Sony has announced a new colour addition to their 1000X noise-cancelling headphones. Released in collaboration with K-Pop girl group LE SSERAFIM, the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones are now available in Smoky Pink. Both the WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer noise-cancelling features and great audio quality. The WF-1000XM5 currently comes in black and platinum silver, while the WH-1000XM5 comes in black, platinum silver and midnight blue.

The Smoky Pink colour is soft and sophisticated, with a powdery matte texture that boosts your style. This colour fits perfectly with LE SSERAFIM’s aesthetic and their newly unveiled partnership with Sony’s For The Music campaign.

The record-breaking K-pop giants are known for their fearless attitude, chic fashion sensibilities, and empowering songs, which have resulted in multiple entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 200 charts. With 20M+ combined followers on social platforms and a diehard global fanbase, there’s no question that LE SSERAFIM is a mainstay in the genre and one of the most exciting acts to watch in 2024 and beyond.

LE SSERAFIM also stars in Sony’s campaign for the WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds, featuring their new song “CRAZY” from their same-titled fourth mini album, which was released on August 30th. “The connection we have with our fans is everything, and we can’t wait for them to be able to experience our music with Sony’s awesome Smoky Pink 1000X headphones and earbuds,” said LE SSERAFIM.

The Smoky Pink WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds will be available in the Middle East and Africa from October 2024.

The Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro is a unique addition to the world of wireless earbuds, designed with a specific audience in mind: outdoor fitness enthusiasts. These open-ear earbuds aim to balance situational awareness and audio quality, making them ideal for activities like running, cycling, and hiking.

Design and Comfort
The AeroFit Pro features an open-ear design, which means the earbuds sit over your ears rather than inside them. This design allows you to hear ambient sounds, which is crucial for safety during outdoor activities. The earbuds are lightweight and have a detachable neckband that ensures they stay in place during intense workouts. The neckband is adjustable, providing a secure fit without causing discomfort.

The earbuds are available in several colours, including Dynamic Black, Aqua Blue, Electric Purple, and Frost White, catering to different style preferences. The build quality is robust, with an IPX5 rating for water and sweat resistance, making them suitable for various weather conditions.

Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, the AeroFit Pro offers a mixed experience. The open-ear design naturally limits the bass response, which might disappoint those who prefer a deep, immersive sound. However, the earbuds provide a wide stereo image and clear mids and highs. The sound is transparent and natural, allowing you to enjoy your music while staying aware of your surroundings.

The AeroFit Pro supports the LDAC codec, which enhances audio quality over Bluetooth. The Soundcore app offers customizable EQ settings, allowing you to tweak the sound profile to your liking. However, the preset EQs are not very powerful, and the custom EQ might not satisfy audiophiles looking for a rich, full-bodied sound.

Battery Life
One of the standout features of the AeroFit Pro is its impressive battery life. The earbuds themselves offer up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, and the charging case provides an additional 38 hours, totalling up to 48 hours of use. This extended battery life ensures that you won’t have to worry about frequent recharging, even during long outdoor activities.

The charging case is compact and easy to carry, although it does not have an IPX rating, so you’ll need to be cautious about exposing it to water or sweat. The case charges via USB-C, which is a convenient feature.

Connectivity and Controls
The AeroFit Pro offers reliable connectivity with Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a stable connection with minimal dropouts. Pairing the earbuds with your device is straightforward, and they maintain a strong connection even in busy environments.

However, the control options on the earbuds are somewhat limited. There are no on-ear controls for adjusting the volume or skipping tracks, which means you’ll need to rely on your device or the Soundcore app for these functions. This can be inconvenient, especially during workouts when you might not want to reach for your phone.

Additional Features
The AeroFit Pro comes with a few additional features that enhance its usability. The detachable neckband is a thoughtful addition, providing extra security during vigorous activities. The earbuds also come with a magnetic clasp that helps keep them together when not in use, reducing the risk of losing them.

