AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-CC500BT2 Wireless Cartilage Conduction Headphones (2 Colours)

At A Glance:

• Open-Ear Headphones, awareness of surrounding sounds.
• AI Noise Canceling technology (AIVC) by intelliGo.
• Power Saving with upto 10 hours of calls.
• Clear calls with noise suppression for wind noise.
• Long-lasting battery, uptp 20 hours of continuous playback
• Fast charging support 10 mins for 120 minutes play time
• Rain and wtare splashproof (IPX4)
• Light weight (32g)
• Next Gen vibration drivers for improved sound quality
• Speak naturally 

Detailed Features:

Open-Ear Headphones That Don't Block the Ear Canal

Second-generation headphone model that utilizes the third auditory pathway, cartilage conduction*

The vibration structure utilizes the cartilage conduction pathway of the ear. Since sound can be heard without blocking the ear canals, users can comfortably listen to music or audiobooks while still hearing the sounds around them. Unlike ordinary earphones, cartilage conduction headphones are not placed in the ear canal, so they do not cause earache even when used for long periods. In addition, moisture does not build up in the ear canals, so they are hygienic and safe to use.

*Cartilage conduction transmits sound to the inner ear through the ear cartilage. It was discovered by Professor Hiroshi Hosoi of Nara Medical University in 2004. Cartilage conduction is known as the “third auditory pathway” that differs from conventional air conduction (sound transmitted through air) and bone conduction (sound transmitted through bone). · This product uses a patent granted by CCH Sound Inc. This product is not intended to improve the hearing of people with hearing loss (hearing aids).

Next-generation vibration drivers with improved sound quality and maximum sound volume

Next-generation vibration drivers (PAT.P) with improved sound quality and maximum sound volume compared to the previous model. By simply placing the drivers on the ear cartilage, known as the tragus, the user can enjoy high-quality sound and clear calls. Our proprietary A.P.S.S.* drivers prevent sound quality degradation caused by external vibrations and suppress unpleasant vibrations due to bass, allowing you to experience wider sound fields.

*Acoustic Pure Sound Stabilizer. Our proprietary mechanism that reduces noise caused by external vibrations and faithfully reproduces original sounds with cartilage conduction headphones.

Enjoy your favourite music while still hearing the sounds around you

Since the headphones do not block the ear canals, you won’t miss doorbells or the beeping of your washing machine when at home. You can easily communicate with family members while wearing the headphones. Even while commuting for work, you can enjoy your favourite content while maintaining awareness of the sounds around you, such as public transportation announcements.

Speak naturally on calls

When talking on the phone, you can speak naturally because you are able to hear your own voice. When your ear canals aren’t blocked, you can feel at ease even if the voice of the person you’re speaking to is loud. Wireless, hands-free calling with a sense of freedom.

Best-in-Class^*1 Battery That Can Be Used

Long-lasting battery with up to 20 hours^*2 of continuous playback

The long battery life offers up to 20 hours^*2 of continuous playback on a full charge.

*1 As of October 2024 according to in-house figures.

*2 During music playback. Results may vary depending on usage conditions.

Fast-charging support

Charging for around 10 minutes provides about 120 minutes* of continuous playback. This means you can give the battery a quick charge before you head out to get plenty of use.

AI noise reduction technology (AIVC) developed by intelliGo

High-performance intelliGo AI noise reduction technology (AIVC) extracts only the speaker’s voice during online meetings and calls, and delivers the voice to the other party clearly and naturally. The AIVC technology cuts out extraneous noise that might interfere with the speaker’s voice, ensuring comfortable communication.

Up to 10 hours* of calls

The new AI noise reduction technology (AIVC), which supports power saving, allows for around 10 hours of continuous talk time.

*Results may vary depending on usage conditions.

Clear calls on the go without worrying about wind noise

Noise caused by wind hitting the microphone is suppressed, so you can make clear calls even while walking. Even in places where you need to pay attention to ambient noise, your voice remains clear on calls.

Rain and water splashproof design

JIS protection rating IPX4*. The headphones are protected from sudden rain or splashes of water in outdoor activities such as walking, sports, and camping. They are also safe to use when doing water-related housework.

*An IPX4 rating signifies the product will not be adversely affected by water splashing from any direction. This rating does not ensure protection in hot and humid locations such as baths and showers. The product is not completely waterproof.

Lighter, More Comfortable Fit

Designed for extended comfort and relaxed fit

Maintaining the lightweight, touch-sensitive fit unique to cartilage conduction headphones, these new headphones were made even smaller and lighter than the previous model by reducing the neckband bulge at the back of the head and achieving optimal weight balance.

