Audio

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.

Shortly after leaks revealed the specifications and design for Sony's upcoming WH-1000XM6 headphones, Sony itself has confirmed a May 15 launch for the product.

As detailed in the leaks that surfaced on Thursday, the XM6 headphones are expected to retail at $449.99 USD. The new headphones are set to offer a range of improvements over their predecessor, including a new QN3 HD processing chip, an AI-based six-microphone system, and enhanced features like adaptive noise cancellation and intelligent ambient mode.

The leaked specification sheet also outlines the return of a foldable mechanism, 30 hours of battery life with 1 minute / per hour charging, and that the model will arrive in black, platinum silver, and midnight blue.

In PC gaming, headsets have become the primary audio interface for experiencing high-fidelity and immersive sound. The new Razer Clio is a unique, innovative device that aims to deliver 'headset-like immersive audio' without actually being a headset or something you put on or in your ears.

It's a gaming chair accessory that doubles as a headset. The Razer Clio's integrated near-field speakers (two 43mm high-fidelity drivers) send PC gaming sound waves directly to your ear. It also intuitively acts as surround or rear speakers to an existing front speaker or soundbar setup via Razer's Synapse 4 app for up to full 5.1 audio.

Naturally, the Razer Clio is a wireless device (with a battery life of up to 14 hours) that blends the comfort of a head cushion with immersive sound. It supports low-latency wireless audio over Razer HyperSpeed Wireless and is also compatible with Android and iOS devices over Bluetooth.

Leaks have surfaced, revealing the specifications and pricing for Sony's upcoming WH-1000XM6 headphones. The new model, as reported by Android Authority and Dealabs, contains a new noise-cancelling processor, an AI-powered microphone, and a $449.99 USD price tag.

Sony's current WH-1000XM5 model is recognized among the best when it comes to consumer ANC over-ears. However, the XM5 is widely considered a marginal improvement over the XM4's, delivering slightly better noise cancellation and voice quality than its predecessor, with a new style, form factor and price tag.

Similarly, the leaks for the XM6 reveal what appear to be iterative improvements, with specs focusing on the upgraded QN3 HD noise-cancelling processor. This new chip is reportedly 'seven times faster' than the XM5's. The extent to which this translates to higher sound quality or better noise cancellation remains to be seen.

Apple has announced that its AirPods Max is about to get a software update that will enable lossless audio listening. This feature is designed to provide the highest possible level of audio fidelity, but the recent marketing statement contradicts what can be found in Apple's own support documentation.

To understand the contradiction here, we first need to understand Apple's audio codecs. Audio files are typically compressed in specific codecs to reduce file sizes for easier storage management, and with this reduction in size or compression, there is a trade-off in audio quality. Uncompressed audio opens up the sound stage, making specific instruments or sounds much more distinguishable and brighter, while compressed audio muddles the audio experience, drowning out the smaller and more discrete sounds.

Each codec has its purpose, and Apple chooses to provide two codecs for its entire catalog within Apple Music: Advanced Audio Codec and Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). The discrepancy between what Apple states on its website and the recent announcement by Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak can be traced back to the company's documentation, where it states the difference between AAC and ALAC audio files is "virtually indistinguishable," with the company writing, "the difference between AAC and lossless audio is virtually indistinguishable."

Samsung is reportedly working on a new pair of bone-conducting earphones codenamed "Able" with production expected for later this year.

In a new post on Chinese social media outlet Weibo, leaker "Ice Universe" says that his sources revealed Samsung Electronics' MX division will release bone-conducting earphones during its Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch event in July. Samsung has its existing Galaxy Buds, but its new codename Able earphones will transmit sound from around the ears, instead of plugging the earphones into your actual ears.

We already have multiple bone-conducting earphones on the market, but bone-conduction earphones are still a niche market but the South Korean electronics giant wants in on it. Bone-conducting earphones will offer an open-ear experience, but won't have the limitations of speaker-based open-ear headphones, with Samsung's codename Able baking in the ovens right now.

Samsung Electronics has just announced the integration of Eclipsa Audio, a groundbreaking new 3D audio technology developed in partnership with Google, and will debut inside of its 2025 TV and soundbar lineup.

The new Eclipsa Audio-powered TVs and soundbars will pump out dynamic, immersive audio content and enable seamless playback on Samsung TVs, with Eclipsa Audio delivering captivating audio and visual experiences for users like they've never seen before... or at least Samsung's press release says.

Eclipsa Audio allows creators to adjust audio data including the location and intensity of sounds, alongside spatial reflections, in order to create an immersive 3D sound experience. Samsung is the first in the industry to adopt the new Eclipsa Audio technology, integrating it into its entire 2025 TV lineup from the Crystal UHD series to the premium flagship Neo QLED 8K TVs.

The new Razer Barracuda X Chroma edition adds color to the company's most popular wireless gaming headsets. With Razer Chroma RGB, this new headset includes six customizable lighting zones with seamless integration and over 300 games.

According to Razer, adding RGB lighting to the headset stems from community feedback that asked for more "visually immersive features." This extends to Razer's interactive wallpaper Axiom software, which is being updated to include music-responsive wallpapers co-developed with its partners that will sync up with the new headset.

Outside of the new RGB action, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma edition is still a gaming and lifestyle headset. It supports low-latency wireless audio over Razer HyperSpeed with Bluetooth for on-the-go listening.

Sonos has just unveiled its new Arc Ultra, a new premium soundbar that features the company's revolutionary transducer technology called "Sound Motion" with a price of $999.

The company says that a significant breakthrough in audio engineering is something that Sonos is calling Sound Motion, which drastically reduces the size of the transducer while supercharging the bass, which the company adds opens a "new chapter in sound innovation where bigger, better sound can be delivered from smaller products".

