All articles tagged with #wireless headphones
Technics has launched the EAH-A1000, its first flagship wireless noise-canceling headphones, priced at $450. The device features a new 40mm magnetic fluid driver and adaptive noise cancellation, positioning it against competitors like Sony and Bose.
The Sonos Ace Ultra ($449) significantly improves on its predecessor with better sound, adaptive noise cancellation, and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem via Wi-Fi. While praised for comfort and performance, it faces stiff competition from Sony and Bose, and some reviewers note it lacks the sonic superiority to justify its price over alternatives.
Sony has unveiled the WH-1000XM4C, a revived XM4 that uses the same hardware but a DSP-tuned sound, priced around £219 / $300 / AU$449.95, placing it close to the XM5; the XM5 is reportedly headed for end-of-life in February due to EU battery regulations, making the XM4C a compliant alternative and prompting questions about the XM5’s value, with pricing shifts at retailers potentially affecting choice while full in-house testing is still pending.
Sony reintroduces the WH-1000XM4 as the WH-1000XM4C, a revised XM4 that uses a smaller battery to comply with EU battery rules (finalized by 2027), delivering the same 40mm drivers, ANC and core tech but with tuned sound inspired by the XM5/XM6. It adds a ten‑band EQ and Gaming EQ via the Headphones Connect app, keeps Multipoint BT and Precise Voice Pickup, introduces a lavender finish, and is priced at £219 / $300 / AU$449.95 with a release this month; XM4 will phase out due to the battery regulation.
Samsung appears to be reviving its wireless headphone lineup with an internally named Galaxy H1 spotted in the Galaxy Wearable app, hinting at a launch around 2027; this would mark a return to a category it left behind after the Level Over (2015) and could position Samsung against premium and midrange rivals depending on how the new headphones stack up to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
An FCC filing points to a new Sonos wireless headphone model launching next month, catalogued as S52a and rumored to be named Ace Ultra. The documents list multiple color options (Greige, Shadow Black, Agave, Blush and Sand) and hint at features like Wi‑Fi pairing to a home network and possibly a Sonos voice assistant, though neither is confirmed. Sonos has signaled a product launch and a future role for AI, but specifics about the headphones remain unverified.
Bose’s QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) add TrueSpatial spatial audio with three Immersive Audio modes, plus an adaptive feedforward ANC upgrade that better preserves the seal for glasses wearers; they also get a redesigned headband and cushioned, oval earcups, with 24 hours of battery life (18 hours with spatial audio). Priced at $359, preorder starts Aug 8 and ships Aug 13, with new limited‑edition colors and a standard black/white option.
Skullcandy’s Crusher 1080 ANC ($279.99) brings several Bose technologies to a non‑Bose headphone, including QuietControl adjustable ANC, TrueSpatial audio with head tracking, WaveForm processing, and SpeechClarity for calls, plus improved drivers and an estimated 60 hours of playback with ANC off (50 hours with ANC on). The article notes it as a strong on-paper Bose‑tech package that may challenge Bose on ANC, though real-world performance remains to be seen.
Skullcandy's Crusher 1080 flagship fuses Bose QuietControl ANC, WaveForm tuning and TrueSpatial with the brand's signature haptic bass for a more mature, balanced wireless headphone experience. Priced around $270, it offers strong ANC and long battery life (60 hours without ANC, 50 hours with ANC) in a heavier, less-polished package, but remains a unique option in a crowded premium segment and is arguably the most complete Crusher yet.
Consumer Reports crowned Apple's AirPods Max 2 as the top-sounding wireless, noise-canceling headphones, giving it a perfect sound-quality score and tying for the best overall score thanks to the new H2 chip’s improvements in bass, vocal clarity, and soundstage, plus Adaptive Audio for ANC and a Loud Sound Reduction feature. The Max 2 also offers wired, lossless playback via USB‑C and enhanced call quality via Voice Isolation. Bose and Sony did not lead in audio quality this round, and reviewers view the Max 2 as a meaningful upgrade over the original AirPods Max.
Sony’s 1000X The Collexion are a luxurious, non-evolutionary take on Sony’s flagship line. Priced at $650, they’re heavier (about 320 g) and use premium materials (stainless steel joints, vegan leather) but offer only slightly better comfort and a case for display rather than travel. They reuse the XM6’s QN3 ANC and 12‑mic system, but thinner ear cups reduce passive isolation and battery life is pegged around 24 hours. Sound is detailed thanks to new carbon-fiber 30 mm drivers and DSEE processing, with added 360‑upmix modes that aren’t universally loved. Ultimately, they’re a pricey luxury, not a compelling upgrade for most users—the XM6 remains the better value for most listeners.
Leaks suggest Sony’s next premium wireless headphones, reportedly called the 1000X The ColleXion, will launch at $649 with DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling, studio-quality sound, 360-degree spatial audio with head tracking, and a 12-microphone array for noise cancellation, plus an estimated 24 hours of battery with ANC on. If real, they’d position as a high-end rival to Apple’s AirPods Max 2, with a May 19 official unveiling rumored.
Amazon's Spring Deal Days drops the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless to a record-low £161 for the Black/Copper model (Black or White costs £191). The ANC headphones boast about 60 hours of battery, aptX Adaptive, Bluetooth 5.2, and a wired option, making them a standout value at this price.
Soundcore unveiled the Space 2 over-ear headphones at MWC 2026, touting 50 hours of playback with active noise cancellation and 70 hours without, a $130 price, four-stage adaptive ANC, memory foam padding for comfort, and 40mm silk-diaphragm drivers; they launch April 21 on Amazon and Soundcore in linen white, jet black, and seafoam green.
Nothing's Ear (a) wireless earbuds are currently on sale for $59, their lowest price to date, offering impressive sound quality, active noise cancellation, and features like multipoint Bluetooth and gaming mode, making them a top budget choice for wireless earbuds.