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Is the world ready for vacuum-tube wireless headphones?

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These new cans try to pub back some of the warmth and realism that digital compression takes away.
These new cans try to restore some of the warmth and realism that digital compression takes away.
Photo: Morpho MFG

This post’s headline sounds like a joke, invoking technology used in antique radios, TVs and amplifiers, but the wireless headphones behind it seem entirely serious.

“écoute: the world’s only vacuum tube headphones, designed to compensate for the deficiencies of digital listening,” say the Indiegogo and Kickstarter funding-campaign pages. The French word “écoute” translates to “listen” in English.

Score open-ear headphones with bone-conduction tech for just $25

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Score pre-Prime Day savings on these open ear headphones with bone conduction technology, now only $25.
Get pre-Prime Day savings on these open-ear headphones, now just $24.97.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Everybody gets in the zone when it’s time to work out. Music is one great way to get there, but AirPods aren’t always the safest option if you’re biking or jogging on busy roadways. Audiophiles have been conditioned to think that earbuds are best when they drill sound waves directly into the ear, but these open-ear induction headphones are at the forefront of a new wave in personal audio.

During Deal Days, our version of Prime Day, Cult of Mac readers can get a pair of these innovative bone-conduction headphones for only $24.97 (regularly $79) with no coupon necessary. But you’ll have to move quickly, as this deal only lasts until July 14 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific!

Keep your ears free with these $34 bone-conduction headphones

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Keep your ears free with these $34 open-ear induction headphones.
Hear your music without shutting out the world with these open ear headphones.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Whether it’s your streaming service, podcasts or playlists, customizing your personal soundscape has never been easier. These open-ear bone-conduction headphones let you hear the world around you while mixing in the audio you want to hear. Even better, they’re now only $33.99 (regularly $109).

World’s first lossless Wi-Fi headphones come from unexpected place

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HED Unity lossless Wi-Fi headphones come with a hefty price tag -- $2,199.
HED Unity lossless Wi-Fi headphones come with a hefty price tag -- $2,199.
Photo: HED Technologies

Rumors swirled over the past few years that Sonos would take on Apple’s AirPods Max by releasing its first headphones, possibly with Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth. But a little-known Swiss startup has beaten both companies to the punch with a pricey new set of cans.

HED Technologies recently unveiled HED Unity, the world’s first wireless headphones to offer lossless, high-resolution audio streaming over a local Wi-Fi network at up to 24bit/96kHz.

These $34 induction headphones prove far more comfortable than earbuds

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Listen to music without uncomfortable ear buds with more than half off these induction headphones.
Listen to music and the outside world with these top-rated, open-ear headphones, less than $34 now.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Wearing chunky over-ear headphones or finicky in-ear buds can become super-uncomfortable. The secret to comfortable listening for hours on end is with technologically advanced induction headphones, which don’t require sitting in your ear at all.

And right now, you can grab a pair of highly rated Open Ear Induction Stereo Wireless Headphones on sale for just $33.99. That’s more than half off the regular price of $109.

These new hi-res noise-canceling headphones go for just $180

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Edifier's new premium cans use the LDAC codec, which should make them sound especially good with devices made for it.
Edifier's new premium cans use the LDAC codec, which should make them sound especially good with Android devices made for it.
Photo: Edifier

Edifier rolled out a new wireless over-ear set of headphones Tuesday — the WH950NB headset — providing another affordable alternative to high-end cans like Apple’s AirPods Max and products from the likes of Sony and Sennheiser.

Featuring active noise cancellation (ANC) and hi-res audio, Edifier’s premium headphones go for $180, a pretty low price for the feature set.

Affordable Edifier wireless ANC headphones get the basics right [Review] ★★★★☆

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Want solid headphones without breaking the bank? Consider Edifier's W820NB.★★★★☆
Want solid headphones without breaking the bank? Consider Edifier's W820NB.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The Chinese company Edifier has been putting out affordable high-quality audio equipment for more than 25 years. I often find it hits the “high-value” button with many of its products, offering great sound and solid features at relatively low prices. The company seems to stake out that same territory with its W820NB ANC Bluetooth Stereo Headphones.

Edifier sent me a pair of the cans to try out. While they’re not likely to blow anybody away, they get the job done well, with quality sound, strong active noise cancellation and long battery life.

If you want good sound at a good price, they could be for you. But if you’re an exacting audiophile or on the hunt for luxury appointments, look elsewhere.

Soundcore Q45 headphones crush noise cancellation and battery life [Review] ★★★★

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The new Soundcore Q45 headphones have strong noise cancellation and long battery life.★★★★
The new Soundcore Q45 headphones have strong noise cancellation and long battery life.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

With Thursday’s release of the new Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones and sibling Space A40 earbuds, Soundcore began replacing its Life series of sound products. The company sent me both products to test. This review covers the Q45 cans (my A40 review will appear tomorrow).

I’ve spent a couple weeks with the Q45 over-ear, closed-back headphones. Soundcore pushes two main selling points: strong noise cancellation and long battery life. And with the Q45 headphones, the company has hit it out of the park on both counts.

And they sound good for the price, too.

New Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones gun for AirPods Max

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Sennheiser's new Momentum 4 ANC wireless headphones changed up their look and claim 60 hours of battery life.
Sennheiser's new Momentum 4 ANC wireless headphones changed up their look and claim 60 hours of battery life.
Photo: Sennheiser

Venerable audio brand Sennheiser rolled out its new Momentum 4 wireless over-ear headphones Tuesday. The successor to the much-liked Momentum 3 aims for the same high-end sound and comfort along with a more modern look.

The cans, which will compete with the likes of Sony’s top headphones and AirPods Max, also claim an impressive battery life of up to 60 hours.

Tiny Beats Studio Buds will hit ears near you on July 21 [Updated]

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Apple preps Beats Studio Buds to compete against AirPods
Apple’s rival to its own AirPods are apparently just a month or so away.
Photo: 9to5Mac

It seems Apple can’t keep a lid on Beats Studio Buds. Celebrities keep getting photographed wearing the not-yet-announced in-ear wireless headphones, and now the launch date has leaked out.

They are still MIA for regular folks to buy. But since they showed up in yet another social media post by a famous athlete, Apple is seemingly playing a calculated long game when it comes to ramping up anticipation.