HP comes from to present a new series of wireless headphones aimed at businesses, and the top-of-the-range model has a small particularity: the “Free 60+” have a screen on the charging case. This will allow you to remotely control your headphones or music playback.
For example, you can use it to adjust the volume and settings, check the battery status or accept/reject an incoming call. HP promises that it will also be possible to switch between several connected devices. The headphones support multipoint pairing and can remember up to eight different gears.
Apart from that, these Bluetooth 5.3 headphones can last 8 hours with active noise reduction active. The microphones have a function to reduce ambient sounds and be heard better. The case is rechargeable wirelessly or via USB-C, and can be connected via a 3.5 mm jack: this makes it possible, for example, to use it on a plane whose entertainment system is not Bluetooth compatible.
A touch surface on the headphones offers to configure certain gestures (pause, change tracks, etc.). The accessory is IP54 certified for water and dust resistance. It is compatible with AAC, AptX, SBC, and mSBC codecs. Each headset has 3 microphones.
The question of price remains. These headphones were presented alongside a standard version (Free 60 for short) with a case without a screen. They will be sold « from 299 € “: we can imagine that the variation with the OLED screen on the box should cost between 50 € and 100 € more. Both models are intended for companies (they are under the specialized brand Poly from HP) and require you to go through the Poly Lens application. It remains to be seen if a version for the general public is in the cards.
HP is not the first manufacturer to graft a screen on the housing of its headphones: JBL presented a similar concept at the end of the summer. Called JBL Tour PRO 2, the accessory should be marketed in France later this month. It will be much cheaper since the advertised price is 249 €.