Wireless food probes come in handy on the grill, allowing you to maneuver as needed without a maze of cables to navigate. In the case of Meater's recent products, these devices let you keep tabs on both food and ambient grill temperatures simultaneously. There's no doubting their utility, but often you need more than one to get the job done. Sometimes you need to cook steaks to different temperatures or accurately monitor the breast and thigh of your Thanksgiving turkey, for example. Meater already offers a four-probe option with the Pro XL, but it's $349.95, and might be overkill for some backyard cooks.
Today, the Traeger-owned company debuted the Meater Pro Duo, a dual-probe model that swaps Bluetooth for Wi-Fi to extend wireless range. The charger connects to your home network and then to Meater Cloud, which will allow you to monitor food and grill temps from anywhere on your phone. This dock also features its own battery (charges using USB-C), so you don't have to worry about swapping out batteries. As before, Meater says fully charged probes can last for up to 24 hours, which is more than enough for even the longest brisket cooks. If you do find yourself in a pinch, a five-minute charge will give you two hours of use.
Meater has once again opted for stainless steel probes, and both have six temperature sensors (five internal, one ambient). These components allow the probes to withstand searing temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The company says the internal sensors work up to 221 degrees Fahrenheit and are accurate to half a degree. Similar to previous Meater models, the probes are waterproof, which means you can use them for deep frying and sous vide. But, more importantly, it also means they're dishwasher safe.
The Pro Duo probes send cooking data to Meater's app, which allows you to monitor progress on your phone. The software offers a number of cooking profiles based on the food you're preparing and a guided cooking system can walk you through every step of the process. There's also an estimator algorithm at work here, providing a calculation as to when your food will be ready (including rest time).
The Meater Pro Duo is available now for pre-order for $199.95 from the company's website. Shipments begin November 15.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/meaters-pro-duo-keeps-tabs-on-grill-temps-with-two-smart-probes-and-wi-fi-134530562.html?src=rss
Now that iOS 18.1 is available to the masses, Apple’s new hearing aid feature is ready for use. The tool is one of three hearing health items the company announced alongside the iPhone 16 in September. Another one of those, the “clinically-validated” hearing test, is an essential part of being able to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. With an up-to-date iPhone and those earbuds, you can employ hearing assistance tools without visiting a doctor or buying off-putting hearing aids. Simply take a five-minute test, and if the software determines you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can immediately enable Apple’s FDA-approved hearing aid. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
Update your iPhone and AirPods Pro 2
Billy Steele for Engadget
Before you can access Apple’s hearing aid, you’ll need to make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.1 and your AirPods Pro 2 have the latest firmware (7B19). None of the new hearing health features will show up in the AirPods settings or in the Apple Health app if you don’t have both of those updates. What’s more, you won’t be able to run the hearing test or use the hearing aid feature on the first-gen AirPods Pro.
You can check your current iOS version from the iPhone Settings menu. Scroll down to General and tap Software Update. From here, you can see which version of iOS you’re running and if you’ve got a pending update that’s ready to download and install. Once again, you’re looking for iOS 18.1 here since this is the software version that delivers the suite of hearing health features.
To check the firmware on your AirPods Pro 2, connect the earbuds to your iPhone and navigate to the Settings menu. Here, your AirPods Pro 2 should appear near the top of the list and tapping that option will take you into the settings. You can also access AirPods Pro 2 details from the Bluetooth menu by tapping the “i” icon next to the device name.
Once you’re in the AirPods settings menu, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the main screen. One of the last things you’ll see is a bunch of firmware info, including the current version for the AirPods Pro 2. If you see 7B19, you’re good to go. If not, your earbuds haven’t updated yet, but you can try to force them to do so instead of waiting for the over-the-air process to take place on its own.
To do this, connect the AirPods Pro 2 to your iPhone for at least 30 seconds and play music to confirm the connection is stable. Then put the earbuds back on in the charging case and close the lid, keeping the AirPods Pro 2 in range of the iPhone. Now check Bluetooth settings, and if you see the AirPods Pro 2 stay connected for more than 10 seconds while in the charging case with the lid closed, then that should indicate that the update is in progress.
Take Apple’s hearing test
Billy Steele for Engadget
After you’ve confirmed that you have the necessary updates for your phone and earbuds, you’ll have to take Apple’s hearing test before the hearing aid features will show up. The only way around this is to upload an audiogram from your doctor in the Apple Health app. Either way, you’ll need to exhibit mild to moderate hearing loss (26-60 dBHL) for the Hearing Assistance section of the AirPods Pro 2 menu to be available to you.
Apple gives you two places to access its hearing test, and both of them are easy to find. The first is in the AirPods menu, which you can get to from the main Settings menu or from the Bluetooth menu. The Hearing Health section is prominently displayed on the main screen, just under the Noise Control options. In Hearing Health, Take a Hearing Test will be the third item after Hearing Protection and Hearing Assistance, and it will appear in blue.
In the Health app, the fastest way to get to the hearing test is to tap Browse on the menu on the main Summary screen. From there, select Hearing with the blue ear icon and scroll down to Get More From Health. Here, you’ll see the option to take the hearing test with the AirPods Pro 2.
Using the hearing aid feature
Billy Steele for Engadget
After you take Apple’s hearing test, or upload your results from your doctor in the Health app, you’ll be able to access the Hearing Assistance section of the Hearing Health features in the AirPods settings. The hearing aid feature resides here, where you can turn it on or off as needed. It’s worth noting that Apple will ask if you want to set up Hearing Assistance immediately if your hearing test results meet the criteria for mild to moderate hearing loss.
On the main Hearing Assistance screen, you’ll see options for enabling/disabling the hearing aid and Media Assist. There are options for adjusting the hearing aid feature and choosing how the system applies Media Assist. The later tool uses your hearing profile to improve the sound for music, videos and calls. You can choose to have it only apply the personalization to either music and videos or calls and FaceTime. By default, it will re-tune the audio for all of them.
Under Adjustments beneath the hearing aid toggle, you’ll have the ability to tweak amplification, balance, tone and ambient noise reduction via individual sliders. You can also enable/disable the swipe gesture on AirPods Pro 2 that will adjust amplification when hearing aid mode is active (versus volume control for normal use). At the bottom of this menu, you can enable/disable Conversation Boost, the tool that specifically targets human voices that Apple debuted in 2021. When the hearing aid is enabled, you’ll see a second slider in the Control Center with an ear icon where you can adjust amplification and you can also tweak this setting on an Apple Watch.
Hearing aid will only be enabled when Noise Control is set to transparency, but Media Assist will still work in Adaptive, ANC and off modes. What’s more, the hearing aid and hearing protection features can be used simultaneously in transparency mode, with the later being active by default. And once again, you can turn the hearing aid tool off entirely at any time in the Hearing Assistance menu from the AirPods settings.
