Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

At Bose’s launch even for its new 2016 wireless headphones, I got a chance to try its new Bluetooth sports headphone, the SoundSport Wireless, an in-ear model that’s fairly affordably priced at $150 (£140, AU $249). It’s the wireless sports headphone a lot of people have been waiting for, but in September the company is releasing the step-up SoundSport Pulse, which costs $200 (£170, AU$300) and has an integrated heart-rate monitor that’s compatible with Runkeeper, Endomondo and other fitness apps.

New Bose wireless headphones

• Bose intros 4 new wireless headphones you’re going to want (hands-on)
• Bose QuietComfort 35 (hands-on): Finally, an active noise-canceling wireless headphone from Bose
• Bose’s QuietControl 30 is the ultimate neckband-style Bluetooth headphone (hands-on)

Like SoundSport Wireless, the SoundSport Pulse Wireless has an open design and is very comfortable to wear. By open I mean that you don’t jam the earbud into your ear. Thanks to Bose’s Stay-Hear+ eartips, which come in three sizes, the bud sits loosely in your ear yet remains securely in place.

Those new eartips are a special sport version of the Stay-Hear tips that are different from the ones included with Bose’s earlier in-ear headphones, so they aren’t interchangeable. And I should also point out that because the earpieces extend out from your ears you’ll probably have some trouble wearing these under a helmet (I’ll see see if I can use them with a ski helmet once a I get a review sample).

The only downside to the floating-fit, open design is that ambient sound does leak in and this isn’t a good headphone for noisy environments. (By contrast, Bose’s upcoming QuietControl 30 features active noise canceling.) But if you’re out running or biking, you’ll be able to hear cars coming, which is why a lot of runners and bikers prefer their headphones to have open designs.

As you might expect, the headphone is sweat and water resistant and there’s an inline mic and remote that lets you skip songs, adjust the volume, and take and make calls. Bose is touting its quality as headset for making calls, as well as how reliable the Bluetooth connection is.

Battery life for the SoundSport Pulse Wireless is 5 hours, which is decent for this type of design, but an hour less than the non-Pulse version. Both SoundSport wireless headphones come with a simple neoprene carrying case, but Bose will also sell an accessory case that has a built-in battery for on-the-go charging that’ll cost $50.

Bose will sell a separate accessory case that has a built-in rechargeable battery for $50.

Sarah Tew/CNET

In my limited listening test with SoundSport Wireless (the Pulse was behind glass) the sound quality seemed quite good for an in-ear Bluetooth headphone, but the real advantage this has over competing models from Beats, Jaybird and Plantronics is its high comfort level.

SoundSport Pulse Wireless’ highlights:

• Ships in September
• Price: $200, £170, AU$299
• 5 hours of battery life
• Water- and sweat-resistant
• Accessory charging case costs $50

The step-up SoundSport Pulse Wireless ($200) arrives in September and has an integrated hear-rate monitor.

Sarah Tew/CNET

UE Roll 2 review – CNET

The Good The UE Roll 2 is a compact, waterproof Bluetooth speaker with a unique design, very good sound for its size, and decent battery life. It has an integrated bungee cord and an included inflatable life preserver that allows it to float in water. New version has better wireless range and plays a little louder.

The Bad It has no speakerphone capabilities.

The Bottom Line Overall, while this may not seem like much of an upgrade over the original, the UE Roll 2 is a better speaker and clearly one of the top mini Bluetooth speakers on the market.

The UE Roll was one of my favorite compact Bluetooth speakers of 2015 and now there’s a sequel: the UE Roll 2, which offers a couple of modest improvements over the original. For starters, it plays louder. About 15 percent louder according to UE. More importantly, it has a longer wireless range of up to 30 meters or 98 feet. And it ships with a UE Floatie, so you can take it into the pool with you right out of the box.

That’s right, this speaker is completely waterproof and can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. However, it doesn’t float, which is why you need to the Floatie accessory to keep it above water.

What you get in the box.

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The speaker looks identical and weighs virtually the same (330 grams or 11.6 ounces) as the original Roll (332 grams or 11.7 ounces), with the same integrated bungie cord, which comes in handy, allowing you to hang the speaker from a hook or attach it to a backpack or even your belt clip. Battery life is the same at around 9 hours and the price is, too: $100, £79 or AU$149 (will be available in Australia later this year).

