The DuoBell works by emitting two sounds the headphone can't cancel. One sound is designed to be within a frequency in ANC's narrow blind spot that it can't invert, and another is too fast and confusing for ANC to process.
Samsung polled its users and found that 58% of them use buds on a daily basis - and that sound quality is a top priority. That said, most people tend to use only one pair of headphones for everything, so the buds also had to be comfortable and easy to carry.
Take now, for instance, when the AirPods 4 with ANC are on sale for $119, down from $179. The 34 percent discount brings them to only $4 more than the standard AirPods 4 current sale price and below their usual $129. While we've seen the ANC model as low as $99, the $119 price tag is the best deal we've seen so far this year.
In the fast-paced race to load AI into every smartphone, laptop, tablet, and earbud, the flashiest AI-powered features usually receive the most attention. When your earbuds use AI to perform real-time translation services or allow hands-free access to a gen AI chatbot, you'll know. There's another way your earbuds use AI that isn't as exciting to talk about, but when it's done well, it's incredibly valuable: AI-powered adaptive noise cancellation.
The Pixel Buds 2a uses the design of the excellent Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a few high-end features at a more palatable 109 (129/$129/A$239) price, undercutting rivals in the process. That makes the Buds 2a some of the smallest and most comfortable earbuds on the market, with a disc the size of a Smartie chocolate protruding from your ear canal and no stalk to get in the way of earrings.
After wearing the XM6 earbuds for three weeks while working, exercising, and running errands, I can confidently say the XM6 appeal to Sony's legion of power users. With powerful noise cancellation, high-performing microphones, Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility, and a list of customization options in Sony's companion app, there's no doubt the XM6 earbuds are Sony's best yet -- at least on paper.
They do sound good in open mode. When they're not covering your ear canals, the Aerofit 2 Pro rank among the best open earbuds in their price class, with an airy sound signature that naturally focuses on the upper registers. While no open earbuds I've tried accentuate bass as well as regular buds, the Aerofit 2 Pro have more resonance down low than most, accompanied by splashes of keen instrumental detail and clear stereo separation.
.png)
