Review For Sony WS410 Walkman WS Series : Swimming earbud

Not only is Sony’s Walkman still alive and well, but it’s now adapted to aquatic environments and is one of the best choices for swimming and water-based sports available. Simply put, the W-Series Walkman Sports MP3 player is the most waterproof earbuds option we’re aware of, and that fact alone wins them this category. Not only can they be completely submerged and still continue to play music, but they can operate in salt or fresh water at depths of up to 2 meters — so go ahead and jump in the deep end.

They’ll even stay on after that cannonball, kept in place by both around-the-ear hooks and a tiny band that snugly stretches around the back of your head. The headphones also feature unique earbuds that are designed to keep water from entering the driver casing — which would otherwise ruin the headphones for good.

Sony’s Waterproof Walkman is an all-in-one device that doesn’t need to be connected to a phone or other playback source; instead, it has 4GB of storage to hold your music, and you can load up songs and playlists on your PC via the included USB cable just like in ages past. Sure, 4GB might not sound like much space, but that adds up to about 1,000 to 2,000 tracks, depending on their file size. All playback is controlled with tiny buttons on the sides of each earbud. Speaking of charge, the W-Series Walkman will last up to 12 hours per charge, and Sony claims you’ll be able to charge them in no time via their quick-charge feature.

Sony Walkman 4GB Headphone-Integrated NW-WS413
(Black)
$98.95 From Amazon

Review For 1More’s Triple Driver in-ear headphones Spending $100 In

Updated: Added information about the Triple Driver’s availability in the U.K.

Perhaps best known as the acoustic developers behind Xiaomi’s Piston 3.0 headphones, China-based 1More recently unleashed a wide array of headphones aimed squarely at the rapidly-exploding American market. The Triple Driver in-ears are the first pair from 1More we’ve tried firsthand, and if these value-packed headphones are indicative of the rest of the line, 1More may just be poised to make some serious waves this year.

So named for their formidable combination of dual balanced-armature drivers matched with a dynamic driver to pump up the lower end, the Triple Driver have all the trappings of an upper class headphone — inside and out. These in-ears boast plenty of impressive features, but perhaps the most remarkable thing about them is the price: At $100, they make others in their class look embarrassingly overpriced.

While the satiny finish on the exterior gleams like fresh copper, the casings are actually cast from an aluminum alloy, designed for both durability and a clean, sparkling finish. The gleaming exterior has been sandblasted, and the entire casing has a premium feel. 

The braided cables are wrapped in Kevlar to stand up to the rigors of everyday use, and are equipped with a snazzy-looking triple-button inline microphone, compatible with iOS and Android devices.

1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones Hi-Res 
Headphones with High Resolution, Bass Driven
Sound, MEMS Mic, In-Line Remote, High Fidelity
for Smartphones/PC/Tablet - Gold 
$69.88  From Amazon

Editors' Recommendations

• The best earbuds for 2019
• Sony WF-1000XM3 review

Review For The best earbuds for 2019

Block the outside world and tune into your own with the best in-ear headphones 

 

The best earbuds for running

Jabra Elite 65t

Functionality, battery life, and great water resistance at a good price make the Jabra Elite Active 65t the best true wireless option for running.

$140.34 From Amazon 

Best earbuds for sleeping

Bose Sleepbuds

Bose’s Sleepbuds stay snug and comfy while you sleep, while masking distracting noises.

$249 From Amazon

Best Earbuds For Bass

Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro

The Powerbeats Pro’s big bass response lives up to their name and their branding.

 $100 From Amazon

We’ve reviewed hundreds of pairs of headphones — and more earbuds than we can count — and we’re happy to report that the 1 More Triple Drivers are the best earbuds you can buy, thanks to the incredible sound they offer at a budget-friendly price. But we have six more picks beyond that for you to consider, with and without wires, all of which come with our highest recommendation.

Our picks tick all the boxes: Great performance, stability, and even options for swimmers and poor sleepers. Some cost a mint (though not nearly as much as the world’s most expensive headphones), while others will barely dent your budget. Whichever you pick, there’s no doubt that any of these earphones will make you a happy camper next time you hit the road.

