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Bose goes wireless with the QuietComfort 35 headphones
Ever since the first QuietComfort headphones, released in 2000, Bose has offered consumers noise-cancelling tech that's second to none. This, along with excellent audio quality, made QuietComforts become best sellers in the market. But Bose knows it needs to keep evolving, and what better way to do so than by making its latest flagship headphones wireless. Enter the QuietComfort 35. Design-wise, the new model is quite similar to the previous one (QC25), sporting a sleek and minimalist look with your choice of black or silver finish.
The best wireless home theater headphones
By Lauren Dragan This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. After spending dozens of hours researching every radio frequency (RF) headphone system we could find, considering 32 of them, and testing 14 pairs over two years, we found that the Power Acoustik Farenheit HP-902 RFT headphones are the best to use while listening to television and music in your home. They sound decent, offer useful features such as a mute switch and the ability to switch between sources, and give you the best value for your money of anything that's currently available.
Apple is reportedly making premium wireless earbuds for the next iPhone
Rumors have swirled about Apple ditching the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack for much of the last year. Now, one of the most reliable Apple rumor reporters is saying that the iPhone 7 will indeed force owners to use either wireless headphones or a wired option through the device's Lightning port. Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac today posted a report claiming that the 3.5mm headphone jack was history and that Apple is also developing a premium pair of wireless headphones to go with the new phone.
Sony's new wireless headphones mix comfort and great audio
Wireless headphones are a dime a dozen here at CES, so you have to be pretty selective with what you take time to check out on the show floor. After last night's Sony presser, I was intrigued by the company's new high-res "h.ear" cans. Silly branding aside, the headphones offer digital noise-canceling tech that analyzes your surroundings to determine which mode will work best. In the confines of Sony's noisy CES booth, I can tell you that the tech works quite well. Even at a medium volume level, I didn't notice any raucous showgoer chatter. And if you want to turn it off, there's a button to do just that.
Master & Dynamic's MW60s are a stellar mix of style and sound
My first experience with Master & Dynamic's audio gear was the time I spent with the MH40 wired headphones this summer. I noticed the company's knack for stellar design a while back, but I hadn't been able to give the goods a try. Now, the company continues its aesthetic prowess with a new set of cans: the MW60. Keeping many of the striking design details from the MH40, the MW60s nix the required cable in favor of Bluetooth connectivity. Those same materials that give the MH40s their attractive look are back once more. The combination of leather and metal not only looks sophisticated, but maintains comfort and keeps the extra heft to a minimum, even with the added wireless components. However, the added Bluetooth feature does arrive with a $149 price hike. I took a pre-production unit for a spin to see if they lived up to Master & Dynamic's reputation for stellar audio products, and here's what I found.
B&O's H8 wireless headphones offer stellar audio at a steep price
I'm pretty vocal about my love for Bang and Olufsen's BeoPlay H6 headphones. To me, they're the best wired set I've used in the last three years and they still hold their own against newer rivals, even though they've been on sale for two years now. That being said, you can imagine my feelings when B&O announced the wireless H8 back at CES. The best set of cans I've used in ages are now wireless? I couldn't wait to get my hands on a pair. By now, I've spent several weeks getting to know the new headphones, and I have to say, I'm not quite ready to ditch the old model just yet.
Samsung outs Level On wireless headphones for untethered listening
I took Samsung's Level line of "premium" audio gear for a spin last summer, and now the company is adding another wireless model to the set. The Level On Wireless is exactly what the name suggests: a wireless version of the on-ear headphones in the collection. A group of six built-in microphones offer active noise cancellation to keep those loud talkers from killing your vibe. There's also a touch pad on the the outside of one ear cup, handling controls for S Voice, play/pause and skipping tracks so you won't have to pick up your phone. You can also share whatever you're listening to with other Level devices, thanks to the Sound Sharing tool. After spending a few weeks with the initial lineup, the wired Level On cans were my favorite of the bunch, so this new option is a welcome addition. Samsung says you can expect 11 hours of battery life with both Bluetooth and noise cancellation at work here, bumping to 23 hours if you opt for just the wireless connectivity. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing or availability yet.
Beats reveals a wireless version of its Solo2 on-ear headphones
Back in May, Dr. Dre's audio outfit trotted out its retooled Solo2 on-ear headphones. Between then and now, his Beats brand officially set up shop in Cupertino, and its releasing its first product since coming under Apple's wing back in August. The Solo2 Wireless cans allow you to nix the tether via Bluetooth, and look nearly identical to the wired unit, except for a "b" button that skips tracks and sorts calls alongside on-board volume controls. Beats is claiming 12 hours of listening, and when the built-in battery runs out, you can resort to using a cord until you make it back home. Of course, this version of the Solo2 was in the works before Tim Cook & Co. nabbed the popular headphone maker, but it's the first to carry Apple's co-sign. It also adds to Beats' wireless arsenal that includes the Studio headphones and Powerbeats2 earbuds. If you're looking to grab a pair, the on-ear option will be available this month for $300 in red, blue, black and white. Fancy the scarlet hue? That one's exclusive to Verizon. And if you're not willing to splurge for wireless, the regular Solo2 gets five more colors as part of a new Royal Edition.
