Did a man using Bluetooth earphones get electrocuted by the high tension power cable of an electric train?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : Man Using Bluetooth Got Electrocuted Near Electric Train!
A video showing a man getting electrocuted and falling onto train tracks has gone viral, together with a message that claims that it happened because he was using Bluetooth earphones too close to the train tracks!
As the Bluetooth was activated on the mobile phone, the current came from the high tension cable of the track and reached the brain through the ear phones
And what happened next? See it yourself
Avoid using Bluetooth on the railway platform while travelling and standing “close to the train track” on the platform. 16/12/22
Truth : Man Near Electric Train Was Not Electrocuted Using Bluetooth!
This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and shared on WhatsApp and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Incident Happened On 7 December 2022
First, let me just confirm that the video is genuine, and was recorded by a CCTV camera at the Kharagpur railway station in West Bengal, India, on 7 December 2022.
It did not happen on 16 December 2022, as the fake viral message claimed.
Fact #2 : Man Was A Train Ticket Inspector
The man was not a train passenger wearing Bluetooth earphones. He was a ticket inspector – a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) to be precise.
There was no mention of the ticket inspector wearing headphones or earphones of any kind in the incident report. As he was working on the job, he would not have been wearing any earphones, much less Bluetooth earphones.
Fact #3 : He Was Hit By A Falling Live Wire
While the ticket inspector was speaking to another person, an electrical cable that was in contact with the Overhead Equipment (OHE) live cable fell on him.
He was electrocuted by that loose cable, with sparks coming off his shoes and head. The ticket inspector fell backwards onto the rail tracks as the other person ran away in fright.
Fortunately, there were no passing trains, and after a few seconds, onlookers (who were probably stunned) came to help him. Miraculously, the man was taken to the hospital, and survived with only burn injuries!
If you look carefully at the video, you can see the cable when it sparks up on touching the ticket inspector’s head.
Fact #4 : Railway Official Confirmed Live Wire As The Cause
Chennai railway official, Ananth Rupanagudi, confirmed the incident, and explained that it was a freak accident that occurred because a long piece of cable fell on the man’s head.
A freak accident – a long piece of loose cable, taken by a bird somehow came in contact with the OHE wire and the other end came down and touched a TTE’s head. He suffered burn injuries but is out of danger and under treatment – at Kharagpur station yesterday afternoon! #Accident
He also revealed that the cable was very long – about 6 to 8 metres in length, and it was touching the OHE live cable on the other end.
Fact #5 : Incident Had Nothing To Do With Location / Bluetooth
To be clear, this incident had nothing to do with the man “standing close to the train track”. It also had nothing to do with using Bluetooth earphones.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology. It is simply not possible for anyone using Bluetooth devices to get electrocuted by nearby power cables, even if they are exposed.
Now that you know the truth, please help to SHARE this fact check article so other people won’t be fooled by this fake news!
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Sony has decided to close their PG Tec factory, which manufactures audio products like WH-1000XM3 headphones!
Find out what’s going on, and what this means for their 3,400 employees and Sony fans!
Sony PG Tec Facility Will Close By September 2021!
Sony has decided to close their PG Tec manufacturing facility, which spans a land area of 172,000 m², with a total built-up area of 95,000 m².
Based in the Prai Industrial Zone, the Sony PG Tec facility produces audio products like the WH-1000XM3 and WP-SP900 headphones, wireless speakers, home theatre systems and Blu-ray players.
It is also the home of a local Sony R&D team that designed the Sony MHC-V81D sound system, amongst other audio products.
Penang Gov Confirms That Sony Will Close PG Tec Facility
Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim, the Penang Trade, Industry and Entrepreneur Development Exco, confirmed the decision, stating that the Penang state government will hold a press conference to address the matter.
According to him, the decision to close this high-tech manufacturing facility was due to “internal restructuring due to fierce market competition”.
The 3,400 or so employees at the Sony PG Tec facility will be offered a severance plan, or relocation to the Sony EMCS factory in Bangi, Selangor.
Some 1,800 employees are local, while another 1,600 are foreigners.
The Sony EMCS PG Tec facility is still operating at the moment, and will close in stages, fully ceasing operation in September 2021.
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Jabra is introducing a FREE ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) upgrade for all Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t true wireless earbuds!
Jabra Elite 75t + Elite Active 75t Get FREE ANC Upgrade!
On 21 October 2020, Jabra announced a FREE ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) upgrade for all Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t true wireless earbuds!
By taking advantage of the superior Qualcomm digital audio processor already built-into the Elite 75t, Jabra is able to introduce this free ANC upgrade via a firmware update in the Jabra Sound+ app.
The Jabra Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t with ANC as standard will be available for purchase in October 2020.
Jabra Elite 75t + Elite Active 75t : Now With ANC
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is their fourth-generation wireless earbuds, offering two key improvements over last year’s Elite 65t.
Improved Comfort + Secure Fit
Jabra used thousands of ear scans from all over the world, to create a profile of the most optimal 3D shape and size for the Elite 75t.
They promise that they will offer an improved fit that is more comfortable and secure, allowing you to use them for long hours, and without fear of them falling out.
Better Battery + Charging Capabilities
Jabra extended the Elite 75t’s battery life by 50%, from 5 hours to 7.5 hours. They also extended its charging case’s battery capacity, allowing the Elite 75t to offer a total battery life of 28 hours, versus 15 hours for the 65t.
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) also has fast charging capability – a quick 15 minutes charge in its charging case will give you an hour of battery life.
Incidentally, Jabra will offer an Elite 75t variant in Q2 2020 that will have a charging case with wireless charging capability, in addition to USB Type C wired charging.
