Latest news with #audioquality
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
Samsung's latest earbuds will be unveiled ahead of Galaxy Unpacked
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. What you need to know Samsung seems to be officially teasing a new pair of earbuds, and previous leaks indicate that it could be called "Galaxy Buds Core." Samsung India took to X to drop a quick tease of these earbuds with the caption "let the music move you to the core." The X post was accompanied by a link to Samsung's website that stated that the new buds will launch on June 27. Samsung is reportedly launching a new pair of earbuds set to come to the Indian market. In an X post, Samsung India teased these buds with the caption "Let the music move you to the core,' possibly talking about the rumored Galaxy Buds Core. As for the buds' audio quality, the company stated that users will "Feel every note, every drop, every beat – louder, clearer, deeper," linking the company's official "notify me" page to the X post. The website shows a pair of earbuds in a black charging case, and metadata within the website reveals several mentions of the "Galaxy Buds Core," as noted by SammyGuru. Additionally, people have been receiving push notifications from the Samsung Shop app with a link to be notified when these earbuds drop. As for the earbuds' specs, they are supposedly the replacement of the upcoming Galaxy Buds FE. And according to leaks, these earbuds could show up with higher battery capacity than the FE. Allegedly, the upcoming Galaxy Buds Core will feature a 500mAh battery in its charging case, while each earbud will have a 100mAh battery capacity. That said, Gadgets360 seems to have spotted these new buds on Samsung's UAE website briefly before it was taken down. However, the publication got its hands on the possible specs of the buds. They noted that the Galaxy Buds Core earbuds will show up in two colorways: black and white. They will also reportedly offer active noise cancellation (ANC) and Galaxy AI features, "including Interpreter and Live Translate for real-time translation when paired with compatible Samsung Galaxy devices." Additionally, Galaxy Buds Core will supposedly come with Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity and will include a touch sensor on each bud, with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. Contrary to previous rumors, the UAE listing stated that Samsung has given a 65mAh battery to each earbud, while the charging case's capacity holds buds are said to offer up to 20 hours of playback time on a single charge. And as for when these Galaxy Buds Core are said to launch, an Amazon listing confirms that the Galaxy Buds Core will launch in India on June 27 at 12 PM IST. However, whether they will show up in other countries remains a mystery, but we may hear more about them during the July 9 Galaxy Unpacked event if that's the case.


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.


WIRED
02-07-2025
- Business
- WIRED
Jabra's 50R Hearing Aids Successfully Strip a Few Features to Hit a Palatable Price
Despite the rise of competition in the over-the-counter hearing aid space, quality hearing aids remain stubbornly expensive. Top producers aren't budging their premium prices, but they've quietly been introducing cheaper alternatives for consumers on a budget. Case in point is Jabra's Enhance Select 50R, the company's entry-level model. At first glance, the behind-the-ear 50R looks almost identical to Jabra's other hearing aids, like the Enhance Select 300, but a closer examination reveals a few hardware changes, including a curvier, almost vintage design and a bit higher weight. At 2.94 grams, it's nearly 0.4 grams heavier than Jabra's flagship Enhance Select 500. A single button on the back of each hearing aid controls volume (volume up on the right, down on the left) and lets you cycle through the four preset environment programs. Aside from its slight weight gain, the major differences are all under the hood, and primarily they amount to features available on the 300 and/or 500 that have been stripped out of this unit. Gentle Boost Photograph: Chris Null Sound processing tech is one of the biggest changes, as the 50R has a less sophisticated audio processor that lacks the spatial awareness you get with the Enhance Select 300 and 500. The 50R still has background noise reduction and speech prioritization features, but Jabra notes it is more suitable for quieter environments than loud ones. The difference in audio quality between the 50R and 300 is noticeable, though it's hardly profound. I've always admired the way Jabra's hearing aids provide a gentle, natural boost to hearing quality while dulling noise, and the 50R is nearly the same, devoid of hiss and feedback, while offering an organic, easygoing improvement in all types of environments, even mild crowd noise. (Jabra's standard four modes—all-around, restaurant, music, and outdoor—are also available here.) But the sound is a bit flatter and less three-dimensional than with the 300 or 500. I only detected this nuance due to years of experience testing dozens of hearing aid models of varying quality; sometimes, the differences among them are very fine-grained. But again, it's not a huge gap, and I expect most users will find the sound quality spot-on. I didn't find the 50R hearing aids to be quite as comfortable to wear for extended periods as Jabra's other hearing aids, but again, this is a nuanced distinction and perhaps a natural result of the slight increase in weight. Another feature stripped: The Enhance Select 50R supports Bluetooth streaming for calls and music, but lacks hands-free calling features and support for Auracast. This is probably not a huge deal-breaker, as streaming over hearing aids is rarely a treat. The lack of any real bass response to speak of on the 50Rs comes as no surprise, and is par for most traditional hearing aids, particularly Jabra's. Case Closed Photograph: Chris Null Lastly, and this is a big one, but Jabra's 50R hearing aids don't include a battery-powered charging case. They only charge via an open-top desktop charger that has to be plugged via a USB-C cord to relay power directly to the units. A simple plastic clamshell case is also included, but it has no power features and is usable only for protection. Jabra claims the 50R hearing aids provide a 24-hour running time on a full charge, which seems to be about accurate based on my usage during testing. Many of the features remain the same as you'll find in other Jabra models. The Jabra Enhance Select mobile app works identically with the 50R hearing aids as it does with all of Jabra's products, and buyers who opt for the $1,195 version of the product gain 3 years of Jabra's top-notch audiology access and warranty coverage. (The $995 version drops doctor access and cuts the warranty to 1 year.) The product is also available in the same five colors as other Jabra hearing aid models. Jabra's Enhance Select 300, our top overall hearing aid pick, runs $1,695, and the Jabra 500 is $1,995 (both with the three-year warranty option). Those are significant price differentials, and it's tempting to suggest that it's worth saving $500 and dropping a few features you may not miss. While the 50R is a solid product, I still feel like most users will be better served—and more future-proofed—by upgrading to the midrange Jabra 300. The features lost and the slightly lower audio quality of the 50R may not be noticeable on day one, but I suspect they will hit you eventually.


