Latest news with #audioquality
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Shokz OpenFit 2 review: Comfort and good sound quality without ambient noise intrusion
Shokz OpenFit 2 Price : €190 Website : Where To Buy : Harvey Norman When it comes to earbuds, I usually prefer to block out the world rather than let the ambient noise filter in. That means active noise cancelling is a must and the buds need to have swappable silicone tips. But the Shokz OpenFit 2 don't fit any of those requirements. As the name suggests, the buds are open fit, sitting outside your ear rather than plugging your ear canal. There are times though when you need to hear what is going around you. When you are out walking, for example, it is useful to stay aware of your surroundings so you can hear people approach or be aware of cars around you. But at the same time, you don't want to sacrifice audio quality. Over the years I've reviewed some open-fit buds that promise a lot but really only deliver tinny, weak audio that is drowned out by the background audio. READ MORE I had higher hopes for the OpenFit 2. Shokz is known for perfecting open-fit earbuds, from the bone conduction technology it helped bring to the mainstream audio sector to the open-fit earbuds it is now pitching at runners and other audio fans. The Shokz OpenFit 2 are new to the Irish market. The buds have an ear hook design, with a flexible silicon hook that sits comfortably over your ear and position the speaker so you can hear the audio without blocking out the outside world completely. [ Mixx Streambuds Solo 2 review: Budget Bluetooth earbuds that sound pretty good for the price Opens in new window ] Out of the box, you might need instructions to tell you how to actually position them correctly on your ears, particularly if you have been using in-earbuds for the past few years. The Shokz app will help you get the most out of the buds – luckily, because I realised I was wearing them out of place. The app will also let you change EQ settings, with preset options that include vocal, bass booster and treble boost. There is also a custom setting so you could create your own personalised audio and save it for future use. Shokz has done some work on the audio side for the OpenFit 2. Its bass algorithm has been upgraded, with precisely directed bass tones that still maintain clarity in the higher frequency ranges. The end result was surprising. I expected that with the open fit nature of the buds, the ambient noise would be intrusive, particularly if the buds were being used near busy streets. But it wasn't an issue – I could still hear a podcast playing even with traffic close by. It was the same for music, with powerful bass without the rest of the audio feeling muddy. [ Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds: another leap forward in quality and comfort Opens in new window ] The Shokz have built-in microphones so you can use them for phone calls, video calls and accessing the voice assistant on whatever device they are connected to. Again, the sound quality here was good. On the other end of the call, I came through loud and clear. That is down to a couple of things: the two microphones built into each earbud, and the AI technology that Shokz has included to boost the audio. Sound leak was a concern. With open fit, you are likely to get a little leakage, but for the OpenFit 2, it was only audible at higher volumes. Still, I would be more wary of discussing anything too confidential in public, which incidentally should hold true regardless of what you are using to make or take your calls. The Shokz buds have another distinguishing feature: physical buttons. While many earbuds have opted solely for touch controls, the OpenFit 2 come with small physical buttons. The single click can play or pause tracks. The double and triple click are used for skipping or replaying tracks, while the long press can control volume. Those buttons can be customised, but there is a limit to how much you can do so. The single click, for example, can only be set to the default of play and pause, or disabled. The options for the double and triple click include having the left earbud control skipping to the next track, while the other goes back one track, or some mix of that. The long press can be changed to activate the voice assistant. That is it, however. Touch controls are limited to a single option – a long press – which is disabled by default. The only feature you can assign to it is the voice assistant for your phone. It's no real loss though if you decide to leave it doing nothing; the touch control is more awkward to activate correctly than the physical button. The buds also support multipoint pairing, which means you can pair two devices to them and switch seamlessly between the two, for example your smartphone and a laptop. Best of all, the OpenFit 2 didn't budge, even during the most strenuous workouts. If you've ever had to chase down an errant earbud, you'll appreciate the certainty that brings. Good Comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The buds are so lightweight and fit perfectly over your ear that you almost forget you are wearing them. They are particularly good if you find in-earbuds too uncomfortable to wear. Battery life is decent too. You get 11 hours of listening, with up to 48 hours when the backup battery on the case is taken into account. Bad The ear-hook design may not work for some people, particularly if they wear glasses – or sunglasses. However, the hook itself is quite thin, so it may still work for most wearers. The design of the buds means the case is a bit larger than some earbuds out there. Sound leak is definitely less of an issues than with other open-fit devices, but is still there. Everything else The buds are rated as IP55, which means they will withstand dust, light rain and sweat. Verdict Comfortable earbuds with great sound quality that won't budge during exercise.
