Authorities on Monday asked the public for leads regarding the head of a company that organized youth after-school programs after he was arrested last week on suspicion of possessing child pornography.
Miguel Adrian Gonzalez, 28, worked at schools, camps and after-school programs throughout the Los Angeles area, L.A. Police Department officials said in a statement on X.
He was arrested Oct. 24 by LAPD detectives and agents from Homeland Security Investigations and remains in jail pending an arraignment.
It was unclear whether Gonzalez was represented by a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
Detectives suspect Gonzalez abused “at least” one child, LAPD officials said in the statement, and the department published Gonzalez’s photograph to solicit tips about other potential victims.
Gonzalez, originally from Las Vegas, is listed in public records as chief executive of Let’s Play LA. In an archived version of its website, which has since been taken down, the company called itself “a community-driven organization dedicated to creating a space where kids can explore, connect and grow through active engagement and play.”
“We believe in the power of playing with children, not just supervising,” the website said.
The company addressed Gonzalez’s arrest in an email to parents, calling it “serious and upsetting.”
“Out of concern for every child and family connected to our programs, all Let’s Play LA LLC activities and events are suspended immediately until further notice,” the email said.
Let’s Play LA did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
A scientist has advised people to invest in blackout curtains and switch off electronic devices before bedtime, following alarming new research. The study revealed that exposure to bright illumination during night hours could dramatically heighten the chances of severe cardiac conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, and even heart failure.
Researchers at Australia’s Flinders University uncovered this concerning link after examining health data from nearly 89,000 people across the UK. Participants underwent monitoring for approximately 10 years using wrist-mounted devices, capturing more than 13 million hours of light exposure during this timeframe.
The results showed that people subjected to the most intense lighting during nocturnal hours faced a 56% elevated risk of heart failure and a 47% greater probability of suffering a heart attack. These dangers remained significant even when accounting for other recognised factors, including physical activity, genetics, and nutrition.
Dr Daniel Windred, lead author and Research Associate at Flinders University, said: “This is the first large-scale study to show that simply being exposed to light at night is a strong and independent risk factor for heart disease.
“Disrupting your body’s internal circadian clock by repeatedly exposing yourself to bright light at night, when it would typically be dark otherwise, will put you at a higher risk of developing dangerous heart issues.
“Thankfully, we do have some control over our exposure to light at night. By using blackout curtains, dimming lights, and avoiding screens before bed, we can help to reduce the health risks associated with light at night.”
The British Heart Foundation has revealed that over a million Brits are battling heart failure, with around 100,000 hospital admissions each year due to heart attacks. Although many factors can increase the risk of these health emergencies, lifestyle choices such as unhealthy eating habits and smoking are thought to play a significant role.
In light of the new research, many scientists now believe that exposure to light during the night should be considered as a risk factor alongside these. The Australian-based team is now advocating for more research into lighting guidelines for homes, hospitals, and cities.
Associate Professor Andrew Phillips, senior co-author, also added: “Everyday habits, like scrolling on your phone in bed or falling asleep with the TV on or bedroom lights on, can expose you to potentially harmful levels of light. We’re not talking about extreme cases, even low levels of indoor light can interfere with your body’s natural rhythm.”
Potential heart attack symptoms
A heart attack is a serious medical emergency resulting from a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart, usually caused by a blood clot. The NHS notes that this can lead to several important symptoms, such as:
Coughing or wheezing
Chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
Shortness of breath
Pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
Sweating
If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, dial 999 immediately – the faster you act, the better your chances of survival. Official guidance from the NHS adds: “The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion.
“While the most common symptom is chest pain, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain.”
Monday was a busy night for “The Voice,” which wrapped its Season 28 Battles and kicked off the Knockouts round all in the span of a two-hour broadcast. And yes, the coaches even got costume changes.
And leave it to “The Voice” to save the best for last. Monday’s episode featured what we’re officially dubbing the best Battle of the season between Dek of Harts and Jack Austin. The three-on-one musical melee was simply stunning, reestablishing both parties as ones to watch in the competition. We also had big feelings about the outcome, though we’re ultimately satisfied with the results.
Segueing into the Knockouts, host Carson Daly introduced a new “Voice” first: the Mic-Drop Button, which will enable each coach to nominate one of their Knockout winners for a performance slot at the Rose Bowl’s annual Rose Parade. (Saves and Steals are out the window now, but this’ll do!)
