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Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Hear me out — here's why everyone needs (at least) two pairs of headphones
You may think it's excessive, but to me, it makes perfect sense. As someone who listens to music almost every second of the day, I have come to appreciate the beauty of having a pair of headphones to get me through every day tasks and another pair for detailed listening. I have one pair of headphones that comes with me everywhere. They get thrown into my work bag, chucked around my neck, tossed down on the floor next to the treadmill. What I'm trying to say is, they are well-loved. I can rely on them, and they never let me down. For me, these are the Beats Studio3 headphones. And while these headphones have served me well, I also love having a pair of higher-end headphones that I can use to really listen to music. These are the headphones I listen to music with to hear every layer of the song, the harmonies of the vocals, and generally appreciate the whole production. My go-to headphones to take on this task are the AKG N9 Hybrid headphones. And while it may seem like overkill, I couldn't be without either of these cans; they both serve a purpose in my day. And as someone who adores taking in every detail a song has to offer, especially when my favorite artist releases a new track, a casual and a detailed listening option is my dream. So, my everydayers: the Beats Studio3 wireless headphones. These cans were first released in late 2017, so they are pretty old, but they still hold up incredibly well today. And with their age comes a reduced price tag, since there are newer versions of these headphones available. The Studio3 headphones are $124, making them a real budget dream, but you still get the classic Beats quality. They are comfortable to wear all day long, whether I'm working at my desk, taking a midday stroll, or headed out on an evening run. Like I said, while I just use these cans for everyday listening, I still love their sound profile. They can support any genre I throw at them with ease, and I listen to everything from classic rock to synth pop to metal. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. And besides the great sound, the battery of these cans is also great. They are fast-charging enabled, so if I ever forget to keep them fully charged, I can charge them for 10 minutes before rushing out the door and get three hours of listening time. When fully charged, they have 22 hours of battery, which is more than enough to get me through two days. And they get pretty loud, so I never listen above a medium volume setting, and this helps to conserve the battery. The Beats Studio3 wireless headphones are my go-to everyday pair. They have a balanced and rich sound profile that works with almost any genre, and they will have you listening to your favorite tracks in a whole new way. While the ANC isn't the strongest I have ever tried, these cans are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods and allow me to focus on the task at hand, whether that be at work or while I'm working out. If you keep up with my audio reviews, you will know that the standard I hold all headphones to is the AKG N9 Hybrid headphones. They are $449 and worth every penny; they are the best headphones I have ever used. I reach for them every single day when I want to take in the details of songs and appreciate the production. They have superb sound quality and a customizable sound profile to make sure they suit whatever genre you listen to perfectly. By altering the EQ settings, I have heard details in songs I had never noticed before, opening up a whole new world of listening for me. The ANC on these cans is customizable with the option to be ambient aware and allow in conversation sounds or turn off ANC altogether. This means they are perfect for me to use at work as well as when I want to listen to music in complete silence. Unfortunately, the AKGs are currently unavailable for purchase in the U.S., but I have another pair that I absolutely love that are pretty close in performance: The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. There isn't a whole lot that separates these two cans apart from the far superior battery life and stronger ANC of the AKGs. The Bowers & Wilkins headphones are $449, like the AKGs. and deliver high-quality, crisp sound. For me, a pair like this is essential in your headphones and earbud rotation as they can open up a whole new soundscape for music lovers. The price tag they come with is pretty cheap. But headphones like these or the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are essential because they have the ability to deliver high-quality, crisp sound without sacrificing The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones have an incredible, slim design that houses drivers that can deliver a completely encapsulating sound. They are incredibly comfortable and lightweight, making them perfect for in-depth listening anywhere. 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.
