Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the new Barracuda and Barracuda Pro, along with a refresh of the existing Barracuda X. The new family of street-styled gaming headsets comes packed with cutting edge technologies to bring gamers the purest sound whether at home or out and about. Featuring Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation Technology (ANC) the Barracuda Pro provides the user with an uninterrupted audio experience in all surroundings, ideal for intense gaming sessions requiring maximum focus, as well as for anyone wanting to enjoy their music outdoors while muting any distractions from the outside world.

Using Razer SmartSwitch Dual Wireless, the Barracuda Pro can be connected to two devices at the same time, switching seamlessly between the two as needed. This allows a user to game on their PC, and with a single button press, switch the Barracuda Pro to take a call without the need to unpair and pair between devices. All Barracuda models support both Razer HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, for high-speed gaming performance and mobile-friendly Bluetooth convenience. "The Barracuda Pro is the hybrid headset that does it all," said Chris Mitchell, Head of the PC Gaming Division at Razer. "Whether it's your main gaming setup at home or your favorite music playlists on the go, the Barracuda Pro combines the fuss-free convenience of lifestyle headphones along with the high-performance gaming features you'd expect in a Razer gaming headset, to create a no-compromise experience, packaged in a sleek, premium design."

The multi-award-winning MOMENTUM series from Sennheiser introduces a new member to the family. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 sets new standards when it comes to sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), and wearing comfort. Encased in a design that was defined using high-quality materials and precise workmanship, the earbuds offer a range of technologies and features that take the listening experience to a new level. "Our MOMENTUM series continuously succeeds in redefining the boundaries of possibility," said Frank Foppe, Sennheiser True Wireless Product Manager. "The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 builds on a powerful heritage. With the Sennheiser Signature Sound, TrueResponse technology, next-level adaptive noise cancellation and an even better fit, these earbuds are the natural successor of the MOMENTUM series."

Just like its predecessors, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 delivers outstanding sound quality, centered around Sennheiser's True Response transducer. Based on dynamic 7 mm drivers manufactured in Germany, it produces an immersive stereo sound with deep bass, natural mids and detailed highs. The new Sound Personalization feature provides an enhanced sound experience via a guided listening test to setup the perfect sound for each user's individual hearing. In addition, the Smart Control App offers a choice of presets and an equalizer feature to tailor the sound to the user's taste.

Bang & Olufsen today announced the launch of Beoplay EX, the latest addition to its wearable audio portfolio. With astounding sound, adaptive ANC and a fully waterproof design, Beoplay EX is the most versatile true wireless earphone model from Bang & Olufsen to date. Built to simplify personal sound, Beoplay EX offers an unparalleled combination of performance and style to create the perfect personal sound companion for amplifying all varieties of daily audio experiences. "Beoplay EX embodies the seamless blend of comfort, luxury and quality sound that threads the entirety of our legendary audio portfolio together. From our award-winning Beoplay H95 over-ear ANC headphones to Beoplay Portal, our premiere entry to the gaming market, Beoplay EX is the natural next step in our superior sound offering", says Bang & Olufsen Dorte Vestergaard, Bang & Olufsen's Category Director.

Beoplay EX differs most notably from previous Bang & Olufsen earphones in the shape of its design. Designed by Thomas Bentzen, the stem-based shape has been adopted and transformed into a finished offering that is equal parts stylish and comfortable. The housing of the earphone placed inside the ear, is smaller than ever before, and ensures a comfortable and stable fit that can be worn for hours without readjustment. The practicality of this new shape is matched with the signature Bang & Olufsen aesthetic, perfected over 96 years of craftmanship and design innovation. From the mirror-like glass interface which catches the light at the perfect moment, to the surrounding brushed aluminium ring, Beoplay EX creates a statement for the wearer whether they opt for the slick Black Anthracite, opulent Gold Tone or striking Anthracite Oxygen finish. Beoplay EX comes complete with a matching brushed aluminium charging case, which is conveniently pocket-sized, making it the perfect travel companion.

