Latest news with #KEF
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Young workers say raising retirement age will hurt efficiency, older people disagree
6 out of 10 young Koreans says raising legal retirement age to 65 will reduce job opportunities for them As South Korea mulls raising the legal retirement age from 60 to 65, a generational divide is growing, with younger and older Koreans split over the potential impact on productivity, employment opportunities and workplace dynamics. A recent survey by the Korea Enterprises Federation found that 59 percent of respondents aged 20-34 believe raising the retirement age will be detrimental to work efficiency, while 62.6 percent of those aged 45-59, who have been in the workforce for at least 15 years, said it would not. The survey, conducted on two separate groups of 500 people -- one from the 20-34 age group without jobs and another from the 45-59 age group who have worked for at least 15 years -- also revealed disagreement on whether the higher retirement age would diminish job opportunities for young people. About 61.6 percent of young respondents said it would, while 50.6 percent of older respondents said it would not. The debate comes as a record number of Koreans over 60 remain in the workforce. According to government data in June, 60 percent of 60-somethings had jobs, just slightly lower than the 60.3 percent recorded for those in their 20s. With employment contracts generally ending when workers turn 60, the survey also showed disagreement about the best policy for enabling people to work beyond that age. Young people were split almost evenly between three options: allowing firms to choose whether to retain workers past 60 (36.8 percent), having firms formally terminate employees at 60 and then rehire them (31.8 percent), and mandating an extension of the retirement age by law (31.4 percent). But nearly half of the older respondents (46.8 percent) support the third idea -- the one least supported by the youth group -- that the government itself should mandate the change by raising the legal retirement age. However, a majority of respondents from both groups expressed concern that a greater number of older workers in a company could lead to workplace conflicts over the generational divide, work styles, difficulty adapting to new technology and overall communication. Those concerns were greater among the younger group, of whom 80.8 percent said the change would cause problems, while only 63.2 percent of the older group said the same. Officials at the KEF said raising the retirement age to 65 requires a cautious approach as it may frustrate young people not yet in the labor market, who may see the change as taking away their job opportunities.
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I came so close to loving the Nothing Headphone (1), but the sound held them back — here's what I'd recommend instead
When I pulled the Nothing Headphone (1) from their box, I immediately noticed just how well-built and designed the headphones are. The quality metal earcups and intuitive physical controls could have made them a shoe-in for my favorite pair of headphones of 2025, and pose a threat to the best headphones you can buy. But sadly they fell down at what is, ultimately, the most important hurdle of all — sound quality. I'd hoped they were going to sound good thanks to Nothing's partnership with KEF, but there were significant sonic issues that I noted in my Headphone (1) review. Any pair of headphones that effectively requires the use of an EQ isn't a good pair of headphones in my mind, given that general audiences don't understand their 100Hz from their 14KHz. Thankfully, there's a pair of headphones in the $200-$299 price range that you should buy instead that outperforms the Nothing Headphone (1) in most metrics — the Cambridge Audio melomania P100. Here's why you should buy them instead. The Melomania P100 are an excellent pair of headphones featuring a whole range of features to make them a great alternative to the more well-known competition. They're also a better buy than the Headphone (1), with more battery life, much better sound, and a simpler look for those who don't want Nothing's more out there design. The Nothing Headphone (1) bring a fancy design to the table and great build quality, but they let the side down when it comes to sound; arguably the most important bit. You do get solid battery life though, and a very good and compact hard case. The physical controls are amongst the best around as well. There's no denying that the Nothing Headphone (1) have a unique look. They're smothered in metal and transparent plastic, with their cassette motif shining through to get glances from everyone that's walking past. If you're looking for a pair of headphones that shouts "look at me!" then the Headphone (1) are the headphones you're looking for. If you're not looking to make as much of a statement and want something that looks solid without being louder than a piledriver on a building site, then the Melomania P100 might be more up your street. They've got a clean, sleek look, but I really like