Parrot Zik 2.0 review: still the world's most advanced headphones
If you're into drones and wireless audio, then you'll probably agree that Parrot is the best thing out of France since Daft Punk. Personally, I've been most impressed with the company's wireless headphones, the Zik. In fact, I've been a regular user since it came out about two years ago. Even today, no other brands have attempted anything as advanced as these cans. Which makes sense: These are no ordinary Bluetooth headphones. In addition to being wireless, they feature effective noise cancellation and intuitive touchpad input, all tucked inside a quirky Philippe Starck design, no less. More importantly, the audio quality has gotten better over time as Parrot improved device compatibility via firmware updates. But of course, there's always room for improvement; the original Zik is on the heavy side, and not everyone's a fan of its bulky look. Well, that's pretty much why we now have the Zik 2.0, and fortunately, it offers more than just improved portability. Read on to see if this new model is worth the $399 upgrade.
Beats co-founder returns with ROAM Ropes wireless in-ear headphones
Steven Lamar helped create the now iconic Beats by Dre brand back in 2006, and after a spat over royalties last spring, he's back with headphones of his very own. Touting the best in ergonomics, sound and "Noise Equalization," Lamar's ROAM brand is launching Ropes as its first portable audio offering. As the moniker suggests, the design allows for the earbuds to be worn around your neck when they're not in use. That "Noise Equalization" bit is proprietary tech that claims to deliver "the best sound quality on the market today." Unforunately, I've yet to get my hands on a pair, so I can't confirm or deny that declaration. If the stock tuning does suit your sonic sensibilities though, there's a ROAM EQ app for tweaking via smartphone. The in-ears will arrive in time for your Christmas shopping, and they'll carry a pricey $299 tag in either graphite/black or orange/gray (benefiting Stand Up to Cancer) color options. For comparison sake, that's $100 more wireless units from Jabra (a pulse-tracking model) and Beats, and $140 higher than the sport-themed pair from SMS Audio.
Sony's latest headphones tackle high-res and bass-heavy listening
While several other audio outfits have already unveiled hi-fi minded and bass-heavy options, Sony's looking to add some more of the same. First, the MDR-1a is a high-res set of on-ear cans aimed at listeners who fancy high-end aesthetics, with a bit more sophisticated look than the MDR-1. There are silver accents with leather-like material wrapping both the earcups and headband for "long-term" comfort and silent joints keep movement from muddying the tunes. Inside, sound reproduction ticks the meter at up to 100kHz to keep things clear with 40mm drivers powering beats. Of course, there are two cables included -- for those who prefer in-line controls -- designed to curb signal loss and a folding design that tucks nicely into that rucksack. Sound too good to pass up? The MDR-1a will arrive later this month with a $300 price tag that matches several other high-end options.
Bose intros AE2w Bluetooth headphones, competitively priced at $250
Although Bose has been using Bluetooth in its Aviation headsets, SoundLink portable speakers and earpieces for cellphones, wireless headphones have been lacking from the company's roster. That's changing today, with the company email-blasting US customers about its just-released AE2w Bluetooth headphones. Think of these as a pair of AE2 (roughly $150) over-ear cans with an A2DP-enabled Bluetooth dongle tacked on. This protrusion (which is removeable) provides access to a multi-function button, volume controls, power switch and micro-USB port for charging. Battery life is seven hours, with 200-hours of standby, which is about the norm for this type of kit. The Bluetooth unit enables actively-equalized audio, but can be swapped for a 3.5mm cable (included) -- this is ideal for long trips away from power. If you're interested, the AE2w are available in the US directly from Bose today for $250 -- pinning it as a competitor to cans like the apt-X-enabled Klipsch Image One Bluetooth. Our EU-based readers will also be pleased to know that sites like Tom's Hardware Guide (Italian) have them pegged to arrive May 14th for 250 euros. [Thanks, Motty]
Rapoo H9080 wireless headphones promise mellow bass, 10 hour battery life
Wireless home theater cans? A dime a dozen these days -- luckily, we're still suckers for a handsome charging dock. Debuting in the halls of the Las Vegas convention center are Rapoo's H9080 Home Entertainment Wireless Headphones, a leather-clad pair of audio earmuffs that promise deep, on-demand bass boosting and clean treble tones. Rapoo attributes the sets' audio fidelity to COM-Ti membrane vibration technology, ensuring a pure and mellow sound. A handsome charging cradle keeps your headphones from getting lost, whilst juicing it up for 10 hours of use for every three hours on the cradle. The company isn't ready to trot out a price tag just yet, but says the headphones will be available in the first quarter of 2013.