It could take a few days, or even a few weeks, for you to acclimate to the hearing aid feature. You can use the AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids for up to six hours on a charge, and you’ll want to wear them as much as possible when you first start using them for this purpose. Once your hearing profile is enabled on the AirPods Pro 2, you shouldn’t share the earbuds with anyone else. This is due to the fact that adjustments have been made to compensate for the specific frequencies you have trouble hearing. That personalization would lead to weird tuning for someone else.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/how-to-use-apples-airpods-pro-2-as-a-hearing-aid-173049967.html?src=rss
Now that iOS 18.1 is available to the masses, Apple’s new hearing aid feature is ready for use. The tool is one of three hearing health items the company announced alongside the iPhone 16 in September. Another one of those, the “clinically-validated” hearing test, is an essential part of being able to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. With an up-to-date iPhone and those earbuds, you can employ hearing assistance tools without visiting a doctor or buying off-putting hearing aids. Simply take a five-minute test, and if the software determines you have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can immediately enable Apple’s FDA-approved hearing aid. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
Update your iPhone and AirPods Pro 2
Billy Steele for Engadget
Before you can access Apple’s hearing aid, you’ll need to make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.1 and your AirPods Pro 2 have the latest firmware (7B19). None of the new hearing health features will show up in the AirPods settings or in the Apple Health app if you don’t have both of those updates. What’s more, you won’t be able to run the hearing test or use the hearing aid feature on the first-gen AirPods Pro.
You can check your current iOS version from the iPhone Settings menu. Scroll down to General and tap Software Update. From here, you can see which version of iOS you’re running and if you’ve got a pending update that’s ready to download and install. Once again, you’re looking for iOS 18.1 here since this is the software version that delivers the suite of hearing health features.
To check the firmware on your AirPods Pro 2, connect the earbuds to your iPhone and navigate to the Settings menu. Here, your AirPods Pro 2 should appear near the top of the list and tapping that option will take you into the settings. You can also access AirPods Pro 2 details from the Bluetooth menu by tapping the “i” icon next to the device name.
Once you’re in the AirPods settings menu, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the main screen. One of the last things you’ll see is a bunch of firmware info, including the current version for the AirPods Pro 2. If you see 7B19, you’re good to go. If not, your earbuds haven’t updated yet, but you can try to force them to do so instead of waiting for the over-the-air process to take place on its own.
To do this, connect the AirPods Pro 2 to your iPhone for at least 30 seconds and play music to confirm the connection is stable. Then put the earbuds back on in the charging case and close the lid, keeping the AirPods Pro 2 in range of the iPhone. Now check Bluetooth settings, and if you see the AirPods Pro 2 stay connected for more than 10 seconds while in the charging case with the lid closed, then that should indicate that the update is in progress.
Take Apple’s hearing test
Billy Steele for Engadget
After you’ve confirmed that you have the necessary updates for your phone and earbuds, you’ll have to take Apple’s hearing test before the hearing aid features will show up. The only way around this is to upload an audiogram from your doctor in the Apple Health app. Either way, you’ll need to exhibit mild to moderate hearing loss (26-60 dBHL) for the Hearing Assistance section of the AirPods Pro 2 menu to be available to you.
Apple gives you two places to access its hearing test, and both of them are easy to find. The first is in the AirPods menu, which you can get to from the main Settings menu or from the Bluetooth menu. The Hearing Health section is prominently displayed on the main screen, just under the Noise Control options. In Hearing Health, Take a Hearing Test will be the third item after Hearing Protection and Hearing Assistance, and it will appear in blue.
In the Health app, the fastest way to get to the hearing test is to tap Browse on the menu on the main Summary screen. From there, select Hearing with the blue ear icon and scroll down to Get More From Health. Here, you’ll see the option to take the hearing test with the AirPods Pro 2.
Using the hearing aid feature
Billy Steele for Engadget
After you take Apple’s hearing test, or upload your results from your doctor in the Health app, you’ll be able to access the Hearing Assistance section of the Hearing Health features in the AirPods settings. The hearing aid feature resides here, where you can turn it on or off as needed. It’s worth noting that Apple will ask if you want to set up Hearing Assistance immediately if your hearing test results meet the criteria for mild to moderate hearing loss.
On the main Hearing Assistance screen, you’ll see options for enabling/disabling the hearing aid and Media Assist. There are options for adjusting the hearing aid feature and choosing how the system applies Media Assist. The later tool uses your hearing profile to improve the sound for music, videos and calls. You can choose to have it only apply the personalization to either music and videos or calls and FaceTime. By default, it will re-tune the audio for all of them.
Under Adjustments beneath the hearing aid toggle, you’ll have the ability to tweak amplification, balance, tone and ambient noise reduction via individual sliders. You can also enable/disable the swipe gesture on AirPods Pro 2 that will adjust amplification when hearing aid mode is active (versus volume control for normal use). At the bottom of this menu, you can enable/disable Conversation Boost, the tool that specifically targets human voices that Apple debuted in 2021. When the hearing aid is enabled, you’ll see a second slider in the Control Center with an ear icon where you can adjust amplification and you can also tweak this setting on an Apple Watch.
Hearing aid will only be enabled when Noise Control is set to transparency, but Media Assist will still work in Adaptive, ANC and off modes. What’s more, the hearing aid and hearing protection features can be used simultaneously in transparency mode, with the later being active by default. And once again, you can turn the hearing aid tool off entirely at any time in the Hearing Assistance menu from the AirPods settings.
It could take a few days, or even a few weeks, for you to acclimate to the hearing aid feature. You can use the AirPods Pro 2 as hearing aids for up to six hours on a charge, and you’ll want to wear them as much as possible when you first start using them for this purpose. Once your hearing profile is enabled on the AirPods Pro 2, you shouldn’t share the earbuds with anyone else. This is due to the fact that adjustments have been made to compensate for the specific frequencies you have trouble hearing. That personalization would lead to weird tuning for someone else.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/how-to-use-apples-airpods-pro-2-as-a-hearing-aid-173049967.html?src=rss
When iOS 18.1 arrived earlier this week, Apple delivered the highly-anticipated suite of hearing health features that it announced at the iPhone event in September. This includes hearing aid and hearing protection tools, as well as a “clinically-validated” hearing test in your pocket. With the combination of an iPhone and a pair of second-gen AirPods Pro, you can take a hearing test that’s similar to what you’d get at an audiologist’s office without leaving home. Most importantly, the whole thing takes about five minutes and gives you detailed results immediately. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
Update your iPhone and AirPods Pro 2
Billy Steele for Engadget
Before you can access Apple’s hearing test, you’ll need to make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.1 and your AirPods Pro 2 have the latest firmware (7B19). None of the new hearing health features will show up in the AirPods settings or in the Apple Health app if you don’t have both of those updates. What’s more, you won’t be able to run the hearing test or use any of the other new tools on the first-gen AirPods Pro (2019 model).
You can check your current iOS version from the iPhone Settings menu. Scroll down to General and tap Software Update. From here, you can see which version of iOS you’re running and if you’ve got a pending update that’s ready to download and install. Once again, you’re looking for iOS 18.1 here since this is the software version that delivers the suite of hearing health features.
To check the firmware on your AirPods Pro 2, connect the earbuds to your iPhone and navigate to the Settings menu. Here, your AirPods Pro 2 should appear near the top of the list and tapping that option will take you into the settings. You can also access AirPods Pro 2 details from the Bluetooth menu by tapping the “i” icon next to the device name.
Once you’re in the AirPods settings menu, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the main screen. One of the last things you’ll see is a bunch of firmware info, including the current version for the AirPods Pro 2. If you see 7B19, you’re good to go. If not, your earbuds haven’t updated yet, but you can try to force them to do so instead of waiting for the over-the-air process to take place on its own.
