Tag Archives: Audio Technology

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 we currently recommend 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 yesterday is ridiculous, even if it is a relief that they finally have USB-C.

For context, Apple wasn’t even expected to introduce an AirPods Max update at the iPhone 16 event — but the day before, Apple prognosticator Mark Gurman at Bloomberg surprisingly said that the headphones would receive their first significant update. However, the update involved replacing the Lightning charging port with USB-C and some new colors. That’s it. Nothing to inspire an upgrade from Apple nutjobs like me (though I sorely wish my headphones did in fact have USB-C, now that I’ve mostly moved away from Lightning devices). I’m a fan of the new colors and would love to switch to USB-C, but not enough to spend $550 — or even half that to be honest.

On the other hand, Sony has updated its flagship headphones regularly, with the WH-1000XM3 arriving in 2018, the XM4 in 2020, the XM5 in 2022 and the XM6 expected in 2025. Most Sony users aren't going to upgrade from the XM4 to the XM5, or even a future XM6, as high-end headphones should last for years. But when you're buying a company's flagship headphones, you're getting the best product they could possibly make. Sony has made sure that’s the case by refining the design, offering better battery life or improving ANC.

What’s most frustrating about the AirPods Max update is that they had to do at least a modicum of internal redesign to drop in USB-C, so why not upgrade the chips to the H2 processors? The H1 varient inside the AirPods Max was first released in early 2019, as part of the second-generation AirPods. And now, all AirPods, including the just-announced $129 fourth-generation model, use that H2 processor. It enables useful improvements like adaptive audio, which essentially blurs the lines between traditional transparency and noise-canceling modes depending on the ambient sound around you. It also lets you nod or shake your head to respond to Siri rather than having to speak out loud.

These features would certainly be welcome by potential AirPods Max buyers, but instead the incredibly expensive headphones are stuck with a five-year-old chip for the foreseeable future. I can’t get over how silly that is considering the fact that entry-level AirPods are getting some of the benefits of the H2 processor. Of course, the AirPods Max have speaker quality and tuning that far exceeds what you’ll get from a $129 pair of earbuds. But as Apple’s top-tier headphone (in cost, if not features), they’re a tough sell given they’re missing features you can get on the AirPods 4 with ANC for a third of the price.

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/why-are-apples-airpods-max-still-saddled-with-2020-hardware-200506426.html?src=rss

The key updates that make AirPods 4 block sound better — and just sound better

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The headline feature of the AirPods 4 may be active noise cancellation (ANC), but Apple has done well to improve the overall audio quality in addition to blocking environmental sounds. For the first time on the "regular" AirPods ANC is on the spec sheet, at least for one model, and there are a few key components that allow the earbuds to effectively cancel noise. And that's despite the fact that your ears aren't completely sealed off with a flexible tip. There are also specific changes to the AirPods 4 that improve overall sound quality, a feat that's impressive in its own right for open design earbuds. 

When it comes to the ANC setup on AirPods 4, the combination of a refined earbud shape, the power of the H2 chip and upgraded microphones work in unison for useful noise cancellation. Apple isn't the first to offer ANC on open-type earbuds. I've reviewed dozens of sets of earbuds over the years, and after a few minutes with the AirPods 4, I would argue the company is the first to actually employ noise cancelling in a way that's actually helpful while not fully sealing off your ears. The ANC setup here obviously blocks noise, which isn't always the case with this type of buds. 

Apple has amassed a database of thousands of ear scans and 50 million data points, both of which contributed to the tapered design and reduced proportions of the AirPods 4. Those changes mean the earbuds fit better in more people's ears. A better fit means the ANC tech is less reliant on a complete seal to do its thing, but also it means that the earbuds should be more comfortable to wear. 

The updated microphones have both a lower noise floor and higher frequency bandwidth. This means that the system can detect a wider range of sounds that it may need to block out. Plus, there's advanced computational audio at work for the ANC here, powered by the H2 chip. This component also enables the features from AirPods Pro to be available on AirPods 4, from Voice Isolation to Siri Interactions and more. 

