Since its launch in 2018, EarFun has released a wide range of earbuds that have earned rave reviews from the worldwide audio press. Now they’re coming for the wireless ANC over-ear headphone market with the Wave Pro, a headset that matches the feature set of the most popular headphone brands but sells at a far lower price.
EarFun’s other big announcement for CES 2024 is the UBoom X portable speaker, a larger model in the company’s acclaimed line of Bluetooth speakers. The Wave Pro headphones will be available in March 2024, while the UBoom X speaker will be available in June.
Wave Pro ANC over-ear headphone
EarFun is marketing the Wave Pro wireless hybrid active noise cancelling headphone as a direct competitor to the over-ear Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($429) and Sony WH-1000MX5 ($399.99). The Wave Pro has a more impressive spec sheet than either of the other models and will retail for $79.99.
The Wave Pro is driven by a pair of 40mm DLC composite film dynamic coil speakers and promises a frequency response up to 40kHz. Its hybrid ANC is rated to deliver up to 45dB noise cancellation, and EarFun has added what it describes as “instantaneous” Anti-Wind Noise technology.
EarFun touts the Wave Pro’s Hi-Res Audio certification and its support for Sony’s LDAC codec, which can transmit high-resolution (but not lossless) audio quality via Bluetooth. There’s also a dedicated gaming mode, offering latency of below 55ms.
This lightweight headphone (just under 10 ounces) delivers up to 80 hours of playback with the ANC turned off and 55 hours with the active noise cancellation turned on. A full charge with the included USB-C cable takes two hours.
The Wave Pro allows for a wired connection, while Bluetooth multipoint support lets listeners to connect to more than one device at once. The headphone can also summon your phone’s voice assistant, including Siri and Google Assistant.
UBoom X Bluetooth speaker
The new UBoom X ($179.99) is the latest wireless Bluetooth speaker in EarFun’s portfolio. This Bluetooth 5.3 speaker measures 15.7 x 6 x 8.5 inches (LxDxH) and comes with both a handle and carry strap.
EarFun
The 80-watt UBoom X comes equipped with two 4-inch mid-woofers and to 20mm silk dome tweeters. Users can personalize their audio and the speaker’s dynamic LED lighting via the EarFun Audio app for iOS and Android. The app also allows the speaker to synchronize with up to 50 other UBoom X speakers.
The speaker has 30 hours of battery life and supports USB-C quick charging. The UBoom’s IPX7 rating means it should withstand being dunked in a meter of water for 30 minutes, and EarFun is promoting its proprietary SweatShield water-resistant technology.
There’s also a built-in microphone for phone calls, and as with the Wave Pro, the Uboom X can summon your phone’s voice assistant.
Author: James Barber, Contributor
James began his career as music director at college radio station WHRB. Over the past three decades, he’s managed the legendary Georgia rock band Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, signed Grammy-winning recording artist Lisa Loeb as an A&R executive at Geffen Records, and worked as a producer for artists like Ryan Adams. He currently advises the startup music companies Soapbox Studios and 24/7 Artists and writes about the history of the entertainment business on Subastack at Stars After Stars After Stars. As a freelancer, he has contributed to Slate, the Robb Report, and Rick Beato’s Everything Music channel on YouTube.