Tom's Guide
31-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
It's not all about active noise cancellation – these open-ear earbuds have better sound quality than my Airpods
If you had asked me 3 months ago about what makes a good set of earbuds, good active noise cancellation performance would have been right up there. But now, open-ear earbuds have well and truly won me over — and they let in all of the ambient sound. As someone who loves to go on a Sunday morning run or a mid-afternoon stroll, the ability to remain aware of my surroundings is a huge bonus. When I use my Beats Studio 3 headphones to go for a run I always have to take them off to cross busy roads, and this interrupts my flow. I'm then stuck trying to get the right fit when I put them back on. But some of the best running headphones are open-ear buds, so it's only right to ditch the overheads for something more fit for purpose. After testing a whole host of open-ear buds, I think I have finally found the ones that I'll be using from here on out: the EarFun Clip earbuds. The EarFun Clip are waterproof and dustproof open-earbuds that have completely changed my workouts for the better. They block out a little more ambient sound than other open-earbuds on the market but they have incredible sound quality. There is 10-hours playtime on a single charge and an extra 40 with the charging case. For the price, these are an absolute steal. After previously testing the EarFun OpenJump open-ear buds and not getting on with them since they just didn't fit me at all, I was pretty skeptical about the fit of the EarFun Clips. But as soon as I put the Clips on I knew I was in good hands. From running, hiking, to dancing around my living room to 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers, these buds did not budge. Once they were on, they were on. With other open-ear clip design buds I have tested, it has been a struggle to get the correct positioning without them slipping. And with other styles of open-ears, like ones that wrap around the top of the ear, I can never get them to stay put. The EarFun Clips were also super comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I used them throughout my work day and didn't experience any discomfort. The buds are extremely light and it was almost as if they weren't there at all. The EarFun Clips have a durability rating of IP55. This means that they are resistant to water splashes and sweat, as well as dust. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The waterproof rating means that any sweat getting on the buds won't affect their performance, and they can withstand water splashes from all angles. For me, this meant I could head out on a walk even if it was lightly raining. Although they are dustproof, I always make sure my earbuds are in their charging case when I'm not using them. But if they do get left out for whatever reason, I give them a wipe before popping them back in the case to avoid any build-up. These buds don't behave like open-ears at all. With open-ears I expect to experience some loss in sound quality because the earbuds are using a different method to send the audio into the ear. The EarFun Clips use air conduction, which means the speaker is directing the sound at the ear canal, which is actually more similar to a traditional earbud. This is unlike bone conduction earbuds like the Shockz OpenRun that are recommended for running by Tom's Guide. The EarFun Clips are for runners who take music seriously. I can seriously imagine nothing worse than going on a run and not having motivation from my favorite music. And the Clips give me that music with great sound quality. I was also able to use the EarFun app to make sure the EQ settings were perfect for the music I like to listen to. You can read more about how I got on with the open-ear buds in my full EarFun Clip review. 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.
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I normally wouldn't recommend these overpriced Beats headphones — but this 51% Prime Day discount makes them a great deal
I am a self confessed Beats stan, and have been using their headphones for too many years to count. And lucky for you, Amazon have some crazy Prime Day deals on one of my favorite models; the Beats Studio Pro. These noise cancelling overhead headphones have had the price slashed by 51%. Right now the Beats Studio Pro are just $169 at Amazon, down from $349. This puts them in direct competition with some of the cheapest wireless headphones, and boy to they come out on top. The Beats Studio Pro headphones have had the price slashed by 51%, and while I wouldn't recommend them at full price, $169 for the Beats sound profile and insanely good ANC is too good pass up. They are available in eight understated colors and are some of the comfiest cans I have ever tried. My favorite thing about the Studio Pros is certainly their sleek look. With some of the colors available being designed in collaboration with Kim Kardashian, being stylish was certainly at the forefront of making these headphones. The Studio Pro offer up to 24 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, and four hours of playback with just a 10 minute charge. This is ideal for anyone like me who gets ready to go for a run or walk and realizes their headphones are completely out of juice. These cans are the successors to the Beats Studio 3 headphones, and while they look pretty similar, the difference in ANC performance is a staggering improvement. There is also the option for Lossless Audio when using a USB-C cable. I have always loved the sound profile of Beats headphones, and the Studio Pros are no different. The tuning is balanced and perfect for most listening. That being said, if you want in-depth sound that gives you an out of body experience, these aren't the bag. But while they may not be worth their regular $349 price tag, with this reduced price of $169 they become an absolute steal. For more great discounts, check out our Prime Day deals live blog.
