In the run-up to CES 2026, Cleer Audio is doubling down on open-ear listening with the launch of the ARC 4 and ARC 4+ wireless earphones. Building on what made the ARC series popular in the first place, the new models retain Cleer’s open-ear hook design—no ear-canal seal, no isolation guilt—while refining the shape and hinge for better fit, comfort, and long-term wear.
The idea remains refreshingly practical: deliver engaging sound without shutting out the world, making the ARC 4 Series a natural fit for commuting, office use, and workouts where situational awareness isn’t optional, it’s common sense.
THX Certification
What actually makes this announcement matter, however, is not the revised ergonomics or the open-ear positioning—it’s the badge on the spec sheet. Cleer Audio’s ARC 4 Series is the first pair of wireless earphones to earn THX Certification, a distinction rarely associated with open-ear designs, let alone hook-style wireless models.
That certification signals a measurable standard for tuning, consistency, and performance, and it suggests Cleer isn’t just chasing lifestyle users this time—it’s aiming to bring a level of audio credibility to a category that usually settles for “good enough.”
With THX Headphone Certification in play, the Cleer ARC 4 Series isn’t treating open-ear audio like a compromise. The goal here is measurable sound accuracy—balanced frequency response, low distortion, and precise left/right channel matching for stable imaging—while preserving the clarity that open designs often struggle to maintain at higher volumes. THX’s specialized open-ear standards also address the usual weak spot, delivering controlled, believable low-end performance without turning the soundstage into mush.
Both the ARC 4 and ARC 4+ (aka ARC 4 Plus) are tuned directly by THX engineers to align with the THX optimal frequency response curve, prioritizing natural tonality, clean vocals, and detailed highs. The result isn’t a hyped “fitness earbud” sound, but a more disciplined, high-fidelity presentation that aims to stay honest to the source—something the open-ear category has historically been terrible at.
Cleer also splits the lineup cleanly by features. The ARC 4 supports Dolby Audio alongside Snapdragon Sound by Qualcomm, delivering stable, low-latency wireless performance with an emphasis on clarity and consistency rather than gimmicks. It’s a sensible foundation that prioritizes reliable connection quality and natural sound—two things open-ear designs don’t always get right.
Step up to the ARC 4+ and the focus shifts toward immersion. It adds Dolby Atmos optimization and Dolby Sensor-based Head Tracking, using onboard sensors to detect head movement and keep the soundstage anchored in place. Dolby Atmos tuning enables more accurate rendering of height and spatial cues for compatible content, while Dolby Audio continues to handle stereo and multichannel material with low distortion and controlled dynamics. In short, ARC 4 keeps things grounded; ARC 4+ leans into spatial audio without pretending it’s a home theater strapped to your ears.
On the hardware side, the ARC 4 Series checks the right technical boxes for a serious open-ear design. Cleer rates the earbuds for Hi-Res Audio with a 65Hz–40kHz frequency range, an ambitious spec for a category that usually taps out well before that.
To compensate for the inherent bass challenges of open-ear listening, Cleer leans on its DBE 4.0 (Dynamic Bass Enhancement) processing, which is designed to add weight and depth to the low end without smearing the mids or turning the presentation into a bloated mess.
Cleer ARC 4 Series: Shared Features and Core Technologies
Beyond the headline audio features, the ARC 4 Series is built on a modern wireless foundation. Bluetooth 5.4, Snapdragon Sound, Bluetooth multipoint, and support for aptX Lossless give both models the bandwidth and stability needed for high-quality, low-latency playback, while integrated voice control keeps things hands-free. It’s a feature set aimed squarely at daily use, not just spec-sheet flexing.
Call quality gets equal attention. Qualcomm cVc (Clear Voice Capture) microphones reduce background noise and suppress echo, while aptX Voice further improves intelligibility during calls. The emphasis here is clear conversations without sacrificing audio performance—something open-ear designs can easily fumble.
