On the October 7th, 2026, episode of The Verge Cast, host David Pierce, back after a hiatus, welcomed John Higgins to discuss the current state of headphones. Pierce posited that this might be the "best moment ever for headphones," a sentiment Higgins largely agreed with, despite having lamented a lack of innovation just months prior. They attributed this surge to natural technological improvements, the timing of Q4/holiday releases, and a continuous cycle of companies leapfrogging one another in terms of features and quality.
Before diving into headphones, the podcast briefly covered other news:
* **"The Social Reckoning" Movie Reviews**: The new film about Mark Zuckerberg and Francis Haugen's Facebook files received mixed reviews, currently at 68 on Rotten Tomatoes. Charles Pulliam Moore from The Verge suggested it might not have the same impact as "The Social Network." Another film, "Artificial," about OpenAI, was mentioned as potentially having a similar impact.
* **Microsoft's New Surface Devices**: Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, both expensive but powerful. The Ultra starts at $2600 and is designed for AI development, highlighting Microsoft's commitment to Copilot and AI. It also uniquely features built-in magnetic USB-C charging.
* **Apple's Smart Home Plans**: Leaks suggested Apple is partnering with LG for new smart home devices like locks and thermostats, a notable move as Apple rarely "blesses" other companies' products. More details were expected soon.
Returning to headphones, the conversation highlighted a significant shift in the market, particularly concerning noise cancellation (ANC). Once a primary battleground for high-end headphones like Bose and Sony, ANC has become universally "good," even in budget-friendly models from brands like Anker Soundcore and EarFun. This means ANC is no longer the defining factor for purchasing decisions, allowing the "arms race" to shift to other features.
One such emerging feature is **Auracast**, which Higgins expressed great excitement about. Described as an open audio broadcast system, similar to FM radio, Auracast allows any number of compatible headphones to connect to a single audio source. Practical applications include hearing airport gate announcements clearly, listening to a lecture in a noisy hall, or streaming audio from gym TVs. Pierce, who initially dismissed Auracast, now sees its potential as a "killer app in a thousand tiny pieces," citing his personal need to watch action movies with his wife via headphones while their newborn sleeps. He also noted Sonos's existing "TV audio swap" feature, a precursor to similar functionality.
Another burgeoning category is **open-ear headphones**. Once a niche product for runners (like Shokz), these have become more mainstream, addressing the discomfort many people feel with in-ear headphones. They allow users to hear their surroundings for safety, especially during outdoor activities, while still enjoying music or podcasts. While acknowledging that sound quality, especially bass, isn't on par with traditional designs, Higgins noted their growing appeal for casual listening and awareness. Pierce agreed, highlighting the convenience for those who often wear only one headphone for latent connection with their environment.
Higgins then offered "Netflix-style" thumbs-up/down ratings for several new models:
* **Nothing Headphone One Pro**: Received a **thumbs up**. Higgins was pleasantly surprised by their distinct "nothing look," comfort, and good sound quality with tunable EQ, including a "flat EQ" mode for mixers. At $400, they compete with established high-end brands.
* **Sonos Ace Ultra**: Also earned a **thumbs up**. Higgins called them the "Ace headphones they should have come out with two years ago," praising their improved integration with the Sonos ecosystem for TV audio and Wi-Fi streaming, though noting the Wi-Fi quality was still in beta and full system grouping was not yet available.
* **AirPods 5**: While not explicitly rated, the sentiment was that they are a solid, if incremental, update. They offer improved, though "semi-open," noise canceling and are cheaper at the top end, making them a good replacement option for existing AirPods users.
* **Beats 360**: Higgins praised their style, color options, and interchangeable ear cups, noting their IPX4 rating for sweat resistance. However, he wouldn't personally choose them for workouts due to sweat. Pierce suggested they'd be a great gift but not a primary purchase recommendation for $350.
* **Sony WH-1000XM4Cs**: Described as "great for people that loved the XM4s," they offer a similar compact, foldable design with good ANC and improved sound, running on the same internal chip as the older model. A key new feature is a replaceable battery. Higgins recommended hunting for deals on older Sony models, like the XM5s, for better value.
For those in the $300-$400 range seeking high-end ANC over-ear headphones, Higgins's general recommendation was the **Sony XM5s**, preferably a used pair, as the improvements in newer models aren't significant enough to warrant paying full price. Both Pierce and Higgins agreed that Apple's AirPods Max are for a "very specific type of person."
Pierce concluded by encouraging listeners to subscribe to The Verge for ad-free content and newsletters.