their subtle design touches. The Cambridge Audio circle on the outside of the cans is a nice feature, and the shape of the earcups is good. Build is similar to the Nothing Headphone (1) too. There's metal in these earcups, and they feel like they'd survive a brush with a Sherman tank. They're more comfortable in some ways as well especially if you've got ear piercings. They don't press on your lobes like the Headphone (1). I like the look of both headphones, but while I'm happy that Nothing is shaking things up with the Headphone (1), I'd still go for the more understated style of the Cambridge Audio cans. The Nothing Headphone (1), on paper, have more features than the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. There's spatial audio and adaptive ANC, amongst others. In actuality, however, they're much closer than they seem on first inspection. The spatial audio, as with many implementations, is worth leaving off. It thins out the sound of your music, and makes it sound like it's being played down a metal pipe. Worth avoiding. Adaptive ANC sounds good, but I didn't find any battery gains on paper, and it actually made some things worse when it misread the environment. I just left it on max level whenever I needed ANC as a result — the same level available with the Melomania P100. After that, the feature sets remain similar. There are strong EQ adjusters on both, and low-latency modes for gamers. USB-C audio can play Hi-res tracks with great bandwidth, although, as we'll find out later, you'll only want to use it with one pair of headphones. The Cambridge Audio cans last 100 hours with the ANC off, and then 60 hours with the ANC on. The Nothing Headphone (1) have good battery life. They'll last you for 35 hours with ANC on after a full charge, which rises to 80 hours when you turn the ANC off. That's more than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — but much less than the Melomania P100. The Cambridge Audio cans last 100 hours with the ANC off, and then 60 hours with the ANC on. That's a lot of battery, and I can attest to their battery life personally. I took them on a three-day camping trip, and didn't need to charge them once, despite using them to help me climb mountains and circumnavigate lakes. And then they got me home for the 6-hour drive. Quick charge is similar on both models as well — a 5-minute quick charge gets you 4 hours with Cambridge Audio, while the Nothing cans manage 5 hours. If that's what $70 gets you, I'm not sure I'd bother with the more expensive option. There's no avoiding it. Despite working with renowned audio brand KEF, the Nothing Headphone (1) just don't sound all that good out of the box. They're far too dark, and need significant work in the EQ to make them sound decent. I certainly wasn't a fan of the way they sounded, and it lost them a whole star and a half in their review. The Melomania P100 are one of the best-sounding pairs of headphones around — you'll have to spend hundreds more dollars to find something that sounds better. Harsh? Perhaps, but when you consider how the cheaper competition sound, you'll understand why. The Melomania P100 are one of the best-sounding pairs of headphones around — you'll have to spend hundreds more dollars to find something that sounds better. They are supremely well detailed, and the soundstage is extremely wide and involving. It places instruments very well, and makes for one of the best listening experiences you'll have this side of $450. At the end of the day, headphones are all about how they sound. ANC is important, and both are good at it, but it's really all about the sound. And the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 just sound better. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you value in a pair of headphones. But as far as I can tell, the Cambridge Audio smash the Nothing Headphone (1) in most metrics. Battery life, sound quality, price — Nothing leaves bloodied and bruised while Cambridge Audio shrugs off a volley of style points. For my money I'd save $60 and buy the Melomania P100. They're just a better pair of headphones. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
We tested Nothing Headphone 1, the most unique looking over-ears on the market
Tech upstart Nothing has sparked a lot of debate after launching its first attempt at a futuristic style of headphones. The Carl Pei led firm has again steered away from today's tech design norms to further carve out its identity with another unique aesthetic. Headphone 1 look and feel premium. They employ the firm's now trademark translucent design language that enables some components to be on display, and look retro and futuristic at the same time. The only gripe is the softshell carrying case is quite large to accommodate the way the cans fold flat when not in use. But if you don't travel or commute much, this won't be such a big deal. READ MORE: Nothing Phone 3a review: is this the best smartphone you can buy for less than €400? READ MORE: Nothing confirms new Eir partnership ahead of launch of Phone 3 flagship Nothing Headphone 1 everyday use Nothing has curated a sound