Skip to main content

The ONvocal 360 headphones actually make ambiance a priority

Despite their convenience, on-ear headphones pose a problem. While the best of them do a fantastic job passively or actively drowning out the noise of outside world — i.e. screaming children, the blaring whistle of a passing train — they often mute the entirety of what’s going on around you. ONvocal’s Mix360 is looking to alleviate said woes, though, allowing you to adjust the levels of ambient noise at your leisure.

Showcased at CES 2015 Unveiled, the intuitive device allows you to mix music, ambient noise, and your own voice in equal measure. The sound-isolating headphones rest on the back of your neck and feature a pair of foam tips that come in an array of sizes.

Although the earbuds do a decent job blocking outside noises on their own, their promise shines once you pair the device with the accompanying mobile app for Android and iOS devices. Doing so brings up a basic display panel showcasing three different sliders (source, ambient, and voice) each of which controls a different aspect of the sound mix you’re hearing.

ONvocal-Mix360-lifestyle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Mix360 headphones utilize two outward-facing microphones for situational awareness, meaning even when you’re blasting the latest T. Swift jams, you can still channel the sound outside to great effect. Sure, it comes off as a bit gimmicky at first, but the patented technology works far better than you might believe. Turning up the ambient slider, for instance, allows you to create a 3D soundscape that essentially does away the headphones’ noise-isolation.

Likewise, adjusting the voice slider allows you to alter the way you hear your own vocals, much akin to the way musicians utilize monitors when singing. The flexible headphones also feature a set of inline controls on the right earbud for accepting or ending calls, along with the ability to respond to various voice commands via Siri and Google Now. The sound didn’t blow us away, but it should more than suffice on your traffic-laden commute to work. After all, head-on collisions are never fun.

The ONvocal Mix360 is launches in May 2015, with ongoing preorders set at $300 and an initial retail price of $350.

Editors' Recommendations

Brandon Widder
Brandon Widder is a multimedia journalist and a staff writer for Digital Trends where he covers technology news, how-to…
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. XM4: which headphones should you buy?
Close-up of earcups on Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5.

When it comes to premium headphones, one of the best brands to get your gear from is Sony. From its impressive designs to the company's dedication to top-shelf sound quality and noise-canceling tech, if you're buying your cans from Sony, you know you're in good hands. In fact, two of our favorite pairs of headphones happen to be the Sony WH-1000XM5 and their predecessor, the  Sony WH-1000XM4. For a while, the latter was one of the best sets in town, but ever since Sony put out the XM5 model, the XM4 has had some decent competition.

What's interesting, though, is that Sony never meant to "replace" the XM4 with the XM5. That being said, if you're interested in either pair, you're probably wondering what features set them apart, if those differences are notable, and if it's worth spending the extra money on the latest XM5s. That's why we've put together this side-by-side comparison of both models to help inform your buying decision.

Read more
What is ANC and how do noise-cancelling headphones work?
Close-up of earcup on Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones.

Noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds are a godsend. If you've ever owned a pair, you'll know their ability to create a peaceful, noise-free listening experience that's excellent for listening to music, blocking out commute noise, and even working. And if you're thinking of investing in a set, you're in for a treat. Of course, not all noise-canceling products are created equal, but many of these devices are unified by some common audio tech. One feature that a number of these headphones and earbuds use is something called active noise-cancellation, or ANC.

When it comes to noise cancellation, you can think of ANC as the foundation. But how exactly does this impressive circuitry and sound processing work? What does the jargon mean? Who are the big players? We're here today to give you a crash course in ANC and its many audio offshoots.
What is active noise cancellation?

Read more
Dali says its latest wireless headphones achieve electrostatic levels of clarity
Dali IO-12 wireless headphones.

Dali's latest wireless headphones, the Dali IO-12, will cost $1,299 when they hit retail later this month. That's a huge jump up from the company's previous offering, the $500 Dali IO-6, and it might even be a new record price for a set of wireless headphones, but Dali says the new noise-canceling cans are worth it because of the unusual technology that has been used to create the headphones' 50mm drivers.

The Danish company claims the IO-12 are the world's first to use a Soft Magnetic Compound (SMC) magnet system -- the same tech that Dali patented and used in its acclaimed floor-standing speakers. The primary benefit to SMC is a reduction of hysteresis -- distortion that can be caused by resistance to the voice coil in traditional magnet systems. Reducing hysteresis can lower uneven harmonic distortion "drastically," according to Dali.

Read more