Apple’s latest AirPods are back on sale for $150

We saw both the AirPods Pro and the second-generation AirPods drop to near record-low prices last week, and now the third-generation AirPods have followed suit. Apple’s latest version of its popular wireless earbuds are down to $150 right now, or $30 off their normal rate and only $10 more than their all-time-low price. We last saw them at this price at the end of March, so now’s a good time to grab them if you missed the previous sale.

Buy AirPods (3rd gen) at Amazon – $150

Apple made a lot of improvements to these AirPods — most notably, giving them a total redesign that makes them fit better than the second-generation wireless buds. They still don’t quite match the AirPods Pro when it comes to fitting into different ear shapes, but they’re much better than the classic AirPods. Apple also dramatically improved the audio quality on these buds by pairing a custom driver with a high-dynamic-range amplifier. You’ll get crisp highs and a rich, consistent bass out of these buds, and if you’re upgrading from a pair of second-gen buds, you’ll immediately notice the difference in sound quality from the moment you put the new AirPods in your ears.

On top of that, the latest AirPods support Adaptive EQ, spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, plus they have a longer battery life, too. You’ll get up to six hours of listening time before they need a recharge, and when use with their MagSafe case, you’ll get up to 30 hours of total use. And as with other Apple earbuds, this model has the H1 chip inside, which enables convenient features like hands-free Siri access and quick pairing and switching between Apple devices. Overall, these are a solid pair of wireless earbuds that will be a good first pair for iPhone users who have yet to pick one up, or a great upgrade for those running their existing buds into the ground.

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Audio-Technica releases a $79 Bluetooth version of its popular M20x headphones

Audio-Technica recently launched a $199 wireless Bluetooth version of its M50x headphones (the M50xBT) and now it’s doing the same for a popular budget model. It just released the M20xBT, a wireless version of its top-selling M20x wired headphones, priced at just $79. 

The M20x is a pretty nice-looking set of over-ear cans, though it lacks some design features of the M50xBT like the ability to fold them up. Still, it uses “professional-grade ear pad and headband material,” according to Audio-Technica, built for “long-lasting durability and comfort.” They come with 40mm drivers for enhanced low frequency performance, and allow for a wired as well as a wireless connection. 

Audio-Technica releases a $79 wireless version of its popular M20x headphones
Audio-Technica

The key feature for this model is multipoint Bluetooth pairing that allows you to smoothly connect two devices at once. There’s also a low latency mode to ensure audio and video are synced, and to limit audio lag for gaming. 

They offer a 60-hour battery life on a full charge and up to three hours on a 10-minute rapid charge via USB-C. Meanwhile, you can control calls, music playback and volume with the microphone and buttons on the left earcup. While Audio-Technica promises “excellent sound isolation” they don’t offer any form of ANC, which is what you’d expect for headphones in this price range. The M20xBT wireless headphones are now available at B&H and Amazon on pre-order for $79. 

DJI made a $329 clip-on mic for your vlogs

DJI is better known for its drones and cameras than any of its audio tech, but it’s apparently eager to change your mind. The company has released the Mic, its first dedicated audio recording gear, in the US. The wireless clip-on system promises 24-bit, 48KHz audio capture for your vlogs or other spoken-word content at distances of up to 820 feet. That’s not too special in itself, but DJI is clearly hoping to snag wireless earbud fans with the design — you charge the transmitters and receiver in a battery case that provides a total of 15 hours of use. You’re looking at up to 5.5 hours of use per session.

The Mic can output through a 3.5mm jack, Lightning and USB-C, and you’ll get familiar audio adjustments like sensitivity (between -12dB and +12dB) and variable gain. An included furry windscreen will prevent a blustery day from ruining your show.

The system is available now for $329. That’s a lot to spend if you’re just looking to record audio using your phone. You can spend a fraction of the price if you only need the basics. However, the outlay might be easier to rationalize if you either depend on long-distance recording or want the flexibility that DJI’s charging case and output selection can offer.

YouTube TV is testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV and Roku

YouTube TV should soon add immersive sound to more platforms. The service is now testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV (including Google TV) and Roku devices, and expects to make surround sound available on that hardware if all goes “smoothly.” The company is still working on support for Apple TV, Fire TV and game consoles, so don’t despair if your preferred platform is stuck with stereo.

At present, 5.1 audio requires either a “traditional” Chromecast (before Google TV) or a TV set from LG, Samsung or Vizio with a version of the YouTube TV app that runs at least Cobalt 20. The shows themselves need to offer surround sound, of course, but the enhancement should automatically kick in whenever it’s available.

The addition is relatively late when Hulu, Sling TV and other cord cutter services have offered some form of 5.1-channel output for a while. This might give you a reason to try YouTube TV if the audio wasn’t to your liking, though, and it’ll help make the most of your home theater setup.

Apple’s AirPods Max headphones fall to $439 at Amazon

Apple’s AirPods Max headphones offer excellent sound, solid active noise cancellation (ANC) and good battery life, but the regular $549 price is a bit hard to swallow. Now, you can pick a pair up at Amazon for just $439, or $110 (20 percent) off. That’s close to the lowest price we’ve seen at Amazon, and you can choose between three colors: Sky Blue, Silver and Pink.

