Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

Astell & Kern’s posh XB10 makes your wired cans wireless

By

Astell & Kern might be best known for its high-resolution audio players, but the company is increasingly offering more affordable products aimed at the average consumer rather than the audiophile set. With mobile devices like the Moto Z and, more recently, the iPhone 7 ditching the headphone jack, the company is introducing a new combination headphone amp/DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that ensures your favorite wired headphones will still work with your phone.

Related: Vroom! Porsche creates a crazy sound bar from a 911 muffler

Recommended Videos

The Astell & Kern XB10, announced on Thursday, connects via Bluetooth 4.2 and offers a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as a 2.5mm jack, and acts as a middle man between your mobile device and headphones. Audio enthusiasts know that Bluetooth isn’t the best delivery mechanism for audio, a problem that the XB10 solves by using Qualcomm’s aptX HD codec, which is capable of delivering up to 24bit/48kHz sound. That’s not exactly the same quality as the company’s high-resolution audio players, but the XB10 also costs a fraction of the price of one of its lower-end players.

The XB10 combines a dedicated DAC with Astell & Kern’s AMP technology, which offers enough power to drive even power-hungry headphones. The unit also features onboard controls, including a power button, volume controls, and playback controls, offering the ability to pause and resume playback, as well as skip forward and backward. The XB10 might not be as convenient to use as an inline remote, but it does include a clip to attach it to your shirt or pants, keeping the controls within easy reach.

Astell & Kern has also handled incoming phone calls in a unique way with the XB10. When a call is received, music is automatically paused, allowing the listener to take the call using its built-in mic — meaning you never have to take off your headphones to answer a call, no matter what type of headphones you’re using.

While Astell & Kern doesn’t mention the iPhone 7 — or any other mobile device — by name, the timing of the announcement of the XB10 will likely lead to some thinking this is a perfect solution for the lack of a headphone jack on Apple’s upcoming phone. There is one issue, however — Apple hasn’t yet mentioned that aptX HD, or even plain old aptX, will be supported on the iPhone 7. Considering that no other iPhone has featured aptX support, instead opting for AAC over Bluetooth, this doesn’t seem to be a safe bet.

Most of Astell & Kern’s products cost in the thousands, and even its lower-end gear often sells for over $500, but the XB10 is comparatively affordable, selling for $190. The XB10 will go on sale this month, and will be available for purchase via the Astell & Kern website and high-end audio retailers.

A version of this post first appeared on our brother site, Digital Trends.

Kris Wouk
Kris Wouk
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
The best shows to binge on Peacock in March
Lots of NBC hits are on Peacock now — here are the best shows to watch
Gabriel Macht wearing a light gray suit

JoeThere are definitely too many streaming services. Thanks to Netflix's revolution, every broadcast network and parent company decided that they had to get in on the streaming wars. Peacock TV is NBC Universal's streaming service, and although it may not seem like the most attractive option, there are actually a number of great Peacock movies and shows available on the service that are hard to find anywhere else.
Some of those popular shows are Peacock streaming originals, although there are plenty that initially aired on NBC or elsewhere and have found their way to Peacock thanks in part to the complicated nature of TV rights. Regardless, though, Peacock speaks to the impressive legacy of NBC Television. Growing up, I watched many of these shows as part of my regular nighttime routine. Now, thankfully, they're available at our fingertips anytime. Looking for more streaming options? We also have your guide to the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, and the best shows on Paramount+.

Suits (2011)

Read more
March favorites: The best shows to watch on Starz
From Outlander to Party Down, these are the best shows you can stream on Starz
Outlanders

Since its inception, Starz has proven it can hang with larger competitors like Max. Although it's now making television in an incredibly crowded landscape, Starz has managed to regularly launch shows that make an impact, and it speaks to the enduring quality of these shows that they've also stood the test of time.
Because the streaming service is relatively niche, it can be hard to feel like it's worth the investment. I know from personal experience that, once you take the plunge and check out a few series on Starz, though, you'll realize just how deep the well of great stuff is. Any one of these shows would justify the price of a subscription.

Party Down (2009)

Read more
Discover the best Disney+ movies to watch this March
If you're a Disney+ member, stream these movies this month
Princess Bride

Disney is arguably the most iconic entertainment brand in the world. The company's properties, both original and acquired, combine to produce content that transcends age demographics. Disney has built a brand that's beloved by children, and those children eventually age into adults who introduce their kids to the films they loved when they were young. Disney's animation alone has made it iconic, but in recent years, the company has also acquired some of the biggest pieces of intellectual property there are. And with Disney Plus available on any device, you can watch all these movies whenever you want.

Between its acquisitions of both Marvel and Star Wars, there's a good chance that Disney is shepherding whatever you love to screens, both large and small. When it launched Disney+, the company was sure to fill it with both those nostalgic animated classics and plenty of new stuff as well. If, like me, you've ever felt a twinge of nostalgia for the Disney movies you loved as a kid, they're all there. Just as importantly, though, you can find movies that will resonate with you today in ways they didn't as a kid. Whatever you're looking for, you can probably find it on Disney+.

Read more