Apple may be presented more than a new headphone input for music-listening on iPhones

In a conference call on Wednesday with Cirrus CEO Jason Rhode and Business Insider Rhode hinted at “several new products” coming in the second half of the year their largest customer. As the largest tech company in the world and accounting for 76% of Cirrus’ business it can be assumed that he is referring to Apple, especially as it’s been reported by Fast Company that the company is working closely with Apple on their Lightning port for audio.

Rhode spoke in reference to Cirrus having designed headphones that are fully working for Apple’s Lightning cord saying: “The amount that we can talk about that outside of other folks who are MFi [made for iPhone] partners is relatively limited, but yeah, there’s things that are up and running via the MFi program that people can take and design with today.”

apple-ipod-in-ear-headphones

When asked a question about why Cirrus expect to sell a large quantity of noise-cancelling headphones this year, Rhode said: “There are definitely people considering putting that in box.  Any time somebody talks about adding content inside a box, inside the box it ships with the phone. You can imagine the agonizing that goes into any additional micro-penny that gets added to the box.”

Rhode pointed out that he couldn’t mention anything specific about “any comment outside of the Android space”. However references to noise-cancelling headphones could relate to Apple’s patent from last august that depicted noise-cancelling earbuds.

Rhode’s went on to drop a larger hint saying: “If a customer was going to try to do what we refer to in the shareholder letter as a non-leak as a non-sealed earbud, which is what I think is the most compelling form factor. we have mics [microphones] that are well suited to that application.” As Apple plan to be replacing their audio ports permanently with their new Lightning ports it must be assumed that new iPhones will come included with compatible headphones, as most smartphones often come with normal headphones.

At CES 2016 Audiofly Introduce Its First Bluetooth Headphones

As smartphone manufacturers, as well as those looking to hawk more expensive, appliances such as TVs find themselves coming up against the 4K wall, audio has become a big deal over the past couple of years. Before 4K video has hit the mainstream for the majority of users, CES 2015 and now CES 2016 has been abuzz with HDR content. In the fact of 4K, high-quality audio has never been easier to consume. Spotify and Google Play Music offer up clear and crisp digital music wherever people want it and if you want to go further firms like TIDAL will offer full CD-quality on the move or at home. As such, headphones have become a big seller for a lot of firms, and CES 2016 has seen its fair share of audio announcements, and now Audiofly is joining in, too.

tai-nghe-Audiofly-AF250-AF240-2

Audiofly is an Australian brand that started out offering in-ear monitors for stage musicians and such. Since then, they’ve expanded to offer consumer-grade earphones and more recently their new AF240 over-ear headphones. The company is using CES 2016 to launch their first Bluetooth headphones, the AF250. Cut from the same cloth as the AF240, the AF250 is fully wireless with Bluetooth 4.1 and aptX support. Lasting 25 hours on a single charge, these are a pair of headphones that are designed for ease of use, this is also clear in the fact that the AF250 self-adjust on your head. With polycarbonate ear cups, replaceable ear pads and an alloy headband with thick, padded leather they’re designed to be comfy as well.

 AF240 over-ear headphones

These are a 40mm driver design, and Audiofly’s CEO Dave Thompson said that they wanted the AF250 to offer “consumers something they have not found in Bluetooth headphones, which is signature quality, premium features and rich, detailed sounds.” Audiofly is a name that is quickly gaining popularity, and is already known for their high-end in-ear monitors, and considering the $349.99 price tag for these, expectations are set high. Even more so considering that creating a pair of high-end Bluetooth headphones that sound good can be pretty difficult. We have quite a wait on our hands though, as they won’t be available until Fall of this year.

Review Tiny, Unassuming And Acoustically Clean HiFiMan RE-400 Headphone

We’ve often spoken in favour of the Chinese headphone and earphone industry. Over the last decade or so, enterprising factories from deep within China’s industrial heartland have built products as OEMs for other brands as well as under their own identities. Brands such as Ostry have produced the stunning KC06A while the Soundmagic E10 and E10S have been the go-to products in the sub-Rs. 2,500 in-ear segment for years now.