MyControl + MySound (Coming In Q2 2020)
Jabra will introduce two new features through a future firmware update – MyControl and MySound.
MyControl lets you personalise the touch controls, with the option of using either left or right earbud by itself. Otherwise, you can only use the right earbud independently.
MySound lets you create and use a personalised hearing profile using a series of audio tests. This will offer you a significant improvement in audio quality.
4-Microphone Technology
Like the Elite 65t, the Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) comes with four microphones for clearer voice pickups and better wind noise reduction.
Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
The Jabra Elite 75t (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) supports Bluetooth 5.0, which allows for lower-latency audio with lower power consumption. That means longer battery life without the fear of audio dropouts!
IP55 / IP57 Dust + Water Resistance
The Jabra Elite 75t is IP55-rated for dust and water resistance. That means it is sweat- and splash- resistant, but not waterproof. Do NOT take it for a swim!
The Jabra Elite Active 75t, on the other hand, is IP57-rated, which allows for water submersion up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes.
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The Edifier W860NB and W828NB are both active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, with an over-ear design.
In this article, we will compare both models to find out how they differ, and where they are similar. Find out which is the best option for you!
Edifier W860NB Primer
The Edifier W860NB is their first active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphone, targeted at the value premium market. Hence, it sports a premium design with touch controls.
It also has folding ear cups with neodymium drivers, NFC support and a complete set of accessories including a hard travel case.
Edifier W860NB vs Edifier W828NB : What’s The Difference?
The Edifier W860NB has a more refined design, while the W828NB has a sportier design.
They can both be folded for more compact storage, but the ear cups of the W860NB can further be tilted inwards to fit its hard travel case.
If touch controls are important, then obviously you will prefer the W860NB, but the W828NB has a BIG advantage – Bluetooth 5.0.
Bluetooth 5.0 is more than twice as fast as Bluetooth 4.1, letting the W828NB avoid audio synchronisation issues. It is also more power efficient, which means a longer battery life.
Edifier W860NB vs Edifier W828NB : Our Recommendations
If you prefer an all-in kit or a more premium build and arguably better audio and noise cancellation performance, you should definitely get the W860NB.
But if you want the best possible Bluetooth connectivity for better audio synchronisation and battery life, then get the W828NB.
One thing is for sure – they are both very affordable active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, and offer great value for your money.
Edifier W860NB vs Edifier W828NB : Specifications
Specifications
Edifier W860NB
Edifier W828NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.0
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Wireless : Bluetooth 5.0
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Touch Controls
Yes
No
NFC Support
Yes
No
Bluetooth Codecs
Qualcomm aptX
A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Qualcomm aptX
A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium Drivers
Not specified
Impedence
32 Ohms
24 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
100 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery (estimated)
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 45 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 80 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W860NB Price + Availability
The W860NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
The Edifier W828NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 89.99 in the US, and RM 399 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Apple AirPods Pro are a popular choice for those who want active noise cancelling earbuds, but there is actually a better alternative – the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3.
Don’t believe us? Find out why the FreeBuds 3 is a superior alternative to the AirPods Pro!
Why FreeBuds 3 Is The Best Alternative To AirPods Pro!
Reason #1 : Low Latency Bluetooth Connectivity
One of the biggest problems affecting Bluetooth earbuds is latency – the delay from when the audio data is transmitted to the earbuds, and when the sound emits from the speakers.
High latency causes the sounds and images of the movie you are watching to go out of sync. It is also a big problem in games, where audio cues can mean the difference between winning and losing!
Most TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds like the AirPods Pro uses a binaural single-channel connection, where the smartphone transmits the audio data to the primary earbud, which then forwards one of the channels to the secondary earbud.
This is simpler to implement, but results in greater latency and higher power consumption by the primary earbud.
A select few TWS earbuds use dual-channel transmissions to both earbuds simultaneously, which reduces latency but results in higher power consumption by both earbuds.
HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 avoids both issues because it uses their proprietary Isochronous Dual Channel Transmission technology to transmit the left and right channels to each earbud synchronously and separately.
This reduces latency to just 190 ms (lower than the AirPods Pro), ensuring accurate synchronisation, while reducing power consumption!
Reason #2 : Less Chance Of Interference
In public places, interference is a big issue because there is an abundance of both active Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, and they are all using the same 2.4 GHz spectrum!
This may result in higher audio latencies, or even worse – a disconnection of one or both earbuds from your smartphone!
The HUAWEI Isochronous Dual Channel Transmission technology reduces the chance of interference from other Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.
Reason #3 : Powerful Kirin A1 Chipset
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 is powered by the Kirin A1 – the world’s first Bluetooth 5.1 SoC, which supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 as well.
With an industry-leading 365 MHz audio processor, it is powerful enough to simultaneously perform real-time noise cancellation for both earbuds, as well as real-time 3A call noise cancellation, with automatic echo cancellation (AEC), automatic gain control (AGC) and adaptive noise reduction (ANR) for the microphones!
Reason #4 : More Comfortable Fit
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 is the world’s first active noise cancelling Bluetooth earbuds with an open fit design. Because they won’t close up your ear canals, they are more comfortable to wear for long hours of use.
Its Dolphin Bionic Design is not just aesthetically-pleasing, it’s designed to ensure a more secure yet comfortable fit so you can run and jog without worry.
Reason #5 : Personalised Noise Cancellation
The open design is more complicated to handle because it lets more ambient noise leak in. To correct for that, HUAWEI generated 9 sets of noise reduction profiles, based on extensive research of real human ear canals of different ages, genders, ear sizes, etc.
