CES 2020 News: Cleer Audio announces Arc smart wireless headphone

Listen to music without shutting out the world

by Andy Bassett
Hi-Fi News

1

CES 2020 News: Cleer Audio announces Arc smart wireless headphone

Cleer Audio announces its Arc smart wireless headphone which offers a different approach to personalised audio by placing its speakers in front of the ears.

Formed in 2012 and still a relatively new player, Cleer Audio has unveiled a pair of headphones with a difference.

The Arc headphone is designed to keep the personal audio experience that headphones are designed to deliver while still keeping the listener fully engaged with their surroundings without recourse to Active Noise Cancelling. 

There’s no ambient sound muffling earcups or ear inserts, instead, the Arc uses ‘speaker posts’ that sit just in front of the ear and directionally focus audio using beamforming technology. In this way, the company avoided resorting to a bone-conducting option which they feel does not offer high enough audio quality.

For listeners in busy environments where the ambient audio gives vital clues as to the events going on in the surroundings, the Arc offers a high-quality audio experience as well as total engagement with the outside world, which Cleer feels will be of benefit for wearer safety. 

CES 2020 News: Cleer Audio announces Arc smart wireless headphone

In addition, for music fans who find traditional headphones quickly become uncomfortable or who wear a hearing aid and so cannot use earphones, the Arc headphone could be an ideal solution.

Cleer Audio’s Arc wireless headphone press release is below:



San Diego, Calif. (January 2019) – The Arc, an open-ear headphone design – not covering the ear – offers a personal sound experience, so wearers can clearly hear the noises of the environment around them, while listening to music or watching videos. Instead of earcups or pads, the speaker posts on this headband directionally focus audio to the ear in a discrete way, offering full-range sound without enclosure. Especially for consumers who enjoy engaging with music or podcasts while walking in a city or riding a bike, this ability to remain engaged with surroundings, even while enjoying an immersive audio experience is a boon for wearer safety, especially women walking alone. The Arc is also a great solution for those who wear hearing aids, find some traditional headphones uncomfortable to wear with glasses or otherwise dislike items on or in-ear.

As a company of music lovers, audio quality is always a top concern. While we wanted to have an offering for the growing market of consumers seeking an open ear option, we felt strongly that we did not want to go with a bone-conduction option, knowing the lower quality that’s achievable. Instead, we worked to perfect our beamforming directional sound technology, keeping a wide frequency range and proper staging for the best possible audio experience for the wearer,” says Patrick Huang, CEO of Cleer Audio.

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and a voice assistant, the Arc features sound imaging technology for both music and phone calls that keeps both crystal clear and reduces the impact that wind has on the listening and speaking experience. Worn like a traditional headphone, with speakers sitting just in front of each ear, wearers can keep the volume low, while still hearing detail and enjoying a robust sound stage.



The Arc will be available for $129.99 (UK around £129.99, TBC) in April 2020 at cleeraudio.com, authorised retailers as well as Amazon.com.

What do AVForums readers think of this approach to personal music on the go? Is safety of paramount importance when listening to music in hectic environments (or even relatively peaceful ones when you might not be expecting any sudden external surprises) or do you actually relish the isolation and immersion of traditional ANC headphones?  Why not let others know what you think about it in the discussion thread?

Source: Press release
Image Source: Cleer Audio
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