Read on for a complete breakdown of the results from Monday’s final Battles and first Knockouts, then vote for your favorite singer and drop a comment with your thoughts. Would you also have rioted if Michael Bublé didn’t save the “loser” of Niall Horan’s last Battle? And did you disagree with any of the coaches’ decisions?
Team Snoop Battle: Jerrell Melton vs. Ralph Edwards (Lose Control)
NBC
With all respect to those involved in the decision making process, can we please retire this song from all music competition shows? It’s not even an exaggeration to say there’s an infinite number of songs one could choose to perform — so why does it always go back to Teddy Swims?! OK, rant over. Jerrell gave this one his best shot, bringing a pitch-perfect R&B voice and solid falsetto to the party, but Ralph’s win was a foregone conclusion from his first growl. Ralph turned up the intensity and emotions to 11 for this one, owning the song’s most climactic moments.
WINNER: Ralph Edwards (A) ELIMINATED: Jerrell Melton (B+)
Team Reba Battle: Peyton Kyle vs. Shan Scott (Don’t Dream It’s Over)
NBC
These two took very different approaches to this Crowded House classic, but when their voices came together, it was pure magic. We could have bathed in those glorious harmonies at the top of the song all day. Individually, Mr. Mustache brought a gentler vibe, sprinkling some tasty runs throughout a fairly even-keeled performance — not to mention a falsetto and voice break that Reba simply couldn’t resist. Shan’s deeper, more sultry take resulted in a rendition reminiscent of Miley Cyrus’ backyard session (if you know, you know). We have to say, we would have given this win to Shan, but Reba’s heart told her otherwise.
WINNER: Peyton Kyle (B+) ELIMINATED: Shan Scott (A-)
Team Bublé Battle: Teo Ramdel vs. Elias Gomez (Die With a Smile)
NBC
Teo and Elias’ battle was this week’s blink-and-you-missed-it performance, and we’re not sure why. Their voices blended beautifully on this Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars ballad, delivering some really gorgeous harmonies. From the little we did see, however, Teo clearly took the ball and ran with it, stealing the spotlight on multiple occasions with some emotional belting.
WINNER: Teo Ramdel (A-) ELIMINATED: Elias Gomez (B+)
Team Niall: Dek Of Harts vs. Jack Austin (I Will Wait)
NBC
A three-on-one battle could have been a total disaster, but not with these four actual angels at the mic. From its harmonious beginning to its raucous conclusion, this performance was pure joy. Obviously Dek of Harts had the advantage, both in numbers and possibilities, but we’ll be darned if Jack didn’t totally hold his own against the polished country trio. At times, he felt like its missing fourth member. Armed with boundless energy and a dreamy vibrato, Jack’s charisma was infectious, and he went all-out this time. The attitude? The little dance? We were really pulling for him to win against all odds, and although it wasn’t how we expected, we eventually got our wish. That was the best Battle of the season, no question.
WINNER: Dek of Harts (A+) STOLEN BY BUBLE: Jack Austin (A+)
Team Reba Knockout: Aubrey Nicole (I’m Gonna Love You Through It) vs. Leyton Robinson (I Could Use A Love Song)
NBC
Aubrey set the tone for the Knockouts with a strong, grounded, emotional take on this Martina McBride ballad, with Aubrey’s big vocals perfectly matching the song’s uplifting, empowering vibe. We should also note that Aubrey’s performance brought Reba to tears, and while that does happen roughly once per episode, it’s still a feat that should come with a medal. A small one, at least.
Leyton, on the other hand, took a slightly more youthful approach to this Knockout, showing off her belting prowess on an upbeat Maren Morris jam. It was a perfectly solid performance, but Aubrey owned her song, and it was simply too difficult an act to follow.
Team Snoop Knockout: Kenny Iko (There Goes My Baby) vs. Ralph Edwards (Dive)
NBC
“Y’all ready?” Kenny asked before treating the audience to his silky-smooth falsetto. (We, in fact, were not!) He incorporated some moves into his performance to add a little spice, and even though they verged on hokey at times, Kenny’s solid vocals were always there to even the odds. And that falsetto howl (falsettowl?) was pretty fantastic.
Following his stunning turn earlier in the night, Ralph returned to the stage with another impressive performance. It started a little shaky, but once Ralph connected with the song, he was locked in with full emotion and soaring rock vocals, incorporating a bit of his natural rasp without going over the top. This also showed a more sensitive side to him as a performer, and a little versatility never hurt anybody.