To do this, connect the AirPods Pro 2 to your iPhone for at least 30 seconds and play music to confirm the connection is stable. Then put the earbuds back in the charging case and close the lid, keeping the AirPods Pro 2 in range of the iPhone. Now check Bluetooth settings, and if you see the AirPods Pro 2 stay connected for more than 10 seconds while in the charging case with the lid closed, that should indicate the update is in progress.
Where to find Apple’s hearing test
Billy Steele for Engadget
Apple allows you access its hearing test from two places, and both of them are easy to find. The first is in the AirPods menu, which you can get to from the main Settings menu or from the Bluetooth menu. The Hearing Health section is prominently displayed on the main screen, just under the Noise Control options. In this section, “Take a Hearing Test” will be the third item after Hearing Protection and Hearing Assistance, and it will appear in blue.
In the Health app, the fastest way to get to the hearing test is to tap Browse on the menu on the bottom of main Summary screen. From there, select "Hearing" with the blue ear icon and scroll down to “Get More From Health.” Here, you’ll see the option to take the hearing test with the AirPods Pro 2.
How to take Apple’s hearing test
Billy Steele for Engadget
After you update your devices and find the hearing test, the hardest part is over. The software-based test guides you through the entire process, with detailed info on what you can expect and what the results mean for you. After you select “Take Hearing Test,” you’ll tap “Get Started” to begin the process. First, the software will ask you if you’re 18 or older, if you’re experiencing allergy or cold symptoms and if you’ve been in a loud environment (like a concert) in the last 24 hours. The second two items could impact the accuracy of your test if the answer is yes to either one.
On the next screen, the AirPods and iPhone tandem will make sure that your surroundings are quiet enough for the hearing test. Too much background noise will make it difficult for you to hear the more subtle tones during the screening. Next, the setup will make sure that the AirPods Pro 2 fit properly in your ears and that they provide an adequate seal for the test. You’ll be notified that Do No Disturb will be active during the test to prevent distractions and active noise cancellation (ANC) mode will be enabled at this point. The test will then offer some sample tones and let you know that each tone during the test will play three times.
When the test begins, you’ll simply tap the screen of your iPhone when you hear a tone (you only have to tap once for each tone). The test begins with your left ear before moving over to the right. Don’t worry if you miss one: the test will repeat any of the sounds it thinks you missed along the way. When the test is over, you’ll immediately get the results on your iPhone for each ear, including a detailed audiogram that shows which frequencies you struggle hearing (if any). Results are also viewable in the Health app at any time, and you can export a PDF to share with a doctor or for other purposes as needed.
What to do with your hearing test results
If you have little to no hearing loss, Apple’s tool will offer suggestions on how to keep your hearing healthy and inform you that no changes are needed to the tuning of your AirPods Pro 2. If you exhibit mild to moderate hearing loss, the software will ask if you want to set up Apple’s Hearing Assistance features which include hearing aid, Media Assist and Conversation Boost. Lastly, if the test determines that you have severe or profound hearing loss, Apple will recommend that you see a professional for further evaluation.
AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid features are only designed for users with mild to moderate hearing loss and the hearing test can only measure hearing loss under 85 dBHL. Here’s how the hearing loss categories break down, according to the World Health Organization:
Little to No Loss: Up to 25 dBHL
Mild Loss: 26 - 40 dBHL
Moderate Loss: 41 - 60 dBHL
Severe Loss: 61 - 80 dBHL
Profound Loss Above: 80 dBHL
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/how-to-take-apples-hearing-test-with-the-airpods-pro-2-173014978.html?src=rss
The biggest audio announcement at Apple’s iPhone event last month wasn’t the AirPods 4. Instead, the milestone news was the company’s plan to introduce a robust suite of hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2 alongside iOS 18. Apple’s three-prong approach includes prevention, awareness and assistance with hearing protection, hearing test and hearing aid tools available directly on an iPhone.
People have been eagerly anticipating these hearing health features since Apple announced them in early September. I’ve had numerous friends and family members who aren’t regular Apple users inquire about the hearing test and hearing aid features specifically. The tools have the potential to put a wealth of information, and possibly life-changing assistance, in the pockets of people all over the world. Users will get help for a stigmatized condition without even having to set foot in a doctor’s office.
Just days after the big announcement in September, the FDA approved Apple’s hearing test and hearing aid features. Under the guidelines set forth in its 2022 decision, the FDA allows adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to obtain hearing assistive devices without a prescription or professional consultation. Apple describes its software-based test as “clinically validated,” one that was developed with 150,000 real-world audiograms and millions of simulations, and the FDA clearly agrees.
Apple has released the entire suite of hearing health tools this week with iOS 18.1 and a firmware update to AirPods Pro 2. I’ve spent a week with them, and I can definitively say that this upgrade will be a game changer for earbuds, but not in the way that you’d expect.
Hearing protection
Billy Steele for Engadget
Even if you don’t take Apple’s hearing test, and even if you don’t have hearing loss, the hearing protection feature on AirPods Pro 2 provides a significant benefit. It helps maintain your current level of hearing health with robust protection in certain loud environments. You could absolutely use it without ever taking the hearing test.
Although Apple discussed the potential of AirPods Pro as ear protection from loud noise at launch (specifically the Loud Noise Reduction feature), the company never officially recommended the earbuds for extended use for that purpose. That’s because AirPods Pro weren’t certified as meeting certain safety standards. What’s more, Apple improved the algorithms that reduce the effect of loud noise (attenuation) while maintaining the sound signature with this new firmware update.
I’ve used the AirPods Pro 2 at concerts since their release, employing Transparency mode to cleanly reduce sound to a safer level with minimal sacrifice to overall audio quality. In an age when ear plugs with various filters are a thing, AirPods Pro 2 now officially offer a high-fidelity concert experience that won’t kill the vibe of the show by muffling the band. Since you’re more likely to always have them when you leave the house, you won’t have to remember to grab that pair of Loops or SoundProtex Plus plugs before the show. What’s more, Apple says you can use hearing protection on AirPods Pro 2 for things like subway commutes, lawn-mowing and sporting events.
There are certain sounds that Hearing Protection isn’t recommended for – mostly extremely loud impulse noises like gunfire, fireworks or jackhammers. Apple also explains that the feature shouldn’t be used for sustained sound that’s louder than 110 dBA (A-weighted decibel). On the other end of the spectrum, the company says the AirPods Pro 2 can provide up to 10 dB of passive noise reduction when they aren’t even turned on.
Apple
Hearing Protection can be applied across transparency, Adaptive and noise-canceling modes on the AirPods Pro 2. As you can see in the chart above, the latter two provide the best protection, lowering environmental noise by up to 30 dB. Those two modes also extend the exposure time limit. As a reminder, Adaptive Audio on the AirPods Pro 2 lets you select the blend of active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode that best matches your surroundings.
In my tests with the new hearing protection tools, transparency mode still offers the clearest sound here, but for certain genres, like chaotic heavy metal, ANC mode actually provided more details in the live guitars. I can’t tell a difference in Apple’s revised algorithms in transparency mode for concerts versus when I used the AirPods Pro 2 at a show last month, but it already sounded great before. I used the Noise app on Apple Watch to confirm the venue sound was at 100 dB, with transparency mode reducing my exposure to 86 dB and noise-canceling mode taking it down to a safer 74 dB – all of which is in line with Apple’s stated ratings.