Sonos' new Arc Ultra delivers up to double the bass of its predecessor, with an unprecedented 9.1.4 spatial audio in a sleek, sophisticated design. The company has also unveiled its new Sonos Sub 4, which is the next-generation of our iconic subwoofer with a refreshed design and internals, that Sonos says will "elevate your favorite movies, hit shows and more with rumbling bass".

Corsair has launched its latest flagship gaming headset, the VIRTUOSO MAX. The spec sheet is impressive, with 50mm Graphene drivers, high-res Dolby Atmos spatial audio, Active Noise Cancellation technology, and a "broadcast-grade microphone." The physical design and look are also slick and stylish; the large cushions are reminiscent of audiophile at-home headphones.

There's also dual Bluetooth and low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, so you can play games and still receive calls or seamlessly switch between the two. Corsair notes that gaming with the VIRTUOSO MAX delivers around 60 hours of battery life (with the RGB turned off). And with Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode technology, you can choose between blocking out all background noise or being aware of your immediate surroundings.

Throw in a durable metal build and spacious memory foam ear cushions, the new Corsair VIRTUOSO MAX's "spectacularly clear, precise audio" doesn't come cheap - it's priced at $329.99 USD.

When it comes to on-the-go audio, that is, listening to music or a podcast while you're out and about, the choice is either in-ear or over-the-ear - earbuds or headphones. Regarding gaming, the choice is pretty much always the latter. Well, that's changing as SteelSeries is reinventing its premium wireless gaming Arctis headset as a pair of premium gaming earbuds.

The new SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds blend lifestyle with gaming. They have Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting to various devices with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and over 40 hours of battery life when using the case to top up. Available in black or white, they do not look too dissimilar to other lifestyle earbud designs, albeit with the SteelSeries logo.

The addition of a new USB-C nano dongle that can deliver the low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless that gaming demands is where it gets interesting. This means the earbuds double as a premium pair of gaming headphones with over 100 custom game audio presets, surround sound support, and more.

The new Alienware Pro Headset, designed in collaboration with over 100 esports pros, including Team Liquid, blurs the lines between minimal stylish ANC streetwear and premium wireless PC gaming audio. In the works for over 18 months, the Alienware Pro Headset is the company's most advanced gaming headset.

At the heart of the new headset are the 50mm Graphene Coated Drivers designed to support and enhance directional audio, crucial for competitive games that rely on intricate sound design in shooters like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike 2. In addition, you've got Two-mic Noise Cancellation that will only pick up your voice while disregarding background audio.

In addition, it features Hybrid ANC for active noise cancellation, comfortable memory foam leatherette earcups, and a stylish design reminiscent of premium over-ear headphones.

The new Turtle Beach Stealth 700 series is here, and they represent the company's latest premium wireless gaming headsets for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck, and Switch. The hardware maker touts "massive upgrades" with the updated line-up, which includes the brand-new CrossPlay dual wireless transmitters.

As the name suggests, CrossPlay includes two wireless USB transmitters that allow games to switch between different audio sources with a button press. It's a very welcome quality-of-life upgrade for those who jump from PC to PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X when gaming. No more plugging and unplugging and then plugging in again - that's very cool.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) also supports simultaneous low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless with Bluetooth 5.2, so players can stay connected to their smartphone while gaming.

When we reviewed the Logitech G ASTRO A50 X wireless gaming headset, it was a revelation regarding sound quality, broadcast-quality microphone, and comfort. However, upgrading the base station to turn it into an HDMI switcher for PC and console gaming raised the price tag accordingly.

Well, for those wanting an upgrade for the ASTRO A50 that remains true to previous models, the new Logitech G ASTRO A50 5th Generation Wireless Gaming Headset and Base Station is for you. The base station's HDMI switching capabilities are removed, and instead, a more traditional USB approach is used for connecting multiple devices.

This not only lowers the price to match the previous non-X A50 release at $299.99 USD, but it retains all of the new features of the A50 X - including PLAYSYNC AUDIO, the same quality, comfort, and award-winning 24-bit wireless sound.

Apple has hosted its unveiling event for not just the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max smartphones, but slightly upgraded AirPods Max headphones have been unleashed.

The new Apple AirPods Max headphones don't do anything new technologically, but the company has removed the Lightning port and upgraded to USB-C connectivity for the new AirPods Max headphones. Those wanting some upgrades -- myself included, as an AirPods Max owner, the only Apple product I own -- will be disappointed, but the move to USB-C is welcomed.

Apple's new AirPods Max headphones also receive support for Personalized Spatial Audio, which will arrive with the upcoming iOS 18 software update that will unleash Apple Intelligence onto the iPhone, ready for the new iPhone 16 family of smartphones. Inside, there is reportedly no upgrade in hardware with the same internal components as the current-gen AirPods Max headphones.

Logitech G's latest isn't hardware but new software aimed at PC gamers and creators. MIXLINE is described as an easy-to-use audio mixing solution, and best of all, it's free. Available now for Windows 10 and 11 users, it's designed to make dealing with more than one audio source a breeze.

"If you have more than one audio source while streaming, gaming, or even just wearing your headphones, then MIXLINE is for you," said Daniel Bowen, Senior Global Product Manager for MIXLINE.

An audio source can be Spotify, Google Chrome, Counter-Strike, Discord, etc. With MIXLINE, audio inputs are on the left side of the UI, and outputs are on the right side. This gives you direct control over routing and choosing where each signal goes. For creators with speakers, headsets, and output streams, it's a great tool to keep all their audio on track.