Logitech just announced a pair of headphones that I'm sure will make my wife jealous. The new Zone Vibe Pro headphones promise all-day battery life, clear audio powered by AI voice isolation, and Adaptive Noise Cancellation. But what makes me wish I had a pair is the repairable nature of the headphones.The Zone Vibe Pro headphones are far from the first headphones to have replaceable parts. But they caught my eye because the earpads of my wife's primary headphone
Logitech just announced a pair of headphones that I'm sure will make my wife jealous. The new Zone Vibe Pro headphones promise all-day battery life, clear audio powered by AI voice isolation, and Adaptive Noise Cancellation. But what makes me wish I had a pair is the repairable nature of the headphones.
The Zone Vibe Pro headphones are far from the first headphones to have replaceable parts. But they caught my eye because the earpads of my wife's primary headphones just fell off the other day, and battery life is not what it used to be. Official earpads are available, but those are the only parts that can be replaced.
In contrast, Logitech will sell replacement earpads, head straps, and batteries for the Zone Vibe Pro through its Spare Parts Store.
While writing this article, I briefly mentioned to my wife how Logitech sells spare parts and she emphatically asked why we couldn't get parts the same way for our other accessories.
These headphones feature AI-powered voice isolation, adaptive noise canceling, and built-in microphones that don't require a drop-down boom. You'll be able to purchase replacement earpads, head straps, and batteries through Logitech's store.View Deal
The most expensive parts of electronic devices are rarely the first parts to wear out. Wires, woofers, and most of the vital components are encased in plastic, metal, or some fancy material depending on what gadget you're dealing with. Considering the current economy and the way prices are trending, I'd rather spend a few dollars on replacement parts than buy a new device altogether.
The Zone Vibe Pro costs $259.99. That price is in line with similar headphones, but it's still quite a bit of money to invest. Being able to replace a worn-out part for a fraction of the total price of the headphones will help future-proof them.
The Zone Vibe Pro headphones have a boomless design that differentiates them from the less premium Zone Vibe (non-pro). Logitech says the headphones get up to 30 hours of listening or 18 hours of call time when ANC is enabled.
When the battery does run out, you can charge the headphones for five minutes to get an additional hour of call time.
If you are a business user, you can get the Zone Vibe Pro for Business which are certified for meeting apps like Microsoft Teams and support IT fleet management through Logitech Sync.
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Anyone who has priced out a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones this year has felt the sticker shock. Sony’s own flagship, the WH-1000XM6, launches at $449.99, and its wilder sibling, the 1000X The ColleXion, sits even higher. Bose isn’t cheaper. Sennheiser isn’t cheaper. The whole category has quietly drifted toward the idea that “premium” now means “$400 and up,” and a lot of people who just want good ANC for their commute or their next flight have been priced out of the conversation e
Anyone who has priced out a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones this year has felt the sticker shock. Sony’s own flagship, the WH-1000XM6, launches at $449.99, and its wilder sibling, the 1000X The ColleXion, sits even higher. Bose isn’t cheaper. Sennheiser isn’t cheaper. The whole category has quietly drifted toward the idea that “premium” now means “$400 and up,” and a lot of people who just want good ANC for their commute or their next flight have been priced out of the conversation entirely.
That gap is exactly what the Sony WH-1000XM4C is built to fill. Rather than chase another spec bump nobody asked for, Sony reached backward and pulled the WH-1000XM4, arguably the most decorated headphones the company has ever made, back onto shelves. It’s a strange move on paper. It’s a smart one in practice.
The original XM4 launched in 2020 at $349.99 and spent the next few years collecting best-of lists like trophies. Then Sony did what companies do: it moved on. The XM5 arrived in 2022 with a slicker profile and a bigger price tag, and the XM4 quietly slid off the roster, even as secondhand units kept trading hands and forum threads kept insisting it was still the smarter buy. That’s a telling signal. Products don’t usually get nostalgic followings this fast unless they actually solved a problem well the first time.
So here comes the WH-1000XM4C, essentially that same beloved design, tuned up and priced down to $299.99, a full fifty dollars less than what the XM4 cost at launch six years ago. Sony isn’t calling it a sequel or a flagship. It’s calling it what it is: the old favorite, finally made available again, minus the frustration of paying more for less.