AirPods 4 have some seriously impressive ANC chops.
Billy Steele for Engadget

The addition of ANC arrives alongside transparency mode on the regular AirPods for the first time. I want to note that while I did observe less than ideal performance in a brief trial in the busy hands-on area after the event, the sound quality here should be just as natural as what's on the AirPods Pro. There could be a number of reasons why I couldn't hear my voice come through as clearly on this new model, including the fact that the demo room was wall-to-wall with journalists all raucously vying for the same limited real estate.  

Apple also sought to drastically improve the overall sound quality on the AirPods 4, and a key way it did so is really quite simple. Rather than having the driver pointed towards the side of your ear, the company repositioned it so that the audio is pointed directly into your ear canal. That change also reduced the number of audio reflections inside the AirPods housing, which allowed the company to enhance performance at higher frequencies. The result is increased overall clarity. There's also new acoustic architecture, a new low-distortion 11 millimeter driver and a new high dynamic range amp.

The result of all of those sonic changes on the AirPods 4 is an obvious boost in overall sound quality. After a brief listening session, I can vouch for the increased clarity the company described in its announcement, as well as a deeper, fuller effect on the audio. You'll notice a big difference between these and the third-gen AirPods, even if you don't spring for the ANC version. 

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/the-key-updates-that-make-airpods-4-block-sound-better--and-just-sound-better-160744010.html?src=rss

Apple refreshes its AirPods Max with USB-C and new colors

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After nearly four years, Apple finally delivered an update to its most premium headphones. But instead of a new generation of AirPods Max, the company simply refreshed the existing over-ear headphones with USB-C support and a handful of new colors. 

With the same $549 price tag, the updated AirPods Max will maintain their status as Apple’s most expensive AirPods, though the updates are mainly cosmetic. The over-ear headphones will now be available in five new colors: midnight, blue, purple, orange and starlight. Apple is also ditching the lightning connector for a USB-C port, much like it did with its Beats Studio Pro headphones. The lightly refreshed headphones go on sale September 20 and are available for pre-order now.

But anyone hoping for more significant upgrades will likely be disappointed. The latest AirPods Max will have the exact same design, with Apple’s “breathable knit mesh” band, stainless steel frame and memory foam cups. The company also didn't upgrade its chip from the H1, or add any new audio features to the almost four-year-old headphones. That may be because Apple is saving a bigger update for 2025. Bloomberg reported that Apple has an AirPods Max upgrade planned for the end of next year.

Those looking for upgraded audio, however, will find some major improvements elsewhere in the AirPods lineup. Apple introduced two new versions of its standard, non-pro buds with the AirPods 4. The in-ear buds come with the H2 chip, support "adaptive audio" features, and an option for active noise cancellation.

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/apple-refreshes-its-airpods-max-with-new-colors-and-usb-c-174330979.html?src=rss

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 buttons are on the left side, with that latter control also assisting with track skipping and activating PartyUp mode (with Auracast) for syncing with other Miniroll speakers. Along the bottom edge, there's a USB-C port for charging. Even though that component is fully exposed, the speaker is IP67 rated dust and waterproof, plus it's able to withstand drops of nearly four feet (1.2 meters). 

The latest UR speaker can attach to nearly anything thanks to a built-in strap.
Ultimate Ears

Don't let the smaller size fool you, the Miniroll still packs a punch. The speaker can manage up to 85.5dB of volume, which is impressive for a unit of this stature. That big sound is powered by one 45.6mm active driver and one 37.75mm x 65mm passive radiator. 

Ultimate Ears promises up to 12 hours of battery life on a charge, plenty of juice for an all-day party on the go. There's a sustainability element here, too. The fabric made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester and the speaker contains at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled plastic parts.

The Miniroll is available now for $80 (€80/£70) in black, blue, grey and pink color options. At this price, the speaker is the most affordable in the current UE range — in addition to being the smallest. 