Astell&Kern, the global leader in premium high-resolution audio devices presents its debut set of true wireless earbuds, the AK UW100. Faithful to the company's philosophy of delivering sound reproduction that is close to the original as possible, these earphones build on Astell&Kern's audio technology expertise to deliver a class-leading, truly wireless hi-fi-grade sound.

The AK UW100's superior sonic credentials are endorsed by a dedicated high performance 32-bit DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter), support for the latest high quality wireless connectivity options aptX Adaptive and Bluetooth 5.2, alongside ultra-detailed Knowles Balanced Armature drivers.

1MORE, a globally distributed premium consumer audio company, officially announced the launch of their latest True Wireless earbuds that do away with the bulky nature seen on many True Wireless buds by offering a compact set of wireless earbuds that weigh no more than 3.7 g each and are sized smaller than a glass marble at 17x13mm. The superior comfort levels offered by its small form factor earbuds also translates over to the pocket-friendly charging case that is slimming as it is feather-light. All of this combined ensures both an ergonomic and joyous wearing experience for fatigue-free day & night listening. Something the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini offer in spades with their 24-hours of total battery life. The ComfoBuds Mini are available from Amazon.com and the 1MORE website for $99.99 and Amazon UK for £92.99. To celebrate the launch, 1MORE are also offering $15/£15 off for first 30 days following the launch using the discount code "ComfoMini15".

In a world where bigger usually means better with the advent of more large display smartphones and other smart connected devices packet with endless features never used, these Mini buds from 1MORE offer something long-awaited by those people who prefer something smaller in size and don't require all the bells & whistles offered by much more expensive True Wireless buds. However, as luck would have it, the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini are not just here to look cute and, pretty as they are equipped with everything needed from a pair of wireless earbuds including multiple listening modes such as Active Noise Cancellation up to 40dB, four microphones containing a deep learning algorithm, Qi Wireless Charging, personalised sound from Sonarworks SoundID, and IPX5 water resistance for that extra peace of mind amongst a whole plethora of other features to boot.

Cleer Audio, an industry-leading headphone and smart speaker manufacturer, is pleased to announce the introduction of its next generation wireless Intelligent Bluetooth Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, the award-winning ALPHA. ALPHA is like no other headphone with its immersive theater-like sound performance with Dirac Virtuo spatial audio technology. ALPHA is a game changer. The new Cleer ALPHA was recently awarded a prestigious 2022 CES Innovations Honoree Award, honoring its outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products, by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

The ALPHA wireless intelligent noise-cancelling headphone revolutionizes music pleasure on the go with spatial audio, and industry-leading Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation. With Cleer's patented award-winning 40 mm Ironless Driver, Bluetooth 5.1 connection, Qualcomm's cVc 2-mic solution, and 35-hours of playback in ANC mode, ALPHA delivers the best wireless audio quality, immersive sound, and audio performance. On the daily outing, ALPHA's adaptive noise cancellation function and upgraded earpads with a cooling feature significantly improve the users' wearing comfort. The ALPHA is an advanced personalized lifestyle product, more than just a headphone.

Soundcore, Anker Innovations' premium audio brand, today announced the Liberty 3 Pro, the latest true wireless model in its flagship Liberty lineup. The Liberty 3 Pro features HearID ANC that automatically monitors outside ambient noise levels in real time as well as in-ear pressure to tailor noise cancellation to match the situation. Combining an immersive sound experience with touch control, the Liberty 3 Pro earbuds utilize an upgraded dual driver configuration - the latest Astria Coaxial Acoustic Architecture 2.0 (ACAA) and Fusion Comfort technology in a compact and stylish form factor.

"The Liberty 3 Pro is the culmination of years of enhancements to our headphone line and the best sounding model to date, with the added benefit of our auto-adapting HearID ANC," said Steven Yang, Founder and CEO of Anker Innovations. "We worked with 20 Grammy Award winning audio producers to achieve the best sounding TWS earbuds we've ever made. The Liberty 3 Pro boasts a significant breakthrough in sound quality, reproducing dynamic audio, no matter the genre with powerful bass and crisp treble."

