Latest news with #earphones
The Independent
16-07-2025
- The Independent
Are the first-generation AirPods Pro earbuds still worth buying?
The original AirPods Pro have been discontinued – read our AirPods Pro 2 review to learn more about Apple's latest earphones. You can still find the original AirPods Pro on sale as refurbished or used, however. But do they still stand up? Apple sold between 35 million and 59 million AirPods units in 2019, the upper end of which accounts for over 50 per cent of the market. Even at the lower end of that range, the AirPods are a big deal. The original AirPods Pro are a marked step up from the basic AirPods, and represent exceptional value if you can find them second-hand or refurbished. So they're popular, but are they still good? That's a trickier question to answer. There's no doubt that the basic AirPods offer good sound and a nice look, but they've been bugged by the same complaints since their introduction: for their price, the non-Pro AirPods don't offer the best sound, and for some ears, the fit simply doesn't work. Apple decided to fix this with the AirPods Pro in 2019, with a more recognisable bud design helping the fit, active noise cancellation (ANC) and a big leap in audio quality thrown in. Unsurprisingly, the AirPods Pro were released with fanfare and a pretty high price point, which has tumbled since the newer model arrived. They certainly look the part, and fit nicely into the Apple ecosystem, but are they worth the extra investment over the entry-level AirPods? How we tested We tested the AirPods Pro over several weeks, comparing their audio quality with the non-Pro versions as well as against rival earphones from Sony and Sennheiser. We tested across a range of music genres and podcasts to get a measure of their performance. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews David RS Taylor has been testing products for The Independent since 2021, with a focus on home tech, audio and smartphones. Whether you're looking for advice on the best home printer or a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones, you can trust that his tried and tested reviews are based on real-world experience.
Android Authority
16-06-2025
- Android Authority
Packed with seven drivers, you'll enjoy a seamless audio experience with the Kiwi Ears Septet
Finding high-quality audio can be quite a challenge. Even though wireless earphones are super popular, true audiophiles still prefer wired options for the best sound experience. This is especially true if you're a musician or a sound engineer, as precision and quality are key. There are differences even then. While you can find many good in-ear monitors, the top-rated ones can often come with a hefty price tag, making them less accessible for the average consumer. That's the challenge that Kiwi Ears is tackling with their latest in-ear monitors, the Kiwi Ears Septet. With an impressive array of seven drivers, an open-back design, and custom tuning for a natural and expansive soundstage, the Septet offers fantastic value without the premium price tag, making it perfect for both enthusiasts and professionals. Here's everything you need to know. 7 drivers for a seamless audio experience The Kiwi Ears Septet lives up to its name with its innovative hybrid setup, featuring seven drivers in each earbud. This design ensures complete coverage and delivers precise, clear audio. It combines dynamic, balanced armature, micro planar, and piezoelectric technologies for what Kiwi Ears describes as a seamless sound experience. The large 10mm composite dynamic driver does an amazing job with the sub-bass and bass, giving you a bass signature that's almost akin to a subwoofer. According to Kiwi Ears, the Septet manages to deliver a rich yet clean bass that packs a punch. The Septet is equipped with four balanced armature drivers to handle the low-mid and mid-treble frequencies. Plus, there are two independent crossover networks across these four drivers. This clever setup allocates each channel to a specific frequency range to minimize harmonic distortion and ensure seamless coverage throughout the audio spectrum. Additionally, the Septet includes a microplanar transducer that works together with the piezoelectric driver to enhance the output at those high treble frequencies. This arrangement captures every little detail in the music, providing a three-dimensional listening experience that remains smooth and enjoyable. Designed for music With its open-back aluminium alloy shell, designed for durability, the Septet also features an intricate 5-way passive crossover system that looks as great as it performs. This isn't just about style. Kiwi Ears says that this design allows for improved airflow and responsiveness to the drivers, enriching the soundstage and lending the audio an 'acoustic' texture. The Septet comes with a modular cable system, making it super easy for you to switch between 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced plugs. The custom cable is durable and crafted with ultra-high-purity copper wires to ensure noise-free signal transmission. Pre-order the Kiwi Ears Septet now If you're on the hunt for a high-quality pair of in-ear monitors that won't empty your wallet, the Kiwi Ears Septet is the perfect choice. At a price of just $269, the Septet brings you audio quality and features that rival those found in much pricier IEMs, and you can pre-order yours today!