If you’re looking for wireless options only, be sure to check out our best wireless and best true wireless headphones lists.

The best earbuds at a glance

• Best: 1More Triple Drivers
• Best earbuds for running: Jabra Elite Active 65t
• Best earbuds for sleeping: Bose Sleepbuds
• Best earbuds for bass: Beats Powerbeats Pro
• Best earbuds for swimming: Sony W-Series 4GB Walkman
• Best earbuds for iPhone: AirPods 3
• Best earbuds for Android: Samsung Galaxy Buds

The best earbuds: 1More Triple Drivers

Why you should buy them: They’re a sweet mix of style, performance, and shocking affordability.

1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones

The 1More Triple Drivers are affordable,

easy on the eyes, and offer a depth

of sound which is second to none. 

$70 From Amazon

Who they’re for: The discerning listener who craves quality, but hasn’t yet landed that corner office.


Why we picked the 1More Triple Drivers:


We could have gone many ways for this pick, but 1More’s unassuming Triple Drivers just wouldn’t stop popping up into the picture. The 1More aren’t at the top of the class in performance, but what they do have going for them is unrivaled quality and value at their (very reachable) price point. The company has created plenty of iterations since, including a Quad Driver and even an over-ear version, creatively called the Triple Driver over-ears. But when it comes to value for the money, we always come back to the original.

China-based upstart 1More blew our minds when we discovered how little the company wanted for the Triple Driver headphones, the first pair we’d ever heard from the brand. For this kind of build quality and performance, we’d expect to pay at least double. And while these aren’t wireless earbuds, if you don’t mind some strings attached, they more than make up for their wired constraints with sweet sound for the dough.

So what specifically do the Triple Drivers offer your ears? A gorgeous aesthetic, solid construction, and you guessed it, three drivers within each earbud for excellent sound. That includes one dynamic driver for warm and full bass and a balanced armature driver for both the midrange and treble to create clear and articulate sound. It’s an intriguing design than one might think is a gimmick, but we can assure you that when it comes to the results, it’s anything but.

The Triple Driver’s sound signature provides sparkling clarity, smooth and powerful bass, and balanced sound that outdoes everything we’ve heard at a similar price point. These headphones provide exceptional sound for anything you listen to, from electronica to acoustic folk. Need we say more? Oh, and if you’re rocking a new iPhone and you hate the adapter, there’s a Lightning version, too.

The best earbuds for running: Jabra Elite Active 65t

 

Why you should buy them: You’re on the hunt for great workout buds that are comfortable and life-proof.

Jabra Elite 65t

Functionality, battery life,

and great water resistance at a good price make

the Jabra Elite Active 65t the best

true wireless option for running.

$170 From Amazon

Who they’re for: People who want total wireless autonomy for demanding workouts.




Why we picked the Jabra Elite Active 65t:


Jabra’s Elite Active 65t may look like miniature versions of the Bluetooth headsets that helped put the brand on the map more than a decade ago, but don’t be fooled by the aesthetic. With solid battery life, great sound quality, and an IP56 waterproof rating, these little guys best Apple’s industry-leading AirPods as some of our favorite fully wireless headphones.

The Elite Active 65t feature an ergonomic design, with three different sets of eartips to guarantee a good seal. The excellent passive noise isolation means you get the most out of every note, and you can also lower the volume for less ear strain. Overall sound quality is good, coming through clear and balanced, with punchy bass response and a very dynamic treble register.

The Elite Active 65t offer five hours of battery life per charge, which doesn’t match some of the latest true wireless buds, like Beats’ Powerbeats Pro, but it’s more than enough for a serious workout or your daily jam — and at a much better price. The included charging case adds two refills before you need to find a Micro USB cable. 