profile that perfectly matches the luxurious style of Headphone 1, while the Nothing X app unlocks the full potential of these cans. They feel like a vacation for your ears as the soft cushioning allows for unbelievable comfort even during lengthy listening sessions whether at home, at the gym or on a walk. Headphone 1 employ Nothing's trademark translucent design language that enables some components to be on display (Image: Nothing) As well as this, the effective passive and active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Nothing Headphone 1 allows you to exist in this bubble of comfort and luxury without distraction. And with no connectivity or stability issues, it's easy to enjoy your favourite tunes for hours on end. There's a decent Transparency mode for making and taking calls too. Headphone 1 feature custom-made 40mm audio drivers and support the standard SBC and AAC codecs along with the higher quality LDAC codec. Renowned audio brand KEF was integral in shaping the sound of these cans, and their moniker adorns the left earcup. They sound decent right out of the box, both bright and lively. Music isn't all they're good for, thanks to the new Spatial Audio that Nothing has introduced on these headphones. It's enabled in the Nothing X app. Watching your favourite show or playing a new video game is so immersive it feels like you're one of the characters on screen. Spatial Audio isn't the only feature that the Nothing X app opens up. The app allows the listener to fully customise the controls and the sound profile, making every set feel personal. Headphone 1 have an array of intuitive on-device controls for ease of use (Image: Nothing) The on-device physical controls are welcome and boost the user experience due to their ease of use. If you also own a Nothing Phone 3, the circular multifunction button can be used to channel hop between your five favourite apps. Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is included along with fast-charging and on-head detection which automatically plays and pauses your content when you put on or remove the cans. If wireless connectivity isn't your thing, that's not a problem, as the headphones come with a cable in the box. They are IP52-rated for dust and water resistance. Headphone 1 deliver up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC switched on and an impressive 80 hours with it turned off. However, this depends greatly on the volume you are listening to your content at. In Ireland, they cost less than €300, which is well below the likes of Sony's flagship WH-1000XM6 and Apple's AirPods Max. Headphone 1 verdict Headphone 1 blend fashion and functionality (Image: Nothing) Nothing has pulled no punches in making these headphones feel like a gift of luxury sent from the future. Headphone 1 are a perfect blend of fashion and functionality and hopefully the start of a new era of audio. Nothing is making a statement with these cans, taking big risks in many aspects of its design and features. And their light and soft design makes it easy to forget you're even wearing them. Overall, Headphone 1 is a great choice for anyone looking for a pair of high-end over-ears who has tired of the bland styling offered by other brands. In a world where minimalism and monotony dominate the tech industry, I think Nothing is doing something truly incredible with their devices and I always look forward to what they'll do next. Pricing and availability Nothing Headphone 1 cost €299 from You can also buy them from Amazon. Product review and testing by Ryan Kavanagh. Edited by Mark Kavanagh.
Tom's Guide
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just tested these incredible stereo speakers — and they're better than any soundbar I've ever tested
Look, I love the best soundbars as much as the next person. They're a great solution for making sure that your movies and music sound massive without taking up too much space in your living room. There's a Sonos Arc Ultra that sits in my living room for Dolby Atmos movies — I am not entirely averse to soundbars. But the ever-present allure of a pair of stereo speakers is often just too much to take. The musical abilities of even the most expensive soundbars often leaves a lot to be desired, and there are times when even clever Dolby Atmos virtual mixes pale in comparison to actual, real stereo separation. The KEF LSX II have long been a pair of speakers that I've wanted to test out. The brand is my favorite — the Blade speakers are my 'money is no object' dream speakers, my LS50 Metas have powered my HiFi for a long time, and the interesting-looking 'Uni-Q driver' that dominates their speaker fronts appears often in my sleeping moments. So what are they like to use? The KEF LSX II are the smaller option in KEF's wireless speaker range. They sound amazing not just for their size, packing in big speaker performance to a small package. They're not cheap, but they're well worth their high asking price. The KEF LSX II are a pair of connected smart speakers that the brand might call its 'luxury low-end' price point. They cost $1,499, or about $500 more than the Sonos Arc