Bose launched wired earbuds with active noise cancellation that connect via USB-C for $99, marking a shift back to wired listening. The earbuds feature dual microphones per bud for ANC, with Quiet Mode and Aware Mode options, and will ship starting October 15.
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 are $399.99 premium headphones that deliver balanced sound, effective noise cancellation with eight microphones, and exceptional 57-hour battery life with a user-replaceable cell. While slightly less comfortable than pricier Sony and Apple competitors, they offer strong value with a compact carrying case and comprehensive app controls for sound customization.
Apple's AirPods 5 offer Active Noise Cancellation as standard on both the $129 and $149 models, representing a $50 price drop from AirPods 4 with ANC. The open-ear design delivers strong noise cancellation without ear tips, though battery life is limited to 4-5 hours and the lack of haptic feedback on the force sensor is a drawback. AirPods Pro 3 remain Apple's best earbuds, but AirPods 5 provide better value for many users.
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a chipset designed for audio wearables that delivers up to 2x better on-device AI performance at 40% lower power consumption. The SoC supports advanced features including camera-based image recognition, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, improved noise cancellation, and can power various devices from traditional earbuds to camera-equipped audio glasses and Android XR devices.
The Beats 360 are modular over-ear headphones priced at $350, featuring swappable earcup and headband cushions, IPX4 water resistance, and strong noise cancellation and voice-call performance. They offer top-tier sound quality and are positioned as a sports-oriented alternative to AirPods Max, though they lack wired audio and wear-detection sensors.
Beats announces the Beats 360 over-ear headphones priced at $349.99, featuring advanced acoustic architecture with 1.75× more active noise cancellation than Studio Pro, personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, and customizable interchangeable cushions in multiple colors and materials. The headphones include IPX4 water resistance and automatic acoustic tuning based on cushion type, with launch promotions offering cushion kits at $9.99 in select markets.
Beats unveils Beats 360, a flagship over-ear headphone featuring interchangeable ear and headband cushions for customization, advanced Active Noise Cancelling with 1.75x more noise reduction than Studio Pro, and premium comfort materials. Available for $349.99 starting today with in-store availability September 24.