As a reminder, the effectiveness of hearing protection relies on how well the AirPods Pro 2 fit in your ears. You’ll want to make sure that you have a good seal with properly sized ear tips, which can be validated via the fit test in the AirPods settings.
Hearing test
Billy Steele for Engadget
Apple’s hearing aid tool is likely to get the most attention, but I’d argue it’s the hearing test that’s the most important piece. I don’t know about you, but I can’t recall the last time I had a hearing test with an audiologist. It has been at least a decade, and most likely longer than that. It’s not something adults think about unless they notice potential hearing loss or someone else picks up on the cues. Since 1.5 billion people globally experience some degree of hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization, Apple’s tool will provide more awareness of the condition in a quick, easy and private way.
According to the company, the hearing test should take about five minutes. During my sessions, it took around seven minutes, which means the software may have repeated some tones I missed along the way. Once iOS 18.1 is installed and your AirPods Pro 2 have been updated, you’ll see the hearing test in the AirPods settings and in Apple Health. You’ll need to confirm that you’re 18 or older, that you aren’t experiencing any allergy or cold symptoms and that you haven’t been in a loud environment in the last 24 hours in order to proceed.
Before the test begins, the iPhone/earbuds duo will check your surroundings to make sure you’re in a quiet space and to ensure that the AirPods Pro fit properly in your ears. When the test begins, Do Not Disturb and ANC will be enabled and you’ll simply tap the screen when you hear tones. The software will test your left ear first before moving over to the right.
The test is as easy to complete as Apple describes, and as promised, you immediately get your results when it’s finished. I’ll admit that I was concerned about what I might discover about my hearing health since I didn’t always wear ear plugs at loud concerts in college and I was in a band long before in-ear monitors were widely available. Thankfully, Apple’s hearing test determined that I have little to no hearing loss, with numbers well under the 25 dBHL threshold. The test showed slightly more hearing loss in my left ear than my right, but still nothing to be concerned about. Even though I showed little to no hearing loss, the test still offers tips on healthy habits and clearly states that the current AirPods Pro tuning is correct based on the results. Here’s how the classifications shake out:
Little to No Loss: Up to 25 dBHL
Mild Loss: 26 - 40 dBHL
Moderate Loss: 41 - 60 dBHL
Severe Loss: 61 - 80 dBHL
Profound Loss Above: 80 dBHL (the test can’t measure anything above 85 dbHL)
No matter how much hearing loss the test detects, you’ll still get a detailed graph in Apple Health that shows how you fared with each frequency. Here, I was able to see that I do have some issues hearing high-frequency sounds, but not enough to indicate mild hearing loss. What’s more, Apple Health displays a list of test results, so you can quickly see how your hearing changes over time (Apple recommends you retest at least every 12 months). And when you need them, PDFs of individual tests are available for export.
I had some anxiety the first time I took the test. That probably had more to do with the fact that it had been so long since I’d done anything like this, and since I’m in my 40s, I’m now hyper-aware of ailments that could be coming my way. I also spend a lot of time testing earbuds, headphones and speakers, plus I’m a big fan of live music. So, my lifestyle could’ve easily led to different results.
Hearing aid
Apple
If the hearing test determines that you have mild to moderate hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 2 can now function as a clinical-grade hearing aid. You can also upload an audiogram to Apple Health if you have one from an audiologist. But in either cases, hearing aid will only be available to people who are 18 or older and you can’t turn it on without the required test results. If Apple’s test shows severe or profound hearing loss, AirPods Pro 2 won’t provide sufficient amplification and the software will offer guidance on how to proceed with a professional consultation.
Once you have the appropriate results, the hearing aid mode will be available under Hearing Assistance in the Hearing Health section of the AirPods Pro settings. Apple explains that it can take time to acclimate to the hearing aid feature, and while this should only take a few days, it could also require a few weeks. The company is clear that consistent use is paramount to the adjustment period. What’s more, once the hearing aid is set up on AirPods Pro 2, that hearing profile is embedded on the earbuds and you’ll be able to use it without having your iPhone nearby. However, Apple says you shouldn’t share the earbuds with anyone once hearing aid is enabled due to the personalized frequency adjustments.
Crucially, the hearing aid feature is customizable as Apple allows adjustments for amplification, tone and balance so that you can fine-tune the assistance based on your needs. These settings are accessible at any time on your iPhone, iPad and Mac, either from the AirPods menu or from Control Center. With an Apple Watch, you’ll have the ability to adjust Amplification, and the volume slider on the AirPods Pro 2’s stems will also control amplification when hearing aid mode is active. There’s also a Media Assist tool that will augment the sound of music, calls and video based on your hearing test results. Plus, the existing Conversation Boost feature on the AirPods Pro 2 will still be available.
Hearing aid will only be active when Noise Control is set to transparency mode. If you turn it off, or switch to Adaptive or noise cancellation, the assistive feature will still be enabled but it won’t be active. Hearing protection and hearing aid can be used simultaneously in transparency mode, where the former is turned on by default. You can turn hearing aid mode off entirely in the Hearing Assistance section at any time.
Lastly, Apple says you can expect the hearing aid feature to run for up to six hours on a charge. A quick five-minute top-up will give you an hour of use and the AirPods Pro 2 will fill up completely in 60 minutes. Since this isn’t enough to get you through a full day, the company recommends that you put the earbuds in their case when showering, sleeping or completing tasks where hearing assistance isn’t needed.
AirPods all the time
Depending on your personal preferences, you may have strong feelings about people who wear earbuds all day long. You may think it's rude to speak to someone when you have earbuds in your ears, or you might feel awkward trying to have a conversation with someone who’s wearing them. Transparency mode has existed for a while now, and not just on AirPods, so there’s a good chance those folks have been listening to you and not trying to drown you out with Chappell Roan.
Now that AirPods Pro 2 can double as hearing aids, we’ll all have to get used to seeing people wearing them all the time. And we’ll also have to get used to people wearing them at concerts, which I’ll admit still seems weird – and I’ve done it. I think I’ve only ever seen two other people using AirPods Pro for concert hearing protection, but that number is sure to increase dramatically over the coming months.
From now on, people may not be rude or want to put off a “don’t bother me” vibe, they could be protecting their hearing or using AirPods Pro to help them hear better. If someone doesn’t want to wear a clinical-looking hearing aid due to the stigma around them, they may be more likely to wear earbuds that offer the same benefit – especially if they already own a pair.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/apples-airpods-pro-hearing-health-tools-could-normalize-wearing-earbuds-everywhere-140054858.html?src=rss
There's a certain level of fandom you hit when you research a band's tour set list before they come to your city. And some of us like to relive great concerts with some quick research on setlist.fm. The next logical step, once we're armed with this information, is to create a playlist on our preferred streaming service for quick access. Thanks to third-party options like Setify, the process is easy for Apple Music and Spotify users, but you still have to take the time to do it.