Update, September 9 2024, 5:35PM ET: This post was updated after UE clarified that the PartyUp feature on Miniroll only works with other Miniroll speakers. This is due to the fact that Miniroll is the only UE speaker that supports Auracast at this time. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/miniroll-is-the-smallest-ultimate-ears-speaker-but-it-packs-big-sound-070144756.html?src=rss

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 360 Reality Audio especially). More specifically, the drivers here have a soft edge for those super low frequencies and a hard dome shape for accurate reproduction in the ultra-high range. There's also a "tuned port" on the outside of the ear cups, or Beat Response Control as Sony calls it, that provides the ventilation needed for improved low frequency control. That component works in tandem with an optimized diaphragm for "very tight bass response," according to the company. 

"In recording sessions, it is important to care what musicians or singers are listening to when they play or sing," explained Akihiro Nishimura, an engineer at Power Station at Berklee NYC who worked with Sony to develop these headphones. "MDR-M1 gives you the same impression of listening in a control room headphone, which makes it easier to create music by listening to each other."

Sony's latest studio headphones offer a big upgrade over the popular MDR-7506.
Sony

These are closed-back headphones, so you won't have to worry about sound leakage or ambient noise creeping in. Sony enhanced the replaceable ear pads for both increased comfort and better noise isolation. It also reduced the overall weight compared to the 7506, which means longer recording sessions shouldn't be as much of a burden. The MDR-M1 will come with two detachable cables with machined aluminum connections, one that has a stereo mini-plug and plug adapter (stereo mini to stereo standard) and the other a shorter option for connecting to various professional gear. Sony also took care to make the MDR-M1 more durable, as they're like to get dropped or flung around a studio or other recording and editing environments. 

The MDR-M1 is available for preorder now for $250, a significant increase over the MDR-7506. If open-back headphones are more your thing for recording and editing, the MDR-MV1 carries a similar spec sheet to this new model. But, the price tag is even higher at $400. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sonys-mdr-m1-studio-headphones-offer-an-audio-and-comfort-upgrade-over-the-mdr-7506-150052628.html?src=rss

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 each. 

Planar magnetic drivers provide improved accuracy through better treble and mid-range performance over dynamic drivers. However, dynamic drivers have the power to move lots of air for booming bass. Noble argues putting the two of them together creates "stunningly blissful" sound that no other headphones can generate. This model supports both LDAC and aptX HD for high-quality audio over Bluetooth. 

Of course, audio quality is only part of the equation with wireless headphones, and the FoKus Apollo's spec sheet looks solid. Noble promises up to 60 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) on, with an additional 20 hours of use if you turn it off. Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and transparency mode are available, and you can customize the EQ via an app. The ANC setup is powered by an ADI chip and a collection of six microphones. Noble says this arrangement is enough to cancel out 35dB of environmental noise.  

Noble didn't cut corners on design either. The FoKus Apollo is built with an anodized aluminum frame, and the Alcantara headband and replaceable protein leather earpads complete the look. In addition the built-in mic for calls, the company also offers the option to use a removable boom mic and there's a 3.5mm audio jack for wired use. 

Noble's gear doesn't usually come cheap, and that's the case with the FoKus Apollo too. The headphones are $649 (£599/€699) and shipments are scheduled to begin this month. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/noble-audio-pairs-dynamic-and-planar-magnetic-drivers-in-its-first-headphones-133330144.html?src=rss

Klipsch’s latest soundbar is the first to come with Dirac Live room calibration

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Soundbars may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Klipsch, but the company has a lot of experience with the living room devices. The company already has two models in its Flexus Core lineup and now it's adding a third, flagship-level option to its stable. The Flexus Core 300 is a 5.1.2-channel soundbar that will offer more immersive sound than the 3.1.2-channel Flexus Core 200 and 2.1-channel Flexus Core 100. It will also be the company's most expensive soundbar in the current group at $999. 

