Cleer Audio Previews THX-Certified ARC 4 Open-Ear Earbuds Ahead of CES 2026

While the hook-style form factor remains unchanged, Cleer says the ARC 4 Series introduces revised ergonomics, lighter construction and, notably, THX Headphone Certification — a first for open-ear wireless earbuds.

The ARC range has traditionally focused on comfort and situational awareness, avoiding an in-ear seal in favour of an open design suited to commuting, office use and exercise. For the fourth generation, Cleer claims it has refined the ear hook and hinge mechanism to improve long-term comfort and stability, while reducing overall weight by approximately ten per cent compared with earlier ARC models.

The headline addition is THX certification, a designation more commonly associated with over-ear and in-ear headphones than open-ear designs. According to Cleer, the ARC 4 and ARC 4+ have been tuned to meet THX performance targets for frequency response consistency, distortion and channel matching, with specific standards applied to address the acoustic challenges of open-ear listening.

Cleer says both models are tuned by THX engineers to align with THX’s optimal headphone response curve, with an emphasis on natural tonal balance and vocal clarity rather than exaggerated bass. Low-frequency performance is supported by Cleer’s DBE 4.0 Dynamic Bass Enhancement processing, designed to add perceived weight without overwhelming the midrange — a common limitation of open-ear formats.

The two models differ primarily in spatial audio features. The ARC 4 supports Dolby Audio alongside Snapdragon Sound by Qualcomm, focusing on stable, low-latency wireless performance and codec support rather than immersive effects. The ARC 4+ adds Dolby Atmos optimisation and Dolby Sensor-based Head Tracking, using onboard motion sensors to maintain a fixed soundstage as the listener moves their head when playing compatible content.

Both earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4, Bluetooth multipoint, and aptX Lossless, and are rated for Hi-Res Audio with a claimed frequency response of 65Hz to 40kHz. Call quality is handled via Qualcomm cVc microphones and aptX Voice, with Cleer positioning the system for clear voice pickup without aggressive noise suppression.

Battery life is rated at up to 32 hours for the ARC 4 and 34 hours for the ARC 4+, combining approximately 7–9 hours per charge with additional capacity from the charging case. Both models are compatible with the Cleer+ app on iOS and Android, providing EQ adjustment, firmware updates and battery monitoring.

Cleer Audio is expected to formally showcase the ARC 4 and ARC 4+ at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, with pricing and regional availability to be announced closer to launch.

Visit Cleer Audio for more information