WINNER: Ralph Edwards (A) ELIMINATED: Kenny Iko (A-)
Team Niall Knockout: Sadie Dahl (Too Good At Goodbyes) vs. Ava Nat (Hopelessly Devoted To You)
NBC
From those gorgeous low notes at the beginning to the song’s emotional climax, we were fully locked in to Sadie’s impressive take on this Sam Smith ballad. Exhibiting impressive control over her instrument, Sadie allowed her performance to grow organically, making the bigger moments all the more rewarding.
As for Ava, if you want immediate access to TVLine’s collective heart, just pick a musical theater classic. She nailed all of the parts of the song that “Grease” fans would expect, even if she did seem a bit nervous throughout. (Were we imagining that? We don’t think so.) We also wish she had ended on the traditional high note, but we have no major complaints otherwise.
The latest Japanese teahouse to open in Manhattan provides a lesson in ancient matcha rituals.
The sensory experience begins with the smell of incense inside Sōrate’s new outpost in the Flatiron District.
After that, a tea master prepares and serves the brew, with guests quietly taking in a “meditative ritual to enjoy the visuals and sounds,” said founder Silvia Mella.
Sōrate’s new outpost in the Flatiron District provides a lesson in ancient matcha rituals. Sorate/Riccardo Piazza Photography
“You want to hear the water that is boiling and the whisk stirring the matcha with hot water in the ceramic bowl,” she added.
Then there is time to sip, savor, socialize and ask as many questions as you want.
The goal is to make customers in the city that never sleeps feel a sense of meditative stillness, according to Mella, whose shop recently opened in spite of an international matcha shortage and US tariffs on Japan.
“Every movement and moment has a meaning, so [guests] should pay attention to all the details that go into preparing a single serving of matcha,” she said.
Sōrate grew out of an online matcha subscription service Mella launched in 2020.
Sorate’s founders Silvia Mella and Nicola Zanatta. Sorate/Riccardo Piazza Photography
Nicola Zanatta, who worked for Möet Hennessy for 15 years, joined as a partner in 2023 to launch the duo’s first brick-and-mortar store in Soho, at 103 Sullivan St.
The new outpost, at 30 E. 18th St., is a sleek 600-square-foot space featuring dark walls and elegant wood inside.
Participating in a tea ceremony costs $120. Tea tastings are $60 in Flatiron, where they come with snacks, or $90 with light bites in Soho.
“The tea ceremony symbolizes harmony, respect, purity and tranquility — in a simple bowl of tea,” said tea master Keiko Kitazawa, citing the four principles that are known in Japanese as “wa,” “kei,” “sei” and “jaku.”
The goal is to make customers in the city that never sleeps feel a sense of meditative stillness, according to Mella, whose shop recently opened in spite of an international matcha shortage and US tariffs on Japan. Sorate/Riccardo Piazza Photography
“People are so busy, but when they come to the tea ceremony, they can have their moment to relax and enjoy,” said Kitazawa, who was sporting a colorful kimono.
To go with the tea, the shop offers small, sweet Japanese treats known as wagashi. They include seasonal chestnut and pumpkin flavors made with sweet bean paste to counter matcha’s slightly bitter taste.
Matcha, a finely powdered green tea that is stirred with a bamboo whisk and hot water until smooth and frothy, is offered hot or iced.
The shop will add milk upon request — no judgement, though the vibrant green drink served for thousands of years in Japan and China is meant to be served in its purest form, said Mella, who previously worked in fashion advertising and marketing.
Matcha, a finely powdered green tea that is stirred with a bamboo whisk and hot water until smooth and frothy, is offered hot or iced. Sorate/Riccardo Piazza Photography
This year was rough since Japan had a reduced harvest because of poor weather. That, plus higher demand and increased tourism to Japan, led to price hikes for ceremonial-grade matcha, according to Mella.
On top of that, US imports from Japan face a 15% tariff.
Sōrate’s house matcha, which last year sold for $29 for 40 grams, is now $40, while the highest grade matcha increased from $62 to $110 for 40 grams, Mella said.
Shoppers in Japan are currently limited to just one package per person, according to reports.
Even in the best of times, matcha can be fickle.
