HEADPHONE technology has improved massively in recent years and it is trend that is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
According to market analysis conducted by Research N Reports, the global earphones and headphones industry was worth more than $10.5 billion in 2018.
Improved audio experiences and a shift towards mobile devices amongst consumers are expected to drive a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 5% between now and 2025.
The emergence of notched smartphones, increased demand for fashionable designs and improvements in noise cancellation are other factors predicted to power the growth.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period, although the revenue rise is likely to impact countries across the world. Read on as we look at the future of headphone technology.
Human Headphones set to change the game
Seattle-based electronics manufacturer, Human Inc., is set to change the game after launching the first true wireless over-ear smart headphones.
Human Headphones feature a 3-in-1 design that delivers over-the-ear quality, ear-bud convenience and a powerful Bluetooth speaker.
The provide excellent sound quality, capacitive touch controls, on-the-move communication, all-day connectivity and more, making them one of the most innovative products to hit the market.
Ben Willis, Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Human Inc., said: “We founded Human to completely redesign both the form and function of modern headphones.
“Our goal was to create all-in-one headphones that are compatible with every aspect of a user’s day, whether they’re at home, commuting, or in the office.
“We’re excited to launch Human Headphones and bring customers a one-of-a-kind device equipped with the latest technology to deliver a seamless listening experience from morning to night.”
The headphones adapt to the physical structure of the ear rather than going into or over them. Their unique shape creates an audio experience unlike any other wireless product to date.
“No other headphones adapt to your life the way Human Headphones do,” Willis added. “As such, these devices are poised to change how we interact with and use technology throughout our day on a massive scale.
“We could not just adopt the traditional headphone or in-ear designs because in doing so, you also adopt their fundamental legacy issues and limitations, with product comfort being one of the largest problems for both.
“By going back to the drawing board, we were able to both construct an entirely new form that is really driven by the anatomy of all human ears to set a new bar for comfort.
“Additionally, we have opened up device real estate for the technology needed in delivering a very powerful hardware and software platform. Our platform is not only powerful enough for today, but also will support integration of future voice experiences.”
Turtle Beach amplifying its reach
Turtle Beach continues to make some of the best headphones in the industry and their Elite Pro 2 plus SuperAmp bundle has taken things to another level.
The Elite SuperAmp is an innovative audio controller that allows gamers to connect, amplify and control their audio settings via Bluetooth.
Available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the device can connect any wired gaming headset to a mobile app-based control centre.
Users can tweak their audio settings to receive powerful and immersive amplified surround sound that moves gaming into a different stratosphere.
When connected to the app, players can instantly control features like Game and Chat Audio Mix, Dynamic Chat Boost, Superhuman Hearing and more.
There are other controls for the SuperAmp’s LED colour and lighting mode, along with streaming-specific audio settings.
“The Elite SuperAmp is perfect for gamers looking to significantly step-up their audio experience while using their existing headset,” said Juergen Stark, CEO, Turtle Beach.
“The SuperAmp’s standard 3.5mm jack is compatible with nearly all wired gaming headsets, while the intuitive mobile app makes it easy to quickly adjust and customise your settings from your phone or tablet before jumping into a game.”
Debussy offers a Prelude to the future
Funded by a Kickstarter campaign, Debussy’s Prelude headphones could be the next big thing to transform a rapidly developing industry.
Prelude was promoted at CES 2019 as the ‘premium, always connected music app streaming headphones engineered for audiophiles and music lovers’ alike.
Featuring a built-in high-fidelity audio chain, Prelude provides true lossless sound that is guaranteed to keep you listening for hours on end.
Debussy’s ‘Adaptive Rendering’ decodes audio and tunes as you switch musical genres, ensuring a perfect listening experience time after time.
The headphones use 4G LTE services to stream your favorite music services and can be paired to any device via Bluetooth or USB-C.
A digital touchscreen enables interactive gesture controls, voice assistant commands, standalone music search and custom album art display.
Prelude features 32GB storage for audio files, meaning users could store more than 10,000 MP3 tracks within the headphones.
Debussy CEO and Founder, Arnaud Perret, has worked with a plethora of star names on the project and believes the Prelude will change headphone technology forever.
“All the manufacturers will copy, for sure,” said Perret. “But all we’re building, with all the artists and branding, that experience we’re creating – that cannot be mimicked.”