This lets you optimise its active noise cancellation performance with a simple click in the HUAWEI AI Life app (available in Google Play Store and HUAWEI AppGallery). This gives it a leg up over its competitors that are based on standard ear models.
Reason #6 : Noise Reduction For Voice
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 reduce noise through two mechanisms. Its microphones are shielded by a wind noise reduction duct, so you can speak clearly even if you are running or cycling.
Whenever you speak, the FreeBuds 3 uses bone vibrations to distinguish your voice from background noise, ensuring you are clearly heard even in noisy environments.
Reason #7 : Super Fast Pairing!
Thanks to its support for Bluetooth 5.1, it connects much quicker to your smartphone than Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro.
It is also designed to automatically turn on and pair with your smartphone, whenever you open its charging case. It’s ready to use by the time you place it in your ears!
Finally, The FreeBuds 3 Is MUCH CHEAPER Than AirPods Pro!
The eight and final reason – the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) is MUCH CHEAPER than the AirPods Pro!
With a retail price of RM 679 / ~US$163 / £139.99 / ~A$239.99 / S$219, you will get a better pair of wireless earphones with lower latency and better active noise cancellation for both voice and audio… at a steep discount!
The HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 (MY | SG | UK) is available in two colour options – Carbon Black and Ceramic White, and you can purchase it directly from HUAWEI Malaysia here! For more information, see HUAWEI’s FB post!
Here are some online purchase links, with prices accurate as of 1 December 2019 :
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The Edifier W828NB is their latest Bluetooth headphones to offer active noise cancelling capabilities, at a very low price point.
Edifier seems to believe that everyone should be able to afford a decent pair of wireless active noise cancelling headphones, with the W828NB as a more affordable alternative to the excellent W860NB.
In this review, we will take a close look at the Edifier W828NB and share with you our tests of its noise cancelling capabilities. Find out if this is the wireless ANC headphones for you!
Why Active Noise Cancellation?
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability. Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
Passive noise cancellation using over-ear headphones or in-canal earphones may be sufficient for use in an office, but is quite useless on a flight. You can turn up the volume to hear through the noise, but that could damage your hearing.
The best way to listen to music or a conversation in a movie is to use active noise cancellation to literally “erase” the ambient noise. Then you can hear without actually turning up the volume!
Edifier W828NB Gold Specifications
Let’s kick this review off with a quick look at its key specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W828NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic
Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity
Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 5.0
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Touch Controls
None
NFC Support
No
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
Not specified
Impedence
24 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
100 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery (estimated)
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 80 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W828NB Price + Availability
The Edifier W828NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 89.99 in the US, and RM 399 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) comes in a large premium cardboard box. Let’s unbox it and see what we find inside!
Once you fully unbox it, this is what you will find inside :
One pair of Edifier W828NB active noise cancelling headphones
One Edifier W828NB user manual
One soft travel pouch
One USB Type A to micro-USB 2.0 charging cable
One 3.5 mm audio cable
The soft travel pouch is big enough to fit the Edifier W828NB headphones, as well as its cables.
Unfortunately, the package does not include a 3.5 mm aircraft plug adaptor, which means you won’t be able to connect it to the audio system of older airliners.
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The Edifier W828NB Up Close!
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is a sturdy-looking pair of wireless headphones. Designed for travel, it can be folded for compact storage inside its travel pouch.
If you are used to gaming headsets, you may find its ear cups on the small side, but that’s because they are designed to hug your ears.
The build quality is good, with a blend of quality plastics, metal and faux leather. We like the choice of a smooth matte finish that is fingerprint smear resistant. Overall, it feels like a premium pair of cans.
Unlike the excellent but more expensive Edifier W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY), the W828NB lacks touch controls or a hard travel case. On the other hand, it supports Bluetooth 5.0 and is 25% cheaper!
Let’s delve deeper and see what we find, shall we?
Edifier W828NB Controls
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) saves cost by doing without the W860NB‘s touch controls.
The ANC switch at the bottom of the left ear cup controls its active noise cancellation circuitry. You can actually turn on its ANC feature on without playing any music, if you just want some peace and quiet.
On the right ear cup, you will find the Power button which turns on its Bluetooth connectivity, and the Volume control buttons.
You can actually use the W828NB without “turning it on”, or if it runs out of battery power. Just plug in the provided 3.5 mm audio cable and you are good to go!
But note that the Volume control buttons only work when you are connected to your smartphone or music player using Bluetooth.
Edifier W828NB Audio + Charging Port
You will find the 3.5 mm audio port at the bottom of the left ear cup, which allows you to connect the W828NB directly to your smartphone or music player, or the airplane’s audio jack.
Unfortunately, while Edifier provides a long 3.5 mm audio cable, they did not include an aircraft port adaptor. You will need to purchase a separate adaptor, if you wish to connect to the audio systems of older airliners.
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is rated to last for 25 hours, with ANC turned on and music playing wirelessly through Bluetooth. You recharge its battery through this micro-USB port at the bottom of the right ear cup.
Edifier did not include a USB charger, only a USB cable which you can connect to your computer, your smartphone’s USB charger or even a power bank.
According to Edifier, it will fully recharge in 4 hours using a 5 watt USB charger or USB 3.0 port. If you are recharging it using an older USB 2.0 port though, it should take twice as long.
How Comfortable Is The W828NB?
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) has an adjustable headband that is padded at the top, and wrapped in soft faux leather.
The headband can be extended by 3 cm on each side, in 9 steps. When fully retracted, it is small enough to fit a child of about 8-9 years of age.
Its ear cups are amply padded and covered in faux leather. Being designed for travel, the ear cups are on the small side. The good news is that they hug your ears, preventing slippage even when you shake your head to the music.
