Tag Archives: Audio

Spigen’s AirPods Pro 2 Case gives it a See-Through-Effect and MagSafe Capabilities

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Don’t go out and buy a Beats Studio Buds + just yet because Spigen’s new AirPods Pro 2 case gives it a similar transparent design. The protective case guards your AirPods from accidental bumps and falls, while also giving it a few details of its own in the form of a carabiner clip, and built-in magnets that allow the AirPods Pro 2 case to snap onto Apple’s MagSafe charger. However, the one highlight is the case’s transparent graphic that outlines all the AirPods’ internal parts from the screws and PCBs, to the chipset and even the wireless charging coil at the back.

Designer: Spigen

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These transparent Ultra Hybrid Zero One covers for the AirPods Pro 2 follow Spigen’s foray into transparent cases for the iPhone too, inspired directly by the gorgeous iMac G3 designs from the good old days. The covers ultimately provide a layer of Spigen-backed physical protection to the AirPods case, shielding it from bumps and scratches thanks to an impact-resistant PolyCarbonate (PC) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) build. The cover fits snugly around the case, with air-pockets around the corners to help provide an added layer of cushioning. The AirPods case’s lanyard hole is left exposed for you to use, although the other side has a slot for a carabiner clip to slide in.

Perhaps the most alluring thing about the Zero One covers is their eye-catching graphics. Following the transparency trend that’s been taking the tech and gaming world by storm, the Zero One cases have a faux transparent graphic on them too, outlining all of the AirPods Pro 2’s inner components. Obviously, it isn’t all accurate (I assume Apple’s lawyers would ensure that), but it makes a pretty strong insinuation. If you’re looking for a truly transparent AirPods Pro 2 case, we know a guy…

The case is designed to be compatible with older AirPods Pro 2 versions with the lightning port as well as new variants with the USB-C port in their base. It even has a transparent window for the AirPods case’s built-in status LED, allowing you to see the charging, battery, and connection status of your TWS earbuds.

Flip the case over and your eye will notice six cleverly placed Phillips-head screws in the graphic. These screws aren’t really indicative of the AirPods case’s construction but rather are strategic markings for the Zero One cover’s built-in magnets. Designed to be compatible with Apple’s MagSafe charger, the magnets allow your AirPods case to snap right in place, charging almost instantaneously.

The cover comes with its own carabiner clip, which you can either remove, or use as a means to loop your AirPods Pro 2 to your bag, pant, or jacket. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid Zero Union cover for the AirPods Pro 2 starts at $44.99 on Spigen’s own site, although it’s available for a sizeable discount on Spigen’s Amazon storefront.

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A Music Instrument for the Hearing Impaired: This Synth uses Tactile and Color Cues Instead of Sound

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“Play by ear” as they commonly say, doesn’t really apply to people with hearing impairments. The most common example of a hearing-impaired musical genius remains Beethoven, who composed entire orchestral pieces by relying on what he remembered from a time when he could hear. By the time he reached the peak of his career, Beethoven was completely deaf, but his memory served him well when it came to playing music… not everyone today has that luxury, but the Vibra helps the hearing impaired play music by connecting the audio to other senses like touch and sight.

Designers: Ahn Taegwang, Go Yeongseok, Hwang Jimin, Lee Wonjae

A winner of the Red Dot Design Concept Award, Vibra is a new instrument and service that can meet the musical needs of people with hearing impairments. Unlike traditional instruments that rely entirely on auditory feedback, Vibra relies on a combination of vibrations or haptic feedback, and visual cues like color and composition. The musical instrument comes with a modular design that serves the needs of multiple instruments, from key-based to percussive, string, and even electronic. It eventually pairs with an app that allows players to visualize their music. With a fair amount of visual training and consistent practice, hearing-impaired people can use the Vibra to play existing tunes and even compose new music entirely on their own.

The companion app fills in the sensorial gaps left by the auditory impairment. It provides a visual interface that helps conceptualize sound in a graphic sense, allowing people to understand notes, chords, harmonies, and other complex theories through vision instead of sound. The app enables practice, helps users find which instrument they’re more comfortable playing, and also allows them to learn and practice how to play popular tunes!

The Vibra is a Winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2023.

The post A Music Instrument for the Hearing Impaired: This Synth uses Tactile and Color Cues Instead of Sound first appeared on Yanko Design.

Marine-inspired Bose earbuds boast stemless design and fin tips for secure fit

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Premium wireless earbuds have gained popularity in the last couple of years due to their practical design, excellent ANC and non-compromised audio comparable to IEMs. The current top-of-the-line options are the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 and Jabra Elite 10.

Talking of the Active Noise Cancellation feature, Bose is at the top of the tree. The earbuds also score high when it comes to comfort. The stem design of the TWS earbuds makes it a direct competitor for the Apple AirPods Pro 2 which are the best option for users deep rooted in the Apple ecosystem. So, how about a refreshing design for Bose earbuds that ditches the stem shape for a more conventional shape without compromising a secure fit?

