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Unannounced ‘AirPods X Generation’ reportedly appear in Target inventory systems for $399

Several reports have suggested that Apple is planning to release new over-ear headphones during the first half of this year, likely to complement the rest of its AirPods lineup. Now, YouTuber Jon Prosser has shared an image on Twitter claiming to show new Apple headphones in Target’s inventory system.

Update: Target inventory also references new Apple TV, iPod touch, and Apple Watch bands


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Hands-on: Moshi Mythro C USB-C in-ear headphones, a budget-friendly future-ready option

Moshi Mythro C review

My audio tastes run more toward the mid-range (or a little higher), but I of course recognize that some people want something basic at a pocket-friendly price.

But with Apple dropping the headphone socket from iPhones and iPads, things are getting a little more complicated for those who don’t want the expense or charging hassle of wireless headphones …


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Review: RHA’s CL2 Planar are the $900 in-ear headphones I wish I’d never tried

RHA CL2 Planar review

I love music. I couldn’t imagine life without it, and for something which brings me so much pleasure, I’m willing to pay for decent quality.

But I’ve always said that I have mid-range ears. Give me a Bang & Olufsen system in the low single-digit thousands, or something at the bottom end of the Naim range, and I’m a very happy man. Anything beyond that is wasted on me. And, indeed, for casual listening, stereo-paired HomePods hit the spot; to me, they sound way better than they have any right to at that price level.

When it comes to headphones, I mostly use my B&W P5 Wireless, or my Master & Dynamic MW07, each of which comes in at $300 and sounded perfect to me …


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Apple’s upcoming over-ear headphones may use HomePod-style beamforming; be reversible

One of the key features of Apple’s HomePod speaker is the beamforming technology used to adjust the sound output to the shape of the room, and using those same microphones for a neat Siri trick. By cancelling out the music output, Siri commands can be easily heard by the speaker even when it is blasting out music at full volume.

A new Apple patent application, published today, suggests that Apple may be seeking to use the same basis of that beamforming tech in its rumored over-ear headphones, to achieve two things …


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Master & Dynamic launch MW07, an alternative to AirPods aiming for higher audio quality

Master & Dynamic has announced its first true wireless in-ear headphones, the MW07. The company is aiming to bring high-quality audio to the ultra-portable in-ear category.

Custom 10mm beryllium drivers, a metal traditionally used only in hi-fi products, provide exceptional acoustics and deliver a rich, warm, expansive sound.

‘Our goal is to offer the best of both superior sound and sophisticated design to our customers,’ said Master & Dynamic’s founder and CEO Jonathan Levine …


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Review: The headline feature of Marshall’s Mid ANC on-ear wireless headphones is the least-impressive thing about them

After being impressed by Marshall’s Stanmore AirPlay speaker earlier this year, the firm asked me if I’d be interested in trying its latest headphones, the Marshall Mid ANC. This is an update to the earlier Mid model with the addition of active noise cancellation.

Ironically, it’s the new feature – the active noise cancellation – that I think is the least-impressive one. But that’s not to say I think that the headphones themselves are unimpressive; far from it …


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Gift Guide: Premium speakers and headphones for the music lovers in your life ($100-1350)

If you’re buying a gift for someone who loves music, and listens to it all the time, there are few things that will bring more pleasure than a really high-quality speaker or pair of headphones.

Not only will they allow your lucky recipient to experience their music at a whole new level, but premium audio is also a gift that will last them a very long time.

Granted wireless standards can change, so we may no longer be living in a time when we can say a great speaker or pair of headphones will last a lifetime, but they remain something which will be appreciated for at least many years to come …


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Bose unveils new SoundSport Free truly wireless earbuds geared towards active lifestyles

Bose has this morning unveiled its first truly wireless headphones, dubbed the SoundSport Free. Much like Apple’s own AirPods and Jaybird’s latest Run in-ears, Bose is taking aim at active users looking for an audio solution during exercise.

As one of the biggest names in audio, Bose is taking its established tech and cramming it into earbuds that weigh just 0.35-ounces each. A wireless carrying case will handle charging, much like what Apple and Jaybird has instituted with their own headsets in recent releases. However, its a new antennae system that Bose claims will truly set its new release apart from the competition.


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W1 Bluetooth wireless headphones compared: Apple AirPods, Beats Solo3, Powerbeats3 & BeatsX

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w1-headphones

All four products in the announced Apple W1 lineup of wireless headphones and earbuds are now available: the Beats Solo3 headphones, the Powerbeats3, the BeatsX and the truly wireless Apple AirPods.

Wireless headphones are becoming the defacto choice for Apple users, with the iPhone 7 dropping the analog headphone jack. Apple Watch can also only pair with wireless music devices.

We don’t know what the future holds for the W1 chip, perhaps more manufacturers will be allowed to use it, but the product range is already diversified with what’s available today, spanning different form factors, audio quality, convenience, innovation and price points.