Electrolux EFLS617S review – CNET

The Good The Electrolux EFLS617S washer excels at stain removal for just $1,099.

The Bad It doesn’t have an app or any other smart features.

The Bottom Line Get the Electrolux EFLS617S for its reasonable price and top-notch performance.

The $1,099 Electrolux EFLS617S Front Load Perfect Steam Washer with LuxCare Wash and SmartBoost may not have an app or any other connected home integrations, but this affordable appliance is definitely smart.

The SmartBoost performance feature the Electrolux team touted when its new 600-series washers were first announced in January really does clean clothes better. The EFLS617S, a flagship 600-series washing machine, also has intuitive controls and is easy on the eyes. If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced front-load washer with impressive stain-fighting power, I’d give this Electrolux model a close look.

This Electrolux washer scares stains away…
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The basics

For a full-size washer priced at just $1,099, the Electrolux EFLS617S has a lot to offer. Available in a white or dark gray finish (gray costs an extra 100 bucks), it has a competitive 4.4-cubic-foot capacity, an unfussy display, and a variety of features.

Some of them include:

• Front-load design
• SmartBoost
  

  In other washer news:
  

  • A simple LCD screen makes this smart washer shine
  • How we test: Washing machines
  • Marathon wants to remove dryers from the laundry equation
• LuxCare wash system
• 15-minute Fast Wash cycle
• Sanitize option
• StainSoak option
• Perfect Steam option
• Extended Refresh option
• Fresh water rinse

While I wouldn’t expect to see a steam feature like Perfect Steam or a system designed to monitor and control water temperatures and sense load size like LuxCare for $1,099, SmartBoost is the real standout here. As Electrolux claims, SmartBoost offers “The most effective stain removal.”

Here are some of its other key features:

Performance

SmartBoost definitely sounds like a PR buzzword, something designed to seem fancy that might not actually improve a washer’s performance — or make doing laundry any easier. But in this particular case, it delivers.

Samsung WF457ARGSWR review – CNET

The Good Samsung’s $1,399 WF457ARGSWR washing machine is good at removing stains, it looks nice, and its touchscreen LCD display is simple to use.

The Bad Samsung’s Smart Washer app works decently well, but it’s confusing to setup.

The Bottom Line Get the Samsung WF457ARGSWR for its uncomplicated LCD display and solid stain-removal power.

Visit manufacturer site for details.

Samsung’s $1,399 US-only WF457ARGSWR washing machine is so simple to use that it almost makes me want to do laundry. Almost.

With an intuitive 8-inch LCD screen in lieu of a cluttered multi-dial display, good cleaning performance, nice looks, and a related app that actually adds some value, it’s a washer upgrade worth consideration. Yes, $1,399 is a lot to pay for a single machine, but
Samsung’s WF457ARGSWR might just be the right washer for you
if you’re in the market for a versatile high-end machine.

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A simpler clean

The Samsung WF457ARGSWR isn’t exactly revolutionary when it comes to design or features. You won’t find a built-in sink a la Samsung’s own $1,199 WA52J8700 Activewash or a second smaller washer hidden in the pedestal like the $1,500 LG Twin Wash. Even so, the WF457ARGSWR is a smartly designed machine with distinct appeal.

In other laundry news:

• GE smartens up its large appliances with IFTTT support
• Spring cleaning at CNET’s Smart Home starts with a new washer and dryer
• This washer is tough on stains, but that’s about it
• How we test: Washing machines
• 16 washers to help you clean up your laundry routine (pictures)
• This well-rounded washer offers a little bit of everything

Its white finish — also available in a dark gray, “onyx” finish for an extra 100 bucks — is simple, but it still looks crisp. That’s due in large part to the built-in 8-inch LCD screen replacing any cluttered knobs and buttons on this front load washer’s display.

The LCD panel truly houses every feature and function, from selecting among Normal, Sanitize, Active Wear and the other standard cleaning cycles, to customizing the temperature, spin speed, soil level, and even adding in extras like Prewash, Steam, Extra Rise, or Extra Spin. The standalone power and start/pause buttons are the only non-touchscreen controls you’ll find on this machine.

There’s also an Android and iPhone Samsung Smart Washer app that looks outdated and is confusing to setup, but does allow you to start cleaning cycles either from home or away, wherever your phone has access to the Internet. It’s tedious to get the app up and running because you have to configure Indoor control (on your local Wi-Fi network) and Outdoor control (outside of your local Wi-Fi network) separately.

