As Apple's AirPods have become more and more ubiquitous, more and more people are looking for ways to customize them. LA-based designer Ian Delucca decided on a far-from-subtle approach. Limited to just 25 pairs, his Object No. 1 AirPods are cast in white gold, then adorned with 1,0000 individual VVS natural, mined diamonds. Each set has its edition number and creation date inscribed and arrives with a custom marble charging stand.
Photos: Ian DeLucca
Five decades of experience. Tiny enclosure. Cambridge Audio's Melomania 1 is the company's first pair of truly wireless in-ear headphones. Named after the live music venue at their London R&D center, they have 5.8mm graphene drivers that deliver surprising clarity and presence. Bluetooth 5.0 provides a stable connection, AAC and aptX support lossless wireless audio, and MEMS microphones keep calls clear. The headphones weigh just 4.6g each and can run up to 9 hours on a single charge, with up to four recharges offered by the included carrying case.
An active lifestyle demands a pair of headphones that can keep pace. And the wireless MW65 does just that with three selectable active noise-canceling modes. So whether you're at the office, all alone, or trying to drown out a noisy crowd, the MW65 has you covered. In all three modes, the crisp, warm sound that helps M&D cans stand out isn't lost, with a little extra low-end punch when canceling is activated. They're also the most comfortable M&D headphones to date, with a premium leather headband and lambskin-wrapped memory-foam ear pads that surround a new, lighter anodized aluminum build. Each pair has an impressive 24 hours of battery life, strong Bluetooth range, built-in Google Assistant, and land snugly in the included carrying pouch when they aren't wrapped around your head.
Width: 6.5" / Height: 7.5" / Depth: 2.6" / Weight: 8.6 oz
Long the most well-known name in noise-cancelling headphones, Bose is striving to once again be the best. Their new 700 cans use four microphones and advanced processing to offer 11 levels of noise cancellation, with a Conversation Mode for quick real-world conversations, near complete silence when needed, and outstanding clarity on phone calls. There's a dedicated button to access your favorite voice assistant, a sleek, futuristic design, and active EQ. As the first headphones to support Bose AR, they also promise futuristic, tailored audio content based on where you are and what you're looking at.
Powered by the same H1 chip as Apple's latest AirPods, the Powerbeats Pro are workout-ready, totally wireless earphones. Completely redesigned, they're 23 percent smaller and 17 percent lighter than their predecessor, with a sweat- and water-resistant design. An ergonomically angled acoustic housing works with four included tips to provide outstanding sound quality while isolating outside noise. Like the AirPods, they support hands-free "Hey Siri" requests when paired with iOS devices, and charge up in the included carrying case when their 9-hour battery runs out. Coming in May in Black, Ivory, Moss, and Navy.
Truly wireless with a handcrafted tortoise brown acetate body, the MW07 earphones from Master & Dynamic strike an ideal blend of convenience, performance, and style. Inside each 'bud is a custom 10mm Beryllium driver that delivers impossibly good sound from a small package. Silicone "wings" in two different sizes ensure a secure fit, and MEMS mics let you handle calls easily. They last for 3.5 hours, charge inside the included stainless steel carrying case for a total of 14 hours of battery life, and have an IPX 4 splashproof rating, making them capable, although unlikely, gym companions.
Available in Matte Black, Tortoise Shell, or White Marble.
Dimensions (Earphones): 0.98" x 0.87" x 1.11" / Dimensions (Case): 2.54" x 1.06" x 1.78" / Weight (Earphone, each): 0.32 oz / Weight (Case): 2.68 oz / Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2 with apt-X / Connectivity Distance: 65+ feet
With a monochrome silver look that matches Rimowa's iconic suitcases, these Bang & Olufsen H9i Headphones are an ideal travel companion. As headphones, they offer the same active noise cancellation, 40mm electro-dynamic drivers, soft lambskin ear pads, and touch-based controls as the standard edition. But instead of a simple pouch, they come in a custom Rimowa case that cradles them as delicately as they do your ears. The limited edition cans are finished with a Rimowa logo on one ear cup and the B&O logo on the other.
Based in Brooklyn, New York, graphic designer Scott Reinhard combines vintage maps with elevation data to create stunning pieces of art. Reinhard uses a chromogenic process to create each print, which takes traditional color photography development and integrates 3-dimensional data with paper maps for a result that is so visually appealing, you'll be tempted to reach out and feel what looks like 3D texture. The process brings the maps to life, creating a 2D print that is vibrant and detailed giving you a unique work of art that blends history and modern technology. In addition to the topographic maps, Reinhard creates compelling digitally rendered maps and has even adopted his technique to the surface of the moon.
Choose from map prints of Death Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier National Park, Joshua Tree, Marfa, Texas, Hudson, New York, or a digital rendering of all the buildings in New York City.