Buy Apple AirPods Max at Amazon – $439

The AirPods Max achieved a solid 84 Engadget review score and made our latest list of favorite headphones, thanks to their high sound quality, effective noise-cancellation and reliable controls. They offer a uniquely Apple-esque design, and despite being slightly heavier than Sony’s WH-1000XM4 cans, are comfortable to wear. Once you get used to it, the rotating crown makes it easy to adjust sound.

Audio quality is more natural than other headphones we’ve tried with bass that’s accurate and not overpowering. Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones have more effective ANC, but the AirPods Max come close. Meanwhile, the Transparency Mode lets you quickly disable ANC if you need to hear what’s going on. The biggest drawback is the lack of lossless audio support, but they work great with Dolby Atmos surround sound on most Apple devices. 

The AirPods Max are ideal if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, with the H1 chip letting you quickly switch between an iPhone and a Mac, for example. There’s no question that they’re very expensive at the regular $549 price, so Amazon’s latest discount presents a good buying opportunity if you’ve been eyeing a pair. And if you’ve been looking for wireless earphones rather than headphones, Apple’s third-generation AirPods are still on sale for $150, a savings of $29 and near their lowest price ever. 

Buy AirPods (3rd gen) at Amazon – $150

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Audio-Technica’s 20-hour earbuds are now available in the US for $149

When Audio-Technica introduced its latest true wireless earbuds last month, the company only shared UK and EU pricing and availability. Starting today though, you can purchase the lost-lasting ATH-CKS50TW model in the US. For $149, you can expect up to 20 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) disabled, and up to 15 hours with it on. That’s well beyond what most of the competition offers — with or without noise canceling abilities. 

The IPX4-rated ATH-CKS50TW supports multipoint Bluetooth pairing, so you can be connected to two devices at once and easily switch between the two. On-board controls give you quick access to music, volume, calls and enabling ANC or transparency mode. A handy sidetone feature will allow you to hear yourself during calls so you don’t feel the need to shout. 

Inside Audio-Technica’s app, you can turn on a low-latency mode for streaming or games, adjust the EQ, locate lost earbuds and change audio codecs. For that last item, aptX, aptX Adaptive, AAC and Sony 360 Reality Audio are all supported. Google Fast Pair is available for Android devices and a quick-charge feature will give you 90 minutes of use with a 10-minute rest inside the included case. 

Polk’s latest soundbar packs Dolby Atmos in an ultra-compact design

When it comes to getting Dolby Atmos in a soundbar that doesn’t take up a ton of room in front of your television, and won’t put a huge dent in your wallet, the Sonos Beam isn’t the only option. Today, Polk Audio is adding another alternative to the fray with the MagniFi Mini AX. The compact home entertainment speaker measures just 14.5 inches wide (37 cm) but is still capable of handling Atmos and DTS:X audio. Plus, it comes bundled with a wireless subwoofer, something you’ll have to pay extra for with the pricier Beam. 

The MagniFi Mini AX packs five speakers inside that Polk says are capable of “deep bass, detailed highs and an expansive 3D soundstage” when paired with the sub. A 3D Audio Mode can upmix any standard content to virtualized 360-degree sound, complete with height channels. Like the Beam, this unit doesn’t have upward-firing drivers. In terms of other features, VoiceAdjust works to improve speech clarity by leveraging the center driver to boost voices when active. You can also blend the low frequencies of the soundbar and sub with BassAdjust and Night Mode will reduce those tones (while increasing dialogue) to lessen the chances of waking someone. 

WiFi connectivity gives you the option of AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect from a mobile device or computer. The MagniFi Mini AX connects to your TV with HDMI eARC/ARC or optical for older models. There’s also an aux jack if you need it and on-board buttons for pairing the sub or any rear speakers. Up front, an OLED display illuminates to guide you before disappearing so it’s not a distraction. Polk also says this soundbar is Roku TV Ready, so using it with those devices should be a breeze. 

The MagniFi Mini AX is available now for $499 (€479/£429). While the soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer, Polk offers a set of wireless rear satellite speakers to expand your surround sound setup for 5.1-channel audio. The SR2s are available for $170 (€199/£159).

Update 7:39AM ET: This post has been updated to include US pricing and availability. 

Apple’s AirPods Max are back on sale for $449

If you missed the sale last month, you have another opportunity to get Apple’s AirPods Max for $100 less than usual. The green models are back on sale for $449, which is only $20 more than their record low. While still on the high end, a $100 discount isn’t anything to scoff at — especially if you want a pair of headphones that will work seamlessly with the rest of your Apple devices.

Buy AirPods Max at Amazon – $449

It goes without saying that AirPods Max are really only a viable option for those that live in the Apple ecosystem, as you’ll lose some of their key features if you’re using them with an Android or Windows device. They have excellent sound quality with Adaptive EQ and spatial audio support, plus solid ANC that blocks out most surrounding noise. Onboard controls are reliable as well — there’s a rotating crown that adjusts the volume, and a button dedicated to switching between ANC and Transparency mode.

The AirPods Max have Apple’s H1 chip inside, which allows them to pair and switch between Apple devices easily, and enables things like hands-free Siri access. These will be some of the most convenient cans to get if you often go from listening to music on your Mac to taking calls from your iPhone. While there are comparable headphones out there for less — like Sony’s WH-1000XM4 — the AirPods Max will be most enticing for those who already have a lot of Apple products and want the best sound headphones possible that also integrate seamlessly with the rest of their setup.

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