As True Wireless earbuds and Bluetooth headphones are becoming increasingly popular, new priorities are emerging among users. Qualcomm recently published its yearly “The State of Sound” report, which provides a glimpse of the new trends for True Wireless earbuds.
In particular, there is a growing demand for features such as extended wireless connectivity, longer battery life, superior sound quality and optimum comfort for everyday use. These elements have become crucial for listeners, who now consider versatility to be a determining factor in their purchases.
Prioritizing comfort and battery life
Comfort is now the top buying criterion, overtaking price, which is now in second place. Padded ear pads, soft covering, a headband that evenly distributes the headphones’ weight… Manufacturers have many solutions to create comfortable headphones that allow you to listen to music all day long without any discomfort.
As for True Wireless earbuds, brands supply several pairs of ear tips in foam or silicone to provide greater comfort, but also to improve passive isolation and bass reproduction.
To enjoy long listening sessions, battery life is another important element to take into account when purchasing a wireless hi-fi device. In this regard, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Bluetooth headphones impressed us during our review, with a battery life reaching 60 hours. We’re looking forward to the release of headphones with a 100-hour battery life!
The quest for high-quality sound
Naturally, sound quality is a significant factor. Audiophiles look for sound quality superior to that of MP3 files and favor FLAC, ALAC and PCM formats. Note that 73% of consumers, compared to 67% in 2022, want to improve the audio quality of their devices with each purchase.
The Focal Bathys and Mark Levinson N°5909 headphones perfectly embody this audiophile quest. Equipped with very large transducers, exclusive technologies and sophisticated designs, these two models ensure an uncompromising listening experience.
Versatility: one device for everything
One significant change in usage is the desire to have just one device for a multitude of activities, whether it’s listening to music, playing games or making calls. This versatility is becoming a priority, with 68% of those surveyed wanting a single pair of headphones or in-ear monitors for all their activities.
Many earphones and headphones feature three-dimensional listening technologies, offering an immersive audio experience not only for music, but also for films and TV series. Following the example of JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds, we can expect new innovations with specific modes (movie/series, game, music) for each use in the years to come.
Furthermore, with the aptX Low Latency and LC3 (LE Audio) Bluetooth codecs, the audiovisual experience is improved even further. These codecs minimize latency between picture and sound, ensuring perfect synchronization. They are particularly appreciated by video game enthusiasts, who enjoy a smooth, immersive gaming experience without any disruption.
Another feature that listeners look for is resistance to water, dust and perspiration. In fact, the IP certification of portable equipment guarantees its ability to be used anywhere with complete peace of mind, whether you’re at the beach, in the gym or outdoors, without worrying about rain.
ANC and transparent modes
Last but not least, this report highlighted the importance of audio devices for work, particularly for remote working. The need to isolate oneself from noise, or to hear clearly in a public space such as a café, at home or in a shared workplace, influences consumer decisions when it comes to headphones and earbuds.
Among those polled who work in a noisy environment, 88% consider noise reduction quality to be a decisive factor in their future purchase. This need for concentration goes hand in hand with the desire to bypass passive isolation to hear surrounding sounds. These transparent modes come in handy for walking in complete safety, having brief conversations or hearing station announcements. All while keeping your headphones on.
The report also reveals that users are increasingly acknowledging the use of earphones or headphones for hearing assistance and improvement. The transparent mode, for example, is sometimes supplemented by an option to enhance the voices of interlocutors.
For the same reason, various hearing tests are available on dedicated headphone and IEM apps. An algorithm then adapts the sound signature according to the test results to accentuate the frequencies that the user perceives least. The Denon PerL and Denon PerL Pro earbuds have also been in the news recently thanks to their Adaptive Acoustic Technology (AAT) calibration system. Available from the app, AAT analyzes users’ hearing and customizes sound reproduction to suit individual needs.
Qualcomm’s study shows that consumer requirements are evolving rapidly. There is a growing demand for superior audio quality and advanced features such as spatial audio and low latency. In addition, listeners are looking for devices that are comfortable to wear for extended periods. Manufacturers are taking these needs into account to offer ever more efficient headphones and earbuds.