Logitech UE 9000 Wireless Headphones hit the FCC: Bluetooth in a full-size package
We've seen Logitech extend the reach of its Ultimate Ears brand once before with the UE Air Speaker, and now it appears that full-size headphones are soon to be on the list. As revealed by a recent FCC filing, the division -- best known for its pro-quality IEMs -- is working on a set of Bluetooth headphones dubbed as the UE 9000. There isn't much in the way of details or photos, however, a diagram detailing the location of the unit's FCC label reveals what looks like a full-size headphone -- new territory for UE for sure. We'll let you know when we hear any official word about the cans, but for now, feel free to scope the existing competition while reading about how much radiation these puppies might inject into your noggin.
Microsoft patent imagines headphones as accessory docking motherships
If it never occurred to you to plug all kinds of peripherals into your ear cans -- including the media player making the sound -- a new patent from Redmond's brain trust might give you pause. The headphones are shown as a catch-all, with receiving spaces for snapping in devices like rechargeable battery packs, storage, Bluetooth or WiFi reception modules and media players -- such as the Zune-like one sketched in above. The headset could also have controls to operate those peripherals, as well as an optional boom mic and USB ports, according to the document. All this is claimed to allow for numerous configurations, letting you pimp your headset to fit your own needs, and interface with games, movies or music in various ways. If they ever get to market, you might start thinking of humble headphones as full-blown entertainment centers instead of mere accessories.
Engadget Giveaway: win one of two pairs of Sync by 50 wireless over-ear headphones!
This week we're once again bringing the audio goods to you, and today's giveaway should be incredibly tempting. 50 Cent's brand, SMS Audio, wants to hook you up with a pair of its premium wireless over-ear headphones, Sync by 50. Priced at $400, these cans are spendier than a fair number of smartphones, but it offers Kleer technology with CD-quality lossless audio and will work up to 50 feet away from your device. And just for kicks and giggles, SMS Audio is also throwing in a snapback hat, shirt and a backpack to go along with your prize, so it's definitely worth heading below the rules and leaving a comment to enter. Good luck!
Sennheiser RS 220 wireless headphones hands-on (video)
You can buy wired headphones for $600, so why not throw a pricey cordless pair into the mix? That seems to be Sennheiser's approach, which quietly launched the RS 220 wireless headphones at CES Unveiled in New York City tonight. These cord-free cans pipe analog, coaxial or optical sources from a glossy black base station over a 2.4GHz DSSS connection, which seemed to work fairly well even in the crowded event space -- chock full of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of wireless devices. A packed noisy environment isn't the ideal location to conduct audio tests, but given the conditions, the RS 220 performed well -- Aerosmith's Love in an Elevator was clear and crisp, with a reasonable amount of bass. The headphones were quite comfortable as well -- the velvet-like cups formed a fairly secure fit without putting too much pressure on our ears, as you might expect given the sky-high price tag. They're rated for a distance of up to 300 feet, though the connection dropped at just over 50 feet during our test tonight -- you'll likely see a better range outdoors, however. Jump past the break for a video walkthrough and the PR from Sennheiser.%Gallery-138863%
Fiddy Cent gets into the headphone game with SYNC by 50, countdown to Ford lawsuit begins... now
Well, after the termination of 50 Cent's alignment with Sleek, it was only a matter time before the rapper's SMS Audio company filled the void. (After all, how do you know your cans are quality if they haven't been endorsed by a man who was shot nine times and survived.) We don't know when the wireless SYNC by 50 headphones will arrive or how much they'll cost, but you can bet the part-time actor and entrepreneur will be making the rounds, trying to sell us on the 40mm driver, 50-foot range, "professionally tuned digital EQ" and passive noise isolation. While the integrated music controls are nice, our favorite feature might be the ability to connect four sets of SYNCs to the same source. Check out the gallery below and a few choice specs from the data sheet after the break.%Gallery-135320%
Veho's Bluetooth headphones fold up, kickout the wireless jams
Bluetooth headphones are a dime a dozen these days. Well, not really -- they're certainly plentiful, but cost quite a bit more than a piece of Bazooka. Veho's entry into the reasonably saturated market sits just above the pricing sweet spot at $110, but it does sport some nice features like touch controls on the side for manipulating your iDevice or smart phone, and a mic for use as a hands-free headset. The lithium-ion battery inside can keep these folding over-ear phones pumping out Springsteen bootlegs and Joell Ortiz mixtapes (gotta cover all your bases, right?) for up to ten hours. And, if all black isn't you're thing, the Gumball 3000 edition adds some bright orange flair. Check out the galleries below. %Gallery-127725% %Gallery-127726%
Ask Engadget: best (non-gaming) wireless headphones?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from reader Conception, who has a pretty hilarious story to tell. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "What is the best wireless headphones on the market (non-gaming headset -- no need for microphone) for the cheapest dollar while listening to music / TV around my household and yard. One caveat is that I do not own an iPod, so they just need to work with a normal 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. What is really important to me is the fidelity of the sound, and hopefully distance away from the transmitter. It would seem to me that 900MHz is so last year, and I am tired of listening to my neighbor complain about her marriage when the unit I'm currently using picks up her phone calls. I am not afraid of paying $300 to $400 if need be but of course, the least expensive option is preferred." Look, this man needs help. He needs headphones that play back music, not angered divorce calls. Please help by dropping some knowledge in comments below. Thank you. Thank you.
