Latest news with #noiseCancelling
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
The WH-1000XM6 are here, so a lesser discussed pair of Sony headphones are $50 off
The first thing you need to know is that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are now out. If that's news to you, go read our WH-1000XM6 review right now. They're a contender to usurp their predecessor, the WH-1000XM5, at the top of the nearly everyone's list of the best headphones after we've had more time to sit with them and evaluate them. It should come as no surprise that the XM5 are on sale at the moment. However, it's also worth noting that their release has also prompted the less-discussed Sony ULT Wear headphones to go on sale. The Sony ULT Wear are great headphones in their own right, making it on our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones for their ANC and excellent bass. You can get your Sony ULT Wear now for just $148 at Amazon, down $52 from their usual $200. Alternatively, you can grab them for $150 at Sony or Walmart, if you prefer those vendors. In any event, tap the appropriate button to pick up these headphones now — the sale will probably go away when the XM6 release fanfare dies down — and keep reading to see why we like them so much. Why you should buy the Sony ULT Wear Again, the Sony ULT Wear don't necessarily get the press and attention you might expect given how good they are. In a world where Beats don't (necessarily) have the same reputation for heavy bass that they once did, the bass lovers have to go somewhere, after all. Our Sony ULT Wear review compares the bass output of these headphones not only as comparable to other bass-heavy headphones, but to literal earthquakes. There's even a Bass Boost mode that pushes the headphones to put out as much bass as they possibly can. Finally, they have a very classic Sony design, to the point where a quick amateur sketch of the ULT Wear would look nearly indistinguishable from that of the XM5 or XM6. In other words, these are comfortable, well-designed headphones that should prove quite comfortable to your head and ears. Get the Sony ULT Wear now and save at least $50 by tapping the appropriate button below. Remember, the Sony ULT Wear are usually $200, so this deal allows you to get them for around $150. Still not interested but definitely want headphones? Check out more headphones deals to get something more your style.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
I can still hear people talking over my noise cancelling headphones. Can I get a refund? DEAN DUNHAM replies
I've bought noise cancelling headphones, but I can still hear people talking near me when I wear them. Can I get my money back? B R., By email.
CNET
20-05-2025
- General
- CNET
I'm Dreading Cicada Season. The Latest Swarm Will Invade These States
Cicada season is upon us once again. From May through June, these noisy bugs will climb up from the ground and swarm in a number of eastern states before they disappear again. Cicada's are usually expected to be a noisy problem through the beginning and middle of summer, but 2025 has a gigantic cicada brood with billions of these flying insects emerging. The Greater Eastern Brood is expected to emerge this summer, and it's the oldest brood in the US. Thirteen states can expect to deal with cicadas, and they've already been spotted in parts of Tennessee and Georgia. I still remember the first year I saw a major cicada brood emerge. As a teenager, I watched as the swarm descended on my neighborhood. There were bugs everywhere -- in my grandparents' pool, inside my best friend's truck -- flying into open windows and causing a racket everywhere. Cicadas are noisy and, when they emerge en masse, they cause their own brand of chaos. The noise can be deafening, and if you're overstimulated by too much noise like I am, you'll be counting the days until they disappear again. Investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones is one way to get ready for the insect invasion. Thankfully these pests aren't a long term problem and after a few weeks they'll depart again until their next emergence. For Brood XIV, which is appearing this year, that means we won't see these particular critters again until 2037. What are cicadas? Cicadas are also known as "true bugs" and emerge on a 13-year or 17-year cycle. Gene Kritsky/Mount St. Joseph University Cicadas are small flying bugs that emerge from the ground periodically to mate and then disappear again. There are 15 broods of cicadas and each has its own life cycle, generally either 13 or 17 years. Brood XIV, the cicada brood emerging this year, is a 17-year brood and the last time we saw these particular insects was 2008. Cicadas are loud and emit a constant buzzing sound when they make their appearance. While the noise can be aggravating, cicadas aren't a major problem for humans. That's because these bugs don't bite or sting -- they just show up everywhere for a few weeks before dying off again. They measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, with wings that stretch twice that length. They have black bodies, red-brown eyes and orange veined membranous wings. The constant buzzing sound they emit is made by adult males seeking a female for mating. How many cicadas are expected in 2025? The 2025 brood is also called the Greater Eastern Brood and it's the second largest brood of periodic cicadas. They're outdone only by Brood XIX, aka the Great Southern Brood, which emerged in 2024. While there aren't exact numbers on how many cicadas we can expect this year, we do know that Brood XIV is massive. It's also one of the