Following up on our coverage of CES goodies that are more than just swag, we continue exploring the wacky world of true wireless (TWS) earphones. The first set in this quick look series examined the Altec Lansing Nano Pods that clocked in at just $30, and today we up the ante into the oh-so-barely-under-$100 with the Creative Outlier Gold at $99.99. The company has impressed yours truly for three CES showings in a row with their Super X-Fi headphone holography tech, which we examined in the first retail iteration via their SXFI amp. This technology aims to replicate a surround speaker speaker audio experience into earphones/headphones, and requires their SXFI DSP to make the most of it. So when Creative said they have TWS earphones with SXFI, I was intrigued and simply had to test them for myself.

As it turns out, the Outlier Gold does support SXFI, but only with a software experience from their mobile app. This makes sense considering these are meant to be quite small and, well, wireless, and yet Creative claim a whopping 14 hours of battery life per charge. In addition, this set is an upgrade to their previous Outlier Air TWS earphones, which were quite popular for offering good value for money, and we see signs of it already with the packaging going with a two-piece unboxing experience with renders, marketing features, and product specs all over the box. Read past the break for more on these, especially if you are looking for a good balance of audio performance, battery life, and price point.

Edifier, the prominent designers and award-winning manufacturer of premium sound systems and well-known for its bookshelf speakers, today introduced their newest products, the TWS NB, TWS6, GM6 and G7, to its ever-expanding audio and gaming accessory lineup.

To fill a gap in the marketplace, the TWS NB features active noise technology found in noise-canceling over-ear headphones, in a sleek, truly wireless earphone design while boasting a fully noise-free, immersive listening experience at an affordable cost. Equipped with Knowles tri-frequency balanced armature driver, the TWS6 delivers a rich and powerful, all-encompassing sound in a compact and elegant design. In terms of gaming, the GM6 offers a truly portable mobile gaming experience with the security of listening to every sound in tandem with the visuals, while the G7 brings high quality, surround sound audio in a heat regulating, easy-to-use and stylish headset.

Audio-Technica is also introducing two SonicSport wireless Bluetooth in-ear headphones. The ATH-SPORT90BT features a built-in music player for the ultimate in on-the-go listening convenience and along with the ATH-SPORT60BT includes a number of useful upgrades from previous models. Both headphones offer a host of fitness-friendly features including IPX5 waterproof-rated construction, a built-in mic and controls for smartphone and portable device operation, and stay-in-place designs that keep them secure even during intense workouts. Both feature improved high-sensitivity drivers for impactful, immersive sound and offer longer battery life along with additional improvements.

Audio-Technica's SonicSport ATH-SPORT90BT (SRP: US$159.00) has newly-designed 6 mm drivers with a powerful magnetic circuit and dedicated headphone amplifier, to bring high-quality full-range (20 - 25,000 Hz) audio reproduction to listeners with active lifestyles. The ATH-SPORT90BT includes a built-in 4 GB music player, making it the ultimate portable music device - no need to carry a smartphone around during workouts. The headphones can also be paired with a smartphone or other Bluetooth device if desired.

Audio-Technica is introducing its ATH-ANC300TW truly wireless in-ear headphones, which combine Audio-Technica's next-generation truly wireless technology with newly-designed digital hybrid active noise-cancelling (ANC) electronics. The result is improved high-fidelity sound and superior noise cancelling performance, all without requiring any connecting wires.

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW (SRP: US$249.00) utilizes digital hybrid noise cancellation. In this design, the ANC mics are located both in front of and behind the driver, with one of the ANC mics mounted in a unique horizontal configuration within the sound chamber. This allows the location of the driver and geometry of the chamber to be optimized for an ideal balance of ambient noise reduction and audio performance. The ATH-ANC300TW's 5.8 mm drivers feature a diamond-like carbon coated diaphragm that combines light weight with rigidity for faster response time and reduced distortion, along with powerful, impactful sound with generous bass response and improved high-frequency extension and clarity.

