Articles about Headphones

Let’s be honest -- exercising sucks. While some people enjoy fitness, many people (such as myself) absolutely detest it. Whether you love or hate being active, however, it is undoubtedly an essential part of good health. In other words, a fully sedentary life is destined for tragedy.

If you want to make fitness more enjoyable, listening to music can do the trick. Put on a pair of headphones, crank your favorite tunes, and you just might find yourself more motivated.

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Beats by Dr. Dre (Beats) has officially named Major League Baseball and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani as its newest brand ambassador. This partnership brings Ohtani into the spotlight alongside other global sports icons like LeBron James and Lionel Messi, who have also represented the brand.

“As a Beats ambassador, I am truly honored to work with such incredible athletes such as Lebron James and Lionel Messi,” said Ohtani. “I am excited at the new opportunities this partnership will bring.”

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Christmas is on the horizon -- it is literally next month! In other words, you had better start your shopping soon. If you have a techie in your life you need to get a gift for, you might be thinking of wireless headphones, such as Apple AirPods. While that is a nice gift idea, maybe you should think outside the box instead and go for bone conduction headphones...

If you aren't familiar, bone conduction headphones don't go in or over your ear canals, but instead, they sort of transmit audio through your skull. It sounds crazy, I know, but it is a really cool technology that allows you to hear your surroundings. These types of headphones are ideal for those that exercise, bike, or walk in the street while listening to music.

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There are plenty of headphone-makers nowadays, with Apple probably being the most popular. Consumers seem to love that company's wireless earbuds, the AirPods and AirPods Pro. You know what? That's totally fine. Apple makes great products, although they are often overpriced. The $500 AirPods Max over-ear headphones, however, are way too expensive. You would have to be crazy to spend so much!

Thankfully, there are much more affordable wireless over-ear headphones that are also excellent. Case in point, the ATH-M50xBT by Audio-Technica. Today, that company launches the second-generation of its popular Bluetooth headphones. Called "ATH-M50xBT2," this new product offering costs less than half the price of Apple AirPods Max.

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Back in 2019, we told you about the beautiful Jaybird VISTA wireless earbuds. These in-ear headphones put AirPods to shame. VISTA didn't just look nicer than Apple's offerings, but they had more features and a better focus on both exercise and activities too.

Fast forward to 2021, and the sequel has finally arrived. The Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Earbuds are here just in time for your summertime workouts. Whether you want to use them during exercise or relaxing on the couch, they should provide a great audio experience.

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TCL is on a come-up in a big way. The company's televisions are wildly popular thanks to their low prices and excellent features, and its smartphones are disrupting the industry. For instance, the wonderful TCL 10 5G UW can be had for a song -- a mere $120 when you sign up for a Verizon Unlimited plan. That's definitely the best early Black Friday deal I have seen.

TCL is not only about smartphones and televisions, however. For instance, the company makes tablets too. Today, it launches new wireless earbuds that rival Apple AirPods at a fraction of the price. Called "MOVEAUDIO S150," these Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds are chock-full of cool features -- they are waterproof, have touch controls, and the charging case uses USB-C.

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If it feels like HyperX releases a lot of gaming headsets, that's because it does. Yeah, Kingston's gaming brand seems to like having a large offering of headsets for some reason. While that can be confusing for some consumers, ultimately, having choice and a diverse product line is a good thing. It ensures there are models for all budgets and needs.

Today, HyperX launches the Cloud Core Gaming Headset + 7.1. As the name implies, it offers virtual 7.1 surround sound. The wired headset looks to be attractive and comfortable too. It even comes with a USB breakout box with controls. Best of all, it is very much affordable at less than $70.

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When you are a serious gamer, including those that play competitively, your gear really matters. Players need to carefully select high-end mice, keyboards, headsets, and more if they are going to compete -- especially on a professional level. Many elite gamers choose Logitech G for their hardware needs, and it is not hard to see why -- Logitech's gaming brand has consistently released high-quality gear for many years.

Today, Logitech G announces the PRO X Wireless LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset. As the name suggests, this wireless headset utilizes Logitech's excellent LIGHTSPEED technology. If you aren't familiar, LIGHTSPEED is the company's proprietary low-latency wireless solution that minimizes many of the complaints gamers have about Bluetooth. If you are a gamer and you want wireless gear, LIGHTSPEED is where it's at.

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The trouble with in-ear-style wireless earphones is they can be bulky and hard to keep in place or -- we're looking at you Apple -- have those little antennas that make you look like you've stuck cigarette ends in your ears.