Protecting your property shouldn't involve drilling holes and running wires. The Simplisafe Home Security System requires none of the above, and is easy to install yourself. It starts with a base station that connects to their service via WiFi with a backup cellular connection for emergencies. You can arm and disarm it from the keypad, with a key fob, or with your phone. Add on as many entry, motion, smoke, glass break, and CO sensors as you need — the system is easily expandable to fit your needs, and comes with the assurance of 24/7 monitoring.
Presented by SimpliSafe.
As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.
Powered by the all-new H1 chip, the second-generation Apple AirPods don't look any different than the originals, but they do offer a host of improvements. The aforementioned H1 was designed specifically for headphones, boosting talk time by 50%, speeding up connection times, and adding support for hands-free "Hey Siri" activation. Also new is the long-awaited wireless charging case, letting you juice it up with the same Qi-compatible pads that can power up your iPhone, and adding a handy LED status indicator to the front.
The original BeoPlay E8 earphones were billed as truly wireless, and that was true — except when it was time to charge them up. This 2.0 revision eliminates that final cord with a leather changing case that supports both micro USB and Qi wireless charging. As before, they're crafted from aluminum, stainless steel, and leather, with a reassuring build quality that feels great in your ears. An app-accessed Digital Signal Processor lets you adjust the EQ and gain to suit your preferences, a built-in mic lets you handle phone calls, and an adjustable Transparency Mode that lets you hear the world around you. The latter is accessed via an intuitive touch interface that also lets you start and stop the audio, change tracks, and activate voice commands. They offer a playtime of four hours on their own, with an extra twelve provided by the case, and are a great-sounding alternative to ubiquitous white 'buds. With the release of the 2.0's, it means you can also pick up the original E8's for quite a bargain.
Frequency: 20 - 20,000 Hz / Impedance: 16 Ohm / Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2 AAC Codec
Earphones: 0.9" x 0.79" x 0.98" / Charging Case: 2.87" x 1.85" x 1.30"
Using a highly-efficient design, the Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Headphones offer audiophile sound untethered from dedicated amps. At their heart are free-edge 52mm bio-dynamic drivers made from a secret mix of bio-cellulose and inorganic fiber that are incredibly balanced and controlled. They're seated in solid wood ear cups that are triple-vented to reduce pressure in your ears and deliver consistent, natural sound. Matching the quality of the audio, the rest of the design is hand-assembled using visible copper nuts and bolts, with a hand-stitched cowhide headband and magnetic removable sheepskin ear cushions. They arrive in a handsome wooden case, along with a pair of smartphone-compatible 3.5mm cables, a 1/4" adapter, and a solid steel headphone stand. As seen in Uncrate Issue 03.
Driver: KG-520 Free-Edge Biodynamic / Frequency Response: 5Hz-45kHz / Sensitivity: 98 dB / Impedance: 25 Ohms
Height: 7.87" / Width: 10.24" / Depth: 1.97" / Weight: 0.97 lbs.
Our hearing profiles are nearly as unique as our fingerprints. NuraLoop Adaptive Earphones take this into account. They fire off a sequence of sounds when you first put them on, using tiny microphones, an algorithm that's been proven in over-ear headphones, and Otoacoustic emissions to measure what your brain hears and adjust the sound to match. The result is a sound signature that's customized to your own anatomy, letting you hear details you'd miss otherwise. They also offer active noise-cancellation, a "social mode" that lets you hear ambient noise without removing them from your ears, and touch controls. Expect them to hit store shelves later this year.
For years, if you needed a set of headphones to silence the outside world, Bose was the unanimous choice. With the WH-1000XM3 — crowned by many as the best headphone of 2018 — Sony has staked its place at the top. Using an array of mics and a QN1 processing chip, they eliminate ambient noise in real-time while providing vibrant, rich audio that's Hi-Res certified. They're also wireless, with up to 40 hours of battery life, charge quickly over USB-C, and have simple gesture controls built into the right cup of their lightweight, comfortable body.
Family-owned Grado Labs has been hand-making high-end audio equipment in its Brooklyn offices since 1955. That heritage made them an ideal collaboration partner, and these holy grail Grado x Uncrate UN2000e headphones are the result, and have been re-released this year in limited quantities. The company's original version — called by reviewers "very likely the best sounding headphones ever made" and "simply an audiophile work of art" — is an open-air design with internal maple parts and mahogany cups that combine with purpose-built 50 mm drivers to create a special resonance inspired by techniques long-used by musical instrument makers. To have ours sound and look our very own, we paired ebonzied oak cups — different types of wood sing with their own personalities — with the internal maple wood to produce an organic sound that's full of unrivaled detail, rich vocals, and a huge soundstage with deep lows. The bison leather headband and ebonized oak finish match our turntable perfectly.