The changes are modest, and that’s sort of the point. The equalizer jumps from five bands to ten, plus a new gaming EQ, so listeners actually get more control over their sound instead of trusting Sony’s factory tuning blindly. There’s a new Lavender colorway alongside the familiar Black and Platinum Silver, a small but welcome nod to people who don’t want their headphones to look like they were designed for a boardroom. The foldable hinge and rotating ear cups are back too, which matters more than it sounds. The XM5 abandoned that folding design entirely, and the XM6 only brought it back last year. The XM4C proves that some engineering decisions age just fine.
There is one real trade-off. To meet updated battery regulations, the XM4C uses a different cell, and that shaves ANC battery life from 30 hours down to 27. Sony compensates with faster charging, three minutes on the cord for a full hour of playback, which is a fair swap for most people who top up during a commute anyway.
What I appreciate here isn’t the spec sheet. It’s the confidence behind the decision. Bringing back a six-year-old product without dressing it up as something revolutionary takes a certain honesty that most tech companies avoid. Sony isn’t pretending this is groundbreaking. It’s admitting that the formula already worked, and that not every product needs constant reinvention to stay relevant.
There’s a mild irony worth naming. Sony still sells discounted stock of the original XM4 at the same $300 price point, and by most accounts, that older pair edges out the XM4C slightly on raw sound and noise cancellation. So the company is technically competing with itself. But for shoppers, that’s not really a problem. It just means there are now two well-regarded paths into the same trusted design, instead of one shrinking window before flagship prices take over completely.
Headphones don’t usually get second chances like this. Most get replaced, discounted into clearance, and forgotten. The XM4C suggests a different approach is possible, one where a genuinely good product doesn’t have to disappear just because something newer showed up. That’s a quieter kind of innovation, but it might be the one more of the industry could stand to learn from.
Samsung may be preparing a return to full-size wireless headphones with a device reportedly known as Galaxy H1. App code offers the first clues, but key details remain unconfirmed.
The post Samsung Galaxy H1 Leak Points to New Over-Ear Headphones: What We Know appeared first on TechRepublic.
Samsung may be preparing a return to full-size wireless headphones with a device reportedly known as Galaxy H1. App code offers the first clues, but key details remain unconfirmed.
I've been reviewing Turtle Beach headsets for a long time. The firm has a huge array of products for Xbox and PC gamers, hitting every price point and use case. Many of Turtle Beach's products have easily landed on our best Xbox and PC gaming headsets lists. Where I've personally found Turtle Beach to be most exciting is on the higher-end, where the firm has a tendency to really push the envelope with regards to functionality and value. The Stealth Pro II absolut
I've been reviewing Turtle Beach headsets for a long time. The firm has a huge array of products for Xbox and PC gamers, hitting every price point and use case. Many of Turtle Beach's products have easily landed on our best Xbox and PC gaming headsets lists. Where I've personally found Turtle Beach to be most exciting is on the higher-end, where the firm has a tendency to really push the envelope with regards to functionality and value.
The Stealth Pro II absolutely encompasses that. Yes, it isn't cheap, but it comes in at a comparable price to lifestyle Bluetooth headsets that offer far less functionality and features, often with subpar durability and audio.
With the Stealth Pro II, I'm sitting here well and truly asking myself if this headset isn't just a competitor in the gaming space, but also the general everyday lifestyle space. With a subtle and stylish design, obscene amounts of functionality, and absolutely crystalline audio — the Stealth Pro II could be (should be) your next Xbox / PC gaming headset pick.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Specs and Price
Even the packaging is slick. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II headset is a monster on paper, boasting an impressive array of features, functions, and premium-end specs.
Here's an overview of what you can expect to get out of the box.
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Bluetooth mobile devices. Additional USB transmitters for PlayStation / Nintendo sold separately.
Included Accessories
Hard‑shell case, transmitter dock, USB wireless transmitter, USB‑C cable, two batteries
Price
£299.99 / $349.99 / €349.99
At $349.99, it's not exactly what I'd call cheap, but that seems to have become the standard for headsets that are really pushing the bar when it comes to premium audio and "do everything" specs.
