, and now retailing for $2,200, Bang & Olufsen has silently removed its commitment to add LDAC or other high-resolution wireless Bluetooth audio codecs promised since launch day.

SoundUp supposedly makes it easy to convert analog speakers into modern Bluetooth speakers, which can even be used on the go without a power outlet thanks to a built-in battery that lasts up to 40 hours.

The Corsair Void v2 Max Wireless headsets, designed for computer, console, and mobile gamers, deliver Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio via simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connections, featuring AI-powered background noise reduction and up to 130 hours of battery life per charge.

In a recent teardown, popular repair site iFixit rated the new AirPods Pro 3 a 0 out of 10 for repairability. This means that the repair process is so difficult that most consumers and repair technicians will not be able to fix or replace internal components without permanently damaging the buds.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 has surfaced again before its long-awaited release. Lacking Qualcomm aptX support, it is still up in the air whether the WF-1000XM6 will be ready in time before the end of the year too.

Sony has started rolling out new updates to the WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6. Available for free globally, Firmware 6.0.0 and Firmware 3.0.0 introduce numerous new features and improvements, including refined Bluetooth LE Audio and Find Hub functionality.

YouTuber The Headphone Show tested how Spotify's lossless audio fares against competing offerings and found it to be lacking. However, the problem isn't entirely on Spotify's end and can be addressed with software.

After six years, the Amazon Echo Studio is finally getting a successor that promises the best sound of any Amazon speaker to date. To go with it, Amazon is also introducing the Echo Dot Max, a smaller, spherical speaker with an AI voice assistant at a relatively affordable price.

The OnePlus Buds 3V have launched in China as new affordable wireless earbuds. They are basically rebranded Nord Buds 3R, which recently launched in India, and they retain the 54-hour battery life rating.

Apple has unveiled completely wireless earbuds, the Powerbeats Fit, that have been specially developed for athletes and can be used with both Apple iPhones and Android smartphones without restrictions.

The Neurable MW75 Neuro LT over-ear headphones feature a built-in EEG sensor, which is designed to analyze brain waves in order to provide data for a range of health and productivity features. Neurable's latest headphones are both lighter and more affordable than older models.

SteelSeries has launched a new flagship Nova series gaming headset, the Arctis Nova Elite. It comes with Hi-Res wireless certification and the ability to connect four devices simultaneously, and steam audio from them at once.

The Baseus BP1 have launched in China as new affordable wireless earbuds with ANC and long battery life. With the case, the total runtime is rated at 41 hours, and the noise-cancelling buds cost CNY 142, around $20.

CMF's first pair of headphones stands out from the competition with a modular design that allows for colorful customization. The Headphone Pro also have an impressive battery life, hybrid ANC, and an affordable price tag that the brand is known for.

FiiO has announced the FT13 closed-back headphones, featuring lacquered purpleheart wooden earcups, and birch wood drivers infused with carbon fiber threads and wool fibers, that (supposedly) allow the finer details of Hi-Res Audio music to shine.

FiiO has unveiled the Snowsky Tiny, a compact USB-C headphone DAC supporting 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256 playback with Hi-Res Audio certification. Available in two models with UAC 1.0 and 2.0 support, they are also compatible with game consoles.

TASCAM has introduced the FR-AV4, a rugged 4-channel field recorder with 32-bit float audio and 133 dB dynamic range, without needing gain adjustment to prevent clipping. Designed for filmmakers, it features timecode sync for multi-camera shoots.

CMF has confirmed the battery life of its first pair of full-size headphones. Based on the info, they will have an advantage over Nothing's own Headphone (1) which it launched a few months ago.

With the Sound 2 Max, Xiaomi has introduced one of its highest-quality speakers to date. It features a metal enclosure, an optional wood faceplate, and four drivers connected to four amplifiers that offer a total output power of 100 watts. Multiple Sound 2 Max units can be combined to create a surround sound setup.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 have received a major update packed with new features, such as Adaptive Audio and head gestures. The update is gradually rolling out, so users should start seeing it soon.

An X user has posted a detailed die shot of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC. The chip's design is mainly identical to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with some small upgrades in the GPU.

Insta360 has launched the Insta360 Wave, an AI-powered speakerphone for office meetings with eight microphones and background noise reduction. It can create summaries and transcriptions, and use AI to answer questions about meetings.

Xiaomi has released a new Portable Bluetooth Speaker in China, unveiled at a recent event in this country. Features include built-in storage, an integrated battery, app-based controls and support for NFC. Plus, this compact device is said to have an ultra-thin metal shell, available in six colorways.

Nothing has announced that CMF is now an independent subsidiary of Nothing. Its base of operations is India and this will be a joint venture with Optiemus Infracom, leveraging its engineering and production capabilities.

