Klipsch goes smart and quiet for CES 2020 with latest headphone line

Klipsch beats other audio companies to the punch, announcing its latest line of true wireless earbuds and wireless headphones. The company retains its famed high-quality audio sound while adding new features into the mix like smart technology and active noise-cancelling. The Klipsch T5 true wireless ANC smart earphones are posturing to outperform the likes of the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM3.

Smart true wireless earphones

The pride of Klipsch’s CES 2020 debut is true wireless technology as the company brings a host of new models to the market.

Klipsch collaborated with Ear Micro, a company that specializes in miniaturizing audio technology, to create the Klipsch T10 True Wireless smart earphones. These are the world’s smallest and lightest earphones to date and boast the same balanced armature driver found in the Klipsch X10i. While the term “balanced armature driver” certainly adds to the product’s marketing flair, it’s also functional: they’re uniquely small, making room for other components within an acoustic housing. Battery life clocks in at six hours, according to Klipsch, and dual-microphone noise-cancelling should allow for quiet commutes and plane rides.

The earphones use head gestures to operate playback controls, which sounds dubious but we’ll be sure to update on its effectiveness once we receive a review unit. Eco-conscious consumers will laud the material choice as the earphones are 95% recyclable. Commuters and frequent flyers who like to keep everything to a carry-on should consider these for their compact size and practicality.

Just like the T10, the Klipsch T5 True Wireless ANC smart earphones use noise-cancelling to combat external noise. Listeners are afforded six pairs of oval ear tips and can take advantage of the voice control system as well as head gestures. The included charging case provides 24 hours of battery life in addition to the standalone eight-hour playtime with ANC off. Said case supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging. Safety features like Transparency mode are supported, something we’ve seen in other true wireless noise-cancelling earphones.

True wireless earphones for athletes and general consumers

Klipsch also released a pair of earbuds for the athletes among us: the Klipsch T5 True Wireless Sport earphones. Three pairs of flexible wing tips are included to ensure a secure fit during your workouts, and the IP67 rating makes them nearly impervious to both dust and water. A four-microphone array fits into the earbuds and Transparency audio is supported, too. Just like the smart T5 noise-cancelling earbuds, these have an eight-hour battery life and a USB-C charging case that also supports Qi wireless charging.

The final pair of true wireless earbuds are the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless. They introduce a few upgrades from the original T5 including a smaller footprint, extra ear tips, and a signal-boosted antenna for high-quality Bluetooth streaming. The ‘buds are dust and water-resistant and feature a svelte brushed metal case that provides 24 hours of on-the-go battery life.

The Klipsch T10 True Wireless smart earphones and Klipsch T5 True Wireless ANC smart earphones will be available Fall 2020 for $649 and $299 respectively, while the Klipsch T5 True Wireless Sport earphones and Klipsch T5 II True Wireless earphones will be available Summer 2020 for $229 and $199 respectively. All of the company’s totally wireless earbuds are compatible with the Klipsch Connect app, letting listeners create a custom EQ, receive firmware updates, monitor battery life, and more.

Active noise-cancelling headphones

While the star of the show are Klipsch’s true wireless earbuds, its over-ear active noise-cancelling headphones shouldn’t be forgotten. These Bluetooth 5.0 headphones support aptX HD and AAC for high-quality wireless streaming across all platforms. Plush memory foam pads lie atop the ear cups for extended wear. Listeners get a USB-C charging FlightCase and access to one’s preferred virtual assistant. Again, Transparency mode is allowed so you may hear the outside world as needed. The headphones boast an impressive 30-hour battery life, which rivals the Sony WH-1000XM3.

The Klipsch Over-Ear Active Noise-Cancelling headphones are available Fall 2020, for $399. We’ll be sure to update you with in-depth reviews as each product is released.