I know what you are thinking—this isn't the typical news content we see on TechPowerUp. Yes, we do cover audio products with plenty of reviews here, including Audeze planar magnetic headphones. When Audeze mentioned there's a whole different thing coming up, and that it involves carbon nanotubes (CNTs), I was quite intrigued. Some of you may have picked it up by now, but all the neat toys I have access to and used in several reviews come because I am a research scientist by profession, with a specialization in carbon nanomaterials including CNTs. So this news post is about my attempt to help explain why the Audeze technology is such a big deal. This is not a review of the actual devices and neither is it a sponsored post, or even solicited by Audeze. It is purely me geeking out about a fairly novel use of CNTs in the audio world, especially when there have been CNT coatings on a few dynamic drivers before but barely put to the potential capable until now.

See, the whole reason the Audeze CRBN (Carbon, get it?) even came about is because an indirect research colleague of mine, Prof. Mark Cohen from the University of California, Los Angeles as well as his startup company SMRT Image, saw a need for a more calming influence for patients undergoing fMRI imaging, as well as better means for the technicians to communicate with said patients while they are inside an operating MRI machine. If you have ever been inside one, you would know that thing gets real loud with magnetic coils rapidly going around and clacking noises galore. Audeze is also based in California, and multiple years of research led to the development of the Audeze CRBN—starting off for medical applications and then coming out also as a high-end retail headphones experience based on the knowledge and IP gained in the process. Read past the break for more on the science and tech, if this is of interest to you!

Edifier, the award-winning manufacturer of premium sound systems, bookshelf speakers and personal audio devices, is introducing its newest audio product, the NeoBuds Pro, which is available to pre-order on IndieGoGo. "With the ever-changing landscape and need of consumers, Edifier continues to expand on its innovation to ensure that the best and most cost-effective products are given to our customers while remaining at the forefront of personal audio innovation," said Stanley Wen, Edifier's CTO.

Distinct from other noise cancellation earphones on the market, the Neobuds Pro are the first Hi-Res certified, noise canceling, truly wireless earphones in the market that boast a dynamic driver, Knowles balanced armature, and LHDC+ACC codec. Edifier's innovative research team conducted hundreds of tests that led to electronic-acoustic technology breakthroughs in the development of the NeoBuds Pro. The earbuds bring premium audio quality traditionally found in speakers and over-ear headphones to a more convenient, compact and wireless package. Its bi-amping with DSP-based active crossover technology ensures the dynamic driver and the armature driver are working in tandem to provide users with premium sound quality, deep bass, and crisp treble frequencies all with truly unique technological advancements.

Beats today announces Beats Studio Buds, powerful true wireless earbuds that deliver a high-quality audio experience in a sleek, lightweight and comfortable design. Sweat- and water-resistant earbuds with an IPX4 rating and up to 24 hours of battery life, Studio Buds brings quality Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency and for the first time ever, convenient one-touch pairing to both iOS and Android users. Studio Buds are available to order starting today in three classic Beats colors, Black, White and Beats Red, for $149.99.

"In building a product this small, every minute detail was considered, analyzed and selected to optimize for sound quality, comfort and durability," said Oliver Schusser, vice president of Beats and Apple Music. "Studio Buds is our tiniest, most subtle form factor to date, yet keeps Beats' promise of delivering an immersive sound experience in a beautiful design."

Jaybird, a leader in true wireless earbuds for athletes, today announced the launch of Jaybird Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Earbuds. Vista 2 builds on the success of the original true wireless Vista earbuds, with unmatched durability and military-grade construction that allow users to seek out new and exciting experiences everywhere they go. Equipped with SurroundSense technology and a 6 mm driver, Vista 2 allows adventurers to amplify ambient sounds for safety or stay focused with Active Noise Cancellation, achieving the perfect balance of adventure-ready, premium sound and safety.

Vista 2 holds 24 hours of battery life and delivers up to eight hours of straight play time. A five minute charge gives users one full hour of play time, so premium audio is always available. The earbuds feature a pair of microphones in each bud with beamforming technology, plus Jaybird's new WindDefense fabric technology for clearer voice pickup and phone calls on the go. Vista 2 also introduces in-ear detection. This allows the music to automatically restart where users left off when they put the buds back in their ears, preserving battery life.