Gizmodo
19-05-2025
- Gizmodo
Sonos Hates Discounts, But Amazon Doesn't Care and Clears Out Its Portable Speakers to a Record Low
Get one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers out there for significantly less money Sonos is well-known internationally for producing some of the best speakers on the market which are popular for their great sound quality and unique technology. Sonos speakers typically link via WiFi for seamless integration with smart home systems and multi-room music systems. Sonos Move 2, though, breaks this tradition by using Bluetooth connectivity, and they're among the most popular for customers who desire premium-quality sound without the constraints of WiFi. At $336 on Amazon with a 25% discount from its standard price of $449, this wireless Bluetooth speaker offers top-shelf value for its luxury features. Perfect for hot summer nights outdoors or wild partying indoors, it combines Sonos' signature audio perfection with the convenience and portability of wireless Bluetooth. See at Amazon Auto-Tuning Technology The Sonos Move 2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor with its new acoustic architecture that substitutes one with two tweeters. This upgrade releases a more profound, higher-fidelity stereo soundstage, complete with distinct vocals and finely detailed instruments that place you at the music. The rich and powerful bass is powered by a carefully tuned woofer and contributes an emotional depth that makes you feel like you're there at the event. Arguably the Move 2's best aspect is its Trueplay auto-tuning technology: Its ingenious system continuously adjusts the speaker's audio profile to suit its surroundings whether you're snuggled up in a living room or outside on a deck with a breeze blowing through. What this does is makes sure that you always get the best listening experience available without needing to adjust settings manually. With acoustic and efficiency improvements, it offers up to 24 hours of playback on a full charge which is twice that of the first generation. This huge battery life enables you to hear it all day and well into the night which makes it ideal for daylong summer days or just relaxed nights out with friends. When it's time to recharge, the included Wireless Charging Base makes it easy to power up. The base has been upgraded with a detachable power cable and a more compact adapter for added convenience. What's great is that it also has shock-absorbing material that protects it from flaky falls so you don't have to stress over bumps or jolts on your journey. IP56 rating means that it's spill-proof, splash-proof, rain-proof, dust-proof and dirt-proof, so you can take it freely to the beach or park without fear of destroying it. Now the Sonos Move 2 is available on Amazon for 25% off, $336 versus the regular $449. This is a great opportunity to have one of the best Bluetooth speakers out there for less money. The Move 2 is an exceptional pick that will improve your music experience all summer long and beyond. See at Amazon
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
This AirPlay-friendly mini preamp is only $90 this week
Streaming your favorite artists, albums, and playlists is as easy as connecting your phone or tablet to a Bluetooth speaker, but what if you want to experience said tunes with the best sound quality possible? That's where incredible preamps like the WiiM Mini come into play. And today, you'll be able to grab this little audio hero for only $90, which is a $10 markdown from its usual $100 price. Why you should buy the WiiM Mini The WiiM Mini acts as the perfect middleman between analog and digital components and your music playback system, be it an amplifier, soundbar, or powered speaker. Featuring USB-C, digital optical, and auxiliary ports, the Mini is compatible with most audio devices, and even supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The latter is particularly convenient for streaming music via Apple's AirPlay 2 protocol! The WiiM delivers up to 24-bit at 192kHz, which is some of the best audio quality you can get from a standalone component like this. Do keep in mind you'll want to use premium streaming services like Qobuz and Amazon Music Ultra HD for access to these hi-res tracks. We also love that the WiiM Mini is compatible with Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music Cast, and even supports Alexa and Siri voice assistants! Over the last few months, the talented engineers at WiiM have given us plenty of new and exciting products to gush over (including the Amp Ultra, Sub Pro, and WiiM Sound) but it's hard to beat the low cost and simple learning curve of the WiiM Mini. Save $10 when you purchase the device today, and make sure to take a look at our lists of the best Amazon deals, best Walmart deals, and best Bluetooth speaker deals for additional markdowns on other audio hardware.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Forbes
Boya Launches BoyaMic 2 And BoyaLink 3 Wireless Microphones With Enhanced AI
The BoyaLink 3 is a compact wireless microphone kit for content creators on a budget. The market for wireless microphones is on fire right now and it reminds me of how the wireless earphone market of five or six years ago was taking off. Driving the demand for wireless microphones is the explosion in content creation for social media networks like TikTok and Instagram. Videos with poor-quality sound captured on the built-in microphone of a smartphone don't always fare well in terms of views, no matter how good the images are. One of the growing brands in the wireless microphone space is Boya, a company that competes with the likes of DJI, Saramonic, RØDE and Sennheiser. Last month, Saramonic launched a high-end UHF wireless microphone system for professional videographers and filmmakers and this month it's Boya's turn to focus on the consumer market with the launch of two new wireless microphone kits. Both wireless microphone product launches from Boya include AI-enhanced audio, enabling content creators