Apple Music has now given artists the ability to turn set lists into playlists thanks to info from tour info site Bandsintown. Once an artist has connected the two services, they can select the type of show in Apple Music for Artists (concert, tour or residency) and link it to upcoming dates on Bandsintown. From there, artists can set a publish date and use search to build out the playlist. These collections of songs can include original tunes the artist covers or collaborations with other acts. Apple Music allows unlimited set list playlists for past or future shows, but the service recommends that artists select a track listing that most accurately reflects the whole tour if they're making one for an entire run of dates.
Set lists playlists aren't entirely new on Apple Music. The service has been curating playlists for popular tours for a while now, like Zach Bryan's 2024 Quittin' Time Tour. What's more, Apple Music is touting this new tool as a promotional feature for artists, so there are a number of ways to share the playlists once they're live. However, it will also be a great item for fans who either want more info on the songs they can expect to hear, can't make it to a stop on a tour or want to relive the experience of seeing the band in person.
Of course, if one of your favorites doesn't hop on this bandwagon, you still have options for set list playlists. With Setify, you can link either Apple Music or Spotify and pull in data from setlist.fm in order to make your collections. It's not perfect, but it works well most of the time, and you can always adjust things in the streaming service apps if you need to further curate a playlist. I recently missed one of my all-time favorites at Furnace Fest, but thanks to this combo, I can at least get a small piece of Blindside playing through About a Burning Fire.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/apple-music-helps-artists-turn-concert-set-lists-into-playlists-133916684.html?src=rss
JLab blew me away in early 2020 when the company debuted its $29 Go Air earbuds. For the first time, I realized that I had to pay closer attention to budget earbuds because some companies manage to build impressive products for less than $50. Do they offer flagship level performance and features? No. Do they cover the basics and sound good enough for casual use? Absolutely.
The company has announced several products since, including the $60 JBuds ANC (third-gen) earlier this year. It appears that JLab wasn't content with that model being its most affordable noise-canceling option. Today, the company revealed the Go Pop ANC ($30), a set of earbuds that still offer some noise-blocking abilities for half the price of the JBuds ANC. This new model is the company's most affordable noise-canceling set ever, and JLab even says it's lowest-priced set of active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds you can buy right now at full price.
JLab says you can expect over six hours of listening time on the earbuds (ANC on), maxing out at over 24 hours when you factor in the case (ANC off). Like previous JLab models, the Go Pop ANC case has an integrated USB-C cable, so there's always have a way to plug in. Additionally, a fast charge feature gives you an hour of use in 10 minutes.
The IP55 rated earbuds are sweat and splash proof, offering more robust ingress protection than some flagship models that cost a 10 times as much. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity is here, as is the ability to customize the audio and more via the JLab app. Specifically, that piece of software will allow you to adjust the EQ and reconfigure the onboard controls, plus there's a safe hearing tool and dedicated modes for music and movies.
To accompany the Go Pop ANC's noise-cancelling functionality, there's a Be Aware transparency mode when you need it. 10mm dynamic drivers handle the sound and the two ANC MEMS microphones enable "clear" calls. The Go Pop ANC is also Google Fast Pair compatible as well, and it's available in fuchsia and teal color options in addition to the black that's pictured.
The Go Pop ANC is available now for $30.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/jlabs-30-go-pop-anc-are-its-most-affordable-noise-canceling-earbuds-ever-130047683.html?src=rss
Sony’s line of LinkBuds products has served two key purposes. First, it gave the company a playground to introduce wildly different designs like the donut-shaped first-gen LinkBuds. It also allowed Sony to develop the LinkBuds S, a more traditional set that offered a taste of its flagship 1000X products for $100 less. That model was certainly more compelling than the company’s basic models that go for $120 and below.
Two years after the LinkBuds and LinkBuds S, Sony is back with an all-new model and a revamped version of the original. With the LinkBuds Fit ($200), the company has developed a full-featured, comfy set of earbuds with impressive sound. And on the LinkBuds Open ($200), Sony tweaked its unique open-wear formula by updating some tools. Then there’s the third member of the 2024 LinkBuds trio, the LinkBuds Speaker ($180), which is designed to integrate seamlessly with the two new pairs of earbuds when you return home or to the office. Since Sony introduced these all together, I’ve reviewed them that way, so buckle up because you’re about to get three reviews for the price of one.
LinkBuds Fit
Sony’s LinkBuds S were a low-key hit in 2022. They have some of the great features from the 1000X line, with a similar overall shape, too. Small and comfy, they offer significantly more in terms of sound and tools than most $200 earbuds. With this year’s LinkBuds Fit, Sony has debuted the next progression in its active noise canceling (ANC) LinkBuds.
This is the option for people who prefer a closed design and a secure fit. Sony completely redesigned the LinkBuds Fit, aiming for the optimum shape for most people. To get there, the company made the main housing a lot smaller, as the whole thing tucks almost entirely into your ear. There’s a so-called Air Cushion silicon support wing that’s hollow instead of solid. This allows more flexibility, and honestly it’s more comfortable since you can tuck it into the ridges of your ears however you need to. The combination of the smaller size and the Air Cushion make the LinkBuds Fit some of the most comfy in-ears I’ve tested. Even though they plug your ears closed, they never become a burden, even after hours of constant use.
One of the best things about the LinkBuds S was the impressive sound quality for the price. That continues on the LinkBuds Fit as Sony offers balanced tuning right out of the box. There’s crisp highs, ample mid range and snappy bass throughout most genres, even with more restrained, country-tinged rock like Jason Isbell’s Live from the Ryman, Vol. 2. Plus, the company's DSEE Extreme upscaling can help restore some audio quality lost over compression for Bluetooth streaming. Audio presets and a 5-band EQ are here for adjustments, but I didn’t even think about using them.
The sonic abilities of the LinkBuds Fit are on full display with BONES UK’s Soft. The crunchy guitars, droning bass lines and punchy kick drum provide a full, deep soundstage for the textured vocals to float across. And for a bass-heavy experience, the synth-heavy tune “Generator” from Justice’s Hyperdrama is a loud, pulsing track with a big low-end thump while the keys still cut through on top. Interestingly, there’s nuance to the bassy beats on the LinkBuds Fit, rather than just a one-note rhythm. All of these sound improvements are due in part to the earbuds inheriting the Dynamic Driver X and Integrated Processor V2 audio chip from the 1000X. There’s more enveloping sound on the WF-1000XM5, but not by much, as Sony has closed the gap between its flagship model and the LinkBuds line – for now.
Billy Steele for Engadget
Features like Adaptive Sound Control, multipoint Bluetooth and Speak to Chat make their return on the LinkBuds Fit from the LinksBuds S. But Sony has gone well beyond those with a host of new conveniences. The company took a page from Apple’s book and now allows you to answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. There’s also a built-in voice control that doesn’t require your phone’s assistant, something akin to what Bose offers on the new QuietComfort Earbuds. And because the earbuds are so small, there aren’t onboard touch controls. Instead, Sony employs the Wide Area Tap gestures from the original open-design LinkBuds. They work really well, but I will never be comfortable tapping my upper cheek to make adjustments.
Perhaps the only area where the LinkBuds Fit fall well short of the WF-1000XM5 is ANC performance. I’d call this active noise reduction more than cancellation. You’ll get some relief from constant sources like white noise machines or a raucous fan, but these earbuds don’t silence them. They also struggle mightily with human voices, so if you sit near a chatty coworker, you’ll have to crank up the volume to compensate.
