Audio

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.