Open-earbuds are the best workout earbuds. In my mind, this is a fact. But how do you know which ones to buy? For me, the Panasonic RB-F10 are an easy recommendation. They’re lightweight and comfortable for workouts and all-day wear, and have a well-balanced, bright sound that will please most listeners. The call quality is great too, and the 25 hours of battery life lasted me for days on end.

But they’re not without their flaws. The bass performance lacks punch, and elements like drums and cymbals in the midrange are sometimes lost in the background, but this is to be expected when listening with open earbuds. Unfortunately, there’s no companion app for EQ customization to fix these qualms. The buds only have an IPX4 durability rating, which means they have no dust protection.

To learn more about the open-earbuds, read my full Panasonic RB-F10 review.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Specs

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Price & availability

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds are available to purchase from Amazon U.S. for $99 and from Amazon U.K. for £79. You can pick up the buds in Black or Beige, both of which look slick and understated.

These are hook-style open earbuds, like the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200, which are firm favorites of mine. The Beyerdynamics cost a little more than the Panasonic buds at $199, but the sound from the Beyerdynamics is truly unmatched in the world of open-earbuds. That said, the Panasonic buds fit excellently and are incredibly comfortable, just like the Beyerdynamics, for half the price.

In the same price range are the JLab Epic Open Sport buds for $114, which are secure even with intense movement. However, their hook-style fitment won’t be for everyone. So it’s worth checking out the EarFun Clip 2 for $99. As the name suggests, these clip to the outside of your ear. This style is better suited to glasses wearers too, which I appreciate.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Design

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds look great. I often find hook-style buds a little jarring, as they can look bulky on the outer ear, but I really liked the look of these buds.

The earbuds and case have a durability rating of IPX4, meaning they’re splashproof and can withstand splashes from any direction. However, they don’t feature any dust protection, meaning you can’t take them to the beach or work out anywhere dusty. This makes them a great option for running in some very light rain, but for anything more I would give these buds a miss and go for something with a higher durability rating like the EarFun Clip 2, which are IP55.

It’s great that these buds have wear detection too, so I’ve been able to pause my music just by taking them on and off without worrying about losing my place in my music or audiobook.

Comfort

The Panasonic RB-F10 earbuds are very comfortable to wear for extended periods. I wore them for a whole evening while running errands before going for a run and wasn’t bothered by them at all. Each earbud weighs 0.31 ounces, making them lighter than the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200, which weigh 0.4 ounces.

Controls

The Panasonic RB-F10 have touch-sensitive controls. These are very sensitive, as even brushing them when I tucked my hair behind my ear set them off. However, there is a slight delay of about a second between tapping and the action. This didn’t impact my listening but was annoying.

Connectivity

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4 to connect to your streaming device. They have a 33-foot operating distance, so I was able to leave my phone in the house and head out to the backyard to get on with some yardwork without losing the connection.

You can connect the earbuds to two devices thanks to multipoint connectivity. This made it easy for me to switch between listening to music with my phone and listening to work calls on my computer.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Sound quality

The Panasonic RB-F10 earbuds have a very well-balanced sound for open-earbuds. They suffer in the bass department, but that’s to be expected because of the open design, which cannot deliver bass to the ear in the same way. However, I was disappointed by the lack of EQ customization. Of course, this isn’t essential, but it’s a feature available from most audio brands, including Beyerdynamic, Soundcore, and Sony — the list goes on. Having EQ customization from an app would have allowed me to improve some of the problem frequencies of the buds.

To evaluate bass performance, I listened to Sympathy is a Knife by Charli XCX, which is driven by deep synth. I’ll start by saying the Panasonic buds performed a lot better than other open-earbuds I’ve tested. There were no issues with distortion or crackling — but I wasn't exactly impressed either. The bass wasn’t powerful. It sounded fine, but lacked the power that I’ve come to expect from this track.

I then listened to Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance, a song with very prominent drums, to judge the mids performance. Again, I was a little underwhelmed. While it wasn’t awful, I felt the drums and cymbals became lost in the background and sounded weak. I also listened to Exile by Taylor Swift. Here, the piano sounded crisp and clear, so it’s clear these earbuds thrive with simpler songs.

Finally, I listened to Next To Me by Kingfishr. This is an airy folk track rooted in its vocal performance and acoustic guitar. The harmonies were prominent throughout, and the whole track sounded perfectly bright. This is where the earbuds thrived. The guitar in the background was prominent, and the harmonica was crisp when it came in.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Call quality

The Panasonic RB-F10 earbuds have become a permanent fixture on my desk for taking calls. To make sure I sounded crystal clear, I called my mom, which is my standardized test. Despite having a lot of traffic whizzing past right outside the window of my home office, she could only hear my voice. This showed just how impressive the two beamforming microphones are for environmental noise cancellation.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Battery life

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds have a total battery life of 25 hours with the charging case. This is more than enough to get me through a couple of days before needing a charge. But if you need more, buds like the EarFun Clip 2 can offer 40 hours of battery. Each of the Panasonic earbuds holds seven hours of battery life, which is enough for me when I’m sitting at my desk all day long or heading out for a run in the evening.

The charging case takes two and a half hours to fully charge via USB-C, but if you’re in a rush you can get an hour of listening with 15 minutes of charging, which I found particularly useful before heading out on a run.

Panasonic RB-F10 review: Verdict

The Panasonic RB-F10 open-earbuds have become a staple on my desk for ambient awareness at work and are also great for workouts. The buds are lightweight and comfortable — I can wear them all day long, and the 25-hour battery life meant I wasn’t worried about running out of juice. The call quality sounds great, and the audio is well-balanced for open-earbuds — bright audio quality made them lovely to listen to my music with.

While I enjoyed the overall sound of the buds, it’s worth noting that the bass lacks punch and mid-range frequencies such as drums and cymbals were sometimes lost in the background. This could have been fixed with some EQ customization, but unfortunately there’s no compatible app to pair the earbuds with. However, this is to be expected with open-earbuds due to their design.

I’d recommend these buds to anyone who wants to try out open earbuds for working out or staying aware in the office.

Headphones that are specifically labeled for children tend to feature a ton of drawbacks, especially when it comes to sound quality. That said, why we recommend specific kid headphones is because most of the ones we test feature volume limiters designed to protect little ears from future hearing damage or loss.

With that in mind, the iClever Q950 might be the best kid headphones I’ve ever tested. They’re comfortable and sound amazing for kids’ cans. No, they won’t replace the best headphones for adults, but a kid won’t complain, and even most grown-ups will enjoy listening to this set. Read my full iClever Q950 review to find out why.

iClever Q950 review: Specs

iClever Q950 review: Price & availability

The iClever Q950 cost $69 at Amazon, but we’ve seen them a bit lower at $59 during sales events. Even at full price, these are pretty good value for money.

The Q950 competes with other iClever offerings like its colorful Auraa headphones ($39) and the Puro Sound Lab BT2200s ($99) or the extremely low-cost $20 JBL Junior 320s. I don’t think you’d go wrong with the other options, especially if you’re trying to save a buck, but personally, I’d recommend the Q950 as the middle ground. Plus, they sound better than the other offerings.

iClever Q950 review: Design

Compared to most kid headphones, the iClever Q950 look more sophisticated while also clearly being made for children.

Compared to the usual grays, blacks and whites that make up adult headphones, the Q950 are quite colorful but not quite as garish as they could be. Largely that has to do with the bright blue or purple hues. The holders have a pleasant metallic sheen.

Outside of colors, these are pretty durable headphones; I performed a couple of drop tests and twisted the headphones around a few times and never felt afraid that I was about to break them, though I’m sure an enterprising tot could destroy them.

They’re over-ear headphones with extendable ears that fold in, but can also turn out to lay flat if you want. They won’t disappear, but it gives you some flexibility, especially when trying to store them in a backpack. For extra protection, the Q950 does come with a bulky carry case that can hold charging wires and the 3.5mm wire. The case isn’t as bag-friendly, but you can stuff some Pokémon cards in there if you want.

Comfort

With comfort in mind, one of my personal bugaboos with over-ear headphones is the headband. If I notice the band during a listening session, it becomes grating. I never noticed it with the Q950, which is one of the highest compliments I can pay.

Despite my adult ears, the ear cups didn’t squish them, and they fully cover a kid's ears, meaning there isn’t sound leakage. I was able to wear the iClever headphones for a full workday without noticing them.

At 9.9 ounces (238 grams), these are some of the heaviest kid headphones I’ve tested. As an adult, I didn’t find the weight uncomfortable, but while 8 or 9 ounces isn’t much for grown-ups, it does add up for your kid.

My son tried the headphones, and he didn’t find them uncomfortable, but he has complimented lighter headphones like the JBL Junior 320 when we’ve had them before. In comparison, those headphones only weigh 4 ounces, less than half the weight of the Q950.

Connectivity

The iClever Q950 comes with both wired and Bluetooth connectivity. I’m a big proponent of 3.5mm wired connections when they’re available. These headphones come with a 3.5mm wire that sends the audio pretty cleanly. I can’t tell how they’ll hold up in the long run but for now it seems pretty sturdy.

Q950 features Bluetooth version 6.0; the most recent version which offers better connection stability and reduced power consumption. This is a huge get for headphones meant for kids. Not every headset has this version, including major releases from this year, like Apple’s AirPods Max 2, which still use version 5.3.

I was able to cleanly connect to an iPad mini and my Galaxy S26 Ultra with no noticeable dips or drops. That’s all you need, especially if you’re on a road trip and using movies on the tablet to distract.

iClever Q950 review: Sound quality

As mentioned up top, the Q950 headphones might be the best-sounding kids headphones that I’ve tested to date. Now with that praise, if you’re dropping down from a high-end set like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Sony WH-1000XM6, then you’ll notice a huge difference.

But compared to other kid headphones, the Q950 have an open, warm sound. The trebles and mids are clean without losing depth, meaning you should hear what the music is meant to sound like. Conversations in podcasts have a warmth that I found pleasant.

The bass is surprisingly punchy. No, you won’t mistake these cans for a set of Bowers drivers. But as someone who grew up on a steady diet of Paul Oakenfold passed through terrible headphones and winMX, the Q950 are pretty decent.

It’s honestly surprising how good these sound. I doubt it’ll turn your kid into an audiophile straight away, but they’ll be able to appreciate what they’re hearing, especially as they start playing their own music.

iClever Q950 review: ANC

Unfortunately, there is one big flaw you should know. Most kid headphones now feature active noise cancelling, which is marketed as a way to keep your kids from turning the sound up when outside noises get too loud. The Q950 does feature an 80 dB volume cap, which is good. However, I found that the ANC actively made the sound worse, flattening it or making it feel too quiet. It’s a surprising flaw for such a prominent feature.

As an example, I was listening to a podcast and decided to try out ANC while my partner was in a meeting. Tapping the button suddenly felt like I’d been sucked into an aural void, and I thought I’d accidentally hit a half-mute button I didn’t know existed. Music felt similarly pillowed.

Normally when I use ANC, like on the JBL Tour One M3, it just deadens outside noise. I don’t think I’ve ever felt the feature fundamentally change the sound of what I was actively hearing. It’s not necessary to use ANC, but if you or your child is bothered by too much outside stimulation, this is a significant drawback to the Q950.

iClever Q950 review: What the kids are saying?

My son tried out the Q950 over a couple different sessions with an iPad mini, once on a road trip and once at home. He liked that the headphones were comfortable, though he initially thought they were the iClever Auraas, and at first glance they do look similar.

He didn’t have much to say about the sound, though he said he liked it. He doesn’t really care about ANC, but he did say he never had to turn up the audio even despite a nagging little sister.

iClever Q950 review: Verdict

The bar can be pretty low for kid headphones when it comes to audio quality and iClever Q950 clears that bar with flying colors. Honestly, you could buy a set for yourself, and I don’t know that you’d be disappointed.

The weight and ANC are potential problems, but if your child isn’t bothered by headphone weight and doesn’t use ANC, these are good headphones. Plus, at $69, they won’t break the bank, making them one of the best pairs of kid headphones you can buy.

For some of us, the road trips of summer are starting to wind down and back-to-school needs are beginning to creep up. The luxury of headphones in the car becomes a necessity as kids commute to school or use them to focus on schoolwork.

You may be inclined to hand your kids a set of headphones you no longer use, or you’ve spotted some cheapo ones at your local drugstore. But those cans may be doing more harm than you know, as the lack of volume control can lead to permanent hearing loss.

Fortunately, there are options that can be safer for your kids. With more kids wearing headphones that seem to be glued to their heads, how can you protect their hearing now and in the future?

We spoke to a hearing expert and the makers of kid-friendly headphones to find out how volume-limiting headphones can assist parents in protecting their children’s hearing and tips for doing more beyond buying appropriate headphones.

“We only get one set of ears”

The world in general is a loud place with a multitude of sounds that over time can cause noise-induced hearing loss. Both OSHA and the World Health Organization recommend 85 decibels as a safe listening level for people in industrial settings. That rating is over an eight-hour “time-weighted average.”

Per the American Academy of Audiology, anything over that level can cause permanent hearing loss, and hearing protection is recommended: “regardless of how long the sound lasts.” At 80 dB, the sound is equivalent to an alarm clock, while sounds in the 90 to 110 dB range include concerts, power tools and earbuds (at full volume).

Kaitlyin Kennedy, an audiologist and member of the Academy, told Tom’s Guide that the recommendation for children is more conservative, at 75 dB and 80 dB for adults. She noted that headphone use in teens has gotten worse in general in the last few years.

A study by the University of Michigan in 2024 found more than half of kids age 5 -12 have their own personal audio devices and use them at least an hour a day.

“When hearing loss sets in, whether genetic or noise exposure, it grows over time,” Kennedy said. “It’s a snowball; one instance won’t [cause problems], multiple will.”

She added that while tech is improving, including with hearing aids, nothing is the same as natural hearing.

What headphone manufacturers offer

Fortunately, headphones can be capped so that the volume of audio coming through the drivers can’t exceed a set decibel level.

Most of the kids-friendly headphones Tom’s Guide has tested so far do feature volume caps around 85 dB. iClever limits volume at 80 dB for many of its headphones based on the EU EN50332-1 standard and WHO recommendations.

iClever also uses its “SafeSound” technology, which combines active noise canceling with maximum volume to ensure kids aren’t trying to turn the volume all the way up to hear music or media over outside noise.

Puro Sound Labs, based out of Southern California, purposely caps all of its headphones at 85dB. Founder Dave Russell set out to create safer headphones after his own daughter suffered noise-induced hearing loss that an audiologist blamed on constant headphone use.

“One in five teens are at risk of some level of noise-induced hearing loss due to headphones,” VP of sales Davis Camarigg told Tom’s Guide. He noted that even the company’s adult and older-teen-targeted headphones only go up to 95dB, though the company doesn’t just cap the volume or use ANC without also ensuring the audio still sounds good.

“If it's so loud they can't hear you speak, it's too loud”

Buying the correct headphones and limiting how loud the audio you listen to is an important aspect of protecting your and your children’s hearing. But there are other ways to protect yourself.

Kennedy provided several tips to help protect your ears.

She recommended that everyone reduce the amount of time they spend listening to audio, especially when using headphones. “Keep [settings] on 60% for no more than 60 minutes and then take a listening break,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said that by the time kids hit teenage years, their ears are much more adult, but damage can be done when they’re younger because the sounds are louder to developing ears.

Your phone can help

With many kids on smartphones, you can set limits or monitoring systems. For example, with headphones connected, you can go to the Control Center on your iPhone and see your headphones’ dB levels. Under Accessibility Shortcuts, you can also limit loud sounds in your headphones under Settings > Sound & Haptics > Headphone Safety, then Reduce Loud Sounds.

Android has a “Volume monitor” that will tell you how long you’ve spent listening to loud volumes in your headphones. You can find it under Digital Wellbeing. There’s also a media volume limit feature which lets you cap the volume between 85dB and 100dB.

In all, protecting your child's hearing takes some proactive approaches on your part, from acquiring safe equipment to actively setting up systems via your phone or the electronic devices you let your kid use.

Fortunately, it's quite doable, and there are plenty of options to help you make the right choice.

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In the world of high-end audio, things get very expensive, very fast. Hi-fi headphones go into four figures before you even know it, with speakers getting into the tens of thousands of dollars equally as easily.

I’m lucky that I get to test a fair bit of the pricey stuff for my job. But alas, I don’t really get to keep much of it, and I know most people can’t afford to drop thousands on their audio gear, either.

I decided to put together my real-world critical listening setup, a set of open back headphones and a DAC, on a real world budget of $500. Less than a set of mainstream ANC cans like the $549 Apple AirPods Max 2.

Reddit had a couple of obvious suggestions, of course, namely the Sennheiser HD 650 or, for sheer budget, the HIFIMAN Sundara. But I chose to ignore both of those (sorry Reddit). Here’s what I got instead, and why.

Hot Meze, anyone?

As I mentioned above, it would’ve been easy to go down the well-trodden route of the HIFIMAN Sundara or Sennheiser HD 650. They're the darlings of r/audiophile and r/headphones (and, to be fair, for good reason).

We use a set of Sundara for comparison testing at work. They sound great: spacious, with excellent bass response thanks to their planar drivers. They’re easy to drive and cheap too. But they’re cheap for a reason: the build quality is poor. Our pair sit on a shelf and suffer not the rigors of daily use, but there are many reports online of the headband breaking, and Amazon flags them as a “frequently returned product.”

So what about the Sennheiser HD 650? These are commonly recommended online for a reason: they sound fantastic, with a warm-ish neutral tune that’s ideal for detail listening. The thing is, I’m a motorcyclist and audio tester, so my ears don’t have an easy life. For personal headphones I prefer a warmer and slightly darker tune to avoid treble fatigue — easier-listening, so to speak.

The HD 650 can be very pricey, too. I’ve even seen them go above the $500 mark in the U.S. And finally, while not horrendously tricky to drive, the HD 650 aren’t exactly easy. While writing this, one of my colleagues had to borrow one of our powerful test DACs to drive his newly purchased pair of HD 650. Nice timing!

I was also considering the HD 550, but again I wanted that warmer, tad darker tune. Plus, to me, the HD 550 resemble a particular anatomical diagram from biology class…

Anyway, instead I looked towards Romania, and Meze Audio. Specifically, the Meze Audio 105 AER. At their $399 MSRP, these cans are fairly pricey, but attainable. As I write this, they’ve been selling at $299 for several weeks at Amazon. At that price, I think these are an absolute steal, and some of the best value for money in the audiophile world.

Genuine all-day comfort

The Meze 105 AER are utterly beautiful, with bags of Romanian Art Deco flair — pizzazz you definitely won’t get from the likes of Sennheiser. They’re vastly superior in build quality to the HIFIMAN Sundara (it’s actually crazy that at times the two pairs of headphones only sit as little as $120 apart). The 105 AER feel like much, much more expensive headphones. And with the gorgeous suspended headband and vegan velour pads, the 105 AER are comfortable for hours on end, too.

In fact, the headband deserves its own shout out. You don’t need to adjust the 105 AER, as the headband is perfectly sprung. And I mean “perfectly” quite literally: it adjusts to your head as you pull the headphones on, applying juuuust enough clamping pressure to override the spring and keep the cans sitting securely. It’s. Utterly. Glorious.

I don’t like to parrot brands’ marketing, but Meze claims that you’ll forget the 105 AER are on your head, and they’re genuinely correct there. Partly that’s to do with the headband and earcups, but it’s also thanks to the extremely liveble sound profile…

Warm, easy-listening sound

Most importantly, the 105 AER boast stunning sound. The tuning is fairly warm, but strikes a nice balance between easy- and critical-listening, which I love. It’s not too clinical.

Bass is prominent and silky smooth. The 105 AER aren’t as subby as the Sundara with their planar drivers, and yeah, sometimes I miss that: Sohn’s Antigravity, for example, concludes with an enormous roll of sub bass that should be felt tingling in the temples. But I’ve got a trick up my sleeve to help with that in the DAC section below.

The 105 AER mid-range is the star of the show in my opinion. There’s so much steely texture to the distorted guitars in Metallica’s Seek & Destroy and The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siva. Vocals, meanwhile, also sound fantastic, with the 105 AER perfectly relaying the organic timbre of John Fogerty’s howling in CCR’s Fortunate Son — I could hear the rasps and crackles of his vocal cords as he roared in righteous indignation.

Admittedly, treble isn’t the brightest, so you’re missing out on the sheer top-end resolution you’d get from something like the Sennheisers — there’s not quite the same level of crispness and detail to cymbals in Fortunate Son, or the shimmering backing effects in Ikigai. That said, they’re not dark enough for things to sound stifled or distant. The roll off also makes the 105 AER supremely easy to listen to for extended periods. They don’t give me cymbal fatigue, something I often get when listening to Copeland’s drumming throughout The Police’s Outlandos D’Amour album.

The 105 AER are also effortlessly spacious, which in fairness can be said about the HIFIMAN and Sennheiser too, as they’re all open back. Sohn’s Antigravity begins with super spatial percussion springing inward and out on the horizontal plane — imaged impressively by the Mezes.

Listen along to my testing playlist on Qobuz, in our eyes the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

But how to drive them?

As well as a set of headphones, I was also after a new DAC. The Meze 105 AER are passive headphones, so they need to be powered. They aren’t difficult to drive, with an impedance of 42Ω and a sensitivity rating of 112 dB/mW — in other words, they get pretty loud without much power. You can run them from your smartphone or laptop and they won’t be too quiet.

But just because they can be driven from your phone or laptop, that doesn’t mean they’ll sound their best that way. Often, you’ll get better sound using a dedicated DAC/Amp, which can feed headphones more power.

On passive headphones with low impedance (electrical resistance) a stable, quality power source like a dedicated amp will help keep the sound in check and free from distortion — without one, power fluctuations mean drivers can struggle to start and stop as sharply as they otherwise might. There’s technically the added sweetener of more accurate digital to analog signal conversion, too.

With $200 to spare, there were options. The FiiO KA13 would be my choice on a lower budget. It offers FiiO’s typical transparency (so you’re hearing the tune of the headphones, not the profile of the DAC), plenty of power, a compact footprint and an equally small $79 price tag. But the KA13 lacks any hardware EQ or digital filters (unless using the god-awful FiiO app), which I like, as they let me play around with sound.

I also considered the $179 FiiO K11 R2R, which I’ve tested previously in the office. It’s also a transparent DAC, offers bags of power for trickier-to-drive upgrades in the future, and even has an upsampling mode, which can help give an airier sound. It’s a desktop DAC, though, so needs plugging in, which I find annoying.

In the end, I went for the $199 iFi hip dac 3, for one primary reason: subby stuff. While it lacks the K11’s advanced features, the hip dac 3 has an Xbass mode that gives up to +6dB amplification in the 20-30Hz region. Remember that temple-shaking sub bass I said I enjoy in certain songs? Xbass delivers it at the push of a button, only when you want or need it.

The hip dac 3 is also plenty powerful and compact enough to fit into my pocket — it’s shaped like a hip flask, hence the name. As a Brit, I like that buying it supports a British company, too (although, to be fair, the DAC itself is unsurprisingly still made in China).

Total spend: $498

I’m really happy with this setup. I don’t think the Meze 105 AER will please fans of that clinical, reference sound. These are decidedly warm with some treble roll-off backing off the volume of high frequencies. Personally, though, I think the balance is ideal for daily use.

The slightly darker tune isn’t to the complete detriment of top end detail or space, yet makes them a very liveable set of cans day in, day out, all day while working. You get the picture. And best of all, even with my powerful little iFi DAC included, my setup still comes in cheaper than a set of AirPods Max 2!

Let me know in the comments below - what's your favorite setup? Which cans do you wear every day? What's on your wishlist?

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The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 are a set of luxury over-ear ANC headphones from the legendary Danish high-end audio manufacturer. I’ve seen these cans described online as the Rolex of headphones, and that sentiment tracks pretty true. These things cost $2,200 in the U.S. these days, so yeah, we’re into 1% territory here.

When it comes to build and comfort, the H100 are truly a luxury product. They also pack some impressive features, boasting the last word in wear detection and a fantastic app. Sound quality is solid, although I had to do a little EQing to match my preference.

Aside from that, and some minor connectivity gripes, I really have very little to say against the H100. If you can afford them, I’m sure they’ll make you very happy. So, could these be the best headphones for millionaires? Find out in my full Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Specs

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Price & availability

There’s no getting around it, at $2,200 the H100s are eye-wateringly expensive in the States. Admittedly, the H100 are at an all-time high right now, likely thanks to tariffs, and have been hiked from $1,549 back in May 2025. We’ve since seen them drop back to around $1,750 during sales events — scant consolation, I know.

In the U.K. where I live, the H100s are still very pricey, but retail for a decidedly more palatable £1,450, although as I write this they’re on sale for £1,299. I would definitely advise waiting for a sale — or for one of B&O’s “Reloved” refurbished fire sales.

The only more expensive ANC headphones that I can think of are six-figure jewel-encrusted limited runs like the Loewe LEO x Jacob & Co. As far as consumer cans go, the closest and only real rivals to the H100 are the Loewe LEO ($1,680) and DALI IO-12 ($1,750). The IO-12 sound beautiful, but lack features like ANC modes or a companion app for custom EQ. There’s also the Focal Bathys MG ($1,299), which offer supreme magnesium build quality and gorgeous sound, although cost nearly a grand less.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Design

The H100 are built as you’d expect from $2,200 cans: exquisitely. The aluminum machining is nanometer-precise, with not a single imperfection to see. Then there are the earcups. Pillow-soft doesn’t cut it. These things are soft like a chinchilla wrapped in silk and marshmallow, sitting on a cloud. They’re not actually made from chinchilla, I ought to add. Unfortunately, they are actually made of lambskin leather, and for a vegan that’s just as bad. There are no vegan replacement options, either.

The thick, comfy headband is wrapped in good ol’ cow leather, and clicks off if you need to replace it. These cans are intended to last you a long time, so B&O has made it easy to swap out parts. I love that.

If I had one minor design complaint, it’s that, while they look utterly luxe, the H100 aren’t particularly striking. Not that it matters when they’re on your head, of course. And besides, if you’ve spent $2,200 on headphones, it’s probably best they don’t stand out.

The H100 come with an ultra-premium protective case that looks like a designer handbag. Not only does it look great and protect your cans, it’s a lot more flexible and forgiving than the solid and scratch-prone case of the younger B&O sibling, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95.

Comfort

As might be obvious from my prior gushing, the H100s are extremely comfortable to wear. You don’t get the sheer breeziness of a suspended headband design, as on a lot of open-back audiophile cans, but it’s not like the H100s are heavy enough to give your neck or noggin any real problems.

Weatherproofing

The H100 have an IP53 rating, so they’re dustproof enough for the beach and waterproof enough for the odd bit of sweat or a light rain shower. This suits them nicely to the role of daily driver — remember, most over-ear headphones have no waterproofing.

Controls

I love the H100 controls, which are very similar to those on the H95. There are two wheels for volume and ANC levels; a touchpad with taps and swipey-swipes for controlling playback; and a button for shifting between ANC modes. Once you know your way around, it’s highly intuitive. It’s also reliable — I’ve never missed an input and the controls prove surprisingly difficult to engage accidentally. Everything is also fully customizable in the B&O app, so you can make the controls your own.

The H100 also feature excellent wear detection. After a short (customizable) while off your head, though, they’ll also power off and back on automatically, saving battery. There’s also single earcup detection, so you can just raise an earcup to talk to someone if needed — very handy.

Connectivity

The H100 are a little behind the times in 2026 as I write this, sporting only Bluetooth 5.3, which offers less stability, inferior power consumption and narrower codec support than the latest version 6.0. But hey, the Apple AirPods Max 2 launched in 2026 with only 5.4, so it’s not just B&O at the back.

The H100 only support AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs. The B&O website says: “The selected codec solutions are more relevant for the Beoplay H100 design and performance profile than LDAC, which is only supported by specific devices.” Utter baloney. It’s not a binary issue: every LDAC device I’ve ever seen, tested or owned also supports SBC and AAC.

Personally, advanced codec support bothers me very little. I only use Bluetooth when out and about or working, and therefore not listening particularly critically. But I can see how the lack of hi-res codecs could be frustrating when paying $2,200.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Sound quality

I tested the H100 using Qobuz, in our eyes the best music streaming service for audiophiles. I streamed in hi-res or CD quality and over USB-C.

Putting the H100 on, the first thing I noticed was the warmth. Bass is thick and rich, but fast and well-controlled nevertheless — the surreal oscillating bassline of James Blake’s Limit To You Love was delivered with absolute precision. I was particularly impressed with the sub bass, too. I haven’t yet tested a set of closed backs with as much oomph in the subby section of SOHN’s Antigravity. It's almost high-end planar performance.

I found the default Optimal EQ a little too dark for my preference, especially with ANC on. Treble and upper mids sounded somewhat muted and hazy; vocals soft and distant. Thankfully, there’s a custom EQ in the B&O app so you can dial in the sound to your liking. It’s not the most comprehensive EQ, with adjustments made based on the sound characteristics you want, but it is user-friendly and quick. I tweaked the sound to be more energetic and the upper range cleaned up nicely.

EQ’d up, the resolution and speed of the drivers across the frequency range was on full display. Mids, especially guitars, had plenty of definition and texture in sludgy tracks like Melvins’ Honey Bucket and Siva by The Smashing Pumpkins. In bassy electronica like Dusky’s Stick By This and Burn Water’s Ikigai, the added airiness helped ethereal backing effects shine. Vocals were clean and pronounced, with natural timbre and strong separation to the harmonies in Blusher’s cover of Your Love Is My Drug.

Overall, I’m pleased with how the H100 sound. The default EQ tuning isn’t for me, as I felt it was a little too dark at the top end. But it’s fine, because if you want something else, the H100 let you get exactly what you’re after via EQ, and can handle pretty much anything.

Listen along to my testing playlist on Qobuz.

Soundstage

B&O claims the H100 are tuned with spatiality and Dolby Atmos media streaming in mind. Indeed, in the app’s Stereo Spatial mode, the springy opening percussion of Antigravity pinged inwards and outwards with an impressive amount of width for closed backs.

Using the Dolby Atmos mode, there was an equally wide soundstage on display in the two movies I watched, Dune and Dune: Part Two. In Paul’s hallucinations on Arrakis, hearing the shimmering foley effects sparkling all around my head was like being in a movie theater, especially when combined with that hammering bass.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: ANC

The H100’s ANC is extremely good. I live next to a very busy road. So, at rush hour, I opened and sat next to the window with the H100 on my head, using maximum ANC and my music volume at around 50%. I could barely hear a thing from outside. Trucks, motorcycles, cars — all blocked save the odd faint whoosh during quieter moments in songs. In the office, I couldn’t hear my colleagues talking around me, or their music being played.

Not bad at all from the H100, although I’d say my much cheaper Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are equally as proficient (they even managed to cut the noise of a screaming baby directly in front of me on a plane returning from, of all places, Denmark).

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Call quality

The H100 call quality is fairly run-of-the-mill. I called my wife over WiFi and she reported that I sounded a little quiet and distant — she had to take me off loudspeaker to hear. After that, though, she said the clarity of my voice was pretty good, and she could make out everything I was saying. It's like 3.6 Roentgen: not great, not terrible.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: App

The B&O app is excellent. It’s slick and polished, giving you full control over controls and the custom EQ. My only gripe is that the EQ is a little basic — as I mentioned earlier, it's a circle with various characteristics, rather than a proper parametric equalizer. But hey: it works, and it's quick.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Battery life

Bang & Olufsen claims the H100 will last 32 hours with ANC on, which is really strong. The Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 will all give you a respectable 30 hours, while the Apple AirPods Max 2 last just 20.

After using the headphones for around 7-8 hours over the course of two days in testing, the battery dropped to 74%, which correlates to the manufacturer-stated figure. I only had to charge the cans once during the week I tested them. Not bad at all.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 review: Verdict

Obviously, the elephant in the room here is price. The H100 are a flagship product from a high-end audio brand, so they were always going to be spenny. And it’s not like they don’t justify their position at the top of B&O’s range. Their sound quality and custom EQ are fantastic, the ANC is top-notch, they’re packed full of features to make your life easier, and they’re literally built to last a decade (or more).

I’m not going to tell you that they’re $1,300 better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 or B&O’s own H95, though. Because that simply isn’t true. You can get more value for money elsewhere. But you probably already knew that.

In the end, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 are a gloriously extravagant status symbol. In my eyes, they’re probably the best over-ear ANC headphones you can get, performance- and quality-wise. But if you want the best, you’re gonna have to pay through the nose for it.

As a single mom, it’s a miracle I remember my son when packing the car to leave the house for a weekend break (I’m joking). I’ll always forget something, and last weekend, it was the baby monitor.

My son is two-and-a-half, so while it’s not as much of an essential as it was a year ago, I like to be able to keep an eye, or an ear, on the tiny Houdini, especially when he’s sleeping somewhere new. Luckily, I’d seen this simple hack to turn the best AirPods and your iPhone into a combined baby monitor. It’s one all parents should know about ahead of the summer vacation period.