For calls, the LinkBuds Fit will give you better-than-average voice clarity, which means you’ll sound better than if you’re on speakerphone. The earbuds also do a decent job of blocking background noise, although I noticed a slight delay in them picking up sounds that began during calls. Sony also boasts that this model has its “best ambient sound,” and while I’m not ready to bestow that honor, the audio mode does have a natural quality that makes it pleasant to use. Plus, a new Auto Ambient Sound feature can automatically adjust the level of transparency when you encounter a noisy environment.
With the LinkBuds Fit, Sony says you can expect up to five and a half hours with ANC on and 21 hours total when you factor in the case. There are a lot of advanced features at work here, and those have an impact on power consumption. With the volume at a comfortable 75-80 percent, I only managed around four hours and 45 minutes. That’s with noise-canceling active as well as Voice Control, Speak to Chat and DSEE Extreme all enabled. The good news is that Sony offers a tool called Auto Battery Save that will disable the latter three tools, as well as any EQ tweaks, to conserve power. This will extend things beyond the 5.5-hour mark, but not by a ton.
The LinkBuds Fit are a massive advancement over the LinkBuds S. In fact, they’re some of the best earbuds Sony has ever made. But they aren’t without a few significant faults. My primary gripe is ANC performance, and though it's the only one, it’s a biggie. Like it usually does on the 1000X line, Sony has packed in a ton of features here, and for the most part they work as advertised. It’s clear the company is taking notes from the competition with the Apple-esque head gestures and automatic sound adjustments, in addition to the Bose-like built-in assistant. But, somehow, Sony managed to innovate and keep the price tag exactly the same as the LinkBuds S.
LinkBuds Open
The original LinkBuds were wonderfully weird. After years of very normal-looking earbuds (besides the Xperia Ear Duo), Sony took a big swing in early 2022 with the donut-shaped, open design model that sought to provide all-day wear while keeping your earbuds unobstructed from your environment. They were different, but they were unique, with their own drizzle of Sony’s special sauce. However, overall comfort was a big issue, and one the company sought to remedy on the follow-up with the LinkBuds Open.
To start, Sony reduced the overall size of the IPX4-rated LinkBuds Open. Like the LinkBuds Fit, this model also has the Air Cushion silicon support that’s more flexible. That’s a big improvement from the small hump meant to stabilize the first version that didn’t offer much added support. Unfortunately though, the casing for the ring-shaped driver that sits in your ear is still hard plastic. After about 45 minutes, it became uncomfortable, and after several hours it was downright unbearable. On the bright side, the cheek-based Wide Area Tap controls are back and they’re reliable, if not slightly awkward.
Sony made two key adjustments to improve the sound quality on the LinkBuds Open. First, it built a revamped ring-shaped driver and paired it with the Integrated Processor V2 chip from the 1000X line. These two changes make for louder sound and richer bass, according to Sony. And the claim holds up. You’ll only need around 65-70 percent volume, unless you suffer from some degree of hearing loss. And there is more pronounced low-end tone, though you’ll have to coax it out with an EQ tweak.
By default, the stock tuning is heavily reliant on treble, which means vocals tend to overpower most of the mix. However, Sony’s EQ tools actually help balance things out, and adding more mids and bass makes the LinkBuds Open’s sound profile more well-rounded. After this adjustment, the kick drum thumps under vocals and guitars, an improvement over the default sound profile for Better Lovers’ thunderous, crunching single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.”
Billy Steele for Engadget
Like it did with the LinkBuds Fit, Sony brought over a lot of the handy tools from the 1000X earbuds to the Open. Those include multipoint Bluetooth and Speak to Chat, but Adaptive Sound Control automation isn’t here. Sony did add its voice assistant, Adaptive Volume Control and head-gesture recognition for answering calls. The company also offers a fit check via your phone’s camera, something it's done for other products to check your positioning for 360 Reality Audio. Most of these work well, though in my experience Speak to Chat is still tripped up when I coughed or cleared my throat. And it seemed to be even more sensitive on the LinkBuds Open than other models I’ve tested.
Thanks to the design, the LinkBuds Open are nice to wear during calls since, well, you can hear yourself. However, the quality of your voice on the other end isn’t as clear as what I encountered on the LinkBuds Fit. It will get the job done, but I did sound slightly muffled. And background noise, while subdued, is noticeable at times when I’m talking.
Sony says you should be able to eke out eight hours of use on the LinkBuds Open, a significant improvement over the five and a half hours on the first LinkBuds. Indeed, I had no trouble hitting that number during my tests with DSEE Auto and other power-taxing tools enabled. If you find yourself in a pinch, Sony devised a faster quick charge solution that gives you an hour of use in three minutes. What’s more, Auto Battery Save from the LinkBuds Fit is in play here, automatically disabling advanced features when you hit 20 percent battery to extend listening time.
The LinkBuds Open offer some improvements over the first-gen model, but Sony hasn’t addressed an inherent issue with the design. Simply put, they aren’t comfortable to wear for longer than a few minutes and that will be a problem for a lot of people. I understand the outer shell around the ring driver has to be robust enough to protect it, but there needs to be even the slightest bit of cushioning to relieve the pressure. If Sony fixes that, it will have a more compelling product rather than a novelty.
LinkBuds Speaker
The LinkBuds Speaker is an unexpected part of the new LinkBuds lineup. It’s a small Bluetooth speaker that’s designed to be your go-to device when you’re stationary, and is equipped with several features that sync with the LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open in a bid to make your life easier – at least in terms of listening to music or podcasts.
The LinkBuds Speaker won’t win any design awards, but that’s par for the course with small Bluetooth speakers. Up top are volume and playback controls which you can also use to start music from select streaming services with one tap (Amazon Music, Spotify and Endel). There’s also a microphone for calls, if you’re okay with a no-frills speakerphone option. Around back, the power button sits at the bottom just above a USB-C charging port. There’s also an attached loop here so you can hang the LinkBuds Speaker on a hook or carabiner. That USB-C port is technically the backup charging method though, since the IPX4-rated speaker comes with a charging cradle that connects via metal contacts on the bottom.
Inside, Sony paired one of its X-balanced woofers with a single tweeter and a passive radiator. The company says this combo provides “well-balanced” and “pleasant and clear sound” that’s tuned so it isn’t exhausting to listen to for long periods of time. In the end, the LinkBuds Speaker suffers a similar fate to comparable Bluetooth devices with a lack of overall fidelity. While it’s true the treble is bright, clean and punchy, the bass is restrained and the mid-range is lacking right out of the box. There are no audio presets to assist you there, but Sony does offer a full 5-band EQ for adjustments, along with a separate Clear Bass slider. You can save changes as custom settings for future use, if you hit on something you like.
After I made the necessary tweaks to address the sonic shortcomings, the speaker sounded slightly better, but there was still a lack of crisp detail some of the competition offers (like the Beats Pill). The only place you’ll notice decent clarity is in the vocals and top end of the EQ. And for outdoor use, you'll be glad the high end is more pronounced so you can better understand the lyrics in the open air.
