Adam Birney

Vancouver

Content and Operations Coordinator at Android Authority

Always MindFull 🤘🏼 Content and Operations Coordinator for @androidauth and @realsoundguys Film Critic on @3angrynerds Sr. Editor for @TheCulturedNerd

Featured in: Favicon

androidauthority.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

infinityweb.co.in Favicon

msiny.com

soundguys.com

Articles

HyperX Cloud III S Wireless review: Better, but good enough to buy?

1 week ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

6.3HyperX Cloud III S WirelessThe bottom lineThe HyperX Cloud III S Wireless is ideal for gamers who want one headset for PC, console (not Xbox), and mobile use, with great comfort, battery life, and dual wireless modes. It’s a versatile, no-fuss headset built for long gaming sessions, not critical music listening.
These are the best workout earbuds you've never heard of

1 week ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 earbuds tackle the sports audio market, promising premium features for just $99.99. These earhook-equipped workout companions offer LDAC support, spatial audio, and IP66 water resistance in a package costing less than half the price of competitors like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Can these affordable sport earbuds deliver reliable performance where it matters most for active users, or do they sacrifice too much to hit their budget-friendly price point?
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs JBL Tour One M3: A new noise canceling king?

1 week ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

JBL pushes forward on features while Sony sticks to what works. Here's how they compare. Sony WH-1000XM6MSRP: $449.99Check pricePositivesExcellent ANCGood sound qualityExcellent microphoneDevice compatibilityNegativesNo USB listeningNo ingress protection ratingPriceThe Bottom Line. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is every bit a worthy successor to Sony's other ANC headphones as you'd hope. They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users.
Get AirPods Pro 2-level ANC for less than 1/3 the price with these earbuds

1 week ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

I recently finished testing the CMF Buds 2 Plus, the latest budget wireless earbuds from Nothing’s sub-brand. At just $69, they offer some of the best price-to-performance value we’ve seen, especially when it comes to active noise canceling (ANC). In our lab tests, they delivered ANC performance that rivals Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99 at Amazon). So, is Apple’s premium price still justified? Or are you just paying the iOS tax?
We asked, you told us: USB audio isn’t a dealbreaker

2 weeks ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement. Our readers weighed in on USB-C audio in headphones, and the results might surprise you. Christian Thomas / SoundGuysUSB-C audio is becoming a practical feature in modern wireless headphones.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 fixes Reddit's biggest complaint about the XM5

2 weeks ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

Christian Thomas / SoundGuysThe WH-1000XM6 is here, and while it doesn’t look wildly different from its predecessor, Sony quietly made one crucial change that headphone forums and Reddit threads have been howling about for years: the notoriously fragile hinge. A reinforced responseIf you were one of the many burned by the brittle hinges on the WH-1000XM5, take a sigh of relief. The XM6 introduces a redesigned folding mechanism with a metal hinge embedded in the plastic housing.
Nothing thinks most headphones suck, so they're making their own

3 weeks ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

TL;DRNothing teases its first over-ear headphones in a behind-the-scenes video. The engineers call out common flaws in mainstream models: confusing controls, lack of comfort, and inflated prices. The headphones promise better design, unique style, and sound quality that rivals the AirPods Max. Launch expected in summer 2025. Nothing has revealed that it’s working on its first pair of over-ear headphones, and the motivation is blunt: most of what’s on the market isn’t good enough.
Sony's new flagship headphones don't feel very future-proof

3 weeks ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

Christian Thomas / SoundGuysWhen you drop $450 on premium headphones, you’re not just buying for today—you’re investing in tomorrow. Sony’s newly released WH-1000XM6 headphones deliver impressive performance with excellent noise cancelation and sound quality that will satisfy most listeners right now.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Should you upgrade?

3 weeks ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

Sony’s WH-1000X line of noise canceling headphones has long been a benchmark in the category, frequently topping many of our best lists, and the new WH-1000XM6 takes up the mantle from the popular Sony WH-1000XM5. But are the upgrades meaningful enough to justify buying the new model—or even replacing your current pair, especially given the higher pricetag?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are missing one big feature

3 weeks ago | soundguys.com | Adam Birney

Christian Thomas / SoundGuysSony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones launch today, and they are impressive in many ways. With excellent ANC performance, good sound quality, a comfortable redesign that addresses past complaints, and an impressive battery life of over 37 hours, they seem poised to continue Sony’s dominance in the premium noise canceling headphone market. But there’s one significant feature missing: USB-C audio playback.