You can swap between two 40-hour batteries, with one permanently charged and ready to go in the transmitter dock. It comes with an additional USB transmitter for PC, with the main charge dock functioning as the radio for Xbox. It also sports Bluetooth 5.3 audio with LDAC, with simultaneous mixing with a USB sound source. It grabs the Hi-Res certification that has become all the rage lately, and boasts a massive speaker upgrade over the previous gen, with dual 60mm drivers and a huge frequency spectrum from 10Hz to 40kHz.
What's it like to actually use, though?
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Design and Comfort
An absolute stunner, showing real restraint for a company previously known for neon green plastic and toy-like designs. This could be your every day headset. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)
I think this is quite easily Turtle Beach's most attractive headset design. The Stealth Pro of yesteryear was fantastic, but it was still quite bulky in that typical "gamer" way, designed for isolation rather than fashion. Somehow, the 'Beach has managed to thread both needles with a single line here. Absolutely stunning engineering and design here.
The brushed metal speaker plates look great on the outside, and there remains a very subtle Turtle Beach imprint that stays out of the way and won't cramp anyone's style. The speakers are accented with the same metallic trims, and the headband connects with these bending connectors that look very futuristic.
The microphone is simultaneously flip-to-mute and detachable, allowing you to go fully wireless. It has internal microphones as well for taking calls on the go without using the full mic boom.
The attention to detail extends to the controls. Each sports a different "feel" on the fingers to help you differentiate between the controls. It's smart, ergonomic design. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)
The tapered cans reduce the visible footprint of the headset, which I feel reduces its visible "bulk" over some of Turtle Beach's previous attempts at a headset like this. And this is without compromising on speaker size or features. The 60mm drivers are a noticeable upgrade over the previous model, with separated tweeters and woofers.
On comfort, this is the only part where I think more attention could've been paid. The headband is made of this odd nylon mesh which, while looking pretty, is actually quite tight and uncomfortable over longer sessions. I imagine it's something one could get used to, but it seems like an odd oversight given how painstaking the rest of the design work is. The mesh is also great at trapping dust and is a bit difficult to clean effectively. Additionally, it doesn't seem to be replaceable ... so if you rip it somehow, you're kind of screwed.
I'm also not a huge fan of the fabric material used on the cushions. While it is comfortable, Turtle Beach's previous materials felt a little smoother on the skin. I am someone who vastly prefers leatherette over fabric, though, so take that as you will.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Features and Audio
It's far better looking than me. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)
Where this headset absolutely dominates is audio. This is by a country mile the best-sounding headset Turtle Beach has ever produced. As I write this, I'm listening to Tool at maximum volume and enjoying my very own personal concert in an absolutely vast virtual soundscape with impressive separation, thundering, warm bass, and enjoying distortion-free treble, mids, and highs.
The intros on songs I've been intimately acquainted with for decades come through with details I've not experienced prior. Regardless of what I threw at it, from thundering double bass-peddle metal tracks to haunting electronica, it has been a really really fun time testing this headset out. For music and cinematic delivery, this headset is goosebumps-inducingly good, truly ethereal, regardless of genre. For lifestyle and daily mobile use, it also rocks up with active noise canceling, which is very good too. I put it through its paces with noisy fans and my air filter on maximum settings, and felt myself fully isolated with my Spotify playlist.
But what about gaming?
The nifty transmitter dock ensures you always have a 40-hour battery fully charged and ready to go. It also future-proofs you against flats. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)
You can indeed expect a similarly amazing experience in games, too. Rocking up with Overwatch and the review build of Halo Campaign Evolved was as immersive as you might expect. Halo's intro music somehow never fails to enchant, and it's only elevated with a good sound system like these.
Where things get even more impressive, particularly in competitive play, is with Turtle Beach's famed SuperHuman Hearing.
Using the bundled Swarm II app, you can set it to focus either on footsteps or gunshots; there's also a legacy setting for those who prefer the old-school profile. SuperHuman Hearing does negatively impact the "cinematic" feel of games, creating an unnatural soundscape — but that's entirely the point. It's supposed to look for and emphasize sound cues that will give you a tactical advantage. And it does work. Games that are already designed with tactical sound design have always worked well with Turtle Beach's SuperHuman Hearing system, but with this headset it hits another level. If Battlefield 6 or Overwatch were Olympic sports, this headset would probably get you banned for cheating.