Designer: Anant Vijay

This concept design for Bose earbuds not only peps up the available options but also lures in buyers who ditch QuietComfort Earbuds II for the stem design. Inspired by underwater creatures and marine life, the audio accessory is designed to deliver sublime audio and a unique user experience. But excellent sound delivery is nothing to talk about if the comfort level is compromised. For that reason, these Bose earbuds come with ear tip fins for a secure seal. Thus, you can take them to the gym, swimming pool, or morning runs without worrying about them falling off or getting loose.

Waterproof and dustproof aesthetics bring another level of security to a buyer who’s spending well to get premium features. The choice of colors for the buds is also inspired by the marine colors, and I absolutely love the choice. The nozzle of the buds is narrower than you would otherwise find on Bose earbuds signifying a shift towards warmer sound signature with emphasis on low sub bass.

Depending on the audio drivers installed on these Bose buds, one can expect big sound coming from that housing. Could we expect this to be a future design language for the Bose premium earbuds? That could be the case if Bose wants to have stemless buds also in its lineup.

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Astell&Kern’s Award-Winning SR35 Portable Hi-Fi Audio Player Delivers Sublime Sound on a Budget

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The iPod may have died at the turn of the 2010s, but for audiophiles, Astell&Kern’s handheld Hi-fi Digital Audio Players (DAPs) couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Since 2012, the company’s developed some of the most premium-sounding audio gear consumers could ask for, with the SR35 being a culmination of the company’s decade-long innovation in the audio category. Now in its fourth avatar (following last year’s SR25 MKII) the SR35 boasts even better specs, with 20 hours of continuous playback, Quad DAC, and two-step Gain control – all powered by Astell&Kern’s New Generation Amp technology, featured for the first time in their portable A&norma product range.

Designers: So Yean Kim, Ji Sun Kim, Jong Min Jeong, Dong O Hwang, Seon Mi Ko & Jong Seung Kim

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The A&norma SR35 lives up to Astell&Kern’s lofty legacy. It delivers sound that rivals full-size players, ensuring you get the most out of your music on the go. At the heart of the SR35 is the Cirrus Logic CS43198 Quad DAC Chip, ensuring impeccable sound reproduction. What sets it apart is the inclusion of Astell&Kern’s TERATON ALPHA technology, which enhances dynamics, spatial perception, resolution, and separation, delivering true-to-life Hi-Fi audio that does your lossless music collection true justice.

The experience is powered by Astell&Kern’s latest amp technology. Pulling from its top-end A&ultima line, the SR35 is the first in the A&norma series to get this high-end amplifier tech, which effectively improves noise reduction at high power output. To ensure consistent operation with various impedance output sources, the output end of the SR35 is enhanced with increased current handling capability, thereby optimizing performance across multiple devices. The SR35 comes with two-step gain-matching (“Normal Gain” and “High Gain”) for different headphones and IEMs, and houses three jacks on top for wired connections including one unbalanced 3.5mm out, and balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs respectively.

Although the audiophile community expresses much disdain for wireless experiences, the A&norma SR35 does a compelling job of handling wireless audio well too. The SR35 embraces the future of music playback with Bluetooth v5.0, supporting LDAC and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD codecs. Additionally, its dual-band (2.4/5GHz) WiFi ensures uninterrupted streaming and Roon Ready compatibility, allowing you to enjoy HiFi music through various services. The BT Sink function connects the SR35 to external devices via Bluetooth, offering a cableless, wireless solution for music file management, and Roon Ready compatibility elevates your audio experience by delivering the best sound quality through network systems.

The A&norma SR35’s design is instantly memorable with its iconic slanted 3.6-inch HD display that’s carried forward from its SR15 in 2018. With perhaps the strangest bezels on the planet, the hi-fi audio player boasts a tilted UI that cleverly avoids accidental touches from your thumb or fingers while holding the device. The tactile experience gets carried forward to that large textured volume crown on the side, which becomes a defining element of sorts for the SR35’s design. The other defining element is its compact, chiseled form factor that Astell&Kern describe as ‘warrior-inspired’. The bezel on the left is shaped like a broad sword with a pointed tip, while the large volume knob almost doubles as a shield-like element. The angled surfaces also lend a rugged appeal to the hi-fi audio player, eliciting a comparison with Tesla’s armored Cybertruck. All this combined has earned the SR35 multiple accolades including the iF Design Award 2023.

But it’s not all about outer aesthetics; the user interface has received a thoughtful overhaul too. The SR35 boasts a redesigned Crimson-themed UI/UX for an immersive music experience while simultaneously offering intuitive navigation through music categories with simple gestures as well as a powerful search feature and integrated album art for a visually engaging experience. The dark black and red theme not only reduces eye fatigue but also prolongs the SR35’s industry-leading battery life. Built with a 3,150mAh battery on the inside, the SR35 provides an impressive 20 hours of continuous playback that comfortably gets you through long-haul flights, long workdays, vacations, or even lazy weekends when listening to great music can become somewhat of a ritual.

The A&norma SR35 weighs a mere 184 grams, despite its all-metal body that gives it a premium in-hand experience. It sports a USB-C port at the base that lets you charge your audio player or connect it to a Windows or macOS device for transferring files. For enthusiasts, the SR35 starts at $800, undercutting Astell&Kern’s A&ultima series (while still delivering all the power-features) as well as the competition.

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