Klipsch says the Flexus Core 300 will be the first soundbar that's equipped with Dirac Live room calibration tech. Dirac is an audio company based in Sweden with years of experience in room correction and headphone calibration. It even teamed up with Dolby for more immersive in-car audio systems. In the case of this soundbar, Dirac Live uses an included microphone to adjust "the magnitude and phase" of the speaker to any room in order to to provide "more transparent, balanced sound" with "tighter bass, improved staging and enhanced clarity." Klipsch also provides the Dirac Live license at no extra cost, which isn't always the case with compatible products, according to the the company. 

“Our collaboration with Klipsch on their all-new Flexus Core 300 sound bar proves that cutting-edge room correction technology is no longer just for the high-end AVR market — it’s now also for the mainstream consumer audio market,” Dirac’s Vice President of Home and Pro Audio Fredric Tapper said in a press release. 

Klipsch's Flexus Core 300 soundbar is the largest and most powerful in its current lineup.
Klipsch

Inside, 12 speakers power Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio, including four 2.25-inch front-firing drivers alongside two 2.25-inch up-firing and two 2.25-inch side-firing units. There are also four 4-inch subwoofers for the low-end tone and a dedicated center channel with Klipsch's horn-loaded tweeter tech for clear dialogue across different volumes. Like the Flexus Core 100 and 200, the 300 is powered by Onkyo electronics as both it and Klipsch (among other brands) are owned by VOXX International.  

Around back, there's an HDMI 2.1 output with 8K passthrough as well as an HDMI eARC input. An RCA jack can be used to connect a subwoofer, and both Blueooth 5.3 and WiFi connectivity are here. Standard soundbar audio features like Dialog Boost and Night Mode are on the spec sheet as well, as is compatibility with the Klipsch Connect Plus app for customization and various settings. 

The Flexus Core 300 will be available this winter for $999. Klipsch will also offer a new set of surround speakers for $399 and a new 12-inch subwoofer for $499, but nothing extra comes with the soundbar unless you add them on.  

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/klipschs-latest-soundbar-is-the-first-to-come-with-dirac-live-room-calibration-130010808.html?src=rss

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 use of aluminum and knitted cloth. There's even a scratch-resistant glass touch interface on the outside of the ear cups. The company says it was inspired by fine jewelry for the black, sand and apricot color options, all of which combine the "solid sheen of aluminum, softness of leather, and cold-to-the-touch glass" for what B&O describes as "design excellence." The inner headband and ear pad are both detachable, so you can replace them if they become overly worn or dirty. 

Inspired by the company's Beolab 90 speaker, the Beoplay H100 packs in 40mm drivers with "sound clarity and dynamic performance that you normally only hear on high-end loudspeakers." High-resolution audio is in the mix, with support for 96 kHz/24-bits tunes. Dolby Atmos is also in play, with head tracking available if you're into that. B&O says its adaptive audio tech, which it calls EarSense, monitors the fit of the headphones and adjusts the sound profile in real time. 

The inner headband and ear pads are user replaceable on the H100.
Bang & Olufsen

B&O says it doubled the active noise cancellation (ANC) performance of the H95 for this set, employing 10 microphones that also provide what the company describes as its best transparency mode yet. What's more, a dial on the outside of the ear cups rotates to find your preferred level of so-called TrueTransparency. There's also a Quick Listen mode when you need to pay attention to your surroundings at second's notice, but don't necessarily want to leave transparency enabled. Of course, there are also lofty claims of crystal clear calls "even in very demanding situations," but that's the expected refrain from any headphone company. 

The company has been designing its speakers and other audio gear for longevity for a while now. B&O says its building products to they can be updated for years before becoming obsolete. It's also making them easier for technicians to service, and all of this applies to the H100. That's definitely something you need to harp on when you're asking over $1,000 for a set of cans. Aside from the aesthetic upgrades users can complete themselves, the company says the design of the headphones enables quick access for service to batteries, glass surfaces, drivers and circuit boards. Software "won't be surpassed by new technology," the company explains, with key features like wireless high-resolution audio and three-device multipoint Bluetooth among the future updates.

