Beyerdynamic Unchains Audiophile Sound with Xelento Wireless In-Ears

By Ryan Waniata Published May 12, 2017

Beyerdynamic is hoping to bring audiophiles into the Bluetooth fold with the new Xelento Wireless.

A Bluetooth version of the exquisite Xelento Remote in-ear headphones, the Xelento Wireless combine the Tesla transducer technology that enables the pristine audio quality of the wired version with Qualcomm’s top-tier aptX HD Bluetooth transmission to create a pair of high-end wireless earphones.

Recommended Videos

Apart from going cordless, the design for the Xelento Wireless is remarkably similar to that of the wired version. The earbuds are connected to a Bluetooth dongle at the end of the headphone wire, which terminates at about the same spot that the earbud wires converge on the wired version. So, while you’ll still have to deal with some cables, you’ll be untethered from whatever device you’ll be listening to. The dongle houses both the Bluetooth receiver and a battery, which can be charged via micro USB for up to five and a half hours playback time.

Xelento-wireless-earbuds — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The most important point of comparison is the drivers. Like the Xelento Remote, the Xelento Wireless use Tesla transducers — which are made with tiny ring magnets and voice coils — in an effort to offer the same fluid and pristine audio that we loved in the Xelento Remote in a wireless package.

While it’s one thing to be equipped with high-performance drivers, wireless headphones have to contend with the obstacle of connection quality. It may seem unreliable to use Bluetooth as the transmission method, especially when these headphones are being marketed to the audiophile crowd, but Beyerdynamic is opting for the aptX HD codec (for those with aptX compatible devices), which is designed to enable 24-bit transmission at full resolution (Xelento wireless also supports aptX, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth). For those who want the option to listen via wired connection — or in the event your battery runs out — the Xelento wireless’ Bluetooth dongle features a 3.5mm jack to plug into.

Considering the wired Xelento Remote cost a whopping $1,000, it’s no surprise that the Xelento wireless will be going for $1,200. Beyerdynamic will be debuting the earbuds at High End 2017 in Munich, Germany. The show takes place May 18-21.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Waniata is an audio engineer, musician, composer, and all-around lover of all things tech, audio, and cinema. Hailing…

Culture

Predator: Badlands is giving Predator fans the movie they’ve always wanted

The movie is set to hit theaters in November, years after the debut of Prey.

Elle Fanning in Predator Badlands

After the success of Prey, there's some new energy in the Predator franchise. What's even better for Predator fans, though, is that the next installment seems designed to give them something they've always wanted. Namely, a movie that follows a predator's POV.

In the first trailer for Predator: Badlands, a predator named Dek is exiled from his clan, only to meet a humanoid-looking life-form played by Elle Fanning. The two of them team up to take on something that "can't be killed," and a long the way, we get some pretty incredible looks at the homeworld of the predators.

Culture

The next Hunger Games movie has found its lead actors

The movie will be set 24 years before the original Hunger Games.

Sunrise on the Reaping cover

Following the success of Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest book in the Hunger Games series, Deadline is reporting that the film adaptation that is set to release in 2026 has found its lead actors. Joseph Zada will play Haymitch in the film, while Whitney Peak will play Lenore Dove, Haymitch's romantic partner.

The film will be set 40 years after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games. The book follows Haymitch, the District 12 victor who mentors Katniss and Peeta, as he wins his own Games on their 50th anniversary.

Culture

The 9 best golf documentaries to watch this year

Here's a glimpse into the amazing history of golf, including how the sport has evolved

Tiger (HBO)

Depending on how you look at it, golf is either one of the simplest sports or one of the most complex. The objective is very easy to wrap your head around: This ball has got to wind up in a hole that's maybe a quarter mile away. Everything that happens after that, though, is where things get interesting. Of course, people who love golf love it for a wide array of reasons. Some people love the beautiful courses, while others love the stories behind their favorite players.
There are plenty of people who love golf but don't play it much themselves, and those are the people who this list is really for. Golf's full of amazing stories, and we've even gotten our fair share of great golf movies as a result. Sometimes, though, a documentary is an even better fit for a particular story set in the world of golf. As someone who doesn't play much golf but loves to watch it, these documentaries are right up my alley. They're the kinds of movies that can inspire and perplex you, and also remind you that at its best, golf is filled with legendary moments. These movies might not be on the shortlist for any awards, but that's only because sports documentaries are so recognized for how well they put stories together.
After careful consideration, we've brought you this list of the best golf documentaries you can stream now.

Full Swing (2023)