Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
WH-1000XM6
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
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Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
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3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
Description
The Best Noise Cancellation yet — powered by advanced processors and an adaptive microphone system, noise cancellation is optimized in real time.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
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WH-CH720N
- Positioning: A budget-friendly noise-cancelling option built for everyday portability.
- Description: Offers active noise cancellation and wireless operation with a design that emphasizes ease of use and portability. The simpler technology and affordable build cater to users with modest budgets and daily commuting needs.
WH-1000XM6
- Positioning: A mid-tier wireless headphone combining advanced noise control with a streamlined design.
- Description: Features smart sensor integration and enhanced digital noise cancellation that adapts to ambient conditions, ensuring a balanced sound profile in varied settings. Compared to the CH720N and XM5 models, it strikes a middle ground by offering improved connectivity and performance.
WH-1000XM5
- Positioning: A premium flagship wireless headphone known for top-notch noise cancellation and sound accuracy.
- Description: Delivers advanced noise cancellation paired with refined acoustic tuning and robust digital processing for an immersive listening experience. When compared with the XM6, it offers a broader soundstage and a more established build quality.
MDR-MV1
- Positioning: A professional-grade headphone designed for high-fidelity listening and studio applications.
- Description: Uses a focus on precise audio reproduction and accurate frequency response, supported by technologies that emphasize clarity and neutral tuning. Relative to the consumer-focused wireless models, its design and performance are tailored for users who require technical accuracy for critical listening in controlled environments.
MDR-Z1R
- Positioning: A high-end audiophile headphone that emphasizes superior build materials and uncompromising sound quality.
- Description: Uses high-resolution drivers and premium construction to deliver detailed and dynamic sound reproduction, ideal for immersive listening sessions. Compared with the more casual and wireless offerings, it stands out with sonic precision and a focus on luxury performance.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
795
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
35
Founding Year
1946
Our take on the brand
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
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What if you spend more?
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Noble
FoKus Apollo
649
649
/
10
Reviews
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent passive noise isolation, better than many headphones with ANC enabled, creating a quiet noise floor.
- Good build quality with quality materials like anodized aluminum, Alcantara headband, and protein leather pads.
- Supports a wide variety of Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and SBC, offering versatility in device compatibility.
- Strong battery life, rated up to 80 hours without ANC and 60 hours with ANC, making it suitable for travel and extended use.
- Powerful, textured, and nuanced bass is a standout feature.
Product Considerations
- The included carrying case is bulky and may not be ideal for travel, taking up significant space in a bag.
- Comfort is not great for everyone, with some users experiencing hotspots on the headband during extended use.
- With ANC on, some users have noted the bass can become boomy with a reduction in sub bass.
- Treble transparency mode is not as good as other models.
- The headphone may clip the sound when ANC is on and the user hits bumpy roads or takes a harder step.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audeze Maxwell: The Apollo has a latency issue.
- Vs Focal Bathys: The Apollo has a more engaging, punchy, and emotional sound, also it has more features and tech, but the Transparency mode of the Bathys is better.
- Vs Apple AirPods Max: The Apollo offers superior sound quality with better clarity, speed, separation, and refined dynamics compared to the AirPods Max.