On the other hand, faux leather does not breathe like real leather. So it will get humid inside the smaller space pretty quickly if you are wearing them in warmer weather.
The ear cups can be folded inwards, for a more compact form factor that allows it to fit into the soft travel pouch.
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Edifier W828NB Active Noise Cancellation Capability
Active noise cancellation is conceptually simple. One or more microphones pick up ambient noise, which is used to generate opposing sound waves that cancel out the noise before it reaches the user’s ears.
However, it has not been easy or cheap to implement. For one thing – noise detection and the generation of its opposing sound waves happens in real-time.
It is complicated by the need to mix the noise-cancelling sound waves with the actual audio output (of your song or movie), and deliver the output without any noticeable lag.
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is one of the few affordable wireless headphones to boast active noise cancellation. It has an ANC microphone at the side of each ear cup, pointing backwards.
From what we can tell, the W828NB uses analogue negative feedback circuitry to generate its noise cancelling sound waves.
Analogue noise cancellation is simpler and cheaper to implement, but limits its active noise cancellation to the lower frequencies.
For active noise cancellation of higher frequencies, they would need to add a fast digital signal processor to handle the complex noise cancellation algorithms.
Edifier W828NB Noise Cancelling Performance
We tested the Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) on seven flights, recording its noise cancellation capability using a cardioid microphone, the best examples of which you can see in this video.
Before you watch the video, please keep in mind that it was quite impossible to fully isolate our microphone in the ear cup. So the actual effect is more pronounced than what you’ll hear in this video.
In the airplane cabin clip, you can distinctly hear how the W828NB cuts out the low-frequency rumble, but the higher-frequency sound of the air-conditioning is still audible.
Turning on active noise cancellation will markedly reduce low-frequency noise. This gives you a better appreciation of whatever you are listening to. However, this includes voices of people around you. In fact, airline announcements were clearer with ANC turned on, than turned off.
However, we noticed some static feedback whenever the plane landed. It always happened right after the plane touches down – it’s as if the static feedback is caused by the sound of the airplane’s tyres. It tapers off as the plane slows down.
Bluetooth 5.0
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) has a big advantage over the more premium Edifier W860NB – Bluetooth 5.0.
Its Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is more than twice as fast as the W860NB‘s Bluetooth 4.1, allowing it to deliver audio data at lower latencies. It also uses less power.
This should let the W828NB avoid audio synchronisation problems that sometimes affects Bluetooth 4.x devices.
It is also the reason why the W828NB can wirelessly play music for 80 hours (without ANC), compared to just 45 hours for the W860NB.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Edifier W828NB : Our Verdict
Anyone who has ever tried using headphones with active noise cancellation on a flight will appreciate what a difference they make.
They will also realise just how useful noise cancellation can be in other applications – better audio clarity at lower volumes, concentrating better in a noisy office, sleeping better, etc.
The key impediment for the widespread adoption of active noise cancellation can be summed in one word – COST.
Headphones with active noise cancellation are generally much more expensive than regular headphones, and some are prohibitively so. This is where the Edifier W828NB comes in.
Priced at just $89.99 / S$157 / A$119.99 / RM 399, it is incredibly affordable. In fact, you can equip a family of three with W828NB wireless headphones for the same price you would pay for a single pair of Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones!
But just how effective are its noise cancellation capabilities?
The Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) is best at cancelling out low-frequency noise. At higher frequencies, it is limited to passive noise reduction courtesy of its over-ear design and padding.
That means it will effectively cut out most of the annoying rumble of jet engines and road noise; leaving voices quite audible.
If you really need to cut out the higher frequencies, then you need to splurge on headphones that perform digital noise cancellation like the Sony WH-1000XM2 (US | UK | MY) or the latest Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones.
The ability to block voices may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. It may be nice to cut out annoying chatter and crying babies, but that may mean you won’t be able to hear important announcements or alerts.
We also noticed that it has a static feedback issue whenever a plane lands. Edifier should definitely look into this problem.
However, we love that the Edifier W828NB used Bluetooth 5.0, with a large battery with enough battery life to last even the longest flight and then some. We also like its classy matte finish, and excellent build quality.
Overall, the Edifier W828NB (US | AU | SG | MY) offers a great combination of features, at a great price point. It really punches above its weight.
Edifier W828NB : Where To Buy?
The Edifier W828NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 89.99 in the US, and RM 399 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
We managed to get our hands on the award-winning Edifier W860NB Bluetooth ANC headphones in both the regular Black colour, and the more exclusive Gold edition.
Check out our colour comparison of the Black and Gold colours, and let us know which you prefer!
The Edifier W860NB ANC Bluetooth Headphones
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability.
Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
The Edifier W860NB is one of the few affordable Bluetooth headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) capability.
Turning on its ANC feature literally “erases” ambient noise, letting you listen to music or the conversation in a movie without turning up the volume!
Edifier W860NB Specifications
The Edifier W860NB in both Black and Gold colour options have the same specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W860NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.1
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Bluetooth 4.1 with support for :
– Qualcomm aptX
– A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms
Impedence
32 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 45 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W860NB Colour Comparison
Let’s take a close look at both Black and Gold colour options, and compare them side-by-side :
Now that you have seen both Edifier W860NB models side-by-side, which colour do YOU prefer? Black or Gold?
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Edifier W860NB Black + Gold Colour Purchase Options
The Edifier W860NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Are you looking for an affordable pair of active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones? The Edifier W860NB Gold might just be what you are looking for.
It is one of the few Bluetooth headphones in the market that offers active noise cancellation capabilities at an affordable price point.
