FACE-OFF: NOISE-CANCELING TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS
Sound & Vision|September 2020
Nine wire-free options to self-isolate (from noise) on the go
Stewart Wolpin
FACE-OFF: NOISE-CANCELING TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS

WHILE ISOLATION is a novel and challenging concept for many folks during these strange times, isolation from external sound is considered nirvana by music aficionados. Also, donning a pair of cans or buds and turning the music up to 11 can provide a temporary turn-on, tune-in, drop-out emotional escape for those stuck in a sheltered-place household where everyone is getting on each other’s nerves.

A plethora of true wireless bud makers have added noise-canceling to their next-gen in-ear headphones. This technology—either active, hybrid, or digital—keeps your boisterous and intrusive family from spoiling your sonic social distancing.

All noise-canceling true wireless buds include some sort of “ambient sound” mode. This involves tapping or clicking the buds to turn off noise-canceling and activate external mics so you can temporarily hear enough external sound to conduct conversations. In some cases, the mics on the noise-canceling buds I auditioned for this test also enhance speech.

Noise-canceling may aid aural isolation, but it isn’t always a convenience. For one thing, it can drain battery power enough to cut listening time by 10-20 percent. Noise-canceling and ambient sound mode options also create more on-bud tap/press control variations to remember. When you are grooving with noise-canceling on, you usually have to perform a two-step process—pause the music, then turn on the ambient sound mode—to hear what’s going on around you. And since both noise-canceling and ambient sound modes rely on external microphones, wind sound can also get amplified to an annoying degree.

Last, but not least, noise-canceling true wireless buds are a bit pricier than their plain ear-sealing but non-noise-canceling cousins.

Bu hikaye Sound & Vision dergisinin September 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Sound & Vision dergisinin September 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

SOUND & VISION DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Big Clean
Sound & Vision

The Big Clean

Chances are you probably do not think about the state of your electronic devices too often. Oh, you might think about all the upgrades you would like to make; where you would put those new tower speakers, or how a second or third subwoofer would really tame those bass modes in your room, or how much more cinematic a larger screen would be. Sure, you think about that part of your system. But how often do you think about the well-being of your system?

time-read
5 dak  |
August - September 2024
Planar-Magnetic Attraction
Sound & Vision

Planar-Magnetic Attraction

THE DIPTYQUE DP 115 speakers are a new model 2-way, ribbon, and planar magnetic driver dipole \"isodynamic\" speaker system designed and built in France.

time-read
10 dak  |
August - September 2024
Full-Featured 4K
Sound & Vision

Full-Featured 4K

THE QN95D is one of two televisions we went hands-on with on a recent trip to Samsung's New Jersey QA Lab, the other being the S95D quantum-dot OLED.

time-read
10+ dak  |
August - September 2024
Party Animal
Sound & Vision

Party Animal

FOR ANY party, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Outdoor Bass Bluetooth Speaker is an essential invite.

time-read
7 dak  |
August - September 2024
It's the End of the World. How About Popcorn and a Movie?
Sound & Vision

It's the End of the World. How About Popcorn and a Movie?

Attention all preppers! Today's column is right up your alley-or, more precisely-your tunnel to your underground bunker.

time-read
3 dak  |
August - September 2024
Bridging the Analog-Digital Gap on a Recliner
Sound & Vision

Bridging the Analog-Digital Gap on a Recliner

When I shopped for a motorized recliner, I rejected models with their own Internet Protocol address and built-in speakers. No need. I had already placed a smart speaker on an étagère beside the space where I had planned to put the chair. I'd have a smartphone in my hand and the room would be bathed in Wi-Fi.

time-read
4 dak  |
August - September 2024
BACK TO THE GARDEN
Sound & Vision

BACK TO THE GARDEN

AN AQUARIAN EXPOSITION in WHITE LAKE, N.Y.

time-read
10+ dak  |
August - September 2024
Big Sound, Small Price
Sound & Vision

Big Sound, Small Price

DOLBY ATMOS, once a costly premium, is enjoying a surge of popularity across a range of new audio gear.

time-read
10+ dak  |
August - September 2024
Classic Sound with Streaming Smarts
Sound & Vision

Classic Sound with Streaming Smarts

THE TWENTIETH century had its Roaring Twenties; welcome to the twenty-first's Streaming Twenties.

time-read
10+ dak  |
August - September 2024
Stand and Deliver
Sound & Vision

Stand and Deliver

IT DOESN'T seem all that long ago that SVS first entered the audio scene.

time-read
9 dak  |
August - September 2024