Let’s face it – Bluetooth audio sucks; it’s unreliable, static-y, and doesn’t offer multi-stream listening. That’s all about to change with the newest Bluetooth audio standard. The Bluetooth wireless standard is celebrating its …
Category archives: Headphones and Speakers
Apple Expands Free AirPods Engraving to Include Small Selection of Emoji
Apple has expanded its AirPods engraving options to include a selection of emoji. Could this slow personalization roll-out help boost sales beyond analyst expectations? AirPods buyers can add any text engraving to their purchase, free of charge. Now th…
Sonos Trade-Up Program Bricks Old Speakers, Creating Landfill Waste
The Sonos Trade-Up program launched this year for speaker loyalists. It offers discounts on new products for trading in your old speakers. But what happens to the old speakers? Sonos sells the program to participants saying “sustainability is non…
Sonos Moves Some Manufacturing Out of China, Adds $50 to Amp and Port Prices
Spotify is moving some of its production lines from China to Malaysia. The result is a $50 price hike for the Sonos Amp and Sonos Port devices. Sonos says its decision to move production is about diversifying its production lines. The company says tari…
Apple AirPods Suppliers Seeking Funding For Production Outside of China
Two Chinese companies that create components for Apple AirPods are looking to expand outside of China. A report suggests Luxshare Precision and Goertek could expand production lines in Vietnam. Both companies are seeking to raise funding to the tune of…
What Headphone Jack? AirPods Sales Top $6B This Year, Expected To Rise
Apple AirPods sales nearly doubled this year as they crossed the $6 billion threshold. Analysts believe the wireless earbuds could sell even more next year. Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst for Bernstein, predicts that Apple could sell 85 million AirPods in…
JBL Is Crowdfunding a Pair of Solar Powered Wireless Headphones
JBL has announced a new crowdfunding initiative for solar powered wireless headphones. The project is currently in the prototype phase with a working demo. The crowdfunding project is live on Indiegogo and has already met its funding goal. JBL partnere…
US-Based Speaker Manufacturing Could Go Away Entirely If Chinese Trade Tariffs Continue, CEO Says
The Misco speaker company is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. But CEO Dan Dirge warns the company’s future is uncertain due to aggressive Chinese tariffs. Misco employs about 100 people in the Minneapolis area and manufacturers speaker…
AirPods Account for 50% of All Wireless Headphones, According to Latest Estimates
Apple’s AirPods dominate the ‘hearables’ market, according to a new report. The company is expected to retain its 50% market share throughout the holiday season. Apple is expected to ship 60 million AirPods wireless earphones in 2019,…
The 2019 Gift Guide — Digital Music News
The Digital Music News 2019 gift guide. Disclaimer: None of the links in this article are affiliate links. We do not earn anything if you choose to purchase any of these items. All of the companies with products listed in this list either generously p…