In our in-depth review of the W860NB Gold active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, we will show you why it won our Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Why Active Noise Cancellation?
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability. Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
Passive noise cancellation using over-ear headphones or in-canal earphones may be sufficient for use in an office, but is quite useless on a flight. You can turn up the volume to hear through the noise, but that could damage your hearing.
The best way to listen to music or a conversation in a movie is to use active noise cancellation to literally “erase” the ambient noise. Then you can hear without actually turning up the volume!
Edifier W860NB Gold Specifications
Let’s kick this review off with a quick look at its key specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W860NB Gold
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable Headband (up to 6 cm total)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.1
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Bluetooth 4.1 with support for :
– Qualcomm aptX
– A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms
Impedence
32 Ohms
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 hours
Music without ANC : 45 hours
Music with ANC : 25 hours
Rated Charging Time
4 hours @ 5 watt USB
Edifier W860NB Gold Price + Availability
The Edifier W860NB Gold has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Edifier W860NB Gold Up Close!
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY)) is an elegant-looking pair of wireless headphones. We like how Edifier chose to use a very nice smooth matte surface that is fingerprint smear resistant.
The W860NB Gold is also very well-built, with a good blend of quality plastics, metal and faux leather. It has a good heft, and feels like a premium pair of cans.
Nestled in both ear cups are 40 mm neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms, designed to deliver strong bass with a wide soundstage.
Despite its modest price point, the W860NB Gold boasts touch controls, as well as a very nice and tough storage case and all the accessories you’ll ever need.
Overall – this is a nice hassle-free buy-and-enjoy package, but let’s delve deeper and see what we find, shall we?
Edifier W860NB Gold : Buttons + Touch Controls
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) has two separate power controls on the right ear cup.
The Power button turns on its Bluetooth connectivity and touch controls, while the ANC switch turns on its active noise cancellation circuitry.
They actually work independently of each other. You can turn on the active noise cancellation capability without “turning on” the W860NB Gold.
In fact, you can also listen to music using the 3.5 mm audio cable without, yes, “turning it on” using the Power button. Similarly, you can turn on its Bluetooth connectivity and listen to music, without turning on ANC for a longer battery life.
Its touch controls are also on the right ear cup. But they only work when you are connected to your smartphone or music player using Bluetooth.
The touch controls allow you to change tracks and volume, or accept and end calls, without touching your smartphone or music player.
Just swipe right or left to skip ahead or backwards, and swipe up and down to control the volume. Tapping the centre twice pauses and resumes your music, or accepts and ends a phone call.
Edifier W860NB Gold : Audio + Charging Ports
On the left ear cup, you will find the 3.5 mm audio port. It allows you to connect the W860NB Gold directly to your smartphone or music player, or the airline’s audio jack, using the provided aircraft port adaptor.
Hidden under a rubber cover is a micro-USB port that serves as a charging port. Edifier did not include a USB charger, only a USB cable which you can connect to your computer, your smartphone’s USB charger or even a power bank.
They say that it will fully recharge in 4 hours using a 5 watt USB charger or USB 3.0 port. If you are recharging it using an older USB 2.0 port though, it should take twice as long.
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How Comfortable Is The W860NB Gold?
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) has an adjustable headband that is padded at the top, and wrapped in soft faux leather.
The headband can be extended by 3 cm on each side, in 9 steps. When fully retracted, it is small enough to fit a child of about 8-9 years of age.
Its ear cups are also padded and covered in faux leather. Being designed for travel, the ear cups are on the small side. The good news is that they hug your ears, preventing slippage even when you shake your head to the music.
On the other hand, faux leather does not breathe like real leather. So it will get humid inside the smaller space pretty quickly if you are wearing them in warmer weather.
Incidentally, the ear cups can be folded inwards, for a more compact form factor if you prefer not to keep it in the hard case, which is admittedly quite bulky.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Edifier W860NB Gold’s Active Noise Cancellation Capability
Active noise cancellation is conceptually simple. One or more microphones pick up ambient noise, which is used to generate opposing sound waves that cancel out the noise before it reaches the user’s ears.
However, it has not been easy or cheap to implement. For one thing – noise detection and the generation of its opposing sound waves happens in real-time.
It is complicated by the need to mix the noise-cancelling sound waves with the actual audio output (of your song or movie), and deliver the output without any noticeable lag.
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is one of the few affordable wireless headphones to boast active noise cancellation. It has an ANC microphone at the side of each ear cup, pointing backwards.
From what we can tell, the W860NB uses analogue negative feedback circuitry to generate up to 97 dB of noise cancelling sound waves.
Analogue noise cancellation is simpler and cheaper to implement, but limits its active noise cancellation to the lower frequencies.
For active noise cancellation of higher frequencies, they would need to add a fast digital signal processor to handle the complex noise cancellation algorithms.
Its Noise Cancelling Performance
We tested the Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) on eight flights, and many road trips. We tried to record the effect of its noise cancellation capability using a cardioid microphone, the best examples of which you can see in this video.
Before you watch it, please keep in mind that it was quite impossible to fully isolate our microphone in the ear cup. So the actual effect is more pronounced than what you’ll hear in this video.
In the airplane cabin clip, you can distinctly hear how the W860NB cuts out the low-frequency rumble, but the higher-frequency sound of the air-conditioning is still audible.
In the car cabin clip, when active noise cancellation is turned on, the low-frequency road noise is cut out. But you can still hear the higher-frequency wind noise, and even the radio music in the background.
Turning on active noise cancellation will markedly reduce low-frequency noise. This gives you a better appreciation of whatever you are listening to. However, this includes voices of people around you. In fact, airline announcements were clearer with ANC turned on, than turned off.