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How the London Underground turned into a hellhole: It's used as an open toilet, filled with fare-dodgers and pickpockets and sex attacks are surging. FRED KELLY'S investigation reveals shocking truth
It's just gone midday in Stratford, east London, and a young man – no more than 25 years old and wearing expensive wireless earphones and designer sunglasses – slips through the London Underground ticket barriers without paying and waltzes down the underpass towards the Central line platform. Little does he know, the Daily Mail is in hot pursuit.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Forbes
These Tiny Earphones Translate Between 15 Languages Using AI
Acer AI TransBuds Acer Language translation is one of the more compelling uses for AI and machine learning tech, and Acer has built it into a pair of earphones, the Acer AI TransBuds. Well, sort of. The Acer AI TransBuds look much like a fairly ordinary pair of open ear headphones, one of the most recent design trends in wireless pairs, but they are made for AI-powered 'two-way voice translation.' And the idea is only one person needs to wear the Acer AI TransBuds. That doesn't entirely make sense until you hear these earphones also rely on a wirelessly connected phone or tablet, which can display the 'live captioning and transcription' results, perhaps while the wearer gets an audio translation. It's this connected device that presumably does all of the real work of translation — most likely via cloud compute — as a pair of earphones is unlikely to be able to hold the processing and battery power required for full on-device translation for some time still. The Acer AI TransBuds have tiny 50mAh batteries, and include a charging case just like a regular true wireless pair. They support Bluetooth 5.4 and have an ear hook design, which is necessary because the actual bud parts don't have an IEM-style tip or even the classic style of earbud designed to rest behind the ear's tragus. That's deliberate, to stop them from blocking you hearing what the other person is saying, even if you can't understand them. Acer says the AI TransBuds support 15 languages at present. And while these are not specified, they are described as 'major languages spoken across Asia, the Americas, and Europe.' The Acer AI TransBuds are not quite as revolutionary as they may seem from a one-sentence description, but it is refreshing to see a household name take on what is still quite a niche area of tech. They might be compared to the Vasco Translator E1 earbuds or the Timekettle M3 Translation Earbuds. All three pairs operate using the same concept, pairing to a smartphone app in order to provide translation. This also means the real worth of the Acer AI TransBuds is in the part Acer has talked little about so far, the software. Acer also has not yet revealed when the AI TransBuds are planned for a release, or where they will be marketed.
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Apple AirPods Pro 3 just got leaked, and it came from Apple itself
A fresh leak may have just revealed that the latest Apple AirPods Pro 3 are due to arrive soon. While leaks about these new earpods are not new, what is pretty unique about this is that it comes from Apple itself. Well, specifically from some Apple code. Recommended Videos Shared in a post on X, Aaron Perris, claims to have found this in a recent software release from Apple. What that software is specifically, is less clear. Essentially the shift makes a reference to AirPods that are newer than the AirPods Pro 2, suggesting Apple is readying its software for the release of the new earphones. How did the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leak? The line of code shared by Perris shows a shift where it previously read 'AirPods Pro 2 Generation' but it now reads 'AirPods Pro 2 or later.' So what the software is, might be unclear, but that's not massively relevant since the overriding fact here is that Apple is preparing for functionality with newer AirPods. The fact this apparent leak comes from Apple's own software does help add weight to the rumours that the new AirPods Pro 3 could arrive soon. What is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 release date? Rumours have suggested we could see the new Apple AirPods Pro 3 as soon as the WWDC 2025 event in June. It seems likely that Apple would launch these alongside the iPhone 17 which is expected in September, as per the usual release cycle. What are the Apple AirPods Pro 3 expected specs? Rumours suggest we can expect the Apple AirPods Pro 3 to come with a new H3 chip, which should help improve the Active Noise Cancellation and battery performance. They may also have a new design, although little more on this has been leaked at this stage.
