Voice AI startup Subtle has unveiled a new wireless earbud designed to enhance voice clarity during calls and deliver precise transcription for note-taking. The earbuds leverage the company's proprietary speech isolation model, enabling computers to better interpret user speech even in noisy environments.
The launch coincides with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with plans for a U.S. market rollout in the coming months. Priced at $199, each pair comes bundled with a one-year subscription to Subtle’s iOS and Mac applications. These apps enable hands-free voice notes and AI conversations without requiring manual input. The device incorporates a specialized chip capable of waking an iPhone even when locked.
Subtle is positioning its product against emerging AI-powered dictation tools such as Wispr Flow, Willow, Monologue, and Superwhisper—applications that allow users to dictate across platforms using voice-enabled earbuds. The company claims its earbuds achieve a transcription error rate five times lower than AirPods Pro 3 when paired with OpenAI’s transcription model.
In a demonstration viewed by TechCrunch, the earbuds successfully captured clear audio despite loud background noise. They accurately transcribed spoken notes even when Tyler Chen, Subtle’s co-founder and CEO, spoke in a hushed tone.
"We’ve observed that voice is increasingly being adopted as a new interface paradigm. Speaking feels more natural than typing for completing tasks. Yet, people rarely use voice interfaces when others are around. With our noise isolation technology, we aim to give consumers a private, seamless way to interact through voice via earbuds," Chen said in a phone interview with TechCrunch.
Last year, companies like Sandbar and Pebble introduced smart rings for note capture. Chen emphasized that by integrating dedicated software with hardware, Subtle aims to consolidate multiple functionalities—including dictation, AI interaction, and voice journaling—into a single wearable device.
The earbuds, branded as Voicebuds, are available for pre-order on the company’s website in both black and white finishes.
Subtle has raised $6 million in funding to date and is collaborating with consumer tech firms such as Qualcomm and Nothing to integrate its noise isolation model into future devices.
