CES 2020: AirPods Pro Get New Noise-Cancelling Earphone Competition

Just over two months after Apple released AirPods Pro with active noise cancellation, several brands are introducing competitors at CES 2020.

Panasonic, Technics, and 1MORE are among the brands that have announced truly wireless earphones with active noise cancellation in Las Vegas this week, and more will likely follow as the show floor opens Tuesday.

Panasonic

Panasonic says its new RZ-S500W earphones feature "industry-leading noise cancellation," achieved through a combination of feedforward noise cancellation, feedback noise cancellation, and digital and analog processing. These technologies work together to minimize noise generated both inside and outside the ear buds.

A touch sensor on the earphones enables users to switch between Ambient Sound mode, Noise Cancelling mode, and Off with the tap of a finger. Ambient Sound mode sounds like Transparency mode on the AirPods Pro, which allows you to simultaneously listen to music while still hearing the environment around you.

Panasonic has also unveiled a pair of truly wireless earphones under its Technics brand. The EAH-AZ70W earphones feature the same noise cancellation technology and Ambient Sound mode as the RZ-S500W, plus IPX4-rated splash resistance and a new, graphene-coated dynamic driver unit for improved sound.

Technics

Both the RZ-S500W and EAH-AZ70W earphones will be available in June, according to Panasonic, but pricing has yet to be disclosed.

1MORE's truly wireless earphones feature two levels of active noise cancelation, utilizing the same hybrid technology as the Panasonic and Technics earphones. They are also the first truly wireless earphones with pending THX certification, meaning their sound quality has passed a variety of tests by THX.

1MORE

1MORE's earphones also have an optional pass-through mode that lets in ambient noise while listening to music.

Tags: CES 2020, Panasonic

Top Rated Comments

OzyOly

89 months ago

I mean, look at these other brands, I’ve never heard of any them before (Yes, I pay attention to all tech competitors), what marketing do they have consumers would know about?

You have not heard of Panasonic? One of the largest Japanese multinationals which, along with Sony, rules the consumer electronics world in the 80s. Absolutely staggering.

Either you are jesting or you have no idea what you’re talking about...

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

sinsin07

89 months ago

snip...
I mean, look at these other brands, I’ve never heard of any them before (Yes, I pay attention to all tech competitors), what marketing do they have consumers would know about? There’s a lot of options out there for Bluetooth earbuds, but consumers will likely purchase what they see/hear about.

Two of the brands mentioned in this article have bee around a h!$% of a lot longer than Apple.
Panasonic since 1918.
Technics since 1965.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ChrisMoBro

89 months ago

the sound of Airpod Pros are great but it’s the integration with iOS that makes them the perfect headphones

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Abazigal

89 months ago

sorry Microsoft - in terms of functionality has Apple beat there already. In ear language translation, oh doesn’t Google do this also? Habrá as vo2 max detection with heart rate in their headphones for 3yrs now.
Noise cancelling is not new and Apple is getting better yet slow to release new tech.

you’ll see more synergies between the Watch being the mobile computer, glasses being the display and headphones being mic and listening.

Microsoft and Google largely face the same issues - nobody wants to be seen wearing their products. Meanwhile, the AirPods are still out of stock, and people are actually complaining online about how they were gifted “fake” AirPods.

When it comes to wearables, you need the sort of design-led corporate culture that Apple is renowned for, and which many companies lack. You have to make your customers want to be seen in public wearing your wearable products.

And in this regard, Apple has already won the (more) important half of the battle.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

SDJim

89 months ago

You have not heard of Panasonic? One of the largest Japanese multinationals which, along with Sony, rules the consumer electronics world in the 80s. Absolutely staggering.

Either you are jesting or you have no idea what you’re talking about...

I assumed he meant the other two, neither of which I had heard of before...

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

44267547

89 months ago

Just like Fitbit was “competition” to the Apple Watch, until Apple redefined what utility on the wrist meant and Fitbit found itself increasingly unable to compete.

The AirPods are fast becoming computers you wear in your ears. I predict we will be seeing a similar paradigm shift in the coming years, with the AirPods redefining what it means to have wireless earbuds in your ears.

That ‘paradigm shift’ you’re mentioning with the AirPods will eventually corroborate with the AR Glasses and Apple Watch. Google acquiring Fitbit was great example, these smaller competitors can’t complete against Apple, there’s a reason why they are dominating the wearable market. Soon those who have consistently doubted Apples success with these Products, will all see why these smaller companies are drowning. This is just the start, the Pros will be much more than just ‘Bluetooth’ earbuds in the future.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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