oldest broods in the US. This particular brood was first spotted in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the 1600s, and it's the brood that spawned all the other 17-year broods. With that in mind, we can estimate that at least several million in certain areas, and possibly over a trillion total cicadas will emerge in 2025. When do cicadas appear, and how long do they stick around? Cicadas are a nuisance but they're here for a good time ... not a long cicadas are a serious pest when they arrive, they don't last long. They'll mostly emerge in May and then stick around for 5 to 6 weeks before they die off. By mid-summer, just in time for the Fourth of July, the cicadas should be gone or at least on their way back underground for another 17 years. Cicadas emerge when the soil 8 inches below ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Above-ground temperatures will need to reach the 70- to 80-degree range before the soil will warm up enough, although a warm rain can warm the ground faster. There already have been sightings in Tennessee this year but most of the brood probably won't arrive for a few more weeks. Which states will be affected by cicadas in 2025? Each cicada brood has its own geographical location, which means they don't all appear in the same place. In 2025, there are 13 states that will be affected; Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. How to deal with cicadas The red-eyed bugs of Brood XIV, which will soon emerge by the millions. The cicada chasers are immediate reaction to cicadas might be to try and eliminate them from your yard. We don't recommend it. Cicadas are a temporary pest and after a few weeks they'll disappear back underground. They aren't a threat to humans at all and they aren't able to chew their way into the house like termites. Additionally, pesticides don't work properly on cicadas. Trying to spray them down won't do any good and could instead damage your yard or local pollinators. The best thing to do is to try to ignore them until they finish their life cycle. The bigger problem for some people is the constant noise that cicadas make while they are above ground. It's a relentless buzz and, once the cicadas arrive, it won't stop until they die off again. If the never-ending noise drives you bonkers, grabbing a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make a major difference. Male cicadas make noise to attract females they can mate with -- the more cicadas in an area, the louder it will be. Noise levels have reached more than 100 decibels in some areas, which means if you plan to spend time in the garden, it's a good idea to snag some earplugs to protect your hearing. Cicadas and climate change For centuries, cicadas have slept underground, emerging only once every 13 to 17 years to mate before disappearing again. While plenty of research has been done on these flying insects, cicadas react to the temperature around them and emerge on a schedule that is triggered by the warmth of the ground. As the planet continues to heat up, the timing of cicadas has started to change. We may soon see a significant change in the life cycle of cicadas. As the temperatures rise, 17-year cicadas could become 13-year cicadas, changing the timeline on when we will see them. While cicadas might be inclined to move further north, it's not an easy process. They can only migrate during their above-ground cycle of life. Because they only emerge for a few weeks at a time and aren't prone to flying long distances, any shift in their geographical locations would occur slowly during their emergences. How you can help cicada researchers Snap a photo and help researchers learn more about cicadas. Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET Researchers spend time with each brood when it emerges to study its life cycle and track when and where they emerge. However, scientists don't have the time or resources to be everywhere that cicadas appear. That's where regular folks come in. Cicada Safari is a free app for Android and iOS that lets you take photos of cicadas and upload them to the app. Using geolocation on those uploaded images, scientists can track a larger number of cicadas. Your photos of these flying bugs in your backyard can help scientists to understand them better, filling in holes in their research. Protect your young trees from cicadas While cicadas aren't harmful to people, that same doesn't go for trees. Female cicadas like to lay their eggs on trees where new leaves are located, which can damage branches and cause withering and snapping. While mature trees should be able to withstand this damage without problems, younger trees can be vulnerable and should be protected. If you're worried about cicada damage, you have a few options. You can wrap tree trunks and areas where twigs meet branches with cheesecloth, tape and even use landscaping nets around smaller trees. A CNET guide from 2021 explains more about how you can protect trees from cicada damage. Are cicadas edible? Cicadas can be eaten but there are things you should know before cooking them. Dan Mogzai The simple answer is, yes. Cicadas can be eaten and people have been doing it for centuries. Native American populations, like the Onondaga Nation, have long viewed the flying insect as a valuable food source. However, eating cicadas does come with risks. Cicadas are related to shrimp and lobster, which means eating them is not recommended if you have a seafood allergy. Cicadas aren't dangerous to pets either, which means if your dog snacks on cicadas it should be fine.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Forbes