How to use your AirPods as a baby monitor

Ok, so you won’t be able to see your baby using this hack, but you’ll be able to hear him or her. All you’ll need is your phone and your AirPods (or Beats) headphones. Once you pop your headphones in your ears, you’ll be able to use your AirPods Live Listen feature to leave your phone in the room with them and listen to your tot from somewhere else in the house.

Here’s how to do it:

• Wear one or both of your AirPods or Beats headphones. The list of headphones that work with this feature includes: AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Fit Pro, or Powerbeats Fit. You’ll also need an iPhone with iOS 26 or later installed.
• To turn on Live Listen, go to your iPhone’s Settings, then scroll to Accessibility.
• From here, go to Audio & Visual, Live Listen, then tap Start Live Listen.
• From your lock screen, swipe down to go to the Control Center.
• From here, click on the ear icon, and select Live Listen — this will only work if you have a headphone in.

You’ll then be able to hear your baby should they cry. I found that the Live Listen was surprisingly sensitive, and I was able to hear him waking up and moving around after his nap before he called out for me. A game changer for traveling, or if you’re as forgetful as I am!

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The Sennheiser RS 275 are a pair of TV headphones, designed to let you enjoy movies, TV and multimedia without bothering family, roommates or neighbors. I’m an avid LOTR fan, and I regularly re-binge the Extended Editions, often taking me late into the night. I’ll usually get an angry, volume-related text from my wife upstairs at about 1am — just as the Rohirrim launch their awe-inspiring, tear-jerking charge into the fray on Pelennor Fields. So the RS 275 are, on paper at least, right up my street.

After a few weeks of testing, I’m happy to say these are a wonderful addition to my lounge setup. They’re not perfect, lacking the soundstage and subbiness of a proper surround system or soundbar. Their passive noise cancellation, meanwhile, isn’t the best, and they’re pricey in the U.S.

However, the sound quality is generally excellent, with a bright treble to bring out fine details, a clear mid-range for vocals, tidy bass, plus strong stereo imaging. There’s a wealth of connectivity and customization options, too.

Are these the best headphones for TV? Find out more in my full Sennheiser RS 275 review.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Specs

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Price & availability

Unfortunately, the Sennheiser RS 275 headphones ain’t cheap. In the U.S., they cost $299 from Amazon, while in the U.K. they’re a slightly more palatable £219 from Richer Sounds. That’s about the cost of a cheap soundbar, so if these will be your only audio output aside from a TV speaker (if you live in a dorm or something), I think that’s a reasonable price.

However, if you already have, want, or need a soundbar or speaker system, the RS 275 will be a secondary purchase. And that makes the $299 MSRP a little trickier to justify. I suppose the ‘cost:benefit’ analysis will depend on how much flak you’re getting for watching TV, and how often.

Thankfully, you’re not stuck for cheaper alternatives. The older Sennheiser RS 175 ($349) are regularly on sale for as little as $139. Then there’s the $159 Sennheiser RS 120-W, which are often reduced to the $100 mark.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Design

The RS 275 look like typical Sennheiser cans: jet black, understated but obviously high quality. The plastics feel premium; the headband is (mostly) nice and squishy; while the earcups are thick and padded, yet lightweight and breathable. I tested the RS 275 during a heatwave here in the U.K., with some extremely humid nights, and my ears never got sweaty. The headset is also super lightweight, so it never fatigued my neck.

My only issue, comfort-wise, is that the squishy headband padding doesn’t extend that far down the band itself. The last two inches have no padding. I didn’t have an issue, but I can see it being a problem for different head shapes.

Included is a headphone stand, which doubles as a platform and cable-tidy for the wireless transmitter. It helps keep my TV cabinet tidy, so I’m a big fan.

Controls

The RS 275 offer a few different control options. There are the on-ear controls for power and volume, plus sound mode and source controls on the transmitter. They’re all pretty self-explanatory and easy to get to grips with. Everything can also be controlled via the Sennheiser smartphone app, though, which I’ll cover below.

Connectivity

The RS 275 feature four connection methods to your TV: Bluetooth, optical, USB and HDMI. You’ll want at least USB or HDMI connected, as these power the transmitter. You can hook up via Bluetooth directly to your TV, but I’d advise using the transmitter as it enables higher quality codecs, including aptX, aptX Adaptive, PCM/LC3 and AC3 (Dolby Digital).

The transmitter uses Bluetooth version 5.4 and features Auracast, so you can hook up multiple Auracast-compatible Bluetooth devices and hear the same audio stream. That means you can watch movies with friends and family, yet still not wake the neighbors.

I mostly used the optical and USB connections. There won’t be a huge difference between any of the wired connections, really — by the time the signal reaches your ears via the transmitter using, say, the lossy AC3/Dolby Digital codec, it’s no longer high-res anyway regardless of how it came out of the TV or Blu-ray player. Note that optical is prone to timing issues, especially when scrubbing forward or back through a Blu-ray (the app has a feature to help with this).

The headphones also have two-device multipoint connectivity, so you can hook up to your phone and TV and switch quickly between the two to take a call.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Sound quality

As these are TV headphones, I primarily tested the Sennheiser RS 275 by watching “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Black Hawk Down (Extended Version)” on 4K Blu-ray. I also streamed “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition)” on Amazon Prime TV, and “I Will Find You” on Netflix.

Movies

The RS 275 won’t compete with a surround system or one of the best soundbars, but that’s not to say they don’t sound good. The sound is really clean, with expansive treble and tons of mid-range clarity that brought out details I’d never heard, even in my most familiar movies.

In “Black Hawk Down” I’ve never before heard Mo Alim’s voice so perfectly distorted and crackly as he shouts through a megaphone in the early massacre scene. It was like I was in the room with Atto in the interrogation scene — his cigar pack ripping and match striking, then the metallic door latch clanking as the general entered.

There’s so much clarity that, weirdly, you start hearing things you don’t want to hear — in the Atto scene above, the effects sounded hyperrealistic to a fault, giving away that they’re actually quite obviously foley.

Vocals sound great, too. Even in noisier scenes throughout “The Fellowship of the Ring” and “Black Hawk Down”, I was never struggling to hear what any characters said.

Bass was fairly nice and well-textured in musical elements, although the headphones lack sub-bass response, sapping impact from heavy sound effects like explosions and aircraft in “Top Gun Maverick” and “Black Hawk Down”. Still, these are headphones, so you can’t expect the power delivery down low that you’d get from a subwoofer.

Separation is really strong. In the “Top Gun Maverick” opening scene, I could hear the clanking of machinery amidst the sound of engines and the “Danger Zone” soundtrack. Stereo imaging is solid, too. In “Black Hawk Down”, I could hear voices on each side in the busy Mogadishu marketplace, and in a scene with two choppers, I could distinctly hear the lighter Little Bird blades in my left ear, with the slower Black Hawk thrum in my right.

Admittedly, the RS 275’s soundstage isn’t that wide — expected given these are closed-back headphones. On the other hand, the closed-back sound gave a level of intimacy that I really enjoyed in certain scenes. I felt like I was inside Maverick’s helmet as he spoke to his colleagues over radio: the sound of his voice muted by his own helmet, with his colleague’s walkie-talkied voice piping in over the radio.

TV

In “I Will Find You” on Netflix, vocals were unfailingly clear, even whispered tones, while that bright treble shone again for gentler effects like handcuffs clanking. Here, too, I relished that closed-back intimacy — when the main characters were talking through a prison phone, for example, it sounded like I was in the visitor’s booth with them.

Admittedly, without the sheer loudness of movie effects and scores, I began to have trouble with passive noise cancellation, or a lack thereof. I could hear the radio in my kitchen playing, as well as road noise from outside my house, breaking the immersion.

Audio modes

The RS 275 have three modes: 3D for surround sound; Speech for vocal priority; and Plus, which combines the first two. Honestly, I didn’t find much use for them. Speech and 3D mostly resulted in a tinny, compressed sound. Plus mode, meanwhile, just sounded like listening underwater. I can see Speech being useful in situations where vocal audio is just terribly mastered, but in everything I watched, the RS 275’s default tuning was good enough.

Mileage will probably vary depending on how an individual film or TV’s audio is mastered, but honestly, the default mode sounds good enough to just forget the gimmicks.

Music

Although they’re primarily intended as TV headphones, the RS 275 headset is actually a pair of HDR 275 headphones. That means they double up as music cans, and it’s nice to know you can pick them up for a few tunes between movies.

I tested with my usual playlist on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles, and was pretty impressed. It’s the same story as above: a clean mid-range and airy treble, highlighting vocals and percussion; warm, refined bass; plus decent stereo imaging.

Listen along to my audio testing playlist on Qobuz.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Call quality

The Sennheiser RS 275 can be used like a traditional set of headphones. This means they have a microphone for calls. Unfortunately, it’s not the best, and my voice sounded quiet and tinny. However, I can’t knock too many points off here, as these are primarily intended to be used for movies and TV, which you’d want to pause for a call anyway — so you can just use your phone’s built-in mic.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: App

The RS 275 pair up to the Sennheiser SmartControlPlus smartphone app, which connects over Bluetooth (regardless of how the headset is connected to your TV). The app is pretty slick, and gives you full control over using and updating the RS 275. It’s the only way to fully control the RS 275, so I have no choice but to recommend using it — but thankfully, it’s great.

I found the app particularly useful for switching between connectivity channels to get the best sound for whatever media I was watching, checking which codecs were in use on-the-fly, and tweaking audio delay for sound/video sync issues over optical connection.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Battery life

The RS 275 offer up to 50 hours of playback, according to Sennheiser. And I have no reason to doubt that. After watching two movies and most of a TV season, I still had 70% charge left, which was very impressive.

When you do need to charge them, using the USB-C port on the transmitter will recharge the headphones fully in just 2 hours, which is pretty quick. Realistically, if you stay on top of juicing them, you shouldn’t experience much downtime at all.

Sennheiser RS 275 review: Verdict

As I mentioned above, as a night owl and a movie lover, I am the RS 275’s target audience. As a tech reviewer by profession, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know TV headphones were a thing, and so never knew I needed them. But I’m not sure I can go back now.

The RS 275 aren’t perfect. They’re pricey, they lack the bass and width of a proper sound system, and their passive noise reduction isn’t the best. However, place them in context, and none of that really matters. They’re designed to circumvent loudspeaker systems, so you can’t blame them for lacking the attributes of a subwoofer or Atmos setup. And realistically, they’re intended for use at night when it’s quiet.

But used as intended, the RS 275 are excellent, with clean sound, strong separation, decent stereo imaging, great comfort, plus a wealth of control and connectivity options. These ones are staying on my TV cabinet for good.

The HEDDphone TWO GT are a set of premium audiophile open back headphones from German audio manufacturer HEDD. Slightly counterintuitively, the TWO GT aren’t a successor to a ONE GT, but rather a redevelopment of the HEDDphone TWO (which themselves follow up the original HEDDphone).

The TWO GT pack tweaked AMT drivers and a warmer sound profile than the TWO, pitching them more towards leisurely home listening rather than pure, detail-oriented reference use.

With their striking yet comfortable aesthetic and unerringly premium German build quality, the TWO GT do much to justify their high price. Add on the utterly fantastic sound quality, and the TWO GT ought to be, at the very least, a serious shortlist candidate for any discerning listeners in search of new cans.

Could these be some of the best headphones for audiophiles? I think so. But read my full review to find out more.

HEDDphone TWO GT review: Specs

HEDDphone TWO GT review: Price & availability

The HEDDphone TWO GT cost $2,199 / £1,899 from HEDD. However, if you have your own cables already, you can save a bit of cash by buying the ‘UNPLUGGED’ variant without cables included, which cost £1,472 / $1,699.

While they objectively cost a lot of money, in the context of audiophile headphones, the TWO GT aren’t priced beyond the pale. In the audiophile landscape, $2,199 is just getting started. The Meze Audio Elite, for example, will set you back $4,000, while my other high-end cans, the Audeze LCD5-S, cost $4,500. I’m not saying those aren’t great headphones, but to a large extent there’s a law of diminishing returns at play here. The HEDDphone TWO GT sound utterly fantastic, so I don’t see why you’d really need to go further unless you want something specific that other cans offer.

HEDDphone TWO GT review: Design

What do you get if you cross a set of F1 pitwall headphones with a WWE-worthy stash of anabolic steroids? The TWO GT, obviously. These are absolute chonkers, and frankly, if I had to wear them anywhere outside the house, I’d probably feel a little self-conscious. Luckily, I don’t have to — like most audiophile open-back cans, these are intended for indoor (and, more specifically, home) use only.

They look great though: blacked out and replete with German neo-futurism. And besides, they wear their large size and hefty 1.2lb curb weight extremely well, proving effortlessly lightweight and comfortable atop the ol’ noggin.

That’s thanks to an unashamedly overengineered suspended headband. It’s a piece of padding suspended on a strip of synthetic fabric that weaves in and out of the main carbon-fiber headband. It distributes the weight extremely well, and also offers lots of adjustment. Sure, the end result isn’t any different from other suspended straps — a la Audeze LCD-X or Meze Poet. But it’s cool, different, and complements the general extra-ness of the overall aesthetic.

Included with the TWO GT are two sets of ear pads: one gloriously soft set of lamb’s leather; one vegan velour for the less carnivorous of disposition. I prefer the lamb’s leather pads, but both are incredibly thick and comfy anyway, so if HEDD had just given me the velour pads, I wouldn’t have complained. Also, while it’s nice to see a vegan option included, I find it kinda weird that they ship with both instead of letting you select one or the other at checkout — sure, a vegan won’t have to wear the lamb’s leather pads, but they’ll still have been forced to buy them, which isn’t much better.

Build-wise, these things earn their price. They feel premium. They feel special. They feel German. This is a double-decade set of cans at least, make no mistake. I love the loose-weave braided cables included (with the standard model), too, which feel super premium. Additionally, there’s a fabric hard case included, which features a cable storage compartment. This is much less bulky than the aluminum hard case that came with my Audeze LCD5-S, making the TWO GT easier to travel with.

Connectivity

The HEDDphone TWO GT are passive headphones, which won’t surprise any audiophiles. I’ll cover their amplification requirements below, but their unpowered nature means there are no mod-cons like wireless connectivity, battery life, ANC, etc.

They connect to your amplifier via a wired connection, and HEDD is generous with the included cablewear on the standard variant (the UNPLUGGED variant comes with no cables). There are two cables, one balanced 4.4mm, one unbalanced 6.35mm, with two adapters — a 4.4mm to XLR 4-pin adapter and a 6.35mm to 3.5mm — chucked in too.

Drive

As passive headphones, the TWO GT must be powered. You’ll want to use a DAC/amp to handle both the digital audio conversion and power. With an impedance of 41Ω and a sensitivity of 88dB / 1mW, they’re not too tricky to drive. HEDD suggests a minimum power of 200mW, but recommends around 1,000mW for peak performance. I powered the headphones using my FiiO K15 (up to 30,000mW), which was comfortable at 85% volume on the medium gain setting, and the iFi iDSD GR2 (up to 2,173mW), which I needed to run at about 80% volume without any added gain.

HEDDphone TWO GT review: Sound quality

Like other HEDD gear, the TWO GT use AMT transducers. These drivers employ a series of folded metal diaphragms to push and pull air, rather than the cones or wafer-thin layers of metal filaments used respectively by dynamic and planar magnetic drivers.

Historically, AMT drivers have been great for use as dedicated tweeters or mid-range speakers, but lacked bass response. To solve that, HEDD employs its “Variable Velocity Transformation” (VVT), which actively modulates the profile of the folds for response down as low as 10Hz. In short: bass good.

I tested the TWO GT using Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles. I streamed in lossless hi-res or CD quality via USB-C through the FiiO K15 and iFi DSD GR2 DAC/amps.

Bass

As you can see on the manufacturer’s frequency response curve, the TWO GT’s tuning is deliberately slightly warm, but it’s not aeons from the neutral tune of the HEDDphone TWO or HEDDphone D1. The TWO GT offer rich, enveloping bass, but nothing overwhelming. You could definitely still use these cans for reference or studio work.

As far as easy bass, the TWO GT relayed beautifully the thick, undulating double bass of Odetta’s Hit or Miss, as well as the powerful electronic bass warbling of Burn Water’s Ikigai.

When it comes to the trickier stuff, there’s less oomph in the sub region by default. However, the TWO GT can handle it if you dial in some extra low down power. I mostly used my FiiO K15 DAC/amp, as I like its clean, natural feel without EQ. But in songs where I wanted more sub bass — like the last 20 seconds of SOHN’s Antigravity — I switched to my iFi DSD GR2 and used the ‘XBass’ bass boost mode for a few dB extra at 20-30Hz. The TWO GT still weren’t as subby as my planar- and slam-plate-fitted Audeze LCD5-S, but did a respectable job, gently vibrating my temples (with no distortion whatsoever, I might add).

Mids

As I mentioned, while warm, the TWO GT are still well balanced across the curve, with a prominent, clean mid-range. There was a pleasantly-expressed, natural timbre to acoustic guitars, with a gorgeous woody resonance to 49 Winchester’s riff in Russell County Line. In Melvins’ dual-riffed sludge-fest, Honey Bucket, the lower mid-range packed bags of texture, with plenty of crunch to those distorted guitars, while strong separation let me pick out the individual riffs.

The upper mid-range also packs bags of resolution and natural timbre: vocals in Blusher’s Last Man Standing sounded full and lifelike, and I could pick apart the individual voices and whispered backing vocals throughout harmonies.

Treble

The treble is fairly bright. Personally, I felt myself wanting a tad more sharpness on certain tracks — typically it was busier, older recordings like Honey Bucket and The Who’s Eminence Front where I craved just a little more snap to cymbals and hi-hats. This is mainly down to personal preference and individual ear anatomy, though, and can simply be EQ’d or otherwise tweaked to taste. Using my iFi GR2, I applied a GTO digital filter with the Kenwood K2 HD upsampling mode, which worked a treat, adding that smidge of extra definition I was looking for up top.

Soundstage

As open backs, the TWO GT are plenty spacious. I could track the haunting, industrial percussion in Chris Stapleton’s Death Row fading backwards out of earshot. SOHN’s Antigravity, meanwhile, felt truly wide, the reverby opening percussion effects pinging inwards and outwards on a distinct horizontal plane.

Listen along to my testing playlist below, on Qobuz.

HEDDphone TWO GT review: Verdict

It’s really difficult to fault the HEDDphone TWO GT. Sound, comfort, build quality — it’s all there. The only major points I can really knock off are for the huge size and objectively high price, although with the caveat that, in the crazy arena of audiophile gear, they’re not priced beyond the pale. In terms of performance, you’re getting a hell of a lot here, and personally this is the sweet spot for me, in terms of audiophile sound versus cost.

Sure, if you want deeper bass, from both an extension and power standpoint, then I’d advise looking into warmer-tuned planars from the likes of Audeze or Meze, but that’s a sheer preference thing. And besides, the TWO GT can get respectably bassy if you play about a little with your DAC/amp. Wanna know the only really bad thing about reviewing the TWO GT? I’ll tell ya: It’s that I have to give them back.

Are the Technics AZ100 some of the best earbuds you can get? Well, that’s what the next 1,000 words are for: Me to know and for you to find out. But if you want me to let you in on a little secret, come closer… Yes. Yes, they are.

With powerful, yet balanced bass, emotive and natural mids and clear treble, the sound quality is worth the $300 price tag. If you only listen to heavy genres like grunge you might be a little disappointed by the slight lack of detail in super muddy tracks, but for most people, I’m sure this isn’t a huge issue. I only noticed it in two of the many songs I listened to during testing. The clarity and control in every other genre more than made up for it.

So, ready to find out more about these premium earbuds? Of course you are.

Premium sound quality with a capital P

To test sound quality, I listened to a variety of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles. Obviously, I listened to much more music than I’m going to discuss here, but I’ll choose three standout tracks from different genres.

First, I played “Violence” by Grimes using “Dynamic” EQ. This electronic track has a stuttering, string-like synth motif with pulsing bass layered under Grimes’ iconic floaty vocals. The bass sounded phenomenal: controlled yet powerful, all-encompassing yet balanced, indomitable yet complementary. Grimes’ vocals were brought to the focus of the track, and I could hear the texture in her voice, and the delicate synths weren’t overpowered. This track sounded utterly divine. I was immediately in awe.

I switched it up to “Celebrity Skin” by Hole. I switched to a custom U-shaped EQ, which highlighted the sub-bass and super high-end. This brought out the cymbals in the right ear and warmed up the crunchy guitars in the lower-mids. This didn’t sound quite as clear as the Grimes track, so I played “Moaning Lisa Smile” by Wolf Alice, another grungey female-led track (but much newer). I couldn’t clearly hear the sliding guitar during the chorus, so I upped the treble, but it still eluded me. I was a little disappointed by this — it’s there, but quiet.

Overall, though, the sound quality is sublime. This is what wireless earbuds should be about — clever, controlled sound that takes itself seriously and has a whale of a time while doing so.

Actually useful companion app

The Technics Audio Connect app boasts a litany of customization and control options. You can do literally everything you could think of. If I were to describe every function, we’d be here all day, and I know you’re all busy people — so let’s just discuss the standouts.

There’s an ear tip fit test that uses mics to analyze which ear tip suits your ears. I was told to use “Small”, but I found “Extra Small” fitted me best.

You can also activate Conversation Mode, which will activate transparency mode with one tap of the earbuds. The app can also decrease environmental calls if the person you’re speaking to is in a noisy environment, which is cool.

Of course, you’ve also got the usual suspects: EQ adjustment, ANC customization, and there’s the user manual, too.

As you can see, the Technics Audio Connect app looks sleek, is easily navigable, and has a ton of helpful features. I’d recommend downloading it and checking it out if you get these earbuds.

But a polarizing fit

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows over here in Technics land. The bubble had to burst eventually, right? And in this case, it’s my concha (figuratively) bursting from the sheer size of the earbuds. Technics claims the AZ100 are smaller and lighter than the AZ80, and I don’t disagree. They are, technically, smaller and lighter than the predecessor.

But they’re not smaller enough. I could only wear these earbuds for around an hour before needing a break. I have super small ears, which I acknowledge and take into account when I review earbuds, but it’s not just me this time. I gave them to my boyfriend, who has normal man-sized ears, and he said they were too big. This is with the XS ear tips, by the way.

I know high-quality drivers need space (like that random guy you met online), but there’s a limit. This was a similar issue with the Denon PerL Pro — the earbuds sound lovely, but I could only wear them for an hour at a time. Conversely, I can wear my AirPods Pro 2 for six hours (until the battery runs out; yes, six hours is pathetic) without my ears aching.

I think you’d be fine if you have large ears, but small-eared folk: heed my warning!

Would I recommend the Technics AZ100?

In short: Yes!

I’m a huge fan of the controlled yet balanced bass, the faithful treble, and the clear mids.

There are only two downsides for me: the overly large concha fit and the slight muddling in heavy genres. If you have medium-to-large-sized ears and you don’t really listen to grunge, these won’t be problems for you at all.

I recommend the AZ100 for anyone who wants premium-feeling earbuds without going for the usual big names of Apple, Bose, and Sony. If you value lovely sound and a premium vibe, then the AZ100 are definitely for you.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple’s premium AirPods Max 2 just crashed by $100 at Amazon
• I gave my kid the JBL Junior 320 headphones: they look cheap but sound surprisingly good
• I tested the Denon Home 600 — and it’s one of the most ambitious smart speakers yet

I've been using the first-generation AirPods Max since they debuted over five years ago. So I have no trouble recommending their follow-up, the AirPods Max 2, when I see a welcome price drop courtesy of Amazon.

Right now, the AirPods Max 2 are $100 off at Amazon, bringing them down to $449. At a time when Apple is raising prices across the board, this kind of deal is worth taking advantage of.

It's not the only AirPods deal at Amazon right now, either. The retailer is currently discounting the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 with noise cancelling.

If you're an Apple user and want to pick up a pair of the best headphones, now could be the time to do it.

While I'd contest other over-ear speakers will give you better overall sound, more control and certainly better portability — I can't knock the AirPods Max 2 when it comes to simplicty and comfort.

I don't mean to say the Max 2 sound bad — far from it. They have a wonderfully wide soundstage with a balanced output that won't overpower you in any one area, regardless of genre. The treble is bright and, as our reviewer noted, the low-end is "rich yet balanced, with propulsive, deep sub-bass and a detailed, clarified upper-bass."

Alongside the sound are pitch-perfect physical controls that sit on the outside of the anodized aluminum ear cups. The buttons have a reassuring travel to them, and the Digital Crown is a much better way of interacting with volume than touch controls in my honest opinion.

Finally, if you're a die-hard Apple user, then there's no substitute for the ease with which the AirPods plug into your existing setup. If you're working on a MacBook and suddenly get a call coming into your iPhone, the headlines will switch automatically. Done with work and pick up one of the best iPads to watch a video? The AirPods Max will follow along with you like a loyal puppy.

The only drawback I can really point to is that because they don't collapse, they aren't a good option as a pair of travel headphones. For everything else, though, the AirPods Max 2 are a great purchase.

When it comes to tech made for children, one of the defining features tends to be low prices. However, those budget prices usually mean cheaply made devices.

Unlike more expensive options such as the iClever Auraa ($65) or the more premium Puro Sounds Labs BT2200-Plus ($99), the JBL 320s are nearly featureless. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

With kid-friendly headphones, the important things to consider are comfort, durability, sound quality, and whether they have a volume cap to protect young ears. Beyond that, extra features are nice to have but not necessary.

With that in mind, I spent a couple of weeks testing out the $20 JBL Junior 320 wired headphones. Does a low price mean poor quality or does it live up to the reputation? I found out, plus a few thoughts from a real kid.

Hard plastic shell

If it weren’t for the JBL branding, I was surprised the Junior 320s even came in a box, much less with a cloth carrying bag that ripped almost immediately — I would have thrown it away anyway.

They come in two colors: blue or purple, with a hard plastic making up most of the build. The earbuds come pre-wrinkled, so they look like they’re already well-worn, which isn’t pleasant to look at. Honestly, it feels cheap.

This is a personal pet peeve, but I found the headband noticeable and irritating over long listening sessions. My son wasn’t bothered by it. This is likely because the headphones are designed for a kid's head.

The headphones do come with stickers that kids can use to personalize the plastic bits or cover walls somewhere they shouldn’t.

Long live wires

These headphones are wired with a 3.5mm jack, which is not removable. However, I gave the wire a few hard tugs like a kid might and found it pretty sturdy. I’m sure an enterprising child could rip the wire off, but I think it’s strong enough for most.

The wire features a simple controller that lets you pause or start audio and a microphone for chatting over FaceTime with a tablet or phone if you let your kids use those.

I’m a big fan of wired connections, especially as it means there’s no battery to charge, but I do realize these headphones won’t work for those with devices that no longer offer 3.5mm ports. Still, most kid-friendly tablets and music devices still have that port, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem that these don’t have Bluetooth connectivity.

Surprising sound

Some of my favorite headphones are made by JBL, like the company's flagship Tour One M3, which has a big, bassy sound. I put on the 320 headphones with my expectations on the floor.

And honestly, they managed to step over the bar pretty easily. Yes, they lack the depth of their more expensive sibling, but I was surprised at how clean the mids and trebles sounded while the bass had a bit of punch.

I listen to a lot of podcasts as well, and cheap headphones can make them sound flat. The 320s won’t elevate that experience, but if you’re using these with a tablet on a road trip, your kids won’t complain they can’t hear Bluey.

If you’re dropping down to the Junior 320 headphones from something more robust, you might not enjoy them. However, I found listening on these perfectly fine; it certainly didn’t make the experience unlistenable, which many cheap cans do.

No ANC, but that may not matter

Many kids' headphones now promote ANC as a way to protect kids’ ears because they’re not cranking the volume to hear their shows, games or music over outside noises. This is one area the 320s are lacking, but it also means the price isn’t as high, something I'll never complain about.

I’m personally not sure that ANC is important for kids' headphones, especially when you need to get a child’s attention.

That all said, the important thing is that, as an ear-friendly headphone, the volume is capped at 85dB, meaning over long listening sessions, even at high volume, you or your child’s ears are more protected compared to headphones that can go higher. The JBL Junior 320 headphones have that cap.

What the kids are saying

I asked my son to try out the JBL Junior 320 headphones over a couple of sessions with an iPad mini while he played Zoombinis. He seems to gravitate toward the headphones that let him plug in, so the 320s were perfect with the wired connection.

He also said he liked how light they were and deemed them comfortable enough. He’s not an audiophile yet, but he liked the sound.

He is younger, so heavier headsets might feel uncomfortable. I’ll note that JBL lists the 320s at 4 ounces (116 grams). iClever doesn’t list the weight of the Auraa headphones we tested, but a food scale put them at 232 grams or just over 8 ounces. Not too much heavier, but noticeably more mass than that JBL set.

Verdict

With everything in the world steadily getting more expensive, every penny counts. If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that will protect your little one's ears but also won’t break the bank, the JBL Junior 320 headphones do the job.

These headphones are pretty featureless, and the wired connection can be limiting. Plus, the soundscape won't blow anyone away, but I don't know that most kids will care.

At $20, the JBL Junior 320 headphones are ones you can take a flyer on for your kid. They’re durable, feature that important volume cap, and won’t hurt your wallet too much if they disappear in your kids' room never to be seen again.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested JBL’s newest flagship soundbar — and it’s proof you don’t need to spend $2k on a full home theater setup
• Apple's iOS 27 beta 3 update finally introduces a brilliantly clever and streamlined control interface for AirPods Adaptive mode, empowering users to instantly fine-tune ambient noise blending intensity with just a simple tap
• The Marshall Acton IV won me over with its charming retro design and incredible sound — and it’s earned a permanent spot on my coffee table

The Sennheiser HD 550 are a set of mid-range open-back headphones, designed for critical listening. For a reasonable price (relatively speaking), they offer exceptional, high-end audio. Get them on sale, though, and they’re an absolute bargain.

They’re not totally perfect, with a cheap-looking design that doesn’t fold, and only a thin fabric bag supplied for storage, which feels a little stingy at this price. Those issues are minor, though, and matter very little when the HD 550 are actually on your head.

Performance-wise, there’s virtually nothing to complain about, as long as you want a neutral, rather than warm sound profile. So, could these be the best headphones for you? Probably. Read my full Sennheiser HD 550 review to find out.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Specs

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Price & availability

The Sennheiser HD 550 cost $349 at Amazon, although we’ve seen them drop to $199 at Amazon during sales events, so it’s worth holding out for a deal. Even at their full MSRP, though, I think they’re extremely good value for money (as you’ll see later). In the U.K., they’re a veritable bargain, costing just £179 at Richer Sounds.

The HD 550 compete with the likes of the Philips Fidelio X3 ($349 MSRP, but can also be found for under $200), Grado SR325X ($349) and Meze Audio 105 AER ($399). Personally, I prefer the Meze cans, which feel a little more premium and special with Meze’s typically striking aesthetic, and have a warmer (slightly bassier) profile. If you want that neutral tuning, though, which I understand, it’s Sennheiser all the way.

Likewise, if you simply can’t stretch the balance to the $399 105 AER, the HD 550 are a fantastic budget alternative if you can pick them up for that sub-$200 sale price. I've no qualms recommending that course of action.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Design

My only major gripe about the HD 550 isn’t actually that major. I personally think they’re kinda ugly. I find the long oval earcup design rather dated, and, dare I say it, uncannily ‘anatomical’ in appearance — the way they drop down from the headband resembles a particular diagram from biology class.

Meanwhile, the plain finish reminds me of the ultra-cheap Sennheiser cans we used in music class. But, realistically, when they’re on your head, looks don’t matter. I guess I’m just spoiled by having the Meze 105 AER at home.

I’ve also been testing the retro (and U.S.-made) Grado SR325 recently, whose mid-20th-century styling is absolutely stunning in my opinion. The HD 550 comfort and sound quality are both in a different league, though, so my advice is still to go German if you’re torn between the two.

While they're not pretty, the HD 550 are built like all Sennheisers I've tested: extremely well. They're light, but this hasn't come at the sacrifice of sturdiness. There’s no rattling or shaking, as I’ve experienced with some “premium” headphones (looking at you, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2). The plastics might look a little tacky but they're of high quality, and the metal grate on the back of the earcups feels premium, too.

With Sennheiser, whether it’s the $40 CX 80U or $399 Momentum 5, it doesn’t make a difference — everything the brand makes is built to an exacting standard, and I love that.

The HD 550 don’t fold, which isn’t a huge issue as they’re intended for home use — because they’re open backs, you’ll damage the drivers by exposing them to the elements. There’s no proper case for them, though, just a soft pouch, so be careful when storing that nothing else crushes them. At $349, a thin pouch feels more than a little stingy to me. The Meze 105 AER, by contrast, come with a hard-shell case and cable pouch, although the Grado SR325 come with literally nothing but a cable, so I suppose it could be worse.

Comfort

Comfort-wise, I didn’t have high hopes for the HD 550 — that plasticky finish rekindled memories of the Sennheiser HD 400U and their super-thin headband. Thankfully, I was proven wrong, and the HD 550 are really comfortable to wear.