Another part of this headset that's utterly impressive is the microphone. It's detachable and sports flip-to-mute capabilities as mentioned, but it also has a miniature shock protector, which I've simply never seen before in a gaming headset.
Above is an audio sample with the headset's AI-powered noise cancellation feature turned on. In the first half, you can hear my voice come through clearly despite having a fan blowing directly on the mic, which is impressive. It sounds a lot better without the fan on, of course, but the clarity is rock solid for gaming comms.
I think I'd even be comfortable dropping my XLR mic and using this headset for actual game streaming, which is not something I find myself saying often these days. Turtle Beach really nailed it across the board when it comes to audio here.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Should you buy it?
A pricy headset that absolutely will not disappoint you. (Image credit: Windows Central | Jez Corden)
I absolutely adore this headset. The sound is a true pleasure, and it's always a joy when a headset like this delivers so much. It makes the review process fun, as I have an excuse to listen to several albums and play several games as part of my "extensive" testing process ...
I was a bit disappointed with the headband and materials on the earcups. I'm also a bit disappointed that Turtle Beach still can't seem to nail dual-USB sound source mixing, although I admit the requirement for that is pretty niche, and not something 99% of people will actually use. Being able to mix Bluetooth in simultaneously with your Xbox or PC is a nice consolation, though.
✅ You should buy this if:
You want best-in-class audio on a multi-platform gaming headset.
You're willing to pay a premium for things like ANC and high-end specs.
You're a fan of Turtle Beach's SuperHuman Hearing feature.
Where this headset just shines above all is the sound delivery. The soundscape is incredibly immersive for its category, and the microphone is also a cut above what I'd typically expect from a gaming headset.
At this price point, there aren't really a ton of competitors out there worth considering in this range. I absolutely don't think you'll be disappointed with this if you're a dedicated Xbox and PC gamer who wants a bit of Bluetooth and music capabilities on the side. This is an immaculate "do everything" headset that definitely feels worth the price of admission for me.
Amazing
Turtle Beach
Stealth Pro II
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is an absolutely stunning headset that sports arguably some of the best audio reproduction I've experienced in such a fully-featured gaming headset.
Finally, after almost a decade, I've replaced my battered Astro A50 headset. The Arctis Nova Pro Omni ticks every single box for multiplatform gamers, in an option far more affordable than its Elite cousin.SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni photographsHeadset ascending.
Finally, after almost a decade, I've replaced my battered Astro A50 headset. The Arctis Nova Pro Omni ticks every single box for multiplatform gamers, in an option far more affordable than its Elite cousin.
The Razer Barracuda Pro is a special premium headset that elevates the sound of music and video games with great sound and the ability to connect to devices simultaneously, and it's now on offer for a 44% discount.Sleek gaming headphones in green and purple hues sit on a dark desk, surrounded by a glowing RGB keyboard and a smartphone, creating a vibrant tech ambiance.Stylish and functional headset for gaming and music
The Razer Barracuda Pro is a special premium headset that elevates the sound of music and video games with great sound and the ability to connect to devices simultaneously, and it's now on offer for a 44% discount.
Sleek gaming headphones in green and purple hues sit on a dark desk, surrounded by a glowing RGB keyboard and a smartphone, creating a vibrant tech ambiance.
Stylish and functional headset for gaming and music
Turtle Beach has unveiled the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset along with details on its auditory capabilities, release date, and pre-order availability.Promotional image for the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headsetThe Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is ready to succeed one of the most popular Xbox gaming headsets.
Turtle Beach has unveiled the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset along with details on its auditory capabilities, release date, and pre-order availability.
Promotional image for the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is ready to succeed one of the most popular Xbox gaming headsets.
Turtle Beach's Stealth 700 (Gen 3) gaming headset is back on sale for a 33% discount, so players can enjoy its immaculate soundscapes and comfortable ergonomics at a lower price.Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) headset review photographsTurtle Beach's Stealth 700 (Gen 3) gaming headset is back on sale for a 33% discount.
