Maintain a comfortable temperature in your home with this LG portable air conditioner. It cools or heats rooms up to 500 sq. ft., and its 24-hour timer lets you schedule on and off times. This LG portable air conditioner includes an installation kit, so you can mount it in a window.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
My condominium building is replacing the HVAC system which serves the first floor of the building. This will result in no air conditioning for a 1,200 square foot area with high ceilings (about 12 feet) during the entire Summer and Fall. I am on the board of the association and suggested that we purchase portable air conditioners rather than rent commercial units.
I researched the options and chose this LG unit because it has high air flow and also provides a heating option. I have had good luck with LG appliances and electronics so I trust the brand. We bought three of these units.
Because there are no windows to vent the hot exhaust air, we attached 4 inch dryer hose to the exhaust vest and ran that hose up to the plenum ceiling. However, after a day it became apparent that the hose was too long and the internal fan on the unit was not powerful enough to drive the air that distance. I purchased auxiliary in-line duct fans and replaced the dryer hose with a larger (6 inch diameter hose.) This greatly increased the exhaust air flow from the unit. I also put the unit up on a furniture dolly to allow a pan to be placed under the unit to make it easier to drain the water from the unit. See photos of the final arrangement.
This solved all of our problems and the LG air conditioners have been able to keep the lobby very cool despite several weeks of 90 degree weather, large glass windows which let the sun heat the area and the constant opening of the front door as residents enter and leave the building. The LG units are excellent dehumidifiers and you will find that they remove a tremendous amount of water from the air.
I am amazed at the cooling performance of these units. I have not tried the heating function yet but expect it to also be good.
If you plan to use a portable air conditioner far from a window where you can vent the hot exhaust air be sure to add a duct fan. They are inexpensive and will increase the efficiency of your unit!
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Enjoy cinematic sound with these Sony digital surround wireless headphones. Their four sound modes optimize the audio of whatever you're watching, and their 30m range lets you move freely around your home without missing a moment of the action. These Sony digital surround wireless headphones have a 17-hour battery life for hours of uninterrupted listening.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Sony Quality, Virtual 7.1 Sound, Very Comfortable!
on June 4, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
Sony Quality, Virtual 7.1 Sound, Very Comfortable! Sony’s L600 Digital Surround Wireless Headphones are a very nice option for a comfortable, private video listening experience which makes no compromises with the full audio range of your content..
These premium quality headphones incorporate a newly introduced audio signal processor which creates a virtual 7.1 sound system using just the two drivers in the headphones.
Here are the key features: • Ergonomic, fully adjustable over-ear, closed dynamic headphone • 40 mm dome driver for maximum bass and wide frequency response • 20 – 20,000 Hz audio frequency range, less than 1% THD distortion • 2.4 GHz RF wireless connection from signal processing/charging station • Maximum reception range from base: 98 feet • Four surround sound field effects (cinema, game, sports, voice) • Three decoding formats supported (Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS) • Sound compression feature (on/off) • Matrix selection (on/off) • Analog input gain control (on/off) • Three audio inputs (HDMI, optical digital, 3.5 mm analog stereo) • On headset controls for power (on/off), volume, sound field selection • 17 hour maximum battery life, 6 hour charge time from fully discharged state • Dimensions (on charging station): 7.2” wide x 7.4” deep x 11” tall • Weight (headphones only): 11.3 ounces • One year warranty
Included in the box are the headphones, signal processing/charging station, power cord/transformer, 5 foot digital optical cable, quick start guide and instructions.
Setup is very easy. Just plug in the signal processing tower, attach an input cable (either a digital optical cable, an HDMI cable or a 3.5 mm analog cable) from the TV to the signal processing tower and then charge the headphones. Turn on the power, select the input and put on the headphones.
The headphones are very comfortable and fairly lightweight (11.3 ounces). Sony has employed an excellent ergonomic design to maximize comfort and fit. The earphones are angled back at the top (to match the shape of your ears better), swivel at two points (up/down and left/right) and have extension arms on the padded top band to compensate for those of us whose ears are not perfectly symmetric. The ear cushions are very soft and fit nicely over the ear to insure sound isolation.