There are no frills — no suspended headband design, as on the 105 AER — just a spongey, padded leatherette headband and some soft synthetic velour earcup pads. Depending on the shape of your head, I can see the two metal brackets either side of the headband padding might dig in, although I didn’t have this issue. The velour ear pads are squishy, comfy and breathable, and I had no issues with them getting hot or sweaty after a few hours use, although admittedly I was in an air-conditioned room. A huge step up over the (frankly unacceptable) raw foam pads on the Grado SR80 ($175) and SR325.

Sennheiser makes a big deal about how light the HD 550 are, and about how much attention has been paid to clamp force — specifically, the reduction thereof. Guilty on both counts but, y’know, in a good way. After several hours I had no neck ache from weight, and no pressure on my temples from clamping.

Connectivity

There’s really very little to the HD 550, connectivity-wise. These headphones are designed for critical wired music listening at home, and for gaming, so there’s no wireless, no onboard controls, and nothing fancy. They plug in via a cable, with a 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter included.

Drive

The HD 550 are easy headphones to drive, with a sensitivity of 106.7dB/V, which equates to 98.5dB/mW given their 150Ω impedance. In layman’s terms, that means with 1mW of power fed in, the HD 550 will output 98.5 decibels of sound, which is nice and loud.

1mW isn’t a lot of power, so you can run these cans from your laptop, or even your smartphone, and get loud enough sound. Ideally, though, you’ll want to use a DAC/Amp, which can deliver more power and better digital audio conversion, for a tighter overall sound than running straight from a phone or laptop.

Initially during testing, the only DAC/Amp I had at hand was the iFi GR2, which was monumentally overpowered. Even at volume level 1 (0 is mute, 100 is full), the sound was painfully loud. I just stepped down in power to the FiiO K11 R2R, which was perfect, and delivered slightly richer bass than running straight from my MacBook Pro.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Sound quality

The HD 550 use a 150Ω dynamic driver, which Sennheiser proudly claims is built by the manufacturer itself in Ireland (as opposed to being built by a third party in China, I guess). According to Sennheiser, these drivers deliver supreme fidelity across the frequency range, precise channel matching and a wide soundstage. And yeah, that’s about right.

The HD 550 boast Sennheiser’s famously neutral sound. Personally, I prefer the warmer tune of the Meze 105 AER. But there’s still a nice amount of bass on the HD 550. They have no problems with the easy stuff down to about 60Hz or so, in electronic songs like Burn Water’s bassy-as-hell Ikigai, for instance. The bass that’s there sounds textured and well-controlled, too, with no distortion, bleeding or muddying on heavy rock tracks like Melvins’ Honey Bucket.

However, there’s not much extension into tricker subby stuff, despite the response range bottoming out at a low 6Hz on paper. The closing 20 seconds of SOHN’s Antigravity is composed primarily of the deepest sub bass known to mankind, which the HD 550 weren’t able to replicate very well. In fairness, the only headphones I’ve used that even come close to relaying what that song is supposed to sound like (i.e. on a large hi-fi speaker system) are the SLAM-plate-fitted Audeze LDC5-S, which vibrate my skull during the song’s close… but cost $4,500. In short, it’s a tough track, and I’m not marking the HD 550 down here — they’re just not designed to be subby.

My favorite thing about the HD 550 is the spotlessly clean mid-range. Guitars in particular sound absolutely great, with so much presence, precision and dynamism audible in the riffs of Honey Bucket and of QOTSA’s Medication. They’re not just suited to guitary business either: the oscillating opening synths of Dadi Freyr’s electropop Hot Damn had bags of punch and texture. It was like being in da club.

Then there’s the treble, which is gloriously detailed. I was picking out the softest of ethereal backing vocals in Ikigai, and even the trailing reverb of Chris Stapleton’s vocals bouncing off the recording studio’s walls in Death Row. It’s not too bright, though, so I never found myself fatigued or suffering ear-ache from cymbals.

The soundstage is likewise fantastic. Imaging is solid for the money, and I could pinpoint the plethora of production elements in The Who’s Eminence Front. And as open backs, there’s plenty of width and openness to the sound, too, with Antigravity’s almost disorientingly spatial intro pinging inwards and outwards in distinct layers from/to my ears. Lovely.

Listen along to my audio testing playlist on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Verdict

If you’re after highly detailed sound on a modest budget, I can’t think of any better headphones to buy. Okay, they don’t look as premium as rivals at the same MSRP, and I feel a bit shortchanged by the pouch, but those are minor issues. Bass isn’t the punchiest, either, so if you’re after a slightly warmer profile I’d recommend the Meze 105 AER instead. But if it’s the neutral profile you like — which many do, it simply comes down to preference — then the HD 550 are it.

I’ll end on an anecdote: after I finished testing, I passed the HD 550 to my colleague, Erin, who took a listen and summed things up just about perfectly, saying “this is how music is supposed to be listened to.”

We're now into July, which means we've done six full months of testing here at Tom's Guide in 2026. From coffee machines, through to vacuums, gaming handhelds, laptops and phones — not only is it our job to put tech through its paces, it's what our journalists, editors and contributors love to do.

I'm Pete, Senior Reviews Editor here at Tom's Guide, and I head up our reviews coverage on site. My team of dedicated reviews writers alone have lab tested and reviewed hundreds of products already this year, with the wider Tom's Guide editorial team having testing dozens more. If you've not had your finger precisely on the pulse of the latest tech this year, well, I don't blame you — it's hard to keep tabs on everything. That's why we exist.

To help, I've gathered the Tom's Guide team's favorite products from 2026 so far. Obviously, I can't fit everything into a single article, so I asked our subject experts across the site to give me their top picks, too. I've also curated the top five highest scorers, which stand above the rest. Every product on here has been tested by us, hands-on, as part of a full, extensive review.

Read on to see the tech Tom's Guide loved in the first half of 2026.

Tom's Guide's Top 5

Every product on this list has scored at least four stars, earning our TG Recommended or Editor's Choice badges. But there are five products on this list that scored our full five stars after testing. These are the best of the best so far this year. To save you some time, here are the links to our reviews.

• DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review ★★★★★
• 007 First Light review ★★★★★
• KitchenAid Artisan Plus review ★★★★★
• Gozney Dome XL Gen 2 review ★★★★★
• Samsung S95H OLED review ★★★★★

Keep reading to see the rest of our top tested picks for 2026.

AI

Rokid Glasses

After 5,000 miles in the Rokids, we were seriously impressed
Score: ★★★★☆

The best smart glasses without a display are cool and all, but their features are usually rather limited to just asking questions about what you see. The Rokid Glasses proved to me that adding a screen turns that superpower into an ambient computing platform — offering features only when you need them and disappearing into the background in some stylish specs.

With that display, you get real-time conversation translation with text subtitles so you’re not having to try to listen to your smart glasses talk over the person in front of you. And the multi-modality unlocked by asking a question and just getting answers you can see makes them much more subtle. Not to say they’re perfect — the camera quality for snapping pictures suffers in low light and some features are very China-specific (like Alipay). But arm these with Google Gemini in setup, and they’re a genuinely helpful companion on your face for a decent price.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read Jason's full Rokid Glasses review

Cameras & drones

GoPro Mission 1 Pro

GoPro's return to form in the action camera game
Score: ★★★★½

After years essentially re-releasing the same Hero cameras with minor tweaks, GoPro has finally pushed itself. The Mission 1 Pro is pricey, but it’s the first GoPro I’ve been excited about in a while. It seriously impressed me with its powerful and versatile video credentials in testing, namely open gate 8K and a wealth of shooting features that make it ideal for its target market: professionals. Thanks to revised processor architecture and a shiny new battery, I managed to extract unparalleled battery life and thermals versus other action cameras in my standardized battery tests. GoPro is back!

Pete Wolinski, Senior Reviews & Cameras Editor
Read Pete’s full GoPro Mission 1 Pro review

DJI Osmo Pocket 4

The best all-around tool for content creation
Score: ★★★★★

I awarded the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 our full five stars in my review, and that’s because I literally couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Aside from the fact that it’s not available in America (yet?) due to tariffs and DJI’s ongoing feud with the U.S. government. The Osmo Pocket 4 improved on its predecessor in every single way that mattered: video, stabilization, storage, thermals, battery life, and more. If you’re after a single tool for professional-looking content creation, I really can’t think of anything better to recommend.

Pete Wolinski, Senior Reviews & Cameras Editor
Read Pete’s full DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review

DJI Avata 360

Although a little late to the 360 party, DJI absolutely smashed it
Score: ★★★★½

The DJI Avata 360 does exactly what you want a drone to do: make flying fun. It stakes its claim as the best 360° drone around (granted, there are only two at the time of writing, but still!) and its twin lenses capture every single angle in 8K at 60fps. 120MP hi-res stills, user-friendly editing software, and exceptional build quality make it the drone to buy today. It also undercuts its main competitor, the Antigravity A1, and with dual ways to fly (FPV and with a standard controller), the Avata 360 is versatile and oh-so-powerful. Every day I still think about it — and as someone who’s tested many, many quadcopters, that’s saying a lot.

Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Nikita’s full DJI Avata 360 review

Computing & gaming

MacBook Neo

Our favorite budget laptop, literally ever
Score: ★★★★½

Value for money in laptops has become a bit of a running joke this year (thanks, RAMageddon). But of all the companies building notebooks, I didn’t anticipate it would be Apple to deliver the goods and give you an honest-to-god well-priced system. Yes, there’s been a $100 increase recently, but even with that, the premium aluminum build quality, great display, tactile keyboard and zippy performance of that A18 Pro makes for a great system for the day-to-day essentials.

I must admit, to see Apple actually having fun with colors in its MacBooks is a refreshing change from the blacks and silvers of its more expensive lineage. All of this comes together into a laptop that has terrified the budget Windows laptop market, and the best ultra portable we’ve tested this year.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read our full MacBook Neo review

Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)

Dual OLED panels = chef's kiss
Score: ★★★★½

Yes, this is a dual-screen OLED beauty of a premium laptop; Asus has really paid attention to the design and ergonomics of a system like this. But the real superpower is what lies inside that shell. Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (codenamed Panther Lake) has been a truly generational moment for Team Blue in its Windows laptops, and it comes down to huge updates to both the performance and power efficiency.

Those new CPU cores and efficiency architecture they’re built onto gives this a gargantuan battery life that would make a MacBook blush, while the superpowered GPU (alongside XeSS 3) gives this some serious gaming laptop chops too. Usually, you had to be considerate of just what you wanted to do with your Windows laptop and decide on the strengths and compromises around that. With anything that sports an X9 chip like this, though, that’s no longer a compromise you have to make.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read Jason's full Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) review

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

A true next-gen gaming handheld
Score: ★★★★☆

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers the performance jump I’ve been waiting years for. With Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme chip, games are pulling a 20 to 30+ FPS advantage over AMD Z2 Extreme handhelds. Battery life gets a big boost too. I could hit the same performance as the Z2 Extreme at half the power consumption. Combine that with its major redesign bringing more Xbox-like controls, better haptics, and its large 8-inch 16:10 display, and you’re getting, in my opinion, one of the best handheld gaming consoles of 2026.

Paul Antill, Video Producer
Read our full MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review

007 First Light

Forget GoldenEye: this is the best Bond game ever
Score: ★★★★★

Gamers are being treated to a licensed games renaissance right now. The days of cheap cash-ins launched to coincide with a new blockbuster movie are over. But even in this golden era for video games based on popular media franchises, 007 First Light surpasses expectations.

Forget GoldenEye, First Light is the best James Bond game ever. With its ludicrously cinematic gameplay, compelling narrative that focuses on a younger Bond (played by Patrick Gibson), and deep commitment to authenticity, 007 First Light is easily the best thing to come out of this long-running spy series in 20 years, movies included. There’s a reason it was only the second video game I’ve given the full five stars. Whether you’re a longtime Bond fan or a newcomer, 007 First Light is quite simply unmissable.

Rory Mellon, Senior Entertainment Editor
Read Rory's full 007 First Light review

Epomaker Glyph

Nikita's dream keyboard
Score: ★★★★½

I’ve tested close to 100 keyboards in my time as a reviews writer, and it isn’t often that I get to proclaim, “I’ve found my dream keyboard.” Ever since I tested the Epomaker Glyph, it hasn’t left my desk, and it’s my daily driver when I’m at the office. Typewriter-like aesthetics, a return lever that acts as an Enter or Backspace key, beautiful RGB lighting, a creamy sound profile, and a typing experience that’s nothing short of stunning — all of these characteristics come together to deliver what’s probably the best mechanical keyboard I’ve used for typing. I’m a speed demon when I’m bashing out 109 words per minute of this thing.

Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Nikita’s full Epomaker Glyph review

(A note from Nikita's editor, Pete: "I can confirm, the Glyph genuinely hasn't left her desk!")

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36

Pro performance for under $1,000
Score: ★★★★½

It’s no secret that MSI knows how to make a great gaming monitor, and its MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one of the most beautiful displays I’ve ever tested. Blistering 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time for buttery smooth gameplay? Check. Ridiculously accurate colors and wide color coverage? Yep. AI sleep and wake features that are actually useful and not just a gimmick? Oh yeah. And all of this is packed into a sleek design with plenty of ports. Not much to complain about here, really.

Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Nikita’s full MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 review

Viture Beast AR glasses

Beast by name, beast by nature
Score: ★★★★½

I’ve traveled the world testing all of this year’s biggest AR glasses releases, and Viture Beast stands head and shoulders above the pack as the best I’ve used this year (so far). There’s three reasons why: picture quality, comfort and features. Viture’s color science and fidelity really shines in those micro-OLED displays with a massive 58-degree field of view. There’s a little edge fringing on the sides, but given the massive vision field, it’s unlikely you’ll notice it. And this is packed into a nice-feeling pair of glasses with a soft-touch coating that sits gently on your ears with optimal weight balance. Cap it all off with plenty of customization built in, plus the SpaceWalker app for multi-monitor home office setups, and the Beast are…well…pretty beastly for work and play.

Jason England, Managing Editor, Core Tech
Read Jason's full Viture Beast review

Fitness

Fitbit Air

The best Whoop alternative, and subscription-free
Score: ★★★★☆

The Fitbit Air is my fitness tracker of the year so far. Discreet and distraction-free (no screen), this is a fitness tracker that's easy to use, lightweight, and oh-so-comfortable. Just $99 and subscription-free for core features, it offers a week of battery life and covers all the holistic metrics you'd expect from a modern device, like heart health, sleep quality, daily movement, and workouts. For most people, this is the best screen-free fitness tracker you can buy, and the new Google Health companion app makes viewing all your health data a dream.

Jane McGuire, Managing Editor, Fitness
Read our full Fitbit Air review

Salomon XT-6

Hike, shop or relax in comfort and style
Score: ★★★★½

The Salomon XT-6 shoes have become a staple in my closet. Whether I’m heading to the store or hitting up a challenging trail on the weekend, I know I’ll be supported. I wore these hiking sneakers on a city break, where I clocked over 93,000 steps and didn’t have a single complaint. Not only that, the multidirectional lugs kept me stable on even the trickiest terrain, as I hiked in mud, over rocks, and through water.

On top of their technical ability, the XT-6s are a fashion statement, worn all over New York by fashion-forward celebs; these shoes have earned a coveted spot in my daily rotation — although you’ll find me cleaning the mud off them after each adventure.

Ashley Thieme, Staff Writer
Read Ashley’s full Salomon XT-6 review

Homes

Dyson V16 Piston Animal Cordless

A powerful cordless Dyson that's perfect for pet owners
Score: ★★★★☆

I’ve tested my fair share of Dyson vacuum cleaners in my time, but I must say that the V16 combines all of my favorite features in one cleaner. First, its upgraded ‘Fluffy Cones’ head is designed to be used on both carpets and hard flooring without the need to swap over attachments. This is a great time-saver, and lets me quickly zip around my home without pausing. Perhaps my favorite feature is the dust-detecting green light which reveals those hidden dustballs lurking underneath furniture and in corners. Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to store, which is why it’s now my go-to for daily maintenance, and why I awarded our Editor’s Choice badge.

Cynthia Lawrence, Homes Editor
Read Cynthia’s full Dyson V16 Piston Animal Cordless review

KitchenAid Artisan Plus

The latest version of KitchenAid's legendary mixer, and the best one yet
Score: ★★★★★

I got to test KitchenAid’s newest stand mixer, the Artisan Plus, and it’s even better than I imagined. I’d been happily using KitchenAid’s Artisan stand mixer as my go-to appliance for a good few years, and I really didn’t see how it could be improved, but it has. It may only seem like a few tweaks, but they have made a big difference. From the sliding speed control that just glides, to the in-bowl light, which illuminates the mix — and let's not forget the double-edge flex beater that cleans the bowl as it sweeps past— I loved it so much during testing that I gave it a 5-star rating.

Camilla Sharman, Staff Writer
Read Camilla’s full KitchenAid Artisan Plus review

Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2)

The undisputed king of pizza ovens
Score: ★★★★★

If you’re a dedicated — and I mean dedicated — at-home pizza maker, the Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) is the closest you’ll come to actually building a pizza oven from scratch. It can run on either gas, wood, or charcoal, has dual temperature probes, and is big enough to fit a 16-inch pie with room to spare. I loved its easy-to-ready displays, and the design of the oven is just gorgeous, too. Yes, it’s huge and it’s expensive (I’ve made equally good pizzas in much cheaper ovens), but this is the oven that’ll signal you’re the real pizzaiolo in your neighborhood.

Mike Prospero, U.S. Editor-in-chief
Read Mike’s full Gozney Dome XL (Gen 2) review

Fellow Espresso Series 1

Beginners or pros, coffee snobs or otherwise — this one is for everyone
Score: ★★★★½

When Fellow designed the Espresso Series 1, it looked at the other espresso machines out there and thought, “I’m going to do something different.” And different the Espresso Series 1 is. When I tested this machine, I loved that it provided coffee-snob-approved features while still being usable for complete beginners. On top of having a litany of customization options on the machine itself, I loved having the app, which walked me through how to make every type of coffee ever invented. You may think this is too ambitious, but for me, the Espresso Series 1 hits all its marks and comes out victorious.

Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Erin’s full Fellow Espresso Series 1 review

Phones

Apple iPhone 17

A surprisingly solid update over the previous generation
Score: ★★★★½

Apple launched more new phones than in any previous year, but the iPhone 17 remains my favorite for several reasons. One thing that makes it stand out is that it finally got a long-overdue upgrade to a 120Hz refresh rate, making its screen look even more fluid than before in testing. On top of that, I really love how it didn’t get a price hike and still managed to get double the starting storage.

John Velasco, Senior Phones Editor
Read John's full iPhone 17 review

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The phone that'll get better over time
Score: ★★★★½

When it comes to Android phones, nothing caught my eye more than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung’s flagship received all the iterative updates it deserved, but one particular new feature stood out most: the Privacy Display. It works like magic, making the screen look dark when someone tries to peek at it from the side. You can even customize it to block out specific parts of the display — like when you’re messaging someone. This exclusive feature is what sets it apart from everything else.

John Velasco, Senior Phones Editor
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review

Sleep

Saatva Zenhaven Mattress

What you should be sleeping on in 2026
Score: ★★★★½

The Saatva Zenhaven latex mattress blew our socks off during testing, thanks to its naturally cooling and supportive sleep feel for eco-conscious shoppers. Handcrafted in the US from (mostly) organic materials, the Zenhaven boasts a flippable design with a different tension on each side: Luxury Plush and Gentle Firm. We appreciated how one side boasted more cushioning for side sleepers, while the unyielding feel of the firmer side best-suited back and stomach sleepers. At $3,549 at full MSRP it’s a splurge, but cheaper during Saatva mattress sales. However, it’s worth noting that latex mattresses can last up to 20 years, so we think it’s worth the investment.

Nicola Appleton, Sleep Editor
Read our full Saatva Zenhaven Mattress review

Fitnexa SomniPods 3

If you struggle sleeping, these earbuds are for you
Score: ★★★★☆

The Fitnexa SomniPods 3 are compact sleep earbuds that helped me sleep better in even the most disruptive environments (like my neighbor's son playing basketball at unsociable hours). Fitted with built-in white noise, excellent active noise cancelation, plus sleep tracking features, they’re an easy recommendation for any troubled sleepers. But the real stand-out feature for me is the Fitnexa app. Here, your own AI coach waits for you, ready to provide personalized advice based on your sleep tracking data, activity logs and food diaries. The info isn’t quite on par with a qualified sleep professional but thanks to the wealth of data to draw from, it was pretty spot on in testing, helping take the SomniPods from sleep earbud to all-round sleep enhancer.

Ruth Jones, Senior Sleep Writer
Read Ruth's full Fitnexa SomniPods 3 review

Smart home & security

Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+

A fantastic way to improve security on a budget
Score: ★★★★☆

Blink has long been one of our favorite budget smart home brands, and its newest battery-powered video doorbell furthers its reputation as a value leader. The Battery Doorbell 2K+ delivered very good 2K video in our testing — not the tops, but for a sub-$100 device it was more than acceptable. And, while it runs on AA batteries, they’ll last up to two years on a charge. You can also use this video doorbell without a subscription (you’ll need to purchase a separate adapter), but Blink’s subscription price is relatively affordable.

Mike Prospero, U.S. Editor-in-chief
Read our full Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ review

TV & Audio

Samsung S95H OLED

Supreme picture quality, even in bright rooms
Score: ★★★★★

I’ve tested countless TVs, but the Samsung S95H is the first unit in several years that truly surpassed all my expectations. It completely shatters the familiar rules of OLED, obliterating ambient glare and delivering an unprecedented, jaw-dropping brightness in the self-emissive category. Even the floating metal bezel (a design choice I fully assumed I'd hate) adds a striking, premium presence I grew to love. Between its breathtaking performance and how seamlessly it transitions into a decor piece via Samsung Art Store support, this is a flagship that stands as a definitive standard-bearer.

Kate Kozuch, Managing Editor
Read Kate's full Samsung S95H OLED review

AirPods Max 2

Everything is dialed up to 11
Score: ★★★★½

It’s impossible to be a tech lover and not have strong opinions about Apple’s new AirPods Max 2. Some people love them, some people hate them, but I’m firmly in the first camp. The AirPods Max 2 are headphones that know what they’re about, and they’re not apologizing for it. With gorgeous anodized aluminum ear cups and an all-metal headband, they’re not the lightest cans in the world, but the sound more than makes up for it.

Every detail is clear, mids are melodic and vivacious, and the bass is balanced, rich, and warm. Of course, you’ve also got industry-leading smart tech features like Live Translation and integrated Siri, but Apple users looking for the best headphones need look no further than Apple’s own.

Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Erin’s full Apple AirPods Max 2 review

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO

Open earbuds that make no sacrifices
Score: ★★★★½

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO have completely changed the way I think about open-earbuds (and I’ve tested a lot). Up until testing the ZEROs, I’d accepted that if I wanted ambient awareness, comfort and stability while working out, I’d need to sacrifice sound quality — but they prove that’s not the case. They provided me with the detailed listening experience I love from Beyerdynamic’s other headphones, without compromising bass performance, delivering perfectly balanced sound. I wear them when I’m working, running, or hiking in the rain (thanks to IP54 durability). They’re the only open earbuds I’ve tested with no compromises.

Ashley Thieme, Staff Writer
Read Ashley’s full Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review

JBL Xtreme 5

The party speaker for summer 2026
Score: ★★★★½

The JBL Xtreme 5 came, it saw, and it conquered. JBL really understood the assignment with the surprise follow-up to 2024’s Xtreme 4. Everything about the Xtreme 5 oozes confidence: the deft, controlled bass that’ll have your floorboards shaking and your bones quaking; the literally unbeatable IP68 rating that protects it against rain, sand, and drops; the gorpcore, utilitarian design; and of course the rugged 24-hour battery life. This is the party speaker of 2026. I’ve tested hundreds of audio products and Bluetooth speakers, but the Xtreme 5 is a special one.

Erin Bashford, Senior Reviews Writer
Read Erin’s full JBL Xtreme 5 review

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You don’t need to break the bank to get good sound quality. If you’ve got £59 to spare, the Honor Earbuds 4 are a fine choice. Packing dual titanium-coated drivers, the Honor Earbuds 4 boast impressive audio performance with powerful bass — though the treble can sound tinny at times. With long battery life, a user-friendly companion app, and a comfortable fit, you wouldn’t think these buds cost under £60.

But what does remind you that these are budget earbuds is the lack of LDAC support, cheap-looking design, and equalizer that can’t be customized. If none of those things matter to you and you want a cheap pair of earbuds for casual listening, then these are worth considering.

To find out if these are the best cheap wireless earbuds for you, read my full Honor Earbuds 4 review.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Specs

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Price & availability

The Honor Earbuds 4 were first revealed in October 2025 and became available in select global markets in April 2026. With a retail price of £59, they can be bought directly from Honor’s U.K. website.

These are great wireless earbuds for budget-conscious buyers. The Honor Earbuds 4 are priced similarly to the CMF Buds 2 Plus (£49), the JLab JBuds Pods ANC (£59) and the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 (£49). They’re also cheaper than the EarFun Air Pro 4+ (£89) and the EarFun Air Pro 4 (£99). Though they face fierce competition from the aforementioned rivals, the Honor Earbuds 4 are up to the challenge as they boast surprisingly impressive sound quality and long battery life.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Design

The Honor Earbuds 4 come in either Black or White, and I tested the former. They sport a drop-stem design, similar to the EarFun Air Pro 4+, and just like the Air Pro 4+, the Honor Earbuds 4 look… fine? They won’t win any awards for their design, that’s for certain, as the glossy finish looks and feels a little cheap, and both the earbuds and the case feel a bit too plasticky. These are sub-£60 earbuds, though, so you shouldn’t expect world-class looks anyway.

Weather-proofing

The Honor Earbuds 4 are IP54-rated which isn’t uncommon in this price range. This means they’re protected against dust and can be used in the light rain and during workouts without risk. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 and the CMF Buds 2 Plus are both IP55-rated, as are the pricier EarFun Air Pro 4+. The core difference between IP54 and IP55 is water resistance. IP54 offers basic protection against splashes, and IP55 offers more robust protection and can even withstand low-pressure hosing — though I doubt you’d be washing down your earbuds that way.

Comfort

The Honor Earbuds 4 are extremely comfortable for all-day wear. Each bud weighs just 0.18oz, similar to most other earbuds I’ve tested. In my testing, I barely felt them in my ears, and I didn’t feel any discomfort even after wearing them for six straight hours. Just because they’re that light doesn’t mean that they fall out of your ears either.

Controls

These earbuds feature touch controls located on the buds’ stems. By utilizing a combination of pinching and swiping, you can play/pause music, change tracks, adjust the volume, cycle through ANC modes, and answer or reject calls. The controls can be remapped and customized via the companion app (more on that shortly). I found the controls responsive during my testing as all my commands were registered instantaneously.

Connectivity

As is the nature of wireless earbuds, the Honor Earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.3 and feature multi-point connectivity to connect to two audio sources simultaneously. They worked like a charm with my MacBook Air M2 and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. The earbuds support SBC and AAC codecs but there’s no LDAC or LC3 (Android only), so you can’t stream hi-res audio. This is a little disappointing given that both the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 and the CMF Buds 2 Plus pack LDAC.

The Honor Earbuds 4 feature highly effective wear detection too, where playback automatically pauses when you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back in. It worked as intended in my testing.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Sound quality

The Honor Earbuds 4 are dual 11mm and 6mm titanium-coated drivers which cover a frequency response range of 10Hz to 20KHz — so the entirety of the average human hearing spectrum. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Honor Earbuds 4’s performance, for the most part. I listened to my usual array of testing songs on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio.

Punchy bass with plenty of low-end impact is the Honor Earbuds 4’s speciality, and I couldn’t help but bob my head to the bassline in ‘Baby Driver’ by 070 Shake. The distorted bassline landed with plenty of oomph, lending a meaty backbone to Shake’s ethereal vocals. Full-bodied without becoming bloated, every kick drum had a satisfying sense of weight. The Honor Earbuds 4 maintained good control especially as the beat dropped towards the end of the track, and the layered bass response made the song feel more immersive than ever.

I then listened to ‘Afterthought’ by Tame Impala to test the Honor Earbuds 4’s dynamics. The opening felt intimate, and the earbuds ensured that the restrained percussion and soft synth textures sounded spacious, and there was plenty of room for all the instruments to breathe. The bass, again, felt controlled but powerful, while Kevin Parker’s primary vocals stayed front and centre, and backing vocals swirled around my head.

While the Honor Earbuds 4 sound mostly great, ‘Three Drums’ by Four Tet revealed discrepancies in the treble performance. I felt like the earbuds’ treble tuning occasionally leaned toward the overly bright side, where the cymbals’ textures and upper harmonics started to sound tinny. Some of the hi-hats felt like they were piercing through the rest of the soundstage too. Though not overwhelming, it was noticeable enough for me to skip to the next track.

Overall, the Honor Earbuds 4 boast superb sound for a pair of £59 earbuds — and as long as you don’t mind the treble being a bit overzealous every now and then, you’ll be happy with them.

Listen along to my review with the Honor Earbuds 4 testing playlist:

Honor Earbuds 4 review: App

If you want to customize the Honor Earbuds 4, you’ll need to download the user-friendly Honor AI Space app on either iOS or Android. Once you’ve either logged in or created a new account, you’ll be able to choose one of four EQ presets, remap the touch controls, adjust ANC modes, and even ring your earbuds if you’ve lost them.

While it’s nice to have EQ presets to choose from (Bass Boost, Treble Boost, etc.), you can’t customize your own EQ, which is a little disappointing given that similarly priced buds, like the JLab JBuds Pods ANC and the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2, offer custom EQ.

What you do get, though, is access to AI Translation — Honor’s taken a leaf out of Apple’s book here. There’s a Chat mode as well as an Interpreter Mode. Chat Mode is useful for face-to-face conversations where both you and the other person wear an earbud each, and the app translates your conversation into one of 11 languages.

Interpreter mode, on the other hand, is like Live Translation on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($249), where the earbuds translate spoken words directly into your ears — handy for when you’re traveling to a foreign country. I found the AI translation to be quick and mostly accurate in my testing. This is a great feature to have on such a cheap pair of earbuds.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: ANC

Honor says that its Earbuds 4 are capable of canceling out up to 50dB of sound — and the buds’ active noise cancelation (ANC) is certainly effective. Indoors, I couldn’t hear myself or my coworkers typing away on their mechanical keyboards, or the kettle boiling when I was standing right next to it. My boss had to wave at me a few times because I simply couldn’t hear him.

But outdoors, even with the ANC set to Ultra, I could still hear cars zooming past me, and sounds from the construction site too. I wasn’t expecting much from these sub-£60 buds, though, and they feature good ANC for the most part. If you want even better ANC, I’d recommend the CMF Buds Pro 2 which my colleague was extremely impressed with.

The Honor Earbuds 4’s ANC can be set to Cozy, Moderate and Ultra, but to be honest, the level of the ANC remains pretty much the same. There’s also an Awareness mode for when you want to be able to hear your surroundings. It works well and doesn’t impact the sound quality negatively.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Call quality

Mic and call quality on the Honor Earbuds 4 is good, and I tested it by calling my partner. She said I sounded clear and that my words didn’t feel like they were bleeding into one another. I then spoke to her in a crowded parking lot to test the AI Call Noise Cancelation. She noted that my voice sounded slightly metallic, which it usually doesn’t when I’m using my Marshall Monitor III ($379), but it didn’t negatively affect the overall call quality.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Battery life

If it’s long battery life you’re after, the Honor Earbuds 4 should be your port of call. With ANC off, the earbuds are rated for nine hours or a total of 46 hours with the case. The earbuds’ battery drops to five hours with ANC enabled.

In my testing, it took the Honor Earbuds 4 just under nine hours to run out of charge — living up to Honor’s claims. This testing was done with ANC disabled and music playing at approximately 50% volume.

The Honor Earbuds 4’s battery life is similar to that of its competitors. The CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 are rated for 11 hours (43 hours with case) while the JLab JBuds Pods ANC can last up to 10 hours (56 hours with case). Meanwhile, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are rated for a whopping 14 hours (61.5 hours with case). Honor’s offering even trumps big-name buds, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 ($299) which are rated for a measly six hours. Nice one, Honor.

Honor Earbuds 4 review: Verdict

There’s a lot to love about the Honor Earbuds 4. The comfortable, all-day fit, powerful bass, user-friendly companion app, and AI live translation features make the Honor Earbuds 4 worthy of a recommendation. I’ve been extremely impressed with its soundstage… for the most part, as the tinny treble leaves you wanting more. In addition to all those goodies, you get long battery life too.

But the Honor Earbuds 4 aren’t perfect. Unfortunately, the EQ isn’t customizable and there’s no LDAC support — both of which are offered by the CMF Buds 2 Plus and the CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2. Oh, and the Honor Earbuds 4 look quite cheap too.

If those are compromises you don’t mind making, and all you want is meaty bass response and a pair of earbuds that you can wear all day, then the Honor Earbuds 4 will serve you well. They cost just £59 — less than the average weekly shop for someone in the U.K.!

iOS 27 beta 3 introduces a faster way to adjust your AirPods' Adaptive mode intensity. Instead of digging through multiple settings menus to fine-tune ambient noise blending, you can now control everything directly from the primary settings page for your AirPods or AirPods Pro using a streamlined new interface.

