Welcome to the Audio Gear category on our blog. In a world where the quality of sound can profoundly impact our experience with devices, it’s crucial to get your audio gear right. This section delves into various types of audio solutions designed for mobile users, from the casual listener to the audiophile, and even the dedicated gamer. Below are the key subcategories we cover, accompanied by the brands that set the benchmark in each domain.
Relevant Brands: Apple, Sony, Jabra, Bose, Samsung
Cut the cord and experience complete freedom with True Wireless Earbuds. If you’re looking to eliminate ambient noise, Active Noise-Cancelling (ANC) earbuds from brands like Sony and Bose offer an immersive sound experience. Apple’s AirPods Pro sets a standard in the ANC segment, while Jabra and Samsung offer compelling alternatives.
Relevant Brands: Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, Skullcandy, Beats by Dre
Whether you’re after the expansive soundstage of over-ear headphones or the compact convenience of on-ear models, this subcategory covers them all. From the noise-cancelling prowess of Bose and Sony to the signature sound profiles of Sennheiser and Beats, find out which headphone type and brand suits you best.
Relevant Brands: HyperX, Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, Corsair
For the gamers among us, gaming headsets offer the competitive advantage of immersive sound and clear voice communication. Brands like HyperX and Razer lead the pack with headsets designed for long gaming sessions, featuring surround sound and noise-cancelling microphones.
Relevant Brands: Aftershokz, Vidonn, Pyle
If you prioritise situational awareness or have particular hearing needs, bone conduction earphones provide an alternative way to experience sound. Brands like Aftershokz are renowned for their innovative designs that allow you to hear your surroundings while listening to audio.
Relevant Brands: Jaybird, JBL, Beats by Dre, Anker
When you’re breaking a sweat, you need earphones that can keep up. This subcategory focuses on the rugged, water-resistant, and comfortable options suitable for active lifestyles. Whether it’s the secure fit of Jaybird earphones or the powerful sound of JBL, we’ve got your athletic audio needs covered.
So there you have it—a comprehensive guide to the intricate world of mobile audio gear. Whether you’re commuting, gaming, running, or simply chilling, this category aims to provide you with the most relevant, objective, and in-depth information to help you make the right choice for your audio experience. Dive in and let the sound move you!
The Edifier TWS1 Pro are the latest earphones from the affordable brand. I reviewed the original standard Edifier TWS1 True Wireless in January 2020, and these offer some significant improvements while only costing around a tenner more. Edifier TWS1 Pro vs TWS1 The new Edifier TWS1 Pro has several important upgrades, including: A shift to…
I first experienced Cleer Audio products with the superb Cleer Flow II. Their latest launch is the Cleer Goal which are sports focussed TWS earphone. Unlike most IP rated earphones that are marketed towards sports, these have a specific design to improve situational awareness outdoors. That design is essentially what you have on the normal…
Launched at the end of January, the EPOS GTW 270 wireless earbuds are the first in-ear option from the gaming orientated audio brand. What differentiates these from regular TWS earbuds is that they feature the aptX LL codec reducing the latency from 170 – 270 ms found on typical SBC Bluetooth connections down to 40…
I was very impressed with the performance of the original Edifier TWS NB; with a sub-£100 RRP, they were one of the best options on the market at their price point. However, they were ugly and bulky. Edifier are now back with the TWS NB2, addressing the above issues with a completely new design that…
While we wait for the launch of the new Huawei P50 Pro, Huawei has quietly launched the affordable active noise cancelling FreeBuds 4i. These follow up the FreeBuds 3i, which I reviewed last year, which are effectively identical to the Honor Magic Earbuds. I liked the FreeBuds 3i, for the price, you could hardly complain,…
Lypertek made waves last year with their TEVI earphones, which have been bizarrely renamed to PurePlay Z3 on many sites, excluding the Lypertek website. They are now back with a new, more affordable option, the Soundfree S20. These are based on the TEVI, but tweak a few features to get the price down low. At…
Aftershokz has produced bone conduction earphones for around a decade now, with no other big brand offering them competition. This style of earphones is predominantly focussed on outdoor fitness providing increased situational awareness that in-ear options will never be able to offer. Bone conducting headphones are the only earphones that are approved for use in all road races under…
Active noise-cancelling headphones don’t have to cost a fortune. Skullcandy has been a popular, affordable brand for many years with a wide range of fashion and sports focussed audio gear. Today they are announcing two new headphones, upgrading their popular Hesh line-up. The highlight is the Skullcandy Hesh ANC which comes in at £119.99, around…
Lypertek is relatively new to the market but saw great success with their TEVI (now the PurePlay Z3) TW earphones which offered superb audio quality, battery life and IPX7 waterproofing. They are now following these up with the Lypertek SoundFree S20 True Wireless earphones; bringing outstanding quality and value to the world of portable audio….
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro were launched with the flagship Samsung Galaxy S21 series and were offered as a free pre-order bonus for buyers of the phone. That has now ended with the current offer being for the cheaper Galaxy Buds Live. The new Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have an RRP of £219 making them…
EPOS is best known for their range of gaming headsets and surround sound DACs which were previously branded, then co-branded with Sennheiser. Like almost every other company on the planet, they have no launched some true wireless earbuds. With EPOS being a gaming brand they offer something many TWS earphones lack. The EPOS GTW 270…
The Jabra Elite 75t were one of my favourite TWS earphones in 2020. The very bass dominant profile may not be for everyone, but it works well for fitness, and they became my most use earphones for both running and indoor Zwift sessions. Technically, the IP55 rating made them less than ideal for my sweaty…