Physically, the ARC 4 earbuds are 10% lighter than their predecessors, tipping the scales at just 10.8 grams per earbud. A redesigned ergonomic hinge and softer materials improve long-term comfort and stability, while the slimmer, more pocket-friendly charging case makes the whole package easier to live with day to day.
Battery life is competitive for the category. The ARC 4 delivers up to 32 hours of total playback (approximately 7–9 hours per charge plus 25 hours from the case), while the ARC 4+ stretches that to 34 hours. Both models integrate with the Cleer+ app for Android and iOS, offering EQ adjustments, ambient and noise-control settings, firmware updates, battery status, and access to the user manual—all the practical tools you actually end up using.
Cleer ARC 4 vs. ARC 4+
| ARC 4 | ARC 4+ | |
| Product Type | Open Earphones | Open Earphones |
| Price | $99.99 | $129.99 |
| Driver | 16.2mm Driver | 16.2mm Driver |
| Bluetooth | Ver 5.4 | Ver 5.4 |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codec Support | AptX Adaptive, AptX Lossless, SBC, AAC, LC3 | AptX Adaptive, AptX Lossless, SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint Connection | Yes | Yes |
| THX® Certified | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby®™ | Dolby Audio™ | Optimized for Dolby Atmos™ |
| Headtacking | – | Yes |
| Hi-Res Audio® | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz-40kHz | 65Hz-40kHz |
| Microphones | 2-mic Qualcomm cVc ENC (Environmental Noise Cancelling) | 2-mic Qualcomm cVc ENC (Environmental Noise Cancelling) |
| 6-Axis Motion Sensor | – | Yes |
| Adaptive Volume Control (AVC) | Yes | Yes |
| On/Off Button (Earbuds) | – | Yes |
| MFi® (Made for iOS Devices) | – | Yes |
| Cleer+ App | EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Key Features | Sound EQ, Touch Control | Sound EQ, Touch Control |
| IPX7 Water & Sweat Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours, in total 32 hours with the charging case | Up to 9 hours, in total 34 hours with the charging case |
| Charge Methods | USB-C | USB-C |
| Quick Charge | A 10-minute charge provides 2 hours | A 10-minute charge provides 3 hours |
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Pink |
| Weight | 10.8g (per earbud) 76g (both earbuds and case) | 10.8g (per earbud) 76g (both earbuds and case) |
The Bottom Line
After spending time with every generation of Cleer’s open-ear lineup—from the original ARC through ARC II, ARC 3, ARC 3 Gaming Edition, and ARC 3 Sport Pro—it’s clear that the ARC 4 and ARC 4+ are the most mature and technically credible versions yet. Previous models focused on comfort, durability, and use-case specialization (gaming latency, sports stability), but the ARC 4 Series shifts the emphasis toward measurable audio performance, with THX Headphone Certification as the defining upgrade. That certification doesn’t magically outperform non-THX products, but it does confirm that Cleer is now applying tighter tuning standards, lower distortion targets, and better channel matching than any prior ARC model.
Compared to the ARC 3 variants, the ARC 4 Series adds improved ergonomics, lighter earpieces, longer battery life, broader codec support, and a more refined sound profile—while giving up the ARC 3’s LED touchscreen case, which remains the only real regression. The ARC 4 is the logical successor for existing ARC and ARC II users who want better sound and modern wireless performance without gimmicks, while the ARC 4+ will appeal to listeners coming from the ARC 3 Gaming Edition who want spatial audio and head tracking without sacrificing open-ear awareness.
These are for listeners who value situational awareness, comfort, and credible sound quality, not noise cancellation or sealed-ear bass theatrics. If you’ve followed the ARC series from the start, the ARC 4 models feel less like another iteration and more like Cleer finally locking in what open-ear wireless is supposed to be.
Price & Availability
- ARC 4: $99.99 at CleerAudio.com in black and white.
- ARC 4+: $129.99 at Amazon exclusively in black, white and pink.
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