It's one of those quality-of-life improvements that makes everyday adjustments actually intuitive. If you've ever wished controlling Adaptive mode was more accessible, this update solves that problem. Here's how to find the new feature and use it.

What AirPods Adaptive mode actually does

Adaptive mode blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode together, automatically adjusting to your changing environment. When you're on a relatively quiet street, it lets more ambient sound in so you're aware of your surroundings.

The system continuously monitors your environment, automatically scaling up noise cancellation to suppress sudden loud sounds and maintain a comfortable listening volume.

Adaptive mode balances isolation and awareness, but because preferences vary, customizable intensity adjustments let you fine-tune exactly how much ambient noise or blocking you want.

More from Tom's Guide

• AirPods finally get a custom EQ in iOS 27 — here is how to fix your sound
• Stop using your AirPods like basic earbuds: 3 features you're probably overlooking
• iOS 27 beta now lets you customize Siri's pace and expressivity — here's how to do it

A reference to what is "almost certainly" a new pair of AirPods has been spotted in the code for Apple's iOS 27 beta 2 by developer Sam Henri Gold — which when you line up the features with recent leaks, it matches up with the much rumored AirPods Ultra.

The code includes a mention of a system prompt for a product codenamed B790 to work with Visual Intelligence. While Henri Gold initially assumed this was referring to Apple's long-rumored smart glasses, the team at MacRumors pointed out the AirPods Pro 3 were codenamed B788. So, he revised his finding, saying that "B790 is almost certainly the new AirPods and not glasses."

Why a pair of AirPods would need access to Visual Intelligence is down to another persistent rumor we've been hearing for some time: the next AirPods may have integrated cameras. These won't be designed for taking pictures or video like the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, but instead they'll act as visual input for Siri.

The new earbuds, dubbed AirPods Ultra, are believed to be dropping in 2027 according to an earlier report from Bloomberg. In practice, users wearing them will be able to ask Siri about their surroundings without having to use their iPhone camera to provide context. Reportedly, the design will remain the same as the current AirPods Pro apart from small LEDs that display when the earbuds are capturing information from the outside world.

The timeline makes sense. Apple revealed the AI-powered Siri this spring at WWDC and aims to follow up with the iPhone Fold / Ultra in September. Next year, the company celebrates the 20th anniversary of the iPhone and is believed to be planning an ecosystem of AI products to accompany it.

But is development actually happening?

From that above snippet of news and the previous reports from the last few months, you'd assume the AirPods Ultra to be a done deal. However, over the weekend one particular leaker claimed development has been put on ice.

A leaker known as 'Kosutami' has taken to X with a blunt post saying the AirPods with cameras have been "suspended." We don't get any reasoning or proof of this, but the tweet has done enough to get mentioned in a variety of news posts — including this one.

I, for one, find it tough to imagine Apple would abandon a project like this. The company will be all too aware of discomfort from some consumers about cameras on wearables.

But if Apple sticks to its privacy-centric messaging and is able to meaningfully improve Siri's capabilities with this add-on, it would seem a logical next step. We already know AirPods are one of Apple's best-selling and most popular products, so using them to leverage Siri's abilities is a no-brainer providing the public gets on board with it.

Of course, all this is very early speculation since we're still around nine months out from spring 2027 and 14 away from next year's iPhone 20 September event. That's a long time to wait for the arrival of the AirPods Ultra and more than long enough for Apple's engineering team to get ahead of any problems or roadblocks. Like how are the cameras supposed to work for people with long hair?

At any rate, "suspended" and "cancelled" are two entirely different things. But let me know below if you think AI cameras in AirPods are a good idea. And in the meantime, you can actually get the non-camera equipped AirPods Pro 3 at a slight discount at Amazon right now.

More from Tom's Guide

• Android 17 officially rolls out to Pixel devices with new features — screen reactions, bubbles, gaming mode, and more
• I just tested the phone everybody thinks is a preview of the iPhone Fold — God, I hope they’re wrong
• Apple finally brings built-in drawing tools to iOS 27 Messages — here's how to try it

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 are some of the best workout earbuds I’ve had the pleasure of testing. They have seriously impressive audio quality that can be further improved with EQ customization in the companion app. They’re comfortable to wear all day long, whether I’m working out or just working from my desk. The 36-hour battery life also makes these buds a winner, and 11 hours in each bud makes them perfect for all-day wear.

Unfortunately, there’s no wear detection with the buds, so any audiobook fans are going to need to be sharp with pausing their listening. The touch controls are also very sensitive, but I ended up turning them off in the app to make things easier for myself, so this wasn’t a deal-breaker.

I love these earbuds, and if you want to find out why, you can read my full Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review below.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 open-earbuds are available for purchase on Amazon U.S. for $199 or on Amazon U.K. for £159. The earbuds come in three colors: White, Black, or Sport.

These earbuds have a hook style, much like the JLab Epic Open Sport, which I love for working out. The budget JLab buds are $114, but only come in one colorway, so the Beyerdynamics offer more style flexibility.

Hook earbuds are very secure for running, but you could also try wrap-around headphones like the H2O Audio Tri 2 PRO ($199). These use bone conduction technology, and the sound quality is nowhere near as good as the Beyerdynamic.

Speaking of excellent Beyerdynamic sound quality, you could also pick up the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO ($179), which are clip-style open-earbuds (my personal favorite). If this were a toss-up between the Amiron ZERO and the Amiron 200 buds, I’d go for the ZERO, but check out the rest of the review to decide which ones will work best for you.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Design

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 are hook-style open earbuds that wrap around the top of your ear and sit with the speaker directed towards your ear canal. I like these buds, although my personal preference is clip-style open-earbuds — like the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO or the EarFun Clip 2 ($99) — which offer a more secure fit. I tested the white colorway and think they look very sleek.

The Amiron 200 buds have an IP54 durability rating, making them ideal for outdoor training, such as running, without worrying about light rain or sweat affecting their performance. Unfortunately, these buds don’t have wear detection, so your music will keep playing even when you take them off; just remember to hit pause — especially if you’re listening to an audiobook, which I learned the hard way.

Comfort

I’ve been wearing the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds for working out and all day at my desk, and I hardly notice them. They’re incredibly lightweight at just 0.4 ounces per bud, and the earhooks fit very securely. I’ve noticed some movement with HIIT workouts, but nothing that feels disruptive to their performance.

Like with other open earbuds, there is some sound leakage. This is to be expected and doesn’t cause any disruption until you start creeping over 50% volume — but I didn’t need to, as the audio is clear and well-defined even at low volumes.

Controls

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 have very responsive touch controls — overly sensitive, in fact. There were a couple of instances where simply brushing my hair away would trigger the controls, which was a little annoying, so I ended up turning off these controls in the Beyerdynamic app.

Connectivity

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 and offer a 49-foot connection range. This meant I could walk around and get on with tasks without having to take my phone.

The buds only support SBC and AAC audio codecs, so they don’t offer any hi-res capabilities, but they’re great anyway. I’m a big fan of the level of detail in Beyerdynamic products, so there’s no love lost there.

You can connect the buds to two devices at once via multipoint connectivity, making them great for my workday, where I often need to switch devices for calls.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Sound quality

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds are very impressive, with a wide soundstage that can cope with a variety of genres. They’re open earbuds without the usual sound quality sacrifice, and that’s down to Beyerdynamic’s engineering. I’m a big fan of its studio headphones, like the DT 270 Pro, for detailed listening, and was also recently blown away by the audio performance of the Amiron ZERO clip-on earbuds.

Firstly, I listened to The Louvre by Lorde to check out the bass performance. When I listen to this song with other earbuds, I often notice the lower vocals becoming muddy; however, that didn’t happen here. The Amiron 200 earbuds have amazing instrument separation, allowing the bass notes to melt into the background, while the vocals remain the focus of the track.

I listened to Bags by Clairo to test the mid performance, as the song combines forceful drums with a brighter synth. The earbuds do a great job of finding a balance between the two. The driving drumbeat remained at the forefront throughout the song, even with the introduction of the brighter synth.

To test the treble and vocal performance, I listened to Edge of the Earth by The Beaches. This song has a repetitive groove that focuses on the rhythm and lead guitar. The vocals here were very crisp, and the layers of harmonies remained prominent with reverb — after testing lots of open buds, believe me, not many open earbuds can achieve that. The lead guitar also stood out and wasn’t overwhelmed by the rhythm guitar.

While I love the sound from the Amiron 200 earbuds, I would choose the Amiron ZERO buds because they have an even closer replication of in-ear buds.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: App

After testing a whole host of companion apps for audio products, the Beyerdynamic app is one of my favorites. It’s not overly complicated and gives you quick shortcuts to make alterations with just a few taps.

For sound customization, there are EQ presets to enhance things like bass or loudness, or you can create a custom EQ. I made a V-shaped EQ, which is what you’ll find in most commercial headphones since it complements a wide range of genres, and this worked well for me.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Call quality

I called my mom while wearing the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 earbuds (my usual microphone test) while running, and she was impressed with the audio. She noted that the mic on these buds isn’t as clear as the Amiron ZERO buds but is still better than my Apple AirPods 3.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Battery life

The battery life on the Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 is very impressive, offering 36 hours with the charging case. The buds themselves have 11 hours of battery life each, which is more than enough to last me all day. This is almost double the battery life of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO, so the 200 is the better choice for longer listening sessions.

The 36 hours from the Amiron 200 are far more impressive than the more expensive Bose Ultra Open Earbuds ($299), which only have 27 hours of playtime.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic Amiron 200 open-earbuds are an impressive addition to my collection. The sound quality is on par with some of my favorite in-ear earbuds, and the simple but useful companion app features an EQ to make the sound even better. I’m also impressed by the 36-hour battery life. I can listen all day and rely on them for trips where I may not be near a charger for a few days.

Unfortunately, there’s no wear detection on these buds, but if that’s something you need, you can look at the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO instead. I also found the touch controls on the Amiron 200 to be overly sensitive, but this isn’t a deal-breaker as they can be turned off in the app.

I’d recommend these buds to anyone who’s looking for a reliable pair of buds for working out or everyday use in an office environment.

Way back at the end of March, I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to test the new AirPods Max 2. With an all-new H2 chip, improved ANC, and a more vibrant sound, they were (and still are) some of the best headphones I've ever had the pleasure of using.

But not everything came new and improved. Much to everyone's chagrin, Apple made zero upgrades to the design or battery on the AirPods Max 2. This decision was a little baffling, if you ask me. The most common complaints with the predecessor? Poor battery life and extremely heavy weight. So why didn't Apple fix these for the "upgraded" version?

Alas, this is still a mystery, but three months later, I've spent a lot of time with the new AirPods Max 2. I've been using them as I'd use my normal headphones — at work, on the bus, at the gym, out and about — and I'm intimately familiar with them now.

Sound quality? Connectivity? Style? Top marks all round

The AirPods Max 2 are the best-sounding headphones at this price point, and I'm sorry to say this, but there's very little competition. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($449) have superior ANC and comfort, the sound is too bassy and muddy for my personal sonic palate. And while the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($459) are, again, much comfier and have better call quality, there's some vibrancy missing in the sound for me.

But the AirPods Max 2 sound perfect. I honestly could not improve them. They sound so good that I forget I'm wearing headphones and feel like the music is traveling directly from the artist's mouth into my brain. The treble is clear and vibrant, the mids are balanced, detailed, and expansive, and the bass is well-rounded and rich without overpowering soft details. Yep, I have nothing bad to say about the sound quality at all. It's my perfect signature.

Connectivity is another thing I take really seriously. I want my headphones to move with me, from my phone to my laptop, and back to my phone again. Thankfully, because I have an iPhone and a MacBook, the AirPods Max 2 do just that. I can listen on all my Apple devices without having to fiddle with my settings, and this is a luxury I can't live without now.

Last, and also kind of least, is the style. I'm not the kind of person who will buy headphones purely for aesthetics, but it helps when they're pretty. Thankfully, the AirPods Max 2 are supremely pretty. The anodized aluminum ear cups are super premium and the minimalist, sleek Apple design is so simple yet effective. No egregious touch controls (unlike Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM6) and a weight-bearing mesh headband make these my perfect headphones.

Sorry, but I'm an AirPods Max 2 apologist. I feel like Apple designed them just for me.

But those "AI features"? I've not touched them once

Some people may disagree with me here, and that's fine. Life would be boring if we all shared the same opinions! But I'm not the kind of person who wants, or needs, AI in her headphones. I've gone my whole life without having a (disobedient, cloth-eared) personal assistant living in my headphones, so why would I need one now?

The Live Translation feature? Sure, I've used it for fun. I've used it after my Duolingo lessons to check I've got my pronunciation right. I used to live in South Korea, so I've used it to test my (dwindling) Korean skills.

But I've not used it for its intended purpose, and I really don't think I will.

The same can be said for the "improved" Siri integration. Siri is a glorified egg timer at this point, and I just use my brain instead of asking Siri. The likelihood is, she wouldn't listen anyway. Girl's got serious obedience issues — she needs military school, stat.

Of course, don't take my negativity as gospel. You may love having these features. Maybe you're always on vacation and need to communicate with people who don't speak your language, or you're super busy and need to check your calendar hands-free. But that's just not me.

These features are great if you need them, but don't ditch your non-smart headphones if you're anything like me.

But they're not for everyone

There are three types of people who should not buy the AirPods Max 2.

1. No iPhone? No MacBook? No iPad? Don't get the AirPods Max 2.
2. Can't drop $500 on headphones? Don't get the AirPods Max 2.
3. Want "audiophile" sound? Don't get the AirPods Max 2.

There's very little point in investing in extremely expensive headphones if you don't have the ecosystem they're built for. Even though you can use AirPods Max 2 with an Android phone, you don't get the full experience. You can't customize any settings or take advantage of the AI smart features.

If you have an Android, I would recommend getting the Sony WH-1000XM6 instead, which are some of the best headphones you can get, period.

Again, if you can't afford $500 on headphones (me neither), then you shouldn't buy the AirPods Max 2. To put it kindly, they're overpriced. I would go for the Soundcore Space One Pro, JBL Live 780NC, or the CMF Headphone Pro. At $199, $249, and $99 respectively, these headphones sound good, look cool, and won't break your bank.

And, finally, arguably the touchiest of all subjects — sound quality. Don't get me wrong, I love how the AirPods Max 2 sound. They scratch that audio itch perfectly. But I know Apple's sound signature can upset some people. In that case, you should invest more in headphones like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 or the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2. Both headphones offer superior sound — and an even steeper price tag to match.

Am I going to keep using the AirPods Max 2? 100%. They are my perfect headphones. As someone who takes connectivity, ANC, and sound quality seriously (everything else I can take or leave), the AirPods Max 2 are ideal. They automatically switch between my MacBook and my iPhone and they block out every speck of sound. Of course, the best part is the sound quality — Apple's sound signature must have been designed solely for me. It's everything I want and more.

Even so, I know the AirPods Max 2 are overpriced, and that battery life makes them a pretty controversial product. But what do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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The Grado SR80 are some interesting headphones. Retro tech is making a comeback, and these open-back, on-ear headphones definitely look (and sound) the part. Are they the best headphones if you value clarity and detail above all else? No. But are they fun, unique, and ideal for vintage lovers? Yes, totally.

The open-back design brought enviable expansiveness to my music, and electronic and acoustic genres sounded particularly good. While the headphones struggled with heavier, layered genres — like hard rock or gritty shoegaze — for the most part, a lot of this texture felt artistic. No, they’re not hi-fi cans, but that’s fine. They’re retro in every sense of the word.

Could the Grado SR80 be the perfect wired headphones for you? If you’re the kind of person who can’t get enough of the vinyl crackle, then, yes, without a doubt. To find out more, though, keep reading this Grado SR80 review.

Grado SR80 review: Specs

Grado SR80 review: Price & availability

The Grado SR80 are $175 from Amazon U.S. and £175 from Amazon U.K. I think this is a pretty steep price for what are essentially very plasticky headphones with raw foam earcups. Sure, they're supposedly handmade in the U.S., but When you can get the FiiO JT7 for $119 and the FiiO JT3 for $69, I’m a little confused why Grado is charging so much for the SR80.

There’s no major difference between these headphones. I would actually say both the FiiO options have superior build and sound quality.

If you want to spend a little more and get some grat mid-range open-back headphones, I’d recommend the Sennheiser HD 599, which are usually around $239.

Grado SR80 review: Design

The Grado SR80 are extremely eye-catching. They’re retro, cool, and right on trend. The open-back design brings a utilitarian vibe and the foam pads make them look like they’d fallen straight out of the ‘80s. I can see why this design might be quite divisive, but personally, I love it. Retro tech is headline news, baby, and the SR80 are on the front page.

Although they look super cool (to me), I will say that the SR80 don’t feel like $175 headphones. They look and feel like they should cost well under $100, which is a major con. Of course, you don’t buy headphones so people around you know how much money you have (unless you do…) but if I’m spending almost $200 on headphones, I want them to look like they cost $200. Not $80.

Comfort

The Grado SR80 are extremely uncomfortable. This is their main major drawback and the only thing preventing me from recommending them widely. Grado claims the steel spring brand allows users to customize the inward pressure, but it made no difference to the comfort when I wore them. The headphones clamped onto my head and squashed my ears, and I could only wear them for around thirty minutes before needing to take them off.

This design is a double-edged sword, though — the drivers are super close to your ear to give an immersive sonic experience; however, the drivers are super close to your ear — meaning they hurt. I’d like to see Grado provide a deeper foam pad or cushioned driver cover to help mitigate this issue.

I wore the FiiO JT7 and FiiO JT3 for hours before needing to remove them, so I was quite disappointed when I had to keep removing the SR80. I wanted to keep listening!

Controls

As the Grado SR80 are analog, wired headphones, there are no controls like you might expect on Bluetooth headphones. You’ll need to control music playback via your input device.

Connectivity

Again, as these are analog, wired headphones, there’s no Bluetooth or microphone. You’ll need to plug the headphones into a DAC (if required) or directly into your device. They have a low impedance of 38 ohms and an SPL of 98dB at 1mW, so they're easy to drive straight from a device. I listened on using my MacBook Air M2 and had no issues at all.

Grado SR80 review: Sound quality

To test sound quality, I listened to a variety of genres on Qobuz, our best streaming service for audiophiles, using the Campfire Audio Relay DAC.

I played “Fame is a Gun” by Addison Rae, a synth-led pop track with breathy, high-pitched female vocals. The vocals were clear, the rotating synth motif floated pleasantly at the back of the track, and the percussion kept everything lively. As these are open-back headphones, they’re naturally more expansive than closed-backs, and it really came through. If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine the singer was behind me.

After, I switched genre to “Yor Zarad” by Angine de Poitrine. This experimental instrumental track is built from just a guitar, bass, and drums, all of which came through clearly on the SR80. I would have liked a little more clarity in the frantic guitars, as some of the faster notes bled into one another, and when the bass came in, some detail was lost, but I still enjoyed listening.

Last, I played the indie track “Bad Habit” by Cherry Glazerr. This song has synth notes and guitars layered underneath a processed female vocal. This was the murkiest of all the tracks I listened to, but I’m not entirely displeased by it. The synths were clear, and the drum machine claps weren’t overly sibilant; however, the choruses were a little too textured. I would have liked more clarity and accuracy, but, again, this is a stylistic choice some listeners might lap up.

The Grado SR80 don’t have the same clarity you might expect from ‘audiophile’ headphones like the Sennheiser HD 599 or the FiiO JT7. Although expansive, there’s a textured patina suckered to the top of the soundscape. It reminds me of the sonic equivalent of watching a movie shot on 35mm film. It’s not as clear as, say, IMAX, but it’s not murky or low-quality. It’s artistic. While some people might not like it, there’s a point.

I will say that heavy rock genres sounded quite disappointing — harder Cherry Glazerr tracks, some newer Muse songs, and nu-metal in particular — but if you’re predominantly an electronic or acoustic listener, you might love the SR80. On the whole, I did really like the SR80 sound, hence the overall positive 3.5-star rating.

Grado SR80 review: Verdict

The Grado SR80 are not perfect headphones, but they are entertaining. While the 3.5-star rating might appear like a “bad” score, it’s not at all. 3.5 stars means the headphones are “very good” by the Tom's Guide scoring criteria. But there are better options for less. If you’re serious about embarking on your audiophile journey, I’d recommend the $70 FiiO JT3 or the $130 FiiO JT7. Both of these headphones are much comfier and cheaper.

That’s not to say the SR80 won’t be great for the right user, though. If you’re more interested in the retro vibe, which includes a vinyl-like texture on your music itself, and you’re not the kind of person who finds on-ear headphones uncomfortable, I don’t think you’d be disappointed by the SR80.

While they’re not high-clarity, high-detail headphones, the Grado SR80 have a great personality and will definitely make a retro music lover happy.

I run every day, and unless I’ve managed to convince someone else to run with me, I listen to audio during my runs. Usually I listen to podcasts, but I switch to music when some extra motivation is required during hard workouts and long runs.

Since I mainly run in built-up areas and occasionally on the road itself when there are no sidewalks, I have to stay aware of my surroundings, so for a long time I used the best bone conduction headphones to keep my ears clear while listening to audio.

However, I’ve recently made the switch to open buds, which I now consider the best running headphones for most people because they offer a better balance of sound quality and awareness than bone conduction buds, and more fit options.

My go-to options right now are the Shokz OpenDots 2 because of the convenient clip-on design, but there are lots of good open options, including the Shokz OpenDots Air and Nank Ultra as more affordable picks, and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for those who are happy to pay top dollar for the best possible sound quality from open buds.

A wider range of designs than bone conduction headphones

Bone conduction headphones tend to have a similar design, with earhooks connected by a band, which allows pads to rest securely on your cheekbones to deliver sound via vibrations.

It’s a good design that’s secure for running, but it’s not as convenient as using separate buds and it’s sometimes hard to position the earhooks around glasses and a running cap or headband.

Open buds come in a variety of designs, including separate earhooks like the Shokz OpenFit Pro and clip-on buds like the OpenDots 2, which is my preferred style.

You can clip the buds onto the side of your ear, so the top is free for glasses, and they stay in place securely during runs, in my experience, while being comfortable to wear throughout the day.

More awareness than in-ear buds

Open buds work by positioning a speaker near the ear canal rather than completely blocking it, which means you can still hear what’s going on around you.

While you don’t get quite as much awareness as you do wearing bone conduction buds, which leave the ear completely clear, I find it’s still easy to hear traffic and anything else you might need to know about while running. You can also use just one open bud at a time if you need more awareness.

You certainly get more awareness than in-ear headphones, and I also find open buds more comfortable to wear for long periods than in-ear options that you insert into the ear canal.

Better sound quality than bone conduction buds

The main drawback with bone conduction headphones is that the sound quality is merely OK, and they’re also sometimes not loud enough when you are in noisy environments.

Open headphones are a big improvement on both fronts. They offer fuller, richer sound with more bass in particular, and are also loud enough to hear even when running alongside busy roads in my experience.

While they’re not as impressive as in-ear buds with regards to sound and volume, I’ve found the best open headphones sound good enough to use as my main headphones for general use alongside running, with the only real drawback being that they aren’t ideal for travelling when I do prefer buds with active noise cancellation.

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I wasn't planning on partaking in Prime Day this week, but then I noticed that the earpads on my primary headphones are peeling and the cord connection is starting to fail. I need some new cans.

At one point, I had a pair of the excellent JBL Tour One M3 over-ear headphones, but my wife's Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones started failing, and I let her borrow the M3s. I never got them back.

Fortunately, right now, Amazon has slashed the price to $249, the lowest I've ever seen, knocking $200 off. These high-end headphones are soft, feel luxurious, and remain supremely comfortable over a long listening session.

Plus, they're JBL, so you know the sound is quality, and at this price, it's a deal you don't want to miss.

Neither I, during the cup of coffee I had with the M3, nor my partner truly utilized the included USB-C smart transmitter. However, my colleague Erin Bashford found it to be the best part of the Tour One M3.

"JBL's newest premium headphones, the Tour One M3, have broken my brain. Not because they're terrible — quite the opposite," Bashford said. "Because they come with the one thing I wish all the best Bluetooth headphones would include: a USB-C transmitter (alongside Bluetooth, of course)."

The transmitter lets you quickly swap between devices. Working away on your MacBook? You can easily hop over to your iPhone or Android in seconds. In theory, you can connect these headphones to anything with a USB-C port. My wife uses it with the Switch 2 to play Stardew Valley.

Plus, and equally as important, it comes with a 3.5mm jack. These headphones can connect to darn near anything with a USB-C or 3.5mm aux port.

I won't pretend that at $249 for Prime Day,a pair of Tour One M3 headphones isn't an investment, but it's one I don't think you'll regret, especially considering their normal price. These headphones don't have the social cachet of an AirPods Max 2 or Beats headset, but maybe they should.

HEADPHONES

We're tracking all the best Prime Day headphones deals

As someone both deep in the Apple ecosystem and a music lover, I know a thing or two about AirPods. I've tested every single pair of AirPods — so the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 ANC, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2. I know which ones are worth the high Apple price tag, and which don't pull their weight.

It just so happens that all of these AirPods are discounted right now thanks to Prime Day. You can save a huge $150 off the brand-new AirPods Max 2 — the over-ears' first-ever discount, by the way — and you can save $60 on the AirPods Pro 3.

But which of these models is actually the best earbuds money can buy? Are the AirPods Max 2 actually the best headphones nowadays? I'll tell you exactly which pairs you should buy and which you should skip — and I'll even throw in some cheaper alternatives.

The AirPods I'd recommend

I have a pair of the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2, and while you can't get the Pro 2 anymore, they're the earbuds that started my love affair with Apple's audio gear.

The AirPods Max 2 are my personal favorite over-ear headphones in the world. The sound quality is just unbeatable at this price point, they look great thanks to the anodized aluminum ear cups, and the button controls are straightforward. No messing around with egregious touch controls (like Bose, or Sony...) and no unwanted interruptions due to an errant finger. The battery life could be better, but this is something I can forgive.

The AirPods Pro 3 are the best iPhone earbuds you can get — the sound quality is rich, bassy, but detailed and vibrant. The silicone ear tip and algorithm help block out literally 99% of ambient noise, and the 8-hour battery life is a great improvement on the previous model.

I recommend both of these AirPods with every fiber of my being.

The AirPods I wouldn't recommend (yet!)

If you want entry-level AirPods, I would honestly wait until a bigger sale. The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 ANC are good, but you can get better earbuds for cheaper — even when they're discounted.

If you need earbuds right now, I'd recommend grabbing the super-budget CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2, which have a Dirac-tuned EQ that fakes immersive 360° audio (and boy, does it work). These earbuds are just $37 at Amazon right now, which is just unfathomably cheap.

Then, if you really want AirPods later and they're majorly discounted, you can always grab them at $69-$99 instead.

We're tracking all the best Prime Day headphones deals

Prime Day is officially in full swing, and if you’ve been holding out for a pair of premium headphones that truly justify their reputation, the Sennheiser Momentum 4's deserve a spot in your cart.

These are my absolute go-to daily headphones. Whether I'm blocking out outside chatter, surviving a long-haul flight, or just getting lost in a favorite album, they consistently deliver unmatched audio clarity and noise cancellation.

Right now, Amazon has slashed the price to just $179, knocking over $100 off. Having put these through their paces every single day for years, I can confidently say they easily outperform everything else I own. If you want elite sound without the elite hefty price tag, don't sleep on this deal.

• See all Amazon Prime Day Deals right now!

There's a few reasons why these cans earned a 4.5-star rating in our Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review.

First and foremost, the sound quality is what made me a huge fan. Music feels genuinely alive on the Momentum 4s, with a depth and clarity that makes you start noticing things you'd missed in songs you've listened to a hundred times. Podcasts, playlists, films — everything just sounds better than it has any right to at this price point.

Comfort is the other thing that keeps coming up when I wear these. The earcups are well padded, the fit is light, and I can go hours without thinking about the fact that I'm wearing headphones at all. For long commutes or full work days, this matters.

The noise cancelling does its job without the uncomfortable pressure you get from some ANC headphones, which is a more common complaint than brands like to admit. Transparency mode is a quick tap away when you need to tune back in to the world around you, and it's seamless enough that switching between the two becomes second nature.

You also get an amazing 60 hours on a single charge, meaning I only plug mine in about once a week, even though I use them every single day. The Momentum 4 Wireless are also great for calls. Whether I’m working in a noisy coffee shop or out on a windy walk, the mic keeps my voice clear and blocks out the background chaos.

If you just want a pair of headphones that work perfectly without any fuss, these are it. I didn’t expect to get this attached to them, but I really can't see myself switching to anything else.

At $179 for Prime Day, they're still an investment, but they are an absolute steal for the quality you get. They might not get the same mainstream buzz as Apple or Beats, but they absolutely should.

Right now, both Walmart and Amazon have excellent discounts for the Apple AirPods Max 2. Both retailers have knocked the AirPods Max 2 down to $399 (normally $549) ahead of Walmart Deals and Prime Day this week.

Nicely, these deals cover every colorway, so you have options. And, if you don't mind used, Amazon has the orange version for $379.

The AirPods Max 2 just launched in March of this year, and this is the first major discount we've seen for Apple's high-end over-ear headphones. In our AirPods Max 2 review, we praised the refreshed headphones for their rich, complex sound, calling it an upgrade done right.

"If you like how AirPods Pro or AirPods Max Gen 1 sound, you are in for a treat with the AirPods Max 2. Apple has taken everything from its predecessor and dialed it up to 11."

The Max 2s come with personalized spatial audio, Siri integration, Live Translation, and head gestures, making them more useful and smarter than their predecessor.

Unfortunately, especially these days, the normal $549 price tag is high. Now, that's not as much of a worry because at $399, the AirPods Max 2 outshines many of the best headphones.

There are two flaws you should know about if you're considering these headphones. They are a bit heavy weighing nearly a pound and the battery life is the same 20 hours as the previous AirPods Max headphones.

However, if those aren't a problem for you, then we highly recommend you snag a pair of AirPods Max 2 for Prime Day.

HEADPHONES

We're tracking all the best Prime Day headphones deals

As a fitness editor, I review the best fitness tech for a living, and one of the recent launches I’ve been most impressed with is the Apple AirPods Pro 3, which have built-in infrared sensors pulsing 256 times a second, tracking your heart rate from your ears.

I’ve used the AirPods Pro 3 for countless workouts, and love the ability to leave my watch behind and still get heart rate monitoring. My colleague Nick Harris-Fry tested the heart rate monitor of the AirPods Pro 3 against a chest strap while running and was also impressed.

These are, by far, some of the best workout headphones on the market, and the good news is, right now they are on sale in an early Amazon Prime Day deal.

To use the heart rate tracking on the buds, you need to start a workout in the Fitness app on your iPhone, where you’ll see the headphones connected and your live heart rate during workouts.

If you also have an Apple Watch connected, Apple says readings from the heart rate sensor on the watch and the headphones will both be looked at, and the most accurate one will be used for the workout recording.

During our testing, the AirPods Pro 3 have kept up with a heart rate monitor strapped to the chest, and have proven to be far more accurate than the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

They also have a redesigned fit, and I’ve found them to be the most comfortable AirPods to date. I’ve worn them for 20-mile runs and found they’ve stayed perfectly in place. The biggest tactile change to the AirPods Pro 3 is the squishy tips at the end of the buds. This foam infusion feels different from the silicone used on the older models, and makes them a lot more comfortable for hours of wear.

After testing the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO open-earbuds, I’m certain that everyone will love them. The sound quality makes them some of the best earbuds I’ve ever tested, and the open-ear design means they’re perfect for anyone needing to listen out for ambient sound around them.

Open-earbuds aren’t for everyone since noise-cancelling is a must for some, but these buds will change your mind. They’re extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, given their lightweight design, and the IP54 durability rating makes them a great companion for anyone sporty or who spends a lot of time outdoors in all-weather conditions. The customizable EQ settings in the companion app also meant I could make the most of my music.

My only issue is the battery life, which at 20 hours isn’t exactly competitive. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but it is something to keep in mind if you’re considering these buds. To find out more, you can keep reading this full Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Specs

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Price & availability

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO open-earbuds are available to purchase from Best Buy for $179 in the U.S. and on Amazon for £129 in the U.K. The earbuds are available in three color designs, including Black, White and Sport.

They’re on the more expensive side of open-earbuds, but they also come with the best sound quality I’ve experienced in this style of bud. My favorites up until now have been the Soundcore Aeroclip earbuds, which cost $129. But I think the extra $50 is well worth it for the Amiron’s better sound.

And while the Amiron ZEROs aren’t exactly a budget option, they’re still a whole lot cheaper than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which cost $299. However, the Bose buds have an extra seven hours of battery life on the Beyerdynamics.

You could also look at the cheaper EarFun Clip 2 earbuds, which cost $99. They offer awesome performance and comfort. They also have a whopping 40 hours of battery life with the charging case.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Design

There’s no denying that the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO are good-looking earbuds. The design is completely minimalistic, unless you get the Sport colorway, which has bright orange accents — that’s sure to make you stand out. But the Black and White color options are far more subtle.

The buds hook around the cartilage of your ear like a cuff, and I much prefer this design to hook-style open-earbuds like the JLab Epic Open Sport ($114). The cuff style feels a lot more secure. I’d also recommend this style to runners rather than wrap-around headphones like the H2O Audio Tri 2 PRO ($199), especially if you have long hair like me.