Setting up Outdoor control is particularly frustrating because you have to register your appliance on Samsungsmartappliance.com using its MAC ID. Since I couldn’t find a MAC ID displayed on my machine, I took to Google to determine how to locate a MAC ID on a Samsung washer. Apparently, the number was already in the Indoor control section of the app from that configuration — but that wasn’t clear at the outset.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active review – CNET

The Good The Galaxy S7 Active has extra long battery life and is resistant to dust, water and drops. It has has the same speedy performance, expandable storage and excellent camera quality as the original S7.

The Bad The bulky, plastic design feels cheap compared to the glass-and-metal S7 and the phone is expensive.

The Bottom Line AT&T customers looking for a durable and high-end smartphone can’t go wrong with the Galaxy S7 Active.

Visit manufacturer site for details.

Everyone says that the two biggest things they want in a smartphone are a tough screen that won’t break, and super-long battery life. After my time carrying the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active with me out and about New York City, I can comfortably say that it delivers on both at one expense: Compared to the premium elegance of the original Galaxy S7, it ain’t pretty.

The Active shares all of the S7’s high-end specs — that beautiful Quad HD display, a speedy quad-core processor, a microSD card slot for more storage and an excellent 12-megapixel rear camera — but gone is the beautiful metal-and-glass design. What you get instead is a shatter-resistant screen, physical navigation buttons, a customizable Action Key, and a military-grade body. It’s also equipped with the largest battery Samsung has ever put in a smartphone, which should appeal to just about everyone.

Every Samsung Galaxy Active phone ever made
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While marketed towards those with an “active lifestyle” (and really, that can mean anything), the Active is a solid choice for anyone looking for a durable and high-end phone — this is the S7 to get if you don’t want to use a case and want to avoid cracking your screen like this. But Galaxy fans who put a premium on design should stick to the S7 or S7 Edge. Check out our existing review of the S7 to see how the camera and processor perform.

Right now, the Active sells only with AT&T in the US, and at $795 (around AU$1085 and £550, converted) at full retail when it goes on sale on June 10, it isn’t cheap. That’s the same price as the curved-screen Edge, and $100 more than the S7 and a whole lot of other Android phones.

Here’s why you’d want the Active instead

I was initially turned off by the Active’s cheap look and feel, but it has worked hard to win me over, because it has a few things that the better-looking S7 and S7 Edge don’t. (And also a few reasons why you may want to stick with the original S7 or S7 Edge).

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The shatter-resistant screen and durable body mean you don’t need a case

Samsung put an extra layer of protection on top of the display glass to keep it from cracking, and in general, the phone is rated to withstand falls from up to 5 feet. I’ve dropped it numerous times on the sidewalk, gravel and hardwood floor, and while the body has scratched slightly, the screen has remained unscathed.

2016 Audi TTS review – Roadshow

The Good Excellent looks, a zippy turbocharged engine and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit technology make the TTS stand out in a crowd.

The Bad Enthusiasts may mourn the lack of a manual. Some folks might find the ride a little harsh, especially in Dynamic mode.

The Bottom Line The 2016 Audi TTS is a sweet little sports coupe that should have you searching for the long way home.

Amid the packs of SUVs and crossovers jamming the roads, the 2016 Audi TTS comes as a breath of fresh air, a lithe little coupe offering a ridiculous amount of fun when pushed to the limit, all wrapped up in a polished package. This more potent version of Audi’s new TT model comes with more power, but still no manual transmission.

When I first got in the TTS, I turned every mode and feature to its sportiest setting. The four different driving modes let me customize levels for the engine and transmission, suspension, steering, all-wheel-drive and the exhaust note. I quickly learned that the suspension in Dynamic setting leads to a harsh and uncomfortable ride. Even after switching it to Comfort, the TTS is jarring over city pavement.

Emme Hall/Roadshow

Audi has been plagued in the past by numb and light steering, and it seems it has fixed at least half that problem. The weight and ratio are both satisfying, especially in dynamic mode, but the numbness is still there. It’s just tough to tell how much grip the Pirelli tires have when slinging the TTS through the corners.

And slinging this car is a joy. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine puts out 292 horsepower, pulling the car neatly through the corners and turn exits. And Audi’s claimed 4.6 seconds to 60 mph acceleration can be put down to the TTS’ 280 pound-feet of torque.