The headphones have three controls on the right earphone (power, volume and sound field selection.) I am not a fan of these controls. The volume rocker button (up/down) doesn’t have enough tactile difference to easily identify and operate it. Also, the power button and the sound field button are both flush with the surface of the earphone so trying to operate them while wearing the headphones is not easy. The sound field button cycles from Cinema to Game to Sports to Voice to None, then back to Cinema. However, there is no indication on the headphone of which sound field is selected. You have to look at the signal processor/charging tower to see the setting. (It is displayed on the tower’s base, along with the input source.)
But if you connect the headphones to your TV with an HDMI cable to the ARC port you will be using your TV remote to control volume and you will probably not change the sound field often, so I suppose most will not find these control issues very significant.
On the signal processor/charging tower are several controls. At the front of the base are the power, sound field and input selector buttons. At the front of the base on the left side, the current sound field selection and the input source (HDMI, optical or analog) are displayed in lighted type. On the right side the type of signal being processed is displayed (Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS.)
On the left side of the tower base are three on/off switches. The front switch enables the HDMI cable to control power to the earphones. The middle switch activates the “Matrix” function. This is the system’s creation of the virtual 7.1 channel sound effect from a 5.1 channel or stereo input. For most sources you would want to leave the Matrix switch on. The rear switch controls Compression. If it is on, all sounds are adjusted to a more narrow sound range. That is, loud sounds are lowered and soft sounds are increased. Frankly, I think this produces really poor audio quality. I watched a movie with the compression on and with it off and the audio quality was far better when it was off. The only possible use I can imagine for it would be if you were watching a movie with a lot of dialog that had very different sound levels between the speakers.
At the rear of the tower are the input and power cable connections. These include a 3.5 mm stereo cable, a digital optical input and HDMI (which is bizarrely labeled “HDMI Out” rather than “HDMI In”). While both digital optical and HDMI will transfer a 5.1 audio signal, using HDMI connected to the HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port on the TV is preferable because in most cases it will automatically turn off the TV’s speakers when the headphones are in use. The analog input is useful if you have no optical output or HDMI ARC output on your TV. The sound input will be analog stereo rather than 5.1 digital stereo but it may be adequate for some. Next to the analog input is a “Gain” switch which provides some amplification to that analog input. Leave it off unless you have a very long connection cable which causes the signal to degrade.
On my wish list for this equipment is another HDMI port (an actual HDMI Out) which would allow you to make an HDMI connection to a sound bar in addition to the headphones. If you are going to invest in headphones of this quality you are probably also going to have a sound bar for your TV and you will want to use the HDMI ARC port for that sound bar.
OK, enough about the switches and cables! How do these headphones actually sound? Well, in a word, awesome. The Sony WH-L600 drivers have a beautiful, faithful reproduction of mid-ranges, clear highs without being too bright and really thunderous bass. I used the analog input to connect my stereo to the headphones to test their ability to reproduce music. My standards for speaker quality are Cannonball Adderly’s “Country Preacher” and Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” albums. I know every note on both of these classics and the slightest deviation is like nails on a blackboard. These headphones passed that tough test with gold stars for quality, sound level and range. I also ran them through several tests for frequency response, sound purity and channel separation and they scored very well.
But these are not just stereo headphones – they are designed to give a faithful illusion of a full 7.1 speaker set. Can they do that? I accessed several YouTube videos which allow you to test your audio system setup by sequentially outputting a sound to each of the 7 channels and then to the sub-woofer (the .1 channel) and accompany that with a video which displays the location of the sound. By listening to these YouTube videos with the headphones you could clearly hear the sound in the direction indicated (front, left, right, left center, right center, left rear, right rear.) The sound separation was most pronounced in the “Game” sound field but it was certainly present in each of the other sound field settings.
I watched several recent action movies (Marvel blockbusters and recent Star Wars sequels) using these headphones and the audio experience was just outstanding. You will really feel that sounds are occurring to your side and behind you, in addition to those sounds you normally sense from near the screen. No, it is not as good as a full-fledged 7.1 home theater with real, top quality speakers placed carefully around the listener but it is an awfully good (and very economical!) substitute.
What other merits do these headphones have? Well, they have a nice range. The 98 foot range is optimistic, but I did obtain flawless reception up to about 50 feet from the base unit. They provide a nice option for your stereo system by just attaching the analog cable to your headphone output on your stereo (assuming it is in the same room as your TV.) Gamers will love the audio effects produced by these headphones!