With a durability rating of IP54, the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO are protected against water splashes and dust, making them well-suited to resisting sweat during your workout or coping with unpredictable weather.

The buds also have wear detection, which I find useful as I never want to miss a second of my music, but you can switch this off in the app if you prefer.

Comfort

Since they’re lightweight at just 0.2 ounces per bud, the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds are extremely comfortable to wear all day long. Since these are open ears, you can hear everything going on around you, so I always felt comfortable in my surroundings when out and about.

It’s worth considering that since these are open-earbuds, there’s a lot of sound leakage. My colleague Erin sits next to me in our office and said it sounded like the earbuds were actually in her ears instead of mine — sorry, Erin.

Controls

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO have touch controls that are customizable through the Beyerdynamic app. This is easy to do, and you can use a series of taps to skip through and play and pause songs.

I found the touch controls responsive, even when moving around, such as when I was out hiking. I usually prefer to have button controls for more deliberate touches, but the touch-sensitive controls are really great here as they quickly beep to let you know how many taps you’ve made, and therefore what function is taking place.

Connectivity

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO use Bluetooth 5.4. They have a connection range of 15 meters (50 feet), so I was able to walk away from my phone and move around without worrying about losing connection. The buds only support SBC and AAC codecs for wireless audio, so they have no hi-res capabilities, but the audio sounds great anyway.

You also get multipoint connectivity for pairing the buds with up to two different devices. You can control these connections in the Beyerdynamic app, and it’s very easy to set up. It made it easy to switch between my phone and laptop when working in the office.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Sound quality

Beyerdynamic makes some of my favorite detailed listening headphones, the DT 270 Pro. Despite being open-earbuds, the Amiron ZERO are no different — they’re perfect for appreciating the finer details of your music.

The earbuds have a wide soundstage that lets me appreciate the layers of the music and take in all the instruments at once, while still hearing the ambient sound around me. I created a V-shaped custom EQ for the earbuds, as this is the way I prefer to listen to my music. This increases the bass and treble while decreasing the mids, and it's the type of default EQ setting you’ll find on most commercial headphones.

To test out the bass performance from the earbuds, I listened to Television/So Far So Good by Rex Orange County. There’s rumbling bass throughout this song, and the earbuds did a good job of keeping the lower frequencies warm and balanced throughout. I had no issues with distortion here, which can often be the case with open-earbuds.

For the mids, I listened to The Downtown Lights by The Blue Nile, as it uses a driving drum beat and bright synth sounds. The whole song was well-defined, and the guitar sounded clean throughout. The drums also stood out even though they’re very far back in the soundstage.

The treble performance of the earbuds is great, too. I listened to Soda by Nothing But Thieves, as the lead singer’s vocals are incredibly strong, but can sometimes become lost if the balance isn’t quite right. The vocals were crisp and clean, with good replication of the reverb. The detail from the whole song is impressive, and I felt like I was listening with studio headphones with the benefit of an open-ear design.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: App

As discussed, most of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO’s settings — like the touch controls — can be customized in the Beyerdynamic app. The app is simple but effective, putting everything you need in one place without too many bells and whistles. It’s much easier to use than rival apps from EarFun or Soundcore.

For music customization, the app has a five-band EQ where you can use EQ presets and create a custom EQ. I enjoyed using all of these settings, and it gave me a lot of different options based on what I needed from the particular track. I may have settled on my favorite V-shaped EQ for the most part, but I appreciated having the option to change it up every so often.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Call quality

To test call quality, I called my mom while using the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds (my standard microphone test), and her voice sounded crisp and clear. On the other end, she said I also sounded clear, and much better than I sound when I use my Apple AirPods 3.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Battery life

When up against other open-earbuds, the battery life of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO looks disappointing. The earbuds have a total battery life of 20 hours with the charging case, with six hours from the earbuds on a single charge.

The EarFun Clip 2 earbuds have a whopping 40 hours of battery life, and the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have 27 hours. Despite the disparity, I’m personally able to overlook the battery shortfall since the overall performance of the Amiron ZEROs is so impressive, and six hours is likely to be enough time for one listening session anyway.

You can see the battery percentage and remaining hours in the Beyerdynamic earbuds in the companion app. The case charges with a USB-C cable and a 10-minute charge gives two hours of listening time, which I found ideal for a quick juice-up before leaving the house.

Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO review: Verdict

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO open-earbuds are, for me, the ones to beat. After a year of testing open-earbuds from many different brands, these are the only ones I’ve tested with performance to match a pair of in-ear earbuds.

They have excellent sound quality with impressive detail, and the intuitive app makes using the earbuds even better. The customizable EQ settings also give complete control over your music. They’re lightweight and totally comfortable to wear for long periods of time, while the IP54 durability rating means they’re reliable come rain, shine or sweat.

Nothing’s perfect, and I do have a qualm with the Amiron ZEROs… but it’s a small one. The battery life just isn’t as strong as other open-earbuds on the market. This isn’t the end of the world, though, and it’s certainly not a dealbreaker considering how amazing the sound quality is.

Open-earbuds aren’t usually for everyone, but the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO could and should be.

Multiple reports suggest Apple has big plans for an ecosystem of AI products, but the lack of progress with Siri AI has been an obstacle. Now that Siri AI has been unveiled, and set to roll out to iPhones later this year, progress can finally be made on those devices. That includes the long-rumored camera-equipped AirPods, which some have referred to as "AirPods Ultra."

According to a new report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is set to release those AirPods sometime in late 2027. This means they will likely launch around the same time as the iPhone 20, which is being released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone's release.

The report notes that the AirPods are set to be the first wearable AI product Apple releases, and will be built around communicating with Siri AI. That includes being able to speak to the AI as normal, while also adding extra input via the AirPods' built-in cameras.

How the AirPods Ultra will work

The cameras themselves are not designed for recording video or taking photos, and are instead meant to offer Siri some visual input. The idea is that users can ask Siri about different objects or the environment, and have the AI understand what's going on without needing to look through an iPhone camera — as has been the case so far.

It's not entirely clear what kind of cameras are included, and past reports suggested that they could be infrared to enable hand gestures. However, considering Siri is supposed to be able to see things from those cameras, it's likely they're going to be pretty traditional camera lenses — albeit rather small and low-powered. If that's the case, it's going to be interesting to see how Apple stops these AirPods from being hacked or jailbroken in order to record video from your ears.

What AirPods Ultra could look like

Gurman says that these new AirPods will resemble the AirPods Pro, with the only major design difference being the presence of both the camera and status LEDs that are visible to other people. Those lights are supposed to show others whenever the AirPods are sending data to the cloud for processing.

The AI AirPods were expected to launch this year, but the issues Apple faced with Siri saw them pushed back. Don't expect them to be the only AI wearables Apple has to offer, either. Gurman has reiterated that Apple's AI glasses are supposed to launch at the end of next year too, and the rumored AI pendant will likely arrive in the near future.

The AirPods are apparently further along the development process than both of these. The earbuds are said to have reached "advanced stages of development," with Apple actively testing them alongside iPhone 20, iPhone Fold 2 and iOS 28.

This seems a little early, considering we're still around 15 months out from the 2027 iPhone launch event. But I suppose being proactive about these things ensures problems can be solved early, rather than scrambling to fix them at the last possible minute.

It's going to be a long wait before these AirPods Ultra actually arrive, even if there aren't any issues that crop up over the next several months. But, hopefully, as time goes on we'll be hearing more leaks and rumors about what Apple has in store.

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If you're a serious music fan, you likely have a pair of the best headphones sitting at home. And if you're an audiophile, you probably have some of the best studio headphones too.

I love having studio headphones on hand when I'm at home to listen to my favorite music, but I can't exactly use a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 270 Pro wired headphones when I'm hiking. I usually opt for my Apple AirPods 3, which don't give me the same crisp audio quality. Beyerdynamic seems to have noticed that there are people like me who want the benefits of studio detail and the convenience of earbuds.

But what if I were to raise you one better: open-earbuds. They are the ultimate convenience solution, but because of the added ambient awareness, the sound quality can sometimes suffer. However, after reviewing the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO, I know I can have the best of both worlds.

Here's what I think of the earbuds after using them as my everyday earbuds for everything from commuting to hiking.

Excellent sound quality

First things first, sound quality. Although I'm a big fan of open-earbuds, I know they're not for everyone. That's because they don't have the acoustic seal you get from traditional earbuds, meaning their sound quality can suffer.

This usually results in bass that isn't as punchy and poor instrument isolation. But somehow the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds have blown me away with some of the best sound quality of any earbuds I've tried. Seriously.

The earbuds have a wide soundstage and let me listen to all the layers of the music and take in all the instruments at once.

When I can immerse myself and enjoy the music I'm listening to, I end up focusing for longer. Give me a good playlist, and I can walk much farther than usual, so these earbuds are serving as a great source of motivation.

A winning design for hikes

Open-earbuds let in a lot of ambient sound, making them the perfect hiking companion. Staying aware of your surroundings is a must, and taking in all the natural sounds around, like the birds chirping and the swaying of the tree branches, is incredibly therapeutic.

The buds have a durability rating of IP54, meaning they can withstand water splashes from all directions and are dustproof. I have no worries about getting caught out in the rain with these buds, and I know they can cope with a little sweat too.

Battery life isn't competitive, but I'll live

The Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO are without a doubt the best open-earbuds I've tested... but the battery life lets them down. It's just not competitive.

There are other open-earbuds, such as the EarFun Clip 2, that have a whopping 40 hours of battery with the charging case, but the Amiron ZEROs have just half of that. But 20 hours of battery life isn't bad, and you can still get a lot done. The battery life didn't affect me at all, and given how awesome the sound quality is, it's something I can look past — but it's worth considering.

To find out more, you can read my full review of the Beyerdynamic Amiron ZERO earbuds.

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Often when it comes to kid-friendly devices, they’re covered in garish hues usually paired with branded images related to popular cartoons or characters. As kids get older and their tastes “mature,” the colorful look may be deemed “uncool.”

Something like the iClever Auraa is more on the cartoon side of things. If you, or your child, are big on looks, the Puro Sound Labs BT2200-Plus cans offer a premium aesthetic with ear-friendly technology.

As with the iClever headsets, kid (and teen)-friendly headphones must meet a few criteria to be worth letting your kids blast their ears with music or games. They have to have hearing protection built-in, be durable, and be comfortable to wear over long listening sessions.

With that in mind, I spent a few weeks with the Puro Sound Labs BT2200-Plus headphones to see if a premium aesthetic also brings high-end, safe sound. Plus some thoughts from a kid who thinks he’s already a teenager.

What makes headphones ear friendly?

The BT2200 Plus features an 85dB noise level cap. That cap is a constant loudness ceiling recommended by OSHA and the World Health Organization over an eight-hour period. Anything louder or longer and you risk permanent hearing damage.

Most manufacturers of kid-friendly headphones that feature caps will place the volume limit at around 85 dB. It does mean that the sound can feel muted, especially for those of us who've destroyed our ears by standing next to speakers at concerts. However, avoiding that destruction is the whole point.

Premium looks

Out of the box, Puro Labs is not kidding about giving it a more high-end look. Unlike the iClever set, which ships in a cloth bag, the Puro comes with a zip-up pleather semi-hard case. The case also has a little pocket for carrying accessories like the included 3.5mm cord, replacement earmuffs, a USB-C charging cable, and the instruction manual.

The headphones themselves are made of aluminum with comfortable leather ear cups and a squishy but sturdy headband. I wouldn’t describe the included cords as premium, but they aren’t awful.

Durability and battery life

Compared to more colorful headphones, which tend to use heavy plastic, the BT2200 is made of aluminum and feels far sturdier. After a month or more of use, there is no real wear and tear, and I believe it would take some serious errors to really damage these. This is with my son running around the house just wearing them without music.

As for battery life, Puro Labs lists the BT2200 as having 20 hours of battery life. I found that to be fairly accurate when using the Bluetooth mode, even with ANC mode on. Personally, I prefer my headphones wired, so I spent most of my listening using the included 3.5mm wire.

Sound quality

My daily drivers are a set of BeyerDynamic Custom One Pros (discontinued). When I switched to the BT2200, I found the sound a bit more muted in comparison. On my Custom One Pros, the sound is much brighter, with the treble standing out.

The BT2200 felt flat even when listening to podcasts and YouTube videos with more talking. However, it didn’t take long for my ears to adjust, and I found the BT2200 Plus fairly decent. Audio sits squarely in the middle range. You aren’t getting high trebles or deep bass, but it’s not so crushed that you’re losing the total sound stage when listening.

The important thing is that, as an ear-friendly headphone, the volume is capped at 85dB, meaning over long listening sessions, even at high volume, your or your child’s ears are more protected compared to headphones that can go higher.

What the kids are saying

I wasn’t alone in my testing. My seven-year-old son got plenty of time with the BT2200s on three different road trips and day-to-day use when playing Zoombinis on an iPad mini. He said they were good and is a big fan of headphones with 3.5mm cords that can plug into almost anything.

He also liked that they were smaller than the iClever Auraa headphones, which I interpreted as him saying they were more comfortable. He did have an ample amount of praise for the carrying case, a strange ode to Puro Sound Labs, since I don’t believe I ever saw him put the headphones back in the case or use it for anything.

That said, when given the choice in the last few months, he was more inclined to pick the BT2200 cans. Praise enough in my mind.

Verdict

Puro Labs offers both premium aesthetics while still providing ear safety with the volume cap. I’m not worried about hearing damage, and the sound is good enough.

So far, these headphones are durable and can stand up to rowdy kids and more careless teenagers. At $99, you want something that can hold up to the rigours of kid life, and these do.

Compared to other kid-friendly headphones, the price tag is higher and does reflect a more “adult” look and feel. But if you have a teen who needs some cans and you’re looking to protect their ears, BT2200 Plus is a good option.

The High End audio show is on! I've been at High End Vienna for two days now, and I've seen my fair share of wildly expensive audio gear (it's called High End for a reason), including a $3.8 million speaker system.

Personally, I prefer the more attainable audio gear. With that in mind, I've rounded up a few of my favorite products from the show, from headphones to turntables. These were either launched at the show, or are fairly new and being shown off properly for the first time. Looking for the latest and greatest in audio? I've got you covered.

1. Noble Fokus Artemis

These are without doubt my favorite headphones from this year's show. I spent some time talking to Kai, Noble Audio's Director of Marketing, who ran me through these new cans.

Building on the success of Noble's Apollo over-ears, the Fokus Artemis are designed to appeal to the general user just as much as the public. "We really wanted something that was for the people," Kai said.

The drivers have been tweaked from the Apollo. In fact, there are three in each earcup: a planar magnetic driver, a dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver, to give a much wider spread of sound.

They're super comfortable, IP52-rated, feature a replaceable battery and can be tweaked with a 5-band parametric EQ via a companion app. The EQ data is also stored on the headphones, so you can theoretically delete the app and your custom EQ will still run.

The best part is that they can utilize an automatic EQ that can compensate for hearing loss. So, if you have a hearing imbalance, the EQ will automatically adjust per side to ensure the sound is balanced. Very cool.

The Fokus Artemis will cost $899 / £799 at Noble Audio and will start shipping in July.

2. Meze Arta

Another set of cans, albeit a lot more pricey: Meze Audio has launched the ARTA, which I got to try out at High End. These things are utterly exquisite — something that applies to all Meze gear, even my "budget" Meze 105 AER.

The ARTA are open-back, planar magnetic beasts that just exude luxury with their gorgeous art nouveau design. The sound profile is exceptionally clean, with as much detail as you could ask for. They're warm, though, and aren't lacking in bass when you want it.

There are a couple of issues, however. Firstly, there's the price. Top-tier Meze gear never comes cheap, and the ARTA are no exception. You'll need a cool $6,000 to get your hands on them. These cans have a very high resistance of 225-ohms, too, making them extremely tricky to drive — so add on the price of upgrading your DAC/amp.

Stay tuned to Meze's official channels for estimated shipping timelines.

3. Kanto OBI3

Alright, this one was known about before High End, but I got to see Kanto's new budget turntable, the OBI3, and even talk to the guy who designed it!

The cheap, entry-level turntable market has plenty of options, but when you dig a little deeper, you'll find that most are all the same, kinda crappy units, reskinned, rebadged and repackaged.

Kanto set out to make its own turntable for the budget market that was built by them, not someone else. It uses an Audio Technica 3600L cartridge and costs $199, meaning newcomers to vinyl can grab a turntable and a budget speaker, like Kanto's $349 YU, for around $550. Not bad.

4. Ruark R710

"The world is crying out for CD players," said Ruark's Design Manager, Jan Paoli, during the launch of the Ruark R710 media console at High End.

British high-end (but attainable) hi-fi manufacturer Ruark has been making radios and CD players for a long time, which is rather fortuitous given the (re)rising popularity of CDs right now.

The R710 is a music console, delivering 200W of power per channel and offering a wealth of connectivity options, including wireless stmreaing via Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz connect.

It offers hi-res streaming up to 32-bit/192kHz, features a phono stage for hooking up turntables, and is designed to be used with the new Ruark Talisman-R floor speakers — which I was treated to a demo of, and which sound utterly lovely, with a warm-but-detailed hi-fi sound.

The R710 will go on sale in September at £2,200, while the Talisman-R speakers will follow shortly afterwards in October, priced at £1,500. They'll be available in the U.S., although pricing has yet to be confirmed.

5. iFi GR2

"A Hip-Dac 3 on steroids." That's how iFi's engineers described the new iFi GR2, and it's spot on. I own an iFi Hip-Dac 3, and love it, but the GR2 is a whole different beast.

Delivering 1,513mW of power, or 2,173mW in its max power mode, the GR2 is intended to be a pocketable powerhouse for hard-to-drive headphones.

Admittedly, it probably won't power the Meze ARTA above, but otherwise there aren't many headphones it can't drive, according to the engineers.

The GR2 takes what I love about the Hip-Dac 3 — its portability and simplicity of use — beefs it up with a touch screen, and adds more power.

In addition to iFi's Xbass mode, the GR2 also has an Xspace mode, which increases the width and spaciousness of sound. It worked extremely well in the ultra-spatial "Antigravity" by Sohn.

The GR2 will cost $529, can be pre-ordered now, and is expected to start shipping in July 2026.

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The last few years have seen the resurgence of retro tech. Video cameras have been inspired by and designed after Super 8s. iPods, MP3 players and even cassette players have grown in popularity. And, best of all, wired earbuds have made a strong comeback.

More and more people are ditching wireless buds for wired ones, not just for style, but because wired earbuds — or in-ear monitors (IEMs) — deliver superior hi-res audio. Something Bluetooth can't compete with.

I, for one, am thrilled that wired earbuds are back in vogue. Thanks to wired connections, you don't lose any data (as you do over Bluetooth) so you can listen to music just the way the artist intended. And because technology has come leaps and bounds, you don't need to spend hundreds on a good pair of IEMs either — just look at the Dunu Titan X.

The Titan X cost just $39. Thirty. Nine. Dollars. Given that most of the other IEMs I've tested cost over $100, the Titan X feel like a game-changer. Having used them for a week, I've been blown away by their detailed and spacious soundstage, premium build and design, and their sheer value for money.

I never thought budget IEMs could sound so good.

All about the bass. And treble. And mids

Using wired earbuds or IEMs has its advantages, the biggest being that you don't lose data as you do over Bluetooth. This means that you can enjoy plenty of detail across frequencies, and the Dunu Titan X are up to the challenge. These IEMs are fitted with 10mm dynamic drivers and dual-magnetic circuits to cover a frequency response range of 5Hz to 40KHz.

The average human hearing ranges from 20Hz to 20KHz, so this means that the Titan X are more than capable of reproducing sound accurately.

Truth be told, the only other time I've been able to appreciate the sheer amount of detail in my favorite tunes was through the Sennheiser IE 200 — IEMs that cost $150. That alone says a lot about the Titan X as these cost just $39.

Regardless of the song I listened to — whether that was Tame Impala's psychedelic tracks, Lana Del Rey's liquid smooth vocals, or an orchestral arrangement from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — I was left gobsmacked. The Titan X's vocal capabilities are incredible as voices possess striking clarity. Bass response is powerful and controlled and it never sounds booming. Treble is vibrant without sounding too piercing.

The highs, lows and mids are all well-tuned and refined, and Dunu has really knocked it out of the park. For a detailed analysis of the sound quality, check out my full Dunu Titan X review.

Bang for your buck

I know what you're thinking, "The Dunu Titan X cost $39, surely there's something wrong with them — perhaps the build quality is shoddy." It really isn't. Unlike pricier IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 200 or the Sony Inzone E9, the Titan X's earpieces are enclosed in high-density alloy housing which is scratch- and sweat-resistant. The gunmetal finish lends the IEMs a premium touch too.

In addition to the fantastic earpieces, the Titan X's braided cable features a 2-pin detachable design, which means you can swap the cables with ease, so the IEMs can still be used if the stock cable breaks.

The silver-plated copper cable itself sports an anti-tangle design. As someone who spent countless hours untangling wired earbuds as a teenager, you have no idea how much I appreciate this design choice.

I'll be honest: I'm usually skeptical of super-budget audio products. I've tested a couple that I dare not even think about, so I was a little apprehensive about the Titan X. They sounded too good to be true — but oh, how they have proven me wrong.

They're ridiculously comfortable. They sport a design that makes them look classy and pricier than they are. They boast insanely good sound for the price.

$39 can buy you perhaps six iced coffees in Los Angeles — bang-for-your-buck IEMs really don't get better than this.

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The Shokz OpenDots One were the first clip-on buds from the brand, which has an extensive line-up of bone conduction and earhook headphones. Clearly, the OpenDots One were a success, because Shokz has followed them up with two new clip-on models.

Of these two, the Shokz OpenDots 2 are the premium pick and the direct successor to the OpenDots One, while the Shokz OpenDots Air are a more affordable option.

I’ve been testing both the OpenDots 2 and OpenDots Air for weeks ahead of their launch, wearing them during a variety of workouts as well as in the office and when traveling.

Both are among the best workout headphones I’ve tried, and the OpenDots 2 are a step-up on the OpenDots Air for sound quality in particular, even rivaling the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds on this front.

However, the OpenDots Air are better value, as are other affordable clip-on buds like the Soundcore AeroClip.

Shokz OpenDots 2 review: price and availability

The Shokz OpenDots 2 launched on 4 June 2026 and cost $199 in the U.S. and £179 in the U.K., the same price as the OpenDots One.

They’re considerably cheaper than the best clip-on buds I’ve tested to date, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, which are $299/£279, but there are excellent options available for less than the OpenDots 2.

One is the Shokz OpenDots Air, which launched on the same day and cost $129/£129, and there’s also the Soundcore AeroClip, which are $129/£129.

Shokz OpenDots 2 review: design and fit

The OpenDots 2 are lightweight clip-on headphones with a design that extends to sit comfortably on the side of your ear, with a speaker resting inside near the ear canal and a barrel on the outside of your ear.

Judging how tightly the headphone pinches the ear is the key to comfort and security — too tight, and you’ll feel unwelcome pressure on your ear over time, too loose, and the buds will shake loose, especially during workouts.

Shokz has nailed this balance with the OpenDots 2, in my opinion. You can barely feel the headphones in place, and they are comfortable to wear for hours on end, but I’ve also not had any problems with how securely they sit in place during runs or other workouts.

The buds are also interchangeable, so you can wear them on either ear, which makes them easier to put on.

As someone who wears glasses and a hat a lot of the time, especially when training, the clip-on design is more convenient than over-ear buds like the Shokz OpenFit Pro, which compete for space on the top of my ears.

The IP57 water resistance rating of the headphones means that although they’re not fully waterproof, they’ll handle rain and sweat easily enough — generally, I find IPX4 is enough for this with my workout buds.

This IP57 rating is a little higher than the IP55 rating on the OpenDots Air, and the OpenDots 2’s case is also IP55-rated, which is handy if you’re planning on taking it with you in a running belt or backpack, which can get sweaty.

Shokz OpenDots 2 review: controls

The OpenDots 2 use a combination of taps and squeezes for the controls, and although I’m usually a fan of physical buttons over touch panels and force sensors, I’ve found the controls on the buds have worked very well.

You can double-tap the stem that runs around the ear to play/pause, and then squeeze the top and bottom of the barrel behind the ear for other controls, including volume.

I found that the controls were easy to use, even during workouts, and you can customize the exact controls you want assigned to each tap or squeeze in the partner Shokz app.

Shokz OpenDots 2 review: sound quality and awareness

The main upgrade you get with the OpenDots 2 over the cheaper OpenDots Air is sound quality, with the pricier buds using the brand’s Bassphere 2.0 technology, which improves bass and also offers Dolby Audio.

While I didn’t find the difference in sound quality as big as the difference in price between the OpenDots 2 and Air, there is a noticeable upgrade in the bass and power of the sound on the OpenDots 2.

They have a fuller sound and are clearer at high volumes, and for open buds, I was impressed with the audio quality overall, both when working in quiet environments and when running outdoors listening to either music or podcasts.

The design doesn’t allow for quite as much awareness as the best bone conduction headphones, which leave the ears completely clear, but I could still clearly hear traffic when running by busy roads, and felt safe running on quiet country roads while using the buds, confident I’d hear any cars coming.

There is the usual downside to open headphones, which is that they were drowned out when I was traveling on noisy trains and planes, when I’d prefer to use in-ear buds with noise cancellation, and they don’t offer the level of bass you get from in-ear or over-ear designs.

For the most part, however, I found the sound on the OpenDots 2 great, and I like using them in the office more than in-ear buds, so I can still hear what’s going on around me.

You can also customize the EQ on the buds in the Shokz app, using presets that include a bass boost mode, or by using sliders to create your own custom EQ.

I mostly stuck to the standard mode for the most balanced sound profile, but occasionally found the bass boost worthwhile during runs in particular.

Shokz OpenDots 2 review: call quality

The OpenDots 2 have a dedicated bone-conduction microphone for calls, along with dual air-conduction microphones, and use AI to reduce noise to make your calls clearer.

I was told by those I called that my voice came through clearly, even if I was in a noisy environment myself, but they described my voice as tinny.

Given the extra bone-conduction mic on the OpenDots 2, which isn't on the OpenDots Air, I expected a jump in call quality, but both are similar on this front; fine, but not outstanding.

Shokz OpenDots 2 review: battery life

For small headphones, the OpenDots 2 offer impressive battery life, lasting up to 10 hours on a charge and 40 hours in total with the case, which is small and easy to pocket.

During my use, I found that the buds lived up to Shokz’s battery life estimates, even when mostly using the headphones at max volume while running outdoors.

You can also get two hours of playback from a five-minute charge, and the OpenDots 2 offer Qi-certified wireless charging, something that isn’t available on the cheaper OpenDots Air, which also only offers nine hours of battery life.

I did find the buds could sometimes not sit correctly in the case when I put them back after use quickly, so they'd stay connected to my phone and not charge. You have to be careful to seat them against the connectors correctly.

Should you buy the Shokz OpenDots 2?

I loved testing the Shokz OpenDots 2 and will continue to use them as my main running headphones in particular, and I’m happy to recommend them even ahead of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which sound a little better but cost a lot more.

The trouble with the OpenDots 2 is that you get nearly the same level of performance from the Shokz OpenDots Air, which are a lot more affordable, as are the Soundcore AeroClip buds, which are highly rated by my colleague Ashley Thieme.

If you plan to use the buds for everything, they’re worth the upgrade for the better sound, design and slightly longer battery life, but if you also want to use a set of in-ear buds in certain situations like traveling, I think it makes more sense to get a cheaper set of open buds like the OpenDots Air.

Shokz has launched two sets of clip-on open headphones, and while the premium Shokz OpenDots 2 might get more attention, I think it’s the cheaper Shokz OpenDots Air that stands out as the better buy of the pair.

I’ve been testing both sets of buds for three weeks ahead of their launch, using the Shokz OpenDots Air for a variety of workouts, including over 50 miles of running, as well as general use in the office and while traveling.

Both are among the best workout headphones I’ve tried, thanks to their lightweight design, comfortable fit, and impressive sound quality for open buds.

While the OpenDots 2 are an upgrade with regards to design, sound quality, and battery life, I think the OpenDots Air are almost as good on all fronts, and cost a lot less.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: price and availability

The Shokz OpenDots Air launched on 4 June 2026 alongside the OpenDots 2, with the latter being the direct replacement for the Shokz OpenDots One.

At $129/£129, the OpenDots Air are the cheaper of the new models, with the OpenDots 2 costing $199/£179.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: design and fit

The OpenDots Air are lightweight plastic headphones that clip onto the outside of your ear so a speaker rests inside your ear canal without blocking it.

They’re very slightly lighter than the OpenDots 2, but have a less premium feel without the metallic sections on the pricier buds.

I found the OpenDots Air extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods. I barely felt them on my ears, but they were also still tight enough to be secure when doing runs and other workouts.

For me, the clip-on design is more comfortable and convenient than earhook headphones like the Shokz OpenFit Pro, because the OpenDots Air don’t get in the way of glasses and hats at all.

The buds are also interchangeable, so you can wear them on either ear and the controls will switch around accordingly.

While they’re not fully waterproof, the IP54 rating on the OpenDots Air is high enough that I’d have no concerns about sweat or rain wrecking them.

The OpenDots 2 do have a higher IP57 rating and an IP54-rated case too, while the OpenDots Air’s case has no IP rating, so you might have to be careful about stashing it in sweaty running backpacks and belts.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: controls

The OpenDots Air use a combination of force sensors on the barrel of the bud that sits behind your ear and taps on the stem that wraps around your ear to control playback.

You can customize these controls to those you need most, including volume up and down and the option to activate your voice assistant, and I found they were easy to use during and outside of workouts.

In general, I prefer the reliability of a physical button on my headphones, but I had no problems tapping and squeezing the OpenDots Air with sweaty fingers during runs or other training sessions.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: sound quality and awareness

The OpenDots Air don’t benefit from all the features on the OpenDots 2 with regards to sound quality, lacking the latest Shokz Bassphere 2.0 tech and improved Dolby Audio available on the more expensive buds.

They don’t offer the depth and power of the OpenDots 2 when comparing them directly, as a result, especially when it comes to bass, but the OpenDots Air still sounds good for open headphones, and I enjoyed using them during workouts and in the office.

As with most open headphones, the OpenDots Air sound best with quieter tracks from singer-songwriters like Waxahatchee, but even when I put on my running playlist, which is packed with bass-heavy tracks to get me going, the headphones didn’t disappoint, especially when the bass boost EQ mode is activated in the partner app.

That’s one of four preset EQs, and you can also create two custom EQs. I mostly stuck to the well-balanced standard mode and turned to bass boost when listening to heavier tracks.

In loud environments, the OpenDots Air can be drowned out, and they’re not as good for traveling as in-ear headphones as a result. You also don’t get the same level of bass as you do from in-ear buds in general, but these are common issues across all open headphones, not just the OpenDots Air.

The advantage of the open design is clear when running or walking outdoors, when I could hear traffic around me, so I felt safe running on quiet country roads with the buds.

I also prefer using open buds in the office a lot of the time because you can stay aware of those around you, though there are certainly times when it feels better to use in-ear buds with noise cancellation to really block out the world.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: call quality

The OpenDots Air doesn’t have the extra bone-conduction mic you get on the OpenDots 2, which is there to improve call quality, but still sounded similarly good during calls during my testing.

I was described as ‘tinny’ by those I called, but they praised the overall clarity and volume of my voice in calls, and had no trouble understanding me.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: battery life

The OpenDots Air lasts nine hours on a charge, and with the case, you get 36 hours of use in total. A handy quick-charge feature nets you two hours of playback from five minutes of charging.

These numbers are pretty good for such small buds, and I found that the OpenDots Air lived up to their listed stats in my testing.

The OpenDots 2 have slightly longer battery life at nine hours (40 hours with the case), and offer wireless charging as another small upgrade on the OpenDots Air.

Should you buy the Shokz OpenDots Air?

The OpenDots Air are excellent open headphones and surpassed my expectations for both regular and workout use.

They are a minor downgrade on the OpenDots 2 in several ways, the most important being sound quality, but the savings you make mean they’re the better buy in my opinion, because the OpenDots Air still impressed me with their fit and sound.

Other good clip-on options include the Soundcore AeroClip at a similar price, or the budget-friendly EarFun Clip, and there’s also the Shokz OpenFit Air for those who prefer an earhook design, and the Shokz OpenRun if you’d rather use bone conduction buds.

If you’re all in on clip-on headphones, it’s worth upgrading to the OpenDots 2, or even the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which offer the best sound I’ve come across with clip-on buds, but the OpenDots Air would be my pick of the trio for their balance of performance and price.

The JBL Live 780NC are a huge improvement upon their predecessor, the 770NC. Now, they’re good enough to be some of the best headphones under $250. With punchy, rich bass that no longer overpowers the rest of the track and a huge array of customizable features, I’m really impressed.

So why not a 5-star review? Well, a couple of things: one, with a price increase of $50 over the predecessor, the competition is much stiffer. Two, unfortunately, like the previous model, they can feel a little clampy after a few hours’ wear.

