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Sony Reveals $280 'Xperia Ear Duo' With Siri Support and 'Dual Listening' Tech to Combine Music With Environment

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Sony today at Mobile World Congress revealed an upgraded version of its Xperia Ear earphones, called the Xperia Ear Duo. Sony previously showed the earphones in prototype form during last year's MWC, but the company has now officially announced a price point of $280 and release date of May 2018 for its latest smart assistant earphones (via The Verge).

The main new addition to Sony's earphones is the "Spatial Acoustic Conductor," which Sony describes as a way to allow the sound generated behind the user's ear by the unit's driver "to be transmitted directly into the ear." This way users will be able to hear their music while not being totally out of tune with noises coming in from their environment, which the company refers to as "Dual Listening." As such, there is no toggle to turn off the feature and block out ambient sounds.

sony-xperia-ear-duo.jpg
The Xperia Ear Duo doesn't block the ear canal, so you can hear your music and the environment around you simultaneously. Even better, the volume automatically adjusts depending on your surroundings for an optimised audio experience.

The Spatial Acoustic Conductor, developed by our in-house technology incubator Future Lab Program(TM), allows the sound generated behind the ear by the unit´s driver to be transmitted directly into the ear. The specially designed ring supporter surrounds the ear canal so your music can blend seamlessly with sounds from your environment.
Click to expand...
Similar to Apple's AirPods, the Xperia Ear Duo earphones have multiple gesture controls that let users control music playback with taps. Additionally, Sony's earphones recognize head movement and support head nods and shakes to accept or decline incoming calls.

The Xperia Ear Duo will support iOS and Android smartphone connections, and subsequently have Google Assistant and Siri integration for both types of users, with a single tap bringing up each voice assistant for traditional commands like starting music or reading texts. The assistants will also be able to read missed alerts from calendar, email, and other applications.


Additionally, Sony said the earphones last for about four hours on one charge, and will come with a carrying case that adds an additional three charges. When they go on sale in May, the Xperia Ear Duo will be available in black and gold color options. For more information on the earphones, check out Sony's website.

Article Link: Sony Reveals $280 'Xperia Ear Duo' With Siri Support and 'Dual Listening' Tech to Combine Music With Environment
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/02/26/sony-280-xperia-ear-duo/
I want a pair that doesn’t full ANC and actually works. The AirPods aren’t usable for me as they let it too much sound, they are horrible for being on a bicycle and jogging because of traffic. I cannot even use them at work because of the noise of machines...

I end up using a pair of Bose QC35’s instead, but I really want something like AirPods.

Also Apple let me tap twice to go forward and three times to go back on a single earpiece...
 
So silly, if i want music i dont wanna hear outside sound of music isnt clear i like the full sound this looks like a hearing aid, tech companys really try but sorry airpods are the best
 
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Companies are trying too hard to innovate for the sake of marketing. The best way to innovate earphones should be to deliver exceptional sound quality, such as focusing on amps and drivers. Better battery would be nice as well. Focus on the fundamentals and people will buy.
 
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dan9700 said:
So silly, if i want music i dont wanna hear outside sound of music isnt clear i like the full sound this looks like a hearing aid, tech companys really try but sorry airpods are the best
Click to expand...

Tell that the the poster above you. Believe it or not, one type doesn't fit all. At $280, Sony is targeting a different class. Apple knows you can't just have one set of earphones too, as they own a headphone company that offers numerous. The airpods try their best to be for most consumers,and Apple did a great job. I can buy one for my momor myself and be happy, but not every consumer is satisfied by them.
 
dingle19 said:
These look too much like hearing aids
Click to expand...

I was just thinking ... we've had 12yrs to get away from a booming honker or get away from bluetooth headsets from looking like hearing aids.

Still seems like innovative technology which is always a GOOD thing. hoping the design can be augmented, adjusted for a more descrete use and look. Good on Sony for not just following along.
 
MacRumors said:



Sony today at Mobile World Congress revealed an upgraded version of its Xperia Ear earphones, called the Xperia Ear Duo. Sony previously showed the earphones in prototype form during last year's MWC, but the company has now officially announced a price point of $280 and release date of May 2018 for its latest smart assistant earphones (via The Verge).

The main new addition to Sony's earphones is the "Spatial Acoustic Conductor," which Sony describes as a way to allow the sound generated behind the user's ear by the unit's driver "to be transmitted directly into the ear." This way users will be able to hear their music while not being totally out of tune with noises coming in from their environment, which the company refers to as "Dual Listening." As such, there is no toggle to turn off the feature and block out ambient sounds.

sony-xperia-ear-duo.jpg
Similar to Apple's AirPods, the Xperia Ear Duo earphones have multiple gesture controls that let users control music playback with taps. Additionally, Sony's earphones recognize head movement and support head nods and shakes to accept or decline incoming calls.

The Xperia Ear Duo will support iOS and Android smartphone connections, and subsequently have Google Assistant and Siri integration for both types of users, with a single tap bringing up each voice assistant for traditional commands like starting music or reading texts. The assistants will also be able to read missed alerts from calendar, email, and other applications.


Additionally, Sony said the earphones last for about four hours on one charge, and will come with a carrying case that adds an additional three charges. When they go on sale in May, the Xperia Ear Duo will be available in black and gold color options. For more information on the earphones, check out Sony's website.

