Remember the Walkman headphones from more than four decades ago? Well, the nostalgia is revived as Sony has brought back over-ear headphones for a generation obsessed with wired audio gear. The new pair of earphones draws inspiration from the originals that debuted in 1981, with the original design drawings referenced in crafting this pair.

The inspiration doesn’t stop at the looks alone, as the earphones come with the same 23mm dynamic driver, so that the same sound signature can be replicated in these. All the modern conveniences are included, though, like a microphone for taking calls and the in-line remote control to toggle calls, music, and podcast streaming. This falls straight in line with the trend that brands like Final with AirWire and StillFrame are following.

Designer: Sony

For audiophiles who are constantly juggling their expensive gear, chasing that perfect sound, this is a subtle reminder of how it all started back then. The nostalgia of a balanced, warm sound signature that emphasized natural vocals and emotional richness. The earphones come with the iconic blue and orange earpads to customize the look. Hitting the rewind button, the OG earphones shipped with the Walkman TPS-L2 in 1979 and played cassettes.

You can barely distinguish the MDR-3R from the original one, and millennials will instantly feel the nostalgia. The small design details, like the metal headband and the holes on the outer casing of the drivers. Sony doesn’t stop there, as the packaging and the instruction manual also take you back to the golden era. Practicality of use is also taken care of, as the earphones weigh just 38 grams, bettering the original ones by 2 grams.

Since modern phones are rarely seen with a 3.5mm headphone jack, the pair comes with a USB-C connector to plug in easily with modern devices. I would have liked the headphones to come with a swappable option to plug in a 3.5mm or 4.4mm jack for high-quality playback with services like Tidal or Apple Music. That said, you’ll have to buy a USB-C to 3.5mm or 4.4mm jack so that you can plug it into DAPs like the HiBy W4 HiFi Amplifier.

Along with the OG classic version, the earphones also come in a Stranger Things Edition that has a black headband and the themed red and black foam pads to match the ones worn by Max. The standard MDR-3R over-ear earphones are priced at $59.99, while the Stranger Things Edition comes for $79.99.

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After almost two years of a lull, Bose has finally released a new version of the Ultra Open Earbuds, along with a new pair of fitness-focused open earbuds. While I’m still a sucker for ANC earbuds that isolate me from the ambient world for deep focus moments, Bose’s new Open earbuds are tempting enough to consider for my walks and outdoor activities.

The hardware for the second-generation Open Ultra has been updated for better audio, while the all-new Sports Open Earbuds explore new territory for hardcore active individuals who trust the brand with their audio requirements. Both these open-ear audio accessories take on the competition with a strong set of specifications, features, and pricing to keep everyone interested.

Designer: Bose

The timing of this release is perfect, as the open-ear earbuds are trending amongst individuals who need to be aware of the environment and, more importantly, suffer from occlusion triggered by ANC earbuds. Sure, those buds have transparency mode for situations where you need to hear what’s happening around, but the open-ear options are ideal for runners, cyclists, or public transport users. The two of them will support Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint connectivity for two devices and Google Fast Pair. Both these open-ear buds will be available for pre-order from 19 September, and available from October 1 in Black and White Smoke along with other respective limited edition colors.

Ultra Open Earbuds 2^nd Gen

The flagship Ultra Open Earbuds arrive in the second generation to create “more listening moments across active pursuits and everyday life.” The buds are reengineered with better drivers to deliver deeper bass and a higher volume compared to the outgoing version. This has been the major complaint of existing users, and Bose has listened to the feedback and delivered the fix. The look and feel of the buds have been upgraded as they get a refined metallic cap with a beveled finish, while the case also benefits from a renewed design that makes them stand upright. As a welcome addition, the case is now wireless charging compatible. On the buds, you’ll now get 9 hours of battery life, with an additional 19.5 hours on the case. The buds support quick charge to deliver two hours of playback with just 10 minutes of quick charge.

High-quality audio is the main USP, as the open-ear buds get the aptX Adaptive codec and Snapdragon Sound support. For a better calling experience, the buds benefit from the Speech Clarity tech to adjust the listening volume automatically based on the environmental noise. Of course, this is AI-driven to smoothly transition the volume step. For those who love to watch movies and shows in surround sound, there is the Cinema mode that employs Bose’ TrueSpatial tech to envelope you in a 3D sound capsule. Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) will arrive in limited-edition Olive Green, Cherry Chocolate, and Sky Pink colors for $299.

Sport Open Earbuds

The new kid on the block is the Bose Sport Open Earbuds, which are designed for a secure fit and rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance. Compared to the big brother, these clip-on earbuds sport a more roundish hinge to stay in place even with the most rigorous activities like playing sports, running, or working out in the gym. According to Bose, the Sport Open Earbuds stay in place even with headshakes, cartwheels, and other activities.” For these open-ear wireless earbuds, Bose has opted for the tactile physical buttons since fiddling for touch controls is not practical.

For a sportier design, the earbuds get a translucent case lid that is textured for better grip. Each of the buds weighs 10 grams for all-day wearing comfort and touts 7 hours of listening time, with 29 hours total with the case. The Sport Open Earbuds will be available for $199 in limited-edition Eucalyptus Green, along with the aforementioned color options.

The post Bose Ultra Open 2nd Gen and Sport Open spice-up the clip-on earbuds options first appeared on Yanko Design.