Japan now exports more than half its matcha. Retail sales of it grew 86% over the past three years, according to research firm NIQ. Sorate/Riccardo Piazza Photography
“High-quality matcha is hand picked and it’s seasonal,” said Kitazawa. “There’s a limited time to pick the leaves and to powder the matcha. It takes one hour for just 30 grams, and each person needs two to three grams of matcha per serving.”
Kitazawa explained ceremonial-grade matcha is sold in small batches based on relationships “between the tea houses and the tea ceremony practitioners.”
To keep up with demand, Mella said Sōrate had to expand its network and find new partner farms in Japan.
The new outpost, at 30 E. 18th St., is a sleek 600-square-foot space featuring dark walls and elegant wood inside. Sorate/Riccardo Piazza Photography
That didn’t stop her company from opening its Flatiron shop last month – and customers are undeterred by the price hikes, according to Mella.
“They understand that this is a global issue. Some people cancelled their subscriptions, but not many,” she said.
Chef Eric Ripert, and City Harvest CEO Jilly Stephens at last year’s City Harvest’s fall tasting event. Jared Siskin
We hear… City Harvest’s fall tasting event and fundraiser comes this Tuesday as New York is grappling with federal funding cuts for programs that feed the homeless and fight food insecurity.
The event, dubbed “City Harvest Presents BID 2025: Fire & Ice,” will be at The Glasshouse in Manhattan and bring together star chefs and restaurateurs to support City Harvest’s work rescuing high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste. The group delivers the food for free to millions of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet.
The event brings together star chefs and restaurateurs to support City Harvest’s work rescuing high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste and delivering it, for free, to help feed New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet. Jared Siskin
At the event, guests will sample light bites and drinks from more than 50 of New York City’s top chefs, restaurants and mixologists – including culinary stars like Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, Tom Colicchio of Craft, Jean-Georges Vongerichten of The Fulton and others.
“There has never been a more important time for New Yorkers to come together to support our neighbors in need,” City Harvest CEO Jilly Stephens told Side Dish. “Visits to New York City soup kitchens and food pantries are at a record high, and the federal government shutdown is threatening to disrupt critical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as soon as this weekend.”
Last year’s City Harvest event helped feed nearly 4 million New Yorkers, the nonprofit said.
What a humiliation: Gov. Kathy Hochul opted to take the stage at Sunday’s rally for Zohran Mamdani — and wound up serving as the warm-up act for socialist icons Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, except even that blew up in her face.
It got so bad that Mamdani had to take the stage to rescue her, grabbing her hand, throwing their joined arms upward and walking her off to applause — for him.
She tried to pass off the humiliation on Monday with a joke: “I thought they were saying, ‘Let’s Go Bills,’” she claimed. (Shades of “Let’s go, Brandon”!)
She wanted to “harvest all that [energy],” an again-grinning Hochul told reporters, “to be on the same team and to make sure we can do a lot of great things for the people of this state.”
What she wants is for that energy to not be turned against her in next year’s Democratic primary, and for those jeering young socialists and progressives to show up for her in the November election.
Sadder still, she’s pretending that Mamdani hasn’t yet endorsed her for re-election because she hasn’t asked him yet, when he plainly expects to make her work for it: Most of his tax-hiking, big-spending agenda is toast if he can’t get the state to do his bidding.
The 10,000 screaming socialists in Queens on Sunday have little use for sweaty regular Democrats trying to clamber aboard the Mamdani bandwagon.
But what use will she be for anyone else at this point?
She’s held on so far as a centrist who’s somewhat restrained the raging progressives who dominate the Legislature; New Yorkers who fear Mamdani’s agenda have been hoping she’ll refuse to play ball if he wins next Tuesday.
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The gov plays her cards very close; we’ll hold out some hope that her happy face on Monday was a pose.
Hochul should take the Forest Hills rally to heart: These radicals aren’t her friends, and the silent majority wants her to stand up to them.
If Mamdani wins, don’t give him what he wants — he’ll never return the favor.
Many customers of Greggs (LSE: GRG) choose its pies or sausage rolls for their stuffing. But the Greggs share price has had the stuffing knocked out of it, falling by 49% since the end of 2021.
In other words, it has more or less halved. Could it double, getting back to just above where it was?
I have been buying Greggs shares this year because of my optimism in the investment case. But I do see some possible hurdles along the way to recovery.
Its huge shop estate and focus on its home market give the baker economies of scale as well as a clear strategic direction. Demand for affordable and convenient food is not only high, but resilient.
