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Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones have improved ANC and a familiar design
Bose's latest QuietComfort heapdhones offer improved noise cancellation and longer battery life in a familiar design.
8410084100AirPods Max review: Expensive headphones with untapped potential
The AirPods Max offer great sound, handy features and a heavy dose of Apple design. But that price tag is hard to justify.
Apple unveils AirPods Max, its first over-ear noise-cancelling headphones
After months of rumors, we finally have confirmation. Apple officially announced its first over-ear headphones: the $549 AirPods Max.
Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones arrive in mid-August for $350
Thanks to early details in a Walmart listing back in June, we knew the debut for Sony’s latest flagship headphones was imminent. With the M4, Sony is introducing some subtle tweaks to the design alongside several new features to make further improvements to the highly-rated 1000X noise-canceling headphones line. All of those tweaks make the M4 more comfortable than its predecessor, especially during longer listening sessions.
Save $70 on Jabra's Elite 85h noise-cancelling headphones at Best Buy
If you're looking for a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, Best Buy is currently selling the Jabra Elite 85h for $180.
Razer Opus headphones review: Stellar THX sound for $200
The Razer Opus noise-cancelling headphones sound amazing, thanks to THX-certified sound quality and handy EQ presets. Top that off with a lightweight and comfy fit and you have a great option for $200.
Apple's rumored over-ear headphones may offer switchable magnetic parts
Apple is rumored to be working on a set of own-brand over-ear headphones.
Marshall's latest Monitor over-ear headphones are equipped with ANC
Marshall first introduced its Monitor over-ear headphones in 2013 with a wired model. Since then, the company has added a wireless option, but there still wasn't a version with active noise cancellation (ANC). That is, until now. The new Monitor II ANC is actually Marshall's set of first over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. The company announced the Mid ANC in 2018, but those are the on-ear style. With the Monitor II ANC ($320), Marshall combines a bunch of attractive features with the iconic aesthetic of the popular guitar amps.
Save over $200 on B&O's H9i headphones, but only for a few hours
My issues with Bang and Olufsen headphones have never been sound quality, design or features. It almost always comes down to price. Premium audio brand commands a premium price. But despite a refined design, crisp sound and nice overall comfort, it was impossible to recommend the H9i at its full price of $499. There were simply better options available for $100 less even though I scored the H9i a solid 86. For Black Friday, Amazon has knocked over $200 off the full price of these wireless over-ear headphones, which makes them much easier to recommend.
AIAIAI debuts ‘HD’ editions of its modular TMA-2 headphones
Since 2015, AIAIAI has offered headphone buyers something unique: a completely modular system of parts that allow you to craft your perfect set. The TMA-2 line is a collection of headbands, speakers, earpads and cables that are all designed for different use cases, sound preferences and more. Yes, you can pick a configuration for specific activities like DJing or recording in a studio, but you can also build your own from AIAIAI's selection of components. All of the options maintain the minimal, all-black design of the series. And starting today, those options include the TMA-2 HD as well as its new speakers and earpads.
Master & Dynamic made a wireless version of its iconic MH40 headphones
Master & Dynamic's MH40 was first set of headphones the company designed, and it released it in 2014. In may ways, that model set the standard for what would become M&D's trademark design style: a refined mix of metal and leather. It makes sense that the company would go back to the beginning to celebrate its five-year anniversary, and it's doing so with a $299 wireless model of the MH40.
Sennheiser Momentum Wireless review
Sennheiser's Momentum line has been a popular headphone choice for years now. It first debuted in 2012, then went wireless in 2015. Despite stumbling out of the gate with some connectivity issues, the Momentum Wireless is still a solid choice. At IFA 2019, the company debuted the third generation of the headphones. And while this new $399.95 over-ear model is improved, there are still some headaches that could've been avoided.
Sennheiser's new Momentum headphones are improved, but still pricey
Sennheiser has been fine-tuning its Momentum Wireless headphones for a few years now, and at IFA 2019, the company is unveiling a third-generation model. While the overall design is mostly the same, the company added a host of new features to bring these over-ear headphones in line with the likes of Sony's WH-1000XM3 and the top options from Bose. At $399.95 (€399), they're pricier than a lot of the flagship headphone competition, even if Sennheiser did stack the spec sheet.
Jabra Elite 85h review: Noise cancellation to rival Bose and Sony
Jabra shocked the world (OK, maybe just me) in 2018 when it unveiled the Elite 65t true-wireless earbuds. Those headphones quickly shot to the top of a lot of "best of" lists, including a couple of Engadget Buyers Guides. The Elite 65t have dependable controls, solid audio and cost less than much of the competition. For 2019, Jabra is tackling over-ear noise-canceling headphones with the Elite 85h. However, no matter how good they are, they're not as good of a deal at $300.
Jabra's latest headphones automatically adjust to your surroundings
At CES 2018, Jabra debuted its Elite 65t true wireless earbuds, an audio device that would eventually become one of our favorite headphones of the year. For CES this time around, the company has a more traditional new product: a set of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. With the Elite 85h, Jabra offers an option that will help block out the world around you and provide hands-free access to your virtual assistant of choice for $299.
Dolby Dimension review: Excellent sound, exorbitant price
Dolby has been delivering 3D sound to people's living rooms through other companies' Atmos-equipped soundbars and systems for years. So it's no surprise the company is harnessing some of that expertise for its first piece of consumer hardware. Its first product is aimed at two very popular activities: binge watching and listening to music. The Dolby Dimension headphones pack in a lot of features and tech to power your marathon Netflix sessions, but at $599, they're a serious investment.
What to look for when buying headphones
In 2018, most people are listening to music or a podcast at some point during the day. And in order to avoid annoying your co-workers and fellow commuters, that requires headphones. These are rarely impulse buys, since they can cost a few hundred dollars and, like anything else, we want them to last. Similar to TVs, laptops and other gadgets, headphones come in all shapes and sizes -- each with their own pros, cons and unique features. We've compiled a list of factors to consider when you're shopping for new headphones to help you avoid buyer's remorse.
Under Armour's latest wireless buds stay in your ears during workouts
Wireless earbuds are wonderful for the gym... when they stay put. And Under Armour and JBL are keenly aware of that -- they've introduced two sets of Bluetooth earbuds, the over-ear Sport Wireless Pivot (above) and in-ear Sport Wireless React (below), that are designed for stability during workouts. They're lightweight and IPX7 water-resistant, but the chief allures are tip and hook designs that will keep the buds in place. You won't be subjected to the gym's repetitive soundtrack just because a bud fell out mid-burpee.
MW50+ headphones let you choose between on-ear or over-ear
When it comes to buying new headphones, you typically have to choose between on-ear or over-ear before you make a purchase. And once you do, that's your option. Sure, there are few companies that offer the ability to change between the two styles, but that functionality is far from the norm. As of today though, you can add Master and Dynamic to that list. With the MW50+, the company lets you change the earpads on its MW50 wireless on-ear headphones to make them an over-ear set in a matter of seconds.
B&O Beoplay H8i and H9i headphones review: Diminishing returns
B&O is a name that typically evokes an image of premium audio gear. Of course, those high-end materials and typically solid sound quality almost always come with a steep price, even if the device is part of the more consumer-friendly B&O Play line. Back at CES, the company announced updated versions of its high-end wireless headphones, the on-ear H8i and the over-ear H9i, with a handful of new features. The new additions are certainly improvements, but the total package here isn't more compelling than the best Bose, Sony and others have to offer.
