Audio

I don't know about you, but when I put my earbuds in playing my nu-metal Spotify playlist, I might expect to hear some Static-X - but not actual static.

However, this is what's happening to some folks with Apple's AirPods Pro 3, which went on sale last month.

MacRumors highlighted some complaints on Reddit - and its own forum - about a static, or white noise kind of sound, which is audible when nothing's playing through the AirPods, when noise cancelling is active.

If you've been PC gaming ever since the days of MS-DOS and Windows 95, then you're probably aware of Sound Blaster, Creative's brand for its line-up of dedicated sound cards for PCs. Yes, once upon a time, to get digital sound from a pair of PC speakers, you needed a sound card, with Sound Blaster one of the most dominant names in the space.

Of course, in 2025, motherboards include dedicated sound chips and hardware directly on the board, relegating the sound card market to a niche for audio and music producers. As for Sound Blaster? Well, it's back with Creative announcing the new Sound Blaster Re:Imagine modular audio hub with AI-powered apps and features.

According to the company, the Sound Blaster Re:Imagine takes the core DNA of classic Sound Blaster hardware and evolves it into a "modern, modular platform designed for creators, gamers, and anyone who lives at the intersection of work and play." Its features and capabilities certainly sound impressive (in more ways than one), so here's a quick summary.

Edifier is an audio brand known for creating traditional bookshelf-style speakers and other audio solutions for listening to music, streaming media, and playing games on a PC. In China, the company has unveiled its 'New Cyber' speaker (via TechSpot) that features a design that makes it look like a desktop gaming PC.

Yes, at a glance, you might even think that this was a PC with desktop speakers built into the lower third, but it's not. Priced at 1,499 yuan, which is around $210 USD, this Bluetooth speaker is perfect for those who love the look and aesthetic of a modern panoramic PC. The 2.1 design includes a downward-facing four-inch subwoofer, with two additional speakers with 52mm drivers behind the mesh finish.

The design itself is actually a lot of fun (which, admittedly, is a weird way to put it), as the "GPU" serves as the power supply for the unit. At the same time, the cable that resembles a tuning fork for an AIO cooler houses the speaker cable. In addition to this, you've got lighting flourishes mimicking fans and memory, and a functional 2.8-inch display that can display images, animation, and other information.

Nacon has announced its latest gaming headset, the new RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HS, which is officially licensed for use with PlayStation consoles. Thanks to the custom-tuned 40mm graphene drivers, which the company claims eliminate "virtually all audio distortion," the wired gaming headset delivers a "studio-grade audio experience" for $69.99 USD.

As an officially licensed PlayStation product, in addition to the RIG branding, you've also got the official PlayStation logo on both earcups on the all-black design. The PlayStation logo is featured on the headset's magnetically removable SNAP+LOCK 'Mod-Plates,' which the company plans to use in future headset designs, alongside releasing limited-edition 'Mod-Plate' designs.

In addition to the "studio-grade" audio that has been built, tuned, and optimized for competitive gaming and first-person shooters, Nacon also notes that the 6mm boom microphone (with its 50Hz-15kHz frequency range) is also "broadcast-grade" in quality.

With its $599.99 USD price tag, the new Arctis Nova Elite headset from SteelSeries is making the case for being the first true audiophile-grade wireless gaming headset. For those who live in that space, the Arctis Nova Elite's support for 96 kHz 24-bit hi-res audio over a low-latency wireless signal (via the LC3+ Codec) is something to take note of. As is the frequency response, from 10Hz to 40kHz.

Everything about the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset is premium and pro-grade, including the carbon fiber audio drivers that feature a brass ring for enhanced pistonic motion. Now, if you're unaware of what that is, it's the sort of thing you find in some high-quality speaker designs. Basically, the promise here is accurate, detailed, and distortion-free sound that you can fine-tune to create an immersive audio experience.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset also includes a GameHub that pairs with multiple devices (PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, or mobile) and supports seamless switching. There's even an option to stream from multiple sources at once with "zero audio degradation."

Although still focused on the business and professional market, Dell's audio products got an impressive addition last year with the arrival of the Dell Premier Wireless ANC Headset. What made it stand out was that, in addition to being certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom, it also delivered impressive comfort, audio quality, and ANC that made it double as a great pair of on-the-go headphones.

