Companies dropped the 3.5 mm headphone jack to make phones slimmer and free up space for larger batteries and additional hardware. Wireless earbuds filled that gap and, to their credit, have improved significantly in sound quality, latency, and battery life. Still, those gains come with trade-offs. Wireless audio relies on compression, is prone to interference, and adds another device that requires charging and maintenance.
SAN Sound is clearly not content with that direction. With the Hardwire, the company is bringing music back to the forefront by rebuilding the wired experience from the ground up. Instead of requiring a DAC adapter or a dedicated digital audio player, SAN Sound integrates a full DAC and amplifier directly into the cable itself. The result is a true plug-and-play solution that delivers clean, powerful audio from a USB-C port, no extra hardware required. I could go into more detail about this, but we are here to discuss the new hardwired earbuds.
A Cable That Does More Than Carry a Signal
The first thing I noticed when pulling the Hardwire out of the box was the cable itself. The 48-inch fiber-weave cable feels durable and purpose-built, and it does far more than simply carry audio. Built directly into the wire is SAN Sound’s Audio Cortex, the brain of the system and the driving force behind its sound.
Embedded inside the Audio Cortex is a lossless DAC, a dedicated amplifier, a noise-canceling microphone, customizable RGB lighting, and a programmable action button. Most USB-C wired earbuds still rely on the phone or an external dongle to handle digital-to-analog conversion. Here, that entire audio chain lives in the cable itself, independent of whatever device you plug it into.
For those unfamiliar, a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) converts digital music files into an analog signal your ears can hear. Lower-quality DACs can introduce noise, compress dynamic range, or cap overall volume. By handling both conversion and amplification internally, Hardwire bypasses a phone’s built-in audio limitations. In practice, that means no dongles, no compatibility guessing, and no worrying about whether your phone’s USB-C implementation is holding things back. I plugged the Hardwire into multiple USB-C devices, and it worked immediately, so no drivers or updates are needed at this time; it’s plug-and-play.
This will not replace a high-end DAC, a full-size pair of analog headphones, or a carefully tuned home setup. What it does offer is something far more accessible. The Hardwire is designed for everyday listeners who miss the simplicity of the 3.5 mm jack, are curious about upgrading to better sound quality, or simply want a wired earbud that works, sounds good, and looks different. Portable to take on the go, I use it with my Steam Deck when I go out, then quickly plug it into my phone to listen to music while I shop.
Planar-Dynamic Drivers, Explained Simply
SAN Sound also relies heavily on its Planar-Dynamic Driver system, one of Hardwire’s strongest technical differentiators. Traditional earbuds typically use dynamic drivers, which rely on a cone and magnet to move air. Planar drivers instead use a thin diaphragm driven evenly across its surface, often resulting in faster response and lower distortion.
SAN Sound has combined both approaches into a hybrid system. The result is balance. You get the weight and punch dynamic drivers are known for, paired with the clarity and speed associated with planar designs. During listening sessions, mids came through clean, highs stayed sharp without harshness, and bass remained controlled even at higher volumes. Distortion stayed impressively low, and the built-in amplifier clearly has enough headroom to drive these drivers properly.
Music also gets loud, louder than I expected from wired earbuds that are not relying on an external amp. According to SAN Sound, the drivers use an instantaneous neodymium drive and are the product of long-term in-house development. Calling others on the phone seems quite decent; while not super crystal clear, it is good enough that I can understand and have a normal conversation, without much interference, even in a busy store.
The built-in ENC microphone is another practical highlight. ENC, or environmental noise cancellation, focuses on isolating your voice while reducing background noise. SAN Sound describes it as AI-tuned directional capture, and while that phrasing leans marketing-heavy, real-world performance is solid.
Calls came through clearly, and background noise was noticeably reduced, making the Hardwire viable not just for music but also for work calls, mobile gaming chat, and general daily use.
Fit, Comfort, and Everyday Use
Comfort is often an afterthought with feature-heavy audio gear, but SAN Sound gets the basics right. The Hardwire includes replaceable ear tips and ear hooks, allowing you to fine-tune the fit. Once properly adjusted, the earbuds stayed secure during extended listening sessions and light movement, without causing fatigue.
This matters more than most people realize. A proper seal directly impacts bass response and overall sound quality. The included options make Hardwire adaptable to different ear shapes, rather than forcing a single fit. Listening to music for about two to three hours seems to provide the right level of comfort; however, mileage may vary for others. I’ve used it for two weeks, and it has made listening to music more enjoyable; I don’t have to worry about losing my earbuds.
While this is still a prototype, the SAN Sound team is working hard to improve and refine the experience for the final release. While the price is not known, we hope it will be affordable for everyone. Stay tuned.