Creative had a positive impact on us at TechPowerUp who attended CES last year, with their retail demonstration of Super X-Fi headphone holography arguably being the most impressive product announcement at the trade show. Yours truly was especially taken aback with the hardware implementation of Super X-Fi, with the first product implementing it, the SXFI Amp, earning a well-deserved recommendation too. Naturally, we were eager to see what the company was up to next, and met them at CES this year too where it was evident they were going all aboard the Super X-Fi train, and inviting everyone along for the ride.

There were definitely a lot of hardware products with the SXFI DSP built in, but the main announcement was in the form of the new Super X-Fi Gen 2 audio profile. Gen 1, from last year, garnered a lot of positive reviews, but also had mixed reception from the general populace who had to rely on head mapping and not also the microphone-based measurements the press got in person. Indeed, my own experience with higher end headphones was not as positive, with music losing detail in favor of a surround sound speaker setup experience that perhaps was not necessary. The worse the audio source was, the worse this discrepancy was as well. Creative had gathered tens of thousands of ear profiles and feedback this past year, and used it to train their Super X-Fi AI engine to develop a more accurate, personalized audio profile as part of Super X-Fi Gen 2. The company claims this free update to all existing Gen 1 profiles will improve also the preservation of audio detail, as well as better positional accuracy as well. We will put this to the test soon enough, but read past the break on more new announcements from Creative, including all the new hardware with this technology built in.

Ausounds is a newcomer to the audio market as a retail product provider, but the founders have decades of experience in the music industry, and have been creating audio solutions for musicians for a while now. The company invited us to check out the brand, as well as their new products, at CES 2020 and we obliged as we usually do in an attempt to shine more light on relatively unknown companies in addition to the mainstream ones. They took the time to introduce their new AU-X active noise cancelling planar magnetic driver headphones to us, which feature 54 mm planar drivers on each earcup and four noise cancelling microphones working in a hybrid mode to allow up to 28 dB of ANC. The headphones are tuned for a transparent frequency response combined with a large soundstage and, in my limited testing, offered excellent discerning of the mid-high tones, especially when it comes to jazz and classical music.

The AU-X ANC Planar headphones have dual microphones also for calling/audio out, an included battery of 800 mAh for a rated 25 hours of battery life which the company claims is on the conservative side (think closer to 28 hours), and touch controls on the earcups for volume and media playback. Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5 mm aux inputs complement the headphones for portability, and AptX-HD + Hi-Res certification round off the headphones which are rated for a 20 Hz-40 KHz frequency response, 32 Ω impedance, an SPL of 98 +/- 3 dB, and 280 grams in mass with protein leather earpads similar to those in the Bose QC35. The AU-X headphones cost $299.95 and will ship in March 2020. Read past the break for more on their equally new AU-Stream Hybrid earbuds.

beyerdynamic, one of the world's leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and conferencing products, announces Blue BYRD, the first wireless, in-ear headset within the BYRD Series, and the Soul BYRD, an in-ear headset. Featuring a unique, extra-flat design, the Blue BYRD and Soul BYRD allow for unrestricted listening with state-of-the-art technology and crisp acoustics.

Blue BYRD combines simple elegance, impressive sound and enjoyable wearing comfort to create an everyday wireless headphone. Blue BYRD boasts flawless Bluetooth transmission with Qualcomm aptX and AAC technology for a balanced listening experience for up to six hours of playing time. Blue BYRD's universal, three-button remote microphone provides flexibility to manage media playback, phone calls, and virtual assistants on both Android and iOS playback devices. Blue BYRD retails for $199.00 USD and is currently shipping. For more information, please visit north-america.beyerdynamic.com/blue-byrd.html.

beyerdynamic, one of the world's leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and conferencing products, announces Xelento, a wireless, in-ear headphone combining outstanding quality and cutting technology to create an exciting musical experience. The Xelento wireless features beyerdynamic's innovative, miniaturized Tesla drivers, aptX HD Bluetooth technology and MOSAYC sound personalization by Mimi Defined.

beyerdynamic's Xelento wireless bridges the gap for convenient on-the-go solutions and sophisticated luxury headphones by creating a single solution to combine two worlds. Xelento's drivers and acoustic design provide uncompromising sound with Bluetooth connectivity to enable comfortable listening in any environment. Xelento's breathtaking Tesla drivers are recognized among audio enthusiasts for their incredible sound, precise impulses, exceptional transparency and acoustic balance ranging from tight bass to detailed highs. Featuring a sleek design, the Xelento wireless is both an exquisite piece of jewelry and an audiophile listening device creating a platinum state for in-ear headphones.