Xiaomi has launched a new affordable wireless speaker in China, the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2. It has multiple playback modes, features a small and lightweight design, and sports an IP67 water-resistant rating.

Sony has released the IER-EX15C USB-C earbuds, offering a battery-free, eco-conscious design powered directly by audio devices while eliminating toxic waste and recharge delays. With a built-in mic, multifunction controls, and a (supposedly) comfortable fit, they deliver sustainable sound at an affordable price.

Harman International, the Samsung-owned audio company that serves as the parent company for JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Infinity etc., has completed its acquisition of Sound United. The acquisition brings popular brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz under the Harman umbrella.

Sony has shown off a new set of wireless desk speakers for PlayStation devices. It uses the PlayStation Link protocol and can be used with consoles and PCs alike.

Logitech has introduced the Zone Wireless 2 ES and Zone Wired 2 headsets for business use, featuring AI-powered noise cancellation, reversible boom mics, and remote firmware updates. Both models offer replaceable components and compatibility with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom.

The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro have officially landed outside the Chinese market. These new open-ear earbuds come with a multi-driver setup for "pro sound," and they are rated for up to 8.5 hours of battery life.

Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled the Px8 S2 headphones as successors to the Px8. The new headphones have the same familiar design as the Px8 but are slimmer and more comfortable. They also bring improvements to noise cancellation and boast support for Spatial Audio.

Sony has been rumoured to have lined up the WF-1000XM6 for a 2025 release since last year. However, a new sighting has thrown caution on prior rumours, with the Sony WF-1000XM6 potentially several months from being officially launched.

KEF is finally offering a real alternative to the Sonos Roam, as the KEF Muo also combines a particularly compact, completely waterproof case with a long battery life and allegedly high-quality sound. However, KEF is omitting two of the best features of Sonos' counterpart.

The brand-new flagship headphones from Bang & Olufsen are supposedly ready for the next century thanks to a "true transparency mode" and an innovative gesture control, at least according to the manufacturer's marketing. While the battery promises a long lifespan, it cannot be replaced.

Loewe is entering the highly competitive market for active noise-canceling (ANC) over-ear headphones. The Loewe Leo wants to compete with Hi-Fi sound, LC3+ and additional features such as real-time translation and a voice assistant.

For a modest $60, users can build a full transceiver capable of transmitting RF data packets over long distances, making it perfect for users looking to develop standalone communication services. What's more is that the project is reasonably straightforward, with all components being widely available.

Shokz has refreshed its OpenFit 2 earbuds with a plus model that brings some notable upgrades. From support for Dolby Audio to an improved audio experience and the addition of a wireless charging case, the OpenFit 2+ earbuds try to justify their higher price tag.

There's a new TV speaker in Xiaomi's portfolio, which comes with a 5.1.2-channel configuration and features a built-in subwoofer. The soundbar sports a peak power rating of 490 W, and the launch price is CNY 1,999, around $281.

A new Google smart speaker, the Google Home Speaker, has been named in the code behind a recent version of the brand’s app. This device appears to be a successor to the brand’s older Nest Mini and Nest Audio products. Plus, the APK reveals some of the speaker’s features, including a big upgrade.

Huawei has unveiled the FreeBuds 7i, next-generation true wireless earbuds featuring advanced active noise cancellation (ANC 4.0), immersive 3D spatial audio, and a host of smart calling features.

Nothing's CMF sub-brand has provided an early look at its first pair of headphones ahead of its launch later this month. The CMF Headphone Pro, as it is called, has a colorful design, a scroll wheel, and a slider key.

Devialet has upgraded its iconic Phantom speaker as part of a new Ultimate version, which keeps its compact dimensions but supposedly offers an impressive sound pressure of 108dB and bass frequency down to 14Hz. The Devialet Phantom Ultimate also sports smart features and can be paired to create a pair of stereo speakers.

Nothing Ear (3) will be an upgrade over the Nothing Ear from last year in most aspects. From the materials to the features to the Talk button on the case, a lot of improvements are on the way.

Samsung’s best Dolby Atmos soundbars are seeing massive discounts right now, with both the HW-Q990F and Q990D currently down to their lowest prices yet. Normally $1,999, you can now grab them for under $1,000.

The HiFi specialist Campfire Audio is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new edition of the Andromeda headphones, which receive an upgrade to ten drivers to appropriately celebrate this milestone. The manufacturer is also offering a limited special edition in gold and black.

Razer has unveiled two new variations of the Kraken Kitty. The headphones with cat ears are available either as the relatively affordable Kraken Kitty V3 X or as the higher-quality Kraken Kitty V3 Pro with RGB lighting and titanium drivers.

In addition to more effective noise cancellation and a more robust, ergonomic housing, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 sport a brand-new heart rate sensor. An initial test now shows that the earbuds can also record significantly more accurate data than the Powerbeats Pro 2.