Built from the ground up for binge-watching, the Dolby Dimension Headphones are a perfect solution for divided living rooms. LifeMix technology lets the listener decide the amount of ambient sound they want to hear, letting them focus on their show while not cutting them off from their surroundings. As a Dolby product, they also offer cinema-like sound, and dedicated buttons on the right earcup make switching between sources a breeze. They're powered by custom 40mm drives, ship with a wireless Power Base charger, and allow for customization via a companion app.
Wireless earphones have come a long way, but there are still many that just don't fit right in your ears. Decibullz is fixing that with their custom molded earphones that form to the exact shape of your ears. Just heat the thermo-fit earpieces in warm water and press into your ears for a perfect fit. Each pair also boasts award-winning sound, IPX7 waterproofing, and the ability to last as long as 25 hours before their next charge.
Presented by Decibullz.
Made in Boulder, Colorado, these plant-based waffles are an energy bar alternative, great for snacking in-between meals, after a workout, mid-trail or mid-ride. The modern take on a centuries-old tradition uses a brioche-based dough that cold-ferments overnight. It's then infused with pearl sugar imported from Belgium and finished in an authentic Liège waffle iron. They're best toasted in a conventional toaster, and you should never microwave them. If you're taking them on the go or you're just short on time, let them thaw for a few hours and enjoy at room temperature. They arrive partially frozen in environmentally friendly, compostable packaging and should be thrown in the freezer immediately. Available in original and gluten-free varieties.
Sold as a pack of 6.
Serving Size 1 Vafel (80g) / 6 Servings per container
Nutrition & Ingredients: 10g Total Fat / 2.3g Saturated Fat / 3.3g Polyunsaturated Fat / 383g Monounsaturated Fat / 310mg Sodium / 50g Total Carbohydrates / 2g Dietary Fiber / 18g Total Sugars / 5g Protein / 20.9mg Calcium / 2.2mg Iron / 89mg Potassium
The logos and symbols that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has used throughout their history are nearly as iconic as their achievements. This black trucker style mesh cap bears one of their well-known logos, designed in 1975 and nicknamed the "worm." The logo was retired in 1992 and adorns this hat with a gold text embroidered iron-on patch. The 5-panel, high profile snapback cap is lightweight and breathable and adds a nostalgic touch to your casual look.
Sennheiser's Momentum headphones are known for their sonic chops. The Momentum True Wireless brings that same experience directly to your ears, no cords required. Packed inside their tiny bodies are 7mm dynamic drivers, an app-controlled EQ, and support for AAC and aptX, all of which adds up to outstanding audio reproduction. The touch-sensitive metallic outer surface gives single-tap access to Siri or Google Assistant, and the Transparent Hearing feature lets you meld your music with noises from the world around you. They come with a handsome fabric-wrapped case that boosts the battery life from four to 12 hours.
Like many Apple products, AirPods are quickly becoming ubiquitous. Stand out from the crowd with Hadoro Carbon Black AirPods. The charging case is crafted from carbon fiber with a graphite finish and visible weave pattern, and emblazoned with the "H" logo, while the earphones themselves have a scratch-resistant matte black soft-touch finish. They arrive in a custom box with the charger and original component kit.
Marshall's stage equipment has been trusted for years by some of music's biggest names. Now you can trust them with your personal audio via these Monitor Over-Ear Headphones. Their 40mm drivers provide dynamic audio reproduction, with Bluetooth aptX support providing a high-fidelity wireless stream of music for up to 30 hours per charge. A 3.5mm port allows you to use them as a corded 'phone or share your wireless music, and the control knob also works with the built-in mics to let you take phone calls when needed. To ensure they look as good as they sound, the ergonomic, collapsible design incorporates black leather, brass accents and plugs, and a white script logo evoke the spirit of the company's vintage amps.
Drivers: 40mm Dynamic / Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 aptX / Weight: 9.56 oz.
Modern convenience. Old-school looks. ColorWare AirPods Retro give the wireless earphones an Apple IIe-inspired makeover. The pods get refinished in a matte putty color, while the case gets faux vents and a rainbow-colored button. Otherwise, they're just like the originals, with surprisingly good sound, a W1 chip, 24-hour battery life when used with the charging case, and at-a-tap Siri access. Available for a limited time only.
Paris-based Aedle is known for their high-end headphones, but up until now, you've needed a cord to enjoy them. No more. The VK-X is the company's first wireless offering. Using Bluetooth 4.2, they offer support for AptX HD, LDAC, and AAC audio up to 24 bit/96kHz, and have powerful active noise cancellation, making them ideal for travel. A multi-function rotating control lets you pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume, and custom 40mm drivers provide outstanding audio reproduction. They last up to 24 hours per charge over USB-C, and have the same tasteful design, with genuine lambskin leather on the headband and earpads and machined aluminum cups, that helped make their past models so alluring.