Sennheiser's iconic MOMENTUM range of headphones continues to change the game through its fusion of advanced technology, uncompromised sound performance and the highest quality materials. Now, the audio specialist brings the MOMENTUM ethos to an exceptional new product, the MOMENTUM True Wireless: these exquisitely crafted Bluetooth earphones set new standards for audio quality, with characteristic MOMENTUM style and comfort.

The first model in a new generation of the iconic MOMENTUM family redefines the audio benchmark for true wireless earphones with superior stereo sound performance that is guaranteed by Sennheiser's audiophile 7 mm dynamic drivers. With the latest Bluetooth technology, AAC codec support, and Qualcomm aptX compatibility, this exceptional hi-fi sound is delivered without any compromise. "The MOMENTUM range has always stood for a fusion of excellent sound, progressive technology and craftsmanship. We are pleased to now introduce the newest member of the family, which brings the essence of MOMENTUM to a truly wireless form for the first time", said Frank Foppe, Product Manager at Sennheiser.

The new Beat BYRD in-ear headphones from beyerdynamic, Inc. combines legendary sound with an ultra-flat headphone housing for maximum comfort. The unique Y signet and the orange cable are part of the new beyerdynamic brand design. The Beat BYRD is now available exclusively at the beyerdynamic online shop for $24.99 US and €24.90 EUR, respectively (recommended retail price).

The name, Beat BYRD, was inspired by jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker who performed in his legendary club "Birdland" in New York. His "Free-Bird" lightness and power mirrors the unique qualities of the new in-ear headphones. "Their casing is designed to be ultra-flat, so they do not protrude from the auricle and will not press on the ear - even when the user is lying on their side," explains Alan Feckanin, Director Americas. With three included soft silicone ear tips (S, M, L), the Beat BYRD offers a perfect fit - you almost forget that you are wearing them. Optionally, the Beat BYRD can be used with Comply (Series 400) ear tips for even better shielding against ambient noise.

Global audio specialist Brainwavz, established in 2008 with a focus on offering high quality products at competitive pricing, today announces the availability of its M2 IEM Noise Isolating Earphones in the UK. The M2 IEM are the latest in the Brainwavz range of over 25 earphones and headphones and represent great value at £45.00 /$59.50, from www.brainwavzaudio.com.

Described as the "Bass King" by Digit website, the Brainwavz M2 provide a mature, detailed and refined sound whilst also giving a fun and exciting overall signature designed to sound good with any genre of music. Users can listen to pop, hip hop or country music without sacrificing clarity and performance.

Sony Mobile Communications ("Sony Mobile") is pleased to announce that Xperia Ear Duo will be available in the United States for pre-order at b8ta starting May 1, 2018. Xperia Ear Duo will then be available at b8ta and on Amazon on May 25, 2018. Suggested retail price is $279.99.

Built to reimagine the wireless headset, Xperia Ear Duo features Dual Listening technology, so you can listen to music and receive notifications, while simultaneously hearing environmental sound or conversation. Whether you're listening to music during a workout or while commuting, it's an unparalleled ambient experience.

Global audio specialist Brainwavz, established in 2008 with a focus on offering high quality products at a competitive price, today announces the availability of its S0 IEM noise isolating earphones. The S0 IEM are the latest in the Brainwavz range of over 25 earphones and headphones and accessories and represent great value at £35.73 /$49.50.

The Brainwavz S0 earphones have been designed to provide a balanced sound signature with each part of the sound spectrum represented being both accurate and clear. The all metal housing and flat, tangle free cabling provides a sleek look, feel and long lasting durability (with no fear of tangling in a bag either!). The S0's will work with any genre of music and are sure to keep anyone happy whether they're listening to pop, classical, hip hop or rock.
The Clearwavz mic and remote use a high precision MEMS (Micro-Electrical-Mechanical System) silicon microphone with a three-button control. This enables users to make audio calls as well as audio playback and is far easier to control with maximum performance so making a phone call on the go could not be simpler.