Bottom line - the Sony WH-L600 Digital Surround Wireless Headphones are an excellent choice for serious movie fans who want a very comfortable headset, sophisticated audio reproduction and the ability to blast the soundtrack without disturbing others in the household or their neighbors. You will be glad you chose them!!!
Experience enhanced cinematic viewing on this 65-inch LG Super UHD TV. It has full array local dimming for a more lifelike picture. Its ~7 intelligent processor produces sharp, accurate images in 4K resolution, and LG ThinQ AI creates a center for your smart home devices.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
First, the bottom line: this LG 65 inch 4K HDR Smart TV is by far the best LED TV in its price range. Its combination of features, sound quality, aesthetics and picture quality is without match.
There are a number of fine manufacturers of high-end televisions but at the top of mountain in quality and innovation are three brands – two from Korea and one from Japan. LG is one of these three (the other two both start with “S”) and I feel that it has moved significantly ahead of the comparable offerings by the other two with this beautiful and feature-packed televison.
Consider this amazing combination of features: • Model: LG 65SK9000PUA (introduced at 2018 CES) • 65” Super UHD LED IPS (In-Plane Switching) Display (3840 x 2160 resolution: 8,294,400 pixels per image frame) with wide viewing angle • Full array local dimming LED backlight for optimal blacks (up to 20,000 to 1 contrast ratio) • Nano Cell Color Ultra-Luminance Pro Display with 10 bit color (1,073,741,824 possible colors) • LG a7 quad-core Intelligent Video Processor to deliver optimized color, clarity and contrast • Ability to upscale HD images to near 4K quality • Supports multiple Ultra HDR systems: HDR10, HLG (hybrid log-gamma), Technicolor Advanced HDR (true cinema), Dolby Vision • Tru-Motion 240 Hz (120 Hz refresh rate) eliminates motion blur from sports and gaming content • ThinQ AI artificial intelligence technology to enable deep learning, connected features including Google Home and Alexa • Four speakers deliver 2.2 channel stereo (2 -10 watt full-range speakers, 2 -10 watt woofers) • Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound • Magic Remote can control other electronic devices (set-top box, audio system), permits voice control and gives direct access to special features using an on-screen cursor • Natural language processing delivers intelligent voice recognition for most features and adjustments • Expanded electronic program guide (adds over-the-air channels to cable and internet channels) • Multiple video mode and sound profile presets • Multi-view permits two video sources to be watched at the same time, side-by-side • Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube, Sling, Google Play already installed • LG Content Store with hundreds of additional apps, games, videos • Screen-sharing function (Miracast, Windows 10) • 4 HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 side video inputs (HDMI 2 is ARC) • 3 USB 2.0 (1 rear, 2 side) • Composite input • RS232C mini jack • Optical digital audio output • Wireless LAN 802.11AC • Gigabit Ethernet LAN • Full web browser and integrated set of applications (WebOS 4.0) • Bluetooth 4.2 (both inbound from external sources and outbound to headphones) • Coax input and digital tuner for over-the-air HD channel reception • Very slim bezel (0.43”) • 300 mm x 300 mm VESA mount holes • Semi-gloss screen to reduce reflections • 57.3” wide x 32.7” tall x 2.5” deep (without 2.9” tall x 12.5” deep stand) • Weight: 58.6 pounds, 61.9 pounds with stand • Very power efficient (46 watts in use, 0.5 watt in standby mode) • 1 year parts and labor warranty
When you invest in a great TV, no matter the brand, you should look at three elements – the beauty of the visual delivery system, the quality of the sound produced and the range and substance of the other features included. Consider each of these.
It is easy to fall in love with the video quality of this TV. The 4K display with 10 bit color, Nano Cell, Ultra HDR and full array local dimming, all managed by the powerful Alpha 7 image processor delivers an absolutely stunning image, easily the best I have ever seen from a non-OLED TV. Since comparable-sized OLED screens are twice the price of this TV, there is just no other set which can match it. There are many preset video modes to choose from (e.g., vivid, standard, cinema, sports, gaming, various HDR effects, Technicolor expert, bright room expert, dark room expert, auto power-save) or calibrate the picture yourself with an incredible degree of precision. You will be absolutely delighted with the video images created by this magnificent TV.
