INTHEBLACK June 2025 - Magazine - Page 57
GOOGLE PIXEL BUDS PRO 2
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds feature
Transparency mode and Conversation
Detection, although the latter pauses your
music rather than turning it down.
When connected to Android devices via
bluetooth, users can summon Google Assistant,
with advanced features like translating
conversations in real-time. Spatial audio
with head tracking is also available when
connected to Google Pixel devices.
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM TRUE
WIRELESS 4
They lack an automatic Conversation Mode,
but the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
earbuds do offer adjustable Transparency
Mode, courtesy of an in-app slider that allows
users to set how much of the outside world
they can hear. When it comes to summoning
smart assistants, the earbuds work with both
Apple and Google devices via bluetooth.
One key strength is music quality, with
support for high-end aptX Adaptive and
aptX Lossless audio.
APPLE AIRPODS MAX
Like most premium over-ear headphones,
the Apple AirPods Max offer superior noise
cancellation to earbuds. They feature
Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness
and Conversation Boost but lack Adaptive
Audio. The headphones connect via
bluetooth, with support for high-end lossless
audio coming, but there’s also Apple’s
optional Lightning-to-3.5mm audio cable
for wired listening.
SONY WH-1000XM5
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones offer
best-in-class noise cancellation, although they
lack automatic conversation mode — instead
users engage transparency mode by touching
hand to ear. In terms of music quality, they
support high-res and 360-degree spatial audio
thanks to Sony’s LDAC audio-coding
technology. Along with bluetooth, these come
with a 3.5mm cable for wired listening.
BOSE QUIETCOMFORT ULTRA
Bose QuietComfort Ultra’s transparency
mode is also activated manually, and
additionally features an Immersive Audio
mode that activates full noise cancellation
along with Bose’s spatial audio feature with
head tracking. Music lovers will appreciate
support for high-end aptX Adaptive audio.
Along with bluetooth, there’s a 3.5mm cable
for wired listening.
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