Here One allows wearers to filter or enhance sounds from their surroundings.

US startup Doppler Labs has announced an updated version of its Here “active listening system”, a pair of earbuds that allows users to modify the sound they hear from their surroundings.

Launched in February after a successful Kickstarter campaign last year, the original Here was designed for use in a number of situations, from filtering out unwanted frequencies at concerts to quietening engine noise on an aircraft.

The original version received positive reviews, they were a niche item primarily aimed at those who want to protect their ears while listening to live music. The second version, Here One, goes one better and allows users to stream music to their ears.

The key addition besides music streaming is what Doppler Labs calls “adaptive filters”. These  filter out specific sounds automatically without needing to go into the app – for example if a baby starts crying or a vehicle with a siren drives past.

Here One also introduces a concept called “layered listening”. While standard headphones cut the wearer off from the world, Here One allows the user to stream audio and listen to their surroundings at the same time – listen to music while riding a bike or holding a conversation for example.

The Here One earbuds look just like their predecessor and use the same smartphone app to control what frequencies the user hears, but they also contain new directional microphones that make their ability to edit sound more powerful.

The updated system also allows users to build their own listening profile, which learns their preferences and provides suggestions based on the environment.

Here One costs $299 and is available for pre-order now. The product is expected to ship in November 2016. [via Wired]