New Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus Earbuds Deliver Speech Enhancement Technology

With most consumer audio companies looking for the best way to address the over-the-counter hearing aid market, Sennheiser Hearing, the consumer division of Sonova, introduced the new Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus at CES 2023. Leveraging the know-how of a leading audiology company, the new Sennheiser consumer-friendly design is presented as a speech enhancement solution, and allowing conversations in noisy environments.

IFA 2020, in Berlin, Germany, was "the first major global fair for consumer and home electronics" to physically take place since the pandemic. This limited push to promote a trade show again, lead some major consumer electronics companies and brands to converge their announcements in the week from September 1-5, with showcases streamed to the world live from the Berlin exhibition grounds. Some announcements were relevant to the audio industry and included the Qualcomm press conference, which used the opportunity to launch its latest Adaptive ANC platform, an important step towards smart true wireless earbuds.

At CES 2020 CEVA unveiled SenslinQ, its first integrated hardware IP and software platform that aggregates sensor fusion, sound and connectivity technologies to enable contextually aware connected devices. The CEVA SenslinQ integrated hardware IP and software platform collects, processes and links data from multiple sensors to enable intelligent devices to understand their surroundings - a key development for augmented hearing using wireless headphones and earbuds.

During a special event promoted to announce a new generation of Amazon Alexa products, technologies and solutions, Amazon introduced an all-new line-up of Echo devices to expand its Alexa voice assistant ecosystem in the home and now also on-the-go. The all-new Echo Buds, using ANC technology licensed from Bose, join the Echo Auto as another option to take Alexa outside the home. The new Echo speakers also include the Echo Studio, engineered in collaboration with Dolby and supporting HRA and immersive audio reproduction.

Bragi, the company which can rightfully claim to be the creators of the world’s first Hearable, is unveiling the next-generation of its technology suite and is to introduce it at MWC 2019. As previously announced, Bragi is now developing ultra-efficient artificial intelligence and edge computing technologies for ultra-low power devices that intends to make available to other manufacturers. At MWC 2019, the German company will disclose details of the new platform as a reference design for professional Hearables.

Among the many headphone-related announcements made at IFA 2018 in Berlin, Sennheiser finally entered the true wireless stereo (TWS) category with its new Momentum True Wireless earbuds. As the company states "These exquisitely crafted Bluetooth earphones bring the uncompromised audio performance and iconic style of the Momentum headphone range to a truly wireless form for the first time." The company's entry in the TWS space uses an updated Bluetooth 5 platform in what is otherwise a refined, understated design.

Here is an interesting announcement from truly wireless earbuds pioneer Skybuds. This leading company in the hearables space announced that, in response to users' requests, it will now be possible to purchase earbuds and charging docks separately. The brand's individual Skybuds and Skydocks can now be purchased as separate pieces, assuring users that they'll never be left without their truly wireless earbuds or chargers.