As Audi doesn’t offer a manual transmission for the TTS, I had to make due with the steering-wheel mounted paddles to shift its six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car shifted on its own just fine in everyday driving scenarios, but it upshifted too quickly and downshifted a bit too late for my taste when pushed to the limit, even when in Dynamic mode. The paddle shifters let me keep the revs up and have more control over my corner exit speeds.

My TTS test car came with Audi’s well-known Quattro all-wheel drive system. Having power go to all four wheels made the handling feel neutral in the turns and kept the rear from kicking out during my testing.

Clean and refined cabin

Audi painstakingly culled the cabin of most buttons, resulting in a sleek and modern cockpit. The HVAC controls, incorporated into the vents themselves, leave only a single row of buttons on the center stack for drive mode, traction control, spoiler deploy, parking sensors and hazards.

Audi

Audi locates all other controls on the TTS’ Virtual Cockpit, a 12.3-inch screen in place of a gauge cluster. With navigation and infotainment features on the Virtual Cockpit instead of a center-mounted screen, as in most other cars, it was easier to keep my eyes on the road. Multiple view options include larger or smaller gauges with or without the navigation map, but I often found myself driving with just a large tachometer front and center.

Unfortunately I found Audi’s MMI system unintuitive. The buttons to control the many menus can be found on the steering wheel, center console or accessible by the center controller knob, and it can be tough to remember which button does what.

Sony XBR-X930D series review – CNET

The Good The Sony XBR-X930D delivers spectacular overall picture quality, with extreme brightness, deep black levels and superb color. Its understated design includes a pencil-thin upper cabinet. Android TV’s large app selection means you might not need to use an external streamer.

The Bad More expensive than some similarly performing TVs, and not as good of a picture as OLED.

The Bottom Line Sony’s X930D TV should appeal to people who don’t mind paying extra for its sleek design and outstanding picture.

When Sony first announced pricing on this TV it cost as much as an LG OLED, but since it’s an LED LCD I sure didn’t expect it to match OLED picture quality.

Well, it doesn’t, but at least the price has fallen (a lot) since launch. The X930D is still one of the more expensive non-OLED TVs on the market, however, and most people shopping for a midrange TV will balk at its price and select something more affordable, like the Vizio P-Series, which has a picture that’s just as good.

If you have the wallet capacity and the desire for Sony’s brand cachet — and don’t want to spring for an OLED — the X930D is one beautiful consolation prize. Its image quality surpasses that of most high-end LED LCDs I’ve tested, an even more impressive feat considering its incredibly thin chassis.

Sony XBR-65X930D (pictures)
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Typically LED TVs this skinny bring a fat sack of picture quality issues, including poor uniformity and lighter black levels, but not the X930D. If it weren’t for the existence of OLED TVs, this would be one of the best performers you could buy, period.

Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 65-inch Sony XBR-65X930D, but this review also applies to the 55-inch Sony XBR-55X930D. The two sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.

Sony also sells the XBR-75X940D, a 75-inch model that’s the company’s only 2016 TV with full-array local dimming and a thicker chassis (it requires a very thick wallet). We expect it to perform even better than the X930D. Less expensive than either is the four-size XBR-X850D series. These lack any kind of local dimming, so we assume they will perform worse than the X930D or X940D. Here are more details on those models.

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Thin and sleek, with a great remote

Aside from an OLED, TVs don’t get much thinner than this Sony. It measures just half an inch deep across the top half or so of cabinet, while the bottom half thickens to 1.38 inch. The slim profile is impressive when seen from the side, and makes for a flush wall mount, if you care about stuff like that.

Seen from the front the set looks suitably sleek and high-end, with a skinny, all-black frame that I prefer to the silver surrounds of some other screens. A tiny Sony logo above a small silver strip on the bottom is just about the only accent.

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I don’t miss the touchpad remote Sony doesn’t include anymore, because the new one is simply better. Instead of separate buttons, the entire face is rubberized with raised sections that correspond to buttons. They’re pleasantly tactile, a feel reinforced by the rounded sides and Sony’s typically excellent arrangement and differentiation. Downsides include the lack of backlighting, and a big Google Play shortcut key that pales in usefulness next to the Netflix key.

