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Audio Gear: The Ultimate Guide to Mobile Earphones and Headphones

Welcome to the Audio Gear category on our blog. In a world where the quality of sound can profoundly impact our experience with devices, it’s crucial to get your audio gear right. This section delves into various types of audio solutions designed for mobile users, from the casual listener to the audiophile, and even the dedicated gamer. Below are the key subcategories we cover, accompanied by the brands that set the benchmark in each domain.

True Wireless Earbuds & ANC Earbuds

Relevant Brands: Apple, Sony, Jabra, Bose, Samsung

Cut the cord and experience complete freedom with True Wireless Earbuds. If you’re looking to eliminate ambient noise, Active Noise-Cancelling (ANC) earbuds from brands like Sony and Bose offer an immersive sound experience. Apple’s AirPods Pro sets a standard in the ANC segment, while Jabra and Samsung offer compelling alternatives.

Headphones / Over-Ear Headphones / On-Ear Headphones

Relevant Brands: Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, Skullcandy, Beats by Dre

Whether you’re after the expansive soundstage of over-ear headphones or the compact convenience of on-ear models, this subcategory covers them all. From the noise-cancelling prowess of Bose and Sony to the signature sound profiles of Sennheiser and Beats, find out which headphone type and brand suits you best.

Gaming Headsets

Relevant Brands: HyperX, Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, Corsair

For the gamers among us, gaming headsets offer the competitive advantage of immersive sound and clear voice communication. Brands like HyperX and Razer lead the pack with headsets designed for long gaming sessions, featuring surround sound and noise-cancelling microphones.

Bone Conduction Earphones

Relevant Brands: Aftershokz, Vidonn, Pyle

If you prioritise situational awareness or have particular hearing needs, bone conduction earphones provide an alternative way to experience sound. Brands like Aftershokz are renowned for their innovative designs that allow you to hear your surroundings while listening to audio.

Sports Earphones

Relevant Brands: Jaybird, JBL, Beats by Dre, Anker

When you’re breaking a sweat, you need earphones that can keep up. This subcategory focuses on the rugged, water-resistant, and comfortable options suitable for active lifestyles. Whether it’s the secure fit of Jaybird earphones or the powerful sound of JBL, we’ve got your athletic audio needs covered.

So there you have it—a comprehensive guide to the intricate world of mobile audio gear. Whether you’re commuting, gaming, running, or simply chilling, this category aims to provide you with the most relevant, objective, and in-depth information to help you make the right choice for your audio experience. Dive in and let the sound move you!

Shokz, formerly Aftershocks, may be the dominant brand in the world of bone-conduction headphones, but they are facing growing competition and the Creative Outlier Free range of headphones could be the best alternatives on the market. The new Creative Outlier Free Pro Plus are a particularly compelling choice as these are suitable for swimming thanks …

Read More about Creative Outlier Free Pro Plus Headphones Review – Are they better than the Shokz OpenSwim bone conduction headphones?

Following on from my previous Bluetooth guide, this article covers the main Bluetooth codecs used by various wireless earphones today. Lossy vs Lossless Audio Codecs Bluetooth earbuds currently use lossy audio codecs as the bandwidth available to Bluetooth can not accommodate lossless audio. Codec Comparison Table Bluetooth Codec Overviews SBC The Low Complexity Subband Coding …

Read More about Bluetooth Codec Comparison: LDAC vs aptX Adaptive & Variants vs LHDC vs LC3 vs SCL6 vs SBC vs AAC

I would say most people know roughly what Bluetooth is and use it regularly. But how much do you really know about this wireless technology that’s now over 25 years old? When buying a new phone or earbuds, are you aware of all the different technologies that can affect the performance of Bluetooth? This is …

Read More about Bluetooth Guide – Bluetooth Versions & Factors Affecting Quality of Bluetooth Codecs

I originally reviewed the 1MORE E1001 triple drive earbuds back in 2017 when wired earbuds were much more common. While true wireless earbuds dominate the market, many audiophiles refuse to give up on their wired earbuds due to the improved audio quality that a wire provides vs the compression of Bluetooth. 1MORE is one of …

Read More about 1MORE Penta Driver P50 Review – Wired Earbuds with DLC Dynamic Driver & 4 Planar Diaphragm Drivers

I have previously reviewed a number of EPOS products, which have all been consumer-focused audio products that originally were part of the EPOS Sennheiser joint venture. The EPOS Impact 1000 headset is a departure from my previous gaming headset reviews, and this is an enterprise-focused headset that comes with a variety of configurations. It was …

Read More about EPOS Impact 1000 headset Review – 1061T ANC Binaural Bluetooth Headset

Jabra today has broadened its Elite series of true wireless earbuds with two high-end offerings that promise to set new benchmarks in durability, comfort, and sound quality. Say hello to the Jabra Elite 8 Active—hailed as the world’s toughest earbuds—and the Elite 10, engineered to offer unparalleled Dolby Atmos experiences. In this article, we’ll take …

Read More about Jabra Unveils Elite 8 Active & Elite 10 Announced for £200 & £230