Meanwhile, Greggs has spent decades building its product range, brand, and customer base.
All of those things help to give it a firm foundation for ongoing commercial success and future growth, in my view. Indeed, this month the company reported that the first nine months of this year saw total sales grow 7% year on year.
What’s gone wrong?
But if the basic business case is compelling now and was back in 2021, why has the Greggs share price almost halved?
A few reasons can help explain the fall.
A shock profits warning this summer raised questions about management confidence and also highlighted how Greggs’ offering (especially hot food) may see its appeal wane as weather or consumer preferences shift.
Declining foot traffic in many high streets also threatens Greggs’ business. On the other hand I think the chain has done a good job to build its out-of-town business as well as opening new locations in busy areas like transport hubs.
Is the competitive landscape changing?
Scottish baker Bayne’s is growing its presence north of the border in part of Greggs’ traditional heartland. Such competition could end up putting price pressure on Greggs. This could make it difficult to raise selling prices. At a time when employment costs are rising, that is a risk to profitability.
I think this looks tasty!
Still, are any of those risks existential?
They do not seem like it to me.
Instead, Greggs seems like an attractive business that is just riding the ups and downs of typical commercial existence.
Over the long run, it has created substantial shareholder value.
The current dividend yield is 4.1% — and the Greggs share price has grown 734% since the turn of the century, even after the fall of recent years. That compares very well to the 245% growth in the FTSE 250 index (of which Greggs is a member) over the same period.
The current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12 looks cheap to me. But doubling the share price would mean a P/E ratio of 24. That strikes me as unjustifiably high given the company’s inconsistent recent performance.
Could earnings rise? Yes, but cost pressures and tightening consumer spending put a limit on earnings growth, in my view.
So, over the medium term, I do think the Greggs share price could rise – but I do not expect it to double.
Politico reports that Microsoft has been awarded $2.7 billion in federal contracts since 2020, and those could be at risk if the company doesn’t do as it’s told. Tech consultant Niki Christoff warned, “This administration rewards companies that demonstrate political loyalty,” and targets companies that don’t.
Microsoft is well aware of that. So, while the company hasn’t given in to Trump’s biggest demands, it has quietly done smaller things to please him. It did donate money to his inauguration fund and, more recently, to the fund used to build a $250 million ballroom that will replace the White House’s East Wing. (The East wing was demolished last week.)
Microsoft’s decades-long relationships with federal agencies might help insulate it from the pressure, according to Nu Wexler, who has worked in Congress and for Twitter, Facebook and Google. He told Politico that it might be hard to eliminate Microsoft’s contracts because, “their products are already deeply embedded in federal systems.”
Wireless headphones have come a long way from the bulky designs of the past. Today’s models are lighter, smarter and packed with features that make them useful for everything from travel to long workdays at your desk. Many offer strong noise cancellation, quick pairing and reliable battery life — all of which makes them an easy upgrade if you want more freedom from your devices.
Of course, not every listener has the same needs. Some people want portability, which is why our guide to the best earbuds is worth a look, while others want something more specialized like the best gaming headsets or the best budget earbuds. But if you’re after over-ear headphones that focus on comfort and immersive sound, this roundup of the best wireless headphones highlights the top choices we’ve tested.
Table of contents
Best wireless headphones for 2025
Billy Steele for Engadget
Noise cancellation: Yes | Multipoint: Yes | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 0.55 pounds | Water resistance: None | Assistant support: Bixby, Siri, Google Assistant | Color options: Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue
Sony’s 1000X line has been our top pick for best wireless headphone for a long time now. Until another company can pack in as many premium features as Sony, and do so with a mix of excellent sound quality and effective ANC, the crown is safe. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them way more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. This is an important factor to consider when purchasing over-ear headphones. We also noticed in our tests that the company made noticeable improvements to the active noise cancellation, thanks to a new QN3 chip. There are now 12 total ANC mics as well – the previous model only had eight. This all combines to better block background noise at medium and high frequencies, including human voices.
The M6 also has improved sound quality, thanks to new drivers, some help from mastering engineers and spatial audio upmixing. Its battery life remains the same 30 hours as its predecessor, which is more than enough to get you through several days of work or long international flights. Speak-to-Chat still reduces volume and activates ambient sound when you talk and the M6 can automatically change noise settings based on your location or activity. The only real downside is that they’re $50 more than the WH-1000XM5 at full price ($450).