Founded in New York City in 2005, HiFiMan has since shifted base to Tianjin, China in a bid to boost its manufacturing and development capabilities. After winning awards and accolades for its products, it got our attention. We managed to source one of the company’s newer products, the RE-400 ‘Waterline’, for review.

HiFiMan RE-400 Headphone

The HiFiMan RE-400 features 8.5mm drivers with a high impedance of 32Ohms. This is something we also saw in the Bowers & Wilkins C5 S2 and it’s strange that small earphones like this require such a high level of amplification. However, most smartphones and audio equipment will be able to drive the RE-400 comfortably, so this is not a cause for concern. Frequency response ranges from 15-22,000Hz, while sensitivity measures in at 102dB. A standard 1.2m cable length makes the RE-400 ideal for commuting and outdoor use.

The earphones come with a total of eight ear-tips, including multiple pairs of different-sized double-flanged ones. There are no memory foam tips in the box, but there are a total of ten filter stickers to protect the inner components of the earphones. We don’t expect anyone to have to use these ever, as the RE-400 comes with decent filters already in place.

The earphones themselves are small and light. Most of the casing has a dull silver finish, with the back sporting a shiny silver finish with concentric circles. The casing itself is devoid of any branding or markings of any kind. The cable is rubber from the casing to the Y-splitter, and braided fabric from the Y-splitter to the banana-shaped 3.5mm plug. It is particularly tangle-prone, and we often had trouble with this.

The RE-400 has no in-line remote or microphone, so if you intend to use this for phone calls, you’ll need an additional microphone accessory. If you do insist on a microphone and remote, the RE-400i and RE-400a models feature these and cost nearly the same amount.

HiFiMan RE-400 Headphone

Fit and comfort is excellent. We’re fans of double-flanged tips because of their improved sound isolation and snug fit, so we’re glad that these in-ears come with so many double-flanged options. A combination of the low weight of the casing and the right tip meant that we were able to keep the RE-400 on for an entire work day without any kind of discomfort.

Like many other small, lesser-known Chinese brands, HiFiMan has managed to spring a surprise with the RE-400 ‘Waterline’ in-ears. They provide a subtle, refined and neutral sound that may not appeal to bass-heads, but will certainly be of interest to purists. Few headphones in this price range manage to produce this level of accuracy across the frequency range.

At Rs. 5,999, its only real flaws are a slightly weak soundstage, a laidback bass response and a lack of in-line controls and microphone. But when you weigh that against the benefits of both physical and listening comfort, quality sound and an affordable price tag, the HiFiMan RE-400 is an intelligent purchase. It’s available now through official distributors Hifinage.

 

Semi-open Over-the-Ear Headphones Have Deeper Bass Than The First Feneration Of The T1

Beyerdynamic was established in Berlin in 1924. In a fashion most compatible with Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity they started with speakers for movie theaters and have since moved on to manufacture a variety of hi-fi gear, mostly in the ‘transducer’ realm and appreciated greatly in the pro audio world. If you read deep enough into many of the headphone sites out there you will see many people citing Beyerdynamic T1’s as their favorite.

These Beyerdynamics are just right in that category. When you pick them up there’s no doubt that you’ve got something substantial and made to a high standard of quality but at about 13 oz. they won’t become annoying like some of the planar magnetic competition. The magnets in this case are not overly heavy but they are powerful. “T1” means one Tesla. That is the measured magnetic flux available in the heart of the driver.

Semi-open Over-the-Ear Headphones

Beyerdynamic’s mission with the T1 Second Generation was to improve the bass response which some found a little lacking in the first version. In my experience it lacked only in comparison to the orthodynamic competition and not when compared to other high end dynamic-driver phones such as AKG or Sennheiser.

As mentioned above the change that most interested me was the move to a detachable cable which allows for connection to a balanced headphone amp. The balanced cable for the T1 Second Generation’s is sold as a 3m, $145 option. The standard cable is also 3m, a generous and useful length. The connection at the headphone end is via 3.5mm TRRS connectors. I have yet to figure out what ‘TRRS’ stands for but these are basically stereo mini connectors with a long, narrow housing.