Takeaway: The Noble FoKus Apollo is a well-built wireless headphone with a strong battery life and great bass performance, making it an enjoyable choice for those who prioritize powerful sound and noise isolation. It offers a versatile listening experience with a range of connectivity options and a comfortable design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
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Bang & Olufsen
Beoplay HX
749
749
/
10
Reviews
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
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Product Strengths
- Exquisite build quality with premium materials, like anodized aluminum, memory foam, lambskin leather, and high-quality polymer
- Very comfortable, generously padded with memory foam wrapped in lambskin, and the headband distributes pressure evenly
- Long battery life, up to 35 hours with ANC on and 40 hours with ANC off
- Sound quality is rich, refined, spacious, balanced, and impressively detailed
- Good voice pickup and decent noise suppression in moderately noisy environments
- Connectivity options are available
Product Considerations
- Round ear pads may pull down on ear cartilage and rest on ear lobes
- The HX can only be laid down flat, they are not fully collapsible
- ANC is good, but not quite at the level of industry leaders
- Touch panel is awkward to use, and touches are often not registered properly
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sony 1000XM4/XM5 and Bose 700, ANC on the HX is not quite at the level of these industry leaders
- Vs the H95, the HX are more sensible, and noticeably cheaper
- Vs the Sony XM3, the HX looks far more refined
- Vs the Apple AirPods Max, the HX has up to 15 hours of additional battery life, and are also 100g lighter
- Vs the Bowers & Wilkins PX7, the HX brings a slightly higher level of refinement, showcasing detail and nuances that are missed
Takeaway: The Beoplay HX are beautifully made headphones that deliver excellent sound quality and are highly comfortable. If the user values aesthetics as much as audio and is willing to pay a premium for quality, then the HX is worth consideration.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
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Apple
AirPods Max
534
534
/
11
Reviews
Apple deserves credit for making its entire Apple Music catalog available in Lossless (ALAC) up to 24-bit/192 kHz and adding Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at no extra cost, while creating Personalized Spatial Audio that uses an iPhone's TrueDepth camera to scan your ears and head to build an individualized HRTF profile applied across Apple devices. The brand has also engineered a proprietary lossless, ultra-low-latency wireless link between Apple Vision Pro and specific AirPods models that bypasses standard Bluetooth limits, and created the open-sourced Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) that makes its lossless format royalty-free.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) effectively quiets the outside world.
- Transparency mode sounds natural, as if you're not wearing headphones.
- Exceptional build quality, using premium materials like aluminum and stainless steel.
- Seamless integration with iOS devices, easy pairing, and automatic switching between Apple devices.
- Spatial audio provides an immersive surround sound experience, and dynamic head tracking works well
Product Considerations
- The case offers very little protection and is often criticized for its design.
- They are relatively heavy, which can cause discomfort over long periods.
- They only support AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs.
- No power button.
- Earcups can get dirty, and replacement earcups are expensive
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- AirPods Max can at times be better at blocking speech than Sony WH-1000XM4/XM5 models, but the Sony models generally block constant, consistent noises better.
- The AirPods Max and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700/QuietComfort Ultra models are neck and neck.
Takeaway: The AirPods Max is great for Apple users because they work easily with other Apple devices, produce great sound, and come with good noise cancelling and a unique design. They can be a good purchase if these features are valued.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Apple deserves credit for making its entire Apple Music catalog available in Lossless (ALAC) up to 24-bit/192 kHz and adding Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at no extra cost, while creating Personalized Spatial Audio that uses an iPhone's TrueDepth camera to scan your ears and head to build an individualized HRTF profile applied across Apple devices. The brand has also engineered a proprietary lossless, ultra-low-latency wireless link between Apple Vision Pro and specific AirPods models that bypasses standard Bluetooth limits, and created the open-sourced Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) that makes its lossless format royalty-free.
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Master & Dynamic
MW75
599
599
/
7
Reviews
Master & Dynamic is a hifi audio brand that uses unconventional materials, including beryllium drivers across their entire lineup, tempered glass ear cups on headphones, and sapphire glass on earbuds, with handcrafted acetate shells reminiscent of luxury eyewear. They've also created unique products, such as a 35-pound wireless speaker with a concrete composite enclosure, and integrated EEG sensors into headphones to track focus and trigger brain-break prompts.
