Yahama has released a cheap pair of true wireless headphones that feature aptX Adaptive Hi-Res sound and look set to offer budget-conscious audiophiles a way to get incredible performance without breaking the bank.
The third entry in its TW-E3 series of true wireless earphones, Yamaha's TW-E3C earphones seem to have a set of features to compete with some of the best wireless earphones out there, in a package that will set you back just $79.95. . / €89 (around AUD110).
The TW-E3C headphones will combine aptX Adaptive Hi-Res Audio, a codec that allows them to stream in much higher quality than regular Bluetooth, but also maintain a strong connection even when there's interference, with what Yamaha calls 'True Son'. These are acoustic features designed to enable the headphones to produce a realistic soundstage rich with clear mid and high frequencies, as well as low notes with a solid punch.
The headset will also pack some smart extras, like a low-latency gaming mode that reduces audio lag, multi-point connectivity so you can connect to two devices simultaneously (making it easy to swap between them), and a pair of microphones that need to be able to isolate your voice for calls even in quite noisy environments.
You might also want to consider picking up a pair if you've recently scanned our pick for the best headphones for working out. Thanks to their IPX5 water resistance rating, they should be able to withstand sweat; just remember to take them off before you go swimming.
The Yamaha TW-E3C headphones have 9 hours of headphone battery life, which is about on par with the best (the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus can handle 10 hours, plus what the heck, an hour with friends), but it can be extended for an additional 15 hours thanks to the charging case that gives them 24 hours of maximum use before having to plug them in again. 24 hours of use is really nothing to complain about, especially at this price.
However, don't expect them to have it all. You won't find active noise-cancelling technology in these headphones, although some affordable headphones do offer it. Given their design, the earphones block out a fair amount of external sound, but without this technology the Yamaha TW-E3C may not offer the level of isolation you want. You might do better with something from our best noise-cancelling headphones buying guide.
We haven't tested these headphones ourselves either, so we can't comment on their performance, but Yamaha's other audio products (like their Yamaha YH-L700A headphones) earned solid marks from our reviewers. Also, the predecessors of the TW-E3C earphones, the TW-E3B, were quite popular; Unsurprisingly, they don't offer the same build quality or features as more expensive models, but their audio performance and bass clarity far outweigh their weight.
If you're looking to pick up a pair of these headphones, they're available to order in the UK in a range of six different colors (grey, black, red, blue, tan and green) and should be available to ship in the UK and USA. soon.
If you can't wait for the new Yamaha headphones, check out our picks for the best cheap wireless headphones you can buy today.