How does the LG 65SK9000PUA achieve this? To meet the Ultra HDR (High Dynamic Range) standard the display has to attain both a very high brightness level and a very dark black level coupled with a vast range of colors presented with very subtle shading between the millions of pixels on the screen. The LG’s full array local dimming gives deep blacks and the10 bit color with the multiple HDR systems supported create a very wide range of colors and brightness levels. The Nano Cell Color used is a significant improvement on the quantum dot technology used by other manufacturers. The individual pixels on the screen are composed of uniform (one nanometer diameter) particles which offer more subtle, accurate colors that can be viewed from a wider angle. Up to 60 degrees off center there is no variation in colors. Finally, the powerful quad-core Alpha 7 (a7) image processor pulls all of this together to create the best possible image in each frame displayed. It creates an effective 240 frame per second refresh rate (Tru-Motion 240) with each of the 8.3 million pixels set to the exact color/brightness level required to achieve the truest image. This also includes upscaling HD content (which has only 2 million pixels in the image) by interpolating the correct color and brightness to the full 8.3 million pixels of the 4K display. It is an amazing combination of technologies and the picture created is just as amazing.
How good is the sound? Most speakers for even the best televisions are just not comparable to the display, yet much of the immersive experience of movies or sporting events comes from rich sound rolling over and around you. The usual solution is to add a sound bar to your TV to replace those pitiful little speakers usually built in to it. However, this LG has the best sound system I have ever heard on any set. I have a very nice 5.1 sound bar which I connected. However, the LG sound is so good that I watched an entire action movie with the sound bar turned off and it seemed there was very little drop off in audio quality. This is due to the 2.2 channel Dolby Atmos sound system. Dolby Atmos is the latest, most advanced form of surround sound system. It delivers sound as “objects” which are placed in three dimensional space rather than in specific channels. The effect is to immerse the listener in the sound. The LG 65SK9000PUA includes two built-in 10 watt full-range speakers and two built-in woofers which are controlled by the Atmos sound processor to create that unique effect. You can also choose to add preset sound modes (e.g., standard, cinema, clear voice, sports, music, gaming) or make your own sound adjustments. If you use this TV in a room where a supplemental audio system would not fit in, the built-in sound system will not disappoint you.
Finally, the third element of evaluating a premium television is the set of added features available. Here you will find that this TV is like one of those Russian nesting doll sets – every time you open up a feature your find another bonus inside! • All extra features are controlled by LG’s excellent operating system WebOS 4.0 • Of course it has direct access to all of the most popular streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube, Sling, Google Play) as well as Weather • The LG Content Store contains hundreds of additional apps and games which can be downloaded directly to the TV. • The Magic Remote not only controls the TV but also has an on-screen cursor which is very useful for entering data and selecting features. The remote has the ability to add the features of other remotes (like your set-top box and your audio system.) It also has a microphone for interfacing with Google Home. Just ask it any question and it will respond to you! • A “Live Zoom” feature will zoom in on any section of the screen at up to 300% magnification. Great for checking out the details on some superhero’s uniform or watching the quarterback’s facial expression! • Multi-view allows you to watch two video sources at the same time, side-by-side, with the sound coming from your selected video source. • A full-featured web browser which is very easy to navigate, thanks to the magic remote. • Bluetooth 4.2 allows you to stream music to the TV or to use wireless headphones connected via Bluetooth. • Device connection is simplified with an on-screen assistant. • A full user guide is available on screen – no more hunting for that manual or downloaded PDF! • Screen sharing from a PC or phone is supported and it is effortless. • “Gallery” provides a rotating set of framed artwork/photos on screen. • There are so many other features that Best Buy would run out of server space if I tried to list them all!
Support from LG is superb. I called LG a couple of times during the first week after set-up to clarify how to use a feature and received a quick and thorough response. They even have the ability to take control of the TV (with your permission, of course) to show you how to perform some operation.
Aesthetically, the TV is simply elegant, both front and back. The screen has a semi-gloss surface to reduce reflections from room lights and the black bezel is very thin. The back of the TV is a smooth, slate grey with a slight curve so it looks good even from behind. It weighs about 59 pounds so any good wall mount will easily handle it.
Small quibbles: If you connect a sound bar via HDMI ARC the TV’s great internal speakers are turned off. No headphone audio input connector (only option is Bluetooth.)
