Qualcomm’s new audio chips can make cheaper headphones sound more expensive

Jada Jones/ZDNET Qualcomm announced two new sound platforms for wireless mid-tier and premium earbuds, headphones, and speakers that allow manufacturers to include audiophile-level sound quality, enhanced ANC, improved call quality, and lower power consumption across a broader range of Bluetooth audio products. Manufacturers use Qualcomm’s chipsets and audio platforms in some of our favorite wireless … Read more

Can you hear me now? AI-coustics to fight noisy audio with generative AI

Noisy recordings of interviews and speeches are the bane of audio engineers’ existence. But one German startup hopes to fix that with a unique technical approach that uses generative AI to enhance the clarity of voices in video. Today, AI-coustics emerged from stealth with €1.9 million in funding. According to co-founder and CEO Fabian Seipel, … Read more

Are You Noise Sensitive? Here’s How to Tell

The sympathetic nervous system kicks in, boosting your heart rate, increasing your blood pressure, and triggering the body to produce inflammatory cells. Over time, these changes can lead to chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, and plaque buildup on your arterial walls. To complicate matters, when you begin to lose your ability to hear at a … Read more

Everything to Know About Legally Recording Video and Audio Inside Your Home

We’ve reviewed many excellent indoor security cameras as well as handy wireless cameras filled with features like motion detection and night vision, ready to capture and store video at a moment’s notice, even when you’re not around. Most also include two-way audio features so you can listen in or carry on conversations. But that raises a very … Read more

Review: Orange Box Bluetooth Speaker

Think about the last time you saw a person lugging around a Bluetooth speaker and thought to yourself, “Dang, that person looks cool. I want to listen to whatever they’re listening to!” If you have no such memory, you’re not to blame, and you’re certainly not alone. Many portable speakers are dorky hunks of plastic … Read more

Lossless Audio Does Not Sound Better Than MP3

What’s your favorite way to listen to music? Maybe you prefer a quiet room with some headphones or listening on vinyl. One thing is for sure, you don’t want to hear some compressed MP3 on your phone, right? Apple, Amazon, and Tidal offer “lossless audio,” claiming users can “hear the exact same thing” an artist … Read more

Soundpeats Air4 Pro Review: Premium Features for Less

Confusion aside, nearly all the commands you need are at the ready, with more control options available in the Soundpeats app. Considering the previous two pairs of Soundpeats buds I tested had no app support at all, that’s a notable step forward for the brand. Economy Plus As expected, the Air4 Pro don’t offer everything … Read more

Best AirPods (2024): Which Apple Headphones Should You Buy?

If you’re hunting for your first pair of AirPods, you may have a few questions, such as proper cleaning methods and how to tinker with certain settings. We’ve got some answers to a handful of common questions about AirPods. Do Airpods work with Android? Yes, you can use AirPods with non-Apple devices, since they use … Read more

How I gave my audio recordings an instant quality boost with this handy tool

This audio recorder will be an outstanding addition to your video, podcast, or interview arsenal. Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Tascam DR-60DmkII DSLR Audio Recorder has been available for a while and can be purchased on Amazon for $169.Brilliant sound, user-friendly, and plenty of inputs make this a must-have for anyone who wants to simplify and … Read more

AirPods Not Sounding Great? This Might Fix Your iPhone Audio Issues

The great thing about wireless headphones is that there isn’t much setup required to start listening to music from your phone. If you’ve got AirPods and an iPhone, you can quickly pair the two and you’re pretty much good to go. Not everyone will enjoy the same listening experience though. Don’t miss: Best Apple AirPods … Read more