Similar to AirPods Max, the Beoplay H100 enters a low-power mode when it's outside of the carrying case but not being worn. The company says the headphones can remain in this state for up to 90 days, ready to be used as soon as you put them on. If you store them in the case though, the headphones will fully power off. The H100 will last up to 34 hours on a charge with ANC on, which is four hours less than the more affordable H95. 

The Beoplay H100 is available today from B&O stores and the company's website. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bang-and-olufsen-debuts-beoplay-h100-headphones-that-cost-1549-070041891.html?src=rss

Labor Day sales include up to 20 percent off Sonos speakers

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Sonos has a number of Labor Day sales on speakers and bundles right now that discount gear by up to 20 percent. The most notable deal is for the Era 100 smart speaker, which has been discounted to $200, down from $250. The Era 100 made our list of the best smart speakers, and for good reason. This is a speaker designed, first and foremost, for audio quality. It includes two tweeters, where most smart speakers have one, and an extra-large woofer. All of that results in impressive bass, huge volume and great high-end clarity.

It’s also, of course, a smart speaker. The built-in microphones help to optimize the output based on where the speaker has been placed. It works with many smart assistants for voice control, including Alexa or the company’s proprietary assistant. It doesn’t work with Google Assistant, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

There’s a USB-C line-in and Bluetooth for multi-speaker setups. As a matter of fact, you can hodgepodge a decent surround sound home theater system by pairing two of these together with a soundbar.

This is a sitewide sale, so the Era 100 is far from the only available deal. The Move 2 portable speaker has been discounted to $360 from $450 and the Beam 2 soundbar is on sale for $400 instead of $500. The company's impressive Ace headphones have also been discounted to $400 from $450. 

The sale even applies to bundles, for those looking for a complete setup. A combo featuring both the Era 100 and the Move 2 is available for $578, which is a savings of $120. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/labor-day-sales-include-up-to-20-percent-off-sonos-speakers-153814854.html?src=rss

The JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds come with a case that can transmit audio wirelessly

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JBL has unveiled its latest set of Tour Pro earbuds, which are packed with features and come with a smart charging case (which the company introduced with the previous model). Along with offering caller ID, media file info and music playback controls, the Tour Pro 3's second-gen smart case works as a wireless audio transmitter.

That means you can plug it into any USB or analog source and it will send the audio to your earbuds. As such, you can leave your Bluetooth dongle at home the next time you take a flight. JBL says the direct connection between your case and earbuds has lower latency and more stability than Bluetooth as well.

A person holds an earbud charging case that's connected to an in-flight entertainment system.
JBL

This is JBL's first set of wireless earbuds with Auracast support, a type of broadcast audio for Bluetooth devices. You'll be able to share your audio with other Auracast-enabled devices by tapping a button on the case's display (which is 30 percent larger than on the previous model). You'll also be able to join other Auracast-enabled broadcasts. So if you'd rather listen to a game's commentators rather than the drunken ramblings of someone next to you in a noisy bar and the TV has an Auracast transmitter, you'd be able to connect your earbuds to it.

Elsewhere, JBL has included spatial 360 audio and head tracking tech to boost immersion, and it has employed a hybrid dual-driver system in each earbud. The company says that the balanced armature driver takes care of the high notes, while the 11mm dynamic driver delivers "powerful, cleaner bass and vivid vocals." Each driver has its own DAC that focuses on a specific segment of the frequency range. JBL also claims the LDAC wireless codec offers "exceptional high resolution sound" since it provides three times more data than standard Bluetooth codecs.

A windproof design, six microphones and AI call algorithm are said to work together to improve voice clarity for calls. There's also a voice call equalizer that can tamp down the volume of loud talkers and boost the voices of quieter folks.

Let's not forget the ANC side of the equation. The True Adaptive Noise Cancellation 2.0 tech JBL built into the earbuds measures noise levels more than 50,000 times per second. The company says the ANC adapts to environmental changes and compensates for sound leakage.

The JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds will be available on September 22. They cost $300, which is $50 more than the previous model.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/the-jbl-tour-pro-3-earbuds-come-with-a-case-that-can-transmit-audio-wirelessly-165134542.html?src=rss