Bottom line - the LG 65SK9000PUA is an absolutely superb premium television which outperforms every other set in its price range. It is an excellent choice for those who demand the best in every aspect of their life.
Only at Best BuyAcer Nitro 5 Laptop: Defeat the competition with this Acer Aspire Nitro 5 laptop. Its Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM keep multiple programs running smoothly, and the NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti graphics card renders 3D images and video on the 15.6-inch Full HD display. This Acer Aspire Nitro 5 laptop has a 256GB solid-state drive for fast boot times.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This brand-new Acer Nitro 5 is a huge step forward from prior gaming laptops offered by Acer. It is a superb combination of technology and functionality which will outperform almost all existing laptops thanks to its incorporation of a new generation of Intel CPU and Nvidia graphic processing units.
Visually, the Nitro 5 is a stunning design with a beautiful slate black body containing subtle angles, beveled corners and elegant metallic red accents. The cover is not just slate in color, it also has a very fine texture which closely mimics a polished piece of slate. The keyboard has red backlighting and red type faces. It also comes with a very nice soft-sided black slipcase (with a red zipper) to protect it during transit. Overall, the impression is very sophisticated, high tech and definitely not a teen-ager’s gaming toy. This design would be just as much at home in a Goldman Sachs boardroom as in a college dorm.
Consider this fine combination of features: • Acer Nitro 5 Laptop Model AN515-53-55G9 • Intel Core i5 (8th generation) CPU 8300H (Coffee Lake) 4 core/8 thread • Processor runs at speeds from 2.3 to 4.0 GHz • 64 bit Windows 10 Home operating system • Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU with 4 GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory • 8 GB DDR4-2666 high efficiency RAM primary memory (expandable up to 32 GB) • 256 GB Intel PCie SSD fast hard drive • 15.6” IPS LED-backlit display with 1920 x 1080 (full HD) resolution @ 60Hz and wide viewing angle • 720p Webcam with dual microphones • SD card reader • HDMI 2.0 video output • 1 USB 3.1 Type C (up to 5 GBps) • 1 USB 3.0 with power-off charging output • 2 USB 2.0 • Wireless LAN 802.11AC (Intel 9560 NIC) • Gigabit Ethernet • Dolby Audio Premium • Two stereo speakers • Headphone out/Microphone in 3.5 mm port • Bluetooth • 4 cell Lithium Ion battery • Very slim and compact: 15.35” wide x 10.47” deep x 1.05” thick • Weight: 5.95 pounds • Custom soft sleeve zippered case
So how does this laptop perform? In a word – fast! Make that two words – blazing fast!
I ran two well-regarded benchmark programs (Novabench and PC Mark 10) on three computers to determine their relative performance. These tests measure both the CPU (general processing) and the GPU (graphics processing) so they give a good overall result on the speed of a computer. The first was a base model desktop with an AMD A6 (A6-7310) CPU (comparable in speed to an Intel i3 CPU), no separate GPU and 8 GB RAM. The next was a nicely-equipped all-in-one computer with a 6th generation Intel i5 (6400T), Intel 530 GPU and 12 GB RAM. The last is the new Acer Nitro 5 with an 8th generation Intel i5 (8300H), Nvidia 1050Ti GPU and 8 GB RAM. All were well-maintained, running identical versions of Windows 10 with no other programs active. Here are the results (higher is faster):
Novabench Results: Desktop A6: 636 All-in-One i5: 877 (38% faster than base) Acer Nitro: 1997 (214% faster than base)
PC Mark 10 Results: Desktop A6: 1451 All-in-One i5: 2372 (63% faster than base) Acer Nitro: 4724 (226% faster than base)
In you go to the websites run by these two benchmarking services you will see that the results achieved by the new Acer Nitro 5 are faster than almost all prior generation Intel computers, including the i7 devices. How was this achieved? Primarily because the new Acer Nitro 5 incorporates the just-released 8th generation Intel i5 in a high-performance version (the “H” in 8300H), fast DDR4 RAM and the very fast Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti GPU with 4 GB of dedicated graphics memory.
OK, that’s a lot of numbers and technical jargon but the bottom line is that you will find this laptop capable of out-performing anything you currently own (unless you have a really geeked-out special system) and very smooth in running any games or software you may ever buy. Put this nice laptop to work on most business software and it will never even break a sweat. Use it for photo or video editing and it will calmly do whatever you want, no drama. Fire up a graphics-intensive game and it will come alive, roaring with power and giving you the satisfaction that you made a great choice.
