Skip to main content

Polk Audio delivers new Android and iOS-friendly headphones

Since 1972 Polk Audio has made a serious name for itself with its home and automobile speakers. Now, some 40 years later, the company continues to make strides with its range of audio products, including noise-reduction and noise-canceling headphones, as well as sports headphones.

This year, the company looked to expand its headphone selection to 10 models, including the first three headphones from Polk Audio designed for use with Android Smartphones, as well as a new noise-canceling headphone featuring a hands-free microphone and in-line Apple controls.

Recommended Videos

The new in-ear 6000i line of noise-canceling headphones, which are available in multiple colors, have just been released for $149. This line provides the same features as the noise-canceling 6000, but adds a microphone and in-line Apple control for iOS devices including the iPhone and iPod, allowing users play/pause, fast-forward/rewind, stop, and answer/hang up on phone calls.

The headphones also offer a talk-through feature that allows users to mute the music, defeat noise cancellation and amplify external sounds to make it easier to talk to someone without taking the headphone off. To escape those ambient sounds, the 6000i offers active noise cancellation that promises to greatly reduce external noise levels – the function can even remain active when used to take calls, if desired.

On the Android side of things, Polk Audio has introduced three new versions of the UltraFit in-ear headphones. The $69 UltraFit 100a features an in-line three-button remote control and microphone and two tangle-free, planar audio cables which terminate with a standard 3.5mm connector. It is available in black/red or white/gray and includes a 14-inch cable, three pairs of StayFit silicone tips and a vented protective case.

The $69 UltraFit 2000a features the same controls, along with a tangle-free planar cable, “airframe” design and reflective wraparound headband (perfect for joggers!). This model is available in black/red and white/orange with zippered protective case, one pair of silicone ear pads, two pair foam ear pads and one pair of cold-weather shearling ear pads.

Finally, the step up $99 UltraFit 3000a in-ear headphone offers two tangle-free planar cables, and is available in black/red, white/gray and white/orange with a zippered, vented protective case. It has an extra long 41-inch cable plus 14-inch cable, and comes with three pairs of StayFit silicone tips, two pairs of StayFit three-flange silicone tips and three pairs of memory-foam tips.

Peter Suciu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Peter has spent much time plugging and unplugging various A/V equipment over the years as a reviewer, and he is always on the…
Apple preps AirPods Pro for iOS 14’s spatial audio and quick switching
blink xt2 security camera apple watch series 3 airpods pro ipad mini microsoft surface 7 lg 4k tv dell xps 123 samsung galaxy

On Monday, September 14, Apple quietly updated the firmware for the AirPods Pro to version 3A283, which contains the necessary tweaks to enable two major new iOS 14 features: Spatial audio and quick switching.

But if you don't see any change when you look at your AirPods Pro settings, it's probably because these new features are only fully enabled if you're using iOS 14, which is still in beta. Apple plans to do a general release of iOS 14 this fall, and it will likely announce the date for that release at Tuesday's Apple event.

Read more
Polk Audio’s new MagniFi 2 soundbar features immersive sound tech
Polk MagniFi 2 soundbar

Polk Audio’s latest soundbar is on its way, and it’s packed with some intriguing technology.

The audio company has announced the $499 MagniFi 2 soundbar which is set to launch in August. The soundbar features a six-driver array, includes an 8-inch wireless subwoofer, and will be outfitted with Polk Audio’s patented Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology. This technology, according to Polk, is meant to deliver a larger soundstage for the soundbar. It will be paired with several other tech features, including a 3D Audio mode and a DSP setting that’s designed to enhance the front, surround, and low frequencies in 5.1 audio tracks. Polk says these technologies will give the MagniFi 2 a wider soundstage and more impactful low end than listeners might expect.

Read more
How to play FLAC files on all of your iOS devices for the best lossless sound
Man wearing Apple AirPods Pro.

Given that both the iPhone and iPad are both descendants of Apple's iconic iPod digital music player, it stands to reason that these devices are also great music players. But much like the iPod itself, playing music on iOS using Apple's built-in apps is only a satisfying experience if you stick with the limited file formats that Apple favors. Any attempt to stray from these will result in considerable frustration. Fans of lossless and hi-res audio often find themselves at odds with their iOS devices because of these limitations.

Still, despite Apple's lack of helpfulness on this issue, it is possible to play lossless FLAC files in iOS. Our handy guide will give you all the tools you need, letting you know exactly what FLAC files are, what their advantage is, and most importantly, how to play them on your iOS device.
What are FLAC files, and what are their advantages?
(Note: If you're already generally familiar with FLAC files, feel free to skip to the next section.)

Read more