Audio

After launching the Verified by Spotify badge for musicians a few weeks ago, the service now has a sticker for podcasters who actually exist in real life, as AI-generated podslop floods RSS feeds.

Look, I’m not saying Sony’s audio naming scheme is good, per se, but you can’t deny it’s distinct. Is it really willing to throw that away?

A product called “1000X The Collexion” with an over-ear headphone model number of “WH-1000XX” briefly appeared on Sony’s region websites. There are no images, but a previous report suggest that the limited-edition model will launch for €629 (about $740) on May 19th.

The latest project from Swedish designer Love Hultén is the NES-SY2.0 — a bespoke synthesizer that includes an NES Poly chiptune synth, KeyStep and Flamma FS22 interfaces, and a custom-made MIDI visualizer. And yes, Hultén says the system supports NES game cartridges!

When Victoria Song reviewed the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, she found a lot to like about their slimmer ear hook and wireless charging, even before their iOS 26 upgrade. Now, Beats is launching this color-splashed collaboration, which is at least bright, even if it lacks the internal hardware updates of Apple’s new AirPods Max headphones.

The $799.99 Bromley 450 includes the same replaceable 40+ hour battery, mic and instrument inputs, and hidden light show as the original Bromley 750. It’s just a good chunk smaller, and substantially cheaper to match.

Apple’s original AirPods Max are pretty extraordinary headphones with some very obvious flaws. More than five years on, we’re finally getting a sequel — which fixes absolutely none of them. Make it make sense, Apple.

Originally shown at CES 2026, Rode has officially announced its new $599 Rodecaster Video Core, a buttonless video switcher featuring similar connectivity to last year’s Rodecaster Video S. It can automatically switch between connected cameras by detecting who’s speaking (including iPhones connected wirelessly) or you can manually switch between sources by pairing it with the Rodecaster Pro II and Rodecaster Duo audio mixers.

Retailer Alto Music has leaked a new portable sampler by Akai that looks inspired by the company’s MPC60 and MPC3000, according to Synth Anatomy. The streamlined $399 Akai MPC Sample will pair 16 pads with a color screen, a mic and speaker, a sampling engine, a sequencer, various effects, and a host of audio ports on the back.

The Wave:3 MK.2 microphone is $20 more expensive than the original version at $169.99, but Elgato has upgraded it with a new Wave FX chip that processes digital effects like a compressor and low-cut filter right on the mic. The MK.2’s multifunction dial now also has a glowing interactive ring around it showing audio levels and other feedback while you talk.

MIDI was introduced in 1983, and hit version 2.0 back in 2020, an update cadence we think more of the industry should aspire to.

Specifically, head gestures like nodding or shaking to accept and decline calls, SammyGuru reports. The upcoming Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro will also reportedly let you operate your phone camera remotely by squeezing the earbud stems, and activate Find My Phone using the earbud charging case.

This project from Florida-based artist Gwak needs to make that horrid beep/buzzing noise when the phone rings for authenticity, but the yellowing and half-peeled sticker is -chef’s kiss-.

A new teaser promises the “next generation of earbuds,” with a launch set for 8AM PT on February 12th. The brief glimpses in the video match leaks we’ve seen of the WF-1000XM6, the high-end sequel to 2023’s excellent XM5.

A software update allows its G5 and C5 OLED TVs to work with the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect speaker system it announced at CES. FlexConnect allows for more flexible speaker placement and configurations, and could boost the surround sound speaker market.

Android Headlines has shared renders of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro expected to be announced at the next Samsung Unpacked event. The new design features metal strips on the stems to help distinguish them from Apple’s AirPods, and they both now lie horizontally in their charging cases which carry forward transparent lids.

Power Buy has since taken down the listing for the new Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds as spotted by Reddit’s Mr_Snail10, but The Walkman Blog managed to capture some images before it disappeared. The upgrade to 2023’s WF-1000XM5 appear to feature a more rounded pill-shaped design with a charging case that now has a flat top and bottom.

Yesterday the company announced its first new hardware since 2024. The Sonos Amp Multi is targeted at high-end sound systems and professional audio installers, but this video explaining all of the amplifier’s features will make anyone with a handful of old speakers lying around want to add one to their setup.

Following a focus on improving its software and mobile app, the Amp Multi is Sonos’ first new hardware debut since the launch of its Arc Ultra soundbar in 2024, as reported by Bloomberg. The Amp Multi lets users connect traditional speakers to their wireless audio systems using eight amplified outputs, but is designed for professional installations.