The new clicker also has a prominent voice search button up top that doesn’t require you to aim at the TV to work. That’s smart, because most people will hold the top of the remote up to their mouths to speak into the mic, screwing with that aim. Unlike most voice remotes, however, you have to aim Sony’s to perform any other function, from power to volume to the Home button.

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Android TV brings more apps, including Amazon

When Sony ditched its home-brew Smart TV system a couple of years ago for Google’s Android TV, it made a wise move. Google’s interface isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t offer quite as many apps as a Roku TV, but it still has more important apps than systems from LG and Samsung.

Unlike Nvidia Shield, the foremost Android TV external device, Sony TVs have an Amazon Video app, which offers a substantial library of 4K and HDR content. So does the XBR-X930D’s Netflix app. The TV also comes with Sony’s own Ultra app — the latter offering 4K and HDR movies by Sony Pictures on a purchase-only basis (typically $26-$30 each). There’s a Vudu app (as of press time it hadn’t been updated to support 4K or HDR), an UltraFlix app with some niche 4K content and, of course, 4K support on the YouTube app.

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Other apps abound, from HBO Now to Plex to PBS Kids to Sling TV to Watch ESPN to CBS All Access to MLB.TV to Spotify, and of course numerous lesser apps and games are available via the Google Play Store (don’t get too excited, it’s specific to Android TV, and much less extensive than the one on your phone). Speaking of phones, many more apps can be Cast to the Sony via its built-in Google Cast functionality, which works exactly like a Chromecast. And speaking of speaking, voice search works very well to find stuff.

The interface pushes results from Google and Sony’s own movies and TV stores, as well as YouTube, and search deprioritizes Amazon and Netflix results. I also found the menus slow to load at times, particularly when “preparing recommendations,” and the settings menus (also run by Android) failed to respond a few frustrating times. But all in all Android TV on the Sony is good enough that most people won’t need to connect an external streamer like Roku. That’s more than you can say of most smart TVs.

Features: Slimming local dimming

Key TV features

When Sony first introduced the X930D at Las Vegas’ CES in January, and later at a press event in New York, the company talked up an improved edge-lit local dimming technology it was calling Slim Backlight Drive. Sony claims more light output, smaller, more precise dimming zones and reduced blooming (light spillover outside the zones) by virtue of two “light guides” combined with two rows of LEDs along each side of the TV. According to my tests, those claims have merit.

The set supports HDR (high dynamic range) content in HDR10 format only; it lacks the Dolby Vision HDR support found on Vizio’s and LG’s 2016 HDR TVs. It’s still too early to determine whether one HDR format is “better” than the other, and I definitely don’t consider lack of Dolby Vision a deal breaker on this TV; instead it’s just one more factor to consider. Check out my article on the HDR format war for more.

Other image quality specifications are suitably high-end. The TV uses Sony’s Triluminos wide color gamut technology for more realistic colors, and has its MotionFlow XR 960 processing and a 120Hz native panel. Unlike Samsung’s 2016 TVs this Sony actually supports 3D material, although Sony doesn’t include any of the necessary active 3D glasses in the box.

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Connectivity

• 4x HDMI inputs with HDMI 2.0a, HDCP 2.2
• 1x component video input
• 3x USB ports (2x version 2.0, 1x version 3.0)
• Ethernet (LAN) port
• Optical digital audio output
• Stereo audio output (minijack)
• RF (antenna) input
• Remote (RS-232) port

Sony’s input selection is solid, including four state-of-the-art HDMI inputs (all are HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2) and plenty of other jacks. Custom installers will applaud the RS-232 port, although they might be annoyed at the huge external power supply.

Picture quality

The Sony X930D delivers a superb overall picture characterized by accurate color, prodigious light output and the deepest black levels I’ve seen yet on an edge-lit LED-based LCD. That said, in overall contrast and punch it still can’t quite match the best LCD TVs I’ve tested with full-array local dimming backlights, let alone OLED TVs.

Even so, the X930 deserves the same 9 in this category I awarded the Vizio P-Series and the Samsung JS9500 in 2015. It has better color than either one, better brightness than the Vizio, and combats blooming (where halos of stray light surround bright objects against dark backgrounds) better than the Samsung. Among the three I rank the Vizio highest, but it’s very close and each has its merits.

In case you’re wondering, I no longer test 3D performance.

