Posts with «audio technology» label

The best Amazon Prime Day headphone deals for 2023

Amazon Prime Day has brought several headphones and earbuds we recommend down to, or at least close to, the lowest prices we’ve tracked. If you’ve been looking to grab a new pair, now's a great time to. doso since Prime Day is typically only matched by Black Friday when it comes to sales on the latest headphones. We’ve rounded up the best Prime Day headphone deals we can find, covering models from Sony, Bose, Apple, Beats and several others.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is down to $328 for Prime Day, which is a new all-time low and $70 off the noise-canceling pair’s list price. It's part of a larger Sony headphones sale that includes a number of solid models. The XM5 is the top pick in our guide to the best wireless headphones. We gave it a review score of 95 last year, praising its comfortable fit, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), crisp call quality and 30-ish hours of battery life. By default, they have a bass-forward sound that’s best suited for hip-hop and EDM, but you can customize the EQ through Sony’s companion app. Like many Sony headphones, they also come with a range of useful bonus features, such as Speak-to-Chat, which automatically pauses whatever you’re playing when the microphones detect you are speaking.

Sony WH-1000XM4

The XM5’s predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM4, is also on sale for $248. That isn’t an all-time low, but it’s $100 off the pair’s MSRP and $30 below its typical sale price. Though we rate the XM5 higher, the XM4 still delivers powerful ANC, 30+ hours of battery life and a similar feature set. It can fold up, unlike its successor, and its headband has more plush padding. Some may also prefer to avoid the XM5’s adaptive ANC system, which adjusts automatically based on your environment. However, XM4 isn’t quite as adept at muting mid- and high-frequency noises, it sounds a little boomier out of the box and it doesn’t feel as light on the head. Its call quality is worse, too. But for less than $250, it’s still a great buy.

Bose QuietComfort 45

If you want a premium set of noise-canceling headphones for less than $200, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is another strong value at its Prime Day price of $199. That’s tied for an all-time low and roughly $110 below the pair’s average street price. We gave the QC 45 a review score of 86 in 2021 and call it a worthy alternative in our buying guide. It isn’t as fully-featured as the XM5 and only lasts around 20 hours per charge, but it has a more neutral sound by default, still-powerful ANC and a design that’s about as comfy yet doesn’t sacrifice the ability to fold up. They also use physical buttons instead of touch controls.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are on sale for $249, which is $20 more than its all-time low but still about $25 off its average street price. This is the “best noise cancellation” pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds, and it earned a review score of 87 last year. Its ANC is among the strongest we’ve heard on any headphone, let alone a true wireless pair. It’s adept across low-, mid- and treble-range frequencies, so it can mute nearby voices, plane engines or the hum of an air conditioner with similar success. This pair is on the bulky side, however, and its lack of wireless charging and multipoint connectivity is disappointing at this price. It did gain single-bud support earlier this year, though.

Anker Soundcore Space A40

The Soundcore Space A40 was already our favorite pair of wireless earbuds for those on a budget, and now it’s even more affordable at $55. That’s $24 below its usual going rate. The Space A40 provides the kind of performance and features you’d expect from true wireless earbuds that cost twice as much: strong ANC, a small and light design, a warm sound that’s enjoyable out of the box but customizable through a companion app, a transparency mode, wireless charging, solid battery life around eight hours per charge and the ability to connect to two devices at once. It can’t auto-pause music when you remove an earbud, nor can it fully match the best premium pairs when it comes to ANC strength, sound quality or mic clarity. But it’s not far off, and it’s way easier on the wallet.

Apple AirPods Pro

The Apple AirPods Pro are available for $199, which is a deal we've seen for most of the last few months but still $50 less than Apple's list price. This set continues to be an excellent option for iPhone owners, as it connects easily with other Apple devices, bakes its controls directly into iOS, supports Find My tracking and lets you access Siri hands-free. Its ANC isn’t as broadly powerful as the QuietComfort Earbuds II, but it’s good, and its transparency mode is among the clearest we’ve heard. While you can’t manually customize the AirPods Pro’s sound, it’s pleasingly warm by default. That said, the six-hour battery life is just OK, the control scheme takes some getting used to, and you really need to be committed to the Apple ecosystem to get the most out of it. We gave the Pro a score of 88 last year and call it the “best for iOS” pick in our wireless earbuds guide.

Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

The latest Amazon Echo Buds are down to $35 for Prime members, which is a $15 discount and an all-time low. We recommend this pair in our budget wireless earbuds guide to those who prefer an open design instead of one that fully inserts into the ear canal. Its audio quality is solid for the price and form factor, and it supports features we don’t often see in this range, including auto-pausing, multipoint and EQ customization. It’s not sweat-resistant enough for the gym, but the design rests lightly in the ear. Naturally, it also has Alexa baked in. Don’t expect super rich sound or more than five hours of battery life, but if you can’t stand the feeling of in-ear headphones, the Echo Buds are a decent option at this price.

Apple AirPods (3rd gen)

The third-gen Apple AirPods are on sale for $140, tying its all-time low. Apple sells these earbuds for $169, though we often see them for $20 less on Amazon. It’s another open-back pair, but its balanced sound is a noticeable step up from the Echo Buds, with more bass depth than usual for unsealed earbuds (albeit not a ton). There’s no ANC, as expected, but you still get wireless charging, button-like touch controls and a host of Apple-friendly features. Just note that the earpieces are a little large, so they may not fit well with certain ear shapes. We gave the third-gen AirPods a review score of 88 in late 2021.

Apple AirPods (2nd gen)

The second-gen AirPods, meanwhile, are available for $90. That’s $10 off its typical street price. It’s hard to call this a great value in 2023: Its five-hour battery life is worse than the third-gen AirPods, the one-size-fits-all design can be finicky and you can get better sound for much less. But if you’re an iPhone user who wants the usual AirPods suite of software perks in an unsealed design, this older model may still work. The third-gen set gives a big upgrade in audio quality, but the thinner earpieces here may fit some better.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 are down to $329, a $70 drop that matches the best price we’ve tracked. This is the runner up pick in our wireless headphones guide, and we gave it a score of 85 last year. It’s worth considering over the WH-1000XM5 if you’re willing to trade ANC strength for a more luxurious design. The hyped-up sound should particularly appeal to bass lovers, the battery lasts more than 30 hours per charge, and while the ANC can’t touch the best from Sony and Bose, it’s still useful. The XM5 offers better call quality and a wider range of software features, though, including a more extensive custom EQ tool.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M20xBT are on sale for $55, which is a $24 discount and a new low. This is the budget pick in our wireless headphones guide, delivering a light fit, impressive battery life rated at 60 hours per charge, multipoint connectivity and good enough sound for the money. It has few bonus features, and its build quality isn’t exactly refined, but the M20xBT should fit the bill if you just want a no-frills wireless headphone on the cheap.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30

If you’re on a budget but don’t want to give up ANC, Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 is another pair of wallet-friendly over-ears we like. It’s down to $56, which isn’t the best price we’ve seen but a $24 discount all the same. The Q30’s ample padding, 40 to 50 hours of battery life and multi-device pairing are nice, and though its ANC certainly isn’t top-tier, it’s beyond adequate at this price. Audio quality isn’t as nice as the M20xBT out of the box, as it massively inflates the bass, but you can rein it in somewhat through the Soundcore app. That said, the sound gets worse when ANC is off, and the plastic design is a little flimsy.

A couple of similar Soundcore headphones are also on sale for Prime Day, with the Soundcore Life Q35 down to $80 and the Soundcore Space Q45 down to an all-time low of $100. The former is $20 off its average street price, while the latter is a roughly $45 discount. The Q35 is a modest upgrade that improves call quality and adds support for the LDAC audio codec. The Q45 feels sturdier than either pair, improves the ANC and isn’t quite as bass-heavy by default. It also uses an adaptive ANC system. The Q45 is the best of the three for those willing to pay for it, though it trails the pricier options above, and the Q30 is the better bargain for those looking to spend as little as possible.