Article Link: Sony Reveals $280 'Xperia Ear Duo' With Siri Support and 'Dual Listening' Tech to Combine Music With Environment
Click to expand...

Interesting ... but a little weird with that video. Solo biking in the mountains isn’t very safe. Better to go in pairs in case something happens. Then again, he has music with him, and can hear the river and birds, so screw safety.
 
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dan9700 said:
So silly, if i want music i dont wanna hear outside sound of music isnt clear i like the full sound this looks like a hearing aid, tech companys really try but sorry airpods are the best
Click to expand...

So you don't have speakers at home that you use to listen to music and have conversations with people inside your home? How about a phone call with music in the background?

Think of these headphones like you would use your home speakers with music or the TV on when watching a movie with family members or a house guest. Same use case just that you're outside. I"m VERY curious how these are tuned differently from ANC (which I find on a public transit bus doesn't actually keep out external noises but muffles them and only adds to a sense of "pressure" on my ear drums and also drowns out my music.

johnyslats said:
I’d find it both weird and rude if a friend continued to wear these when catching up over drinks as demonstrated in this video.
Click to expand...

During a business meeting this would be rude.
That said in a more casual meeting with friends over drinks ... the way she tilted her head to the side you may not have even noticed or you did just as she finished and maybe only curious what she did. This will varying in circumstances and also in various cultures around the world. Nobody said you MUST respond ... but like that early 90's movie with Sutherland "Booth" somebody always answers when they hear the phone ringing ;)
 
scaramoosh said:
I want a pair that doesn’t full ANC and actually works. The AirPods aren’t usable for me as they let it too much sound, they are horrible for being on a bicycle and jogging because of traffic. I cannot even use them at work because of the noise of machines...

I end up using a pair of Bose QC35’s instead, but I really want something like AirPods.

Also Apple let me tap twice to go forward and three times to go back on a single earpiece...
Click to expand...

It is illegal to wear headphones when biking in most states in the US.
 
A solution to a non-problem.
I have enough awareness with my AirPods on and when I get fed up with the surrounding noise I use Bose ANC headphones. I'm really curious what purpose these serve.
 
johnyslats said:
I’d find it both weird and rude if a friend continued to wear these when catching up over drinks as demonstrated in this video.
Click to expand...
I bet your friends won’t stop looking at their phones when they are talking to you. Am I wrong? That’s the type of world we live in now...
 
scaramoosh said:
I want a pair that doesn’t full ANC and actually works. The AirPods aren’t usable for me as they let it too much sound, they are horrible for being on a bicycle and jogging because of traffic. I cannot even use them at work because of the noise of machines...

I end up using a pair of Bose QC35’s instead, but I really want something like AirPods.

Also Apple let me tap twice to go forward and three times to go back on a single earpiece...
Click to expand...

have you tried adding silicone buds to your Airpods? Tighter fit, bit better bass response, less sound getting in from the outside...
 
radiology said:
I bet your friends won’t stop looking at their phones when they are talking to you. Am I wrong? That’s the type of world we live in now...
Click to expand...

You make a good point. We live in a digital world now where Bluetooth earbuds and smart phones are a ‘Norm’ in public. . I see others wearing their Airpods all the time in public, rather it be at restaurants, malls, ect. Partially because they have the capability of being hands free from their smart phones for phone calls as well. And Bluetooth headsets have always been around for years, but it’s just becoming more widespread when seeing them because of how minimalized and concealed they are now compared to how large they used to be.
 
scaramoosh said:
I want a pair that doesn’t full ANC and actually works. The AirPods aren’t usable for me as they let it too much sound, they are horrible for being on a bicycle and jogging because of traffic. I cannot even use them at work because of the noise of machines...

I end up using a pair of Bose QC35’s instead, but I really want something like AirPods.

Also Apple let me tap twice to go forward and three times to go back on a single earpiece...
Click to expand...

You use noise cancelling earphones/headphones while jogging? Isn’t that a little dangerous.
 
dan9700 said:
So silly, if i want music i dont wanna hear outside sound of music isnt clear i like the full sound this looks like a hearing aid, tech companys really try but sorry airpods are the best
Click to expand...
You like the tampon look over hearing aids I get it.
I’ll stick with my Jaybird freedoms. I like to be closed off from everything around me.
 
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I’m very interested. Whenever I wear any kind of headphones I’m always worried I’ll miss a knock on the door or someone calling my name from the next room. Occasionally I’ll want sound isolation, and usually only for a short time, but for the most part I want to hear as much of my surroundings as possible, especially while I’m outside. I occasionally do the one earphone thing, but I don’t prefer it. I miss out on stereo sound of both my environment and my music, which can be annoying and even dangerous, and the conflicting left/right sound I find very unnatural. Also when the headphones don’t have a mono mode, you completely miss out on an entire left/right channel.

That said, I’m very skeptical about how well these work. I wonder just how clear the music and the environment can be simultaneously.
 
dan9700 said:
So silly, if i want music i dont wanna hear outside sound of music isnt clear i like the full sound this looks like a hearing aid, tech companys really try but sorry airpods are the best
Click to expand...

Not silly, just not marketed to someone like you. I imagine most bicyclists would love these because they're not fans of being hit by cars. Neither am I, come to think of it.
 
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