The Cleer Arc 3 headphones could be the most advanced open-ear type.
The Cleer Arc 3 open headphones are equipped with advanced technology, including a touchscreen, voice commands, spatial audio, and a variety of high-resolution codecs.
Cleer Audio has introduced its new line of open-ear headphones, the Cleer Arc 3, which offer a range of enhanced features compared to its predecessor, the Cleer Arc II Sport. Among the notable innovations is a charging case with an independent battery, antibacterial UV light, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon sound technology. The new Arc 3 models have incorporated improved water resistance, voice control, and spatial audio with head tracking using Dolby technology. The case also features a color touchscreen on its exterior.
These headphones will be available in black and pink, priced at $220 starting October 24, with more colors anticipated in the future. In terms of design, the Cleer Arc 3 retains the articulated ear hook from previous generations, providing a comfortable and secure fit. According to Cleer, these headphones have an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning they are resistant to water even if fully submerged.
Battery life has increased to 10 hours per charge, adding an additional 40 hours thanks to the charging case. This case also presents significant changes: it includes a UV-C sterilization light when the headphones are not in use, a mirror on the inside of the lid, and the ability to be charged wirelessly in addition to via its USB-C connection.
While the Cleer Arc II Sport introduced Snapdragon sound, including high-resolution Bluetooth codecs aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, the Arc 3 takes this idea a step further by also offering the option to use Sony's high-resolution LDAC codec, which is compatible with a wider range of Android phones. Cleer has stated that bass performance has been improved; however, the published frequency range specification for the Arc 3 suggests otherwise, indicating a range of 50Hz to 40kHz, while the Arc II Sport ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Voice commands have become more common in wireless headphones, and the Cleer Arc 3 is no exception, although its functions are limited to: skip/play the next song, pause/play, adjust volume, and accept/reject calls. Like the Arc II Sport, the Arc 3 features six-axis sensors that allow for hands-free call management through head gestures, and Bluetooth Multipoint to maintain simultaneous connections with two devices.
