Cleer Arc 4 Brings THX And Dolby Credibility To The Open-Ear Category

The open-ear earbud category has exploded over the past few years, but sound quality has often lagged behind comfort and situational awareness. Walking the show floor at CES 2026, I spent time with Cleer Audio’s newest open-ear true wireless earbuds—the Arc 4 and Arc 4+—and came away genuinely impressed by how far this category has evolved.

Cleer isn’t just iterating here; with the Arc 4 Series, the company is redefining expectations by delivering the world’s first THX® Certified open-ear true wireless earbuds, paired with Dolby Audio™ and Dolby Atmos® technologies. For retailers and distributors, this is the kind of product that changes the conversation on the sales floor.

THX Certification That Actually Matters

In my experience, open-ear designs typically struggle to deliver balanced sound—especially bass—without compromising clarity. That’s why the THX certification on the Arc 4 immediately caught my attention. These earbuds are tuned by THX engineers specifically for open-ear performance, and it shows.

Listening to the Arc 4, vocals are clean and forward, highs are detailed without becoming harsh, and bass—while understandably more restrained than sealed designs—is controlled and impactful. Just as important, the sound remains clear even at higher volumes, something many open-ear products fail to achieve.

For retailers, THX certification gives the Arc 4 Series instant credibility in a category that often requires heavy explanation.

Dolby Audio—and Dolby Atmos—Elevate the Experience

Both models feature Dolby Audio™, but the Arc 4+ steps things up with Dolby Atmos® and head tracking, which I found especially compelling for video and immersive content. Using Dolby Sensor-built head tracking, the soundstage remains anchored as you move your head, creating a sense of space that is rare in open-ear earbuds.

From a merchandising standpoint, Dolby branding resonates strongly with consumers, and having it paired with an open-ear design is a meaningful differentiator—particularly at this price point.

Noticeably Lighter and More Comfortable

Cleer has clearly refined the physical design. Compared to the previous generation, the Arc 4 earbuds are 10% lighter, and the ear hooks are 45% thinner, allowing them to sit closer to the ear canal. In my time wearing them, comfort was excellent, even during extended listening sessions.

The redesigned charging case is also slimmer and more pocket-friendly—an underrated improvement that matters in everyday use.

Snapdragon Sound Delivers Where It Counts

Under the hood, the Arc 4 Series is powered by Bluetooth 5.4 and Snapdragon® Sound, supporting aptX™ Lossless and a wide 65Hz–40kHz Hi-Res Audio range. Connectivity was fast and stable, and multipoint pairing worked seamlessly when switching between devices.

Cleer’s DBE 4.0 (Dynamic Bass Enhancement) adds depth to the low end, helping the Arc 4 avoid the thin sound profile that has historically defined open-ear audio.

Designed for Real Life

The Arc 4 Series is clearly built for daily use. An IPX7 rating means sweat and rain aren’t a concern, making these earbuds well-suited for commuting, workouts, and active lifestyles. Battery life is another strong point, with up to 32 hours total playback on the Arc 4 and 34 hours on the Arc 4+.

Call quality is solid thanks to Qualcomm® cVc microphones, which reduce background noise and echo—important as earbuds increasingly double as work-from-anywhere tools.

Smart features like Auto Volume Control (AVC) – available via Cleer+ APP – add real-world value without complicating the user experience.

Retail Strategy and Channel Opportunities

The Arc 4 is priced at $99.99 and available through CleerAudio.com and authorized U.S. dealers, making it a strong in-store option with clear value messaging. The Arc 4+, priced at $129.99, is exclusive to Amazon and adds Dolby Atmos head tracking, Apple MFi® certification, and physical on/off controls, targeting a more premium online buyer.

This channel separation allows brick-and-mortar retailers to compete effectively while still preserving a clear step-up model for e-commerce.

Final Take

From what I saw and heard at CES 2026, the Cleer Arc 4 Series represents one of the most complete and credible executions of open-ear audio I’ve experienced. By combining THX tuning, Dolby technologies, Snapdragon Sound, and aggressive pricing, Cleer has created a product that not only stands out on spec sheets but also delivers in real-world listening.

For retailers, distributors, and manufacturers watching the evolution of personal audio, the Arc 4 Series signals that open-ear earbuds are no longer a compromise—they’re becoming a legitimate alternative.

For more information, visit www.cleeraudio.com.

See also: OneOdio Debuts Focus AI Pro On-Ear Hybrid ANC Headphones