The 65t also match many of the best features we’ve seen from other fully wireless models. Jabra’s Sound+ app lets you adjust settings like equalization, as well as use either your phone’s built-in smart assistant (Siri on iOS, Google Assistant on Android) or Amazon Alexa to respond to queries. Sensors built into the headphones can be set to play and pause music when you remove the buds, and the Elite 65t can even pipe in different levels of ambient sound, which isgreat for hearing cars on the road when you’re out on your job, or announcements on the train or at the airport while you travel.

The IP56 rating means they are safe around high-pressure water jets and protected from limited dust ingress — and that you won’t have to worry about them while you sweat or run in the rain, adding to the overall convenience of the headphones. All in all, it’s a great package at a great price.

Best earbuds for sleeping: Bose Sleepbuds

 

Why you should buy them: They’re the best sleep-focused earbuds out there.

Bose Sleepbuds

Bose’s Sleepbuds stay snug

and comfy while you sleep,

while masking distracting noises.

$ 249 From Amazon

Who they’re for: Those who struggle to sleep due to loud living conditions or a snoring bedmate.

Why we picked the Bose Sleepbuds:

You might assume that a category like “best earbuds for sleeping” would include a pair of noise-canceling earbuds, but that’s only half-true. The aptly named Sleepbuds from Bose don’t use noise canceling, per se, but noise masking. Instead of blocking sound, the Sleepbuds produce sound that matches the normal decibel level of common distracting sounds that normally keep us awake. The included Bose Sleep app provides 10 different white noise tracks to pick from, with obvious options like ocean waves and warm static hums. Each is designed to keep you from noticing those annoying outside noises — including a snoring partner. 

Since they’re meant to be worn while you’re sleeping, the Sleepbuds look and feel different than your average pair of wireless earbuds, and feature specialized tips that fit in your ear slightly differently than what you may be used to. The silicone tips are designed to lock securely in your ear so they don’t fall out while you’re sleeping, and each pair of Sleepbuds ships with three separate sets of tips so you can find the best fit. They’re also incredibly light, with each earbud only weighing about 1.4 grams and measuring about 1 centimeter wide.

Don’t expect the Sleepbuds to pull double duty as the earbuds you listen to music with, however. These are designed solely for helping you sleep, and little else. In fact, there are some limitations to their ability as sleeping aids, such as the app only holding a maximum of around 12 ambient sounds, and their size and fit potentially being ever-so-slightly too big for sleeping on your side. Still, they are the best option for those who need help catching some z’s, and do a pretty darn good job of it.

Best earbuds for bass: Beats Powerbeats Pro

 

Why you should buy them: You want all the power and groove of big bass with high-quality sound everywhere else.

Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro

The Powerbeats Pro’s big bass response

lives up to their name and their branding.

$249.95 From Amazon

Who they’re for: Those who want big bass and clear sound in a great pair of workout buds.

Why we picked the Beats Powerbeats Pro:

Beats’ Powerbeats Pro headphones certainly bring the bass, which is why we’ve picked them for this category. Admittedly, all that low-end may lead to a little too much thump for some ears, and will be especially notable in tunes that don’t really need such booming sound. That said, if you’re familiar at all with Beats’ other bass blasters, like the Powerbeats3, you’ll be pleased to hear that the harmonic distortion from all that rumble is much less of an issue when listening on the Powerbeats Pro.

Complementing the big bass response is the Powerbeats Pro’s eyebrow-raising 9-hour battery life, making them one of the longest-lasting fully wireless pairs of earbuds we’ve tested. Those 9 hours can be extended to almost 24 thanks to the wireless charging case — though it’s a bit bulkier than we’d like. Still, even if you leave the case at home, 9 hours is more than enough for an average working day of listening.

The Powerbeats Pro are an impressive pair of fully wireless buds, but there is one serious drawback we need to point out. The Powerbeats Pro suffered connectivity issues throughout our tests, especially in high-traffic areas or with a phone p;aced in a back pocket. We regularly experienced dropouts while wearing these while running, and the issue repeated across multiple test units and even when using different phones. Your mileage may vary, and hopefully the connection kinks will be worked out on later iterations, but we’d be remiss not to mention the issue.

