CES 2026 was light on new headphones yet heavy on open earbuds, signaling a move away from noise-isolating designs.

Closed-back headphones offer passive noise isolation, less sound leakage, and punchier bass than open-back designs. Open-back headphones provide a wide soundstage for a natural, airy sound, but they ...

The original Sony LinkBuds are some of the most innovative wireless earbuds ever created. They featured a donut-like ring that sits in your ear and allows incidental sounds to flow in, while also ...

When Ziggy Marley was performing his legendary father’s “Positive Vibration” Friday night at The Sound, the new $17 million concert venue at Del Mar Fairgrounds, he could just as well have been ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Technology journalist specializing in audio, computing and Apple Macs. The GoFree2 from SoundPEATS sit just outside the wearer's ...

Unlock to see our ratings and compare products side by side Closed headphones rest on or around the user's ears and rely on a seal between the user's ears and the headphone for proper bass response, ...

Closed headphones rest on or around the user's ears and rely on a seal between the user's ears and the headphone for proper bass response, and somewhat isolate the user from outside sounds. Open air ...