Edifier W860NB vs. Sony WH-1000XM2
This is a grossly unfair comparison, to be sure. But this is something quite a few of our readers will want to know – how does the Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) compare against a premium ANC wireless headphone that costs 3X as much – the much vaunted Sony 1000XM2 (US | UK | MY)?
Based on our subjective tests using the awesome Sony ZX300 Walkman (US | UK | MY), here is how the W860NB Gold compares in active noise cancellation performance to the Sony 1000XM2, in our opinion :
about 80% as good in the lower frequencies, and
about 50% as good in the higher frequencies.
This is very good performance. Impressive actually, when you consider their large price difference.
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Qualcomm aptX Support
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) supports the proprietary Qualcomm aptX audio codec. When used with smartphones, music players and other devices that support aptX, it can deliver lower latencies and better audio quality.
The aptX audio codec is more efficient than the default SBC (Sub-Band Coding) Bluetooth audio codec, delivering a higher bit rate with lower latency. The lower latency is especially important when you watch a movie with wireless headphones, because nothing is more distracting than a movie with unsynchronised audio!
However, make sure you enable aptX on your smartphone or player, or you will end up using SBC. Most smartphones, for example, default to SBC, even if they officially support aptX. In fact, you may need to make the change in Developer Options.
The W860NB does not support the newer and more advanced aptX-HD, which delivers HD Audio over Bluetooth; or aptX Low Latency, which promises a very low latency for better video and gaming performance. This is something for Edifier to look into adding into the next version.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Edifier W860NB Gold : Our Verdict + Award
Anyone who has ever tried using headphones with active noise cancellation on a flight will appreciate what a difference they make.
They will also realise just how useful noise cancellation can be in other applications – better audio clarity at lower volumes, concentrating better in a noisy office, sleeping better, etc.
The key impediment for the widespread adoption of active noise cancellation can be summed in one word – COST.
Headphones with active noise cancellation are generally much more expensive than regular headphones, and some are prohibitively so.
This is how the W860NB Gold stands out above its competitors. Its affordable price point allows you to literally equip a family of three with W860NB wireless headphones for the same price you would pay for a single pair of Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones!
But just how effective are its noise cancellation capabilities?
The Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is best at cancelling out low-frequency noise. At higher frequencies, it is limited to passive noise reduction courtesy of its over-ear design and padding.
That means it will effectively cut out most of the annoying rumble of jet engines and road noise; leaving voices quite audible.
If you really need to cut out the higher frequencies, then you need to splurge on headphones that perform digital noise cancellation like the Sony WH-1000XM2 (US | UK | MY) or the latest Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones.
The ability to block voices may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. It may be nice to cut out annoying chatter and crying babies, but that may mean you won’t be able to hear important announcements or alerts
The W860NB Gold also impressed us in other ways. it has very useful touch controls on its right ear cup, and a large battery with enough battery life to last even the longest flight and then some. We also like its classy matte finish, and excellent build quality.
Overall, the Edifier W860NB Gold (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) offers a great combination of features, at a great price point. It really punches above its weight.
We are so impressive with its value proposition, we gladly award it our Reviewer’s Choice Award! Great job, Edifier!
Where To Buy The W860NB Gold?
The Edifier W860NB Gold has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The AfterShokz Aeropex are Bluetooth bone conduction earphones designed to handle the harshest weather conditions, and even a dip in the pool!
Let’s take a closer look, and see how the AfterShokz Aeropex been improved from its predecessor, the AfterShokz Trekz Air!
AfterShokz Aeropex
AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) builds upon the popular AfterShokz Trekz Air, improving it with IP67 water-resistance, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Join our good friend Adam Lobo for his explanation of the key features of the AfterShokz Aeropex, as well as the standalone AfterShokz Xtrainerz.
New Bone Conduction Tranducers
The AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) features bone conduction transducers that are now angled at 30-degrees, for significantly reduced vibration and improved audio quality.
It has also enhanced with PremiumPitch 2.0+ technology for a dynamic bass and higher volume, with minimal vibration.
Longer Battery Life
The AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) has a longer battery life of 8 hours, letting you enjoy a whole day of music and calls without worrying about battery life.
Waterproof Design
The AfterShokz Aeropex (US | UK | AU | MY) is sweatproof and waterproof. Rated at IP67, you can submerge it under one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Its magnetic charging port is designed to detect moisture and alert you, while preventing charging to avoid damage.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Are you looking for an affordable pair of active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones? The Edifier W860NB might just be what you are looking for.
It is one of the few Bluetooth headphones in the market that offers active noise cancellation capabilities at an affordable price point.
Read our in-depth review of the W860NB active noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, and find out why we gave it our Reviewer’s Choice Award!
Updated @ 2019-01-02 :Updated the review with additional points and information. Corrected several minor mistakes.
Originally posted @ 2018-12-02
Why Active Noise Cancellation?
One of the most important gadgets any frequent traveller must have is a good pair of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) capability.
Whether you want a good night’s sleep, listen to music or watch a movie during a flight or a road trip, active noise cancellation is the way to go.
Passive noise cancellation using over-ear headphones or in-canal earphones may be sufficient for use in an office, but is quite useless onboard a flight. You can turn up the volume to hear through the noise, but that could damage your hearing.
The best way to listen to music or a conversation in a movie is to use active noise cancellation to literally “erase” the ambient noise. Then you can hear without actually turning up the volume!