This prevents ear fatigue even when worn for long periods.

Just put them on your ears for a natural fit

The silicone material is soft to the touch, and the ear hanger and neckband are made of flexible and lightweight titanium. The headphones stay securely in place even during light exercise.  

Intuitive operation with simple design

The operation buttons are concentrated on the left side and have been reduced to three. This allows for intuitive operation without hesitation, making everyday use even more comfortable.

Cartilage Conduction Evolves with the App

Go beyond listening with the Connect app

Clear Voice Mode makes it easy to hear dialogue and narration, while BGM Mode lets you relax and listen to your favourite music like background music at a café, and Limit Sound Leakage Mode is ideal for public places. You can also select the sound quality from the pre-set equalizers according to your taste and mood.

Soundscape function for improved focus or relaxation

Use the Connect app to listen to the relaxing sounds of nature carefully recorded using Audio-Technica microphones and designed to promote relaxation and calmness, or use masking noise to enhance concentration and healing sounds for rejuvenation and meditation. This function offers soothing mental soundscapes.

Other Features for Everyday Use

Multipoint support for two simultaneous Bluetooth connections

Connect to your smartphone and computer or tablet at the same time, so you’ll never need to worry about switching between Bluetooth-connected devices again. Respond immediately to incoming calls on your smartphone while enjoying videos on your tablet without reconnecting.

Versatile USB Type-C™ charging

A USB Type-C™ to USB Type-A cable is included for charging. You can connect it to a PC with a USB Type-A port or a commercially available USB adapter for charging.

Supports Siri® and Google Assistant™

Connect to your device’s voice assistant by double-clicking a button and speaking into the microphone for notifications, messaging, and route guidance.

· Siri® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

· Google and Android are trademarks of Google LLC.

Multipairing function for registering multiple devices

Pair once with your frequently used Bluetooth devices (including iPhone, Android, Windows PC, Mac, and tablet devices), and connecting the next time is easy.

Voice guidance function

Voice guidance can notify you about statuses such as power and pairing as well as alert you when the battery is running low.

Specifications:

Technical Details

• What is cartilage conduction?

Two auditory pathways for sound transmission from the ear were widely known: air conduction and bone conduction. In 2004, a new third auditory pathway, the cartilage conduction pathway, was discovered*¹, and subsequent research has shown that it can transmit sound very efficiently. These headphones utilize the cartilage conduction pathway*² for music playback and calls.

*1 The cartilage conduction pathway was discovered in 2004 by Professor Hiroshi Hosoi, currently president of Nara

Medical University.

*2 CCH Sound Inc. has granted a non-exclusive license of patents 5932228 and 6022175.

• Mechanism of cartilage conduction

Bone conduction is a mechanism in which a transducer, the source of vibration, is placed on the head and vibrates the bones of the skull to transmit sound to the cochlea*, which is located in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear . In cartilage conduction, vibrations are transmitted to the cartilage of the ear and then to the wall cartilage of the ear canal, which in turn vibrates the air to create sound. This vibrates the eardrum and reaches the cochlea. It is as if your ears themselves are acting as speakers.

*The cochlea contains the organ responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain. 

• Difference between bone conduction and cartilage conduction - Pressure on the head -

Cartilage conduction: Contact with the cartilage of the ears provides efficient sound transmission and less pressure on the head.

Bone conduction: Vibrations are transmitted directly to the cranial bone, so the device must be worn in a location where the bone is close to the surface. It also requires strong pressure, so it tends to cause pain.

- Stereo -

Cartilage conduction: Since the sound reaching the left and right inner ears is separate, a stereo effect is possible as with the air-conduction pathway.

Bone conduction: The stereo voices are fused together in the cranial cavity, so it is difficult to create a left-right difference in the left and right inner ear sound information, and the stereo experience is not as good as with the air-conduction pathway.

What is intelliGo’s AI noise reduction technology (AIVC)?

The AI chip, which has been taught with more than 500 million samples of various noise data, can distinguish human voices from noise. It identifies and extracts only human voices from the sound collected by the headphone’s microphone. This noise reduction technology allows the people you are calling to hear your voice clearly.

You are in an online conference at home when you suddenly receive a visitor, such as a delivery person, at your front door. But don’t worry. The other party will not hear the doorbell, but only your voice. Your important meeting will not be interrupted.

The sound of typing on a PC, which is often heard during meetings, is also eliminated. This prevents noise from being heard by the other party and reduces distractions.

Environmental noise, such as background music in a café, is also suppressed to ensure comfortable calls.