MSI first Summit laptops have been well-acclaimed by business users. Now the new members are introduced! Surrounded by the captivating golden ratio spiral special effect, MSI grandly unveiled the "MSIology: Determined to Succeed 2021" virtual event. Exemplifying the perfection of the golden ratio, MSI launched the Summit series, including the honorees of "CES Innovation Awards" MSI Summit E16 Flip and MSI Pen, "Best of the CES 2021" winner Summit E13 Flip Evo, and the MSI USB-C Docking Station Gen 2. During the virtual event, MSI showcased the versatile work styles and displayed how the MSI Summit series can unleash users' potential to boost business and productivity.

"As the famous author Arthur C. Clarke once said, any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic. Today, we are here to witness the magic of the new MSI Summit.", Iris Chuang, Product Management Director of MSI Notebook, proudly announced in the opening of the new product launch. A symbol of aesthetics, a giant golden ratio spiral outlined the spirit of MSIology, which is to design impeccable laptops for perfectionists who are determined to succeed.

Cleer Audio, industry-leading headphone and smart speaker manufacturer introduces two new True Wireless Headphones with noise cancellation, the Ally Plus II (two) and Roam NC models for early 2021 that are certain to shake the competition with new technologies, features and lower True Wireless pricing.

The new ALLY Plus II noise cancelling true wireless headphone delivers industry leading hybrid noise cancellation, and battery life for up to 11 hrs. of playback. Its strong wireless connectivity, enhanced call quality with dual-microphones and Qualcomm cVc 8th generation noise reduction technology makes these a perfect companion for on-the-go lifestyles. Complemented by the new Cleer+ app, users can customize both the noise cancelling and sound performance of the Ally Plus II. Its small jewel box style charging case offers both USB-C and Qi wireless charging options for an additional 22 hrs. of playback, ¾33 hrs. of total playback. The wireless charging case showcases the earbuds with its see-through window helping confirm that the earbuds are charging when stored.

For 75 years, JBL has been at the heart of the entertainment scene, from powering sound at major pop culture events to partnering with some of the world's top talent across music, sports and esports. As the number one leader in portable speaker sales and the fastest growing headphones brand worldwide, this year marks an epic 75th anniversary for the brand, with multiple new JBL products announced today designed to enhance everyday experiences.

Since its inception, JBL has expertly blended a bold vision of the future with the passion and talent of engineers and designers around the globe. From day one, JBL has built its legacy based on a passion, energy, and love of sound. No matter how consumers listen to or how they listen to it, it is JBL's mission to make sure they love every minute.

Apple today announced AirPods Max, innovative wireless headphones that bring the magic of AirPods to an over-ear design with high-fidelity sound. AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio. AirPods Max come in five gorgeous colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink, and are available to order starting today, with availability beginning Tuesday, December 15.

"AirPods are the most popular headphones in the world, beloved for their effortless setup, incredible sound quality, and iconic design. With AirPods Max, we are bringing that magical AirPods experience to a stunning over-ear design with high-fidelity audio," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The custom acoustic design, combined with powerful H1 chips, and advanced software enable AirPods Max to use computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience."

GIGABYTE, the world's leading premium gaming hardware manufacturer, today announced the new gaming headset - AORUS H1. AORUS H1 adopts 50 mm drivers and builds in 7.1 virtual surround sound which allows gamers to get more precise directions from the sounds. For example, gamers always recognize the enemies' actual positions by the footsteps, which allows gamers to win the game without missing any key-detail sounds. With ENC technology microphone (Environmental Noise Cancellation, ENC), which efficiently filters out the background noise so the communication remains crystal clear no matter where you are. Enjoy clear communication with your team to discuss strategy, let's fight for the victory. Furthermore, for users who care about the sounds, AORUS H1 Audio software provides kinds of modes that can adjust customized settings such as the equalizer, environment modes, and voice effects, etc., which will bring more and improved sound experiences.