But I still love the Live 780NC. They’re exciting, modern, and most importantly, fun. I love the fact that they come in unabashed, free-spirit orange rather than the sad muted tones we expect with headphones these days. Want to find out if they might be the headphones for you? Keep reading this JBL Live 780NC review.

JBL Live 780NC review: Specs

JBL Live 780NC review: Price & availability

The JBL Live 780NC are $249 from Amazon U.S. and £169 from Amazon U.K. This is a price increase of $50 from the Live 770NC (or a £10 increase in the U.K.), which is disappointing to see. $249 places the Live 780NC firmly in the “upper midrange” category rather than the “midrange” placement of the previous model.

There have been some upgrades to (somewhat) justify this price hike, namely the introduction of LDAC and a 30-hour battery life increase.

Even so, at $250, there’s stiff competition. You’ve got the Bose QuietComfort (not Ultra) headphones at $349, the Soundcore Space One Pro at $199, and the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 at $239 — so the JBLs have a lot to prove. Why wouldn’t you save money for the bona-fide-incredible Soundcores or spend a bit more for big-name Bose?

These days, you can even get the Sony WH-1000XM5 for around $250 on sale, which is dangerously cheap for such premium headphones. I might suggest getting them if you catch them on sale — they’re a couple of years old at this point, but are still great. I’ve also tested the super-budget Soundcore Space 2 and CMF Headphone Pro (both $99), which offer similar performance to the JBLs but at a much lower price.

JBL Live 780NC review: Design

Like their predecessor, the Live 780NC look pretty striking. As you can see from the images, I tested the gorgeous orange shade, but these fashion-oriented headphones come in: green, orange, purple, black, blue, champagne, and white.

There’s no IP rating, but this is pretty standard for over-ear headphones. The only headphones I’ve tested with IP ratings are the IP52 Nothing Headphone (a) ($159) and the IPX2 CMF Headphone Pro. To get an IP54 rating, you’ll need to splash out mega bucks on the $1,200 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95.

Unfortunately, the JBL’s carry case is still a flimsy little bag, which is annoying. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, you might have to spend a little extra to get a hardshell case.

Comfort

At just 9.2 ounces, the Live 780NC are comfortable enough. I wouldn’t go so far as to claim they’re noticeably more comfortable than others, but I was able to wear them for a couple of hours without needing a break. After a while, the headband feels quite heavy and the ear cups can become clampy, but not as uncomfortable as the Nothing Headphone (a).

The most comfortable headphones I’ve ever tested are the Bose QuietComfort/Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($459), but the Soundcore Space 2 are also supremely comfy for a budget option.

Controls

Thankfully, JBL opted for button controls instead of the egregious touch controls I’ve seen on other newly released over-ears (looking at you, Bose, Sony, Sennheiser). You can play/pause by tapping the right ear cup, but for the most part, it’s a button-control system.

These controls are wonderfully easy to use: there’s a volume button on the left earcup, a Bluetooth/off button on the right, and an ANC toggle. That’s it. Hallelujah!

Connectivity

Another notch on the Live 780NC’s belt: Bluetooth 6.0. I know, new headphones releasing with the most recent Bluetooth version shouldn’t be this surprising, but after Apple released the AirPods Max 2 with Bluetooth 5.3, we can’t take any chances anymore. Bluetooth 6.0 provides a longer range and improved reliability: in reality, I was able to get out of my apartment and down the stairs before the headphones disconnected.

Setting up multipoint was super easy, too. After connecting to my iPhone 16 Pro, I only had to hold down the Bluetooth button and the headphones automatically popped up in my laptop settings.

JBL Live 780NC review: Sound quality

I was so impressed with the sound quality on the Live 780NC. I tested the previous version, Live 770NC, which sound great — if you love bass. But the Live 780NC are a much more well-rounded pair of headphones, with clarity in the low-end, melodic vocals, and, while a touch muted, a clean treble.

To test sound quality, I listened to a variety of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles, but I’ll just discuss three examples here.

First, I played ‘Save Me’ by Muse on my iPhone. As iPhones don’t have LDAC, I was only able to listen to this in standard AAC. Even so, the vocals were pronounced, with delicate, balanced structure over the arpeggiated guitar instrumental. I could even hear scratchiness at the back of the vocals, showing a fantastic level of detail.

For the next test, I listened with LDAC on my Samsung Galaxy S25+. I listened to ‘Baiana’ by Nia Archives, a jungle track with sibilant percussion and deep bass. This song sounded remarkably clear. The bass, although heavy, was never cluttered or muddy, and the vocals were handled with skill. I was really impressed.

Although these are predominantly wireless headphones, they do come with a USB-C-to-3.5mm cable, so it’s only fair I checked out wired performance, too. I listened to ‘A&W’ by Lana Del Rey, a pop track with Del Rey’s iconic deep, vintage-tinged voice and a mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments. I could hear every vibration of the acoustic guitar, every layer of vocal, but I did want a touch more expansiveness.

Even so, for $250, this performance is fantastic. I love when an ‘updated’ headphone is actually an improvement. The Live 770NC were mostly bass, but the Live 780NC are bass, mids, and detail. Top work, JBL.

JBL Live 780NC review: ANC

ANC is fine — nothing to write home about, but nothing disappointing either. When I was walking around the city, I could still hear some high-frequency sounds like passing conversations and squeaky brakes, but the headphones are pretty good at neutralizing lower frequencies.

When I was testing the Live 780NC at home, I could hear my air fryer (but it is a relatively loud air fryer) and myself typing.

Of course, if you want industry-leading ANC, it’s gotta be the Bose QuietComfort. But for $250, the Live 780NC aren’t half bad.

JBL Live 780NC review: Call quality

I tested the Live 780NC’s call quality on work calls. My colleagues reported that my voice was clear and free from interference, but my AirPods Max 2 sounded much better — you would hope for $549!

I do love that you can customize ‘VoiceAware’ — this controls how much you can hear yourself speaking during calls. This is one of the things I love, as I often worry I’m shouting when I’m out and about. You can also do this on the $399 Sennheiser Momentum 5 and the $449 Sony WH-1000XM6, so the Live 780NC are in good company here.

JBL Live 780NC review: App

As with other headphones by JBL, the Live 780NC use the JBL Headphones app. This is not the same as the speaker app, JBL Portable.

JBL Headphones is fairly standard, as far as companion apps go. There’s a range of features like customizable EQ, ‘Relax Mode’ (white noise, ocean sounds, forest noise, etc), Auracast, and completely customizable touch controls.

As with other JBL headphones, you also get PersoniFi, which is a gamified personalized audio feature. You listen to a series of tones and the app generates an EQ based on your hearing level — here are my results. This actually made my music sound more immersive.

I never had any connectivity hiccups or update headaches — the JBL Headphones app just knew what it was doing.

JBL Live 780NC review: Battery

And, finally, onto one of the most impressive features of the Live 780NC: the battery. These headphones have a whopping 80 hours of battery (ANC off). With ANC on, you still get 50 hours.

This is miles ahead of the premium crowd: AirPods Max 2 play for just 20 hours, and the QuietComfort Ultra and WH-1000XM6 up to 30. The best battery life I’ve ever experienced is the Nothing Headphone (a)’s 135 hours — but 80 hours is still good.

I listened for 8 hours and the battery dropped to 90%.

JBL Live 780NC review: Verdict

I’m really impressed with the JBL Live 780NC. While I liked the Live 770NC, they weren’t perfect — but the successor is a major improvement. Sound is now more balanced across the frequency range, and, although you’ll find a more expansive sound profile in pricier headphones, it’s a much more immersive experience.

Although at $249, the Live 780NC are a little more expensive than I’d like, you still get a fantastic performance for the price. I just think there’s too much competition at $250 — $199 would have made this a 4.5-star review, without a doubt.

But if you want that lively, fun, colorful design, then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Live 780NC. They last for days and days, they sound great, and they also look super cool.

There’s no better way to listen to your favorite tunes than through a pair of wired earbuds — or IEMs, if you want best-in-class sound and detail. If you’re an audiophile on a budget, I’ve got good news for you: I’ve just tested a pair of super budget IEMs that delivers incredible sound quality. Not only are the Dunu Titan X built extremely well thanks to their metal housing, they’re comfy for all-day listening too.

As for the sound, it’s 10/10 from me. Meaty bass without sounding booming, vibrant treble that doesn’t overpower the rest of the soundstage, and a detailed midrange, the Titan X will have you appreciating your favorite artists in newfound ways. While there are no in-line controls and eartip replacement is finicky, neither of those are massive dealbreakers.

To find out if these are the best wired headphones for you, read my full Dunu Titan X review.

Dunu Titan X review: Specs

Dunu Titan X review: Price & availability

IEMs, or in-ear monitors, don’t always come cheap, and the Dunu Titan X has carved itself a niche here. Priced at just $39 for the 3.5mm version or $44 for the USB-C with mic model, it’s one of the cheapest ways to stream hi-res audio. It’s available in just one color only: gray.

The Titan X are priced similarly to the Sennheiser CX 80U ($39) and the Final VR500 ($44) but those are wired earbuds and don’t call themselves IEMs. See, IEMs are the premium, high-performance subset of wired buds, so the Titan X compete with the likes of the Sennheiser IE 200 ($149) and the Sony Inzone E9 ($149) but as you can see, these IEMs are far pricier than Dunu’s offering.

Dunu Titan X review: Design

For the price, I wasn’t expecting the Dunu Titan X to be built this well and look so premium. Unlike the pricier Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9, the Titan X don’t utilize plastic in their construction. They feature a high-density alloy housing with a gunmetal finish, and Dunu claims that this makes the IEMs scratch- and sweat-resistant. Having used the Titan X extensively, I can confirm that they’re indeed built very well — and the gunmetal finish is nothing short of stunning.

Just like the Sennheiser IE 200, the Titan X’s braided cable features a 2-pin detachable design, which means you can swap the cables with ease — handy for making the IEMs last as long as possible. Speaking of, the silver-plated copper cable has a tangle-free design which means that you don’t need to worry about untangling the IEMs every time you take them out of your pocket.

Weatherproofing

IEMs and wired earbuds are rarely waterproof, and the same applies to the Titan X. They don’t have an IP rating so I’d be reluctant to use them in the pouring rain. This isn’t unique to the Titan X — the Sennheiser IE 200, the Sony Inzone E9 and the Sennheiser CX 80U aren’t weatherproof either. You may want to consider a pair of the best wireless earbuds for that.

Comfort

Having worn the Titan X for four straight hours, I can confidently say that they’re very comfortable. Like I mentioned earlier, the Titan X feature alloy housing, and the metal build makes them heavier than the Sennheiser IE 200. Each earbud weighs 0.45oz, which is substantially more than the IE 200 (0.14oz each). While that feels like a lot when the IEMs are in your hands, you realize the Titan X have fantastic weight distribution when you put them in your ears. The cable wraps around each individual ear too to help with that.

Included in the box are six pairs of silicone eartips of different sizes: three of these are designed for vocal clarity while the others are for extra bass, according to Dunu. This is down to how airtight the seal is, and I’ll discuss this in the sound quality section shortly. All you need to know is that the eartips themselves are quite comfortable, and depending on the size you pick, they sit snugly in your ears.

But one of the most annoying things about the Titan X is the eartip replacement. It took me 30 minutes to try and get a pair of eartips onto the earpieces. And I failed. I then asked my colleague to try and she got the eartip on one earpiece and struggled with the other, before I somehow managed to put it on.

Controls

Similar to other IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9, the Titan X don’t feature any in-line buttons to control playback. You’ll need to use your smartphone, laptop or other audio source to adjust the volume and play/pause music. The Sennheiser CX 80U feature in-line controls if that’s a priority for you.

Connectivity

Unlike wireless earbuds which feature either Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connectivity, the Titan X IEMs can be used wired-only. You can get either the 3.5mm model, or the USB-C version. All you need to do is plug the jack into your phone or laptop and you’re good to go. No need for any apps or finicky Bluetooth pairing — simply plug and play. If you're going to be mainly streaming from a smartphone or USB-C device, the USB option is the one to get.

Dunu Titan X review: Sound quality

The Dunu Titan X are well-endowed IEMs, featuring 10mm dynamic drivers and dual-magnetic circuits to cover a frequency response range of 5Hz to 40KHz (compared to 6Hz-20KHz on the Sennheiser IE 200). This means that the Titan X cover the entirety of the human hearing spectrum (20Hz-20KHz) and reproduce most sound accurately.

To test the IEMs, I plugged them into my MacBook Air M2 and listened to my favorite testing tracks on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for hi-res audio, starting with ‘Radio’ by Lana Del Rey. The first thing I noticed as soon as I hit play was that the Titan X provided fantastic noise isolation even without featuring ANC. I couldn’t hear anything or anyone else, and I felt fully immersed.

The Titan X’s vocal capabilities are incredible, as Lana’s voice emerged with striking clarity. Her subtle vibrato and layered harmonies were rendered with impressive precision, and the song sounded more expansive and spacious than it does on most wireless earbuds.

To test the bass, I listened to ‘Elephant’ by Tame Impala. The Titan X showcased just how satisfying a well-tuned bass response can be. The track’s iconic fuzzy bass riff hit me with impressive weight and texture, as well as solid low-end impact. The IEMs delivered a thick, gritty growl that felt powerful without becoming bloated. I also appreciate how well the Titan X captured the bassline’s distortion: they preserved its raw energy as well as excellent definition between notes.

The Titan X handles treble beautifully too, ensuring that it never pierces through the rest of the soundstage without making it feel too dim. In Of Monsters and Men’s ‘Mountain Sound,’ the bright acoustic guitars shimmered through the Titan X, and the crisp percussion cut through the mix with vibrance. I noticed that the Titan X lent plenty of air to the track, which allowed high-pitched cymbal strikes and the tambourine to breathe without sounding fatiguing.

Overall, the Titan X are outstanding IEMs for detailed listening, and for those who want to enjoy their favorite artists to the fullest.

Listen along to my review with the Dunu Titan X testing playlist:

Dunu Titan X review: Gaming performance

Alongside being excellent for listening to music, the Dunu Titan X are fit for gaming too, especially FPS titles where you want to be able to pinpoint footsteps with precision. If you get the 3.5mm model, you should be able to plug the IEMs right into, say, your PS5’s or Xbox Series X’s controller, and your computer of course.

I played some Cyberpunk 2077 to see how the Titan X performed, and they didn’t let me down. I was able to pinpoint footsteps with precision, even when enemies were behind doors and I couldn’t see them. This helped me adjust my strategy accordingly, and I was able to infiltrate the gang’s base with ease. I also appreciated how the Titan X brought the techno soundtrack to life, as I could headbang to the OST while riding my bike through the streets of Night City.

Of course, if you want gaming-specific IEMs, I’d recommend the Sony Inzone E9 — but the Titan X suffice if you want a pair of earbuds that do it all.

Dunu Titan X review: Call quality

Whether you can answer calls with the Dunu Titan X depends entirely on the model you get. The USB-C version comes with an in-line mic. Unfortunately, I tested the 3.5mm model which doesn’t feature a mic, so I couldn’t test the IEMs’ call quality.

Dunu Titan X review: Verdict

Great sound doesn't have to come with a premium price tag, and the Dunu Titan X prove just that. For less than $40, these budget-friendly IEMs deliver an audio experience that rivals products costing several times more, such as the Sennheiser IE 200 and the Sony Inzone E9. They combine impressive detail with controlled but powerful bass, as well as clear mids in a package that feels pricier than it is.

While the lack of in-line controls may be disappointing for some, and the finicky eartip replacement may prove frustrating at times, neither should stop you from getting the Titan X. Given that these IEMs cost just $39, they’re perfect for audiophiles on a budget. If you’re looking for an affordable entry point into the world of IEMs, few are better than the Titan X.

Headphone volume creeps up over time. You start at a reasonable level, then gradually increase it to compensate for ambient noise, distraction, or just habit. Before you realize it, you're listening at levels that damage your hearing. The damage is permanent and often goes unnoticed until it's too late.

Your phone has built-in settings designed to prevent this. Both Apple and Google included hearing protection features that either cap volume automatically or alert you when you're pushing into dangerous territory. Many people never actually find these settings because they're buried in menus designed for accessibility.

Here's where they are and how to enable them.

Why these settings make a difference

Headphone notifications work by monitoring sound exposure over time. Most hearing damage from headphones happens gradually and silently, you don't notice it happening. These alerts catch the problem before permanent damage occurs.

Automatic volume limiting provides passive protection. Even if you forget about hearing safety, the phone enforces a safe listening level automatically. You literally can't exceed the decibel cap no matter how high you try to turn the volume.

Neither feature is perfect. Notifications require you to pay attention and change behavior. Volume limiting can feel frustrating if it cuts off music at what feels like normal volume. But both are better than discovering hearing loss years later when it's irreversible.

More from Tom's Guide

• Stop using your AirPods like basic earbuds: 3 features you're probably overlooking
• Your 'deep clean' is exactly what's ruining your earbuds, says audio professional
• Your earbuds are damaging your hearing — 3 warning signs you're ignoring

Hoping to upgrade your headphone and speaker game for summer? Look no further than Sony, the brand that makes some of the best headphones and best speakers we've ever tested.

In fact, Amazon is currently hosting a huge sale on top-rated Sony audio devices with up to 50% off. Right now, you can snag the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones for $150 off their usual price. Looking for a new speaker? The Sony ULT Field 5 is now 43% off.

Below, I've rounded up the best deals from the Sony sale on Amazon. For more ways to save, take a look this week's best Amazon promo codes.

Quick Links

• shop all Sony deals on Amazon
• Sony WH-CH520 Headphones: was $69 now $38
• Sony SRS-XB100: was $59 now $38
• Sony WF-C500 Earbuds: was $99 now $74
• Sony WH-CH720N Headphones: was $179 now $89
• Sony ULT Field 5: was $329 now $198
• Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds: was $299 now $248
• Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones: was $399 now $249

Best Sony deals

We've all been there. You're on a bus, train or other mode of public transportation, and you're consistently being disturbed by someone watching things on their phone — out loud, without using headphones or earbuds. When the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts in a couple of weeks, you'll see — hear, rather — people watching games out loud on their phones. Don't be that guy. No one likes that guy.

I, for one, know that I'll be using my phone to either catch up on games or watch them live, and there's an easy way to ensure you aren't disturbing anyone's peace, and that's by using a pair of the best headphones. I test headphones day in and day out, so for your convenience, I've shortlisted my favorite cans — all of which will arrive well in time for the first kick-off.

Whether you've got a budget of $100 or you're willing to spend nearly $500, there's a pair of headphones for everyone. The ones I've picked all feature highly effective ANC to make you feel immersed; clear vocals so that you can hear the commentary properly, and powerful bass so that you can feel the crowd rumbling and chanting in your chest.

Under $100

Under $200

Under $300

Under $400

Under $500

Under $600

More from Tom's Guide

• I thought the Apple AirPods Max 2 were way overhyped — but I finally tried them and they're some of the best headphones I've ever used
• I've been testing the new Marshall Milton ANC for 3 weeks — they fix my biggest gripe with on-ear headphones, and are the new gold standard
• My doctor banned me from earbuds so I got these Marshall headphones instead — and I’m surprised I didn’t do it sooner

I owe Apple an apology. When the AirPods Max 2 came out after a six-year wait, I thought, "Big deal, they're just another pair of headphones."

Then, my colleague, Erin, awarded the headphones a whopping 4.5-star rating in her full review, and even called them "the best headphones [she'd] ever used." Her article even went viral on Reddit with users disagreeing — and I'm here to disagree with all those commenters.

I admit I was wrong in dismissing them when they first came out, and I'm eating my words now.

Seamless Apple ecosystem integration, well-balanced and fine-tuned sound, and unmatched comfort make the AirPods Max 2 well worth their $500 sticker price. The AirPods Max 2 make listening to music extremely fun thanks to their energetic and immersive sound, which I'll talk about in detail shortly. Would I recommend them to everyone? Well, read on to find out.

Don't judge a book by its cover

I'm sure I won't be the first person ever to say this: the Apple AirPods Max 2 look really bulky and large. I'm used to more sleek-looking headphones, like the Marshall Monitor III that I've been rocking for over a year. The AirPods Max 2 feel very heavy too, at 13.6 ounces, when they aren't sitting on your head and are sitting in their smart case instead.

Because of how heavy they felt in my hands, I was skeptical about how comfortable they'd really be. Never judge a book by its cover, I guess, because the AirPods Max 2 are ridiculously comfortable. The mesh headband does a lot of the heavy lifting here by relieving the pressure you might otherwise feel on the top of your head. As I type this, I've been wearing the AirPods Max 2 for about six hours, and I have no complaints.

The AirPods Max 2 are also quite aesthetically pleasing. The headphones ooze class and luxury. I'm aware that the design remains largely unchanged over the original AirPods Max, but that doesn't bother me much. There's room for improvement, but the AirPods Max 2 still offer world-class design.

The sound is *chef's kiss*

The Apple AirPods Max 2's sound profile, straight out of the box, is immersive, energetic and expansive. Powerful bass that doesn't boom, crisp treble that doesn't pierce through the rest of the soundstage, and a refined midrange brings your favorite tracks to life — the AirPods Max 2 have got it all.

I put on 'Choker' by Twenty One Pilots and could instantly feel the anxious groove baked into the track.

What I love about listening to this song through the AirPods Max 2 is the emphasis on the bassline. It doesn't hit hard the way some bass-forward cans do, but it has room to breathe and it feels controlled. Each note plucked on Tyler Joseph's bass sounds clear and textured, and provides a fantastic drive to the song.

Next up, I listened to 'Lutt Le Gaya' from the Bollywood movie "Dhurandhar," and through the AirPods Max 2, I had newfound appreciation for the Punjabi-pop track. The vocals won me over as the headphones emphasized the vocals' rich, liquid smoothness, and I could feel the words swirling around me rather than just in my ears. The headphones also struck a great balance between the folk-style vocals and polished electronic production underneath, and the midrange and treble had plenty of energy to them.

Regardless of the song I listened to, whether that was Tame Impala's psychedelic 'Let It Happen' or Of Monsters and Men's soft 'From Finner,' the AirPods Max 2 delivered.

Are the AirPods Max 2 for YOU?

By now, you know where I stand on the Apple AirPods Max 2. But does it makes sense to buy the AirPods Max 2 if you're not deep into Apple's vast ecosystem? Not really.

Sure, I own a MacBook Pro M1 and I use a MacBook Air M2 for work. But I also use a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, and I've used Android phones for a few years now. Are the AirPods Max 2 perfect for someone like me? No, because I listen to music mostly on my phone, and the AirPods Max 2 would be wasted on me.

If I owned an iPhone, or should the day finally come when I decide to go full Apple, I'll be happily buying the AirPods Max 2. But until then, I'll stick to platform-agnostic cans like the Marshall Milton ANC.

Still, coming from someone who loves Marshall, Bose and Sony, the AirPods Max 2 are actually great headphones. You have to try them to believe it.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple AirPods Max 2 review: ‘Everything from its predecessor dialed up to 11’
• I hate that the AirPods Max 2 are the best headphones I've ever used
• I've been testing the new Marshall Milton ANC for 3 weeks — they fix my biggest gripe with on-ear headphones, and are the new gold standard

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless have a lot to live up to. We loved the previous model, Momentum 4, back in 2023. Sennheiser’s newest premium wireless headphones face stiff competition: the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, the AirPods Max 2, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sony 1000X The ColleXion, the Dali IO-8… the list could go on and on.

So why the Momentum 5, when you could get any of these alternatives and (probably) have just as much fun? Honestly, the Sennheisers offer much more bang for your buck. You get 57 hours of battery, reigning supreme over the AirPods Max 2’s measly 20 hours and the Sony XM6’s 30 hours — and it’s replaceable. Yes, you can replace your headphone’s battery with just a screwdriver. While you’d get better sound quality with the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, AirPods Max 2, or Sony WH-1000XM6, you are saving up to $400.

But is this enough to make the Sennheiser Momentum 5 the best headphones you can buy? I’m not giving the answer away that easily — to find out, you’ll have to keep reading this Sennheiser Momentum 5 review.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Specs

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Price & availability

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless will launch on June 16th at $399/£329. This makes them remarkably affordable for their performance — you’d be paying $549 for the AirPods Max 2, $459 for the XM6, and $449 for the QuietComfort Ultra 2.

Even so, there has been a $50 increase from the Momentum 4’s MSRP of $349. Although I hate to see unjust price increases, the 4 were released way back in 2022… so here I think it’s acceptable. Things are just more expensive now — even if Apple did manage to keep 2026’s AirPods Max 2 the same launch price as 2020’s AirPods Max.

Of course, this is still a decent chunk of moolah if you’re on a budget. In that case, I’d recommend checking out Sennheiser’s more affordable line, the Accentum Wireless, which will set you back just $189 (often discounted to $98).

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Design

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless are the perfect example of the adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” To some, they might be frightfully plain-looking and, dare I say, ugly. But to others, they might be simple, functional, and, consequently, gorgeous.

I fall more into the first camp. Don’t get me wrong, the Momentum 5 aren’t hideous. They are straightforward. Effective. To the point. No frills. But… I don’t know. I wish they had a little more oomph. Looks-wise, my favorite cans are the AirPods Max 2. The anodized aluminum cups and mesh headband just have that je ne sais quoi that I look for in a pair of headphones. But, unfortunately, the brown fabric headband of the Momentum 5 looks like my carpet. And I just can’t see past that.

I’m not a huge fan of the appearance of the Bose QC Ultra 2, Sony XM6, or the Dali IO-8, either. I do like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 and the B&W Px8 S2, but nowhere near as much as I like the Max 2.

I do, however, love the hard-shell carry case. It feels premium and protective and the zip runs smoothly.

There’s no IP rating, but that’s fairly standard for over-ears. The AirPods Max 2, Sony XM6, Bose QC Ultra are all IP-less, too.

Comfort

When it comes to weight, at 10.2 ounces, the Momentum 5 are firmly middleweight over-ears. They’re 3 ounces lighter than the heifers of the premium over-ear pack, the AirPods Max 2, but 2 ounces heavier than the Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra 2. I wore the Momentum 5 for 7 hours without feeling the need to take them off.

The ear cups are deliciously comfortable, and there’s a decent foam padding between the drivers and my head. This makes the headphones feel more premium, which makes me want to forgive the carpet-looking headband fabric.

Controls

Personally, I loathe touch controls on over-ear headphones. I can never get them right, and I will always lean towards cans that utilize good old-fashioned buttons. I actually ended up turning them off because they were so annoying.

Weirdly, the volume control seems to affect a hidden volume dial — when I increased or decreased using the on-cup control, it didn’t affect the volume of my output device. I got a “Volume max” announcement through the headphones, but both my laptop volume and Qobuz volume were less than middle.

Strange, but you can, of course, still just adjust the volume using the output device.

Connectivity

Right now, the Momentum 5 use Bluetooth 5.4, but Sennheiser has confirmed it will update to Bluetooth 6.0 via a future firmware release. Even so, the pair I tested use Bluetooth 5.4, so that’s all I can discuss at this time.

I am pretty disappointed to see such a big release come with a 3-year-old Bluetooth version out of the box, but it’s nowhere near as bad as Apple releasing the $549 earlier this year with a 5-year-old Bluetooth version (5.3).

In reality, I was able to get out of my apartment and out the front door before the headphones disconnected, which is about as much range as you'll realistically need from a set of headphones.

Of course, there’s multipoint connectivity, which was straightforward to set up and completely headache-free.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Sound quality

On the whole, the Momentum 5 sound great. However, I don’t think they’re perfect. I tested using Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles, on both wireless and wired playback.

Using my Sound Personalized EQ, I listened to ‘thank u, next’ by Ariana Grande. Although the bass and most of the lead vocals sounded smooth, rich, and intense — like the best chocolate, come to think of it — the treble suffered from some pitchiness. The headphones couldn’t replicate the treble without distortion. This was most distracting in the layered backing vocals and the super high notes towards the end of the track. This was also present while listening with the 3.5mm aux cable, which was disappointing.

I listened to other Ariana Grande tracks — ‘yes, and?’, ‘God is a woman’ — this distortion issue wasn’t as noticeable, but it was still there. I suppose there’s something in Ariana’s voice that the Momentum 5 just don’t like. Sorry, Miss Grande, I guess.

When listening with a wired connection, I played ‘My Moon My Man’ by Feist, an indie rock track with high-pitched female vocals, pianos, and guitars. This song didn’t suffer from the same distracting pitchiness in the treble as ‘thank u, next’, so that problem was an anomaly.

‘Hexagons’ by Muse and ‘Docket ft. Bully’ by Blondshell and Bully both sounded good — but not amazing. Vocals in both of these tracks were the stars of the show. ‘Rock’ EQ made the guitars sound a little underwater. I created a ‘U’-shaped EQ, my trusty favorite, which fixed a lot of the lackluster or muddy issues — but resulted in a little crackling at the top of the treble.

Honestly, electronic music sounded the best — ‘What You Want’ by Angele, Fcukers, and Justice, and ‘Damaged Goods’ by Confidence Man both had balanced bass, detailed, expansive mids, and insistent synths that the Momentum 5 really handled excellently.

Even after hours and hours of listening and testing, I’m still conflicted about the sound. On the one hand, it’s great. It’s faithful, detailed (you can hear all the instruments separately and softer, high-frequency sounds like backing vocals and string vibrations), and the bass is some of the cleanest I’ve ever heard.

However… that treble distortion. It’s not consistent, and it’s not overly egregious. But it’s there. If you use a lower-treble EQ, it’s gone — but then you miss out on some details.

Music sounds best with Dolby Atmos and ANC off, and with a U-shaped EQ. With these settings, I truly enjoyed listening to the Momentum 5.

If you’re accustomed to Bluetooth lifestyle headphones in the $100-300 price bracket, I don’t think you’d be disappointed by the Momentum 5s at all. But if you’re looking for the best of the best sound, I’m not entirely convinced it’s here.

The Momentum 5 sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, but weaker than the Sony WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max 2. If you’re serious about saving that $50/$150, then you’ll get on fine with the Momentum 5.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: ANC

It breaks my heart to tell you this, but ANC is pretty poor. It’s not all bad, though: I like that you can adjust ANC to the percentage — I was able to put transparency at 100%, 71%, 36%, 12%, so on and so forth. You get the picture. I could even turn ANC off completely, which made the sound quality much better.

But when I was walking around the city, I could hear everything. I could hear rumbling engines of traffic, I could hear people talking, I could hear buskers, I could hear my own footsteps. I was really disappointed by this.

If you want seriously good ANC headphones, the Momentum 5 are not it. I would recommend Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, Bose QuietComfort Gen 2, the Sony XM6, or, if you can afford it, Apple AirPods Max 2.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Call quality

I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5 on work calls. My colleagues reported that my voice sounded warm and rich without being too deep, and they couldn’t hear environmental noise from around me, like sirens or the test track I played in the background.

I love that you can adjust the transparency during calls. This is the one thing I feel would really benefit all headphones — I love being able to hear myself talk when I’m on a call.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: App

As with other headphones under Sennheiser’s belt, the Momentum 5 are compatible with Sennheiser Smart Control Plus. This app is well laid out, easy to navigate, and has a ton of options.

You can turn ANC off, customize its strength, or switch on anti-wind mode. On top of that, you can activate Dolby Atmos, customize an 8-band EQ, or choose from eight presets, set up Sound Personalization, activate Sound Zones, and turn off touch controls.

Sound Personalization is like JBL’s PersoniFi (JBL Live 770NC) or Soundcore’s HearID (Soundcore Space One Pro). It was a little glitchy — I had to restart a couple of times, as when I clicked ‘back’ the sound stopped working entirely — but got it working in the end. You have to deactivate Sound Personalization to use Dolby Atmos.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Battery

One of the best aspects of the Momentum 5 is the battery life. These headphones have a whopping 57-hour battery life — with ANC on. I listened for 16 hours, and the battery life went down to 90%. Half of this was with wired, which doesn’t seem to drain battery, but the 57-hour rated life checks out.

This is miles ahead of the rest of the premium can crowd — Apple is limping behind with 20 hours for the AirPods Max 2, then you’ve got Sony and Bose with around 30 hours each (although Bose goes down to 23 with ‘Immersive Audio’ enabled). Sennheiser’s leading the charge here, and I greatly appreciate that.

You can also replace the battery with just a screwdriver. Remove the left earcup, then you only need a screwdriver to get to the battery. This is fantastic, and I think every brand should adopt this.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review: Verdict

There are many, many things to like about the Sennheiser Momentum 5, but they’re not perfect, and I’m not going to pretend they are. The best features are, of course, the replaceable battery and whopping 57-hour battery life. There’s also exceptionally clean, clear bass, a balanced midrange, and great instrument separation. However, the treble can distort in some genres — sorry to Miss Ariana Grande — and the ANC is pretty poor.

But, at just $399, these are — regrettably — pretty affordable for premium headphones. You’d be paying $50 extra for Sony or Bose equivalents, $150 extra for Apple’s, and $400 more for Bowers & Wilkins’ flagships. So are you willing to get disappointing ANC to save that moolah? Perhaps. Perhaps.