Semi-open Over-the-Ear Headphones

Another difference from the first generation of the T1 is the supplied case. In the first generation the case was an elegant, small suitcase with an aluminum shell. Very impressive and meant to look good on a shelf, if you had a lot of shelf to spare. The new case is designed to be more practical, perhaps even useful for travel though it would still take up a sizable portion of a suitcase and almost the entire main compartment of a backpack. The fuzzy black surface covers a hard shell of some kind. The case is light weight.

And finally, there was an update to the headband material. The first version used leather whereas the new version has been replaced with leatherette. There had been trouble with the original leather, staining and decomposing, as natural materials will do. A careful examination of the Beyerdynamic website reveals something about a protein coating on the headband. I had to ask: “The protein coating is a surface layer on normal (though high-end quality) polyurethane synthetic leather material. Its only function is to make the surface smoother and get rid of the sticky touch of normal PU leatherette.”

Review Bose SoundTrue And SoundSport In-Ear Headphones For Apple and Samsung Compatible Models

While over and on-ear headphones tend to offer better sound stage and additional comfort compared to in-ear headphones, they are a bit big and not as easy to pocket. Well if you’re in the market for in-ear headphones or maybe one that’s designed specifically for sports, you might be interested to learn that Bose announced  SoundTrue and SoundSport in-ear headphones.

  SoundTrue headphones

Both models are sport the same hardware, however the difference here is that the SoundSport headphones  are designed for physical activity in mind and have been engineered to be both sweat and water resistant, and according to Bose, more so than their predecessors the SIE2 and SIE2i which they will be replacing.

The SoundTrue headphones are also be replacing the IE2, MIE2, and MIE2i headphones, but apart from that, the new headphones from Bose will utilize the company’s TriPort technology and use Bose’s StayHear ear tips that help keep the earphones in place, which we guess would be important for those using it for physical activity. The headphones will also feature an inline remote and microphone that allows it to be used as a hands-free kit as well as allow users to control their media.  They are available for purchase via Bose’s retail stores, online store, or authorize dealers.

Buy High Quality Bose ‘ie2’ Audio On-Ear Headphones Black For You

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bose 'ie2' audio headphones

With the Jabra Rox Wireless Headphones, you get all the sound you love from your favorite speakers with the convenience of wireless. Hi-fi speaker outputs give you a great range of sound, and an omni-directional microphone lets you use these with phone calls easily and clearly. These headphones can be charged with the attached USB cable and automatically pair with any nearby Bluetooth devices. A protective carrying bag and eargel packs are included with each pair of headphones.

bose 'ie2' audio headphones

Comfy, User-Friendly Bose SoundLink II Wireless Headphones Review

The SoundLink II have the exact same design and materials as the QuietComfort 25. They’re both light and sturdy thanks to the use of aluminum and extra-high-quality plastic. They’re nonetheless very flexible and it’s almost not even an issue that the notched headband doesn’t fold in. The sliders are easy to adjust and sport artificial-suede padding. The removable ear pads are of similar quality and are made of thick, airy leatherette. The ear cups pivot so that you can wear the headphones more easily around your neck.

These really are comfortable headphones. They’re lightweight and provide generally the same wearing experience as the QuietComfort 25. The pressure points are well distributed and the headphones are just as good for large heads as they are for small one. They’re comfortable to wear even after long listening sessions and the passive isolation is pretty effective. A large, rigid carrying case comes in the box.

SoundLink II Wireless Headphones

The SoundLink II use a fairly rare 2.5mm audio jack for wired connections; we don’t really understand why Bose didn’t just use a common 3.5mm jack, which would have been much more practical should you ever need to replace the cord. The cable is short and thin and doesn’t have a remote control or an integrated microphone.

All of the controls are located on the right ear cup. There are three buttons on the side along with a multifunction button, plus two for the volume. The multifunction button is set a bit deeper into the cup, which makes it easier to feel without looking. There’s also a Bluetooth buttons and a micro-USB port for charging using an included USB cable.