Tom's Guide
16-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ditched my Beats for these hi-res wireless headphones — and I'm not going back
I listen to music pretty much 24/7. In my opinion there is a song for any emotion, activity and situation, so making sure you have the best headphones to get the best sound to further immerse you in the moment can only be a good thing. I have made it my personal mission to find the best headphones. After being a life-long Beats fan and being inseparable from my Beats Studio 3, I knew it would take a lot to convert me from the sound profile I know and love. The AKG N9 Hybrids are my new go-to headphones for every eventuality. With an Wi-Fi dongle for hi-res streaming, they certainly impress audiophiles. They have fully customizable ANC and offer 100-hours of battery life. But when I tested out the AKG N9 Hybrid headphones I was instantly impressed by the sound quality they could achieve wirelessly using Bluetooth 5.3. Like seriously. I've never heard anything like it. They have become my new favorite way to listen to music and take up a spot on my desk ready for me to lock in on a daily basis. But when I used the built-in 2.4Ghz WiFi dongle, the perfect listening experience got even better. When connecting headphones or earbuds that aren't made by Apple to my MacBook Air M2, I have found that if it is connected to other Bluetooth devices like a keyboard and mouse, the connection cuts out intermittently. My perfect audio partner can't be unstable. With the addition of the 2.4Ghz WiFi dongle, the sound the headphones are capable of producing got even better — which frankly I didn't think was possible. The dongle reduces the latency so, especially when using these headphones to stream video, the difference between Bluetooth and the dongle is really evident. It also eliminates the process of connecting to Bluetooth devices. You literally plug in and hit play. Simplicity at its finest. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I know, it's amazing how a little dongle can ensure you squeeze the most out of your music. So how does it do it? Wi-Fi has a wider bandwidth than Bluetooth, so it can transfer more audio data. This means you're able to get higher quality codecs like true lossless audio. I used the dongle to stream Hi-Res music on Qobuz and was genuinely blown away by the sound quality. I just plugged the dongle into my colleague's Android phone (which supports Hi-Res codecs) and listened to heavier rock bands like Linkin Park and Black Veil Brides before moving on to lighter pop music like Sabrina Carpenter and Clairo and was impressed every time. The higher codecs meant that vocals were crisp, and I heard instruments with clarity I haven't heard before. There was reverb on backing vocals standing out to me that I had never noticed before. Even in songs I could have sworn I knew like the back of my hand. I have no notes for the sound these headphones produce. And now for my favorite feature of the headphones. The dongle has been taken into consideration with the design of the headphones so you never have to be without it. The left earcup of the headphones slides open to uncover a compartment which houses the Wi-Fi dongle. It is so easy. I am notorious for misplacing adaptors and cables so this has been a real lifesaver for me and not once have I been scrambling to find it. If we're spending our money on music subscription services why wouldn't we make sure they're performing to the best of their ability? Audiophiles know that Hi-Res codecs get you the most out of your tunes, so having a reliable, and stable way to get that sound directly to your eardrums is honestly my new essential when looking for headphones. The Wi-Fi dongle transfers the audio data in a way which Bluetooth just isn't capable of replicating. I guess you don't know until you try it, but I can say with certainty I won't be going back to Bluetooth-only headphones any time soon.
Tom's Guide
04-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Oleap Archer AI Meeting Headset review: a solution in search of a problem
The Oleap Archer is an AI Meeting Headset that (with the help of its companion app) can transcribe voice memos or meeting recordings with the push of a button. It can also create summaries of the recordings, which I found useful so I didn't have to trawl through recordings or transcripts to find what I was looking for… but is it offering anything new? In short… no, it's not. When transcribing interviews, meeting notes, and voice memos in the past, I have used my trusty AirPods 3 and transcription software to get the same (if not better) results. The audio quality of the Oleap Archer is below par and the microphone is nowhere near as good as my AirPods 3 or my Beats Studio 3 headphones. You can find out more in my full Oleap Archer review. Price $129 Weight 13.8g Dimensions 3.4 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches Connection Bluetooth 5.3 USB-C dongle AI Transcription Summary Accessories Charging cable (80cm) Four sizes of ear tips Charging case (Purchased separately for $39) USB-C dongle (Purchased separately for $19) Operating systems Windows, MacOS, IOS, Android The Oleap Archer is priced at $129 for the headset. There is also the option to purchase a $39 charging case for the headset, which extends the battery life from seven to 28 hours, and also a USB-C dongle for $19. The Oleap Archer isn't currently available for public purchase, but has sent out its first units to backers on Kickstarter. Public release was expected in April but we have not heard anything as of yet. I will update this review on the full availability of the product once it launches. Feedback on the Kickstarter campaign suggests the brand is having difficulty fulfilling all orders so I would advise waiting for the full public launch before committing. The Oleap Archer comes in black or white, looks very sleek, and is actually pretty discreet for a headset. It hooks over one ear in the same way open ear headphones like the Honor Earbuds Open do. The arm of the device hooks around the top of the ear, while the ear tip sits in the same position as in-ear earbuds would. This felt very secure to wear. The headset can be worn on either ear by rotating the arm and microphone to face the opposite direction. The mic comes out of the device and stretches halfway across my cheek. I was able to move this up and down to make sure I was