Klipsch is changing all that with its new T5 II range. They are around 25 percent smaller than the earlier T5s and more closely mimic the shape of the ear for maximum comfort. They also come with six sets of ear tips to ensure more people can get a good fit.

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Bluetooth headphones are no longer the future of portable audio — they are the present. Since Apple courageously killed the 3.5mm audio jack on the iPhone, and many Android manufacturers followed suit, wireless headphones have exploded in popularity. And yes, Apple AirPods are leading the trend.

The thing is, while AirPods are very popular, they aren’t necessarily the best. In fact, if you are an Android user, you should absolutely look elsewhere. Today, Audio-Technica launches its newest in-ear Bluetooth headphones, and they put Apple AirPods to shame. Called “QuietPoint ATH-ANC300TW,” they feature 4.5 hours of listening time, but the USB-C charging case adds 13.5 more. You even get replaceable tips so you can find the most comfortable fit.

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Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, such as Apple Airpods, are all the rage these days. It's not hard to see why this is -- many smartphone-makers have removed the 3.5mm port from their devices. Of course, the missing headphone jack is not the only reason -- Bluetooth models can also be better for those that exercise, as there aren't any wires to get tangled during activity.

Of course, with the Covid 19 Coronavirus on everyone's minds these days, I can understand why some wouldn't want to stick any earbuds -- wired or wireless -- into their ears. If a virus or bacteria is on an earbud, and you insert it into your ear, you could be unintentionally introducing disease into your body. Thankfully, Philips has new wireless earbuds that may solve this dilemma. Called "T702BK ActionFit Wireless Sports Earbuds," they come with a charging case that features ultraviolet (UV) cleaning. In other words, while you are charging them, and before you put them into your ears, they are being disinfected by UV light. Even AirPods can't do that!

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Black is beautiful. And so, HyperX is releasing a new variant of its popular Cloud Alpha S headset in that color. Well, technically black isn't a color, but a total absence of it, but I digress. Called "Cloud Alpha S Blackout," it is entirely black, giving it a very cool look. This is much appreciated, as not all gamers want a colorful product that looks like it is designed for millennials or gen-z.

This Blackout variant is subtle and classy. It wouldn't look out of place in a business setting. In fact, with so many people doing the "work from home" thing these days, HyperX even suggests using it for remote work and video conferencing.

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Beats headphones have a reputation for being over-hyped and overpriced. While the headphones are expensive, they are actually quite good. If you want exceptional sound quality and good looks, you really can't go wrong with Beats by Dre. products. Yes, there are other great brands that cost less, but hey, if someone wants to pay a premium because it is a product line launched by famed rapper/producer Dr. Dre (which is now owned by Apple), there is nothing wrong that. Let people spend their money how they want.

Today, Apple announces its latest product -- Beats Solo Pro. These wireless headphones are the on-ear variant and feature noise-canceling technology. Solo Pro is designed to be comfortable, thanks to cushioned ear pads and an adjustable headband.

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AirPods are trash. Yeah, I know, they are very popular and Apple sells a ton of them, but that doesn't mean they are good. Look, the iPhone-maker could do much better than a set of rigid hard plastic things that you shove in your ear. They cause me, and others, severe ear canal pain. It doesn't have to be that way either -- Apple could very easily design them with replaceable tips to provide a customized experience. But no, Tim Cook and company would rather not. Oh well.

Thankfully, there are other companies willing to acknowledge that not everyone has the same size ear holes. Jaybird, for instance, makes many comfortable wireless headphones with replaceable tips. Their focus is on both performance and comfort -- what a concept! Today, the company launches its latest product, and it is clearly an AirPods-killer. Yeah, calling a product that competes with Apple a "killer" is a bit of a cliché, but hey, facts are facts.

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Nearly a year ago, Logitech acquired famed company Blue Microphones. This was a match made in heaven, as the companies' products were very much aligned. Logitech makes some of the best headsets, while Blue produces microphones that are very much respected by vloggers, podcasters, musicians, and more. The Blue Yeti mic, for instance, is fairly ubiquitous thanks to its excellence.

Today, Logitech G announces a gaming headset that uses newly acquired Blue Microphones technology. Called "PRO X," it features premium build quality thanks to steel and aluminum materials. The ear pads are made of a faux-leather, but if you prefer, you can replace them with the included velour ear pads. The headset is analog, featuring a 3.5mm connection, but a USB DAC/sound card is included in the box as well. In other words, you can use them over USB or with a headphone jack -- your choice.

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