Edifier W860NB Specifications
Let’s kick this review off with a quick look at its key specifications :
Specifications
Edifier W860NB
Type
Over-Ear Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable headband (up to 6 cm longer)
Padded headband and ear cups, with faux leather covers
Noise Cancellation
Yes, Active Noise Cancellation
Connectivity Options
Wireless : Bluetooth 4.1
Wired : 3.5 mm audio cable
Bluetooth v4.1 with support for :
- Qualcomm aptX
- A2DP SBC (sub-band coding)
Bluetooth Range
10 meters / 30 feet
Audio Drivers
40 mm Neodymium Driver
Frequency Response
20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Sensitivity
97 dB
Battery
1,400 mAh lithium-ion battery
Rated Battery Life
Standby : 1,500 Hours
Music Without ANC : 45 Hours
Music With ANC : 25 Hours
Rated Charging Time
4 Hours (5 V @ 1 A)
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Edifier W860NB Price + Availability
The W860NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The Edifier W860NB Up Close!
The W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is an elegant-looking pair of wireless headphones.
We like how Edifier chose to use a very nice smooth matte surface that is fingerprint smear resistant.
The W860NB is also very well-built, with a good blend of quality plastics, metal and faux leather. It has a good heft, and feels like a premium pair of cans.
Nestled in both ear cups are 40 mm neodymium drivers with titanium dome diaphragms, designed to deliver strong bass with a wide soundstage.
Despite its modest price point, the W860NB boasts touch controls, as well as a very nice storage case and all the accessories you’ll ever need.
Overall – this is a nice hassle-free buy-and-enjoy package, but let’s delve deeper and see what we find, shall we?
Touch Control + Buttons
The W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) has two Power buttons on the right ear cup.
The Power button turns on its Bluetooth connectivity and touch controls, while the ANC switch turns on its active noise cancellation circuitry.
Note that they work independently of each other. You can actually turn on the active noise cancellation capability without “turning on” the W860NB.
In fact, you can also listen to music using the 3.5 mm audio cable without, yes, “turning it on” using the Power button.
The W860NB has Bluetooth touch controls on the right ear cup as well. They only work when you are connected to your smartphone or music player using Bluetooth.
The touch controls allow you to change tracks and volume, or accept and end calls, without touching your smartphone or music player.
Just swipe right or left to skip ahead or backwards, and swipe up and down to control the volume. Tapping the centre twice pauses and resumes your music, or accepts and ends a phone call.
Audio + Charging Ports
On the left ear cup, you will find the 3.5 mm audio port. It allows you to connect the W860NB directly to your smartphone or music player, or the airline’s audio jack, using the provided aircraft port adaptor.
Hidden under a rubber cover is a micro-USB port that serves as a charging port. Edifier did not include a USB charger, only a USB cable which you can connect to your computer, your smartphone’s USB charger or even a power bank.
They quote a charging time of 4 hours with a 5 watt charger or USB 3.0 port. If you are recharging it using an older USB 2.0 port though, it should take twice as long.
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How Comfortable Is The W860NB?
The W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) has an adjustable headband that is padded at the top, and wrapped in soft faux leather.
The headband can be extended by 3 cm on each side, in 9 steps. When fully retracted, it is small enough to fit a child of about 8-9 years of age.
Its ear cups are also padded and covered in faux leather. Being designed for travel, the ear cups are on the small side. They hug your ears, preventing slippage even when you shake your head to the music.
On the other hand, faux leather does not breathe like real leather. So it will get humid inside the smaller space pretty quickly if you are wearing them in warmer weather.
Incidentally, the ear cups can be folded inwards, for a more compact form factor. It won’t fit the provided storage case, but it will be easier to store in your bag!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Active Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation is conceptually simple. One or more microphones pick up ambient noise, which is used to generate opposing sound waves that cancel out the noise before it reaches the user’s ears. However, it has not been easy or cheap to implement.
For one thing – noise detection and the generation of its opposing sound waves happens in real-time. It is complicated by the need to mix the noise-cancelling sound waves with the actual audio output (of your song or movie).
The W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is one of the few affordable wireless headphones to boast active noise cancellation. It has an ANC microphone at the side of each ear cup, pointing backwards.
From what we can tell, the W860NB uses analogue negative feedback circuitry to generate up to 97 dB of noise cancelling sound waves. Analogue noise cancellation is simpler and cheaper to implement, but limits its active noise cancellation to the lower frequencies.
For active noise cancellation of higher frequencies, they would need to add a fast digital signal processor to handle the complex noise cancellation algorithms.
Noise Cancelling Performance
We tested the W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) on eight flights, and many road trips.
We tried to record the effect of its noise cancellation capability using a cardioid microphone, the best examples of which you can see in this video.
Before you watch it, please keep in mind that it was quite impossible to fully isolate our microphone in the ear cup. So the actual effect is more pronounced than what you’ll hear in this video.
In the airplane cabin clip, you can distinctly hear how the W860NB cuts out the low-frequency rumble, but the higher-frequency sound of the air-conditioning is still audible.
In the car cabin clip, when active noise cancellation is turned on, the low-frequency road noise is cut out. But you can still hear the higher-frequency wind noise, and even the radio music in the background.
Turning on active noise cancellation will markedly reduce low-frequency noise. This gives you a better appreciation of whatever you are listening to. However, this includes voices of people around you. In fact, airline announcements were clearer with ANC turned on, than turned off.
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Edifier W860NB vs. Sony WH-1000XM2
This is a grossly unfair comparison, to be sure. But this is something quite a few of our readers will want to know – how does the W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) compare against a premium ANC wireless headphone that costs 3X as much – the much vaunted Sony 1000XM2 (US | UK | MY)?