The Soundcore app is a valuable companion, offering firmware updates, customisable EQ settings, and other useful features. The app is user-friendly and adds to the overall experience of using the AeroFit Pro.

Performance in Different Scenarios
The AeroFit Pro is designed primarily for outdoor fitness activities, and it performs exceptionally well in this context. The open-ear design allows you to stay aware of your surroundings, which is crucial for safety. The secure fit and water-resistant build make them suitable for running, cycling, and other outdoor sports.

However, the earbuds might not be the best choice for indoor use or environments where you want to block out external noise. The open design means that ambient sounds will always be present, which can be distracting in certain situations.

Verdict
The Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro is a well-designed pair of open-ear earbuds that cater specifically to outdoor fitness enthusiasts. While they may not offer the deep bass and immersive sound that some users crave, they excel in providing situational awareness and comfort during workouts. The impressive battery life, customizable EQ, and reliable connectivity make them a solid choice for those who prioritize safety and convenience over audio fidelity.

If you’re looking for earbuds that allow you to stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your favourite tunes, the AeroFit Pro is worth considering.

Price: AED 418

Sony Middle East and Africa have today announced the WF-C510 truly wireless earbuds offering Sony’s renowned quality sound in a compact design. The earbuds pack a powerful battery life and comfortable design along with enhanced features at an affordable price, making them ideal for listening your way all day.

Sporting a smaller and more compact design versus previous generations, the WF-C510 are all about comfort. The WF-C510 are Sony’s smallest ever closed type so even those with smaller ears can achieve a more stable fit. The WF-C510 headphones combine a shape that perfectly matches the human ear with an ergonomic surface design for a more stable fit. We’ve designed the WF-C510 utilising extensive ear shape data collated since introducing the world’s first in-ear headphones in 1982, as well as evaluation of the sensitivity of various types of ears, to ensure an ideal shape that is comfortable for many people. The earbuds also feature a rounded design and matte finish for additional comfort. Plus, a flat and wider surface button has been added to ensure effortless operation, meaning you can listen to your music with no interruptions.

With smaller earbuds comes a smaller charging case. The compact cylindrical charging case has a thinner design compared to the previous model making it even more convenient to carry in a pocket or bag, allowing you to take the earbuds wherever you go. With a long-lasting battery life of up to 11 hours, you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted playtime and 5 minutes of quick charging provides you with up to 60 minutes of listening time so you can listen all day. With a choice of blue, yellow, black or white, you can find the colour that suits you best. Combine texture, quality and colour to effortlessly create your style.

The WF-C510 are compatible with Sony’s Multipoint Connection which lets you connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. The earbuds also feature Ambient Sound Mode which allows you to hear the sound around you while listening to your music. In addition, by turning on the “Voice Focus” function, the WF-C510 captures human voices while suppressing noise. You can personalise the sound settings within the Sony | Headphones Connect app. No matter what genre you are into, listen to music how it’s meant to be listened to with the EQ customs, giving you the option to customise your sound for every music preference.

The WF-C510 doesn’t compromise on sound. Thanks to DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), the earbuds deliver high-quality sound and create an authentic listening experience. With well-balanced sound tuning from low to high frequencies, vocals are natural and clear. You can also experience immersive 360 Reality Audio for spatial listening. With ‘Quick Access’ you can easily operate Spotify Tap allowing you to get your tunes playing in just a few simple taps. With an IPX4 water resistance rating, the WF-C510 earbuds ensure that splashes, and sweat won’t prevent you from enjoying your music.

The WF-C510 can easily be paired with your device with Fast Pair and Swift Pair. You can also remove either the left or right earbud from the charging case and use it independently, ideal for multitasking. Sony has crafted the WF-C510 to be both stylish and environmentally conscious. Earbuds and cases are partially made of recycled plastic and feature packaging made entirely without plastic, highlighting Sony’s dedication to minimising the environmental impact of their products and practices. The WF-C510 will be available in blue, yellow, black and white in selected countries in the Middle East and Africa from the end of September 2024.