Billy Steele for Engadget
The LinkBuds Speaker works with Sony’s new Sound Connect app for access to various settings. There’s one key feature I’ll discuss since it’s unique to this device. First, the app allows you to set up routines so that your music starts at specific times during the day. There’s also an automatic switching element to this that works with the LinkBuds Fit and LinkBuds Open, along with additional support for the LinkBuds S, WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5. All of this is managed in the Auto Play section of the app.
Once you sync a set of earbuds or headphones with the LinkBuds Speaker, Sony’s app walks you through the process of setting up morning and bedtime routines. Right now though, those are the only two options, which is frustrating since I need to adjust things throughout the day too. You can set them to any time you want, but they’ll still be labeled “Get Ready” and “Bedtime.” Oddly enough, Apple Music is listed on Auto Play, but Amazon Music isn’t – which is different from the one-tap play setup. Here, you can have the speaker pick up where you left off from your chosen music service or you can have a specific playlist or album set for those two times.
After a routine is set, any music will automatically swap from the speaker to earbuds or headphones when you put them on, and vice versa when you take them off. It works really well, quickly making the change and gradually increasing the volume on the speaker so you’re not blasted from the start. In the mornings, the speaker will even announce the date, time and weather if you want it to (and grant it exact location access). You can also have the device tell you the time on the hour. Lastly, the speaker stays in low-power mode when it’s not in use, which is what allows you to swap the audio when you’re in range.
Sony promises up to 25 hours of battery life on the LinkBuds Speaker, if you have the volume set to “level 23.” Since that’s 23 out of 100, that’s not really a viable scenario. For comfortable, casual listening, you’ll want something around 60 percent – or level 60 in Sony-speak, I guess. At maximum volume, which is deafening, the speaker supposed to last up to six hours. I wouldn’t recommend anything above about 80 percent though, because the pronounced treble starts to cancel out everything else in the mix from that point upwards.
I can see avid users of Sony’s earbuds and headphones enjoying the LinkBuds Speaker's routines and automatic switching. However, there’s much better audio quality from the competition, and in a few cases it’s available for less than the $180 Sony is asking for. I’d like to see Sony incorporate this type of hand-off feature in a speaker designed for your living room or office. With something that’s bigger and offers better sound performance, the company would have a more compelling package for a LinkBuds sidekick.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sony-linkbuds-fit-and-linkbuds-open-review-two-designs-one-clear-champ-134529932.html?src=rss
Believe it or not, Bose hasn’t been in the noise-canceling earbuds game very long. The company’s first ANC model arrived in late 2020, with two more to follow in 2022 and 2023. It successfully brought its powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) tech to the true wireless form factor from the jump, but has further improved with each new version. And perhaps the company’s greatest earbud triumph thus far was the debut of Immersive Audio last year: spatial audio that doesn’t need specially created content to be enjoyed.
While other companies have been keen to offer multiple models at varying prices, Bose stuck to flagship-quality wares at premium prices. All three of its noise-canceling earbud models are priced around $300. So, while its competitors have created wireless earbuds that nail the basics for less money, but pack fewer premium features overall, Bose has stayed the course.
Now, though, Bose is taking a shot at the mid-range market. The company revealed the QuietComfort Earbuds ($179) earlier this month, finally giving consumers a second option in its lineup. Bose’s ANC is onboard, with longer battery life than 2022’s QuietComfort Earbuds II and a new app with features that are unique to this new model. Has the company successfully managed to scale down its flagship formula or will these earbuds leave you pining for more?
Design
The first thing that struck me about the new QuietComfort Earbuds is their smaller size. It wasn’t clear from the marketing materials that this model was more compact than the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which have a similar design to the QC Earbuds II. Bose has never been shy about bigger buds, and the size hasn’t been a problem. But, with the industry continuously trending smaller, it's nice to see the company take an opportunity to shave off some excess.
The overall shape is more akin to Bose’s early (non-ANC) true wireless models than its recent ones. The oval-shaped stem isn’t here, as the circular exterior of the IPX4-rated QC Earbuds accept your taps and presses instead. The company is still using its so-called stability bands to help secure the fit, and there are three sizes of those to accompany the three ear tip options. During my tests, I never had an issue with the earbuds staying in place. Plus, the smaller size makes them more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
Bose went with a more common shape for the charging case this time. It’s larger than the one that came with the QuietComfort Ultra Open Earbuds, but about the same size as that of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds – even though the shapes are quite different. For this new model, the case is lighter with a relatively thin lid, although I never felt like the buds weren’t adequately protected.
Features
For a while now, all of the features and settings for Bose’s earbuds and headphones were accessible in the Bose app. For the QuietComfort Earbuds though, the company specifically designed the Bose QCE App, and said that it will be the only Bose product that uses it. Bose explained that this model uses different hardware and firmware to its previous earbuds (and other products), so it needed a new app to bring the QuietComfort Earbuds to market as soon as possible.
While the overall look is similar to the other Bose app, the layout and interactivity is different. And that’s not a bad thing. For example, you get access to a lot more features on the main screen rather than having to dig into a more detailed settings menu. Pretty much anything you would need is right there, including advanced options like Voice Control, Low Latency Audio, Smart Calls and Battery Prediction. When you tap on a feature, a card pops up with the appropriate settings. I think it’s a cleaner implementation that helps you get to what you need a lot faster.
Voice Control allows you to handle media playback, volume, ANC mode, calls and more with a “Hey Headphones…” command. It’s not something I felt like using all the time, but it was nice to have when my hands were full. Plus, this is the only model in the Bose lineup to offer it at this time.
The QC Earbuds support multipoint Bluetooth, which isn’t always a standard feature on Bose devices. There’s also a new Remote Selfie tool that lets you trigger your camera app with either of those Voice Controls or a tap on the earbuds. Low Latency Audio mode is here for gaming and there’s the option of assigning an onboard tap for a Fast Mute during calls. Of course, this main screen also shows standard settings: Battery percentages for each earbud, ANC modes, EQ and the ability to remap the touch controls.
Sound quality
Billy Steele for Engadget
To me, Bose’s stock tuning has always been good, but not great. I typically notice a prevalence of treble and bass, with some lost fidelity in the mid range. For that reason, the company has lagged behind the likes of Sony and Sennhesier in terms of overall sound quality. But that changed on the QC Ultra Earbuds when Bose finally flexed its muscle with more robust, enveloping audio tuning.
On the QuietComfort Earbuds, there’s still an emphasis on punchy highs and snappy bass. It creates a pleasant foundation, and there’s plenty of crisp, clean detail in the tone. However, I’d like a little more mids, which thankfully I can get with the Custom EQ settings that provides a 5-band sliding to tweak as you desire. With that active, I can hear more detail in the guitars on Balance and Composure’s “With You In Spirit,” an alt-rock track with some crunchy riffs and layered interaction between those instruments.
You get a great feel for the low-end thump the QC Earbuds can muster on Justice’s Hyperdrama. Songs like “One Night/All Night” that have a driving, dance-y bass line thick with textured synths allow these buds to flex their bass chops. Something less intense, like Wyatt Flores’ “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight” showcases the nuances in the sound from the acoustic guitar, fiddle and even the drums.