Best earbuds for swimming: Sony WS410 Walkman WS Series

Who they’re for: Swimmers and athletes who prefer to leave their phones at home. 

Sony Walkman 4GB Headphones

Sony’s NW-WS410 Walkman is an all-in-one,

waterproof device that’s perfect

for aquatic sports or rainy weather.

$99 From Amazon

Why we picked the Sony WS410 Walkman W-Series:

Not only is Sony’s Walkman still alive and well, but it’s now adapted to aquatic environments and is one of the best choices for swimming and water-based sports available. Simply put, the W-Series Walkman Sports MP3 player is the most waterproof earbuds option we’re aware of, and that fact alone wins them this category. Not only can they be completely submerged and still continue to play music, but they can operate in salt or fresh water at depths of up to 2 meters — so go ahead and jump in the deep end.

They’ll even stay on after that cannonball, kept in place by both around-the-ear hooks and a tiny band that snugly stretches around the back of your head. The headphones also feature unique earbuds that are designed to keep water from entering the driver casing — which would otherwise ruin the headphones for good.

Sony’s Waterproof Walkman is an all-in-one device that doesn’t need to be connected to a phone or other playback source; instead, it has 4GB of storage to hold your music, and you can load up songs and playlists on your PC via the included USB cable just like in ages past. Sure, 4GB might not sound like much space, but that adds up to about 1,000 to 2,000 tracks, depending on their file size. All playback is controlled with tiny buttons on the sides of each earbud. Speaking of charge, the W-Series Walkman will last up to 12 hours per charge, and Sony claims you’ll be able to charge them in no time via their quick-charge feature.

The best wireless headphones for iPhone: AirPods

Why you should buy them: As long as they’re synced to an iPhone, the AirPods have features few other devices can match

Who they’re for: Apple die-hards who want a fully wireless option

Why we picked the Apple AirPods:

Apple AirPods 2

The AirPods are the perfect fully wireless complement to your iOS device.

$179.00 From Amazon

The truth is, there are better-sounding earbuds out there that can work with iPhones, but even so, we still think the AirPods are the best iOS-specific choice thanks to how Apple they are. 

For better or for worse, the AirPod’s have all the hallmarks of an Apple product: They’re sleek, compact, and extremely easy to use. The design includes simple controls, and no-fuss compatibility with other Apple products.That last point is probably the most important reason why the AirPods are our pick for the best wireless headphones to use with iPhones. Unlike other Bluetooth devices, AirPods are designed to automatically sync with your device. 

Perhaps most important to Apple users (apart from the iconic style), these earbuds couldn’t be easier to pair and set up: Just open the case, hold the new AirPods next to your iPhone, and you’re ready to listen. Once the AirPods are paired, they’ll also show up automatically on any of your iCloud-connected Apple devices.

Pairing to non-Apple devices is also an incredibly simple affair — Apple made its name on intuitive design, after all. That said, you may want to think twice if you’re not an Apple head, as there’s actually a lot the AirPods can only do when connected to an Apple device. For instance, the intuitive double-tap touch controls can be customized with a number of options — including calling up Siri, playing/pausing audio, or skipping between tracks — but only from an iPhone.

For all these reasons, the AirPods are a solid choice for Apple’s products, especially the iPhone.  But we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that, in fact, every other pair of fully wireless earbuds work great with iPhones too. And most of them at this price point actually sound a fair bit better than the AirPods. It’s a big world out there, so before you just jump into the most obvious Apple pairing, we suggest shopping around a bit.

The best wireless headphones for Android: Samsung Galaxy Buds

Why you should buy them: The Galaxy Buds are among the most compelling true wireless earbuds out there.

Samsung Galaxy Buds

The Galaxy Buds offer impressive sound,

solid battery life, and a comfortable fit.

$121.85 From Amazon

Who they’re for: Those who want the freedom of truly wireless earbuds on any phone at a great price.

Why we picked the Galaxy Buds:


The Galaxy Buds are more than just Samsung’s Android-focused response to Apple’s AirPods — they’re also some of the best fully wireless earbuds around at their price point.
The Galaxy Buds are Samsung’s bid for simplicity, and at that, they excel. Soft silicone eartips offer a great seal, keeping them snug in your ears and helping improve the bass response. The sound signature presnts warm bass and a detailed upper register that’s never sharp or sibilant. Their 6-hour battery life isn’t the best in the business, but it bests the AirPods, and that can be stretched out with additional charges stored in their wireless charging case.

Beyond battery life and performance,  the Galaxy Buds come with a number of cool features that help secure their hold as the top choice for Android users. Their customizable touch controls can be set to change volume or skip tracks from within the Samsung Wear app. The app also allows you to pick between five different equalization settings, letting you tailor the sound of the headphones for your ears and musical tastes. 

Perhaps our favorite feature of the app, however, is “Find my earbuds” which does exactly what it says, and will save you plenty of time in case one of these tiny earbuds slip away from your grasp. Their snug fit and lightweight design means you should never lose them if they’re in your ears — you’ll have to find another way. 

As a way to listen to your favorite music in all styles on the go, the Galaxy Buds absolutely serve their purpose, and the lightweight design really accentuates the luxury of having no strings attached. While choices like Klipsch’s new T5 and others are moving up quickly, the Galaxy Buds are a great choice at a great price.

Review For Bose Sleepbuds mask noise to help you drift off to sleep

Like many people, I suffer from insomnia. I’ve always found it hard to go to sleep. Whether I’m replaying the embarrassing moments slideshow, having imaginary arguments, or stressing out about the next day, I find it frustratingly difficult to switch off at night. I’m also sensitive to sound. Snoring, central heating kicking in, music from the neighbors, or birds tweeting in the morning all regularly rip me from my slumber. In recent years tinnitus has joined the list — a high-pitched ringing in my ears that gets worse when I’m stressed.

I’m not alone. Millions of people have trouble sleeping. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. Little wonder then that a sleep industry has sprung up to analyze our sleep and help us drift off to the land of nod and stay there until morning. Bose Sleepbuds were designed for precisely that purpose. These noise masking earbuds hook up to your phone and play soothing sounds to lull you to sleep. If you value your shut-eye, then you may be willing to pay the rather steep $249 price tag. But should you? I’ve spent some time with them to see if the earbuds could help my sleep problems.

Clever design, and super stylish charging case

The Bose Sleepbuds use noise masking technology; it doesn’t offer noise cancellation as you might expect. The earbuds are much like the wireless earbuds you might use to listen to music, and it comes with three sets of differently sized noise-isolating ear tips. Getting the right fit is vital for your comfort and to ensure that sound is blocked out. The idea is that you try the different sizes of ear tips and find the one that fits your ear ridge. Then pop the Sleepbuds in, and rotate them to form a seal. You may find you need a different size for each ear. Even without hooking up to the app, it should muffle the sound around you.

I’ve used regular foam earplugs in times of sleepless desperation and the Sleepbuds compare quite favorably. The special tips lock them securely in place and it’s reasonably comfortable if you’re the kind of person who wears earbuds and don’t mind them. It’s actually the smallest product Bose has ever made — each bud is about 1 centimeter across and weighs in at 1.4 grams. It won’t fall out when you move around, and it sits flush in the ear so it won’t catch on your bedding, though I did find lying on my side to be a bit uncomfortable. If you’ve tried earplugs or earbuds before and find them uncomfortable, then the Bose Sleepbuds are probably not going to work for you.

It comes in a super stylish, futuristic, aluminum charging case that slides open. The Sleepbuds are guided into place magnetically and a series of white LEDs confirms it’s charging and shows the power level. The charging case is probably my favorite part about the Bose Sleepbuds. The irresistible sliding lid mechanism, the ease of slotting the Sleepbuds in, and the reassuring glowing white lights all make for something you won’t mind having on the nightstand. It has a Micro USB port in back which you can plug into a standard charger.

It takes around eight hours to fully charge the Sleepbuds and then it’s good for 16 hours. That means you should get at least two nights of use from a single charge. The case also contains a battery, so when it’s fully charged, which takes around three hours, it can fully charge the Sleepbuds once without having to be plugged in. The battery and portability are ideal for travel.

Soothing sounds from smartphone app

Before you can use the Bose Sleepbuds, you’ll need to install the Bose Sleep app for Android or iOS. The Sleepbuds connect to the app on your phone via Bluetooth. I found it paired up quickly and easily, as long as the earbuds were out of the case and charged.

You have a choice of 10 different sounds in the app from things like Warm Static, which is exactly what it sounds like, to Swell, which is waves on a beach. Bose started off with a wide library of sounds and had testers score them so it could boil down the selection. Since the most popular use for Bose’s Sleepbuds is to mask the noise of a snoring partner, most of the sounds are designed to match that frequency of sound and distract your brain just enough that the snoring doesn’t bother you anymore.

For me, it worked well to drown out general background noise and also to distract from tinnitus, but you can still hear what’s going on around you. For example, the distant sounds of traffic and construction were drowned out for me, but I could hear my partner talking to me.

You can select the volume level that works for you and the time you want the sound to play for, from half an hour up to all night long. I’ve always liked the sound of rain, so I picked Shower. I found that the sound was soothing and it helped me relax, but the first night I tried them I ended up removing them before falling asleep because it felt a little uncomfortable when I turned over to sleep on my side.

The feeling of having something in your ears is going to be enough to put some people off. I persisted and found that I got more used to it, but I probably wouldn’t choose to use the Sleepbuds unless there was a specific sound disturbance or my tinnitus was particularly bad. In those cases, the Sleepbuds are way better than traditional ear plugs. The fact that it plays a soothing sound, rather than just muffle or block noises, makes all the difference. But if you don’t share a bed, you could play a sound like that on your phone and skip the discomfort of wearing something all night.

Coping with a snoring partner is the main reason people will buy the Bose Sleepbuds and, provided you don’t find them too uncomfortable to wear, I think it will offer some sweet relief in that department. I can also see them being invaluable for frequent travelers who need to get forty winks without being disturbed by unfamiliar sounds.

The app also allows you to set an alarm that only you will hear, which could prove handy for people who need to get up before their partners and don’t want to wake them.

The only issue I encountered with the app was a repeated failure to update the software. It would connect to the Sleepbuds, tell me I needed to update, I’d tap to start updating and then it would fail without any obvious reason.

Limitations and future improvements

Simon Hill/Digital Trends You may be wondering why the Bose Sleepbuds don’t do more, but there is a good reason it focuses purely on sleep and offers a limited selection of soothing sounds. It’s mainly to do with the small size and the trade-off in battery life. Because the Sleepbuds are so small, it can only hold 10 or 12 sounds at once. Noise cancellation would require more power and microphones, which would have made the Sleepbuds bigger and less comfortable. Music streaming would also be a bigger drain on power and most music isn’t really effective at masking sounds anyway.

While there are solid reasons for the limitations, you may still feel that the Bose Sleepbuds are a bit overpriced at $249.

I’m pleased to report that Bose is committed to improving the Sleepbuds through software updates and it has been listening to feedback. Since release, Bose has rolled out another 10 sounds for people to choose from, it has added a phone-free mode to allow you to use the Sleepbuds without having to access the app, and it has added a dark mode for the app replacing the white backgrounds with black.

Sleep deprivation is incredibly bad for your general well being and a recent Philips study found that 80 percent of people want to improve the quality of their sleep, so there’s definitely a place for a product like this. For some people, the Bose Sleepbuds are going to be a life-changing revelation, but it won’t work for everyone.

Review For Apple AirPods 3 with noise-cancellation could be coming later this year

 

Apple is reportedly working on a set of AirPods that are water-resistant, according to Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives. The latest report builds on an earlier one from DigiTimes claiming that we could see a fresh set of Pods before the end of 2019 — and if history is to repeat itself, the launch will take place during the Cupertino, California firm’s annual September event.