And now, Dell is planning to enter the wireless earbud market with the Dell Pro Plus Earbuds (EB525), featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and an AI-powered noise-canceling microphone. The company notes that they're the first earbuds to receive Microsoft Teams Open Office Certification for "top-tier audio quality, even in shared or high-noise environments, and ensure the strictest performance standards."

Often, voice chat is a distant second for earbuds; however, the Dell Pro Plus Earbuds are primarily business-focused, so "clear, reliable audio" is a key part of the design. Dell Pro Plus Earbuds are also Zoom-certified and designed to integrate seamlessly with Dell laptops, docks, and software.

Sony unveiled its first wireless speakers at its State of Play event that recently wrapped up, and according to the company, these wireless speakers are not only designed for the PS5 but also for PC and Mac.

The Pulse Elevate wireless speakers are Sony's latest addition to the line-up of PlayStation audio accessories and are touted to provide immersive, next-level gaming audio in a variety of different setups. As explained in the PlayStation blog post about the Pulse Elevate, each speaker features studio-inspired magnetic drivers for lifelike sound. When connected to the PS5 and a compatible game is played, the Pulse Elevate utilizes Tempest 3D AudioTech, which enhances the accuracy of audio cues.

Additionally, the Pulse Elevate comes with a built-in microphone and AI-enhanced noise rejection, which identifies unwanted background noise for clearer communication. The microphone is located within the right speaker, and according to Sony, it provides "a new level of headset-free voice chat for desktop gaming."

When we reviewed the Logitech G ASTRO A50X Wireless Gaming Headset last year, we were impressed by its sound quality, build, comfort, and broadcast-quality microphone. However, the inclusion of a powerful HDMI base station that doubled as a video and audio hub for all your gaming devices meant that if you weren't using it with a PC and PlayStation or Xbox console, it felt a little overkill and, well, pricey.

The good news is that during its Logitech G PLAY 2025 event, the company announced the new ASTRO A20 X LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset, which is available now with an MSRP of $179.99 USD. With a more wallet-friendly price point and a physical design reminiscent of Logitech's gaming headsets, rather than the ASTRO A50 X, it promises to deliver similar 24-bit audio with broadcast-quality 48 kHz full-bandwidth chat.

Unlike the HDMI base station of the A50 X, this model ships with a more compact PLAYSYNC BASE that features two USB connections, allowing you to connect to two systems simultaneously, and choose from PS5, Xbox, PC, or Nintendo Switch. The headset features dedicated buttons that will enable you to switch between devices, with added support for Bluetooth.

Modern Bluetooth audio devices have been using the newer Bluetooth LE Audio standard for audio and chat after its introduction with Bluetooth 5.2. In a nutshell, it enables the broadcast and synchronization of multiple audio streams, with the LE standing for 'Low Energy' due to its use of the improved low-power Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3).

In practice, this means that Bluetooth LE-capable headsets and earbuds can now handle proper stereo streaming with improved voice and chat quality. The technology, until now, hasn't been fully supported in Windows 11 with the older "Bluetooth Classic Audio" codec and technology, resulting in mono and muffled sound when attempting to pair audio with Bluetooth LE chat capabilities.

Outside of the lower latency that wireless 2.4 GHz audio provides, the fact that you can get full audio and chat is one of the reasons why Bluetooth headsets aren't really used for much on a Windows 11 PC outside of dialing into a Zoom call. That all changes, as Windows 11 now offers 'super wideband stereo' Bluetooth LE Audio streaming.

We recall speaking to a Razer representative at a convention a few years ago, where we learned that its Kitty line of gaming headsets with cat ears was a popular choice among gamers and streamers in several regions. This is a roundabout way of saying that we're not surprised that Razer has announced the new and improved Razer Kraken Kitty V3 line, which includes the flagship wireless Kraken Kitty V3 Pro model. This model features the company's pro-grade TriForce Titanium 40mm Drivers and a broadcast-quality microphone.

The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, priced at $179.99 USD, also supports tri-mode connectivity, featuring low-latency Razer HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, and wired connections via USB-A. And yes, the Razer Chroma RGB covers both the earcups and the kitty ears and is "designed to react dynamically to games and live events" with profiles and support for over 300 games.