to capture a higher-quality of sound for their videos. The first release from Boya is the new BoyaMic 2 which is the brand's latest flagship consumer wireless microphone system. The BoyaMic 2 is the company's flagship wireless mic and includes two transmitters with 32-bit float ... More recording and 8GB of local storage. The BoyaMic 2 targets consumer and professional production environments where dynamic range, audio fidelity and reliability are essential. The BoyaMic 2 uses true AI noise cancellation with a reduction of unwanted background sound by up to 40dB. The two transmitter units contain a 32-bit float onboard recorder with 8GB of built-in storage, enabling them to capture distortion-free sound across extreme volume ranges without the need to manually set or alter input levels. This feature is particularly useful when filming scenes where there are unpredictable sound levels. While the BoyaMic 2 kit has two transmitters and a receiver, it supports multi-transmitter and multi-receiver configurations up to 2TX-4RX, providing scalable options for solo operators using multi-cam setups for live streaming. With a 90dB signal-to-noise ratio, automatic gain control, limiter, safety backup track and a wireless range of up to 300 meters, the BoyaMic 2 promises to bring affordable studio-grade sound creators shooting on location. The BoyaMic 2 receiver has a vibrant screen showing the status of each microphone transmitter. The ... More kit also includes two Lavalier external mics. The second new Boya product launching today is the BoyaLink 3, a compact wireless microphone kit for content creators on a budget. While the BoyaMic 2 is aimed more at the professional market, BoyaLink 3 brings Boya's AI noise reduction technology to a wider audience with two transmitters and a single receiver. Built into both the button-sized microphone transmitters is the ability to capture 48kHz/24-bit audio with an 85dB signal-to-noise ratio and triple distortion protection. The Link 3 system is aimed at journalists, travel vloggers and casual streamers who want better quality audio but with the ease of plug-and-play simplicity. The BoyaLink 3 has real-time monitoring through a 3.5mm headphone jack, plus cross-platform compatibility thanks to a choice of USB-C, Lightning and TRS connectors and yet each button mic weighs just 9g. EQ tuning is customizable by using the Boya Central smartphone app and a full charge of the BoyaLink 3 can provide up to 30 hours of use before it needs recharging. The compact BoyaLink 3 is made for content creators on a budget. The little button mics weight just ... More 9g and the who kit can slip into a pocket. The BoyaLink 3 brings Boya's noise-reduction technology to a wider audience with AI-powered noise cancellation from a groundbreaking AI chip powered by deep neural network algorithms. Developed by the Boya Acoustic Algorithm Engineering Team after three years of research and more than 20,000 hours of deep learning on a database of over 700,000 real-time noise samples. Both the BoyaMic 2 and BoyaLink 3 can cut noise by up to 40dB. The result is a sound quality that offers content creators more professional audio capture that eliminates many of the usual challenges posed by unwanted ambient noise when shooting. Boya says that the launch of the BoyaMic 2 and BoyaLink 3 reflects the company's strategic focus on refining audio solutions for content creators. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, the company has tweaked its product lineup to cater to both the growing technical demands of professional production and the accessibility and affordability needs of content creators on location. By embedding advanced AI algorithms into both its flagship and entry-level devices, Boya says it wants to make high-fidelity and intelligent audio capture more accessible to content creators. The BoyaMic 2 will be priced between $100 to $200, depending on configuration. The BoyaLink 3 will be priced at $75 to $120, with both products officially available from May 14, 2025.
Digital Trends
09-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Astell&Kern to unveil the A&Ultima SP4000 digital audio player
Astell&Kern (A&K) have announced that it will be debut its new flagship digital audio player, the A&Ultima SP4000, at High End Munich in Germany on May 15. The iRiver subsidiary also announced it will release two new in-ear monitors (IEM) in Q3 2025. In a press release published on Thursday, A&K said the A&Ultima SP4000 will be the first digital audio player in the lineup to have full Android support. This means users will be able to download any app from Google Play Store, including Spotify, Soundcloud Pandora, and experience lossless playback while streaming their favorite music. Recommended Videos Under the hood, the SP4000 has a new Octa audio circuit architecture that pairs the AK4191 processor with only one AK4499EX analog DAC instead of two in order to reduce noise when delivering digital signals; carries a new LDO regulator that reduces noise by up to 97% compared to its predecessors, including the A&Ultima SP3000 and SP3000M; and employs A&K's second-gen digital audio remaster (DAR) technology to deliver more natural and refined sound to the user. And, for the first time ever, the SP4000 has a 99.9% pure copper Shield Can that is precision-engineered to block out various types of noise and electromagnetic interference, leaving the audio quality intact. As for the new IEMs, A&K collaborated with 64 Audio to develop the 10-driver Universal Fit In-Ear Monitor. This headset houses an advanced isobaric cone-to-magnet driver configuration that helps deliver high sound fidelity. Then there's its in-house IEM, Luna, which has a full range single transducer unipolar micro planar magnetic driver that delivers a frequency response of 20Hz to 30KHz. High End Munich attendees will be able to demo the SP4000 and the new IEMs from May 15 through May 18. Pricing information for the devices has not been disclosed, but A&K will share it closer to the release date.