The Acer Nitro 5 includes some nice software but is not loaded with bloatware. Besides the full set of Windows 10 software and accessories it has Dolby Audio, X-Split Gamecaster, Cyberlink Photo Director and Power Director. A nice utility is NitroSense which brings up a graphic image of the cooling fans and gives you excellent control over them (see photo). As you use the laptop a program called Acer Collection builds up a set of recommendations for apps you may find interesting from the Windows Store.
Some may complain about the speakers but I found them adequate for most purposes. They are mounted at the bottom, have decent volume and good stereo separation – certainly good enough for watching Netflix or YouTube videos. It is fairly light – less than 6 pounds, nicely balanced with a great lighted keyboard and big touchpad, so those who like to literally use their laptop on their lap will be pleased.
What are the weak points of this laptop?
Well, the battery life is marginal. I tested it by running Netflix on battery power with a bright screen and high speaker volume. From a full charge the laptop ran only 2.5 hours before exhausting the charge. So plan on taking the charging transformer with you! Speaking of the latter, it is pretty bulky, one of the biggest and heaviest laptop chargers that I have seen. I wish that Acer had added a second USB C port to use as a charging input (and other purposes.)
It has an adequate 15.6” IPS LED-backlit display with 1920 x 1080 (full HD) resolution. Some might wish that it had a touch screen (I do!) as good as Acer’s beautiful Chromebook (which also has higher resolution modes). However, a touchscreen would probably add 15% to 20% to the very modest price of this laptop. And you always have the option of using the HDMI output to connect a big display. I hooked it up to my 65” 4K TV and it did a great job as a video source.
But these are fairly minor quibbles. When you consider all of its power and functionality you will agree that the price is a bargain. I can enthusiastically recommend the new Acer Nitro 5 for both serious gamers and power users of all other software!
Taste the diverse blends of 100 percent Arabica beans with this 96-count pack of Victor Allen's Coffee single-serve brew cups. The medium-roast Kona blend and caramel macchiato flavors provide smooth, balanced tastes, while the Italian and Seattle dark roast variants let you enjoy bold flavors. These Victor Allen's Coffee single-serve brew cups are compatible with a variety of brewing systems.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I have previously enjoyed the French Roast and Italian Roast versions of Victor Allen coffee. It is very economical brand but I believe that it stacks up well against all premium coffee pods (Starbucks, Tully, Peets, etc)
This package contains 24 each of the Italian Roast, Seattle Dark, Kona Blend and Carmel Macchiato pods. All produce delicious, full-bodied coffee.
The first two are both dark roast blends and are very comparable to Starbucks in strength and flavor. The Kona Blend is a smooth medium roast but still has plenty of flavor. Finally, the Carmel Macchiato is a medium roast with a very clean carmel taste but is not overly sweet.
Brush your teeth with precision by using this Philips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush. It has smart sensor technology and connects to a smartphone app that coaches you about coverage, ideal pressure and scrubbing. This Philips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush comes with several brush heads that include microchips, which optimize performance for cleaner teeth.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9700 electric is the top-of-the-line in the current offerings by Philips, packed with every feature you might want, includes seven extra brush heads and has the best software support available. Its performance in the multiple roles of cleaning/whitening your teeth, maintaining gum health and cleaning your tongue is absolutely unmatched by any other toothbrush. It is a superb device and, despite its relatively high initial cost, an outstanding value!
The Sonicare toothbrush was introduced about 25 years ago but Philips has continued to improve it with each new model. The latest version provides an incredible 62,000 movements per minute (31,000 brush strokes) and a high capacity rechargeable lithium ion battery which gives up to three weeks use between charging.