Naturally, the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is destined to become popular among streamers, so the inclusion of the Razer HyperClear Super Wideband Mic, which operates at 32 kHz, is more than enough to provide crystal-clear chat for platforms like Twitch and Discord. Rounding out the features, you've got THX Spatial Audio, high-quality memory foam ear cushions, and access to a wide range of audio and chat presets with Razer's Synapse 4 app.

HP has announced a new line-up of HyperX audio products for gamers that includes two new headsets and microphones. Leading the pack is the premium HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless gaming headset that is said to offer pro-grade sound with up to 250 hours of battery life when connected via low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless. It also supports dual connectivity with simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connections.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless is powered by custom 53 mm drivers that have been tuned to deliver distortion-free spatial audio. However, the most notable feature, and something that helps the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless stand out from the pack, is the included RGB Base Station. This audio control hub includes programmable buttons and a large dial, which should lead to more intuitive control when connected to a desktop PC.

Throw in a flexible and durable metal frame and a high-quality microphone, and the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless is sounding pretty impressive. However, the $299.99 USD price tag does make it one of the most expensive gaming headsets on the market. This isn't the only new wireless gaming headset announcement from HyperX today, as the company has also unveiled the new HyperX Cloud Flight 2 with replaceable earcup plates.

Turtle Beach has been creating gaming headsets for as long as we can remember gaming headsets being a thing, which is why it's a little surprising to learn that the company's new Atlas 200 is its "first officially licensed headset for PS5 and PS4." Now, Turtle Beach has been releasing PlayStation-compatible and focused headsets for a while. Still, now you've got one that has been developed in partnership with Sony that sports the iconic PlayStation logo and blue color.

The new Turtle Beach Atlas 200, which is launching with a wallet-friendly price point of $59.99 MSRP on September 12, 2025, is a wired headset designed to be plugged into the PS5's DualSense controller or the PS5's DualShock 4.

The physical design and the name draw inspiration from Turtle Beach's flagship Atlas Air PC gaming headset, so you've got premium closed-back earcups with ProSpecs glasses-friendly cushions and an adjustable floating headband. The Turtle Beach Atlas 200 is also PC-compatible as it ships with a USB audio adapter, so it can properly integrate with Turtle Beach's Swarm II desktop app.

Sonos, the company behind the Roam Bluetooth portable speaker, has responded to several complaints from owners who have taken to social media platforms to share images of their now-melted device.

The reports from users date back to last week, when an image was shared to Reddit of a damaged Roam speaker. The user added they smelled burning plastic coming from the device, which they said wasn't used often, but at the time of the odor, the device was plugged into the wall outlet. Another user responded to the image and said, "Mine did the same thing a few days ago." Notably, both of the users said the smell occurred when the device was plugged into the wall outlet for a long period of time.

One user who said it also happened to them said Sonos replaced their speaker after requesting that they provide images and details of the device's failure. Reports indicate this isn't just a few isolated events, with other owners of the device sharing images to the /r/Sonos subreddit. In all of the reports of a failed device, the melting is occurring at the USB-C charging port.

Razer has announced its latest wireless gaming headset, and the successor to the award-winning Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. According to the company, the new Razer BlackShark V3 Pro for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox is the "fastest pro-grade wireless headset" for competitive gamers and esports professionals.

You're probably wondering what makes the new Razer BlackShark V3 Pro gaming headset the fastest out there. Well, it all comes down to the wireless technology it features, which is optimized for ultra-low latency - right down to 10ms. This delivers "near-instantaneous" audio, making it faster than the 15ms of latency you'll find in other pro-grade gaming headsets.

That's not the only new feature on the menu; the Razer HyperClear Full Band Mic offers a pro-grade audio sampling rate of 48 kHz for "studio-grade voice capture," making it ideal for recording and communication.

Nothing's upcoming Headphones 1 have been teased ahead of their official launch on July 1, with a look at the interesting (and awesome) design aesthetic the UK-based company is going with. Check them out:

The upcoming Nothing Headphones 1 have a sweet see-through design that makes them look like a cassette tape, and they truly don't look like anything else on the market. The new Headphones 1 like a cassette tape on a slab of smooth metal, available in black and grey or silver and white options.

Nothing CEO Carl Pei confirmed that the company's new Headphones 1 will be launched on July 1 alongside its new flagship Phone 3 smartphone at its live appearance during SXSW in London earlier this month.

