Bragi Launches 'The Dash Pro' With Bigger Battery, Better Bluetooth, and Real-Time Translation

[MacRumors]

At an event in New York City today, hearable company Bragi announced a trio of updates coming to its line of wireless Bluetooth headphones, including The Dash Pro, The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey, and Bragi OS 3. The updates follow the launch of The Headphone device that Bragi debuted earlier this year at a lower cost to The Dash, allowing The Headphone to enter the market as a more direct competitor to Apple's AirPods.

The Dash Pro

The Dash Pro's major updates center around what Bragi described as "professional grade" Bluetooth connectivity that provides audio to users "without interruption," improving on some connection issues that owners of the original Dash faced. Other improvements include a five hour battery life on a single charge (up from three), with a carrying case that can recharge The Dash Pro up to five times, totaling 30 hours of battery life on the go.

All of the advancements represent what Bragi is calling a "powerful ear computer," and not just a normal headphone or hearable device.

The Dash PRO contains more than 150 micro-components, a 32-bit processor, artificial intelligence powered by Dash AI and 27 sensors, all in a package about the size of your fingertip. Those sensors help ignite Bragi's unique Kinetic User Interface, which enables users to literally turn their body into the device with a tap of the cheek or a nod of the head through the Virtual 4-D menu.

One-touch setup with any Apple, Android, or Windows device takes seconds, according to the company, and the audio transparency feature of The Dash has made it to the new device as well. With it, users can allow external sound to pass through into The Dash Pro, or cancel out any noise they don't want to hear to focus on in-ear audio. Audio quality has been bumped up with a new advanced audio codec with reduced white noise, and all-new foam tips (FitSleeves will be in the box again, too) provide stronger bass thanks to a better in-ear seal.

The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey

Bragi has also partnered with hearing technology company Starkey and will be launching The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey, with personally-tailored fitting and more nuanced audio-boosting features at 5,000 audiologists throughout the United States and Canada. The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey is set to benefit users by allowing them to use "Fourth Platform" contextual computing interfaces that enhance their ability to interpret audio while enabling UI interactions through The Dash's motion sensing.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Dash PRO tailored by Starkey Hearing Technologies. As the world's first custom-made wireless ear computer, this product is going to empower consumers to lead with confidence in everything they do," said Brandon Sawalich, Senior Vice President, Starkey Hearing Technologies. "Our partnership brings a whole new dimension of personalization and customization to hearable technology to the market."

Users will be able to purchase the tailor-made device and get a fit that is exactly customized to their ear canal, providing the "best isolation and a perfect fit with an emphasis on clarity, detail, and no loss of bass frequencies." Bragi said that professionals in precision-based fields will see benefits from such a highly personalized in-ear fit, including musicians, content creators, athletes, and more. The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey will also include HearClear replaceable WaxGuards to allow for long-term wear and minimal cleaning.


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Article Link: Bragi Launches 'The Dash Pro' With Bigger Battery, Better Bluetooth, and Real-Time Translation

 

[Zirel]

The chip (W1) has sailed.

Apple has already matched the portability with design, battery life and AAC sound quality.

 

[andy.ringwood]

It doesn't matter what competitors bring out. The W1 chip is way out in front.

 

[nutmac]

Doppler Labs and Bragi are banking on putting intelligence (audio processing, noise cancellation, etc.) on the earphones.

I would prefer iPhone and Apple Watch doing the heavy lifting, while keeping earphones simple with optimal battery life. Perhaps iOS 11 would add such intelligence for AirPods?

 

[DrewDaHilp1]

The translation would be pretty neat as long as it's better than youtube closed captioning.

 

[s1m]

The chip (W1) has sailed.

Apple has already matched the portability with design, battery life and AAC sound quality.

Can you swim with the Airpods in? Just wondering. Also the Dash are much more discreet than the Airpods. I own The Dash and The Headphone - both excellent products. I will most likely be adding the Dash Pro to my headphone family.

 

[Gen]

airpods > * bluetooth headphones

 

[dannyyankou]

Too expensive. The Airpods are half the price.

