Astell&Kern has a sterling reputation in the audiophile world, so you have to think it carefully considered the decision before it put the A&K name on a pair of wireless in-ear headphones priced for a broader market. The AK UW100 (fave.co/35JSepR; $260) utilize technology originally developed for the company's hi-fi gear and certainly qualify as a product that deserves the Astell&Kern name.
Building high-quality in-ear headphones is quite a challenge. Sure, there are plenty of inexpensive earbuds that will keep a Bluetooth connection, and there are also plenty of listeners who can't tell the difference or don't care.
When a manufacturer aspires to make something better, it usually gets tripped up at the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) stage. Most choose low power consumption DACS to maximize battery life, but that trade-off severely limits the audio quality they can deliver.
Astell&Kern believes it has solved the problem by tapping amplifier and audio circuit technology originally developed for its digital audio players. The AK UW100 use an Asahi Kasei AKM AK4332 32-bit DAC to deliver a much better audio experience than the competition.
The AK UW100 also use Knowles balanced armature drivers instead of the dynamic drivers commonly used for standard in-ear headphones. Balanced armature drivers are known for their accurate music reproduction, and they're a common feature in pro-level in-ear stage monitors.
DESIGN
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Apple connects Podcasts app with Music, News+, and other subscriptions
Subscriptions to eligible services automatically appear in the Podcasts app.
How to insert fractions in Word and Pages
Microsoft and Apple try to help you put the numbers in the correct place and have it look good, too.
Three overlooked Apple apps you should start using right now
The company has spent a lot of time working on several of the core apps across its platforms, trying to ensure that they provide a great experience.
RIP Lightning: In lieu of flowers, please send dongles
A eulogy for the little iPhone port that could.
How to create and customize your Contact Poster in iOS 17
It's an all-new way to express yourself to those you call or message.
3 new Apple features I'd literally be lost without
iOS 17 and watchOS 10 get new features to help you find your way (and your remote).
LIMINK AL ALLOY PORTABLE TRIPLE MONITOR (LK14)
While it is easy to connect external displays to your MacBook for expanded desk-based screen space, you can't easily take this set up on the road with you or pack it neatly away in a drawer.
Intel announces Thunderbolt 5 with double the bandwidth
The new standard will likely be available on Macs in 2024 or 2025.
Safari 17: Everything you need to know about the new features
In Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey, Safari helps you be more productive and secure.
How to add widgets to the macOS Sonoma Desktop
Widgets provide quick access to the information you need