I purchased a high-end pair of Apple AirPods Max headphones around 4 years ago and a couple of days ago they died... after many hours of stressing out and fault-finding, I put them in the freezer for 15 minutes... and then they worked again flawlessly.

A few days ago I was testing a brand new MSI Raider A18 HX A9W gaming laptop that I'm in the process of reviewing, which rocks some ridiculously high-end hardware -- AMD's new Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor, 64GB of RAM, NVIDIA's new flagship GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and an 18-inch 4K 120Hz Mini-LED display (it's awesome so far) -- and paired by Apple AirPods Max headphones to the laptop.

I jumped into a game of Overwatch 2 for some testing, went out grocery shopping with my girlfriend, came home and went back to work, pairing the AirPods Max back to my workstation PC but they weren't working. After disabling Bluetooth, re-enabling Bluetooth, the headphones weren't syncing. I persisted, trying to sync them back to my laptop, but nothing... nada... zip.

Bluetooth 6.0 is slowly rolling out to new devices. It will be included in the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 and Google Pixel 10 smartphones, which are on track for 2025. It will be a notable upgrade to the existing Bluetooth 5.x technology, which is over nine years old. Bluetooth 6.0 will take a little while to become mainstream, but its widespread adoption is approaching.

The most significant upgrade that it will bring will be in the latency department, which will be a game-changer for audio and other devices primarily used by gamers. The new Isochronous Adaptation Layer (ISO-AL) breaks data into smaller packet sizes that can be sent simultaneously to multiple channels. This means a faster and more reliable connection that dramatically reduces audio latency.

One reason wireless gaming headsets and audio solutions opt for 2.4 GHz is due to existing Bluetooth latency; however, as Bluetooth 6.0 cuts latency by more than half to somewhere in the 'under 20ms' range, versatile Bluetooth audio for gaming will become a thing.

SteelSeries has announced its latest wireless gaming headset for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC gamers - the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless. Available in a range of funky colors and with an MSRP of $109.99 USD, the Arctis Nova 3 is being positioned as a premium audio solution for all gamers, thanks to its custom hardware, Spatial Audio support, and the company's revamped Arctis App for mobile devices.

As highlighted in our in-depth gaming headset reviews, software support is a key component of a gaming headset as it allows customization and tuning of the sound to suit various gaming or entertainment experiences. The Arctis App builds on SteelSeries' fantastic PC audio platform, Sonar, which features custom audio presets for hundreds of games tailored by audio engineers using the platform's powerful parametric equalizer.

Access to these presets and other features adds a layer of accessibility to the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless gaming headset. Other key features of the new headset include gaining 9 hours of playtime with a quick 15-minute charge, support for Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and the company's new "ClearCast 2.X Microphone."

Anker has revealed a new set of sleep earbuds which advance on its previous efforts in multiple ways, including better dealing with a snoring partner sleeping next to you in bed.

Hat tip to Notebookcheck.net for noticing the Soundcore Sleep A30 which Anker has on Kickstarter. (And if you think that's odd, essentially it's a way of implementing an early bird offer that the company has used in the past with previous models).

The A30 offers a 3-stage snore masking system, no less, which consists of adaptive audio delivered by the earbuds to cover up the snoring of your partner. Anker also observes that memory foam ear tips ensure maximum noise reduction to the same end, and the A30 has a snore-tracking case. That means it can detect snoring and set the earbuds to block it out, apparently.

The new Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset is available now, and it might just be the company's most impressive headset yet. With countless design passes, testing, and revisions, the Logitech G522 is designed to offer competitive gamers incredible sound and voice chat quality paired with impressive comfort, versatility, and durability.

Naturally, we'll be saving our final judgement after going hands-on with the new Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset, but in the meantime, let's go through some of the key features that stand out. On the comfort front, the 290-gram headset features redesigned, wider ear cups and now includes an additional layer of memory foam for cooling and comfort.

The reversible suspension headband, a first for Logitech, ensures universal comfort, taking into account those who wear glasses or earrings. The sound side of the G522 is also impressive, with Logitech's 40mm PRO-G drivers delivering high-fidelity 48 kHz/24-bit audio tuned to capture the immersive sounds of modern games.