Optoma NuForce, a world-leading manufacturer of audio products, today announced that the new Massdrop x NuForce EDC3 IEM (In-Ear Monitors), created from the company's collaboration with Massdrop, is now available for purchase. On the heels of the success of the award-winning Massdrop x NuForce EDC IEM, which won The Absolute Sound's "Product of the Year 2017" award in the earphone/IEM category, the new IEM has been designed for discerning yet price-conscious audiophiles.

Made with direction from Massdrop's audiophile enthusiast community, the EDC3 IEM combines key high-end audio elements and attributes to create a standout product that meets their highly-refined needs. Featuring three balanced armature drivers for true audiophile performance, the IEM is available for just $99 - one-third the price of competitive products.

Global audio specialist Brainwavz, established in 2008 with a focus on offering high quality products at a competitive price, today announces the availability of its B400 Quad Balanced Armature Earphones in the UK. The B400 follow the launch of the B200 earphones in the UK in June 2017 which received fantastic acclaim, including 5 star reviews on Expert Reviews and Pocket-lint as well as 4.5 star reviews in iCreate and on Trusted Reviews. The B400 are available for £144.43.

The Brainwavz B400 feature a 4 driver setup with separate drivers, each focused on specific ranges to produce true audiophile grade sound reproduction. The B400 ergonomic housing is hand assembled by Brainwavz's own team in its in-house workshop, with every part scrutinised with quality control the top priority. The majority of the components that make up the B400 are produced in USA or Europe including Knowles drivers, high purity OFC silver plated cabling and the T100 tips.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, has announced two new additions to the Razer Hammerhead in-ear headset family. The new earphones feature a digital connection regardless of Android or iOS - no 3.5 mm connection, a highly durable aluminum chassis, flat cables and bi-flange ear tips for passive noise isolation. They also come with inline remotes to provide quick control for audio fidelity from the 10 mm dynamic drivers. The Razer Hammerhead USB-C is the perfect companion for the Razer Phone and other devices without 3.5 mm audio jacks, while the Razer Hammerhead for iOS Mercury Edition blends with iPhone colors.

Swapping the traditional balanced armature drivers for dynamic drivers for the first time, whilst still retaining a high-quality sound in a simple and user-friendly design, the new Final E series models are designed to deliver signature Final quality in an affordable package. Final have aimed to create a series of products that will set the bar for consumer in-ears for years to come. Integrating the results of their latest acoustic engineering Final have designed the E-Series to produce a level of detail in the listeners music traditionally only heard in products twice their price.

ENERMAX, a leading designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC hardware, presents EAE01, its 1st sports headphones featuring an in-ear design. The ergonomic Liana ear hook and ENERMAX's signature DreamBass pre-tuned sound frequency deliver broader sound stage for any music with punch and clarity on the go. EAE01 sports earphones also come with 7 in 1 remote control with built-in microphone for easy switching between calls and music with a touch of a button.

The EAE01 sports earphones are designed and pre-tuned by ENERMAX DreamBass technology for premium and quality sound with low harmonic distortion. The earphones are equipped with 11.4 mm driver which is bigger than those of its peer products, which delivers concert-quality sound and superb bass resonate. The special earphone structure of EAE01 is applied by ENERMAX ASB housing: the tip up front housing structure makes the earphones 100% match your ear to enable noise isolation and offer a clean audio experience; the calculated rear housing is designed to generate sound resonate to deliver wider frequency response for fuller listening enjoyment.

Marshall Headphones and Speakers together with Marshall Amplification proudly presents the release of two new in-ear headphones. Let us introduce: Mode and Mode EQ, Marshall Headphones' two latest models launching in Berlin at IFA.

Marshall Headphones' Mode and Mode EQ offer huge sound in a small package. Customized drivers deliver high-output sound at minimal distortion, and the unique in-ear design anchors to your ear, while still providing a comfortable fit. The Mode comes in black with white brass, and the Mode EQ comes in back gold brass. Listen to your favorite music with reduced distortion and longer durability thanks to the customized cord material and L-plug, while the smaller and separate microphone design reduces microphonics.