Turtle Beach's Stealth 700 (Gen 3) gaming headset is back on sale for a 33% discount, so players can enjoy its immaculate soundscapes and comfortable ergonomics at a lower price.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is an outstanding gaming headset for PC we'd recommend any time it's on sale, and that time is now, as it's currently 36% off for a limited time.Image of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023).<p>The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) in front of its retail box, along with the detachable mic and two included, braided cables.</p>
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is an outstanding gaming headset for PC we'd recommend any time it's on sale, and that time is now, as it's currently 36% off for a limited time.
Image of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023).
<p>The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) in front of its retail box, along with the detachable mic and two included, braided cables.</p>
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an incredible gaming headset that took all criticisms of the BlackShark V2 Pro and ironed out all of them with richer sound and new useful features, and it's now on sale at Amazon.Image of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless gaming headset.All the content you'll get with the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an incredible gaming headset that took all criticisms of the BlackShark V2 Pro and ironed out all of them with richer sound and new useful features, and it's now on sale at Amazon.
Image of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless gaming headset.
All the content you'll get with the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless headset for Xbox and PC has received one of the biggest discounts it's had in months, courtesy of Best Buy's Tech Fest event.Turtle Beach Stealth ProThe Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless headset for Xbox and PC has received one of the biggest discounts it's had in months.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless headset for Xbox and PC has received one of the biggest discounts it's had in months, courtesy of Best Buy's Tech Fest event.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless headset for Xbox and PC has received one of the biggest discounts it's had in months.
For just this week, the amazing Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) wireless gaming headset has been price-chopped by 25% in honor of Best Buy Tech Fest.Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) headset review photographsThe Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) next to to its package box
ASUS ROG Kithara is a high-end open-back gaming headset with excellent sound, but it is expensive and short on features for a wired-only setup.A pair of large, black, over-ear headphones with a striped grille design rests on a blue surface.A pair of large, black, over-ear headphones with a striped grille design rests on a blue surface.
Amazon has a massive discount for the beloved and sound-rich Razer Blackshark V2 Pro for Xbox as part of its holiday deals.The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro being held in a hand in front of a colorful landscape scene. A graphic on the image says "Major Deal."
The LucidSound LS15X is a great wireless gaming headset for Xbox and PC that offers crisp sound, an attractive design, and long battery life for a budget-friendly price, now even cheaper at Amazon.Photograph of the LucidSound LS15X Wireless Gaming Headset
The LucidSound LS15X is a great wireless gaming headset for Xbox and PC that offers crisp sound, an attractive design, and long battery life for a budget-friendly price, now even cheaper at Amazon.
Photograph of the LucidSound LS15X Wireless Gaming Headset
The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds, some of the best earbuds designed for Xbox and PC gaming, are now on sale at Amazon with a 26% discount for Christmas.SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds
The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds, some of the best earbuds designed for Xbox and PC gaming, are now on sale at Amazon with a 26% discount for Christmas.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, one of the most decorated Xbox gaming headsets we gave a rare perfect review score to, has received a generous 35% discount on Amazon.Photograph of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, one of the most decorated Xbox gaming headsets we gave a rare perfect review score to, has received a generous 35% discount on Amazon.
Photograph of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset.
The affordable and high-quality HyperX CloudX gaming headset for Xbox and PC is enjoying a modest 20% on Amazon for Amazon Prime Day, and the deal is still live even though the event is over.Photograph of the HyperX CloudX headset
The affordable and high-quality HyperX CloudX gaming headset for Xbox and PC is enjoying a modest 20% on Amazon for Amazon Prime Day, and the deal is still live even though the event is over.
The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense delivers top-tier comfort, balanced sound, and optional vibration feedback for deeper immersion, now down to $74.99.Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense gaming headset with RGB lighting resting on a desk beside a gaming keyboard, featured in a Windows Central Deals banner.
I've been testing the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, and Razer finally and unequivocally nailed this formula. This is the cutest wireless gaming headset I recommend.Image of the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro wireless gaming headset.
I've been testing the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, and Razer finally and unequivocally nailed this formula. This is the cutest wireless gaming headset I recommend.
Image of the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro wireless gaming headset.
Connexion
