Perfect Pair To Plug Flight Mode
From vintage-cool earbuds to sleek Bluetooth-compatible headphones, these are all the pieces you need to keep up with the trend. Dive in!
In case you haven’t heard, your indispensable earphones have transcended form and function to become fashion. Besides giving a background score to mundane activities like laundry or grocery shopping, earphones have evolved into the ultimate slouchy cool street style statement. From the wired Walkman-era variety to the sleek button-sized Bluetooth kind, the everyday accompaniment is taking over streets, fashion weeks and Instagram feeds.
It’s almost inevitable that the Y2K nostalgia wave, has now come for our earphones, rebelliously rebranding wired headphones as the coolest style staple since white sneakers and baggy jeans. On the other hand (or ear?), brands are taking trusty earbuds beyond the capabilities of a listening device.
If you’re still wrapping your head around this trend or are too busy to tear yourself away from that Diljit Dosanjh banger you’ve got on repeat, here are some stylish earphones that can effortlessly elevate your everyday look.
Tear yourself away from that Diljit Dosanjh banger you’ve got on repeat!
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones, the fifth generation in the 1000X series, have garnered a devoted following. Since their initial release as the MDR-1000X Wireless in 2016, they've steadily improved with each iteration. While Sony has made design tweaks over the years, the WH-1000XM5 represents a more dramatic shift. Most of these changes are positive, including significant enhancements in voice-calling performance, noise cancellation, and sound quality.
The XM5 features new, rigid 30mm carbon fiber drivers that deliver a distinct audio profile compared to their predecessors. With a more balanced, accurate sound, improved clarity, and tighter bass, they appeal to audiophiles. Notably, the voice-calling experience is top-notch, making it a compelling upgrade for XM4 owners. If you're in the market for noise-cancelling headphones, the XM5 maintains Sony's position at the forefront of the category. Overall, the XM5 stands out thanks to its impressive features, excellent sound, and enhanced voice calling.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
The BOSE Ultra Open Earbuds strike a delicate balance between technology and style, boasting a groundbreaking open-ear design. While they exude more of an ear cuff vibe than traditional earphones, these innovative earbuds incorporate BOSE's signature OpenAudio technology, allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings while enjoying your favourite guilty pleasure tunes. With an impressive 7.5 hours of playtime, these sleek metallic earbuds securely attach to the outer ear, making them ideal for all-night music sessions.
Well, featuring a unique and unconventional design, it offers surprising comfort and excellent sound quality for open-style buds. Unlike typical stick-style earbuds with ear hooks, these Ultra Open buds consist of two parts: the barrel (housing the electronics) and the speaker driver unit. These components are connected by a flexible rubber joint. To wear them, place the barrel behind your ear and wrap the rubber portion around the side, positioning the driver element over your ear canal opening.
While the buds may not be everyone's aesthetic preference (they resemble earrings), their innovative design ensures a secure and comfortable fit. If you're willing to invest in them, you'll enjoy top-notch sound quality and a distinctive look.
Beats Studio Buds +
The Beats Studio Buds+ are true wireless earbuds that prioritize transparency. They feature a retro-futuristic see-through design and a Transparency Mode, allowing you to control ambient noise during your daily commute.
With improved battery life and effective active noise cancellation (ANC), these earbuds build upon the original Studio Buds. The sound signature is bass-forward yet balanced, seamlessly integrating with iOS devices.
Available in black-and-gold, ivory, or transparent finishes, the earpieces fit securely and come with four pairs of silicone ear tips. Internally, custom two-layer dynamic diaphragm drivers deliver audio quality, while acoustic vents enhance airflow during playback. Although, these earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 and AAC/SBC codecs. One-touch pairing connects them instantly to all devices in your iCloud account, and the Handoff feature allows seamless playback switching to your Apple Watch.
Interestingly, the Studio Buds+ rely on a proprietary second-generation Beats platform, distinct from the Apple H2 chip in AirPods Pro or the H1 chip in Beats Fit Pro. Android users aren't left out—the earbuds support Google Fast Pair. As for water resistance, these earbuds have an IPX4 rating, which means they can handle light splashes but not full submersion.
Yamaha YH-L700A
The Yamaha YH-L700A headphones boast a unique design, integrated noise cancelling, 3D audio, and head tracking. Their appearance features a padded headband and dark grey fabric on the outer sides of the square earcups, while the inner sides sport black imitation leather. These headphones, running firmware 1.40, support Bluetooth 5.0 and offer audio codecs like SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive. Although LDAC is absent, the chosen codecs ensure low latencies. You can enjoy loss-free sound transmission via a cable connection, which works both actively and passively. The well-padded earpieces swivel and fold, allowing for convenient storage in the supplied hard case. However, some users may find that the YH-L700A tends to slip forward due to the headband design.
Additionally, these headphones come equipped with active noise cancelling (ANC). You can switch between ANC, an ambient sound mode (where external noise is fed into the listening channel via microphones), and inactive status using either the dedicated button or the app.
The sound quality of the YH-L700A headphones is impressive. The bass is precise and powerful, even in the low bass range. In the midrange, voices and instruments shine, offering warm tones and occasionally more aggressive distortion.
From the July 2024 issue of FHM India.
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