Announced earlier in February, Pioneer's Rayz Plus Lightning earphones allow Apple users to simultaneously listen to music or make a phone call while also charging their iPhone, thanks to the inclusion of an inline charging node. Today, the company announced a new feature called "Smart Mute" coming to the earphones as well as two new Rayz Plus colors launching exclusively on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores.

Rayz Plus and the basic Rayz earphones (the latter do not include an inline Lightning port) are both getting the new Smart Mute ability, which automatically mutes the microphone when a user is not speaking and unmutes it when they begin talking. Pioneer said that this will be perfect for any Rayz wearers who often find themselves taking calls on the earphones in noisy environments.

pioneer rayz update
The update will be available through the Rayz app on the iOS App Store [Direct Link]. Pioneer worked with Avnera Corporation in developing Smart Mute, and Avnera CEO Manpreet Khaira said that it is "one of several smart technologies" being developed by the company.

"Rayz appcessories were launched with a commitment to deliver new compelling experiences for our customers through future software updates using the Rayz companion iOS app" said Munenori Otsuki, CEO of Pioneer and Onkyo Corporation. "In keeping with this commitment, we are pleased to announce Smart Mute today, a feature that will enable truly compelling call experiences."

Customers are also now able to buy Rayz Plus earphones in new Black and Rose Gold color options only on Apple.com and in Apple retail locations around the world. Currently, the Rayz earphones are available in Onyx Black and Ice White, while the Rayz Plus are available in Graphite and Bronze.

Existing features of the Rayz and Rayz Plus earphones include AutoPause technology so music starts and stops automatically when the buds are placed in or removed from the user's ear, HearThru noise cancelling, Smart Button controls, and dynamic audio adjustment via the iOS app.

The pricing on the earphones remains unchanged, with the Rayz available for $99.95 and the Rayz Plus available for $149.95. Those interested can purchase Rayz Plus in Black and Rose Gold exclusively on Apple.com beginning today.

Top Rated Comments

moxxham Avatar
104 months ago
After having AirPods since launch, the look and thought of wired earphones just seems so dated now. People think AirPods look strange, but after so long with them, seeing people connected to their phones with wires just looks strange to me now haha.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
104 months ago
After having AirPods since launch, the look and thought of wired earphones just seems so dated now. People think AirPods look strange, but after so long with them, seeing people connected to their phones with wires just looks strange to me now haha.
While being convenient, the sound quality of AirPods is not rated high, that's why some people might still choose the wired gear:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-true-wireless-headphones/
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleRobert Avatar
104 months ago
Picked this up in an Apple Store yesterday on a whim.

All I have done so far is installed the app and calibrated the earphones. I did not go any further with the app and earbuds for their functionality BECUASE I cannot stop listening to my music.

Run don’t walk if you are in the least bit interested, they are returnable so no risk.

I have the AirPods, they sound nothing like the Pioneer trust me. And the AirPods offer zero isolation and noise reduction. And the Pioneer go much louder.

I also have the Beats X, I like the sound quality of those BUT grow tired of the wiring around the neck and they also aren’t noise cancelling.

Back to the music. Viola.
[doublepost=1499442392][/doublepost]
I like what they're doing but at these price points why would you not just get beats X? :(
Read above, that’s why. And they have a wire so they aren’t completely wireless anyway.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Munch Avatar
104 months ago
I just wish there was a "dumb" mute button on headphones. It's incredibly difficult using the Apple supplied headphones on a conference call. On a locked screen it takes time to unlock, unmute on the screen and start talking. A typical work conference call is:

- Someone asks a question
- Dead silence
- Someone else starts talking
- An interruption with someone saying, "sorry I was trying to get off mute"
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
v0lume4 Avatar
104 months ago
While being convenient, the sound quality of AirPods is not rated high, that's why some people might still choose the wired gear:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-true-wireless-headphones/
No doubt it. I listened to AirPods at the Apple Store and was floored by the technology ("It just works," Apple style), yet the sound quality was only "good enough." And to be fair, I think that's the point.

I've just been too spoiled by my Audio Technica ATH-M50 cans. Once you know, you know. ;)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nikicampos Avatar
104 months ago
After having AirPods since launch, the look and thought of wired earphones just seems so dated now. People think AirPods look strange, but after so long with them, seeing people connected to their phones with wires just looks strange to me now haha.
I'm with you on that one, bought a pair of Plantronics Backbeat Fit about 3 years ago, they broke and a year ago bought the PowerBeats 2, its been 3 years now and never went back to connect a pair of earphones.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses: These 17 U.S. States Offer Them or Will Later

Thursday June 19, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states and Puerto...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Monday June 16, 2025 8:45 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in Three Months With These 12 New Features

Saturday June 14, 2025 5:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of June 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro have a...
ios 26 call holding

iOS 26 Beta is Hiding a New Ringtone — Here's What It Sounds Like

Thursday June 19, 2025 7:25 pm PDT by
Apple is hiding a new ringtone within iOS 26. The new ringtone is an alternative version of the existing Reflection ringtone, which has been the default ringtone since the iPhone X was released in 2017. It was discovered within the code for the first developer beta of iOS 26, but it remains hidden, so you will not find it in the list of ringtones available in the Settings app for now. It...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.6 Public Beta

Wednesday June 18, 2025 10:24 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to public beta testers, with the betas coming just a few days after Apple provided the betas to developers. Testers who have signed up for beta updates through Apple's beta site can download iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. When the...
new iphone lockscreen ios 26

iOS 26: Five Changes Coming to Your iPhone Lock Screen

Tuesday June 17, 2025 8:46 am PDT by
With iOS 26, Apple has made some additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that aim to make it more customizable than ever. Of course, things can always change before the software makes its way to the general iPhone-owning public, but here are five new things iOS 26 can do on the Lock Screen as of the current developer beta. Widgets Top or Bottom In iOS 18, the row of widgets on your Lock...
General Spotify Feature

Spotify Preparing to Launch Long-Awaited Lossless Audio Tier on iPhone

Thursday June 19, 2025 1:46 pm PDT by
Spotify appears to be gearing up to launch its long-awaited lossless music tier. Chris Messina (via TechCrunch) and Spicetify (via The Verge) spotted new lossless references within the code for Spotify's desktop app and web player. With assistance from Aaron Perris, MacRumors has confirmed that the latest beta of the Spotify app for the iPhone also contains new lossless-related code....
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Apple Says iOS 26 Won't Be Available on These iPhone Models

Tuesday June 10, 2025 6:58 am PDT by
Apple this week revealed that iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. That means that iOS 18 is the end of the road for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, which were all released in 2018. However, those devices will continue to receive security updates for at least a few more years. iOS 26 is compatible with the following iPhone models: iPhone 16e iPhone...
Craig Federighi No

John Gruber Reacts to Apple Declining His Interview After His Criticism

Wednesday June 18, 2025 8:10 pm PDT by
Every year between 2015 and 2024, at least one Apple executive agreed to be interviewed by Daring Fireball's John Gruber for a special WWDC episode of his podcast, The Talk Show. Last year, for example, Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, and top AI researcher John Giannandrea joined Gruber on stage at the California Theatre in San Jose to discuss...