- Mimio is the brand new hearing-health sub-brand from Audio-Technica
- Mimio AirPods-rival earbuds and a TV speaker will launch on August 1
- The tech may problem AirPods Professional’s HAF – however they received't come low cost
Say the title 'Audio-Technica' and hi-fi purists' minds will likely spin over to turntable cartridges, however alongside a winsome glowing, floating turntable and a very clear deck in 2025, the Japanese audio specialist has been carving out fairly the area of interest for itself within the wi-fi earbuds market, releasing an choice with significantly spectacular stamina and even a cartilage conduction set of headphones to call however a number of, this yr.
The factor is, AirPods be AirPods, and Audio-Technica will get it. Find out how to problem the listening to support mode Apple added to its top-tier AirPods Professional 2, which was introduced and launched within the US final yr, then lastly got here to the UK in February 2025 – however solely following a regulatory change that allowed the tech to be made out there throughout the pond? Launch your individual set, below a very new sub-brand referred to as Mimio – oh, and whilst you're at it, provide a handheld speaker choice for assistive listening to whereas watching TV too.
The precept is essentially the identical: AirPods Professional 2 are in a position to assist with delicate to reasonable listening to loss because of their listening to support mode, which is designed to spice up explicit frequencies that will make it exhausting for wearers to listen to (conversations in loud rooms, for instance), along side Apple's noise-management tech. Mimio merchandise are additionally focused at those that might have began noticing their listening to isn't fairly pretty much as good because it was, however don't want doctor-prescribed listening to aids. As famous by Notebookcheck, the brand new Mimio buds fall into the class of private sound amplification units as described by the FDA and received't require a prescription – in Japan and the US, at the least. You'll merely be capable of purchase over-the-counter, because it have been.
So let's meet 'em!
audio-technica MIMIO / MIMIO ASSIST ONE Model Film 2025 – YouTube 
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Mimio Help One earbuds and Mimio Sound Transfer audio system: key specs and pricing
Earbuds aren't simply earbuds any extra. Nowadays, your transportable headgear can harness AI to transcribe your conferences or translate conversations in real-time (additionally by way of a little bit of synthetic intelligence), and even assist you focus by studying your thoughts.
Robust competitors, no? However Audio-Technica is aware of people are usually residing longer now, which implies we're noticing our capability to listen to conversations progressively declining, particularly in bars, eating places or different crowded areas.
Enter the Mimio Help One earbuds (ATMM-SHD1), wi-fi buds with an analogous design to the corporate's high-stamina ATH-CKS50TW. The Help One can be utilized as common Bluetooth earbuds in case you don't have listening to points, however their listening to mode is instantly energetic straight from the field, (even with out pairing to an exterior audio supply) which might be a large plus for the goal person.
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The buds additionally include three assistive modes (Dialog, TV, and Open air), and also you'll additionally be capable of suppress your individual voice to assist enhance the intelligibility of the voices round you. There's a companion app and unusually, the earbuds carry a sturdy IP55 score towards mud intrusion and water jets aimed immediately at them.
The Mimio Sound Transfer speaker (ATMM-SP780TV) is billed as a "wi-fi speaker that lets you get pleasure from sound comfortably at your fingertips with out turning up the amount of the TV an excessive amount of".
The speaker is supposed to be positioned near the person and as much as 30m (98 ft) out of your TV, with a transmitter/charging dock related to the TV set. Audio-Techica lists "Clear Sound" software program to extend the intelligibility of speech, plus a brand new "voice steerage" perform to inform you of the battery standing and different communications by voice. The Sound Transfer can be IPX2-rated, which implies it'll survive a short spell within the rain, nevertheless it shouldn't be thought of an outside speaker.
The Help One earbuds are slated to hit cabinets beginning August 1 in Japan, whereas the Sound Transfer ought to be out there from August 8. Costs? Sure, however brace yourselves for the buds. The Mimi Help One earbuds are priced at 49,500 yen (which is round $340, £250 or AU$515 – ie loads pricier than AirPods Professional 2) whereas the Sound Transfer speaker is extra keenly priced towards a few of the greatest Bluetooth audio system and greatest wi-fi audio system round, at 21,780 yen (so roughly $150, £110 or AU$228).
However right here's a enjoyable thought! Mimio is providing two rental choices for both 20 nights (3,980 yen, which is round $27), or three months (for 13,440 yen or roughly $92, though it's unclear whether or not they'll even be out there in these areas), to permit customers to strive earlier than they commit to purchase. Sounds affordable, no?
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