Brands sound out sports headphone market

Major consumer brands are launching new sports headphones as people spend more time on exercise and fitness.

Adidas, with partner Zound Industries, recently launched its new adidas-branded RPD-01 headphones. The headphones, featuring 12-hour playtime, super-fast charging, sweat proof and a supportive neckband, target those who want music during exercise. Their starting price is 799 yuan (US$114).

Bang & Olufsen also launched its Beoplay E8 Sport recently. The company says now is a “golden age” for outdoor sports.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, smart personal audio device sales have been resilient. Sales jumped 19.4 percent to 75.9 million units in the first quarter, according to researcher TrendForce. 

Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi all have launched sports headphones to tap the growing market.