الوسم: ANC

  • Edifier LolliClip Offers ANC And Health Tracking In Earbuds

    Edifier LolliClip Offers ANC And Health Tracking In Earbuds

    Edifier has unveiled its newest open-ear true wireless earbuds, the LolliClip, which come equipped with features typically found in high-end models. Priced at $130, these earbuds are available in both black and white, and can be purchased starting today on Amazon.

    A key highlight of these clip-style earbuds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC). While ANC generally requires a snug fit in the ear canal using silicone tips—something that open-ear designs lack—there are products on the market, such as the Oladance OWS Pro, that have successfully integrated ANC into open-ear models. Additionally, Apple has demonstrated that ANC can work surprisingly well in semi-open configurations, like that of the AirPods 4.

    It’s anticipated that the LolliClip will find a middle ground in performance compared to other devices. While they are open-ear, their unique clip design allows Edifier to position the speaker pod closer to the ear canal than traditional earhook styles, potentially improving ANC effectiveness.

    Furthermore, these earbuds come with heart-rate and blood oxygen sensors, which can be activated through the Edifier ConneX app. To my knowledge, this is a groundbreaking feature for open-ear models. The recently launched Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 has heart-rate tracking but lacks blood oxygen monitoring. Even Sennheiser’s high-end Momentum Sport earbuds do not offer blood oxygen tracking, although they do monitor heart rate and temperature.

    Edifier has also integrated LDAC and spatial audio to further enhance the listening experience. The incorporation of Sony’s high-resolution audio LDAC Bluetooth codec allows Android users to experience superior audio quality, especially with lossless audio in quiet settings. Spatial audio transforms stereo sound into a more immersive experience, with an optional head tracking feature that makes video content feel more engaging by directing sounds straight in front of the listener as they move.

    The earbuds are fitted with wear sensors, an uncommon feature for open-ear designs. Additionally, with Bluetooth 5.4, the LolliClip supports simultaneous multipoint connections. There is even a low-latency mode tailored for gaming. However, Edifier has not included Auracast support.

    The LolliClip is expected to excel during workouts. In addition to the health tracking features mentioned earlier, they hold an IP56 rating for dust and water resistance, as well as sweat protection. Edifier claims these earbuds offer around 9 hours of listening time per charge, with the case extending total playtime to approximately 39 hours. These estimates are based on using the AAC codec at 80% volume, which means battery life may be shorter if features like ANC, spatial audio, or LDAC are utilized.

  • Bang & Olufsen Claims New Earbuds Offer Best ANC

    Bang & Olufsen Claims New Earbuds Offer Best ANC

    Bang & Olufsen (B&O) has unveiled its newest wireless earbuds, the Beoplay Eleven. Although their appearance is mostly similar to that of the previous model, the Beoplay EX, B&O claims that these earbuds feature a notable increase in noise cancellation performance at lower frequencies. Additionally, they have been optimally designed to fit a variety of ear shapes and sizes, boasting what the company refers to as “the finest ANC technology in an earbud to date.”

    The retail price for the Beoplay Eleven is set at $499. The Natural Aluminium color option is available starting today, while the Copper Tone variant is expected to launch on December 17.

    Bang & Olufsen Beoplay 11.
    Bang & Olufsen

    B&O has also enhanced the transparency mode and made improvements to the microphone opening, resulting in better call quality and reduced wind noise.

    In terms of specifications, the Beoplay Eleven closely mirrors the Beoplay EX. They offer an IP57 rating for dust and water protection, meaning they are effectively water-resistant. The earbuds promise a battery life of up to 6 hours with active noise cancellation enabled (20 hours total with the charging case), or 8 hours without it (28 hours with the case).

    The charging case supports both wired and Qi wireless charging, and a quick-charge feature allows for 1.75 hours of playback after just 20 minutes of charging.

    Bang & Olufsen Beoplay 11.
    Bang & Olufsen

    The Beoplay Eleven retains the 9.2mm Neodymium-magnet dynamic drivers and offers the same Bluetooth codec support, including aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC. Notably, Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity enables users to pair two devices simultaneously.

    Interestingly, B&O mentions that the design of the earbuds allows for battery replacement through a service, aligning with European sustainability goals that require replaceable batteries starting February 2027. However, specific details on how the replacements will be carried out have not been disclosed.

    If you’ve been interested in acquiring B&O wireless earbuds but were deterred by the steep price, now might be an opportune moment to consider the older Beoplay EX, which is currently available for just $280—its lowest price to date. Given the minimal differences with the Beoplay Eleven, this purchase could offer excellent value.