Subj : Skullcandys $20 wireless earbuds have a low carbon footprint and To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue May 23 2023 20:45:03 Skullcandys $20 wireless earbuds have a low carbon footprint and high battery life Date: Tue, 23 May 2023 19:28:46 +0000 Description: Skullcandy's cheap new Smokin' Buds aim to deliver good sound and battery life while at the same time being eco-friendly FULL STORY ====================================================================== How much should one pay for true wireless earbuds? If under $20 is your answer, then Skullcandy has good news for you. The companys new Smokin Buds are priced at a mere $19.99 (around 16 / AU$30), which strikes us as a smokin good deal as long as the buds live up to the hype. The best wireless earbuds can be expensive, with models like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and AirPods Pro 2 priced at $200, and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at $300. But those buds all offer top-shelf noise canceling, which is a key feature Skullcandys new buds lack. Noise-canceling aside, this Skullcandy offering is fairly feature-packed for under-$20 buds. Bluetooth 5.2 is used for a wireless connection, and theres a microphone in each bud, which lets you use just one and still be able to take calls. Capacitive touch controls let you play/pause streaming and accept calls, while auto-on and auto-connect features automatically power up and pair the buds with your phone when you remove them from their case. Skullcandy says its IPX4 sweat and water resistant buds are made from 50% certified recycled plastics and the packaging from 100% recyclable materials. It also says the use of smaller, more efficient batteries gives the new Smokin Buds a reduced overall carbon footprint compared to previous versions. As for the battery life, Skullcandy rates it at 20 hours, with 8 hours from the buds and another 12 hours in the case. Thats higher than what you get with pricier budget buds like the Sony WF-C700N . A rapid charge feature gives you an extra 2 hours of playback time from 10 minutes charge time, which should be plenty to tide you over during a gym visit or commute. With buds this cheap, you may reasonably worry about sound quality, but Skullcandy boasts of expertly tuned drivers in the Smokin Buds, along with Music, Movie, and Podcast EQ modes that have also been tuned by experts. The end result, according to Skullcandy: clear, full range sound backed by impressive bass depth. (Image credit: Skullcandy) Analysis: In a disposable world, earbuds made from recycled materials are better There is no shortage of cheap, disposable earbuds, mainly because earbuds, whether wired or wireless, are easy to break. You throw them out and buy another pair, and then repeat the cycle ad infinitum. Using recycled materials for both the construction of electronics and for packaging makes great sense, and Skullcandy is to be commended for making that effort with its Smokin Buds. As for a reduced carbon footprint due to the use of smaller and more efficient batteries (Skullcandy specs it at just 2.67kg), thats something harder to quantify, so well have to just take the companys word for it. Well also for now have to take the companys word about the Smokin Buds sound quality. The performance aspect of wireless earbuds can vary greatly, and even expensive models can have less than stellar sound. On the other hand, some inexpensive offerings can be surprisingly good, as we discovered when we reviewed the JLab Go Air Pop , another set of wireless earbuds in the $20 range. Will Skullcandys Smokin Buds be the cheap wireless earbuds to beat, potentially displacing the JLab Go Air Pop from its budget buds throne? The JLab model has mostly similar specs to Skullcandys buds, though its 32-hour total battery life with buds and case puts it ahead in that respect. But the Smokin Buds are the more environmentally friendly option, so lets hope they sound good when we soon take them for a spin! ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/skullcandys-dollar20-wireless-earbuds-have-a-lo w-carbon-footprint-and-high-battery-life --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .