For the past few months, I’ve been using the Shokz OpenComm bone-conducting earphones when I’m walking my dogs. And for the past two summers, I’ve used their OpenSwim version while doing laps in my pool. Most recently, I’ve been checking out the Shokz OpenRun Pro model. Their top-of-the-line offering, at $179.95, isn’t cheap, but I’m incredibly impressed.
Have you looked at true wireless headphones and thought they’d hit the limit on what can be crammed into such tiny devices? Well, Sony doesn’t believe in limitations, but they do believe in maximizing the earbud experience. Today they’re rolling out the Sony LinkBuds S, which they say are the smallest and lightest true wireless noise-canceling headphones on the market!
Headphones are a broad category; there are the kind you buy at the airport because you forgot to bring your good ones, and then there are the ones that bring every feature you could ever want (along with a slew you didn’t know you needed). That’s where the new Sony WH-1000XM5 falls; they’re wireless noise-canceling headphones that are practically butlers for your ears!
I’ve made no secret of my love of Master & Dynamic headphones. So when the company released their Master & Dynamic MG20 Gaming Headphones, I knew I wanted to check them out. And while the MG20 is designed for gaming, as we will discuss, they aren’t just for gamers.
Master & Dynamic may have started as a small, New York boutique headphone shop, but they have become a powerhouse in the field and offer some of the best audio products around. During their Friends and Family Sale, you can save 25% on some of their most popular products.
One of the greatest things about true wireless earbuds is that they’ve become incredibly diverse, and they are available at just about any price point with multiple feature sets. And now you don’t need to wince at spending a few hundred on earbuds when you can get a solid listening and call experience for less money without giving up extra features like noise cancellation, as we’ve seen with the Phiaton BonoBuds!
There are a shocking number of choices available for headphones right now — over the ear, in-ear, true wireless, fitted for weird ears, fitted for normal ears, fitted for ears you wish were weirder — as I said, there are a lot of options. The Cleer Alpha Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Headphones look fantastic and have an over-the-ear form factor, but are they good enough to stand out in a sea of headphone choices?
It took almost three years of tinkering and perfecting, but The Haymaker has finally launched. Dubbed ‘the only headphone you will ever need,’ The Haymaker was designed to be perfect for travelers, fitness junkies, audiophiles, gamers, and more. The company says that you can use these headphones in almost any situation, and they claim to impress the moment you open the box.
Here at Gear Diary, we’re big advocates of being aware of your surroundings when you’re out running, walking, or biking. It’s tough to listen to music and work out unless you opt for the “one in/one out” earbud strategy or use bone conduction headphones that leave your ears open. Leave it to Sony to come up with an answer that lets you keep your earbuds in without losing contact with the outside world with the new Sony LinkBuds!
After spending countless hours scouring the latest press releases, sitting through virtual embargoed showcases on new products, planning to be in Vegas, and once again having to attend virtually, we’ve found that the best-laid plans don’t always work out. Even so, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most innovative and exciting tech that came out of CES while trying to stay away from products that won’t ship or become available in 2022. So, without further ado, we present Gear Diary’s Best of CES 2022 Awards!
Hybrid working situations are the new standard these days, and the Jabra Evolve2 75 is an excellent set of headphones for taking calls both on and off the clock. The Evolve2 75 is perfect for dialing into work from home or taking calls from the train. starting at $349, it’s a great option no matter your working situation.
My youngest son recently purchased a pair of Raycon Everyday wireless earbuds with his own money. Not only was he super proud of his purchase, he absolutely loves the sound and battery life. At CES, Raycon is debuting a new line of gaming headphones and two new speakers to its already popular line.
The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds are meant to provide immersive sound with touch controls, customizable HearID active noise cancelation that monitors outside ambient noise without putting too much pressure on your inner ears, and so much more. Most importantly, they are supposed to be comfortable to wear for hours on end while sounding fantastic. Can these TWE live up to the hype?
Master & Dynamic makes some of the best headphones on the market. Their MW65 over-the-ear headphones are stylish, well-built, have excellent ANC, and sound fantastic. The MW08 Sport true wireless earphones also look and sound amazing. They, too, have superior ANC and are comfortable for extended listening sessions. The newly announced Master & Dynamic MG20 Wireless Gaming Headphones look to be equally impressive.
There are many nights when I enjoy winding down by listening to music in bed. Most of the true wireless earphones I have worked just fine initially, but the hard material that houses the electronics eventually becomes uncomfortable when leaning on a pillow. That’s where the SleepPhones Wireless Bluetooth Sleep Headphones come in. SleepPhones were designed for bedtime music. But are they comfortable?
Are you looking for a great pair of true wireless earbuds? If so, you’re going to love the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro! They hit the sweet spot in size, features, and price! These flagship earbuds feature HearID active noise cancellation that automatically monitors outside ambient noise levels in real-time and in-ear pressure to tailor noise cancellation to match the situation. Add coaxial drivers, an ergonomic design, IPX4 water resistance, up to 32 =-hours battery life with the charging case, and a price well under $200, and you’ll see why the Liberty 3 Pro earbuds look like a winner!
The Pixel Buds A-Series has become a much-used daily carry device for me. Since I carry my Pixel Buds in my front pocket full of keys and a wallet, the white plastic case takes some abuse. For extra protection and a better look, I’ve been using the Nomad Rugged Case for Pixel Buds for a few weeks, and I’ve been very happy with it.
Earbuds seem to keep getting better, and with the addition of active noise cancellation, they can allow users to just disappear in their audio. The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro with targeted active noise cancellation fits the bill. Great sounding with long battery life and plenty of features make these a perfect option for any situation.
The MW07 was Master & Dynamic’s first true wireless earphones. The new Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport are active noise-canceling true wireless earphones that build on their predecessors’ success and take on-the-go audio to new heights. They look similar to the excellent MW08 that came before them, but they pack in numerous improvements.
Jabra offers some of the best true wireless earphones available. Now they are taking their technological wizardry in a new direction. The new Jabra Enhance Plus true wireless earbuds deliver hearing enhancement, music, and calls in a state-of-the-art miniaturized true wireless earbud. They were specifically engineered to help people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss with a new design and special functionality.
As an avid Pixel phone user, I was excited that Google developed its own earbuds. I sat out on their first iteration of the true wireless version but jumped in with the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. The idea of wireless buds designed to work with my phone is an exciting idea for a non-iPhone user. The last week, both my son and I have put them through their paces.