Ultra will set you back before you add a subwoofer. They're going up against similar models for Technics and other HiFi brands, and they're also angled at potential soundbar customers. To that end, they've got an HDMI port on the back so that you can connect a TV without needing a weird dongle. It also means they can be controlled with a TV controller, which is always helpful. The speakers themselves feature KEF's Uni-Q drivers, which house a tweeter and the main driver in the same unit. Not only do they look really cool, but they also allow for the brand's signature detail and excellent sonic timing. There are two units, and unlike some speakers at this format and size, they both need power. That's because they both contain amplifiers. Only one speaker has inputs and outputs, however, while the other has a socket to plug the other speaker in and a pairing button. Why a pairing button? These speakers can be hooked up to one another wirelessly, which avoids some cables trailing around the floor. Instead, you can mount them on stands and have the power cables routed down the legs — that'll look pretty delicious indeed. I'm not going to tell you these are the best-looking powered speakers around — that honor goes to anything that's made by Bang & Olufsen — but they're a very handsome option that sits next to your big-screen TV. The front is dominated by the Uni-Q drivers in a contrasting color to the main unit, and then a logo and a small status light sit above and below. From the front they look like smaller versions of my LS50 Meta, which is pretty cool. The sides of the grey model that I tested are covered with fabric, which lends some extra texture to proceedings, but other colors have an all-over resin finish. I'd recommend sticking them on speaker stands or even using some wall mounts for the speakers to finish the look — they're a minimalist speaker, and I think they deserve to sit on their own rather than on a TV stand. They're nice and small though, which makes them more flexible than some of the other options. KEF has filled the LSX II with some seriously cool features. My favorite is the Wi-Fi connection, which means I can stream my favorite tunes from the best music streaming services without worrying about some kind of cable to make things work. That also means I can slip them into my Roon server, so that I can stream tracks from my home music streaming setup, which is always a massive bonus. The App connects over the internet as well, which opens up even more features. From there you can select the HDMI eARC system, which is helpful, or between the other inputs. There's a Bluetooth connection, as well as an optical port, and a 3.5mm aux for older devices. You can plug them into the network as well to make for a more stable connection. All of the features work pretty well, although I did run into a couple of problems with the HMDI eARC. Sometimes I had to turn the speakers on separately when I turned on my TV, and sometimes I didn't. It wasn't the worst problem in the world, but it was irritating. Not enough to dampen my experience with the speakers. So the KEF LSX II don't look all that big. That's because they're not — each unit is about the same size as a HomePod 2. You might expect that they'd only be good for smaller rooms as a result, but I'm not sure it's entirely possible to be more wrong. Thanks to some impressive power being fed to the drivers by their individual amplifiers, they're able to pump out some seriously impressive sound. I was able to fill a large living room with the LSX II situated either side of my TV, with a massive bass body that didn't need to stretch itself to fill the space. Given how smaller speakers have really struggled in my space before, I was taken aback immediately by the sound of the LSX II. I knew they were going to be good, my experience with KEF gear already told me as such. I knew there'd be some incredible detail mixed with spectacular instrument separation, but I didn't know they'd be able to do it when they had to bring sound to my living room. But, boy, did they bring the noise. The depth of the guitars in Watain's They Rode On was enough that I could get lost within. The vocals were crystal clear, cutting through the thick, molasses-like instrumentation, matched by the impressive detail as the rest of the ensemble joined the fray. The drums were impactful, the bass guitar meaty, and the electric guitar edged like a terrifying sacrificial knife. It was leagues above my Sonos Arc Ultra's music performance. It mostly comes down to the stereo separation as much as it does the sonic capability of the speakers themselves. Music likes to be spread apart physically so that you can appreciate each different element of the track, while also serving to extend the soundstage. The LSX II are the perfect example of what happens when you give music space to breathe. Controversially, I will take a properly separated stereo mix over a virtual surround mix any day of the week. The tiny drivers loaded into a soundbar can only do so much in making a mix sound bigger than it actually is, and even the best soundbars pale in