All articles tagged with #wireless audio
Sony officially confirms the WF-1000XM6 release date for February 12 at 16:00 UTC, with a US price of $329.99 and €299.99 in Europe, and leaks hint at a more compact design, a slimmer charging case, and improved ANC/transparent mode, plus three color options (two leaked so far).
Sonos announces Amp Multi, its first new hardware since 2024, a professional-install amplifier with eight amplified outputs that lets traditional speakers join a Sonos wireless system. It can sit on furniture or be rack-mounted in a dedicated AV room, with the mobile app routing outputs to different zones for pro installations.
The JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth speaker, praised for its balance of portability and sound quality, is currently on sale for $100, a $50 discount, making it an ideal last-minute Christmas gift with features like water resistance, long battery life, and customizable sound.
The Soundcore P20i by Anker, a highly-rated pair of true wireless earbuds, is on sale for a record low of $19 on Amazon, offering impressive sound quality with large drivers, long battery life, customizable features, and water resistance, making them an excellent budget alternative to high-end models.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a high-end gaming headset priced at $599.99, offering premium features like hi-res wireless audio, carbon fiber speakers, and a durable metal build, aiming to set a new standard for luxury gaming headsets, though its high price may be a concern for some.
DJI has launched the Mic Mini, a compact and affordable wireless microphone system priced at $169/£145/€169, featuring two transmitters, a receiver, and a charging case. It offers up to 400 meters of wireless transmission with 48KHz 24-bit audio quality using DJI's 2.4GHz protocol. The system is compatible with various devices and includes features like adjustable gain, noise reduction levels, and simultaneous charging with a smartphone. Despite lacking some features of the Mic 2, the Mic Mini provides significant value for budget-conscious users.
Apple continues to dominate the wireless audio market with its range of headphones and earbuds, including the AirPods Pro 2 and Beats Studio Pro. The AirPods Pro 2 feature custom-tuned 3D audio, adaptive active noise cancellation, and personalized spatial audio, while the Beats Studio Pro offer a bass-forward sound profile and advanced noise cancellation. With various price points and compatibility with Apple and Android devices, Apple's headphones and earbuds remain popular choices for consumers.
Bose is set to release the Kith for Bose Ultra Open Earbuds on Jan. 22 in limited quantities for $300, featuring a clip-on design and a collaboration with lifestyle brand Kith. These non-noise-canceling earbuds offer up to 7.5 hours of battery life, Bose's Immersive Audio, and OpenAudio technology, aiming to provide impressive sound despite the open design. The partnership with Kith represents a new product strategy for Bose, possibly targeting a younger audience, and the buds are expected to eventually come out in a standard version with different color options.
DJI has released standalone versions of its Mic 2 wireless audio system, offering upgrades such as 32-bit recording, advanced AI noise reduction, and extended battery life. The Mic 2 is now available in Pearl White and Shadow Black colors and can be purchased individually or in bundles. It also features easier connectivity to smartphones via Bluetooth and supports a new DJI lavalier mic. Prices range from $99 for the transmitter to $349 for a bundle with two transmitters and one receiver.
DJI has announced the Mic 2, a 2.4GHz wireless audio set with two transmitters, one receiver, and a metal charging case. The transmitters offer 32-bit float audio recording, Bluetooth connectivity, and 8GB of built-in storage, while the receiver provides USB-C and lightning adapters or a 3.5mm analog output cable. The set is priced at $349 and is designed to compete with other leading products in the market, offering features such as internal recording, omnidirectional mics, and dual-channel recording.
LG unveils two new soundbars, the S95TR and SG10TY, at CES 2024, offering different audio, design, and features. The flagship S95TR is a 9.1.5-channel setup with 810 watts output and triple up-firing channels, while the SG10TY is a flatter, low-profile 3.1-channel unit designed to complement LG OLED TVs. Both models feature Wowcast Built-in for wireless audio, Wow interface for soundbar settings, and AI room calibration for surround sound setups. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
Qualcomm plans to incorporate Wi-Fi technology into its next Snapdragon Sound platform, alongside Bluetooth, to enhance the capabilities of wireless earbuds and headphones. The S7 and S7 Pro platforms will offer increased compute power, memory, and AI capabilities, as well as improved active noise cancellation and voice recognition. The S7 Pro will feature micro-power Wi-Fi support, enabling the delivery of lossless audio over Wi-Fi without compromising battery life. Users will also be able to seamlessly switch from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi connections and enjoy unrestrained operating distances. However, Apple devices are not currently compatible with Snapdragon Sound.
Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon S7 and S7 Pro chipsets for wireless earbuds, featuring XPAN technology that seamlessly switches audio between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for improved quality and connectivity. The new chips are expected to be integrated into earbuds throughout 2024, offering high-end listening experiences with lossless audio, low latency, and enhanced battery life. The S7 series also includes fourth-generation ANC, improved AI capabilities, and advanced audio processing features.
Apple has quietly announced the second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case, bringing it in line with the new iPhone 15 series. The updated model also features bi-directional charging, improved IP rating for dust and water resistance (IP54), and a hidden hardware difference that allows for lossless audio support through the new Apple Vision Pro. The new AirPods Pro will be available early next year, offering an advanced wireless audio experience for entertainment, gaming, FaceTime calls, and more. No other changes to charging speed or battery life have been reported.
The latest version of the Tesla iPhone app contains a reference to "allowsAirPlayForMediaPlayback," indicating that Tesla is working on adding AirPlay support to its electric vehicles. This comes after Elon Musk expressed interest in enhancing wireless audio quality for music from iPhones over a year ago. AirPlay would enable drivers and passengers to stream music and podcasts from their iPhones to the Tesla sound system without Bluetooth pairing. While it is not yet functional, the inclusion of this reference suggests that AirPlay integration may be coming to Tesla EVs in the near future.