Samsung Gear Fit 2 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Samsung’s been serious about fitness for a few years now, but now the company has its sights set on both Fitbit and Garmin with the announcement of its latest fitness tracker. The Gear Fit 2 is a full-featured fitness band, and even a mini smartwatch. And it looks like it’s learned a few lessons from the surprisingly good Gear S2 that debuted last fall.

The new Fit 2 packs even more features than the original Gear Fit, covering the bases on what most people would look for in fitness tracking. Automatic exercise detection, detailed progress charts on the band, a detailed mobile app and a much-improved vertical viewing mode make it feel pretty slick based on our short hands-on time. The Fit 2 comes with a bunch of watch faces that look a lot better than what most competing fitness trackers offer.

The original Gear Fit (left) next to the new Gear Fit 2 (right)

Sarah Tew/CNET

The second-gen model isn’t just limited to Samsung devices and will now work with any device running Android KitKat or higher, but there’s still no iPhone support. It also sports a more vibrant 1.5-inch curved touchscreen display and adds GPS for tracking pace and distance when running.

What really excites me is the onboard music storage. It’s similar to what we saw in the TomTom Spark, there’s 4GB of internal storage for your favorite songs. These songs are stored right on the device and you can stream them to a pair of Bluetooth headphones — no phone required. Samsung has also partnered with Spotify to let both premium and non-premium users control music right from their wrists. At this time you will need to be streaming Spotify songs from a connected phone, but I wouldn’t be shocked if we saw offline playlists support arrive sometime in the future.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Everything else is comparable to other dedicated fitness devices in the wearable market right now. The Fit 2 tracks steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed and sleep. An optical heart-rate sensor on the back will measure your heart rate every 10 minutes (or at 1-second intervals during workouts). You can also view and respond to notifications from your Android phone right from your wrist.

Similar to what Fitbit and Garmin have implemented in their devices, the Fit 2 is able to automatically recognize and record when you are walking, running, cycling, rowing or on an elliptical, although these use the accelerometer and not the GPS, which has to be manually turned on.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung has said with normal usage you will get between three to four days of battery life, and up to nine hours with an active GPS signal, which tops Garmin’s recently announced Vivosmart HR+.

The tracker isn’t fully waterproof. It has an IP68 rating, so it will do just fine out in the rain, doing the dishes and during workouts. While you can submerge it in up to 3 feet of static, it’s not recommended that you shower with it (this is due to varying water pressure levels from different shower heads), although it isn’t likely to break if you forget to take it off once in awhile.

Sarah Tew/CNET

You would think that with all of these features, the Fit 2 would come with a premium price tag, but that isn’t the case. The tracker will retail for $179 (£125, approximately AU$250), less than comparable trackers like the Microsoft Band 2 and Garmin Vivosmart HR+.

The Gear Fit 2 will be available in small and large sizes in black, blue and pink on June 10. Preorders begin on June 3.

We are currently testing the Gear Fit 2 and will have a full review in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Bose SoundSport Wireless Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

A lot of people have been wondering when Bose would do a Bluetooth sports headphone and here it is, folks: The SoundSport Wireless, an in-ear model that’s fairly affordably priced at $150 (£140, AU $249).

New Bose wireless headphones

• Bose intros 4 new wireless headphones you’re going to want (hands-on)
• Bose QuietComfort 35 (hands-on): Finally, an active noise-canceling wireless headphone from Bose
• Bose’s QuietControl 30 is the ultimate neckband-style Bluetooth headphone (hands-on)

The original SoundSport wired remains in the line and gets a price chop from $130 to $100.

Like that model, this new SoundSport Wireless has an open design and is very comfortable to wear. By open I mean that you don’t jam the earbud into your ear. Thanks to Bose’s Stay-Hear+ eartips, which come in three sizes, the bud sits loosely in your ear yet remains securely in place.

It’s arguably the most comfortable in-ear sports headphone I’ve tried, although I only spent a limited amount of time with it at Bose’s launch event in New York City.

This model is equipped with a special sport version of the Stay-Hear tips that’s different from the Stay-Hear tips are included with Bose’s earlier in-ear headphones, so they aren’t interchangeable. And I should also point out that because the earpieces extend out from your ears you’ll probably have some trouble wearing these under a helmet (I’ll see see if I can use them with a ski helmet once a I get a review sample).

The headphone comes in aqua and black colors at launch with yellow arriving in September.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The only downside to the floating-fit, open design is that ambient sound does leak in and this isn’t a good headphone for noisy environments (Bose’s upcoming QuietControl 30 features active noise canceling). But if you’re out running or biking, you’ll be able to hear cars coming, which is why a lot of runners and bikers prefer their headphones to have open designs.