Audiophile sound quality when you’re on the go typically requires a set of wired headphones and a DAC (digital-to-analog converter). It’s not the most convenient way to listen to tunes. Sennheiser bridges the gap between compressed audio on wireless headphones and those cumbersome setups with the HDB 630. Thanks to a USB-C dongle, you get higher resolution sound with all the benefits of wireless ANC headphones.
Sennheiser offers up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution wirelessly, and you have the option for lossless audio over USB-C as well. There’s also plenty of fine-tuning available on a highly detailed EQ and a Crossfeed feature allows you to blend the left and right channels for more natural sound. Plus, the HDB 630 has a whopping 60 hours of battery life with ANC active, although that figure drops to a still respectable 45 hours when you enable those high-quality tracks.
Noble Audio utilizes a unique driver configuration to provide more detailed sound than the competition. Instead of a single driver, the company uses two: one dynamic and one planar magnetic. The result is the FoKus Apollo getting the best of both, with thick bass, clear highs and extreme clarity.
You won’t find a lot of features here. There is decent ANC performance, but it’s nowhere near the best. You’ll also get excellent battery life, which is the second best reason to buy these headphones. Still, you’re paying primarily for the incredible sound quality, which may not be enough for the high price.
Noise cancellation: No | Multipoint: Yes | Battery life: 60 hours | Weight: 1.42 pounds | Water resistance: None | Assistant support: Not specified | Color options: Black, White
Audio-Technica has introduced affordable wireless headphones in the past, and while they didn’t offer active noise cancellation, they’re still worth considering. The company’s latest is the M20xBT, a Bluetooth version of the A-T’s popular M20x wired cans. For just $79, you can expect a comfortable fit and up to 60 hours of battery life. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity allows you to connect to multiple devices at once and physical buttons provide reliable on-board control. The design isn’t as refined as the company’s pricer models like the M50xBT2, but you get the bulk of what makes Audio-Technica’s cheaper options so good.
The second-gen version of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones aren’t an entirely new device, but there are impactful upgrades all around. With regard to the ANC specifically, Bose enhanced its ActiveSense tech to smooth any adjustments to sudden spikes in ambient noise levels. This bolsters what was already superb ANC performance, an achievement that gives the company a slight edge over the competition.
The new version also includes significant updates to power management and battery life, with at least five more hours of use in all listening modes. You’ll also get lossless audio over USB-C, putting the QC Ultra Headphones on the same level at Apple’s AirPods Max and others. A comfy fit, reliable controls and folding design round out the spec sheet for this model.
Back at CES 2022, Panasonic announced the EAH-A800: a new set of active noise canceling headphones under the iconic Technics brand. While most of the features are what you see on any number of wireless headphones, one figure stood out. The company says you can expect up to 50 hours of battery life on the A800, and that’s with active noise cancellation enabled. While we haven’t put them through the full review analysis, I have already tested them on a long flight. The ANC is impressive and they’re comfortable enough to avoid becoming a burden after several hours or many long listening sessions. Sound quality is also quite good (there’s LDAC support, too) and there are enough features here to justify the premium price tag.
Noise cancellation: Yes | Multipoint: Yes | Battery life: 28 hours | Weight: 0.75 pounds | Water resistance: None | Assistant support: Compatible with native voice assistants | Color options: Silver Metal / Brown Leather, Black Metal / Black Leather, Silver Metal / Navy Leather, Silver Metal / Black Leather, Gunmetal / Black Leather, Gunmetal / Navy Leather, Silver Metal / Grey Leather
While Master & Dynamic is known for its design prowess, the company’s over-ear headphones were due for a refresh. With the MW75 that debuted in June, the company opted for a look that takes cues from its MG20 gaming headphones and mixes them with a combo of aluminum, leather and tempered glass. The company’s trademark sound quality returns with multiple ANC modes and ambient sound options for a range of situations. At $599, the high-end looks don’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for something beyond the pure plastic fashion of most headphones, M&D has you covered.
How to choose the best wireless headphones for you
When it comes to shopping for a good pair of wireless headphones, the first thing you’ll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of our buyer’s guide, we focus on the over-ear style as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear designs are much more effective at blocking sound. Speaking of noise cancellation, you’ll want to determine early on if you even want that. If you frequently crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll want to not only make sure it’s there, but also make sure it’s good, preferably with adaptive ANC. If you plan to use your new headphones in quieter spaces, skipping ANC can save you some money.
