Valentine’s Day is about a week away and while flowers are always a great gift, a solid pair of wireless headphones can be a thoughtful gift any music lover would appreciate. For one, its lifespan is more than a few days and is all the more futureproof with smartphones slowly losing their headphone jacks. And two, you’ll be giving them the means to rock out their favorite tunes without the hassle of getting entangled in pesky wires every now and then. While the price of high-resolution sound would normally set you back by a couple of hundred dollars, Amazon lets you bank on massive savings of up to $126 when you order the sleek Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4 or Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II.
Design is undoubtedly where Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H4 shines. It sports just the right combination of a metal frame and plastic frame that gives it some structure while being fairly lightweight at just 236 grams. With soft and plush circular earcups that seal nicely, these entry-level over-ear wireless cans not only boast comfort but also offer good passive noise isolation. The headband is adjustable for a precise fit, and to top it off, both the earcups and headband are coated in lambskin leather, which serves to highlight its premium build and wearability.
The Beoplay H4 puts wireless freedom front and center with Bluetooth 4.2 technology. You’ll hardly have any reason to remain tethered to your phone with all the necessary controls along with the MicroUSB port for charging and the 3.5-millimeter auxiliary input housed in the right earcup. The only disadvantage the Beoplay H4 may have is that the center button needs to be mastered as it has been programmed with a little too much functionality: It is used to power, play/pause, answer/end calls, as well as activate Siri or Google voice assistants. The wired option is a sure plus when you’re untimely running low on juice, which will hardly be the case with the Beoplay’s 19-hour battery life.
A rich and punchy bass is instantly guaranteed as soon as you plop the Beoplay H4 on but you can also toggle through the iOS and Android compatible Beoplay app to personalize your listening experience. You can either select among preset sound profiles for commute, workout, and podcast or by manually tapping through the ToneTouch section.
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4 is a great bet for anyone on the move and looking to tune into something a bit more refined. Its design is stylish enough, its performance more than acceptable, while portability and convenience come through with no strings attached and a collapsible frame. Don’t miss out on high-quality sound with Amazon’s deal that makes it fairly more affordable at just $174 instead of $300.
Bose’s Quiet Comfort 35 II not only cuts the cord but also allows you to cut through the noise with three levels of advanced noise cancellation. You can count on its dual microphone setup to effectively block out unwanted ambient sound in any environment when you want to stay completely focused on your music or when the need for crystal-clear calls arises. Travelers and audiophiles, in particular, will appreciate these wireless cans when they’re flying or working their way through a hectic commute.
The Quiet Comfort 35 II does not skimp on wearability but adds value in terms of active noise isolation with a 4 out of 5 star rating in our review to back it up. Out of the box, you’ll immediately notice that it has supple leather earcups and microfiber headband padding that would ensure a snug fit. It also won’t be weighing down at just 0.52 pounds. And with the integration of Bose AR, multi-directional motion sensors detect your head orientation and body movements to deliver tailored audio content depending on your location. A touch of a button is all that comes in between you and your music.
The Bose Connect app can be downloaded on iPhone, iPad, and Android to unlock the Quiet Comfort 35 II’s full potential. You’ll simply be able to go through its modes for noise cancellation, set up Bose AR, enable music sharing, manage Bluetooth connections, and access software updates. Hassle-free Bluetooth pairing for multiple devices is assured with the embedded NFC chip while in-ear controls are still in place to give you the utmost wireless convenience. It also responds to voice commands with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. In-ear controls are also in place to give you the utmost convenience without the need to pull out your device.
Those gearing up for a nonstop listening experience will be all the more thrilled with 20 hours of portable runtime, even with both Bluetooth and ANC is employed. The standard 3.5-millimeter cable provided then enables you to extend playback or conserve its battery. Usually priced at $349, you can snag these well-crafted noise-canceling cans for only $248 when you order from Amazon.
Looking for more ways to take your music on the go? Browse through our curated deals page for more headphones with noise-canceling options, true wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods and alternatives, and more.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.