As you might expect, the headphone is sweat and water resistant and there’s an inline mic and remote that lets you skip songs, adjust the volume, and take and make calls. Bose is touting its quality as headset for making calls, as well as how reliable the Bluetooth connection is.

Bose SoundSport Wireless (pictures)
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The headphone comes in two colors at launch — black and aqua — with Citron (yellow) coming in September. Also in September, Bose is releasing the SoundSport Pulse, which costs $200 and has an integrated hear-rate monitor that’s compatible with Runkeeper, Endomondo and other fitness apps.

Battery life for the SoundSport is rated at 6 hours, which is fairly decent for this type of headphone, and 5 hours for the SoundSport Pulse. Both SoundSport wireless headphones come with a simple neoprene carrying case, but Bose will also sell an accessory case that has a built-in battery for on-the-go charging that’ll cost $50.

Bose will sell a separate accessory case that has a built-in rechargeable battery for $50.

Sarah Tew/CNET

In my limited listening test with the headphones the sound quality seemed quite good for an in-ear Bluetooth headphone, but the real advantage this has over competing models from Beats, Jaybird, and Plantronics is its high comfort level.

I’ll reserve final judgment until after I use the product for an extended period and post my full review, but my first take on the SoundSport Wireless is that it’s a very compelling choice at this price point and will be a serious competitor to Beats’ Powerbeats 2 Wireless, which is due for an upgrade this year.

The step-up SoundSport Pulse Wireless ($200) arrives in September and has an integrated hear-rate monitor.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The SoundSport Wireless’ highlights:

• Available in two colors at launch (black, aqua), with a Citron (yellow) version coming in September
• Price: $200, £140, AU $249
• 6 hours of battery life
• Water and sweat resistant
• SoundSport Pulse with built-in heart-rate monitor ships in September for $200, £170, AU $299. It only comes in red and has 5 hours of battery life.
• Accessory charging case costs $50

Bose QuietControl 30 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

You’ve probably seen plenty of people wearing neckband-style wireless headphones, which LG pioneered with its top-selling Tone series. But think of Bose’s upcoming QuietControl 30, which ships this September, as the ultimate neckband-style Bluetooth headphone. With impressive sound and active noise reduction, it’s the wireless successor to the QuietComfort 20 and will list for the same price: $300 (£230, AU $399).

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Not only is the build quality really good but the headphone fits very comfortably, with an open design. By open I mean that you don’t jam the earbud into your ear. Thanks to Bose’s Stay-Hear+ eartips, which come in 3 sizes, the bud sits loosely in your ear yet remains securely in place.

The only downside to an open design is that ambient sound leaks in and normally a headphone like this wouldn’t be good for noisy environments. But that’s where the noise canceling comes in. Even though the design is open, ambient noise gets muffled, and what’s a little different from Bose’s previous active noise-canceling models is that you can manually adjust the level of noise cancellation by pressing a button on the integrated remote or moving your finger up and down a slider in Bose’s free Connect app for iOS and Android devices.

Battery life is rated at 10 hours, which is decent for this type of Bluetooth headphone, and protective carrying case is included. While Bose doesn’t advertise that the headphone is sweat-resistant, it is, and this headphone is suitable for gym use and maybe even running if you don’t mind the feel of a having something around your neck while running.

Bose QuietControl 30 (pictures)
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The QC30 is designed to be used as a wireless headset and it’s a really good one. It muffles ambient sounds like wind and crowd noise so callers can hear you better — and you can hear callers better. There’s also a side-tone feature that allows you to hear your own voice in the headphones as you speak so you don’t raise your voice while talking.

In my limited listening test at Bose’s launch event for the product, I couldn’t make a definitive judgment about its sound quality (we’ll have a full review when the product ships in September), but you can expect similar performance to that of the wired QC20, which sounds very good for an in-ear noise-canceling headphone.

This isn’t the only new wireless Bluetooth noise canceling headphone in Bose’s line up. There’s also the flagship QuietComfort 35, a full-size wireless model with best-in-class noise cancellation. Given the choice between the two, my personal inclination would be to wait for this one, but the QC35 certainly has its own appeal.

The included carrying case.

Sarah Tew/CNET