EarFun Air Pro 3

You can grab the EarFun Air Pro 3 for $50 when you use the code EAP3ANC1 at checkout. That’s $30 below its typical price. The Air Pro 3 is the runner up pick in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds. It has a similar feature set to the Space A40, but its battery life and ANC are slightly worse, and it’s a little more amped in the bass and treble by default. Its mic quality and IPX5-rated water resistance are upgrades, however, so if you want to save a few bucks or just prefer an AirPods-style “stem” design, it’s a fine choice.

EarFun Free 2S

The EarFun Free 2S, meanwhile, are down to $27 with the checkout code FREE2SPD1, which is a $23 drop. We list the Free 2S as the “under $50” pick in our budget earbuds guide. It’s another one that’s heavy on the bass, but it’s a better example of a “fun” sound signature than most in its price range, and it’s comfortable to wear for hours at a time. It’s also fully waterproof. It lacks features like ANC, wear detection, multi-device pairing or a transparency mode, but for less than $30, its shortcomings are easier to accept.

JLab Go Air Pop

If you want a pair of competent wireless earbuds for the lowest amount possible, consider the JLab Go Air Pop. Right now it’s available for $16, which is a few bucks higher than its all-time low but $7 below its usual street price in recent months. We highlight the Go Air Pop in our budget wireless earbuds guide: For less than a Jackson, it provides a compact design, eight-ish hours of battery, IPX4 water resistance and a full set of functional touch controls. While there’s no app, JLab bakes three EQ presets into the earbuds themselves. The boomy sound is worse than the EarFun Free 2S, but this is a $16 set of earbuds that aren’t awful. As a backup for your main pair, you could do much worse.

Beats Studio Buds +

Prime Day has brought the first discount on the Beats Studio Buds +, as the recently released pair is $20 off at $150. We gave these earbuds a review score of 84 in May, praising their improved sound, ANC and call quality compared to the original Studio Buds. Like that pair, they’re tiny and comfortable, but they don’t use an Apple H1 or H2 chip, so they lack certain AirPods-style tricks such as automatic device switching and audio sharing. Others like fast pairing, Find My tracking and hands-free Siri are still available, though, and Beats supports similar features on Android. To be clear, the Studio Buds +’s ANC, battery life and audio quality slot behind the top picks in our buying guide, and their lack of auto-pausing and wireless charging is hard to swallow. But if you want a set of Apple earbuds that cost less than the AirPods Pro, they should have appeal.

For a cheaper alternative, the base Studio Buds are on sale for $90. They aren’t a better buy than the Space A40, but if you like the Studio Buds’ aesthetic, they’re still decent. We’ll also mention the Beats Fit Pro; that one isn't significantly discounted for Prime Day, but it’s our favorite true wireless pair for workouts and does utilize Apple’s H1 chip.

Sony LinkBuds S

The Sony LinkBuds S are on sale for $128, which matches their all-time low and sits about $35 below its average street price. This is an honorable mention in our wireless earbuds guide, as it delivers a small design that’s easy to wear over time, decent ANC and sound quality for the price and, like other Sony headphones, a useful suite of bonus features.

The top pick in our guide, Sony’s WF-1000XM4, is down to $198, but we’re hesitant to call it a good deal. The earbuds themselves are great, with better battery life, audio quality and ANC than the LinkBuds S (albeit in a larger frame). But severalrecentreports suggest that Sony will launch a follow-up in the near future. Most people should hold off on the current model for now, especially since we’ve seen this deal price for much of the last few months.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

