Libratone launches its first headphone range, including Lightning in-ears

Libratone claims its new Q Adapt in-ears are “among the world’s first Lightning powered headphones”. The few pairs we have seen were on-ear and over-ear, so a pair of in-ears is timely, especially considering that Apple is expected to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack with the upcoming iPhone 7.

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The in-ears have adjustable noise cancellation (ANC) built-in, but because they’re powered by the Lightning port, they don’t need a battery pack or built-in rechargeable battery. This should provide a “more robust digital sound”, says Libratone.

The Q Adapts use Libratone’s CityMix ANC technology, which lets you control the level of noise-cancellation, to allow background noise such as traffic.

Libratone has embedded a microphone into the cable, which is made of a “special Libratone fabric”. The mic can be used for phone calls and Siri commands. They’ll be available for pre-order in Stormy Black, Cloudy White, Elegant Nude and Rose Pink finishes from early September, priced £159.

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The Q Adapt on-ear headphones ditch wires in favour of a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone or tablet. There is a built-in microphone in one of the earcups for making phone calls, and they also feature the CityMix noise-cancellation technology.

Other features include a Hush function, which pauses music by waving your hand over one of the ear cups. A proximity sensor will also pause music when you take them off your head. The Bluetooth +1 feature lets you send music to another pair of Bluetooth headphones, so you and a friend can listen to the same music from one device.

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The Q Adapt on-ear headphones will be available in Nude, Black and White finishes and can be pre-ordered from early September, priced £219.

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Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.