I’ve tried more headphones than I can count. Some sound amazing, some sound terrible, and some require DIY modding to get juuuuuust right. The $400 Nuraphone, however, is the first headphone I’ve tried that’s given me a completely unique experience that puts it in a category all its own. The Nuraphone’s novelty starts as soon as you put them on your ears. Instead of a traditional over-ear design, the Nuraphone uses a hybrid form factor of sorts: it’s an over-ear headphone, with in-ear tips in the cups. We’ll talk a bit more about that in a bit, but the rest of the headphone is well-built: the pads are made of a very soft rubber that exudes “premium,” and the adjustable band is smooth as butter. There’s no power switch, instead relying on sensors to determine when it’s on your head. Put it on, and it’ll prompt you to connect over Bluetooth, download the Nura app, and perform a listening test which will customize the sound … [Read more...] about The Nuraphone Tailors Its Sound to Your Ears, and It’s Unlike Any Other Headphone I’ve Tried
Headphones
Elevation Lab’s Anchor Headphone Hooks Are Perfect Stocking Stuffers For $13 Or Less [Exclusive]
Best Tech Deals The best tech deals from around the web, updated daily. Elevation Lab’s Anchor has long been one of our favorite headphone storage solutions, and our readers have bought thousands of them. And now, the company is raising the bar with the brand new Anchor Pro, and our readers can get it for $13 for Black Friday with promo code KINJAANCHOR. The concept is the same—it’s still a hook that hangs under your desk to hold your headphones—but every aspect has been improved. The hook is larger, to accommodate big over-ear headphones and gaming headsets, it includes a built-in Velcro cable tie to keep your cords under control, and optional screws afford you added security, if the included 3M adhesive isn’t sufficient. It’s only a few bucks more than the original, so I see no reason not to get the Pro. That said, if you do want the original, it’s also on sale for $10 with promo code KINJAANCHOR. … [Read more...] about Elevation Lab’s Anchor Headphone Hooks Are Perfect Stocking Stuffers For $13 Or Less [Exclusive]
Watch Loud Movies Without Shaking the Roof with These Wireless Home Theater Headphones
No matter how much effort you put into building the ultimate home theater sound system, life sometimes gets in the way. Kids need to nap, your spouse needs peace and quiet, or you just don’t want to wake the rest of your apartment building with ground-shaking bass. With the right pair of home theater headphones, you can make your life a little easier without sacrificing great sound. Home theater headphones aren’t just gimmicky headsets with surround sound built in. In fact, most don’t have any sort of “surround” sound at all. Instead, home theater headphones are wireless headsets that use RF instead of Bluetooth, and usually feature more TV-friendly inputs, like RCA or digital optical. Once hooked up, you can just grab the headphones off their charging stand, toss them on your head, and start watching—no need to mess with absurdly long headphone cables strewn across the room. And as someone married to a light sleeper and a second kid on the way, … [Read more...] about Watch Loud Movies Without Shaking the Roof with These Wireless Home Theater Headphones
Microsoft’s Surface Headphones Sound Like Disappointment
I’ll say one thing about the new Microsoft Surface Headphones. They’re pretty, especially if you like the color grey. I’ll tell you a few other things. The Cortana features are frustrating. The noise-canceling tech is basically fine. The ear cups aren’t super comfortable. And the headphones just don’t sound that amazing. They’re a good fashion statement. “Look at me,” these branded cans scream, “I’m a loyal Microsoft user.” Nothing wrong with that. The $350 wireless Surface Headphones have that high quality feel that’s featured in the rest of the new wave of Microsoft hardware. In addition to the ghostly grey finish, the headphones are sturdy and sleekly sculpted with the same clean lines you’ve seen on the Surface tablets. The design actually reminds me a lot of the very fancy Beoplay H9i luxury headphones, which cost $500. Things start to get a little less perfect when using the Surface Headphones, though. … [Read more...] about Microsoft’s Surface Headphones Sound Like Disappointment
Headphones That Could Make You Happy
The Nervana headphones aim to stimulate the vagus nerve externally and currently are retailing for $279. Tim Robberts/Getty Images A Florida-based startup wants your music to make you even happier. Called Nervana, the company has created a pair of headphones with a patent-pending vagus nerve stimulation generator. That generator syncs music to an electrical signal that aims to trigger the release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter. The result is supposed to be an intense buzz of happiness that can be felt for hours after turning off this "lifestyle and wellness device." As you've no doubt guessed, the headphones (it's actually a pair of patented ear buds and a generator) work by stimulating the vagus nerve, nicknamed the "neural superhighway." The nerve runs from the brainstem, through the neck, and down into the abdomen, where it connects with most of the major organs. The idea of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is nothing new. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved … [Read more...] about Headphones That Could Make You Happy