The Google Pixel Buds Pro is down to $139, which is within $5 of the earbuds’ all-time low and roughly $45 off their typical going rate. This is the “best for Android” pick in our buying guide, since it offers AirPods-style integration with Google’s OS and Pixel phones in particular. Its ANC and punchy, V-shaped sound profile are pleasing (though not superlative), and it can get a good 11-ish hours of battery life with ANC off (or a decent seven hours with it on). Its call quality and transparency mode are mediocre, however, and the fit may be tricky for those with smaller ears. Still, this a decent mid-range option when it’s discounted to this extent. We gave the Pixel Buds Pro a score of 87 last year.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-amazon-prime-day-headphone-deals-163351574.html?src=rss

Sony’s new spatial sound system is actually portable

When you think of true surround sound stereo systems, you imagine cumbersome multi-speaker affairs that take all day to set up. Sony may have just upended that notion with its HT-AX7 portable theater system, complete with 360 spatial sound mapping. The hook here is that the speakers are detachable and the whole system can easily be moved from room to room without a trip to the chiropractor.

The system uses the company’s proprietary spatial sound mapping technology to create phantom speakers at the front, rear and overhead. These audio sources integrate with three detachable and fully portable speakers, enveloping listeners in a “bubble-like sphere” of spatial sound. The system is designed so anyone can set it up, so there’s no need for a special installation of any kind.

Beyond the portable form factor, the HT-AX7 system uses a real-time algorithm to upscale stereo sound into 3D surround sound. You can also disengage this feature for garden variety “room-filling sound.” All of the associated speakers are wireless and automatically pair with one another, further easing the installation process. This is a stereo system released in the year 2023, so there’s also an app for making adjustments to the sound and to the spatial field.

As for other bells and whistles, the wireless speakers get 30 hours of use per charge and boast quick-charging capabilities. These are Bluetooth-enabled speakers, so you aren’t tied to the TV, which is traditional with home theater setups.

Sony’s HT-AX7 home theater system costs $500 and is available for preorder right now. The units begin shipping on July 18. That price is fairly decent if you’re looking to build a budget-friendly home theater system.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-new-spatial-sound-system-is-actually-portable-170008725.html?src=rss

Razer's first in-ear monitor is built for gamers and streamers

In-ear monitors (IEMs) are normally aimed at musicians and audio engineers who want to block the outside world, but Razer is betting it can expand that audience. It's introducing its first in-ear monitor, the Moray, with gamers and "marathon streamers" in mind. The company claims its wired, THX-certified dual-driver earpieces deliver clear treble and deep bass, with passive noise reduction up to -36dB.

Comfort is just as much of a focus, however — the ergonomic design and braided cables are meant to stay snugly in place for hours. You can play or broadcast all day while keeping distractions to a minimum, Razer argues. Accordingly, there are three different ear tip varieties (each with three different sizes) to optimize the fit.

The Moray is available now through Razer and resellers for $130. At that price, it's clearly not meant to compete with higher-end IEMs from the likes of Audio Technica, Sennheiser or Shure. Many of those have three or more drivers per ear, and some include special wireless kits, detachable cables or other luxuries. You wouldn't want to use this for concerts or album production. There's no built-in microphone, either, so you'll need your own dedicated mic for streaming.

However, that's not necessarily the point. An IEM by its nature doesn't weigh down on your head (or cover your ears) like conventional headphones, and it should fit more reliably than your typical earbuds. This might do the trick if you're determined to minimize breaks and other interruptions.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/razers-first-in-ear-monitor-is-built-for-gamers-and-streamers-164836617.html?src=rss

Qualcomm’s new chip could reduce lag for connected audio devices

Qualcomm expanded its S3 Gen 2 Sound platform today with an eye on gamers. The new chip, designed for dongles and adapters, can deliver sub-20ms latency while supplying an additional backchannel for voice chat.

The expansion to Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 Sound combines Snapdragon Sound and LE Audio for “ultra-low latency of less than 20ms for lag-free wireless audio with voice back-channel for in-game chat.” The chip-maker notes that it reduces latency even more when skipping the voice chat and delivering game audio only. Additionally, a Qualcomm representative tells Engadget that it could also work with wireless charging cases with audio-transmission features (handy for wireless listening to in-flight entertainment).