SoundLink II Wireless Headphones

These are extremely easy headphones to use and there are clear, precise voice indications telling you everything you need to know, from the Bluetooth status to the battery percentage, and you can choose between eleven languages. There are two LED icons on the side that tell you quickly what the battery level and Bluetooth pairing status are.

Highlights Of Beyerdynamic iDX 160 iE Earphones

Don’t worry you’re not alone. Beyerdynamic is a Deutsch Headphone maker. The fact that they primarily built high-class focused devices, makes them almost impossible to popular among mainstream average earbuds users. But enough is enough, they may have thought. These earbuds are DX 160 IE are the latest attempt by the German company to find its feet in the mainstream market. How much have they succeeded? You’ll find out in a short time.

Beyerdynamic iDX 160 iE Earphones

Open the box, these in-ears will say you hello with their 7 different sizes of silicon ear tips. They have a flat tangle-free cable and a shirt clip too. The first thing I noticed while playing MP3 was the rich taste of Bass – which is also common in some other earbuds in this list. Bass was equally good in High and Middle notes, but on upper middle notes, bass tends to overshadow volume – that is a minor downside. Another little disappointment is its treble clarity – or you can say, the lack of. In this particular regard, their little cousin DX 120 IE actually does it better. 

Another feature you’ll miss, is Inline remote. It means you have to grab your phone out of your purse/pocket every time you want to receive a call/change the track. With Lack of Inline remote and treble clarity. These earbuds may be a hard pill to swallow for purists, but for those who are on tight budget and still want an excellent noise cancellation earbuds – thanks to foam ear tips – these should be an attractive option.

Introduce Sony MDR-EX31BN With Noise Cancellation Bluetooth Earphones

Sony announced the launch of the MDR-EX31BN noise cancellation Bluetooth earphones in India, at a price tag of Rs. 5,490. The company added the earphones have been available to buy in the Indian market since 2015, and are also available from Sony’s own online store.

 MDR-EX31BN noise cancellation Bluetooth earphones

The Sony MDR-EX31BN earphones, features a Bluetooth receiver/connector apart from one-touch NFC connectivity. The device sports a 13.5mm sound driver with integrated noise cancellation.  The Bluetooth connector on the Sony MDR-EX31BN features a power button in the middle. The power button additionally acts as the call receiving button. On the sides other buttons to play, pause, stop, and perform other functions are housed.

The 20Hz-20kHz frequency-delivering earphones come with a Micro-USB cable for recharging. The earphones can run for 10.5 hours on full charge, and are also equipped with an inbuilt microphone for voice-calls. The Sony MDR-EX31BN earphones are available in in Red and Black colour variants.

Sony MDR-XB450BV Headphones

Sony launched its MDR-XB450BV headphones in India at a price tag of Rs. 5,990 in November, 2015. The Sony MDR-XB450BV headphones boast of a 5Hz-22000Hz frequency alongside an Extra Bass Boost and a vibration feature. The vibration feature, which can be controlled by a dial, makes the headphones vibrate during bass-heavy segments. Sennheiser, another popular audio brand, launched its Momentum In-ear headphones in India at a price tag of Rs. 6,990 last month. The headphones feature premium-grade stainless steel in their build alongside a 1.3-metre dual-tone elliptical cable.

The company says the headphones have been made for Apple products, while the Momentum In-Ear g for Android will be released in the coming months in India. Download the Gadgets 360 app for Android and iOS to stay up to date with the latest tech news, product reviews, and exclusive deals on the popular mobiles.

Hightlights of top wireless earbuds debuted at CES 2016

With news that Apple is expected to ditch the 3.5mm jack on the rumored iPhone 7 and that it has filed a patent for wireless earbuds (possibly called ), we may be just months away from a new era for Beats headphone technology. Such a change to the iconic iDevice experience may be enough for companies to fast track the release of their own wireless earbuds, several of which made their debut at the Consumer Electronics Show this year.