If you prioritise serious comfort, replaceable batteries, love bassy music, and never listen to Ariana Grande, then you wouldn’t be disappointed by the Sennheiser Momentum 5. Not sure if it was worth the 4-year wait? Why don’t you give them a try?

In case you missed it, the other week Sony dropped its $649 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones. But don’t worry, I’ll spare you the shouty caps and just refer to them as “1000X The Collexion” or simply “1000X” from now on.

An upgrade to the still fairly recent Sony WH1000-XM6, the 1000X have stolen the XM6’s accolade of being Sony’s flagship over-ears. And naturally, that demands a premium in price. The 1000X will set you back $649. So, some dollars indeed.

Sony sent us a few pairs to try out, and I’ve gotta say, they’re fairly impressive. As it happens, though, when the 1000X landed on my desk, I had at hand my daily drivers — which I think are the Sony headphones’ closest competitors: the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.

Naturally, then, I did a little back-to-back test to see which came out on top. Here’s what happened.

But first, a note on price

Now, some important context before we start: there’s a $150 delta between these two sets of cans, with the Px8 S2 costing $799 at Amazon. The Px8 S2 don’t drop by much in sales events either, although you can grab a set used (Like New) from Amazon for $686. The Sony 1000X The Collexion come in $150 cheaper at $649.

My point here is to see whether — if you can afford to drop big bucks into headphones to begin with — it’s worth stretching that extra bit further to the pricier cans (spoiler alert… I think it is). For the target demographic, I'd say it's reasonable to assume an extra $150 shouldn't be a huge issue.

Sound quality: a close-run thing

Admittedly, both of these headphones sound fantastic. I went into my back-to-back sound tests thinking the Px8 S2 would wipe the floor with the Sonys, but it wasn’t a total wash out. The 1000X are marketed by Sony as offering a much more refined and spacious sound than the WH1000-XM6 — which are tuned more in line with what the mass market wants: bass.

That said, I still find the 1000X a little too warm in their tuning — for my tastes anyway. Now, I actually enjoyed this in songs where bass isn’t the overriding element to begin with — Metallica’s Seek & Destroy, for example, where the added power on Lars’ kick drum complements the drive and energy of the song.

Listen along to my testing playlist on Qobuz using the widget below.

Elsewhere, I still found softer percussion, shimmering effects and vocals often felt a little buried by the 1000X bass, especially in low-heavy electronica like Burn Water’s super-subby, atmospheric Ikigai. At least via the Standard EQ preset. This wasn’t a huge problem — Sony’s app has a wide range of preset EQs and a custom EQ. I really liked the Clear EQ setting, which controlled the bass a little better, for my tastes at least. But I had to play around a fair bit with EQ on a regular basis (a lot of people like doing this, but I find it distracting).

By contrast, I haven’t really ever needed to play around with the Bowers & Wilkins EQ. These cans just sound so clean and neutral out of the box, with so much fidelity everywhere you listen. Bass is better controlled, with plenty of detail in the treble, giving really bassy songs like Ikigai much more clarity by allowing the soft, ethereal backing vocals and effects the space they need. There’s bags of mid-range definition, too, which added so much crunch to the distorted riffs on Seek & Destroy.

Of note is that the 1000X use 30mm dynamic drivers. Size isn’t everything, of course, but I noticed perceptible distortion on some of the louder sub booms in Ikigai. The Px8 S2 suffered no distortion in the same areas, likely thanks to the larger 40mm drivers.

Both headphones are rather spacious for closed backs, but the Px8 S2 definitely have the edge, sounding noticeably cleaner, brighter and more open than the more intimate-feeling 1000X. Chris Stapleton’s Death Row was pleasingly dynamic on the Bowers & Wilkins, the bluesy guitar licks and Chris’ reverby vocals getting a little closer to the acoustic-esque experience of listening to the track through my Audeze LCD5-S open backs (although, obviously, the LCD5-S are in a different league, space-wise).

To supposedly help with that, the 1000X have a 360 upmix mode. I was excited to try this out, but unfortunately found it borderline unlistenable. I mean, it sorta works: Mk.Gee’s über spatial Dream Police was a perfect candidate, and the extra reverb and echoing made for a live-recording-esque kinda effect. But the sound was incredibly compressed, with a bucket load of audible noise.

An especially noticeable difference between the two is the Px8 S2’s greater detail at low volumes. We discussed this in our Px8 S2 review, so it was on my radar, but I hadn’t grasped the full extent until listening to them in earnest. Even at around 30% volume, the B&Ws retain an incredibly impressive amount of low-end texture and high/mid clarity. By contrast, I had to keep the 1000X at around 70% for a similar sound. Better for your ears, better for battery life, and better for the long term health of the drivers I guess.

Flawless ANC on both

Both the 1000X and Px8 S2 have fantastic ANC. In fact, it’s very hard to draw a verdict here. They both do a better job than my $1,200 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95. Using the 1000X in the office, they cut virtually everything, including road noise from the open window next to my desk.

All I can say is that the Px8 S2 ANC is probably the best I’ve tested. Perhaps the strongest test was on the flight home from my honeymoon a couple of weeks ago. The seat in front hosted a screaming toddler, flanked by two dismayed parents, open-mouthed between kicks to the face. On the opposing aisle sat the similarly-unparented and only-slightly-older brother, listening to some mindlessly cheerful kids TV at full blast through his iPad speakers. In the midst of the chaos, a flight attendant fought desperately through the ruckus to ensure seatbelts were on — somehow, if the parents’ entitled faces were anything to go by, this was all her fault.

Tiny arms flailed. Dried fruit snacks flew. Someone probably lost an incisor. A flight attendant questioned her life choices by flying Ryanair. Many passengers did the same. Nightmare fuel, usually. But not with the Px8 S2.

Back in the sixth circle of hell — or the row behind the chaos — my wife looked aghast at me laughing maniacally. ‘How can you laugh through this?’ was the subtext. It was the poetry of watching all that happen in mime only, soundtracked instead by the screaming cacophony of Songs For The Deaf’s opener. “You can’t even hear it!”

No matter how loud the hellspawn in front decided to be, nor how long through the flight it decided to be so, I was alright. The Px8 S2’s ANC would drown out everything. And it did.

Everyday comforts

A lot has been said online about the supreme comfort of the 1000X, and I agree… for the most part. They feel like a premium set of cans, and if I’d bought them, I wouldn’t feel shortchanged in the build quality department.

Again, though, the Bowers & Wilkins have the edge. They go beyond premium to feel luxurious. After around an hour of wearing the Sonys, my ears started to feel a little toasty. The Px8 S2 use a more breathable material, as I wore them for most of a seven-hour train journey through Norway with no issues whatsoever.

Both sets of cans are a pain in the butt to carry around, though, as they don’t fold and use bulky carry cases instead. The Sony’s case is markedly thinner at least, so that’s the set I’d pick if portability were my biggest concern. Which it isn’t.

Battery life is another win for the Px8 S2, which offer up to 30 hours. After my seven-hour Norwegian train journey, they’d dropped to 83%, which tallies to our full battery test when we reviewed them. Battery life on the 1000X is just 24 hours. Admittedly, this is only an issue if you’re travelling away from power for any elongated period of time — not really a thing nowadays with the ubiquity of portable power banks.

Frustrating connectivity

I touched on apps a little earlier when talking about EQ, but there’s more to be said on this. Sony’s app is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s fundamental to the operation of the headphones, and that really grates on me. You seemingly can’t even connect to the 1000X without the companion app, which feels extremely restrictive — especially for a product you’ve paid $649 for.

When you do try to connect, the Sony companion app acts like a typical Sony companion app: janky as all hell. It took me 16 minutes to get the headphones to connect. 16 minutes. To hook up over Bluetooth.

I love that with the Px8 S2, the app is essentially optional. You don’t need to download it in order to get the headphones working, and the driver tuning and default EQ are so good out the box that I rarely, if ever, need to open the app for tweaks.

The Px8 S2 also have USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity, as opposed to only 3.5mm on the Sonys. That means, if you want to play wired from your phone with the 1000X, you’re stuck using the technically subpar phone DAC. Will it make a noticeable difference? Probably not. But I like knowing that I’m bypassing my smartphone DAC altogether and using the Px8 S2’s internal conversion over USB-C, getting the best I can out of the cans when using my phone.

Still, if you’re concerned, you could always invest in a portable DAC/amp, like the FiiO KA13 ($65). Or my go-to portable DAC, the iFi hipdac 3 ($199).

The final word

So which would I buy out of the two? If you hadn’t already guessed, it’s the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2. Look, the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION are decent headphones. But when you start pricing cans in the ultra-premium range, you’re gonna have to start mixing it with the big boys. And the 1000X can’t quite mix it with the chief.

If you don’t have the extra $150, I doubt you’ll be disappointed by the 1000X. They look great, sound great, and feel great on your head. It’s just that the Px8 S2 do, well, just about everything better.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Sony 1000X The Collexion
• I tested Soundcore’s newest premium flagship earbuds — and they’re coming for the AirPods Pro 3’s crown
• I’m ditching my over-ear headphones for these Sony earbuds to beat the heat this summer — and they offer Bose-like sound for a lot less

The Grell OAE2 open-back headphones are an audiophile’s dream, but you have to be willing to drop $600. And I think that's worth it for some of the best headphones in the studio game.

They offer extremely detailed sound with a wide soundstage that gives the individual instruments room to be heard with complete clarity. And this clarity is prevalent across all frequency ranges. I was especially impressed by the performance at the lower end, with bassy tracks sounding very clean.

The headphones are also extremely comfortable to wear, so they are perfect for long listening sessions, and all components are replaceable. This means that if anything does go wrong with the headphones, you can just switch the parts rather than buying a new pair.

To find out more, you can keep reading this full Grell OAE2 review.

Grell OAE2 review: Specs

Grell OAE2 review: Price & availability

The Grell OAE2 headphones are available for $599 in the U.S. and £499 in the U.K. directly from the Grell Audio online store, making them a little cheaper than the (also fantastic) HEDDphone D1 ($799). This is expensive, but that’s the price that comes with premium open-back headphones, where prices can run into four figures for cans like the Final D800 DC ($4,299), Meze Audio Elite ($3,999) and Audeze LCD5-S ($4,500). In that light, the OAE2 sit in the mid-range open-back category.

But there are very few who can sling that amount of money on some detailed listening headphones, and so, something like the Meze Audio 105 AER ($369) could be a better fit. These headphones still offer fantastic clarity with awesome instrument separation.

For something on the budget side, if this is the first pair of audiophile headphones you’re looking into, the FiiO JT3 open-back headphones could be the right fit for just $69. These have an expansive yet complex soundscape, but suffer from a little pinching in the high treble.

Grell OAE2 review: Design

I think I looked a little funny while wearing the Grell OAE2 headphones because the headband is so wide to accommodate the large earcups. The headphones have a ‘circum-aural ear coupling’, which simply means that they are over-ear headphones. These are open-back headphones, and the open grate design on the back makes them look très chic.

The open-back design delivers more expansive sound, the trade-offs being noise leakage in and out of the cans; no noise cancellation; and relative fragility versus closed-back headphones (open-backs won’t survive a stint in the rain).

Thankfully, all components of the headphones are replaceable and recyclable. Included with the headphones is a booklet with all of the numbers for the parts of the headphones you may need to order, so keep this handy for future reference. You can also purchase replacement headband and ear cup cushions from the Grell online store.

Comfort

The headband is adjustable and padded, so it’s very comfortable to wear for extended periods of listening. It took a bit of pushing and pulling to adjust the headband to the level I wanted it, but when I decided on the positioning, it was very secure.

Both the headband and the earcups are covered with velour, and are very soft, but they can become warm quite quickly compared to traditional faux leather-covered cups. Since you’ll have studio cans on for a lot longer, you want something that comes relatively lightweight, and the Grells tick that box at 13.3 ounces, especially when compared to the FiiO JT3, which weigh 27.2 ounces.

Controls

There are no onboard controls for the Grell OEA2 headphones. Any adjustments to volume, skipping tracks, and playing or pausing need to be done on your listening device. This wasn’t an issue, though, as since they are wired cans, my device was always 1.8m away from me.

Connectivity

The Grell OEA2 are wired headphones, and have connection ports for a 2.5mm jack on the bottom of the left and right earcups. Only one of these ports needs to be used at a time. It’s great to have the choice, as you can choose the side that doesn’t get in the way of your movements.

The headphones come with a 2.5mm jack to 3.5mm wire with a thread for a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adaptor, and a 2.5mm jack to 4.4mm jack wire. It’s great to have the options come with the headphones. These wires and leads can be stored out of the way in the included hard shell carry case.

Grell OAE2 review: Sound quality

To test the sound quality of the Grell OAE2, I listened on my phone and streamed my music using Qobuz. I streamed all songs I listened to in 24-bit. They have a maximum power draw of 500mW, so they're very easy to drive and can be used without a DAC or amp — playing perfectly well from your phone or computer, for example.

I was blown away by the detail in the sound quality of the Grell OAE2 headphones. Since they’re open back, you get that signature spacious sound, and the drivers deliver crisp response across the frequency range.

The Grell OAE2 use Grell's front-mounted drivers, which fire sound at your ears from a frontal direction to simulate listening to a live performance and maximizes detail in in the mids and highs, according to Grell. As open-back headphones, any internal sound reflection is also minimized, and as I listened, I could hear how much wider and more spacious it made the soundstage, especially in the complex tracks like Hypersonic Missiles. This gave a much better sound quality than the closed-back FiiO FT13 ($329), which suffer from harsh sounds in the treble.

To test out the bass performance of the headphones, I listened to Go by The Chemical Brothers. This song has a monotonous bass line that drives the song throughout. I could feel the low rumbles of the sub-bass movement, and each layer of bass was tight, incredibly clear and free from muddiness.

Next, I tested the mid-range. For this, I used the song Hypersonic Missiles by Sam Fender. The song is carried by electric guitar riffs and rich vocals, and the studio headphones did an excellent job of bringing out details I had never experienced before. The vocals stood out throughout the entire song and weren’t engulfed by the powerful and punchy electric guitars. The clarity of the drums was also impressive — real studio-level results.

Finally, I listened to It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by the 1975 — a high-energy track with a lot going on — to hear how the headphones handled treble. The cymbals came through and weren’t pitchy at all. Shimmery sound effects performed well too, and despite the amount of high-frequency elements in the song, everything remained bright and clear.

Grell OAE2 review: Verdict

The Grell OAE2 headphones are a masterclass in studio sound. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and that’s a great thing because I could quite literally listen with them all day long. The sound is extremely detailed, and there’s complete clarity across all frequency ranges, even in the sub-bass.

All components of the headphones are replaceable, so you don’t have to buy new headphones if any parts become worn out, so you’ll have these cans for a very, very long time. But the headphones are on the expensive side, so you have to be sure about the studio cans as an investment.

That said, I think this is a worthwhile investment, especially for anyone who loves to appreciate the detail in their favorite tracks.

Over a year ago, I ditched in-ear buds for over-ear headphones and didn't look back. You'll usually find me with my trusty Marshall Monitor III headphones around my neck, or sitting atop my head while I jam to my favorite tunes. While I love my headphones, I'm no stranger to itchy ears from sweating, and due to the very nature of over-ear cans, they can be tricky to wear for long periods of time during the summer.

The solution is a simple one, of course: get a pair of in-ear buds. In-ear buds don't sit around your ears, like over-ear headphones do, so they don't feel suffocating during the year's hottest months. And you don't need to spend big bucks to get a decent pair — which is why I'm opting for the Sony WF-C710N.

I tested the WF-C710N back in April 2025, and to date, they remain some of the best wireless earbuds I've ever tested. They're lightweight and ridiculously comfortable, and their see-through Glass Blue design is nothing short of delicious. Meaty bass, crisp treble, refined mids, and with highly effective ANC — these earbuds have got it all. And the best part? They're $170 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. It's time to upgrade your life for less with the WF-C710N.

Like you aren't even wearing them

Having tested and used many earbuds in my time, I believe that the true hallmark of a good pair is when you don't even realize they're in your ears. I should be able to go about my day without feeling earbuds digging into my ear canal. By that standard, then, the Sony WF-C710N are simply excellent.

Each earbud weighs just 0.18oz which is practically nothing. In my ears, they fit snugly and never once have they fallen out, even when I've been walking briskly or headbanging. There have been times where I've forgotten that the WF-C710N are in my ears, and that says everything you need to know about their comfort level.

In addition to that, the WF-C710N are sure to turn heads because they look stunning. Available in white, black and blue, I'd personally recommend the third option. You can see the wires and hardware on the see-through Glass Blue model, and this sets the earbuds apart from any others on the market right now.

They sound amazing

I would never recommend a pair of earbuds unless they sounded downright fantastic — yes, even if it's very comfortable and good-looking. The Sony WF-C710N have that covered, with their 5mm drivers delivering powerful bass and vibrant treble. Thanks to Sony's trademarked Digital Sound Enhancement Engine technology, sound is reproduced as close to the original recording as possible.

Through the WF-C710N, the distorted bass in 070 Shake's 'Elephant' and the reverberating bassline in Twenty One Pilots' 'No Chances' sound fantastic. It's powerful enough that you can you feel the music in your skull but not so booming that it overpowers the rest of the soundstage.

Treble is crisp but not overzealous, so you can clearly hear the high-pitched coins in Pink Floyd's 'Money' but that sound doesn't pierce through the soundscape or undermines the other instruments.

For a pair of in-ear buds, the WF-C710N provide an excellent, immersive listening experience. Combine that with the highly effective ANC that goes toe-to-toe with Bose, and you've got a winning formula. The ANC is so good that you can't hear the kettle boiling or the TV indoors, and the noise of a bus rattling while you're traveling is also muted. You're getting bang for your buck here.

In the summer, you need a pair of earbuds that enable your ears to breathe — and while headphones are great, they clamp down on your earlobes, leading to some discomfort, especially during heatwaves. Conversely, when it gets colder, over-ear cans are a great choice, because they can double as earmuffs and provide some warmth to your ears when temperatures drop.

What do you think? Do you swap between over-ear headphones (or on-ears) and in-ear buds depending on the weather? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

More from Tom's Guide

• Sony WF-C710N review
• Do you need to spend $449 on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen when you can get the new Marshall Milton ANC for $229? I tested both and I’m very surprised
• Not all on-ear headphones are uncomfortable: I’ve been using the new Marshall Milton ANC for 3 weeks and they’re ridiculously comfortable and offer outstanding sound too

Sony's had something up its sleeve for weeks, and that something is finally here. Ever since paparazzi photos of an actor donning suspicious new headphones leaked, the audio world's been holding its breath — but hold your breath no more. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the XM line, the Japanese everything-brand is releasing its first uber-premium over-ear headphone: 1000X The ColleXion.

1000X The ColleXion is less aimed at the Bose QuietComfort (not Ultra) crowd and the JBL Tour One M3 Pro crowd, and more at the AirPods Max 2, Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 crowd. But how do these "premium" headphones actually compare to said competition?

To find out how 1000X The ColleXion really fares against the AirPods Max 2, I put the two flagship cans through a series of tests. Lock in, because it's about to move up a gear. Will the Sony 1000X The ColleXion or the AirPods Max 2 win?

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Specs compared

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Price

The Sony 1000X The ColleXion are an eye-watering $659 at their May 2026 launch, while the AirPods Max 2 launched in April 2026 for $549.

You're paying $110 extra for The ColleXion — and the AirPods Max 2 were already outrageously expensive. I'm not too sure what this extra $100 is getting you — sure, The ColleXion look nice and are much more premium than the WH-1000XM6, but still, $650 is a bit of a stretch.

Winner: AirPods Max 2

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Design

Right, so the AirPods Max 2 and the 1000X The ColleXion both serve a similar (unfortunate) purpose: being a fashion statement. Headphones should have one job — playing music — but Apple and Sony seem to be trying to make over-ears something you wear for the sole purpose of wearing them.

They have both kind of... succeeded, though? The AirPods Max 2 and ColleXion both look gorgeous, with aluminum and stainless steel finishes that scream premium. I suppose, if you're paying $550-$650 for headphones, you'd expect them to look good. Personally, I still think the AirPods Max 2 look better, but I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it's fine if you disagree there.

The AirPods Max 2 have much more intuitive controls — no tapping randomly on the ear cups — but The ColleXion now have a Spatial Upmixer button, so you can cycle through music upmix and cinema upmix without the Sony Headphones app. I personally did not enjoy how the Spatial Upmixer made my music super tinny, so I never used this.

However, while the AirPods Max 2 win in terms of design and controls, The ColleXion win in terms of carry case. The AirPods Max 2 have no case worth talking about, but The ColleXion have a pretty awesome hard shell mini handbag case. Not only does this protect the headphones, it also looks pretty stylish. As a result, I'd say this round is a draw.

Winner: Draw.

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Sound quality

Both the 1000XX The ColleXion and the AirPods Max 2 sound divine. If you like expansive, melodic headphones capable of delicately balancing rich bass and subtle detail, you'll like both the Sony and Apple offerings.

To accurately compare the sound, I listened to both The ColleXion and the AirPods Max 2 as my daily drivers, playing every genre under the sun (including podcasts and YouTube videos). I listened to everything on Qobuz, the best music streaming service for audiophiles.

'Neverender' by Justice & Tame Impala is an electronic track with an intense synth-heavy instrumental and infectious metallic percussion. Neither the ColleXion nor the AirPods Max 2 lost any detail, and the vocals had unbeatable clarity, even during heavier sections.

When I played a heavier rock track, 'RIDING WITH MY GIRLS' by Die Spitz, the ColleXion handled the crunchy bass and metal-tinged guitars well. I wanted a touch more depth to the percussion — the cymbals kind of faded into the background — but in general, the ColleXion performed well.

When I listened with the AirPods Max 2, the details were louder and pulled forward, including the cymbals and crunchy guitar effects. Neither headphones managed to make the bass sound particularly excellent, but the AirPods Max 2 created a livelier soundscape.

Of course, I also had to test with LDAC, Sony's proprietary hi-res Bluetooth codec. 'Parachute' by Hayley Williams is a voice-led guitar track with heavy, almost over-processed bass and emotive vocals. Williams' voice sounded particularly incredible with LDAC enabled.

With the AirPods Max 2, 'Parachute' sounded clear, detailed, and had vibrant bass. Williams' voice was, again, front and center, weaving confidently between the over-processed bass and percussion.

The AirPods Max 2 just beat The ColleXion here — the ColleXion handle higher frequencies really well, but the bass was a bit too unrefined.

Both the AirPods Max 2 and the Sony 1000X The ColleXion have wired playback — USB-C and 3.5mm aux, respectively — which provides similarly lossless performances. Naturally, the AirPods Max 2 sound best via Apple Music and USB-C, and the Sonys sound best via Qobuz and 3.5mm wired.

Overall, both headphones sound great, and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with either. The AirPods just take this round due to the more balanced bass response, though, as The ColleXion's bass can verge on unrefined in heavier genres.

Winner: Apple AirPods Max 2

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: ANC

Both the AirPods Max 2 and The ColleXion have fantastic ANC, but the Sonys are the better performers here. During tests, I couldn't hear anything through the The ColleXion, not even high-frequency noises that often leak through even the strongest ANC, but I could hear things like clacking keyboards and chest-vibrating construction noises when listening to the AirPods Max 2.

For everyday use, though, you would get on just fine with either. I predominantly use my AirPods Max 2 and the ANC is everything I could need.

Winner: Sony 1000X The ColleXion

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Call quality

I've said it before (and I'm sure I'll say it again), but we've reached a point in the Bluetooth headphone life cycle where pretty much every single flagship over-ears will provide you crystal-clear sound.

I have only good things to say about the AirPods Max 2 and Sony 1000X The ColleXion's call quality. Both headphones have crystal-clear audio, no fuzziness or hissing in sibilant words. Both headphones reduce ambient noise wonderfully, so I have no reservations about recommending either headphones for calls in loud or quiet environments.

Winner: Draw.

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Battery

The battery life is my biggest qualm with the AirPods Max 2. I can't quite believe Apple released headphones with a 20-hour battery life in 2026, but here we are. While The ColleXion have a 24-hour battery, this still isn't particularly impressive, either.

It's better, don't get me wrong — I'll take everything I can get as long as it's better than the AirPods Max 2 — but when the Sony WH-1000XM6 have a 30-hour battery life for $200 cheaper, this is a huge miss from Sony.

Of course, the Sonys win by default, but really, there are no winners here.

Winner: Sony 1000X The ColleXion

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Verdict

Both the AirPods Max 2 and the Sony 1000X The ColleXion received 85 points, making this versus a draw. You won't be disappointed by either the AirPods Max 2 or The ColleXion.

It's near impossible to choose between these two headphones. Both ooze style, have premium sound quality, and an array of impressive features (although I disliked Sony's Spatial Upmixer, you might love it). Both earn their place as some of the most premium, best wireless headphones money can buy.

I would personally choose the Apple AirPods Max 2, but The ColleXion still have a lot going for them: Want lighter cans, don't mind a more unrefined bass, and love Sony's impeccable ANC? Go for the 1000X The ColleXion. If you value metal construction, vivacious sound, and don't mind a poorer battery life, the AirPods will treat you right.

Sony 1000X The ColleXion vs Apple AirPods Max 2: Ratings scorecard

In the increasingly oversaturated wireless earbud market, it’s becoming harder and harder to be noticed. But you know what, Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max? I’m noticing you. Are Soundcore’s newest flagship earbuds some of the best earbuds money can buy?

If you value modern, AI features, great sound quality, and impressive battery life (better than Apple, Sony, and Bose, by the way), then yeah. Totally. The only downside is the appearance — of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I’m not sure who these buds are designed for. If Soundcore is serious about competing with Apple, the earbuds need to look better. It’s as simple as that.

But isn’t it about what’s on the inside? And in this case, the inside boasts fantastic, Galaxy Buds 4 Pro-rivaling bassy sound and impressive proprietary AI functionality. Could these be the earbuds for you? To find out, keep reading this Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Specs

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Price & availability

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are $229 from Amazon U.S. and £199 from Amazon U.K.. The Liberty 5 Pro Max released at the same time as the Liberty 5 Pro, which are the same earbuds, but with a different case. If you want the AI notetaking case, get the $229 Pro Max. Just want great earbuds? Get the $179 Libert 5 Pro instead.

2025’s Soundcore Liberty 5 launched at $129 from Amazon, so we’ve got a price increase of 77% here.

There are, thankfully, a few technological improvements that somewhat justify this price tag. The Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max come with Anker’s proprietary AI chip, which powers live translation and AI notetaking. Think of it like this: the Liberty 5 Pro Max are the AirPods Pro 3 to the Liberty 5’s AirPods 4.

When you’ve got flagship native ecosystem earbuds that only cost $249 — the AirPods Pro 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro — and “big name” premium brands that are only $70 more — Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 and Sony WF-1000XM6 — the Soundcores have a lot to live up to.

Thankfully, the Liberty 5 Pro Max share a lot of flagship features with these big-name buds, which I’ll get into now. If you want a premium feel for $20 less, they could be a great option.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Design

Unlike the Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro, which features an AirPods-esque stem design, the Liberty 5 Pro Max have adopted Bose’s pebble-ish design. Say goodbye to the stem, the Pro series is more like a little nugget in your ear.

Whether you like this or not will depend on your preferences. Personally, I’m much more of a stem earbud person, so I was a little disappointed when I opened my new earbuds. However, I know pebble shapes are popular, so I’m sure you’ll get along fine if you’re a pebble preferer.

The buds themselves come in black or blue — I tested black/gray — and are quite plasticky. There’s a nice shiny Soundcore logo, but I’m not sure… something about the design feels quite budget to me — not acceptable at this price point. I’d like to see the design looking more ‘AirPods or Sony WF-series adjacent’ in the future, if Soundcore wants to compete with (and price near) the big guns.

I have weirdly small ears, and I had to use the XXS ear tip. While this ear tip (the smallest option) fit well in my ear canal, the size of the earbud nozzle pressed down on my cartilage during use. I could only wear them for around two hours before my ears started aching — so I’d bear this in mind if you’re one of the small-eared folk too.

Controls

The controls are mostly customizable in the Soundcore app. I adjusted all the playback controls to my liking, but the call controls are set. Weirdly, you need to double-press to accept a call and long-press to reject — I’m not sure why this wasn’t a single tap for accepting and a double for rejecting, but hey.

I don’t really get on with pebble earbud touch controls — I much prefer the versatility of a stem design — but, again, if you’re used to pebble-type buds, the Liberty 5 Pro Max will be exactly what you’re accustomed to.

Connectivity

Connectivity on the Liberty 5 Pro Max is awesome. I never had to cycle through my Bluetooth settings. Every time I opened the earbuds, they automatically connected to my two devices and switched between those devices seamlessly.

The Liberty 5 Pro Max feature Bluetooth 6.1, which is the newest version with the highest reliability and longest range. I never experienced sound glitching or cutting out, and I was able to get all the way out of my apartment and onto the road outside before the earbuds disconnected.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Sound quality

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max sound pro and max in every way. To test sound quality, I listened to a variety of genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles, but I’ll discuss a few standouts here.

‘Video Games’ by Lana Del Rey is built over Del Rey’s glamorous, Hollywood starlet vocals and a heady string section. The harp notes were clear and melodious and the soft piano chords rounded everything out delicately. Atop the soft instrumental, Del Rey’s vocals took front and center, but there was a little overprocessing in the final chorus — albeit also present when I listened with the AirPods Pro 3.

Another decadent, layered track is ‘Bliss’ by Muse, with foundations of arpeggiated synths, raw guitars, and strong bass. The vocals weren’t overpowered by this rich soundscape, and the synths twisted and spiralled across the heavy guitars with ease. This song sounded awesome.

I switched up the genre to electronic for the third and final test: ‘Getaway’ by Fcukers. This trip-hop-tinged track has a cello sample throughout — I could feel the vibrations of the string in my ears. The electronic breakdown and breathy vocals slightly obscured this cello note, but not enough to detract from the overall experience.

The sound quality is equal to that of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro — confidently bassy, rich, and immersive. If you like detail, I’d recommend the AirPods Pro 3, but overall, I was extremely impressed by this sound quality.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: ANC

ANC is really impressive. I would say it’s the same as the AirPods Pro 3, and only narrowly upstaged by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2.

I tested the ANC both in the office and out and about in the city. I couldn’t hear myself typing in the office, and in the city, all car noises and general chatter was completely silent. Conveniently, I walked past some builders jackhammering the pavement and I couldn’t hear much.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: App

As with everything under Soundcore’s belt, the Liberty 5 Pro Max use the Soundcore app. This app is super easy to navigate and well laid out.

There are tons of features stuffed into the app, but my favorite is HearID. This is kind of like a gamified EQ “this or that” — you listen to a variety of clips and choose which sounds best. Then, the app generates an EQ that suits your tastes. Remarkably, it generated me a super bass-heavy EQ, which is not what I would’ve picked for myself.

While this is fun, the audio clips in the game itself are quite compressed, so don’t have the best sound quality, which might have caused a discrepancy between my personal EQ preferences and the generated EQ. I did turn the EQ off after a few listens, but this is great for beginners who might not know what they like.

AI Features

One of the selling points of the Liberty 5 Pro Max is the AI functionality. These earbuds actually have an Anker-designed AI chip — the first ever.

Personally, I never ever use any AI in my earbuds or headphones. I have AirPods Max 2, and I can count on one hand the number of times I used any of the AI features — and those were all for the review.

Of course, I tested all the AI features in the Liberty 5 Pro Max. Strangely, I had to connect to the charging case independently of the buds. When taking notes via the AI notetaker, the charging case (“the box” as referred to in the app) records the content, not the buds. You also have to be connected to the app to do this.

After finishing the recording, I transcribed the report. This took around one minute for a five-minute recording.

The transcription correctly identified different speakers, better than the Viaim RecDot which couldn’t differentiate between male and female speakers, but struggled when the speakers talked over one another. The ‘Intelligent Summary’ took four minutes to generate from the same five-minute recording.

For meetings with defined speakers, this would be great, but I’m not sure how it would handle a chaotic boardroom.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Call quality

To test the call quality of the Liberty 5 Pro Max, I called my boyfriend, who has listened to every single pair of earbuds I’ve reviewed thus far, so he’s kind of a control test at this point. He said I sounded the same as my AirPods Pro 2.

To test the “noise-reducing AI algorithm” I played a city noise track at max volume — about 65dB, which is a loud conversation. He couldn’t hear this at all, so I’d say the Liberty 5 Pro Max have excellent ambient noise reduction. If you’re often calling in loud environments, these earbuds would be perfect.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Battery

The Liberty 5 Pro Max have a huge 50-hour battery life (ANC off) — but this drops to 28 hours with ANC on. Still, this battery life beats the AirPods Pro 3, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2’s 24 hours, but can’t compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro’s 30 hours.

Even so, I’d much rather see 28 hours than 24 hours, so I’ll take every hour I can get. I listened to the Liberty 5 Pro Max — with ANC on max, fiddling with all the settings — for 8 hours, and the battery dropped to 80%, so that 28 hours checks out.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max review: Verdict

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are fantastic earbuds. If you want rich sound, strong ANC, and interesting AI features, they’ll definitely suit your tastes. So why not a 4.5-star or a 5-star rating, if they’re that good? It’s all in the design. The only thing holding these earbuds back is their appearance. If Soundcore seriously wants to compete with the big, big names — Bose, Apple, Samsung, Sony — the design needs to feel more premium. Right now, the plasticky nozzle and the weirdly shiny exterior just scream “I’m budget but I’m trying not to be — and I’m $229”.