It also supports the latest version of Auracast, a broadcast standard based on Bluetooth LE Audio. Dongles and adapters using Qualcomm’s platform can cast from devices like TVs, phones, PCs and consoles to a virtually unlimited number of nearby listeners. The tech can be used for assistive listening at public events, broadcasting announcements or simply sharing your music with nearby friends.

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Qualcomm

“With every generation of Snapdragon Sound, we have driven down latencies and improved audio quality, and with this latest addition to our Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 Sound portfolio, we are providing our best wireless gaming experience yet,” said Qualcomm marketing director Mike Canevaro. “We know from our annual State of Sound survey that consumers want lag-free audio for gaming, but until now this immersive wireless audio experience has been reserved for proprietary gaming solutions.”

Qualcomm hasn’t yet announced specific devices where we’ll see the extended platform, but the reveal could mean compatible accessories aren’t far behind.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/qualcomms-new-chip-could-reduce-lag-for-connected-audio-devices-160042914.html?src=rss

Sonos’ 25 percent off Father's Day sale ends this weekend

Even if you already have a Father’s Day gift on lock, Sonos’ sale for the holiday is worth checking out while it’s still live. The audio gear maker has knocked up to 25 percent off its speakers and home entertainment gadgets through June 18th, meaning you still have a few days to grab things like the Arc soundbar and the Move portable speaker while they’re discounted to some of the best prices we’ve seen.

One of our favorite soundbars, the Sonos Arc comes in at $900 normally, but you can pick one up for $720 in this sale. We like it’s modern design, stellar sound quality and convenient Sonos-specific features, like being able to automatically calibrate depending on your room’s shape — and adjust accordingly if you add more speakers to your setup. It supports Dolby Atmos, AirPlay 2 and voice commands, and if you pair it with a Sub or Sub Mini, you’ll already have a solid home theater setup with those two components. Of course, $720 isn’t cheap even if it represents a solid discount; those with tighter budgets should consider the Sonos Beam or Ray, both of which are on sale now, too.

The new Sonos Era 100 and 300 speakers aren’t discounted on their own in this sale, but the Sonos Move and Roam are. Both portable speakers, they allow you to take Sonos’ generally solid sound quality outdoors, with the Move being a more beefy cousin to the Roam. The Move is IP56-rated while the Roam is waterproof with an IP67 rating, and both support AirPlay 2, voice commands and connectivity over Bluetooth and WiFi. You can expect stronger, louder sound from the Move, making it a good option for those with big backyards, while the Roam is more backpack-friendly.

If you are itching to get a new Era 100 or 300, they’re included in a few home theater sets that are discounted. The most affordable option is the Surround Set with Beam, which includes the Beam sounder and two Era 100 speakers for just under $900. Considering the Era 100 and the Beam are some of our top picks for smart speakers and soundbars right now, that set will go a long way towards upgrading your living room setup.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonos-25-percent-off-fathers-day-sale-ends-this-weekend-120529289.html?src=rss

UDO details Super Gemini synthesizer, a 20-voice beast perfect for sound design

British instrument manufacturer Unidentified Dancing Objects (UDO) has released pricing and availability information for its upcoming Super Gemini synthesizer after first teasing the device at Superbooth 2023. The Super Gemini is an absolute beast, with 20 voices, dual-layer polyphony, and a bi-timbral analog hybrid sound engine. This means you can play 20 notes at once, but the dual-layer polyphony lets you combine sounds, making ten “super” voices that deliver unique sound design combinations to the left and right stereo channels.

If you’re thinking this is a fantastic option for comprehensive sound design, well that’s the point. The stereo binaural signal path is equipped with effects processors, gate arrays and pedal connectors to allow for “glittering frequency” and “shattering harmonics”, with the company boasting that the instrument is great for creating both familiar and discordant soundscapes. There’s 256 performance and patch slots and a whopping 64 interchangeable waveforms to start your sound design journey. Sound design options include wave morphing, cross mod features, bi-directional sync and, of course, an all-analog signal path.