The next area to consider is features. We recommend trying to get the most bang for your buck, but as you’re shopping around you should determine which items are must-haves and what you can live without. And don’t take basic things like automatic pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for granted, as not all companies include them. We also suggest reading reviews to see how well a company’s more advanced features work. This will help you decide if those are something you’re willing to (likely) pay extra for. Keep an eye on better battery life estimates to avoid disappointment, as some manufacturers promise more hours than real-world testing delivers. And don’t be easily swayed by lofty promises about call quality without verifying them.
Sound can be subjective, so we recommend trying before you buy if at all possible. We understand this isn’t easy at a time when we’re doing most of our shopping online. But trying on a set of headphones and listening to them for a few minutes can save you from an expensive case of buyer’s remorse. We also recommend paying attention to things like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio and other immersive formats. Not all headphones support them, so you’ll want to make sure a perspective pair does if that sort of thing excites you. If you plan to use your headphones for other media besides music, checking for latency is also a must — some delay can impact playback for things like movies or games, even if most true wireless headphones now offer minimal lag.
How we test over-ear headphones
The primary way we test wireless headphones is to wear them as much as possible. We prefer to do this over a one- to two-week period, but sometimes embargoes don’t allow it. During this time, we listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, we drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, we’ll typically power the headphones off several times and leave them during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps us from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours.
To judge the best Bluetooth headphones, we focus on higher-quality audio by listening to a variety of genres and paying close attention to how each style sounds. We also test at both low and high volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. To assess the quality of phone calls, we’ll record audio samples with the headphones’ microphones as well as have third parties call us.
When it comes to features, we do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as we work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones we’re testing are an updated version of a previous model, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that we review.
Other wireless headphones we tested
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancelation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for Apple users. There are better options available at lower prices, but if you can pick up the AirPods Max at a steep discount, they might be worthwhile for the biggest Apple fans among us.
Dyson On-Trac
The On-Trac headphones have an almost infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unique about them. The sound profile offers some nice detail, but lacks dynamic range overall. ANC is average at best and there aren’t any advanced features that will make your life easier. Well, except for the hearing health monitor which is actually handy. All told, that’s not a lot in a set of $500 headphones.
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace is an excellent debut for the company’s first headphones. The combination of refined design, great sound quality and home theater tricks creates a unique formula. However, ANC performance is just okay and key functionality is still in the works for many users.
Sony ULT Wear
If most headphones don’t have the level of bass you desire, the ULT Wear is an option to consider. The low-end thump isn’t for everyone, but there are also plenty of handy features and a refined look to make the $200 set more compelling than many in this price range.
Sony WH-CH720N
While the WH-CH720N are a great affordable option, we prefer the Audio-Technica in the budget category. Sony’s cans are lightweight with good sound quality, but ANC struggles at times and they’re made with a lot of plastic.
Beats Studio Pro
The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing, and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android. Moreover, they’re not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones
Bose’s latest flagship model has a lot to offer, but its trademark Immersive Audio feature can be inconsistent across different types of music. There’s still world-class ANC, excellent comfort and a clearer transparency mode, but for the price, the non-Ultra model is a better choice right now.
Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)
The MH40 are a great set of headphones if you favor crisp, clear and natural sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the company’s affinity for leather and metal too, but limited customization and short battery life for non-ANC cans kept this set from making the cut.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The company’s trademark pristine sound is on display here, but the Px8 are more expensive and not nearly as comfortable as the Px7 S2.
Wireless headphones FAQs
How can you tell the quality of wireless headphones?
I typically look at three factors: design, sound quality and features. In terms of design, I’m usually looking to see if the build quality of the headphones feels cheap and plasticky. Plenty of companies use plastic, but they can do so in a way that doesn’t look or feel like budget models. For sound quality, I want to hear a nice, even tuning where highs, mids and lows are all well represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I also want good clarity where you can pick up fine details and an open, immersive soundstage. Features is typically a distant third, but if a company doesn’t cover basic functionality (automatic pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, etc.) it can be an indication of overall quality.
How do I choose the best quality wireless headphones?
“Best” can be pretty subjective, but I always recommend going to a place where you can listen to the headphones you’re thinking about buying before you commit. Sometimes this isn’t possible, so you’ll want to check return policies. I also recommend doing some research to determine what your priorities are in a new set. Are you an audiophile who wants the best sound quality? Is powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) the most important? Would you rather have conveniences like automatic pausing?