In terms of what the AirPods 3 might bring to the table, there’s the rumored water-resistance, as well as several unspecified design enhancements. DigiTimes, on the other hand, has reported more information, noting that the AirPods will also come with noise-cancellation on board.

The real question is, if Apple is indeed working on a noise-cancellation function for the AirPods, how exactly would it work? AirPods have traditionally lacked sound isolation, meaning they simply sit in your ear and do not seal off any part of your ear canal. As such, Apple would need to alter the design to accommodate the new feature.

For passive noise isolation, earbuds need to effectively shield outside sounds from entering the ear. For active noise-cancellation, the AirPods would also require additional circuitry and possibly more microphones to produce the correct frequencies that neutralize exterior sounds. Once again, that means significant design updates.

And let’s not forget: Active noise-cancellation consumes additional power, so Apple would need to find a way to bake in a larger cell or develop some highly efficient software to extend the battery life.
Sony’s new WF-1000XM3, for instance, get just 6 hours of battery life with noise canceling on, and up to 8 hours per charge with it off. That means there’s work to be done, considering the second-generation AirPods come in on the low side of acceptable at just 5 hours.

It’s no secret that Apple is researching various forms of noise-cancellation tech, though most of its exploration seems to be centered around over-ear headphones. In fact, earlier this year it applied for a patent on an active noise-cancellation system that gives wearers the option to control how much ambient sound enters their ears.

That’s not to say Apple isn’t looking at ways to apply the same technology to the AirPods, but considering the tight deadline it would need to meet to have units on the production line in time for the manufacturing cut-off, it seems unlikely the next AirPods will come with noise-cancellation, instead just bundling water-resistance.

Then again, Apple is no stranger to pulling off a big surprise.

Review For Sony WF-1000XM3 Industry Leading Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbuds, Silver

Over the past several years, Sony has become a big player in the world of noise-canceling headphones, with its WH-1000XM3 over-ears easily ranking as our favorite pair of headphones ever since its launch. Today, the company has announced it will take a shrink ray to that tech, putting their acclaimed noise-canceling chip inside a brand new pair of true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 (we know, confusing name).

The new headphones are packed with compelling features, including six hours of battery life with noise-canceling on (eight hours with it off) and a 24-hour charging case, and touch controls. Like Sony’s bigger over-ear model, you can touch the left earbud to quickly pipe in some ambient sound from the outside world, making it so you don’t have to remove a headphone to hear an announcement or have a quick conversation with a flight attendant.

In terms of aesthetics, these don’t appear to be the most compact true wireless headphones you’ll find, but they don’t look as bulky as the earhook-style Powerbeats Pro either. The WF-1000xM3 are pill-shaped buds that look like tiny versions of the Bluetooth headsets you may have used a decade ago.

 Buy Now From Amazon

A big thing Sony is touting about the new headphones is their sound quality. The headphones feature the company’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine HX (DSEE HX), which has the ability to upscale compressed audio formats to make them sound of higher quality, and they also feature the ability to play 24-bit audio, which is the same bit depth at which it is typically recorded in the studio.

Another thing that the company has addressed explicitly in the WF-1000XM3 is video latency. 
Because older chips were slower, we’ve often seen true wireless models that simply don’t sync up with YouTube or Netflix on your phone. Sony says it has solved this problem with the WF-1000XM3, thanks to improved processors.  Call quality should also be excellent, with the company stating that it will employ both noise-canceling and specialized microphones to make sure you come through crystal clear on the phone.

We have yet to hear Sony’s latest pair of true wireless headphones, but we certainly look forward to spending some time with them in the coming days: We should be getting a pair in-house shortly, and will put them through their paces as soon as possible.

At least on the surface, these headphones seem as though they could be among the best on the true wireless market, which has yet to feature a great pair of noise-canceling headphones.  The WF-1000xM3 will be available for pre-order on Amazon starting today, and will ship to customers in August. They will cost $230.