comparison to the wizardry that goes on when the soundstage is physically widened. With more space for the drivers to do their dirty work, you'll immediately notice more space. Even then, the dialog sits in the center of the mix, while sounds come from all around you. It's not as impressive as having 11 speakers dotted around the room, of course, but add in a KEF subwoofer and you'd be hard-pressed to tell me whether you prefer the sound of the Sonos Arc Ultra or the KEF LSX II when it comes to watching your favorite blockbusters. The opening scene of "Top Gun: Maverick" tells me all I need to know. The planes fly alongside you as chains and ropes whip around in the melee on board the carrier. The soundtrack sounds impeccable. You miss some of the spatial imaging of the multi-channel soundbar, but the sound is altogether more pleasing to the ear. It lacks the slightly synthetic edge of a soundbar, and gives you more sonic body overall. I'm not saying everyone should go and replace their soundbar with a pair of the KEF LSX II — but I am saying you should think about it. Hard. I am a HiFi faithful. I like my systems separated into different components so I can better control the sonic output. There's still something cool about having a stack of devices plugged in together, flanked by a big pair of speakers rippling with drivers and tweeters. But it would be remiss of me not to admit that I'm slightly stuck in the past. The mid-range HiFi system could well be on the way out, replaced by the likes of the KEF LSX II. Rather than spending $1,500 on an amplifier, a streamer, a Bluetooth dongle and some speakers, you can buy it all at once and get something that sounds just as good and plugs into your TV. I don't think the really high-end stuff needs to worry — but I will be keeping an eye on systems like this more. After all, not everyone has enough space for a HiFi setup like mine, but they still want epic musical sound. the KEF LSX II might just be the best way to get it.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Nothing's statement headphones sound great and deliver solid value
Earbuds and phones put out so far by British tech firm Nothing follow a formula: eye-grabbing designs, a playful take on controls or interface and a little power sacrifice relative to rivals so they come in at a lower price than you might expect. The new Nothing Headphone 1, the most expensive audio device the company has shipped to date, nails that same formula. For its first over-ear headphones, Nothing collaborated with audio outfit KEF, which handled the tuning. It's clear the in-house audio and design teams also have a great passion for the product, and have grown confident over the past four years of creating various wireless earbuds. These headphones will turn heads, don't look like anything else and deliver really good sound. In keeping with other Nothing devices, Headphone 1 has a transparent finish exposing interlocking panels that give the impression of the underlying tech. In this case, the brand's trademark red square serves as a handy reminder of which side needs to go on your right ear. The flat two-layer design gives an industrial vibe compared with most current headphones, which tend to be rounder and softer, and that's reinforced by the printed text and the idiosyncratic roller and paddle controls (more on those later). The unit I tested is called white, or more accurately two kinds of grey on silver aluminium, with black cushions. At first glance I thought the design was a bit much, with a lot of detail and many different shapes, but I've come to like them. By the time I saw the black versions at Nothing's local launch event, I thought the reduction in contrast made them look too subtle compared with the white. They don't feel as eccentric as they look, with decent cushioning on the headband and cups, a firm but not uncomfortable pressure to keep them on your ears and a smooth adjusting action. The cups can turn inwards to rest naturally if you wear them around your neck. My one physical design complaint isn't actually about the headphones but the hard travel case they come with; the tiny zip puts up a fight to open every single time. Sonically, the sound stage of the Headphone 1 isn't as expansive as you'd expect on more expensive models such as Apple's AirPods Max or the Sonos Ace, but by default the sound is rich, bass is quite present, and everything's clear and well imaged. Dive into the app and you'll find an extensive and detailed equaliser that gives you full control over the sound. There are smart presets and simple settings like a bass boost, which I found brought the lows forward successfully without distorting them or rattling my skull. You can also turn on head-tracking spatial audio, which can be handy for movie watching. Loading In terms of high-resolution support, the Headphone 1 can connect to a supported device via AAC or LDAC, and is certified for 24-bit/96kHz sound. If you prefer a wired connection, the headphones support USB-C and 3.5mm, but they need to be turned on to work, so wired mode won't help you keep listening once the battery's flat.