With a little finesse in the design (and more comfortable for more types of ears), these earbuds would be well on their way to butting heads with the likes of Apple and Bose. But if you happen to like how they look (from all the pictures in this review), then, of course, they’ll be right for you.

I love the sound, I love the ANC, I love the call quality, and I love the battery life. For those who value these features above all else, of course the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max will do the trick.

It's no secret that Bose is the unbeaten king of noise-canceling headphones. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are incredible, boasting a plethora of outstanding features, including best-in-class ANC, supreme comfort levels, and great battery life. But it's also no secret that these headphones are very expensive, priced at $449 / £449, and not everyone can afford them.

But just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't have nice things — and British manufacturer Marshall has just shaken up the ANC scene with its brand new Marshall Milton ANC on-ear cans. I know what you'll say to that: a) they're on-ears and not over-ears like the QuietComfort Ultra, and b) how can any brand even conceivably think of dethroning Bose as the ANC king?

To that, I have a few retorts: a) they're on-ears but they're great on-ears, b) the Milton ANC weren't created to dethrone Bose, and a bonus c) they're half the price of the QuietComfort Ultra and for $229 / £179, they're simply fantastic. I've been testing the Milton ANC for three weeks and I've been using the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen for a week. If you can't afford Bose's offering, Marshall's offers bang for your buck. Here's why.

Hi, Nikita here! This isn't going to be a traditional face-off like the others you may have seen on Tom's Guide, such as my Marshall Milton ANC vs Monitor III. It would be unfair to make direct comparisons between the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen and the Milton ANC as both vastly differ when it comes to price, so it would be crown just one a winner. Think of this article as more of buying advice instead.

A few tricks up Marshall's sleeve

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are excellent, but one of the areas they struggle in is battery life. The OG Ultra offered just 24 hours of playback time, but their successor kicks it up a notch to 30 hours... but that's still not class-leading. Meanwhile, one of the things Marshall has historically nailed with its consumer-first headphones (like the Monitor III) is battery life — and the Milton ANC are no different.

Offering 50 hours of battery life with ANC on and 80 hours with ANC off, the Milton ANC blow the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen out of the water. It's not even close, really. Sure, you get better ANC with the latter, but if it's more juice you're after, the Milton ANC are worth the trade-off.

But it isn't a massive trade-off either, which brings me to the Milton ANC's key selling point: these are Marshall's first-ever on-ear cans to feature ANC, and they've knocked it out of the park. I've tested a few on-ear headphones now, and the Milton ANC offer the most effective noise cancellation of them all.

Sounds indoors, like the kettle boiling or the clickity clackity of mechanical keyboards, are muted to ensure you feel immersed in your music. Outdoors, the ANC is alright — the sound of cars zooming past makes it through but it isn't too jarring.

I won't lie: using the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen outdoors blew me away as I couldn't hear anything, and they made me feel like I was in a room so quiet I could hear a pin drop. But I wouldn't hear that pin drop because the headphones would cancel out the noise. The Milton ANC can't compete with that, and they don't need to. For half the price of the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen, you're still getting pretty solid ANC, and the best on-ears have to offer at the time of writing.

Take control

I've spent a fair bit of time using the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen. I've found them extremely comfortable, and the plush ear cushions make my ears feel like they're resting on clouds. The design, though unchanged from the OG headphones, is pretty enough to look at, but the thing that bothers me most? The controls.

This might be a hot take but I think we need to get rid of touch controls on all headphones. They work fine on earbuds — the ones I've tested, at least — but I've never been a fan of them on headphones. The QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen's touch slider to adjust the volume sticks out like a sore thumb, and I've found its placement frustrating and ability to register my commands finicky, at best.

Turns out, I'm not the only one here at Tom's Guide who has struggled with the touch controls on the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen. Our Buying Guide Editor, Tammy, mentioned them in her review of the headphones, and Senior Reviews Writer, Erin, easily gave the win to the AirPods Max 2 when it came to the two headphones' controls.

So, what's better than a strange mix of physical and touch controls that leaves users frustrated? Full physical controls, just like on the Marshall Milton ANC. There are two buttons that control everything on the Milton ANC: a joystick-like power button that can be used to adjust volume and change tracks, and a customizable 'M' button that can be personalized to enable Spatial Audio, change EQ, or enable/disable ANC.

And simplicity works. The controls are easy to understand and don't give you much to complain about. Not to mention, that brass power button looks drool-worthy. The Milton ANC's design, in general, looks classier and more premium than the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen, but that's just my opinion.

Music to my ears

What surprised me most about using the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen and the Marshall Milton ANC to listen to music back-to-back was how similar their tuning is. Both headphones offer deep, rich, bass-first sound profiles, which may not be everyone's cup of tea — and if they aren't, both headphones come with user-friendly apps to customize the EQ.

Personally, I love bass-first tuning because that's the aspect of the soundstage I enjoy the most, so both the Milton ANC and the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen impressed me straight out of the box. 'Let It Happen' by Tame Impala sounds glorious through both pairs, but when it comes to spatial audio, I think the Milton ANC's Soundstage creates more of an immersive listening experience. The QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen's spatial audio is good but it does so at the cost of bass which sounds muted. The Milton ANC's, on the other hand, keeps the bass thumping while making the track sound wider.

'FA9LA' by Flipperachi sounds excellent through both headphones too, with great emphasis on the pounding bass without making the treble sound too shrill or piercing. Vocals? Crystal clear, with each word discernible and not bleeding into the next.

One of the biggest advantages of using the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen is that because the ANC is mindblowing, it makes you feel truly immersed in your music. The ANC on the Milton ANC is good, like I said earlier, but doesn't come close, and that has an impact on your listening experience. Swings and roundabouts.

Looking ahead...

So, should you buy the Marshall Milton ANC or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen? I wish I could say that there's a straightforward "yes" or "no" to that question but there isn't. Question is, how much are you willing to spend? If you've got a budget of over $450, money is no object, or you want to get peerless ANC, the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are a no-brainer.

But if you can't loosen the purse strings to that extent, the Milton ANC are great value for money. They cost $229, so almost half the price of the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen, but they don't compromise on features that matter most to 90% of users. Here at Tom's Guide, our job is to help you upgrade your life for less, and when it comes to getting premium features and audio at a non-premium price, you can't go wrong with the Milton ANC.

More from Tom's Guide

• Not all on-ear headphones are uncomfortable: I’ve been using the new Marshall Milton ANC for 3 weeks and they’re ridiculously comfortable and offer outstanding sound too
• I’ve been testing the Marshall Milton ANC on-ears vs Marshall Monitor III over-ears — and it’s closer than you think
• I've been testing the new Marshall Milton ANC for 3 weeks — they fix my biggest gripe with on-ear headphones, and are the new gold standard

Marshall has just added the new Milton ANC to its lineup of audio gear and headphones, and these on-ear cans are nothing short of a triumph. As someone who prefers over-ear headphones, these feel like a game-changer, and they're the most comfortable on-ears I've used so far.

But before I started using the Milton ANC, I'd been using the Monitor III over-ears for over a year. This got me thinking, "Do I like the Milton ANC better than the Monitor III?" The answer, unfortunately, isn't a simple "yes" or "no."

To answer this question, I listened to music on both headphones back to back, and compared all their other features. They share some similarities, yes, but is one pair better than the other? And should you spend more nearly $120 more on the Monitor III? Let's find out together.

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Specs

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Price

One of the key differences between the Marshall Milton ANC and the Marshall Monitor III is the price. The Milton ANC sit between the flagship Monitor III and the Major V on-ear headphones, and they cost $229 / £179. These are mid-range headphones that offer some premium features at a non-premium price.

The Monitor III, on the other hand, cost a lot more. They have a retail price of $349 / £299 but given that they've been around since September 2024, you can frequently find them discounted for around $250 — especially during sales events. It remains to be seen what kind of discounts the Milton ANC will get once the headphones have lived a little.

Given their price, the Monitor III are priced similarly to (or even less than) other flagship active noise-canceling headphones from the likes of Bose and Sony. Also given their higher price point, they offer more features than the Milton ANC — but if you're on a budget, the Milton ANC are the way to go. If you can loosen the purse strings, the Monitor III are a no-brainer. This round is a tie.

Winner: Tie

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Design

The next biggest difference between the Marshall Milton ANC and the Marshall Monitor III is the design. The Monitor III are over-ear headphones while the Milton ANC are on-ear cans. We'll talk about the Milton ANC first, as they're newer. They feature square earcups with soft memory foam cushions, and they sit on your ears rather than around them (as is the nature of on-ears).

If you're skeptical about how comfortable on-ears are, I'm here to tell you that as a fellow (and former) skeptic, I think the Milton ANC are the most comfortable on-ear headphones on the market. They don't clamp down on your ears too much, and the earcups themselves are quite spacious — so there's plenty of room for all ear sizes. The only issue is that people with cartilage piercings may find them uncomfortable.

That's where the Monitor III come in. These over-ear headphones are comfortable for all types of ears, and even for those who have several piercings. Because they sit around your ears, they don't press down on piercings. Ear cushions, again, are very comfortable, as is the suspended headband. They're heavier than the Milton ANC, though, as they weigh 8.8oz while the Milton ANC weigh 7.06oz.

Controls on both headphones are nearly identical as both feature a customizable 'M' button and a joystick-like power button for adjusting volume and playback. The buttons give lovely tactile feedback when pressed — kinda like on a guitar amp. Neither headphones' controls give you anything to complain about.

The Milton ANC borrow styling cues from the Monitor III too, which is why they're covered in black with brass accents. Given that the Monitor III did it first, and they're ever-so slightly more comfortable than the Milton ANC, the over-ears get the win in this round.

Winner: Marshall Monitor III

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Features & connectivity

Even though the Marshall Monitor III are the British brand's flagship headphones, the Marshall Milton ANC pack the latest Bluetooth 6.0. They also feature support for LDAC and LC3, while the Monitor III utilize Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC. Multipoint connectivity is at play here, as both sets of cans can connect to two devices at once. Both headphones can be used wired too, thanks to USB-C ports on each.

In addition to this, the Milton ANC become Marshall's first headphones to carry Apple Find My support (along with Google Find Hub). This is a fantastic addition for Apple and Google Pixel owners alike as they can keep track of their headphones at all times.

One thing the Monitor III pack that the Milton ANC don't is wear detection — but honestly, I've never been a fan of wear detection on headphones as I've always found it to be finicky. I'd take Apple Find My and Google Find Hub over wear detection any day. To my surprise (and perhaps yours), the Milton ANC win the features & connectivity battle.

Winner: Marshall Milton ANC

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Sound quality

What good are a pair of headphones if they aren't brilliant for music? Whether you get the Marshall Milton ANC or the Marshall Monitor III, you'll be getting powerful sound regardless — take the word of someone who's been listening to the same songs back to back on both pairs.

The first thing you need to know is that both sets of cans use the same 32mm dynamic drivers but cover different frequency response ranges. The Monitor III cover 20Hz-20KHz while the Milton ANC cover 20Hz-40KHz — so the entirety of the human hearing spectrum and then some.

Both headphones are tuned differently too. The Monitor III have a well-balanced sound while the Milton ANC are more bass-heavy straight out of the box, so it depends on what you like. I don't mind either of the headphones' default Marshall Sound EQ, but if you want to make adjustments to the equalizer, the companion app (Marshall Bluetooth) is very user-friendly.

To compare the headphones, I listened to the same three tracks first on the Milton ANC and then on the Monitor III. I used my Milton ANC testing playlist on Qobuz.

First up, 'Everybody Scream' by Florence + The Machine. Both pairs of headphones handled this witchy track exceptionally well. The Milton ANC put the bass first and it reverberated through the track, while the Monitor III offered a balanced sound profile. Vocals, through both, sounded beautiful, and the treble was never shrill or piercing. I'd say the Monitor III make the track sound more snappy and capture Florence's vibrato better, but the Milton ANC did a respectable job too.

I then listened to 'Elephant' by 070 Shake. Personally, I preferred the Milton ANC's sound profile for this track. Thanks to its bass-forward tuning, I felt immersed in the synthesized, wobbly bassline, and it felt like there was a better balance between the thumping bass and distorted vocals. The Monitor III, on the other hand, made the track sound more clinical which is better for those into detailed listening.

The final song I played was 'Let It Happen' by Tame Impala, and I listened to it to test the Soundstage spatial audio. Soundstage debuted on the Monitor III back in September 2024, and now, Marshall has equipped the cheaper Milton ANC with it too. Soundstage, essentially, moves the sound into a virtual room so it feels like the track is swirling around your head, which is incredible for an immersive listening session.

On both the Milton ANC and the Monitor III, Soundstage works very well. I set the virtual room to 'large' via the app while using both headphones, and it made me feel like I was at a Tame Impala concert. The soaring synths had plenty of height through both headphones. The Milton ANC, again, emphasized the bass but not too much. What I like, though, is that the Monitor III made the song sound wider and more expansive, which makes sense given their price point.

Sound quality was a close call, but the Monitor III take it. The Milton ANC offer excellent sound for the price, but the Monitor III are just a bit better and more well-rounded overall.

Winner: Marshall Monitor III

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: ANC

For ANC to be effective, there needs to be a good seal around your ears — or in your ears, if you prefer in-ear buds. It's for that reason that the Marshall Monitor III win this round. Don't get me wrong: the Marshall Milton ANC boast effective ANC, and I even slept through an entire flight without being disturbed. But because they're on-ears, breaks in ANC are to be expected and that's not their fault: it's the nature of on-ears.

By on-ear standards, the ANC is great. By general standards, the Monitor III offer better.

The Monitor III create a great seal around your ears and provide a decent level of passive noise cancelation too. Indoors, I can't hear anything, not even the sound of my very loud mechanical keyboard. Outdoors, I can hear cars going by but not to the point that they disturb my peace or break my immersion when I'm jamming to Green Day.

Winner: Marshall Monitor III

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Call quality

Unfortunately for the Marshall Milton ANC, this round goes to Marshall Monitor III straight off the bat. The Milton ANC's call quality can be described as middling at best as they made me sound scratchy and tinny on the phone. When I spoke with my colleagues on a Google Meet team call, they instantly noted, "You don't sound as good as your other headphones."

The other headphones in question? The Monitor III. I've been told by my partner and many other people I've spoken to on the phone and team calls that I sound warm and true-to-life through the Monitor III. It's disappointing that the Milton ANC don't make me sound as good but it is what it is.

Winner: Marshall Monitor III

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Battery life

I'll be upfront here: it's an uphill battle for any pair of headphones to upstage the Marshall Monitor III when it comes to battery life. These headphones pack monster battery life as they can last up to 100 hours with ANC off or 70 hours with ANC on.

But this doesn't mean that the Marshall Milton ANC have poor battery life — on the contrary, they're long-lasting too. The Milton ANC can last up to 80 hours with ANC off or 50 hours with ANC on. That's quite a big drop compared to the Monitor III, yes, but remember that there's a substantial price difference between the two.

The Milton ANC have an ace up their sleeve though: they feature a consumer-replaceable battery which can be accessed by twisting off the left earcup. This isn't particularly groundbreaking, though, as all Marshall is doing is abiding by E.U. regulations — but at least you can replace the battery yourself now in case it goes kaput.

I'd say the Monitor III win this round by a narrow margin, but rest assured that even though you're spending lesser on the Milton ANC, you're still getting long playback time.

Winner: Marshall Monitor III

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Verdict

When I first held the Marshall Milton ANC in my hands three weeks ago, I thought, "They're on-ears, how good can they really be?" Turns out, very, very good. They're excellent on-ear headphones and are ridiculously comfortable. I've never been happier to be proven wrong.

And truth be told, I'm surprised how close the competition was between the Monitor III and the Milton ANC. As you'll soon see in the ratings scorecard below, the Milton ANC come very close to the Monitor III — which is commendable given that they cost $120 less than the brand's flagship cans.

This face-off ends with the Monitor III earning 93/100 points, followed very closely by the Milton ANC earning 86/100 points. The Monitor III are the superior headphones, yes, but the Milton ANC are a home run for Marshall, too, and they've shaken up the on-ears realm in the best way possible.

Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III: Ratings scorecard

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• Marshall Monitor III review: When heritage meets sonic prowess
• My doctor banned me from earbuds so I got these Marshall headphones instead — and I’m surprised I didn’t do it sooner

While earbuds are good, I much prefer the comfort level offered by over-ear cans and I don't go anywhere without my trusty Marshall Monitor III. I've been using them for over a year and not a day goes by that I don't listen to my favorite tunes through them.

But over-ear and in-ear aren't your only options. There are also on-ear headphones.

Despite having just as much padding as over-ears, I'm usually not a huge fan of on-ear headphones — but the Marshall Milton ANC are changing my mind. For the last three weeks, I've been using these on-ears exclusively, and I'm in love with them.

The Milton ANC are the most comfortable on-ear headphones I've used, and on top of that, they boast outstanding sound quality and 80 hours of battery life. I awarded them a 4.5-star rating in my Marshall Milton ANC review, and for good reason too.

Here's why I love them.

The gold standard for on-ear comfort

One of the things that usually stops me from recommending on-ear headphones is that they sit on your ears rather than around them, and can clamp a little too much. This, in turn, makes your ears hurt over time, and can make them too hot.

The Marshall Milton ANC fix this problem by employing spacious ear cushions made of soft memory foam. I've run out of reasons to not recommend on-ears now.

I've worn the Milton ANC a lot. I've worn them in a pressurized cabin on a flight. I've worn them on the bus to and from work. At my desk. At home. Everywhere. The longest I wore them for was nine hours straight, and not once did my ears hurt or feel like they were sweaty or too hot. Imagine my surprise at that! Of course, I had to adjust the height every now and then to ensure maximum comfort, but I do this with over-ears too, so it didn't feel out of the ordinary.

Alongside the soft ear cushions, the Milton ANC uses a cushioned headband that relieves pressure you'd otherwise feel on the top of your head. The headphones weigh next to nothing too, at 7.06 ounces, so you don't feel weighed down by them.

After the Marshall Monitor III, the Milton ANC are the most comfortable headphones I've tested — and easily the most comfy on-ears.

Wait, what about the sound quality?

I would never recommend spending any amount of money on a pair of headphones if they don't make music sound fantastic and luckily, the Marshall Milton ANC do just that. These headphones pack 32mm dynamic driver and are tuned to deliver a bass-forward sound straight out of the box. This doesn't mean that they sacrifice treble and mids — on the contrary, everything sounds harmonious, but all I'm saying is that you may want to tinker with the EQ in the app if the bass is a bit much for you.

In tracks like 'Elephant' by 070 Shake and 'Cracker Drool' by Goat Girl, the bass sounded exceptional. The distorted, wobbly bassline in the former engulfed me and I felt immersed, while the driving bassline in the latter gave the track a great backbone with plenty of low-end impact. As for vocals, 'Everybody Scream' by Florence + The Machine sounded phenomenal, with Florence's all-encompassing vocals balancing beautifully against the chanting chorus.

Soundstage spatial audio on the Monitor III is one of my favorite features and I'm thrilled to see it make an appearance on the cheaper Milton ANC. Soundstage essentially creates a virtual room of sound which can be customized on a scale of 'small' to 'large.' Its prowess became apparent when I listened to 'Let It Happen' by Tame Impala. The synths sounded like they were swirling around my head, and I felt like I was at a concert.

Premium features, not-so-premium price

The Marshall Milton ANC sit between the flagship Monitor III over-ears and the popular Major V on-ears, and they borrow features from both sets of cans. You're getting a bunch of premium features at a mid-range price point. For instance, the Milton ANC borrow styling cues (black with brass accents) from the Monitor III, as well as Soundstage spatial audio, Adaptive Loudness, and ANC. They inherit the Major V's on-ear design but make it more comfortable, as I mentioned earlier.

They also feature long battery life: The Major V are rated for 100 hours but because of the addition of ANC to the Milton ANC, the latter are rated for 80 hours without ANC or 50 hours with ANC enabled.

Unlike the Major V and the Monitor III, the Milton ANC feature consumer-replaceable batteries, so all you need to do is twist off the left earcup and et voilà.

So, how much will all those goodies set you back by? The Milton ANC have a retail price of $229 / £179, so they're a fair bit cheaper than the Monitor III. If you don't want to spend $349 on the Monitor III, then the Milton ANC are a no-brainer — as long as you're okay with the on-ear design, of course.

Admittedly, I still prefer the Monitor III's sound profile, longer battery life, and better ANC. But it's nice to have a competent pair of on-ears that I can swap to if I wish to. They set a new gold standard for on-ear headphones (and mid-range cans in general).

Check out my Marshall Milton ANC vs Marshall Monitor III face-off to see which headphones are right for you!

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• Best headphones in 2026

Premium isn't new territory for Sony. The impressive build quality has made the 1000X series stand out from the crowd, becoming a top choice for listeners in the audio world. Today, the company announced a jump into the world of luxury audio with The 1000X ColleXion headphones.

The new headphones are Sony's take on refined luxury, with an uber sleek look that's totally eye-catching. The headphones were first leaked when Damson Idris, star of "F1: The Movie" was spotted wearing them out in public, and speculations have been swirling about the headphones' capabilities ever since.

They still have the distinct Sony headphone look and take inspiration from the WH-1000XM6 headphones, but it's clear that the quality has been upped here. But at what cost? Well, it's a big one, so hold onto your hats as we get into everything you need to know about the 1000X The ColleXion headphones launch.

How much do they cost?

As you can imagine, since these are luxury headphones, they come with a luxury price point. The new 1000X The Collection headphones are available to purchase for $649 /£550 / AU$999 from the Sony Online store.

In the U.S. and U.K., they're even pricier than the Apple AirPods Max 2, which cost $549 / £499, though in Australia, they're priced identically at AU$999.

Since Sony is a premium audio brand, their regular gear isn't exactly budget; its previous release, the WH-1000XM6 headphones, cost $399 / £379 / AU$649.

What do they look like?

The design of the new 1000X The ColleXion headphones clearly takes heavy inspiration from the WH-1000XM6 headphones, which were released last year. But there are some minor changes, which primarily include the materials used.

First, the headphones are available in Platinum or Black. This is a very basic color range, but we have previously seen Sony release more colors of headphones at a later date, so could it be something we see here? For example, the company is also launching a new Sandstone colorway for the WH-1000XM6 headphones today.

The headband of the new ColleXion headphones is metal with padding underneath. The earcups have also had a design change and are now covered in faux leather, but keep the same distinctive Sony shape. However, the earcup of the new headphones is a slimmer 40.1mm, compared to the XM6 earcups, which are 45.4mm.

Audio upgrades

The 1000X The ColleXion headphones see the introduction of DSEE Ultimate. Previously, only standard DSEE has been available in Sony's audio gear, and this technology rebuilds compressed music files. The Ultimate version uses AI technology to upscale the sampling rate (resolution) and bit depth (dynamic range), restoring any lost detail.

The ColleXion headphones also have Hi-Res wireless and LDAC audio codecs. The sound has also been optimized with Walkman technology, using more advanced internal components.

ColleXion has three modes of 360 Upmix for stereo music, cinema and gaming. This aims to give a more immersive experience across the listening modes.

General performance

1000X The ColleXion features 12 microphones (six on each earcup) and an Adaptive NC Optimizer seen in the WH-1000XM6 for noise cancelling that adapts to the environment around you. They also allow background music options with the Sound Connect app, which is one of my favorite features to use on the WF-1000XM6 earbuds.

With 24 hours of battery life with noise cancelling turned on and 32 hours with it turned off, the ColleXion headphones can support all-day listening. This is a significant reduction from what we see in the XM6 headphones, which support 30 hours with ANC and 40 hours with ANC turned off. But with that said, it's still more than enough to get you through the longest flights.

What do you think? Is it worth the upgrade to the premium model, or will you be sticking with the 1000X release from last year? Let us know in the comments.

Don't forget to check out our full Sony 1000X ColleXion review.

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• I tested the highly anticipated Sony WF-1000XM6 — and they're 'everything I could possibly need'
• Apple AirPods Max 2 review: ‘Everything from its predecessor dialed up to 11’
• I tested the Sony WH-1000XM6 for three weeks — here’s my verdict

There are premium headphones, and then there’s the Sony 1000X “The Collexion” (yes, spelled with an X.) Pronounced “Collection,” this $650 remix of the popular Sony WH-1000XM6 is Sony’s 10-year anniversary victory lap for the XM series, aimed at style-conscious buyers who view tech as a seamless extension of their wardrobe.

But these aren’t just XM6s wearing a nicer coat. Sony upgraded the drivers with rigid carbon components that deliver a wider, richer soundstage with the kind of depth I actually wished the regular XM6 had from day one.

The thing is, that might not be enough to convince people this glow-up is worth paying substantially more than the standard XM6 when it comes to buying the best headphones. The Collexion comes with some weird compromises, such as a shorter battery life and no changes to active noise cancellation performance.

Sony is making a pretty bold pitch here: luxury materials, fashion-forward design and elevated sound without tipping fully into the four-figure territory occupied by ultra-premium audiophile brands. We’re talking stainless steel, vegan leather, and a finish that feels more designer accessory than commuter headphones.

And if Apple could make AirPods Max a status symbol, who’s to say Sony can’t do the same? I spent time with Sony’s most fashion-forward headphones yet to find out in my full Sony 1000X The Collection review.

Sony 1000X The Collexion: Specs

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Price and availability

• $649/£550
• Cost $200 more than WH-1000XM6
• 10-year anniversary of Sony’s XM products

The Sony 1000X The Collexion costs $649 / £550 and was released on May 19, 2026, to celebrate a decade of Sony's XM lineage. The headphones are available now at major retailers like Amazon, as well as directly through Sony’s website.

Price-wise, these cans land squarely between the Apple AirPods Max 2 ($549 / £499) and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 ($799 / £629) in a territory not occupied by many other headphone models currently.

And because these are explicitly positioned as a luxury tier above the flagship line rather than a direct replacement for the $449 WH-1000XM6, don't expect to see them heavily discounted during standard holiday sales events anytime soon. They are expensive by any traditional consumer metric, but they occupy a specific high-end ecosystem tailored for buyers willing to pay extra for some aesthetic clout.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Design

• It’s in the materials: Sony has stripped out the lightweight, utilitarian plastic of the standard XM6 in favor of a striking, premium metal-and-leather aesthetic.
• Case or clutch?: Rather than a cheap tech pouch, the included carrying case looks and feels like a minimalist designer handbag.
• Heft vs. comfort: The shift to luxury materials introduces an external wireframe structure that alters the headphones' overall weight, but a wider headband does provide superior comfort.

While the Sony WH-1000XM6 built its reputation as a lightweight plastic tech product, The Collexion swaps plastic for solid stainless steel arms, buttons and inputs, plus supple vegan leather wrapping the earcups and headband. Sony even hid the “Left” and “Right” markings inside the earcups to keep the design seamless.

I tested the platinum finish, which accentuates the contrast of premium materials, though there’s also a sophisticated black option with shimmering color-matched metal. Either way, these felt genuinely luxurious to sport around New York City.

They don’t fold inward, but they do swivel flat into a redesigned carrying case that looks more like a minimalist designer bag than a typical tech pouch. It’s a bit chunky, but the reinforced shell makes carrying around $650 headphones feel a lot safer. (Between us, I loved toting it around.)

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Comfort

On my head, The Collexion felt calibrated for comfort, with the weight balanced on a headband that’s 10% wider and 40% thicker than the standard XM6. Sony also shaved 5mm of thickness off the earcups compared to the XM6, while the earpads feel plush and padded.

But its ultra-premium materials introduce a literal physical weight: 11.3 ounces vs. 9 ounces for the plastic XM6. AirPods Max 2 tip the scales at 13.6 ounces, and since I’ve been using those lately, The Collexion actually felt like a bit of a welcome reprieve.

Sony WH-1000X The Collexion review: Controls

These headphones combine a highly responsive right-earcup touch panel with tactile physical buttons. Swiping for volume and track skipping works flawlessly. Best of all, The Collexion is equipped with a new dedicated hardware feature: a physical Spatial Upmixer button. On the standard XM6, toggling immersive 3D audio required app diving and was only available for Cinema Mode. Here, a simple physical press instantly toggles spatial audio for music, movies, or mobile gaming.

The headphones also feature snappy wear detection, instantly pausing your media the moment you lift an earcup to speak to someone and resuming it seamlessly when placed back on your head. You could always tap and hold on the right earcup to pause and initiate transparency mode, too.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, The Collexion is future-proofed with Bluetooth 6.0 (an upgrade over the standard XM6’s Bluetooth 5.3), multi-point connectivity, and a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Sound quality

• Unidirectional carbon driver: Sony introduced a brand-new, 30mm unidirectional carbon driver designed for wider frequency handling.
• Beefed-up circuitry: The internal circuit board features thicker copper foil layers for a cleaner audio signal.
• Top-tier processing and codecs: Powered by Sony’s new V3 processor, these headphones get DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling alongside LDAC, AAC, and SBC codec support.

The Sony 1000X The Collexion delivers the exact sound quality upgrade I originally wished the standard XM6 would’ve introduced over the WH-1000XM5. At the heart of this upgrade is a brand-new, rigid 30mm unidirectional carbon driver, paired with a beefed-up internal circuit board sporting copper foil layers 1.5 times thicker than the XM6.

For software processing, it steps up to DSEE Ultimate, Sony's highest-grade AI audio engine, and supports high-resolution LDAC alongside standard AAC and SBC codecs. You also get a fully customizable EQ via the Sony Headphones Connect app if you want to tweak the sound.

Listening to ‘bury a friend’ by Billie Eilish the sub-bass sounded cleaner and more controlled than the XM6. The track’s pulsing low-end hits with serious depth and punch, but never overwhelms the rest of the mix or introduces distortion, even at higher volumes.

For mids and instrument separation, I switched to ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac. The vocals, bassline and percussion all felt beautifully distinct, with a warmth and clarity that gave the song room to breathe without sounding crowded.

Then I tested treble and soundstage with ‘Kyoto’ by Phoebe Bridgers. The brass, acoustic textures and layered vocals sounded crisp and airy without teetering on sharp.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: ANC

• Identical ANC: The active noise cancellation hardware and processing are completely identical to the standard XM6.
• Great, not legendary: It excels at cutting out lower-frequency environmental hums, it stops short of class-leading.

The active noise cancellation on The Collexion is excellent, but it’s exactly the same ANC you get on the cheaper Sony WH-1000XM6. Sony used the same microphones and processing here, which makes the lack of an upgrade feel noticeable at $650.

In testing, the headphones did a great job muting low-frequency noise like a loud studio AC unit and the constant rumble of New York City traffic. But sharper sounds still cut through more than they do on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which still delivers the strongest isolation I’ve tested.

Sony 1000 The Collexion review: Call quality

• Familiar mic system: The Collexion uses the exact same microphone hardware and noise processing found on the standard Sony WH-1000XM6.
• Excellent voice isolation: With 12 beamforming microphones, the headphones do a fantastic job separating your voice from surrounding noise.
• Clear real-world performance: Calls sounded rich, warm and consistently clean, even while walking through loud New York City streets.

The call quality on The Collexion is excellent, even if it uses the exact same microphone system as the XM6. With 12 beamforming microphones and strong onboard noise processing, these headphones do a fantastic job isolating your voice from chaotic surroundings.

I spent days taking calls while walking through New York City, and everyone I spoke to commented on how clear and natural my voice sounded. Vocals came through rich and warm without the thin, crackly quality some wireless headsets produce around wind or traffic. As a certified yapper who also cares about my style, I thrived with The Collexion as a wearable accessory.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Battery life

• Noticeable downgrade: Battery life drops to 24 hours with ANC on, down from the 30 hours offered by the cheaper Sony WH-1000XM6.
• Fast charging helps: A quick 5-minute USB-C charge delivers around 1.5 hours of listening time.

Battery life is easily one of the strangest compromises on The Collexion. Sony rates these headphones for 24 hours with ANC enabled, which is enough for a full workday or long-haul flight, but noticeably worse than the standard XM6 which lasts up to 30 hours.

In my testing, Sony’s numbers were accurate almost down to the hour. The headphones died right around 24 hours of use with ANC running continuously. Thankfully, the fast charging is excellent. Five minutes plugged in gave me roughly 90 minutes of playback, which made topping them off far less annoying day to day.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Verdict

The Sony 1000X 'The Collexion' is a niche, luxury statement piece that successfully bridges the gap between mainstream tech and high-end fashion. It delivers an incredibly premium experience with some weird compromises, but the style element is undeniable.

If you view headphones as a core part of your outfit, it is a luxury flex that happens to sound incredible. The designer handbag-style case is, in my opinion, a spectacular touch, and the upgraded rigid carbon drivers deliver the spacious, pristine soundstage I always wanted from the standard XM6.

On the downside, paying a $200 premium forces you into a frustrating battery life drop down to 24 hours and active noise cancellation that offers zero upgrade over the more sensibly-priced base model.

So maybe The Collexion isn't the practical choice for everyone, but hey, style rarely is.