New Amazon Echo Buds Take on AirPods Pro With Improved Design and Better Noise Cancellation

[MacRumors]

Amazon has today introduced its second-generation Echo Buds with a 21 percent smaller design and enhanced active noise cancellation.

The second-generation Echo Buds introduce a white color option, and it is difficult to see past the clear design cues that Amazon has taken from the AirPods Pro's charging case, which looks almost exactly the same with an elongated design, a single centered LED, and a long groove to open the lid.

Much like the AirPods Pro, the Echo Buds now feature a vented design to reduce ear pressure. There are also other comfort improvements that have been made possible by reducing the size of each individual bud, such as a shortened in-ear tip and reduced external height for a more flush fit.

Noise cancellation is said to be twice as good as the previous model and the buds now feature an AirPods Pro-style sound passthrough mode. Sound quality has also been improved with extended dynamic range and increased bass and treble fidelity. The microphones are also improved for better call quality.

The second-gen Echo Buds are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance, and the earbuds can deliver five hours of listening with noise cancellation enabled, with two additional full charges in the case for a total of 15 hours. Like the original Echo Buds, the second-generation model comes with Alexa built-in.

The Echo Buds come with four sizes of oval-shaped ear tips and optional wing tips in two sizes for a more secure fit.

The second-generation Echo Buds are priced at $119.99 with the standard USB-C charging case, or $139.99 with the wireless charging case, undercutting the $249 price of AirPods Pro considerably. They will go on sale on May 13 and will be discounted for a limited time to $99.99 and $119.99.

Article Link: New Amazon Echo Buds Take on AirPods Pro With Improved Design and Better Noise Cancellation

 

[GeoStructural]

What is the appeal of those gummy things inside the ear other than sealing external sound?

I hate them, they are so uncomfortable, that's why I think the basic AirPods design is the best and I hope they continue to exist or any evolution do not have the silicone tips.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Blah! Still too expensive.

 

[anthogag]

Amazon should go back to selling books online.

Sure, Amazon can undercut AirPods with the lower price because copying is much cheaper than R&D.

 

[furqan8421]

What is the appeal of those gummy things inside the ear other than sealing external sound?

I hate them, they are so uncomfortable, that's why I think the basic AirPods design is the best and I hope they continue to exist or any evolution do not have the silicone tips.

Realistically they are intended to seal your ears better which can improve sound quality and also decrease likelihood of the buds shifting around.

The AirPods are alright but for my own ears they can fall out if I move too much. The AirPod pros improve upon this but they also have tips

 

[furqan8421]

Amazon should go back to selling books online.

Not defending amazon at all but they have made decisions that have allowed them to become one of the largest retailers on the planet, not to mention their business platform services. They saw their opportunities and have taken advantage for better or worse

 

[ajfahey]

What is the appeal of those gummy things inside the ear other than sealing external sound?

I hate them, they are so uncomfortable, that's why I think the basic AirPods are the best design and I hope they continue to exist.

Yes, they’re there for noise isolation so the cancelation performance is more effective. Better isolation also probably reduces the power consumption that would be required to cancel the added bypass noise leakage.

Don‘t like them? Don’t buy them. not complicated. The original design that you have to jam in your ear is more uncomfortable to me. The old design is actually painful

 

[dapa0s]

Again, literally every tech company in the world completely copies Apple in everything.

 

[jimmy_uk]

What is the appeal of those gummy things inside the ear other than sealing external sound?

I hate them, they are so uncomfortable, that's why I think the basic AirPods design is the best and I hope they continue to exist or any evolution do not have the silicone tips.

Fitment options, which is better than the Airpods "one size fits all (but they might not stay in your ears)".

Airpods won't stay in my ears and offer zero seal from outside noise. Airpods Pro are a much better fit but mine were faulty so I didn't keep them.

 

[GeoStructural]

Again, literally every tech company in the world completely copies Apple in everything.

Man the same can be said about Apple copying other companies in tech trends, I would even argue it is the opposite: Apple is often the last one to arrive to the party on many things, copying/building on other companies' first attempts.

 

[CheesePuff]

Blah! Still too expensive.

What are you expecting, free headphones?

 

[DotCom2]

These might make great stocking stuffers this Holiday Season. Especially if they go on sale then.

 

[Jpoon]

Interesting to see more and more headphones from different companies with voice enable services. Wireless headphones are high quality enough and mainstream enough now.

Maybe we'll see some eye wear next

 

[jimmy_uk]

I tempted to try these but I suspect the ANC won't be world-beating so need to continue holding out for the Sony WF-1000XM4 to replace my WF-1000XM3.

I'm been very happy with the ANC on the WF-1000XM3 which is equal to the newer Bose Quietcomfort earbuds. Also, they sound better to me than the Bose and Airpods Pro for Hip-Hop and Drum & Bass = more bass. I know Sony won't disappoint.

 

[SDJim]

Lol, okay, the case design does feel a little on-the-nose.

 

[bpeeps]

Man the same can be said about Apple copying other companies in tech trends, I would even argue it is the opposite: Apple is often the last one to arrive to the party on many things, copying/building on other companies' first attempts.

I agree they're often last to arrive to the table. But as soon as they do, every product that comes out after looks strikingly like Apple's design.

 

[MVMNT]

Remember when Apple sued Samsung for copying design cues with their phones...

 

[1258186]

Again, literally every tech company in the world completely copies Apple in everything.

More often than not it’s actually the other way around. Apple frequently copies other companies.

 

[jmgregory1]

Glad to see another company offering vented buds. I can't use any in-ear headsets that don't allow for pressure equalization. It's just too uncomfortable even for short periods.

 

[benshive]

Not knocking the buds because I haven't tried them but the case looks like what I'd get if I ordered some "genuine" AirPods Pros on Wish for $10.

 

[Mobster1983]

For $100 I may have to give these a shot.

 

[carrrrrlos]

Nice, great to have Alexa integration. ?

 

[Wando64]

What is the appeal of those gummy things inside the ear other than sealing external sound?

I hate them, they are so uncomfortable, that's why I think the basic AirPods design is the best and I hope they continue to exist or any evolution do not have the silicone tips.

You cannot have active sound cancellation without a seal.

 

[ericinboston]

For $100 I may have to give these a shot.

I agree. I love my wired headphones but my iPhone 7 (and all newer) does not have a headphone jack. Therefore, I must use bluetooth headphones with my iPhone (unless I want that darn dongle). These would be a great price point for my rare use of headphones with my iPhone (vacations and plane rides only) and I don't want to bring my large (but awesome) Sony bluetooth headphones.

Plus I get 30 days to try them out unlike Apple's 14 day period.

 

[WiseAJ]

Not knocking the buds because I haven't tried them but the case looks like what I'd get if I ordered some "genuine" AirPods Pros on Wish for $10.

I was thinking the exact thing. Damn they Fugly and cheap looking.