Huawei presents headphones with an unusual design and LDAC
The Chinese company has unveiled new headphones: The FreeBuds 5 are supposed to score with high sound quality thanks to high-quality Bluetooth codecs. And the design of the headphones is curious.
Once again, the rumour mill was right: Huawei has presented headphones with an extremely curious shape. The thick stems of the FreeBuds 5 rest on the earlobes and should therefore ensure better wearing comfort. The headphones are also technically impressive.
The new buds are equipped with active noise cancelling. This despite the open design. However, as these are less insulating than the in-ear design, it remains to be seen how effectively the noise cancellation works.
Thanks to two high-quality Bluetooth codecs - Huawei's L2HC and Sony's LDAC - hi-fi quality sound should be possible with the FreeBuds 5. Music can be transmitted with the codecs at up to 24-bit at 96 kHz and a data rate of up to 990 kilobits per second. The Freebuds 5 also support 3D audio. Unlike Apple's AirPods Pro, however, without head tracking.
The most important specifications of the new FreeBuds 5:
- Open design in bud shape
- Active noise cancelling
- 5 hours of battery life, additional 25 hours with the case
- 11-millimetre driver
- Certification: IP 54 (protected against dust and splash water)
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- Bluetooth codecs: Huawei L2HC and Sony LDAC
The Freebuds 5 will be available on the Chinese market with immediate effect at a price of 999 yuan. That's about 135 francs. Huawei has not yet provided any information on price or availability for the European launch.
Cover image: HuaweiTesting devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.