The sequencer stores 16 editable patterns and the exterior is equipped with dual control schemes that let you simultaneously sculpt sounds across both channels. The Super Gemini is sturdy with an exterior built from aluminum and steel, with UDO noting that the knobs and levers received the same attention to detail. The 61-note keybed is semi-weighted and boasts polyphonic aftertouch and the custom-engineered panel includes a ribbon controller for individual note articulation.

The Super Gemini follows the company’s well-received Super 6 synth, though improves upon it in nearly every way. The only downside here? This is a professional synth with high-grade components, so it’s gonna cost you. UDO’s Super Gemini costs $4,200 and preorders are available now at various music retailers, though it won’t ship until October.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/udo-details-super-gemini-synthesizer-a-20-voice-beast-perfect-for-sound-design-184500613.html?src=rss

Sonos speakers and soundbars are up to 25 percent off in rare sale

This is a good moment to buy into a smart speaker ecosystem. Sonos is holding a Father's Day sale that cuts up to 25 percent off the price of recent speakers and soundbars. Most notably, the high-end Arc soundbar is down to $719, or nearly $180 off. That could make it particularly appealing if you want to roll the savings into another smart speaker. The sale ends June 18th, or while supplies last.

The sale also drops the prices of the portable Move speaker to $299, and the mid-tier Beam soundbar to $399 — both $100 discounts. The Roam, meanwhile, is down to $134 (about $45 off). The savings also stack up with bundles, some of which include Sonos' new Era 100 and Era 300 speakers.

The Arc is one of our top premium soundbar picks for good reason. It delivers exceptional sound quality, including immersive Dolby Atmos audio, and its integration with the Sonos ecosystem makes it ideal if you want multiroom audio or a smart speaker with access to a wide range of services. The only real catch is that expansion can quickly get expensive, especially if you want spatial audio using the Era 300.

The Roam, meanwhile, is our favorite portable speaker. It sounds superb for the money, and it's very portable while offering the benefits of Sonos' system. It's not Sonos' loudest portable option (that's the Move), and the 10-hour battery life isn't stellar compared to some of the competition. At this price, though, it's a good pick for a picnic or a small backyard gathering.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonos-speakers-and-soundbars-are-up-to-25-percent-off-in-rare-sale-133001802.html?src=rss

Orange Amps offers analog warmth with its first line of Bluetooth speakers

It seems that guitar amp companies making Bluetooth speakers could be the newthing. UK-based Orange Amps has just launched a duo of Bluetooth speakers called the Box and Box-L. The first is a battery-powered portable model, while the latter is a wired option that’s more of a homebody. Both echo the design of this iconic brand’s guitar amplifier and speaker series, using the same colors, logo and control panel style. The specs hint at decent stereo sound in the $300-$350 price range with Bluetooth 5.0, aptX support, a Class D amp for the subwoofer and Class AB analog amplifiers to help the full-range drivers produce a warmer sound. There are some deviations from what you'd expect, however, like the absence of USB charging, a front-facing only design and the lack of any weatherproofing or IP rating.

The Orange Box is the slightly smaller of the two models at 11 x 6.9 x 6.7-inches and 6.6 pounds with a vegan-leather carrying strap. You can choose between the classic orange exterior or a black version and it's priced at $299 (£275). There’s a 4-inch subwoofer powered by a 30W Class D amp and a pair of 2-inch full-range drivers powered by dual 10W Class AB analog amplifiers for a warmer sound.

The Orange Box portable Bluetooth speaker.
Orange Amps

The specs for the battery-powered Box list a charging time of three hours until full and a runtime of 15 or more hours. It also lists a 2,600mAh li-ion battery, so we’re interested in a real world test. There’s no USB port, so you’re stuck with the DC19.5V charging cable that comes in the box.