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Review: AQUA’s battery-free headphone amp improves audio on your iPhone

aqua portable headphone amplifier

Wireless earbuds and headphones have been the talk of the town since Apple’s iPhone 7 launched. For many audiophiles who need the best possible sound, you may still prefer to use your wired headphones. That normally means using the Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter, however there’s a better option to keep your wired functionality while improving your listening experience on the iPhone. Enter Nexum’s AQUA; the portable, battery-less, headphone amplifier looking to take your audio experience further.


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Bose quietly launches Hearphones: wireless earphones that help you hear in noisy environments

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If you’re not quite at the stage of needing a hearing aid but sometimes find it difficult to follow conversations in noisy environments like bars, Bose seems to be soft-launching an iPhone-controlled device to help.

Hearphones look like a special version of the company’s QC30 wireless earphones equipped with directional microphones that allow you to listen selectively by focusing in on conversations and tuning out background noise …


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As we await Apple’s AirPods, these are the best wireless cord-free earbuds available

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Apple delayed the release of its new truly wireless earbuds called AirPods that it originally planned on launching in late October. It’s disappointing for some who wanted to use them with their new iPhone 7 that launched back in September. But what does the competition look like?

With the AirPods originally expected to launch sometime this month, right around the time of Apple’s MacBook Pro event and Apple Watch Nike+ launch last week, a lot of accessory makers have been planning launches to time and compete with Apple’s new wireless earbuds. Just this week a few new products launched, including Michigan-based Sol Republic’s first cord-free product called ‘Amps Air’, and today Best Buy is launching new $249 Skybuds that claim to offer 24 hours battery with an included charging case and improved connectivity.

If you just can’t wait for the AirPods, or want to check out the competition and see how Apple’s earbuds compare, these are the alternatives… 


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Bowers & Wilkins’ latest top-end headphones cost a cool $900, but offer free Lightning upgrade later

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Much as I adore my B&W P5 headphones (recently upgraded to the wireless model), I must admit that even I would think twice about buying the company’s latest top-end model: the P9 Signature. These over-ear wired headphones cost a cool $900, but they do come with one extra: register them on B&W’s website and the company will send you a Lightning upgrade early next year.


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Waves wants to bring 3D audio to any headphones using a new app & head tracker

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Waves is a heavyweight in the digital audio world with its audio plugins for recording, mixing and live sound being a staple among many pros. The company’s latest venture, however, is more of a consumer experience aimed at listening rather than creating music with a new desktop and mobile app that wants to bring 3D audio to any headphones using head tracking.


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Chinese accessory maker shows prototype 3.5mm aux jack-to-Lightning dongles ready for iPhone 7

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With the iPhone 7 (or whatever Apple calls it) looking increasingly likely to lose the 3.5mm headphone socket, Chinese accessory makers are gearing up to meet demand from those who don’t want to replace their existing headphones. Macotakara spotted a couple of Chinese companies who are already advertising 3.5mm-to-Lightning adapters.

It’s unlikely these are real products yet, especially as one claims to be MFi-certified. They are more likely dummies or prototypes, perhaps created for submission for MFi status. Also pictured below are some smaller Lightning adapters and earbuds though probably not the ones Apple intends to bundle with the next iPhone.


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Review: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC, a notable step up in build quality and audio fidelity

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ATH-MSR7NC Unboxing

If you read our review of the ATH-M50x closed-back headphones, I made it pretty clear that I was a fan of what Audio-Technica was offering. The ATH-M50x’s are well-known for giving Beats By Dre headphones a run for their money, and at a much more affordable price.

I also had the opportunity to go hands-on with one of Audio-Technica’s newest offerings, the ATH-MSR7NC. These noise-cancelling cans differ in many ways from the company’s mainstream offering, and at more than double the price of the M50x’s, venture into more premium territory. Should you consider them?
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Review: Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x closed-back studio monitor headphones live up to the hype

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ATH-M50x

For the last few months I’ve been using my Apple EarPods for nearly every application that requires in-ear audio. I use my EarPods for monitoring while recording voiceovers, for podcasting, and for everyday music listening.

Absurd as it is, the last pair of headphones I’d owned, a pair of Sony MDR-7506’s, ended up developing a short in the cable. I simply never got around to replacing them in a timely manner.

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50, and the updated ATH-M50x, have received rave reviews from tech sites, bloggers and YouTubers alike. The love that these headphones receive on a regular basis convinced me that the next pair of headphones that I tried needed to be these. Do they live up to the hype?
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Intel wants to eliminate 3.5 mm headphone jack like rumored iPhone 7, suggests USB-C as replacement

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Apple is widely rumored to be dropping the 3.5 mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7, instead favouring wireless Bluetooth or the Lightning port for connecting headphones. Intel is also keen to eliminate the 100 year old 3.5 mm jack, citing ‘industry singling a strong desire to move from analog to digital’ (via AnandTech).

However, Intel is pushing USB-C as the future of headphone audio cables. Intel believes USB-C will win out over 3.5mm as it has many modern-day benefits including the potential to add additional smart features to headphones in the future, that can pass data down the same USB-C cable.


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