Mobvoi launches first noise-cancelling headphones to rival the Sony WH-1000XM3
They’re about $200 / £200 cheaper, too
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Mobvoi has announced its first-ever pair ofover-ear headphones, the TicKasa ANC, which come with active noise cancellation and support forHi-Res Audio.
The company, which is best known for its TicWatchsmartwatches, has previously releasedtrue wireless earbudslike theTicPods ANCand theTicPods Pro, but this is the first time that it’s branched out into over-ear cans.
According to Mobvoi, the newheadphonescome with “five built-in microphones and dual-microphone noise isolation” which allows the TicKasa ANC to “easily detect environmental noise, using ANC cancellation algorithms to analyze ambient noise and create the perfect soundwave to counteract it.”
They apparently also apply noise cancellation to your phone calls, like theBose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, “filtering background noise and adding vocal clarity” for crisp calls.
Cheaper than the XM3s
Mobvoi says that the newnoise-cancelling headphonesprovide a “deep, powerful, and immersive sound at any volume”, and are powered by 40mm drivers. There’s also support for Hi-Res Audio thanks to Qualcomm’s aptX HD Bluetooth codec, as well as Bluetooth 5 for long wireless transmission distances.
Battery life comes in at 20 hours with ANC on, though Mobvoi claims you’ll get 30 hours of playback with this feature turned off – plenty of juice for a week’s worth of commuting or a long haul flight.
They should prove pretty comfortable too, as they’re made from a “breathable” mesh material and feature soft ear cushions.
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Available in grey and black, the TicKasa ANC Headphones will set you back $129.99 / GBP £109.99 / AU$189.99 – that’s significantly cheaper than thebest noise-cancelling headphonesof 2020, theSony WH-1000XM3.
That means the new headphones could make a great cheaper alternative to the XM3s, though with theSony WH-1000XM4rumored to launch in August, the currentSonynoise cancellers may not be so expensive for much longer.
Olivia was previously TechRadar’s Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she’s a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She’s previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.
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