GIGABYTE takes extended gaming time into account and the lightweight AORUS H1 can directly alleviate the weight on your head. With the flexible structure design, ear caps have flexible ranges for different face contouring, the soft and breathable earmuffs, and the flexible headband can fit various head shapes, so users can adjust to a close-fit, and avoid excessive ear pressure. The AORUS H1 gaming headset makes it more ergonomic and brings users to wear it comfortably with the best gaming experience.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro earbuds, featuring both THX Certified audio for high-fidelity sound and advanced hybrid Active Noise Cancellation to achieve an unrivaled, undisturbed listening experience with crisp, clear audio and impactful bass, ready for any situation - no matter if you are on the go or working from home.

As with the fan-favorite standard Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds, the Pro model features convenient touch controls and voice assistance compatibility, a customized low latency Bluetooth connection and extended battery life with the recharging case. A comfortable, secure fit with enhanced noise isolation is guaranteed by an in-ear design and the inclusion of premium memory foam Comply ear tips. The Hammerhead True Wireless Pro earbuds are also IPX4 rated for sweat and splash protection.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the definitive esports headset with the Razer BlackShark V2. Featuring the all-new Razer TriForce Titanium 50 mm Drivers, Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic with USB Sound Card, advanced passive noise cancellation, and with THX Spatial Audio's new Game Profiles feature making its debut, the BlackShark V2 is the new pinnacle of multi-platform, wired gaming headsets - designed and tested in conjunction with some of the world's top esports athletes.

In esports, clarity of sound and communications is everything. Being able to hear the slightest audio cue and communicate clearly with teammates makes the difference between the glory of the win or being a footnote on the tournament roster. For the Razer BlackShark V2, Razer has developed an entirely new 50 mm audio driver which, coupled with a new custom-tuned microphone and superior passive noise cancelling earcups, creates the ultimate triple threat in esports - clear sounds, clear communication, and minimal external noise - a deadly audio trinity.

MSI, a world leader in gaming and content creation hardware, unveils the MSI Sound Tune, an AI-powered noise cancellation software that filters out all the unwanted background noises to remarkably enhance users' communication experiences. "MSI is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology. The new MSI Sound Tune breaks the traditional boundaries on noise reduction by integrating deep learning AI technology to audio signal processing, allowing users who have to work from home amid the global pandemic to communicate clearly and stay productive with their tasks," said Harry Kao, MSI Technical Director.

MSI Sound Tune's AI-powered noise cancellation is achieved through Deep Neural Network (DNN) with more than 0.5 billion Synthetic Noisy Speech Data to help simulate the way human brain works. The traditional noise reduction technology, with its manually compiled algorithm, doesn't work well in environments with complicated noise sources, such as keyboard noises, construction site noises, coffee shop whispers, or the loud noise that overwhelms the vocal sounds. Comparatively speaking, the MSI Sound Tune, utilizing human brains' excellent ability to distinguish human vocal sounds from environmental noises, can extract the vocal sounds from complicated environments, giving users extra clear, noise-free commuication in various surroundings.

zAnother day, another audio product quick look. This time, the folks over at Philips get some love with the US launch of their PH805 active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones, the news of which we covered before. The company has gone through big changes over the years, and one of the effects has been regional business units operating independently enough to have separate launch windows for products. Take this very product, for example, which had been out for purchase for a couple of months already last year in Europe and parts of Asia, and Philips USA only just got it in 2020. Somehow, we had no coverage on this to date, but that changes now.

The PH805, also referred to as the PH805BK or TAPH805BK, follows a trend of product names that make little sense, but all you need to know is that this is from the same company and team that brought out the excellent Fidelio series that offered great value for money to those wanting an open-back, over-ear headphones with a neutral signature without any real shortcomings across the frequency range. They are readying the new Fidelio x3 for launch soon, but the PH805 aims to interest a different segment entirely. In particular, the frequent traveler or mobile user that wants a lightweight set of cans with ANC and wireless connectivity. It ships in a retail packaging that is well designed, with the company and product name on the front along with a large render and marketing features throughout, with a clear note on Google Assistant compatibility. Sorry, iOS users! Read past the break for more on the Philips PH805BK, including an unboxing, user experience, and what it costs to get you one of these in the USA.