Sony WH-1000XM6: Latest Flagship Headphones Restore Favorite Design Feature
Updated May 20 with more analysis of the newly released headphones and pricing. The new noise-cancelling headphones from Sony, WH-1000XM6, have just been unveiled. It's about three years since the last pair, so you'd have thought there would have been a lot of changes. You'd have thought right. And the bonus of the new release is also that the prices of two earlier models have dropped. The Sony series of headphones have routinely been well-loved and admired. Here's what's changed since the last model. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones in midnight blue The deals highlighted in this post were independently selected by the Contributor and do not contain affiliate links. At first glance, they look similar to the WH-1000XM5 headphones they supersede (but not replace, the WH-1000XM5 remain in the range at a reduced price: they were $399.99, now they're $349.99 from However, these headphones fold. The previous models let you turn the cups flat to be packed away, but you couldn't fold them in on themselves. A new hinge lets you fold them any which way, it feels like. The hinge includes metal supports which look and feel sturdy. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are just out. Max Freeman-Mills at T3 commented on the new hinge. 'Around those ear cups, though, there are a heap of changes. The biggest is the arrival of stainless steel hinges, which operate noiselessly and let you fold the headphones away in a manner totally skipped by the XM5. That'll put them among the best headphones for travel for many, then. The WH-1000XM6 can fold right up into a semi-circular shape if you like, although the case that comes with the headphones only puts them in a half-fold,' he reported. Subtler details have also changed, like the angle of the headband. The angle of the hinge has been changed to bring to give a cleaner appearance and bring the headband closer to your head. It's also designed to make it more comfy — the headband is also wider than before. The fold is helpful for when you're packing them away in the case or slipping them into a backpack. Sony WH-1000XM6 case with magnetic closure The case, by the way, is also a new design, with a magnetic closure replacing the zip from last time for extra convenience. Some users may still find the case on the large side, even if it is simpler to use (and to pick up, as there's a handy tag at the top). Freeman-Mill likes it, though. 'That case — which is color-matched to your black, blue or silver headphones — is now sealed with a nice little magnetic clasp, instead of the XM5-style zip, which Sony admitted to me was 'difficult to open'… It works a treat and offers good protection thanks to a hard shell design,' he said. Sony WH-1000XM6 in silver finish The new design also has more microphones: six on each earcup instead of the four on each side last time around. This is designed to improve call quality, with one pair of microphones facing back and up, to hear background noise accurately before quietening it. There's also a microphone inside each ear cup to hear noise there and deal with it. The colors are the same as the original range for the WH-1000XM5: black, silver and midnight blue. Smoky pink was also added to the XM5s during its time as top-flight headphones. Oh, one other change: Speak to Chat is no longer activated from the earcup. Speak to Chat is great: it quells what you're listening to, the second it hears you speaking. But some people, the sort who sing along to a song or find themselves shouting at a movie on the inflight entertainment, for instance, saw it kick into action when it wasn't wanted. You'll have guessed, dear reader, that I was one of the above people. The feature is still there but it's now activated from the Sony app instead. Welcome to the new QN3 processor, which Sony claims is seven times faster than the chip in the last model and delivers a leap forward in sound quality, with or without noise-cancelling. Sony's noise-cancelling has always been at the very highest level of quality, so any uptick will be impressive. T3 felt that this uptick was noticeable. 'The XM6 sound phenomenal, with adaptive noise-cancelling (ANC) that defies belief,' the report said, also saying that it was 'the best noise-cancelling I've ever heard.' There's a new adaptive optimizer for noise-cancelling to help with this and to adjust air pressure, which can be a nuisance in noise-cancellers. The headphones are available to purchase from today, Saturday, May 17 and cost $449.99 or £399 in the U.K. Both prices are a touch higher than the original release prices for the WH-1000XM5 headphones — to be precise, the price in the U.S. has gone up by $50, while the U.K. price is £20 more. By the way, T3's major negative note in its commentary was the price increase, saying the extra cost was, 'not too bad as a percentage, but it's not nothing at all.' Note that both prices are still noticeably less than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones or Apple AirPods Max which cost $499 and $549 respectively. By the way, the WH-1000XM4 headphones are also still available, for $299.99, a price drop of $50. Sony routinely keeps the last-gen model in the range, so I think the newly price-cut WH-1000XM5 will hang around, and remember they're available in smoky pink as well as the other three colors found on the WH-1000XM6. However, there's no certainty that the WH-1000XM4 headphones will remain. I think it's more likely that current stocks could be the last. I have asked Sony to confirm this and will update this post when I hear back.