 

[blueslothking]

The features of AirPods are nice, but I am one of the many who can't stand the fit of Apple's headphones. They start hurting my ears after about ten minutes. Never had that experience with any other brands.

 

[Tubamajuba]

Too expensive. The Airpods are half the price.

That was a very weird thing to read.

 

[spherox]

And people call Airpods ugly?

 

[stevet]

And people call Airpods ugly?

The dash look much better in ear than the AirPods do. I own both and from a 'stay in ear' type of fit the dash has it all over the AirPods. Try to do that with the AirPods and you will be buying sometching cheap to put over the bud and then it won't fit in the charger.

There are other complaints I have with the dash, but looks isn't one of them.
[doublepost=1494976517][/doublepost]

Can you swim with the Airpods in? Just wondering. Also the Dash are much more discreet than the Airpods. I own The Dash and The Headphone - both excellent products. I will most likely be adding the Dash Pro to my headphone family.

Definitely no swimming, and those that say they work great running are trying to justify the purchase. Just like all the other apple pods they get sweat in them and they get muffled and nasty.

I own both, and while the dash has issues with Bluetooth reception at distances, for working out they are great.

 

[Moonlight]

"The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey, with personally-tailored fitting and more nuanced audio-boosting features at 5,000 audiologists throughout the United States and Canada. The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey is set to benefit users by allowing them to use "Fourth Platform" contextual computing interfaces that enhance their ability to interpret audio while enabling UI interactions through The Dash's motion sensing."

What? What does any of those sentences mean?

AND, "hearable"? Please..it is a wearable at best. Don't make up nonsense Bragi.

 

[stevet]

"The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey, with personally-tailored fitting and more nuanced audio-boosting features at 5,000 audiologists throughout the United States and Canada. The Dash Pro tailored by Starkey is set to benefit users by allowing them to use "Fourth Platform" contextual computing interfaces that enhance their ability to interpret audio while enabling UI interactions through The Dash's motion sensing."

What? What does any of those sentences mean?

AND, "hearable"? Please..it is a wearable at best. Don't make up nonsense Bragi.

You really don't understand what that means? Maybe it's too technical for you?

 

[44267547]

Bragi makes a nice product. But they have a ridiculous amount of user controls.

In terms of Bluetooth earbuds, the reason I prefer the AirPods is The simplicity and convenience factors they offer. They instantaneously pair with iPhone and even pulling one AirPod out what pause the music.

The AirPods are not aesthetically pleasing, but they work well and five hours of usage is more than I could ask for. (15 minutes of charging is equivalent to three hours usage.)

 

[Moonlight]

You really don't understand what that means? Maybe it's too technical for you?

Please enlighten me. What does "more nuanced audio-boosting features at 5,000 audiologists throughout the United States and Canada" mean?

The rest, I get what they are "trying" to say, but the buzzwords they shoehorn in are annoying at best and misleading at worst.

 

[earthTOmitchel]

Please enlighten me. What does "more nuanced audio-boosting features at 5,000 audiologists throughout the United States and Canada" mean?

The rest, I get what they are "trying" to say, but the buzzwords they shoehorn in are annoying at best and misleading at worst.

The gist is that people wearing the Starkey version will end up with higher-quality audio feedback because the device is tailored specifically for their ears. The whole Fourth Platform thing could mean a number of things, but is most likely referencing the AI and 4D Menu, which admittedly is on any version of The Dash with OS3.

 

[maxxodd]

Too expensive. The Airpods are half the price.

LOL on an apple forum. I own dozens of Apple products and one thing that I won't bag on someone for is buying a product that is more expensive than the one I chose.

And people call Airpods ugly?

Everyone has their own taste of course, but I'm pretty sure there are more people who would say the Airpods are not as attractive as the Dash.

Bragi makes a really nice product. I currently own the Dash and Headphone. I'm pretty sure I'm going to spring for the Dash Pro with custom fit.