Take training to the next level and get the ultimate wireless workout with Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless, new earbuds - and an all-in-one training solution with Jabra Sport Life application - announced by Jabra today. Combining an in-ear biometric heart rate monitor, immersive Dolby Digital sound and real-time voice coaching, Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless will inspire runners, cyclists, and exercisers of all types to beat their best performance. The Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless is currently available for pre-order on Jabra.com/sportpulse and will be available at Best Buy retail stores and BestBuy.com beginning late September.

Built-in Heart Rate Monitor and App: The Smart Way to Train
With a built-in intelligent app - Jabra Sport Life - exercisers will get the most out of their Sport Pulse Wireless earbuds, helping them plan, track and evaluate each workout. It has never been so easy to test fitness levels and aerobic capacity, adjust heart rate zone levels to optimize training, and set goals based on distance, time or calories burned.

Skullcandy, Inc., the original lifestyle and performance audio brand, and its division ASTRO Gaming, creators of premium video gaming equipment, announced the release of the Limited Edition Plants vs. Zombies Skullcandy Ink'd 2 Earbuds. The new in-ear headset is the first in a series of products being developed by Skullcandy and ASTRO Gaming which are inspired by PopCap Games iconic Plants vs. Zombies franchise.

"One look at our new Limited Edition Plants vs. Zombies Skullcandy Ink'd 2 Earbuds and gamers will see how perfectly we've captured the addictive fun and distinctive style of Plants vs. Zombies" said Aron Drayer, VP of Marketing, ASTRO Gaming and Skullcandy Gaming. "Our in-ear headsets deliver high quality game audio and are a great way to experience the game, listen to music, watch videos and communicate with your friends."

Creative Technology Ltd today announced the Creative Hitz MA500 - a high performance noise-isolation in-ear headset with an ergonomic one-button in-line microphone and volume control on a flat, tangle-free cable for use with smartphones and tablets.

Stylishly designed with a premium chrome finish and available in two color options of black and white, the ultra-lightweight Creative Hitz MA500 is the latest addition to the popular Creative Hitz Series of headsets that aims to provide discerning users with high quality audio, clear voice communications at the best value, with added features such as a convenient one-button in-line microphone for easy volume adjustments, noise-isolation capability, and a flat, tangle-free cable design for ease of use and storage.

Beats Electronics LLC, the leading audio brand co-founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, today introduced the company's first wireless earphones with the official launch of the new Powerbeats2 Wireless. Designed for athletes, Powerbeats2 Wireless delivers Beats' signature sound in a lightweight, durable, and sweat resistant package for a game-changing experience. Freedom from wires raises your training to new heights and allows you to take your workout anywhere, while the redesigned earhooks provide better comfort and fit no matter how rigorous the workout.

"To me this product represents the intersection of sports and music," said Beats president Luke Wood. "This is Beats, superior technology and design with premium sound quality. But most importantly, the Powerbeats2 Wireless are designed to serve as a tool for athletes at all fitness levels, whether you're LeBron James in training or just out for a morning run."

The music and sounds played in today's popular nightclubs create excitement and fun for patrons. Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. has incorporated those emotions into developing its new line of "Superior Club Sound" headphones. The SE-MX7 and SE-MX9 on-ear headphones and SE-CX8 and SE-CX9 in-ear headphones not only focus on producing the snappy midrange and low bass response encountered in nightclubs, but also offers great sound quality, maximum comfort, and fashionable modern designs.

The on-ear MX models incorporate a variety of features including large drivers and advanced bass level control, while the in-ear CX models include a new technology called "Bass Exciter" that enhances the music listening experience.

With the popularity of mobile devices, accessories have become a symbol of personality. To meet the mobile audio and visual needs of people who enjoy mobile life, Apacer has launched its latest series of earphones: E101, E311 and E310. These earphones adopt standard 3.5 mm audio connectors and are compatible with smartphones, tablet PCs, handheld game consoles, MP3 players and other portable audio-visual devices.

Colorful appearance blended with a dazzling style reflects a truly personal chic taste. The ergonomic in-ear design not only optimizes sound effects but also avoids hearing damage caused by excessive volume. Stylish people can immerse into the wonderful world of music and enjoy the charms of rock anytime and anywhere.