getting the best sound, which I tested by recording myself in the Oleap app (more on that later) and listening back. The headset comes with four different sizes and styles of ear tips to choose from to get the best in-ear fit. The device has two hours of local storage but connecting to the phone app grants further storage where you can save audio recordings and transcriptions. The controls of the headset look overwhelming at first with a lot of tap controls, but are easy to follow after some use. There is a mute button on the stem of the microphone to easily mute yourself during calls. The volume buttons are on the panel in front of the ear piece where there is also a secondary microphone. The power button is on the bottom of the ear hook. This also controls the connection between the headset and devices. Like with any new earbuds, headphones or headset, the controls took a little getting used to. But after around 30 minutes of continuous use it became second nature. The Oleap Archer can connect with up to two devices at once via a Bluetooth 5.3 connection. You simply click the power button three times to connect to a second device. This meant I could play music from my phone and then dial in to a video call on my laptop without needing to disconnect anything. You can be up to 10 meters (33 feet) away from the headset and it will stay connected — something I confirmed during my testing. You can also purchase a USB-C wireless dongle separately for $19 if you want to roam further beyond that distance. However, when using my MacBook Air M2, I had to manually select the Oleap as the audio input as it didn't automatically pick it up. It's an extra unnecessary step that, for example, I don't have to worry about when I'm using AirPods. Initially, I had a few issues with the Oleap Archer headset's sound quality, where my colleague said I sounded awful and muffled. Likewise, I couldn't understand a word I said upon listening back but, funnily enough, the transcription was perfect. After speaking with the Oleap team, it turned out this was a common manufacturing issue so I was sent a replacement. With the new headset, I called my colleague on Google Meet and the microphone performance was much better! She could actually hear and understand me. Through the ear piece I was able to hear her speaking, however it sounded more like I was on a phone call with static, rather than what I usually hear when on a video call through regular headphones. Oleap states the headset uses dual beamforming microphones for 50db noise reduction. Upon listening back to the recordings, I could still hear some background noise from other conversations coming through, but it completely erased any ambient sound like my typing on my keyboard. I tested out the mute button and the response was instant, but it doesn't say on the Bluetooth device that the microphone is muted, so you need to be aware when you turn it on and off. The Oleap Archer comes with a companion app which is what gives it the AI angle. In the app you can store audio recordings but it also transcribes the recordings. It also summarizes the transcriptions, so I knew exactly what was in each recording without having to listen back. The app is available on iOS and Android, and means you can use your device's storage to save all of your recordings and transcriptions. The app is easy to navigate and well designed to give an organized view of recordings. The app is free for 12 months but after that it is $19 for a year. Previously I've used to transcribe my work and that sets you back $20 a month, so the Oleap subscription is much cheaper, but you obviously need to factor in the initial price of the headset. The app has four recording modes to choose from depending on what you need. There is call mode for recording calls, media mode to record, transcribe and provide summaries on videos, environment mode to record speeches and discussion, and memo mode to capture notes and ideas. To be frank though, all of these modes do the same thing. You can record, and then have the option to transcribe. The recording is easy to use by just clicking the microphone button and my voice was easy to understand when listening back, but I get better audio recording results when just using my AirPods 3. The transcription feature works really well and it picked up everything I said word for word with no errors. I was impressed as I have a thick Welsh accent and transcription tools usually struggle to pick up what I say. I was able to turn on speaker recognition which split up the conversation between myself and my colleague with ease. There is also a transcription summary feature which gave me a quick overview of the conversation I was having. I found this useful as it picked up the key points without me having to trawl through the entire transcription or listen to the whole recording again. But an alternative like the Plaude NotePin does all this and more, and you can give it prompts to aid the transcription process. The Oleap Archer has seven hours of talk time, so you'll be all good for a working day. This can be extended to 28 hours if you also use the charging case (which is purchased separately for $39). And Oleap says charging the headset for 10 minutes will give an hour of use. There are indicator lights on the headset to let you know its charge status, but you can also view the percentage in the app. The device comes with a magnetic charging cable that fits on to the headset. It can also be charged in the charging case using the USB-C port. While I like the concept of the Oleap Archer AI Meeting Headset, I can't help but feel this device is a little redundant. Everything it offers can be achieved with a set of earbuds and AI transcription software like or even Google's Gemini, which is now built-in to Google Meet. You aren't able to command the Oleap to organize your meeting transcriptions like with the Plaude NotePin, and you have to pay for a subscription to unlock additional storage. These are tall hurdles to overcome but that being said, the transcriptions it provides are fast and clear. The microphone performance (once we were sent a replacement unit) still wasn't brilliant and since I use a MacBook, I got a simpler and better experience with a pair of AirPods. While I want to like the Oleap Archer AI Meeting Headset, I can't help but feel it's a solution in search of a problem and therefore would advise you to approach it with caution.