Coming from a successful Kickstarter PBC campaign, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Bragi LLC as it took almost two years to come up with the final version of Dash, its smart Bluetooth wireless earbuds. What makes Dash’s set of wireless earbuds enticing for consumers is the ability to listen to music even without a smartphone, as it is able to store and play up to 1,000 songs thanks to the 4GB internal storage. It uses Bluetooth to communicate with your smartphone so you can receive calls, and view the fitness data such as steps  taken, heart beat and distance covered that has been gathered by Dash. To access Dash’s various functions, tap and swipe on the earbuds to perform actions such as cancelling or allowing outside noise, plus it also recognizes movements, such as nodding and shaking your head to answer or reject a call.

But what makes Dash different from other wireless earbud sets is that it doesn’t utilize Bluetooth for the connection between the buds, but a new technology called Near Field Magnetic Induction, a technology often found in hearing aids. This technology allows for better communication between the two buds for a clearer and crisper sound, as well as lesser chance of connectivity problems between the two buds. The Dash set comes in a portable charging case that is able to charge the device up to five times.

Onkyo W800BTs

Onkyo W800BTs

Onkyo Corp. had CES attendees try out its W800BTs wireless earbuds at the show. Unlike the Dash, the Onkyo set doesn’t track activities or allow users to give voice commands to the connected smartphone. What it is, is a Bluetooth wireless set of earbuds that comes in a charging carrying case. What sets it apart from other wireless earbuds is that it allows users to accept phone calls, something people on the move will surely appreciate. A single charge will last a user about 12 hours of listening to music, 15 hours of talktime, and 30 hours on standby. The buds will be available for £220 or about $320 in today’s conversion.

Altec Lansing Freedom Earbuds

Altec Lansing Freedom Earbuds

Speaker maker Altec Lansing Infinity LLC brought its Freedom True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds to the show. The earbuds feature rechargeable lithium ion batteries that give the devices six hours of battery life. The earbud set is perspiration resistant, Bluetooth-based GPS tracking which allows users to track down the whereabouts of the buds if misplaced, and has a charging carrying case that has about three hours of charge and can also be used to charge other USB devices such as your smartphone. It can be used to answer phone calls, has noise/wind cancellation feature, automatically shuts off when no audio is detected to conserve battery, and supports iOS, Android and Blackberry devices.

Earin

Earin

Another wireless earbud that came from the depths of Kickstarter is Earin. This wireless earbuds may the smallest in the bunch, and comes in a stylish carrying case that also doubles as its charging pod. The earbuds come with stabilizers to keep them from falling out during activities like jogging, and are also sweat resistant.

Earin’s set connects with a smartphone app via Bluetooth to customize the sound, but the biggest downside of this earbud set is that other than allowing users to hear music, it has no other functions. You can’t answer calls using the Earin set, nor will it track your steps, heart rate, or distance covered.

Here Active Listening earbuds

Here Active Listening earbuds

Dubbed as the augmented reality earbuds, the Here Active Listening buds is a set designed to alter the way users hear the world. It was created by Doppler Labs and uses Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to modify audio input. In the technical sense, Here Active is not your typical earbud or earphone as it is an in-ear system designed to let you instantly control and personalize your live audio environment. Using a companion app, users can alter the bass boost, echo, reverb and flange to ambient noise in real time. This allows users to better hear what’s coming through the earbuds, or ambient sounds. Another cool feature is that users can remix songs to your heart’s content, and the buds in their case even look like a mini DJ turntable.

Moto Hint

Moto Hint

First introduced back in 2014, the Moto Hint earbud set has now been improved. It is a Bluetooth earbud set that comes in a charging-carrying case. It automatically turns on when placed in the ear, and uses passthrough audio technology so sounds from the outside don’t get distorted.

Unlike other wireless earbuds, the Moto Hint is not meant for listening to music, but acts more as a smartphone extension. With the Hint earbuds users can accept calls as well as make voice commands to request things like weather forecasts, navigation and upcoming calendar appointments.