Andrew O'Hara
The IFA show in Berlin, Germany is over, and every year, there are a ton of new gadgets and devices released at the event that Apple users may want to take a look at. Here are all of the best headphones announced before the expo and at the show over the last week.
This week was even more jam-packed thanks to IFA 2019 in Berlin. That said, we've broken up this week's releases in compartmentalized posts. Be sure to check out the best smart home products and the best accessories for Apple users that were also announced.
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica is taking the wraps off not one, but two pairs of truly wireless earbuds. The ATH-CKS5TW and the ATH-CKS3TW have been announced which run $149 and $99 respectively.
The pricier of the two — the CKS5TW — has a slightly longer battery fetching 15 hours from a single charge and 30 more from the case. The other will provide six hours from the buds and 24 more from the case.
Audio-Technica also went with touch controls on the cheaper model, and physical controls on the other. They both support AptX, though only the ATH-CKS5TW supports AAC.
There are larger 10mm drivers in the ATH-CKS5TW compared to 5.8mm drivers in the ATH-CKS3TW.
iFrogz Airtime Pro
Accessory manufacturer iFrogz has a new version of its truly wireless earbuds, the Airtime Pro. The new Bluetooth earbuds have an improved 20 hours of playback time.
They also have capacitive touch controls, USB-C charging, IPX-4 sweat resistance, and automatic pairing.
The Airtime Pro truly wireless earbuds are available now for $69.99.
Jabra's Elite 75t
Jabra has excellent wireless earbuds, and the popular 65t are getting a substantial update this week. The new Elite 75t are upgraded with 50 percent longer battery life — up to 7.5 hours — have adopted USB-C, and are 20 percent smaller than before.
The earbuds are slightly tweaked and a bit more refined than the 65t. There is no wireless charging, though Jabra says a forthcoming 2020 model will include a Qi-enabled case.
Each earbud has a single button to control volume, playback, and to invoke Siri. There are dual microphones for taking phone calls, and the case is magnetic to prevent the buds from falling out.
They will be available mid-October for $199.
Sony WF-H800 H.ear in 3
Bucking the trend of black and grey earbuds, Sony is launching the WF-H800 H.ear in 3 truly wireless earbuds in several bright, vivid colors including red, orange, and blue.
Sony says they can manage 16 hours of battery life — eight in the earbuds and an additional eight from the case. They have 6mm drivers, an ultra-secure fit, though they lack any form of sweat resistance or noise cancellation but should otherwise be a top performer in the ever-crowded space.
They are slated to start shipping in Australia in January for $349 with a US release to follow.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Oliver Haslam
17 Comments
I'm always grateful Apple didn't go with the "me too" plug-your-ear-canal style of ear bud. I've never found them to be more comfortable or better sounding.
The Jabra Elite 75t...now that’s an awesome design. If only they had the W1 chip. I wish Apple would come out with a super sleek design like this with audio quality to match; the audio quality of the 65t is supposed to be markedly superior to Airpods, plus you can customize EQ settings as well as noise cancellation levels. More convenient track management and volume control as well. And, they’re not white. C’mon, Apple, give us something comparable.
I love totally wireless buds, I have the bose, but I always struggle with what to do when I want one or both out of my ear. I was thinking an accessory to allow me to hang them around my neck would solve the problem. As an added bonus that accessory could also act as a power and audio transfer conduit between the two buds as well.