audio

Why are Apple’s AirPods Max still saddled with 2020 hardware?
11 Sep

Why are Apple’s AirPods Max still saddled with 2020 hardware?

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As I write this, I’m listening to tunes on my 2020-vintage AirPods Max. Yes, that makes me a bit of an Apple fanboy, and at least six pairs of headphones over them. But for me, they still sound outstanding, have great active noise cancellation and work well with my most-used devices. They also are missing a few features compared to the second-generation AirPods Pro that came out in 2022. That doesn’t bother me, given that they’re almost four years old — but the idea of spending the $550 that Apple is asking for the refreshed version of these headphones announced…
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Miniroll is the smallest Ultimate Ears speaker, but it packs big sound
09 Sep

Miniroll is the smallest Ultimate Ears speaker, but it packs big sound

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If the compact Wonderboom is just too big for you, Ultimate Ears' latest speaker will supplant that model as the smallest entry in the company's current lineup. The Miniroll is, as the name suggests, a diminutive version of the company's flat, circular Roll design. This new Bluetooth option weighs less than a pound and can tuck into tight pockets. Or, as UE was keen to show off in the marketing materials, the speaker can attach to nearly anything thanks to a built-in, flexible strap.Once again, Ultimate Ears retained the prominent volume buttons as a key design element. Power and play/pause…
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Sony’s MDR-M1 studio headphones offer an audio and comfort upgrade over the MDR-7506
05 Sep

Sony’s MDR-M1 studio headphones offer an audio and comfort upgrade over the MDR-7506

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Sony's MDR-7506 headphones have become a go-to option for recording studios and creators. The set of cans are only $100 and they offer crisp, clean sound so you know exactly what your audience is going to hear. Today, the company announced a more robust option for studio headphones, the MDR-M1, that has a slightly updated design, new drivers, wider frequency range and improved bass response.Inside, the MDR-M1 packs newly developed drivers capable of frequency response of 5Hz – 80kHz. Sony explains that this ultra-wide range is crucial for things like subtle details in various recorded sound sources (Dolby Atmos and…
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Noble Audio pairs dynamic and planar magnetic drivers in its first headphones
03 Sep

Noble Audio pairs dynamic and planar magnetic drivers in its first headphones

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The last time we checked in on Noble Audio, the company had developed a set of wireless earbuds with xMEMS drivers inside. Now, the company is back with its first set of wireless headphones, and it created a unique driver arrangement for this product too. The FoKus Apollo is the first set of cans to offer a hybrid speaker setup that pairs a 40mm dynamic driver alongside a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, according to the company. The duo should offer "top-end clarity of planar with the power and body achieved by dynamic drivers," thanks to the inherent sonic capabilities of…
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Bang & Olufsen debuts the $1,549 Beoplay H100 headphones
03 Sep

Bang & Olufsen debuts the $1,549 Beoplay H100 headphones

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Luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen is know for its high-end design and equally exorbitant prices. Typically the company's earbuds and headphones are more expensive than most competitors, but not astronomically so. That's changed with the company's flagship noise-cancelling headphones though. Following the $999 Beoplay H95, B&O has announced the Beoplay H100 that will cost you $1,549. The company says the H95 have been its "most successful headphones to date," and the H100 has a number of improvements over that model.Like most B&O headphones, the Beoplay H100 is crafted with premium materials, from the lambskin leather ear pads to the…
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Spotify says Apple ‘discontinued’ the tech for some of its volume controls on iOS
31 Aug

Spotify says Apple ‘discontinued’ the tech for some of its volume controls on iOS

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The latest round in the Spotify vs. Apple battle concerns volume controls. The streaming service says Apple "discontinued the technology" that allowed it to employ the volume buttons on iOS devices to make level adjustments when using Spotify Connect. Spotify says it's working on a solution, but for now, you'll have to use the volume slider in the iOS app. The company explains that this issue doesn't affect Bluetooth or AirPlay connections, nor does it impact Android users."Apple has discontinued the technology that enables Spotify to control volume for connected devices using the volume buttons on the device," the company…
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Sony’s new budget-friendly earbuds have ambient sound mode, but only cost $60
26 Aug

Sony’s new budget-friendly earbuds have ambient sound mode, but only cost $60

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Sony refreshed its affordable earbud offering in 2021 when it debuted the $100 WF-C500. While that model delivered a refreshed design with 10 hours of battery life, support for 360 Reality Audio and more, budget-friendly sets have dropped well below the initial price of the C500. Now Sony is back with an even cheaper option, the WF-C510, that will be available for $70.The company tweaked the design once more for this budget-friendly pair, engineering earbuds that are 20 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter than the C500. In fact, Sony says this new model is its smallest design ever for…
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Dyson OnTrac headphones review: When the basics aren’t enough
15 Aug

Dyson OnTrac headphones review: When the basics aren’t enough

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When you hear the words "Dyson headphones," the first thing that comes to mind is likely the Bane-like Zone. The company debuted its air-purifying wearable in 2022, but woefully short battery life kept the product from being useful on a daily basis. Now Dyson is back with another version, and its sole purpose is to provide audio and active noise cancellation (ANC) for “normal” use. The OnTrac headphones ($500) have a classic Dyson color scheme and build with long battery life, but the lack of advanced features keep this premium set of cans from competing with the best.DysonAn almost infinitely…
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Why is the Sonos app so broken?
14 Aug

Why is the Sonos app so broken?

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Following back in the spring, the Sonos app was very broken and missing key functionality. The company admitted it made a huge mistake in pushing the redesign too soon and explained that it has since uncovered more “issues” that have prohibited it from adding those missing features. Users were quickly frustrated, and now the company is so mired in fixing its app problem that it that are ready to launch ahead of the holiday season. Let’s discuss how we got here, what happened with the app, the consequences Sonos is facing and what likely happens next.The backstorySonos released a completely…
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Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones drop to a new low of $198
13 Aug

Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones drop to a new low of $198

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High-quality active noise cancellation headphones are always going to cost a pretty penny. But, a new sale has dropped Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones to a record-low price. A 43 percent discount brings the M4s down to $198, from $348.Sony released the WH-1000XM4 headphones in 2020, further improving on a model that was already our top pick. Our review gave the M4 a 94, thanks to a more premium finish — tactile matte coating versus slick plastic — and a better overall fit. The device also offers powerful ANC, a punchy bass and automatic pausing if you start talking. These headphones provide…
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