Reviewed The best Sennheiser OCX686 sports headphones

Sennheiser OCX686

 Buy Now From Amazon

 

Sennheiser OCX 686G Sports Ear-Canal Ear Hook Headset for Android Devices

 

 

 

Sennheiser’s taken a more grown-up approach with its OCX686 earphones. Wireless is out to keep the price down, but it’s the way they sound that makes them a bit unusual in this company.

Their magic trick is to provide great bass impact without actually injecting all that much extra bass. The reasoning being that it’s actually impact rather than sheer volume that will get you running to your favourite tunes that bit faster.

By not swamping the sound with bass, the Sennheiser lets the OCX686’s mids breathe a bit more, so vocals and guitars are clearer and more spacious. That’s all good, but there is a problem: these earphones are quite sibilant, which makes cymbals and searing vocals clash uncomfortably with your eardrums if you listen loud.

We’ve seen a few buyers have complain about the fit of the Sennheiser OCX686s, too. We’ve had not had that issue, but it’s worth being aware of any potential incompatibility with your ears.
They use flexible hooks that sit over your ears to help keep them in place, but also use standard IEM silicone tips. They isolate well, which is great for the gym but may not be so sensible for running out on the roads. Like the best sport headphones, these are also water resistant enough to withstand sweat and the watery removal of said sweat.

There are two versions of the OCX686 headset - the OCX686G for Androids handsets and the OCX686i for iPhones. They have different circuits in the little 3-button remote, ensuring you can change volume as well as switching tracks no matter which smartphone tribe you roll with.

These are good earphones if you don’t mind being tethered to your phone, but the somewhat harsh treble may be too much for some ears, given the price and lack of wireless.

Stuff says ✭✭✭✩✩

Grown-up sounding earphones let down by sibilant treble and a lack of wireless

Sennheiser OCX686 tech specs

Bluetooth: no 
• Battery life: not applicable 
• Mic: yes  
• Remote: yes 
• Sweat/water-resistant: sweat and water  
• Weight: 18g

 

The best Monster iSport Victory sports headphones - reviewed

Monster iSport Victory

 Buy Now From Amazon

 

Monster Cable iSport Victory In-Ear Wireless Headphones with Built-In Mic, Green, Sports Headphones, Running, Noise Isolation

 

Makers of running headphones tend to worry about making pairs that don’t mind sweat and that won’t instantly fall out of your ears when you start running. Monster has a few extra ideas, though.

The Monster iSport Victory earphones also work on visibility, with a neck cable that is ultra-
reflective. It’s tiny, but should still help you stand out on those treacherous night runs. As you can see from the pic, the earbuds and in-line remote are very bold too.

The earpieces are pretty big, but this actually comes in handy. To stick in your ear with the tenacity of a dog with a chew toy, the Monster iSport Victory headphones use very effective silicone in-ear hooks to stop a yank from virtually any direction pulling them out. The chunky cone-shaped backside of the earpieces allows you to get a good grip when you actually want to remove them.

The battery lasts a solid eight hours and the remote has clearly-contoured buttons to make finding them blind a cinch.

This remote has a special feature, too. Press the Vol Up and Vol Down buttons together for three seconds and the earphones switch sound profiles. There’s an ordinary one for normal listening and a turbo DSP mode that boosts the volume and makes this pair’s distinct sound characteristics all the more… distinct.

There are two boosted areas here, the bass and everything from the high mids and up. The bass is no issue: these are Monsters and sporty ones at that. A bit of extra bass is welcome and the iSport Victory headphones don’t go overboard.

The high-mid and treble boost is a more problematic, though, often making vocals sound quite sibilant, harsh or slightly grating. It’s particularly obvious if you activate the turbo mode and listen at decent volume. Ultimately, these are good headphones for sport but you can get better sound for your cash.

Professional says ✭✭✭✩✩

Safety-conscious sport earphones with a good price but disappointing sound

Monster iSport Victory tech specs

Bluetooth: yes 
• Battery life: 8 hours  
• Mic: yes  
• Remote: yes 
• Sweat/water-resistant: sweat  
• Weight: n/a