Innovation of the week: Earbuds that let you customize live music

New high-tech earbuds don't play music, but instead let wearers customize the world of sound around them, said Nathan McAlone in Business Insider. "Here" earbuds by New York–based Doppler Labs "are an audio geek's dream." Concertgoers can alter and add effects to live music, like turning up the bass or adding reverb for instant remixes. Doppler Labs has raised $17 million in venture capital, with investors including film composer Hans Zimmer and electronic dance music DJ Tiesto. Early on, the company touted the earbuds' ability to mute specific sounds, like a crying baby on an airplane. But as it prepares the earbuds to launch to the general public early next year, it's focusing on the ability to fine-tune live music, which is what many of its backers "were most excited about." Look for sponsored concerts that will showcase the technology.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Music reviews: Bon Iver, Valerie June, and The Waterboys
Feature "Sable, Fable," "Owls, Omens, and Oracles," "Life, Death, and Dennis Hopper"
By The Week US
-
Are bonds worth investing in?
the explainer They can diversify your portfolio and tend to be a safer investment than stocks
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Elon has his 'Legion.' How will Republicans encourage other Americans to have babies?
Today's Big Question The pronatalist movement finds itself in power
By Joel Mathis, The Week US