Forbes
18-05-2025
- Forbes
Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony Cuts Prices On Older Headphones As New Flagship Model Lands
Updated May 18 with more details on the newly released headphones and more pricing details. The new noise-cancelling headphones from Sony, WH-1000XM6, have just been unveiled. It's about three years since the last pair, so you'd have thought there would have been a lot of changes. You'd have thought right. And the bonus of the new release is also that the prices of two earlier models have dropped. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones in midnight blue The deals highlighted in this post were independently selected by the Contributor and do not contain affiliate links. At first glance, they look similar to the WH-1000XM5 headphones they supersede (but not replace, the WH-1000XM5 remain in the range at a reduced price: they were $399.99, now they're $349.99 from However, these headphones fold. The previous models let you turn the cups flat to be packed away, but you couldn't fold them in on themselves. A new hinge lets you fold them any which way, it feels like. The hinge includes metal supports which look and feel sturdy. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are just out. Subtler details have also changed, like the angle of the headband. The angle of the hinge has been changed to bring to give a cleaner appearance and bring the headband closer to your head. It's also designed to make it more comfy — the headband is also wider than before. The fold is helpful for when you're packing them away in the case or slipping them into a backpack. Sony WH-1000XM6 case with magnetic closure The case, by the way, is also a new design, with a magnetic closure replacing the zip from last time for extra convenience. Some users may still find the case on the large side, even if it is simpler to use (and to pick up, as there's a handy tag at the top). Sony WH-1000XM6 in silver finish The new design also has more microphones: six on each earcup instead of the four on each side last time around. This is designed to improve call quality, with one pair of microphones facing back and up, to hear background noise accurately before quietening it. There's also a microphone inside each ear cup to hear noise there and deal with it. The colors are the same as the original range for the WH-1000XM5: black, silver and midnight blue. Smoky pink was also added to the XM5s during its time as top-flight headphones. Oh, one other change: Speak to Chat is no longer activated from the earcup. Speak to Chat is great: it quells what you're listening to, the second it hears you speaking. But some people, the sort who sing along to a song or find themselves shouting at a movie on the inflight entertainment, for instance, saw it kick into action when it wasn't wanted. You'll have guessed, dear reader, that I was one of the above people. The feature is still there but it's now activated from the Sony app instead. Welcome to the new QN3 processor, which Sony claims is seven times faster than the chip in the last model and delivers a leap forward in sound quality, with or without noise-cancelling. Sony's noise-cancelling has always been at the very highest level of quality, so any uptick will be impressive. There's a new adaptive optimizer for noise-cancelling to help with this and to adjust air pressure, which can be a nuisance in noise-cancellers. The headphones are available to purchase from today, Saturday, May 17 and cost $449.99 or £399 in the U.K. Both prices are a touch higher than the original release prices for the WH-1000XM5 headphones — to be precise, the price in the U.S. has gone up by $50, while the U.K. price is £20 more. Note that both prices are still noticeably less than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones or Apple AirPods Max which cost $499 and $549 respectively. By the way, the WH-1000XM4 headphones are also still available, for $299.99, a price drop of $50. Sony routinely keeps the last-gen model in the range, so I think the newly price-cut WH-1000XM5 will hang around, and remember they're available in smoky pink as well as the other three colors found on the WH-1000XM6. However, there's no certainty that the WH-1000XM4 headphones will remain. I think it's more likely that current stocks could be the last. I have asked Sony to confirm this and will update this post when I hear back.