Gulf Business
02-07-2025
- Gulf Business
HMD Amped Buds: These earbuds can charge your phone
In a world-first fusion of audio and utility, Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has unveiled the Launching across the GCC this month, the Amped Buds are equipped with a 1600mAh reverse wireless charging case, the Amped Buds can give your iPhone 16 Pro a 20 per cent boost without a cable, or more via wired charging — making them an everyday lifesaver for battery-conscious users across Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and beyond. 'Battery anxiety is real — and sound quality matters just as much,' says HMD Amped Buds: key details And the buds don't skimp on sound. Featuring 10mm precision-tuned drivers, hybrid ANC and ENC, and up to 95 hours of playback, the HMD Amped Buds are designed for deep listening, clear calls, and enduring performance. They also feature IPX4 splash resistance and come in three colours — Black, Cyan, and Pink — ready for desert treks, workouts, or daily commutes. Tech meets practicality Reverse charging case: 300 per cent larger battery than most buds on the market Custom EQ controls via app on Android and iOS Google Fast Pair and multipoint pairing for seamless connectivity Qi2 compatibility with devices like HMD Skyline, and select iPhone and Samsung models Retailing at Dhs/SAR/QAR 599, the HMD Amped Buds will be available across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other GCC markets.


Digital Trends
27-06-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
These 8 out of 10 headphones have an incredible early Prime Day deal
Amazon's Prime Day 2025 is fast approaching, but there's no need to wait if you're looking for headphone deals as we've already found one that you shouldn't miss. The retailer has slashed the price of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 by 30%, bringing them down to $315 from $450 originally. The $135 discount on these wireless headphones may not last long though, so if you want to get them for a more affordable price than usual, hurry with your purchase so you don't lose this chance. Why you should buy the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones The Sennheiser Momentum 4, which scored 8 out of 10 in our review, is featured in our list of the best headphones as our top pick for audio purists. The wireless headphones deliver outstanding audio quality with their 42mm transducer system and AptX Adaptive technology, and you'll be able to maximize them as they're very comfortable to wear with their lightweight design, deeply cushioned ear pads, and padded headband. In fact, there won't be a problem using them the whole day as their battery can last up to 60 hours on a full charge. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 also offer adaptive noise cancellation to block distractions while you listen to your favorite tracks, as well as an adjustable transparency mode when you want to stay aware of your surroundings without having to lose your music. You can access these settings on the Sennheiser Smart Control app, where you can also customize the wireless headphones by adjusting an equalizer, choosing presets, or activating various sound modes. If you want to start your shopping before Prime Day 2025 arrives, here's an offer for premium wireless headphones: the Sennheiser Momentum 4 at 30% off, slashing their price from $450 to just $315. We're not sure how much time is remaining on this discount, or when stocks may run out, so you need to act fast if you want to take advantage of this bargain. Add the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones to your cart and finish the checkout process immediately, as tomorrow may already be too late to pocket the savings of $135.