Which brand has the best wireless headphones?
Sony consistently tops our list with its 1000X line. This is mostly due to the combination of sound quality, ANC performance and the truckload of features these headphones pack in. I’ll be the first to tell you that there are better sounding options and other companies, like Bose, offer more effective noise cancellation. But when you add everything up, no one comes close to the full slate of tools Sony puts in its premium headphone line.
Do expensive wireless headphones sound better?
Exorbitant price tags don’t mean better audio quality. Bowers & Wilkins’headphones are on the high end for wireless noise-canceling models and they sound amazing. However, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is much more affordable and doesn’t have ANC, but these headphones have a warm, natural sound profile that I find very inviting. At the end of the day, it will come down to personal preference, but you don’t need to spend a lot to find great headphones.
The Barstool Sports family lost a member of its community. Cody “Beef” Franke, best known for sharing his pro golf tips to social media, died earlier this month, the “Fore Play” podcast announced on October 27, 2025. He was just 31. Though no cause of death was immediately disclosed, fans are wondering if Franke was battling any major health issues as they mourn the loss.
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy grieved Franke’s death with his colleagues. That day, Portnoy tweeted, “Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news. You will never find a nicer more genuine person than Beef. It’s hard to even process it right now. Just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised and to live each day to its fullest. #Ripbeef”
The PGA Tour’s Instagram account also commented its condolences under the podcast’s post, praising Franke as “an incredible member of the golf community.”
Below, learn what we know so far about Franke’s shocking death, his career and his health.
Who Was Cody ‘Beef’ Franke?
Franke was a popular golf influencer who joined Barstool Sports earlier this year, becoming the Head Golf Professional on the “Fore Play” podcast. He spent eight years on the Professionals Golfers Association of America and was a two-time PGA Section award winner.
How Was Cody Franke’s Health Before He Died?
Franke did not discuss any major health issues in public. His last “golf tips” Instagram post was uploaded five days before news broke of his death.
Franke was at a wedding in the Dominican Republic the weekend that he died, his colleague Dan “Big Cat” Katz noted shortly after news broke of his death.
“Really, really, really sad. Really tragic,” Katz said, according to The Independent. “It’s devastating. I don’t know what else to say.”
What Was Cody ‘Beef’ Franke’s Cause of Death? Updates
No cause of death has been given for Franke at the time of publication. The “Fore Play” podcast announced his “sudden” death in an October 27, 2025, Instagram post, which revealed he died from an undisclosed “medial issue.”
“We are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody ‘Beef’ Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend,” the statement read.
In the UK, employees working a 5-day week are entitled to a statutory 28 days of annual leave, which can include the eight bank holidays if the employer decides so. However, workers in other countries can receive nearly double this amount.
Health insurance experts at William Russell delved into the details to reveal the countries with the best work-life balance, highlighting 10 nations with the most annual leave days. Despite having a lower statutory entitlement than the UK, France tops the list with nearly 10 weeks of annual leave each year for some workers.
Several other European countries also make the list. When you go through the nations involved, it’s hard as a Brit not to feel a little bit jealous. But then you might also wonder how much work will be getting done there as a result of all the time off.
Countries with the most paid days off:
France – 48
Denmark – 40
South Korea – 40
Poland – 39
Estonia – 39
Austria – 38
Finland – 36
Spain – 36
Norway – 35
Slovakia – 34
In France, full-time employees are entitled to a statutory 25 days of leave. However, the country has 11 national public holidays and employees working more than 35 hours a week can earn additional paid time off known as RTT days, according to the experts.
Following closely is Denmark with 25 statutory days plus 10 public holidays. Many employees also get an extra week of holiday through the Additional Sixth Week agreement.
Denmark also topped William Russell’s list for the best workers’ rights, with the average employee here working just 27 hours a week. Mothers are also entitled to up to 18 weeks of maternity leave.
In a joint second position, South Korea offers only 15 statutory days of annual leave for full-time employees. However, this increases as you progress in your career.
An employee who has been with the company for three years or more is entitled to an additional day of annual leave. An extra day is then added for every two years of continuous work, up to a maximum of 25 days.
Furthermore, South Korea also has 15 paid public holidays, bringing the total to 40 days for those who have worked long enough to earn the maximum additional days.