Electrostatic headphones provide a level of sound quality that is unparalleled, but toting around a bulky pair of headphones and dedicated amp limits their mobility. Shure's new KSE1200s feature a single-driver electrostatic force that pushes sound without any interference from coils or stiff cones for clarity and detail you can't get from other portable players. The sound isolating earphones come with their high-voltage amplifier for digital to analog conversion and integrate seamlessly with premium audio players.
Designed for use by musicians performing on the biggest stages in the world, these custom In-Ear Monitors from Ultimate Ears are the most powerful the company has ever made. The monitors feature 7 balanced armatures, a dynamic 6mm neodymium driver, and are equipped to handle all frequency ranges. Each pair comes with a personalized carrying case along with a cleaning tool to keep them in top condition at all times.
Built from uncompromising materials with a design that's at once modern and timeless, these Master & Dynamic MW60 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones are meant to outlast any gadget you're streaming with. An exposed all-aluminum Bluetooth antenna is integrated into the design and gives them range far beyond competitors, while custom 45mm neodymium drivers provide lively, detailed, and well-balanced sound with plenty of low-end response. While their steel and aluminum construction gives them a quality heft, the leather-wrapped headband and lambskin-wrapped memory foam earpads help keep them comfortable for hours, with the latter providing impressive isolation. With a 16-hour battery life, the MW60's fully fold into the included canvas headphone pouch, and a canvas cord case, 1.25m-long 3.5mm cable for passive use, charging cable, 3.5 to 6.5mm adapter, and leather cable box are all included. As seen in Uncrate Issue 03.
Width: 7.9" / Height: 7.3" / Depth: 2" / Weight: 12.2 oz
Hear both your music and your surroundings with Sony Xperia Ear Duo Earphones. They have a unique open-ear design with a "Spatial Acoustic Conductor" that pipes sound created behind your ear directly into your canal, joining other sounds that pass through the ring-shaped support. They come with a case that recharges the battery up to three times on-the-go and have a touch-sensitive surface for easy access to Google Assistant or Siri. Available in black or gold.
Sony unveiled a new line of sports headphones this week geared towards your active lifestyle. Among them are the WF-SP700N earbuds, the first wireless noise-canceling sports headphones on the market. Perfect for use in noisy environments, the earbuds were tested in real workouts and are designed to perform through sweat and splashes. They also come with a one-touch-open charging case that provides up to three hours of music playback when fully charged while the case holds two more three-hour charges for powering up on-the-go.
The HD 820 headphones from Sennheiser aim to provide the best, individual listening experience available. Unlike the flagship 800's, the new cans feature a closed-back design for a realistic, natural sound field. This provides listeners with a re-creation of the sound that is closer to how it was recorded and intended to be consumed, without imposing on the audio space of others. They even boast glass covers on the exterior to help reduce resonance. And to round things out each pair has microfiber ear pads, OFC cables with gold-plated plugs, and a metal headband with an inner damping element.
The Vi personal trainer boasts an A.I. engine that learns and adapts to you. The trainer provides workouts tailored to your goals and abilities and speaks in a warm, motivating, human voice. Vi also tracks your heart rate, pace, calories burned, and more in real-time upon request. And when the work out ends, use the Bluetooth headset to listen to your favorite music or podcasts via the Harmon Kardon sound with a battery life of up to eight hours.
Presented by Vi.
The Canfield Over-Ear Headphones from Shinola are the latest addition to their growing line of audio products. Each pair is tuned and tested in Detroit, and features a 50 mm dynamic driver with neutral frequency response to make the most of your listening session. And since comfort is almost as important as sound, the Canfield's come with a top grain leather headband and memory foam ear pads encased in lambskin. Available in black or cognac.
Presented by Shinola.
In our search for a more customized sound and fit, we've dialed-in a pair of headphones from Copenhagen-based AIAIAI tuned by Uncrate editors. Now with a modular Bluetooth-enabled headband, these TMA-2 headphones provide a warm, balanced sound that's perfect for extended listening. With a focus on clear low-end dynamics, the headphones unleash deep bass with a wide sound stage and high isolation — meaning, your Run The Jewels and Com Truise tracks will sound their best ever. The speaker units are engineered with a 40mm titanium-coated driver to reduce distortion, and built with a fully sealed housing, providing full and rich sound. Up top is a reinforced bluetooth headband with super comfortable PU leather padding, while memory foam PU leather-covered earpads and a detachable coiled cable for wired listening that extends up to 10 feet round out the pair. Pretty much every surface is coated with thin rubber to give a matte look with a soft-touch feeling.
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