The wired model is called the Box-L and it’s slightly larger at 13.8 x 7.9 x 7.9-inches and 9.6 pounds. It’s also available in orange or black and priced at $345 (£315). As mentioned, there’s no onboard battery, so it’s more of a sedentary beast. You can expect a slightly beefier sound, however, with a larger 5-inch subwoofer powered by the Class D amp and two 2-inch full-range drivers powered by dual 10W analog Class AB versions.

The Orange Amps Box-L wired Bluetooth speaker.
Orange Amps

Both models have a 50W RMS output and a frequency range of 35Hz - 20kHz, so we expect they’ll probably have a decent amount of bass. They also support Qualcomm aptX for high resolution audio, alongside AAC and SBC.

The general physical design is the same for both the Box and Box-L. At the top you get a control panel with knobs and switches, much like those found on the brand’s line of guitar amps. There’s a power toggle, battery indicator light, knobs for bass, treble and volume adjustment, as well as a 3.5mm aux input. In addition, there’s a Bluetooth pairing button that does double duty as a play/pause control and a small audio limiter light to let you know if you're driving the system too hard. The company claims to support the right to repair and will offer replacement parts in case you just can’t help yourself from pushing the speaker too hard and break something.

Both models are available today in the USA, UK and the rest of the world at the Orange Amps website as well as Amazon. Although, in Australia you may have to stick with ordering through either Amazon or the company’s regional distributor Australis Music Group. The portable Orange Box is priced at $299 (£275) and the wired Orange Box-L is $345 (£315).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/orange-amps-offers-analog-warmth-with-its-first-line-of-bluetooth-speakers-110058439.html?src=rss

Razer's new gaming earbuds include a low-latency dongle

Wireless earbuds aren't usually your best choice for PC gaming audio between the lag and the lack of Bluetooth on some desktops. Razer thinks it has a simple solution, though: throw in a dongle. The company has introducedHammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds that include a 2.4GHz RF adapter to plug into the USB-C port (there's an included USB-A adapter) on your computer or console. This expands support to more devices, of course, but it also drops latency to 40ms versus 60ms for the Bluetooth-based Gaming Mode. And yes, you can still connect to your phone over Bluetooth if you need to take a call.

These are otherwise similar to the plain Hammerhead Pro earbuds you saw before. They still offer THX-certified sound with customizable active noise cancellation (ANC) levels. This being Razer, there's Chroma RGB lighting to flaunt your choice of personal audio. How long they last on battery depends on how you're connected and what you're using. You can manage up to 6.5 hours of listening on Bluetooth with ANC and lighting disabled, with 24 hours of extra power from a wireless charging-capable case. That drops to 3.5 hours with ANC and lighting enabled, and using the dongle shrinks that runtime to between three and four hours (plus 11 to 14.5 hours from the case).

The Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed earbuds are available now for $200. That's a solid price if you're looking for do-it-all earbuds that can work with both your phone and your home gaming PC. With that said, there are options that can sound better or last longer if you're happy to stick to Bluetooth. Razer's latest option is more for those who'd rather not buy a separate gaming headset.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/razers-new-gaming-earbuds-include-a-low-latency-dongle-172423306.html?src=rss

Sony's new WH-CH720N wireless headphones drop to $128 at Amazon

Sony's latest mid-range headphones are already a solid deal at their normal price, and now they've received a significant discount. As part of a wider sale on Sony audio, Amazon is offering the WH-CH720N over-ears for $128, or $22 off. That's the best price we've seen, and makes them an easy choice for commuting or studying.

The WH-CH720N headphones sound great despite costing half as much as Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5 model, with strong bass yet clear details and a wide soundstage. They're comfortable for long listening sessions, and the 35 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) means you can use them for multiple workdays without plugging in.

There are areas where Sony's cost-cutting is obvious. While the ANC is usually good, it struggles with human voices. The hard plastic construction doesn't feel premium, and you'll lose conveniences like automatic pausing when you remove the headphones or start speaking. You still get multi-device Bluetooth pairing, though, and there's 360 Reality Audio (read: spatial audio) with compatible streaming services. At this price, there's little room to complain — you're getting a lot for your money.

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