Remember all those rumors last year about next-generation AirPods that might feature active noise canceling? Well, those AirPods haven’t materialized yet but now Ausounds, a startup, has launched a new set of true wireless earbuds — the AU-Stream ANC — that have the same “stick” design as the AirPods and feature active noise-canceling. They’re on sale now for $150 and they’re surprisingly good if you get the right fit.
They feature 13mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, 5 hours of battery life with an additional 15 hours from the case and water-resistance (IPX5 certified). They also offer USB-C charging — that’s somewhat rare to find at this price point…
[A] tight seal is crucial not only for sound quality but the active noise-canceling doesn’t work effectively without it. Sound-wise the AU-Stream ANC is on par with the Sony WF-1000XM3. It doesn’t sound quite as detailed or as open — and the bass isn’t quite as well-defined. But it’s a very decent-sounding true wireless headphone with some good kick in the low end. And it does sound better than the AirPods.
MacDailyNews Take: Of course, you won’t have all of the unique AirPods goodies like voice-activated Siri access and instantly ready to use with all your devices sans Bluetooth pairing, as there’s no H1 chip in the AU Stream ANC earphones.
More info about AU Stream ANC True Wireless Earphoneshere.