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Product Strengths
- Premium build quality with materials like lambskin leather, aluminum, and tempered glass, gives it a solid and luxurious feel
- Comfortable for extended wear, due to soft memory foam padding on earcups and headband, and a balanced headband
- Balanced sound signature with warm bass, clean mids, and well-defined treble, making it suitable for various music genres
- Effective active noise cancellation (ANC) significantly reduces low-frequency sounds
- Comprehensive package includes various adapters for different connections, and a hard-shell carrying case for protection
Product Considerations
- The earcup size might be too small for some users, potentially affecting comfort and seal
- Some reviewers found the clamping force to be loose, which could be an issue for active use
- Audible hiss can be noticeable when ANC is activated
- The app lacks a customizable graphic EQ
- Ambient mode is subtle and might not let in as much surrounding sound as competing models
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5, the Master & Dynamic MW75 delivers above-average ANC performance, but it is not class-leading
- Compared to the Bose QuietComfort 45, the Master & Dynamic MW75 has an audible ANC hiss
Takeaway: The Master & Dynamic MW75 are stylish and comfortable headphones that deliver excellent audio quality and decent noise cancellation. They are a great choice for those looking for a premium listening experience and appreciate high-quality materials.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Master & Dynamic is a hifi audio brand that uses unconventional materials, including beryllium drivers across their entire lineup, tempered glass ear cups on headphones, and sapphire glass on earbuds, with handcrafted acetate shells reminiscent of luxury eyewear. They've also created unique products, such as a 35-pound wireless speaker with a concrete composite enclosure, and integrated EEG sensors into headphones to track focus and trigger brain-break prompts.
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What competes at this price?
Sony
WH-1000XM4
229
/
Released
2020
Introducing the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Great sound quality, improved noise canceling, good battery life, and smart features like auto pause and Bluetooth multipoint make these one of the best all-around options for most people
- Very comfortable with plush and forgiving leather earpad cushions and headband material, and also lightweight
- Excellent noise canceling performance, which is further optimized via the Sony Headphones Connect app
- Bluetooth multipoint connectivity allows connecting to two devices at once
- A full equalizer in the app allows customization of the sound
Product Considerations
- Double-tap to pause function only works some of the time
- The headband itself is thinner with a little less padding, which results in an ever-present pressure at the crown of the head that only becomes more pronounced with longer listening sessions
- Sound quality may not be the #1 priority, as newer headphones are much better
- Slightly muddy upper bass and lower mids
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bose QC 45: Bose generally has better ANC, save for an odd dip around 100Hz
- Vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (NCH 700): From 20-2kHz, the Sony WH-1000XM4 cancels out noise a bit more
- Vs Sennheiser Momentum 4: The Momentum 4 exposes the lack of sub-bass extension in the Sony’s
Takeaway: The Sony WH-1000XM4 are a great all-around option for most people because of their impressive sound quality, excellent noise canceling, and comfortable design. They are also a good value, especially now that they can be found for cheaper because the newer XM5 replaced it.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
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Sony
WF-C700N
78
/
Released
2023
Noise canceling technology to immerse yourself in music. Experience all-day comfort with our ergonomic surface designed earbuds. Unleash exceptional sound for a captivating listening experience.
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive noise cancelling, on par with the more expensive LinkBuds S
- Good sound quality, especially after EQ adjustments in the Sony Headphones Connect app
- The Sony Headphones Connect app is excellent and allows for a lot of customization
- Decent mic quality for phone calls in quiet environments
- Comfortable and lightweight design, and small size
Product Considerations
- The active noise cancelling (ANC) is not effective, and barely noticeable
- Battery life takes a hit because of the noise cancelling, and the case only provides one additional charge
- Build is plasticky, and the case feels cheap
- Lacks features like wireless charging, in-ear wear detection, and Speak-to-Chat
- Sound quality is bassy out of the box, and treble response is restrained, some might find the sound dull
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The WF-C700N is a step up from the WF-C500, with active noise cancelling (ANC)
- The WF-C700N has comparable noise cancelling and sound quality to the LinkBuds S at a lower price
- The WF-C700N has less effective noise cancelling than the WF-1000XM4/XM5, whose noise cancelling and isolation performance is in a different class and handily reduces plane and bus engines well, alongside chatter and clinking glasses
- The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC outperform the WF-C700N for ANC
- The Sony WF-C700N has multi-device pairing, which the Beats cannot do, and more control via the Sony app with a comprehensive equalizer
- Voices sound more refined and dynamic coming through the Sony WF-C700N, in comparison to the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS
Takeaway: The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are a good value for people who want noise cancelling and good sound without paying a lot. The app is great and helps users make the earbuds sound just how they like them.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
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Sony
WH-1000XM5
329
/
Released
2022
Industry-leading noise cancellation optimized to you, Magnificent Sound, engineered to perfection, Crystal clear hands-free calling
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent battery life, rated for 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation on
- Excellent noise cancellation, comparable to AirPods Max
- Customizable noise cancellation and EQ via the Sony Headphones app (available on Android and iOS)
- Nice overall design with a matte finish and well-working touch controls, lighter than some competition
- Good mic quality for work calls
Product Considerations
- Comfort may be a downside for some due to less space in the earcups, potentially causing ears to rub against the speaker mesh
- Ear cushion and headband material may not be breathable enough, causing ears to feel hot after an hour of use
- Transparency mode sounds like a somewhat muffled version of reality
- Questionable build quality around the hinges
- Stock sound without EQ is mediocre
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs AirPods Max: Noise cancellation is comparable, but AirPods Max transparency mode is on a completely different level—being the best
- Vs Bose 700: The AirPods Max and Bose 700 are more comfortable
- Vs Sennheiser Momentum 4: Sound quality is better with the Momentum 4 Wireless right out of the box, but the sound of either headset can be EQ'd through its respective app
Takeaway: The Sony WH-1000XM5s are great headphones that are lightweight and have very good sound quality, especially for travel and use in the office. They sound great and offer premium noise canceling for anyone using an Android phone who plans to use these for calls and listening to music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
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Sony
WF-1000XM5
329
/
Released
2023
The best truly wireless noise canceling headphones on the market. Astonishing sound quality with High-Resolution Audio. Sony's best ever call quality with AI based noise reduction algorithm and bone conduction sensor.
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent active noise canceling (ANC) performance, considered among the best in the market
- Good sound quality with clarity, detail, soundstaging, bass impact, and extension, reviewers find the sound rich and detailed, especially with the LDAC codec
- Smaller and lighter design compared to previous models, like the XM4, leading to improved comfort
- Good battery life, with around 8 hours of playback with ANC on, and 24 hours total with the charging case
- Sony Headphones Connect app offers extensive customization options for sound and features
Product Considerations
- The glossy finish can make the buds slippery
- Some reviewers find taking the earbuds out of the case a bit awkward due to the glossy sides
- Volume control via repeated tapping can be uncomfortable
- The case is prone to scuffs
- Some users may find the default sound too bassy
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. AirPods Pro 2: WF-1000XM5 reduces noise better
- Vs. AirPods Pro 2: WF-1000XM5 has more comprehensive software controls
- Vs. AirPods Pro 2: AirPods Pro 2 have a more comfortable fit
- Vs. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: Sennheiser offers superior sound quality
- Vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Bose has slightly better noise cancelling
- Vs. WF-1000XM4: XM5 has improved sound quality with a wider soundstage
Takeaway: The WF-1000XM5 earbuds are a good choice for those who want great sound and top-notch noise canceling in a comfortable, smaller package. They are packed with features and offer a lot of customization, so users can enjoy their music in peace.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
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Sony
INZONE H9
349
/
Released
2022
A lightweight (~260 g) premium wireless gaming headset with active noise cancelling, detachable boom mic, dual wireless connectivity (2.4 GHz and Bluetooth), 3.5 mm input, designed for long gaming sessions with comfort and clear audio.
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions due to good padding and flexibility
- Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity
- Active Noise Cancellation is effective
Product Considerations
- Microphone quality is disappointing for the price, and can sound muffled
- The H9 can accumulate heat on the surface of the ear cups
- Battery life indication is lacking
- Sound quality depends on the device being used
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Corsair HS80 has better microphone quality
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are better built
- The H9 has leatherette padding instead of cloth like the H7, and an ANC system
Takeaway: The INZONE H9 is a comfy headset with useful features like active noise cancelling and simultaneous device connectivity, making it enjoyable for both gaming and everyday use. It could be a good match if you want it to match your PlayStation 5.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sony developed the LDAC Bluetooth codec enabling wireless streaming at up to 990 kbps and 360 Reality Audio that personalizes playback by analyzing photos of your ears to tailor spatial imaging. They've given a lot to the hifi audio industry, and manufacture some of the most popular wireless headphone models available today.
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