Cleer has upped the ante with their latest open-ear earbuds, the Cleer Arc 3. Building on the foundation laid by the Cleer Arc II Sport, the Arc 3 introduces a host of exciting features, including enhanced water protection, voice control, and spatial audio with Dolby-powered head tracking. The star of the show, however, is the revamped charging case. Now boasting a color touchscreen and wireless charging capabilities, it’s more than just a charging hub – it’s a stylish accessory in its own right.
The Cleer Arc 3 retain the comfortable and secure fit of previous generations, thanks to their articulated, spring-loaded earhooks. Cleer has increased the water resistance rating to IPX7, ensuring the earbuds can withstand immersion in water. Battery life has also been significantly improved, offering a claimed 10 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 40 hours of juice.
Beyond the design upgrades, the Arc 3 boasts an impressive audio experience. While it inherits Snapdragon Sound technology from its predecessor, it goes a step further by incorporating Sony’s LDAC hi-res codec, expanding compatibility with a broader range of Android phones. Cleer claims to have enhanced the bass response, but the published frequency range of 50Hz to 40kHz seems to contradict this, as the Arc II Sport had a lower frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz.
The addition of voice control adds another layer of convenience. While the commands are currently limited to basic functions like playing, pausing, and adjusting volume, the integration of six-axis sensors enables hands-free phone call management through head gestures. Bluetooth Multipoint allows for simultaneous connections to two devices, making seamless switching between devices a breeze.
The Cleer Arc 3 offer a compelling upgrade over their predecessor, with a refined design, enhanced features, and a compelling audio experience. While the bass response claims may be a bit misleading, the overall package is a solid contender in the open-ear earbuds market. The Arc 3 are available in black and pink, priced at $220 on amazon.com starting October 24th. Additional colors are expected to be released shortly.