Earphones

Samsung made it known before that it wasn’t in a rush to ditch the headphone jack, unlike eternal frenemy Apple. But that was before the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, before Samsung was placed in a position where it needed to make the Galaxy S8 really stand out. As it turns out, these days, you actually stand out by still having a headphone jack. Audiophiles need not worry (too much) as the Galaxy S8 will still indeed have a 3.5 mm port, seemingly confirmed by leaked earphones for the device.

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It's been a bit of bumpy road getting to this point, but Beats by Dre's new BeatsX Earphones are finally available for purchase. Beats and Apple originally intended to have these on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season, but then their release was pushed back into 2017. Their release mirrors that of the AirPods in some ways, as those were hit with a delay as well.

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Wireless headphones have been ripe for a reboot for years now, but no contenders for the crown have divided opinion quite like Apple's AirPods. Revealed alongside the iPhone 7, the fully-wireless earbuds were intended to salve the pain of losing the headphone jack. Unforeseen delays meant that didn't quite go to plan, but now the AirPods are finally here, do they really deliver the best wire-free experience on the market?

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The worst has happened, you clumsy oaf, you've only gone and lost one of your precious Apple AirPods: now we know how much a replacement AirPod will cost you. The Cupertino company's wireless headphones are undoubtedly one of the must-have gifts this holiday season, at least for the avid iPhone and Mac users in your life, but their diminutive size and lack of wires also makes them something of a liability. Small things are easily lost, after all.

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Unless you're one of the few early birds, chances are, you won't be plugging Apple's new and odd AirPods into your ears come Christmas time. You can still try your luck and make a goose chase when the earbuds hit stores next week, but you might also have better luck turning your gaze somewhere else. While the AirPods do have a distinct advantage when it comes to the iPhone 7, they're hardly the only game in town. And, depending on your actual needs, they might not even be the best. If you're still looking for a good pair of wireless buds for your ears, here's a shortlist for your holiday wish list.

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Is your new iPhone 7 or iPhone7 Plus feeling rather lonesome without an audio companion? Are you missing the opportunity to listen to your favorite tunes on the bus or anywhere your iPhone can’t freely belt out its audio? Depending on where you live, you only have to wait three days to fix all that. Yes, after almost not making it in time for the holidays, Apple’s eccentric-looking AirPod earbuds is finally coming on Monday for you to buy. That is, if there will still be supplies left after the crowd has dispersed.

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No, that isn’t a typo, though Google Search my indeed think so. Bose has quietly launched a new pair of earbuds with noise canceling technology with an almost ironic mission. While headphones usually signifies the wearer’s desire not to talk with others and listen to music instead, the Bose Hearphones can actually help you listen better to those talking to you. And it does so using the very same technology used to block out ambient noise when you only want to hear your favorite tunes.

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V-Moda has unveiled a new series of headphones that are all in-ear style called the Forza series. The line includes three products including the Forza, Forza Metallo, and Forza Metallo Wireless. All of the headphones share some of the same features including 5.8mm micro dynamic drivers and Hi-Res audio certifications from Japan Audio Society.

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Apple’s forced demise of the 3.5 mm headphone jack has ironically brought headphones and earphones into the spotlight, with many wondering whether wired audio accessories are still worth their salt. Audiophiles and audio professionals will wholeheartedly agree, and the second gen q-Jay in-ear monitors from Jays is one prime example. By no means an inexpensive purchase, the q-Jays quickly pays for itself in the priceless joy of having a pair of earphones that deliver outstanding quality, clarity, and fidelity worthy being called Jays’ most precise reference earphones.

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In just a week’s time, Apple will be revealing the true form of the iPhone 7, which is expected, among other things, to ditch the 3.5 mm headphone jack for a do-everything Lightning connector. Whether that comes to pass or not, some accessory makers have already prepared for the inevitable. Take for example Libratone’s new Q Adapt in-ear earbuds, which connect solely via the Lightning port. But more than just novelty or fad, that has important implications for these earphones, allowing it Libratone to eschew batteries while still providing a power source for the Q Adapt’s advanced noise cancellation feature.

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Bad news if you were waiting for Samsung's Gear IconX headphones, with word today that Samsung has decided to slightly delay the launch of the cable-free earbuds. Announced back in June alongside the Gear Fit 2 smartwatch, the battery-powered 'buds each connect wirelessly to your smartphone with no cables connecting them, though they also have a fitness angle too.

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For many years, your options for connecting headphones to your mobile phone were either a headphone port or Bluetooth. Things are changing today with consistent rumors that Apple will ditch the 3.5mm headphone port and use its lightning port for headphones. Android users will get a similar capability via headphones that connect to the USB-C port like these JBL Reflect Aware C Earphones.

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