Despite Sennheiser’s well-known status when it comes to all things headphone-related, years have gone by as company after company turned out true wireless earbuds while Sennheiser opted to not release a set of its own. Now, it seems that rather than rush to market, Sennheiser decided to take its time and get it right. The headphone maker unveiled the Momentum True Wireless at IFA 2018 in Berlin, and it appears that they might have been worth the wait.
The Momentum True Wireless feature the latest version of Bluetooth and support for both AptX and AAC codecs, delivered via 7mm drivers. The Transparent Hearing feature lets you choose just how much ambient noise you let in — you can keep the outside world at bay or let it in if you’re on a run in a busy area. Support for both Siri and Google Assistant is integrated as well.
During our hands-on (or is that ears-on?) time with the Momentum True Wireless, it quickly became apparent that these will be the go-to true wireless earbuds for anyone who puts a premium on sound quality. Everything we love about the Momentum series, including the bump in lower midrange and the high frequency response, is here. The fact that they use a magnetic field to split the signal between each earbud instead of Bluetooth also means that there is much less latency than you’re likely used to in this type of earbud.
While a series of taps along with a few voice commands is all it takes to control the Momentum True Wireless, you can also use the free Sennheiser Smart Control app to adjust the earbuds’ built-in equalization to make them even more to your liking. The Momentum True Wireless feature roughly four hours of playback time in the buds themselves, while the included charging case can charge them two times, for a total of up to 12 hours of playtime.
True wireless earbuds weren’t the only new product Sennheiser brought to IFA this year. The company also showed off its new GSP 550 gaming headset, which is capable of providing gamers with 7.1-channel Dolby surround sound. Ventilated earcups help to keep you cool during even the most intense gaming sessions, while the adjustable pressure mechanism in the headband lets you adjust them so they stay snug on your head without getting too tight. The headphones even feature a volume knob on the earcups for quick adjustments during gameplay.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless will ship beginning in November and will retail for 300 euros, or roughly $350, though who knows if the name will remain the same when they come to the U.S. For a peek at the competition, take a look at our current list of the best fully wireless earbuds, as well as the best earbuds — wired or otherwise. The GSP 550 gaming headset will ship in October and will retail for $250.
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.
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