Based on our subjective tests using the awesome Sony ZX300 Walkman (US | UK | MY), here is how the W860NB compares in active noise cancellation performance to the Sony 1000XM2, in our opinion :
about 80% as good in the lower frequencies, and
about 50% as good in the higher frequencies.
This is very good performance. Impressive actually, when you consider their large price difference.
Qualcomm aptX Support
The W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) supports the proprietary Qualcomm aptX audio codec. When used with smartphones, music players and other devices that support aptX, it can deliver lower latencies and better audio quality.
The aptX audio codec is more efficient than the default SBC (Sub-Band Coding) Bluetooth audio codec, delivering a higher bit rate with lower latency.
The lower latency is especially important when you watch a movie with wireless headphones, because nothing is more distracting than a movie with unsynchronised audio!
However, make sure you enable aptX on your smartphone or player, or you will end up using SBC. Most smartphones, for example, default to SBC, even if they officially support aptX. In fact, you may need to make the change in Developer Options.
The W860NB does not support the newer and more advanced aptX-HD, which delivers HD Audio over Bluetooth; or aptX Low Latency, which promises a very low latency for better video and gaming performance.
This is something for Edifier to look into adding into the next version.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Edifier W860NB : Our Verdict + Award
Anyone who has ever tried using headphones with active noise cancellation on a flight will appreciate what a difference they make.
They will also realise just how useful noise cancellation can be in other applications – better audio clarity at lower volumes, concentrating better in a noisy office, sleeping better, etc.
The key impediment for the widespread adoption of active noise cancellation can be summed in one word – COST.
Headphones with active noise cancellation are generally much more expensive than regular headphones, and some are prohibitively so.
That is how the W860NB stands out above its competitors. Its affordable price point allows you to literally equip a family of three with W860NB wireless headphones for the same price you would pay for a single pair of Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones!
But just how effective is its noise cancellation capabilities?
The W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) is best at cancelling out low-frequency noise. At higher frequencies, it is limited to passive noise reduction courtesy of its over-ear design and padding.
That means it will effectively cut out most of the annoying rumble of jet engines and road noise; leaving voices quite audible.
If you really need to cut out the higher frequencies, then you need to splurge on headphones that perform digital noise cancellation like the Sony WH-1000XM2 (US | UK | MY) or the latest Sony 1000XM3 (US | UK | MY) headphones.
The ability to block voices may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. It may be nice to cut out annoying chatter and crying babies, but that may mean you won’t be able to hear important announcements or alerts
The W860NB also impressed us in other ways. it has very useful touch controls on its right ear cup, and a large battery with enough battery life to last even the longest flight and then some. We also like its classy matte finish, and excellent build quality.
Overall, the W860NB (US | UK | AU | SG | MY) offers a great combination of features, at a great price point. It really punches above its weight.
We are so impressive with its value proposition, we gladly award it our Reviewer’s Choice Award! Great job, Edifier!
Where To Buy The W860NB?
The W860NB has a recommended retail price of US$ 119.99 in the US, and RM 499 here in Malaysia. Here are some direct purchase links for your convenience :
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
In the digital age where technology and exercise collide, wearables have transformed society’s approach to fitness and have the ability to keep us informed, motivated and on track to accomplishing our fitness goals. To that end, Samsung just introduced the new 2018 Gear IconX wireless earphones to their portfolio of wearables.
The Samsung Gear IconX
The 2018 Samsung Gear IconX (Price Check) are cord-free earbuds that provide a secure and comfortable fit, making daily commute more enjoyable and helping active users get more from their workout. The updated design comes in Black and is even more ergonomic and lightweight, making it effectively secure, comfortable and stylish to use.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Running Coach function with voice feedback is readily available to motivate users based on the pace set, just like a personal fitness coach.
Furthermore, an improved long-lasting battery ensures that users always have access to the features they need and music they love. Music can be enjoyed on and offline by transferring songs from a Samsung smartphone or PC, or accessing favourite tunes through Bluetooth connectivity.
The Gear IconX (Price Check) is also the newest connection to Bixby. With a simple tap and hold of the earbud, users can control their music, playlist and smartphone through voice command – without even having it in your hand. The Gear IconX is available in 3 colours – black, gray and pink.
Samsung Gear IconX Price & Availability
The new 2018 Samsung Gear IconX will be available in Samsung Experience Stores from 1 December 2017 onwards, at a retail price of RM 799 / ~US$ 189.
In the US, you can get it at Amazon for US$ 149.99.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
24 March 2016 – The Sony MDR-XB650BT is a Bluetooth compatible, compact addition to the existing EXTRA BASS series of Sony headphones. With a 30mm driver exclusive to this range, together with an incorporated bass booster structure and dedicated EXTRA BASS diaphragm, the headphones achieve highly realistic notes that precisely carves out the rhythm and groove feeling of rich bass.
Keeping you wire-free, One-touch Bluetooth connection and music playback is offered via NFC. Compatible with AAC and aptX Bluetooth codecs, it enables a premium audio quality sound even when listening wirelessly.
The headphones have been designed specifically to enhance the playback for deep bass. Fitting with an increased contact surface area, it achieves a stable fit that can withstand the punchy and deep bass notes. The ear pads have a soft texture and fit close to the skin, achieving excellent wearing comfort and well-balanced sound. The swivel structure design enables the housing section to be folded flat, making them easy to store and convenient to carry around wherever you go.
With 30 hours of continuous music playback rechargeable anywhere via USB, your party won’t stop even at the break of dawn.
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Sony EXTRA BASS MDR-XB650BT Specifications & Availability
The new Sony EXTRA BASS MDR-XB650BT headphones is now available in Malaysia at all Sony Stores, and selected Sony Centres.
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