You’ll notice that I didn’t mention Immersive Audio, Bose’s take on spatial audio that debuted on the QC Ultra Earbuds and Headphones. Instead of relying on specially tracked content, the company uses software to do the heavy lifting. Immersive Audio isn’t available on the QuietComfort Earbuds right now, but the company’s website lists it as “coming soon.” For now, I’m only evaluating these earbuds on what they currently offer, but the addition of Immersive Audio could be significant in terms of overall sonic performance.
ANC performance
Billy Steele for Engadget
Bose likes to throw around words like “legendary” and “renowned” when describing its ANC’s effectiveness. And rightfully so. The company has been among the best when it comes to blocking environmental noise for years. The QuietComfort Earbuds line has offered some of the best options for silencing distractions since its inception in 2020, culminating with the QC Ultra Earbuds that debuted last year. So, with its most affordable option yet, it would be understandable if Bose backed off a bit on the ANC performance. Thankfully, that’s not the case.
I was pleasantly surprised at what Bose offers in a $179 set of earbuds. You’ll have no problem combating low-to-mid-range noise sources, like fans and white noise machines, and the QC Earbuds even do a decent job with human voices. They won’t completely silence a chatty neighbor, but they will reduce the distraction even with no audio playing. And sure, you’ll find more-robust ANC on the pricier Ultra model, but for most, this set will block what you need it to, and cost less doing it.
Transparency mode, or Aware, sounds pleasantly natural, although you won’t hear your own voice as clearly unless you have Side Tones enabled. This provides adjustable voice amplification for calls and in-game chats, but isn’t applied universally when Aware mode is active. And even then, it’s not as good as Apple’s AirPods Pro, which are the best when it comes to ambient sound.
Battery life
Bose promises up to 8.5 hours of use with ANC on with two and a half charges in the case. A quick-charge feature gives you three hours of playback in 20 minutes. Unlike other recent models, Bose built wireless charging into the QuietComfort Earbuds case, which means you won’t have to buy an additional cover for that.
During my tests with ANC enabled and the volume at a comfortable 60-70 percent, I still had 12 percent battery left after the stated 8.5 hours. There were a few times I used transparency mode for calls and chats, but otherwise it was all ANC, all the time. According to the app’s Battery Prediction feature, 12 percent would’ve been good enough for another 45 minutes.
I should note that Battery Prediction shouldn’t be solely relied on for an indication of how much time you have left. The number is calculated based on the current use conditions when you ask for the figure. For example, if you tap it as soon as you put the QC Earbuds in and haven’t activated ANC, it will tell you there’s over 12 hours remaining. That’s not really achievable under normal use, not to mention if you’ve got active noise cancellation turned on.
Call quality
Billy Steele for Engadget
For wireless earbuds, call quality can be really hit or miss. Companies either nail it with something that blocks a ton of background noise and keeps you sounding decent, or you end up with speakerphone-quality, fuzzy voice performance. Most of the time, earbuds land somewhere in the middle. Call quality wasn’t the absolute best on the QC Ultra Earbuds during my review, but it was solid enough to get the job done and handled background noise well.
On the QuietComfort Earbuds, that wasn’t the case. My voice sounded slightly muffled during calls – somewhat clear, but far from pristine. The earbuds also managed to diminish the sound of a loud fan when I wasn’t speaking, but it got slightly louder when I began to talk. If you’re making a ton of calls with your earbuds, these might not be the best option for you. However, if you’re only planning to use them occasionally, and not for important meetings, you’ll probably be fine.
The competition
My pick for best wireless earbuds, Sony’s WF-1000XM5, is significantly more expensive than the QC Earbuds at nearly $300. Typically, when they go on sale, you’re looking at $248, although my deal-seeking colleagues have seen them as low as $228. So, even in the best-case scenario, you’re looking at an extra $50 over the QuietComfort Earbuds. For this reason, Sony’s LinkBuds S and Sennheiser’s Accentum True Wireless are more apt comparisons.
The LinkBuds S carry a lot of the same features from the 1000XM5 earbuds, including the overall design. You’ll still get Speak-to-Chat conversation awareness and Adaptive Sound Control that automatically adjusts settings based on activity or location – among other tools. Battery life is shorter at six hours, but the LinkBuds S are still rated IPX4 so they should be fine for workouts.
Sennheiser’s Accentum True Wireless serve the same purpose in the company’s lineup as the new QuietComfort Earbuds do for Bose. The Accentum model offers some of the attractive features of the pricier Momentum True Wireless 4 at a lower price. The key advantage here is better sound quality, which I’ve found Sennehsier to be reliably churning out with each new set. You’ll also get decent ANC, but not as good as the QC Earbuds, and 8-hour battery life.
Wrap-up
Bose has cracked the code for a compelling set of earbuds with its best features at a lower price. Effective ANC, great sound quality, extended battery life and loads of other handy tools are all here, including some you won’t find on the company’s other models. Sure, the noise cancellation, call quality and audio performance are better on the pricier QuietComfort Ultra, but there’s a lot to like here for $179. If Bose can quickly deliver Immersive Audio, the new QuietComfort Earbuds might become an even more compelling option.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bose-quietcomfort-earbuds-2024-review-a-more-affordable-anc-ace-150018195.html?src=rss
Ooni's pizza ovens are popular choices for baking restaurant-quality pies at home. In fact, the Karu 16 is my top pick for a multi-fuel option in our best pizza ovens guide. That model is spacious, accommodating 16-inch pizzas and allowing you to bake and roast thanks to the extra vertical space. The Karu 16 has been around for a while now, so Ooni has taken the opportunity to give it a big overhaul while keeping the price the same. The new Karu 2 Pro maintains many of the great design elements from the Karu 16, but adds some key upgrades to improve upon an already winning formula.
First, the digital display for the Karu 2 Pro got a big upgrade. The black and white panel is gone, replaced by Ooni's Digital Temperature Hub that looks similar to what's on the Koda 2 Max. This piece of tech not only gives you a clear indication of oven and food temps (via a wired probe), but it will send those stats to your phone via Bluetooth. To help you adjust temperature of the oven, there's a new air intake lever on the back of the Karu 2 Pro near the fire box. This gives you another place to coax the air flow besides the one that's on the exhaust chimney, allowing you to run the oven as low as 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, the door of this new model has more glass and less framing, giving you a clearer view of what's going on inside without having to open the oven.
Of course, this is an Ooni product, so there are certain things you can bank on. Primarily, there's the fact that the Karu 2 Pro can hit 950 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes. At those temps, you can cook a Neapolitan-style pizza in about a minute or easily sear a steak with a grill pan. The powder-coated, carbon steel exterior helps keep heat in while protecting the Karu 2 Pro, and folding legs provide easy transport. And since this is a multi-fuel oven, you have the option of attaching a gas burner when you don't want to use wood or charcoal (additional purchase required).
The Karu 2 Pro is listed as "coming soon" on Ooni's website for $799, the same price as the Karu 16 when it arrived. No word on preorders or an on-sale date, but you can sign up via the link below to be notified when the oven is up for purchase. What's more, the Karu 16 is currently available for $649, but it will soon be retired. The Karu 12G and Karu 12 will remain in the company's multi-fuel lineup.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/oonis-karu-2-pro-pizza-oven-has-app-connectivity-and-a-bigger-window-174519402.html?src=rss