 

[dannyyankou]

LOL on an apple forum. I own dozens of Apple products and one thing that I won't bag on someone for is buying a product that is more expensive than the one I chose.

Haha, I understand and somewhat agree. But I'm more willing to put up a lot of money for a great phone or laptop than a pair of Bluetooth headphones. Even $159 is pushing it for the Airpods. Audio quality still has a long way to go for Bluetooth.

 

[rudigern]

Doppler Labs and Bragi are banking on putting intelligence (audio processing, noise cancellation, etc.) on the earphones.

I think noice cancellation would have to be done in the earphones. It needs a counter waveform to cancel outside noise and if it's done via bluetooth it would always have a delay, meaning it wouldn't work.

 

[MacFan23]

LOL on an apple forum. I own dozens of Apple products and one thing that I won't bag on someone for is buying a product that is more expensive than the one I chose.

Everyone has their own taste of course, but I'm pretty sure there are more people who would say the Airpods are not as attractive as the Dash.

Bragi makes a really nice product. I currently own the Dash and Headphone. I'm pretty sure I'm going to spring for the Dash Pro with custom fit.

The only features that appeal to me personally with the pro are the moulded fit and that it's waterproof. If this things had a W1 it'd be a much more compelling product. I use too many devices to want to deal with the inconvenience of having to re-pair every time I switch.

 

[Vanilla35]

Yeah at the end of the day, these are still just mediocre sounding bluetooth heaphones. Are all those sweet features worth $300+? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[Bob Zimmerman]

I think noice cancellation would have to be done in the earphones. It needs a counter waveform to cancel outside noise and if it's done via bluetooth it would always have a delay, meaning it wouldn't work.

The best noise "cancellation" is always noise isolation. It's passive, so requires no power. Think the silicone or foam rubber tips on many earphones. The biggest problem is that the generic-fit tips have to be slightly larger than your ear canal to seal, so they're always expanding and pressing against the inside of the canal. I have some custom-fit earphones, and they are amazing. I look forward to seeing more options like this in the future, though Bluetooth headphones are a little immature for me to be comfortable spending that much money on them given they have very little resale value.

Acceptable latency for active noise cancellation depends on the regularity of the sound. For example, even 30 seconds of latency can work for canceling continuous noise like jet engines. That said, on-device processing tends to work better for this, yes. It can respond to noises more rapidly.

Edited to add: The reason custom-fit earphones are so much better is that they get good isolation, but with minimal pressure on your ear canals. I can wear mine all day with no problems. They are also dramatically more efficient, since they aren't competing with as much external sound and they couple better with your eardrum. Mine are uncomfortably loud if I go much higher than 15% volume on an iPhone's internal amp.

 

[grassright]

Can you swim with the Airpods in? Just wondering. Also the Dash are much more discreet than the Airpods. I own The Dash and The Headphone - both excellent products. I will most likely be adding the Dash Pro to my headphone family.

Are you sure you want to swim with any earphone?

 

[jarman92]

The dash look much better in ear than the AirPods do. I own both and from a 'stay in ear' type of fit the dash has it all over the AirPods. Try to do that with the AirPods and you will be buying sometching cheap to put over the bud and then it won't fit in the charger.

There are other complaints I have with the dash, but looks isn't one of them.
[doublepost=1494976517][/doublepost]

Definitely no swimming, and those that say they work great running are trying to justify the purchase. Just like all the other apple pods they get sweat in them and they get muffled and nasty.

I own both, and while the dash has issues with Bluetooth reception at distances, for working out they are great.

Literally just got back from a run with the AirPods and they're perfectly fine, just like every other time I've run with them.

And "Bluetooth reception at distances" is task number 1 for any Bluetooth headphones, so "issues" with that is pretty much disqualifying.
[doublepost=1494982080][/doublepost]The features here sound intriguing, but it's all about execution; Bragi has proven poor at it in the past. If all this works well and Bluetooth connection/latency issues are resolved, Apple better kick it up a notch. Although I don't think Bragi will be able to match my favorite AirPods feature: nearly instantaneous switching between sources.