Hands-on with the new wireless headphones from Q1 2019

Just last month, CanJam, the world's premier series of headphone audio shows, was held in New York City – showing off a slew of new headphones from various companies. Many notable names in the space were in attendance, so we got the chance to check out some of their new offerings, which covered different styles from over-the-ear models to some in-ear stuff. Several of these models are now available for purchase online, so if you fancy any of them, they’re available for the taking.

Knowing that, let’s jump right in and quickly go through some of what these exciting new headphones in the space have to offer – in addition to some of our first impressions!

What can we say about the Audio-Technica M50xBT? For starters, it has the classic styling and performance of the company’s legendary M50x headphones, but now in a wireless flavor for those who prefer not being tethered. We really like how it sticks to the same format with its collapsible design, while stilling adding wireless functionality and the same rich sound performance as its wired counterpart. Now that it’s wireless, there are physical controls for media playback functions. And if you still prefer the wired route, there’s an auxiliary port for just that! You can pick up the Audio-Technica M50xBT for $199 right now.

If you’re looking to get the best from Audio-Technica, then you’ll want to consider the ATH-ANC900BT. Sporting a minimalist design that’s also collapsible, the QuietPoint ATH-ANC900BT also features digital hybrid noise-cancellation, as well as a hear-through function that amplifies voices to allow users to conduct conversations without taking the headphones off. From our quick testing, the noise-cancellation worked decently to drown out the ambient noise as we listened to music. If you’re interested in the QuietPoint ATH-ANC900BT, you’ll have to fork over $299 to pick it up.

How much would you pay for a pair of in-ear headphones? While most consumers would be content around the $100 range for a “premium” pair, true audiophiles are willing to spend significantly more. If you’re looking to make an impression, then you’ll want to consider the Beyerdynamic Xelento Wireless. With its miniaturized Tesla technology drivers, silver-plated cables, aluminum battery casing, and engraved faceplates, the Xelento Wireless looks and feels like an ultra-premium pair of headphones. We didn’t get the chance to listen to them, but at a staggering $1,199.00, it’s not something that the average Joe would consider. Even hardcore audio enthusiasts would mull over such an investment given all the other options out there at lower prices.

Somewhat more obtainable, the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless sports an intriguing and stylish design with its $450 price point. Yes, the design stands out instantly for its unconventional modern looks, which also happens to feel quite sturdy in the hand. These on-the-ear styled headphones have a tight fit when worn, but the plush cushioning around the ear cups help to make them feel comfortable. The Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless is notable for the touch-sensitive touchpad on the right ear cup, in addition to personalized sound through the accompanying Beyerdynamic MIY App. Pricing is still up there, but its unique design and features may be enough to spark interest in some people.

And finally, we have the Beyerdynamic Lagoon, a premium pair of wireless headphones with active noise cancellation. Following a more standard looking minimalist design, what really stands out here are the LED rings embedded into the inside of both earcups. They act more like accent lighting than anything else, but we definitely appreciate the neat visual aesthetic that they offer. Beyond that, it also features a touch-sensitive pad for media controls – while the active noise cancellation seemed to be a good job of cancelling out ambient noise. Currently, there’s no official price attached to the Beyerdynamic Lagoon, but it’s being tipped to fall near the $400 range when it launches sometime soon!