Listen Up

Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset

- Bob Ankosko

You’ve no doubt heard of smart speakers—and you may even own one—but have you heard of smart headphones? It’s not quite a thing just yet, but Sennheiser—the family owned German company that has been making microphones since 1946 and invented the first on-ear, open-air headphones (the iconic HD414) in 1968—has developed an intriguing product that draws on its expertise in both areas. The Ambeo Smart Headset does something no other headphones we know of can do: It captures 3D audio for videos you shoot on your phone. The idea is to record an immersive “you are there” soundtrack that makes the listener feel as though they are on location. The results can be quite convincing, but you have to wear headphones to experience it. Don’t worry, any ordinary stereo set will do.