The full list of DiamondClean 9700 features is quite impressive: • Ergonomic smart power head with 62,000 movements/minute (31,000 brush strokes) • Rechargeable lithium ion battery provides up to three weeks of use before recharging • Illuminated displays on handle (Power, Setting, Intensity, Replacement, Pressure) • Five cleaning settings o Clean – 2 minute cycle for everyday use o Whitening – 2 minute, 40 second cycle, removes surface stains o Gum health – 3 minute, 20 second cycle, special attention to molars o Deep clean – 3 minute cycle, brush-pacer feedback o Tongue care – 20 second cycle used with special micro-bristle head • Three intensity levels (Low, Medium, High) • Two built-in timers: Brush-pacer and Smartimer • Performance measures o Removes 10X more plaque o Up to 7X healthier gums o Up to 100% less stains • Bluetooth connectivity and free app for Android/Apple phones • Extensive sensors and coaching/record-keeping with Philips Sonicare app o Location tracking o Scrubbing sensor o 3D mouth map o TouchUp (to verify all areas covered) • Advanced pressure sensor with three notification systems o Handle vibration alert o Purple light ring at bottom of brush o Warning in connected app • Easy-start program to gradually increase power over the first 14 brushings • Includes eight brush heads which automatically sync with their optimal mode and have microchip sensors to signal when replacement is needed o Three C3 Premium Plaque Control o Two G3 Premium Gum Care o Two W3 Premium Whitening o One TongueCare+ microbristle brush • Clear plastic protective brush heads for all spare brushes • Hard shell travel case with charger and room for handle and two brush heads • Three charging stations o Beautiful glass cup (fits over inductive charging ring) o Clear plastic stand (fits over inductive charging ring) o USB connection in travel case • Two year warranty with additional six months added upon registration
Philips Sonicare engineering has significantly raised the level of expected excellence in this 9700 Diamond Clean Smart electronic tooth brush. Philips products have always been the gold standard, but this model is indeed even more special than expected. The price is a little high (about the cost of two professional teeth cleanings), but seven additional brushes are included and this is such an improved product I saw the extra value in its quality and performance almost immediately.
Having a long history of expensive dental work including crowns, a permanent bridge and an implant, I am extremely interested in good checkups to protect my investment in healthy teeth and gums. My dental hygiene has always depended upon an electric toothbrush for best results as recommended by my dentist and hygienist. For years I have used the “other” popular brand with rotating brush. Recently I began using a base model Philips Sonicare toothbrush and found the difference in performance so remarkable that I vowed to never go back to the “other” (round head) brand.
So how did the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 9700 manage to WOW a valued repeat client like me to bring technology, health care expertise, and innovative design to serve in this most luxurious and advanced package?
Let’s start with first impression: the deep blue color is gorgeous, the finish a very rich satin and the brush rests in an elegant glass which fits over a beautiful gold-colored charging base for an even more sophisticated impression. Then there is the wealth of connected features, sensors and controls plus the dual charging capability of electric or USB charging. I guess that is why this is called an “electronic” toothbrush, not just electric.
First of all, it has a very nice, non-slip finish and it is remarkably light to hold. It has three intensity settings (from gentle to strong) – very important to keep onlays and other delicate dental work in place, its brush shape reaches hard-to-get to spaces but it still manages to eliminate those stubborn coffee stains and leave your teeth feeling like you have just had them cleaned by the hygienist. This model has multiple pressure sensors to keep you from brushing your teeth too hard which could cause damage to your enamel and very importantly does not shred your gums. It has a slender handle making it easy to hold and manipulate in tooth brushing. And it also has pre-programmed timers synchronized to the type of brush head in use to prompt adequate brushing for each quadrant of your mouth. This keeps you from brushing too much or too little. Phillips offers specialized brush heads that are click-on and interchangeable and a little light to let you know when it is time to change brushes. The brush is much quieter that the “other brand” and it is sleeker and cleaner looking on the counter.
Did you notice that this brush connects to an app to tutor you into getting the most benefit out of this brush? I was not sure this was going to appeal to me since if you are not a total geek it seems a bit odd to bring your phone into the bathroom to advise you on your oral care routine. However, the app took moments to install and the Bluetooth connectivity was automatically activated and ready for first use right out of the box. I found that the app guided me perfectly, noting when I brushed too fast, missed a section or applied too much pressure. Its count-down timer and visual tracking made me focus like never before on getting my teeth perfectly clean. Points on the board for this feature!
The next top drawer element is the variety of brushing types you can enjoy for super oral hygiene with this toothbrush. Four types of great brush heads are standard with this model for personalized oral healthcare goals that are easily programmed in your app. The app guides you to brush according to your preference to get optimal cleaning. Multiple specialized brushes in this suite include those for plaque control to give a deep clean, a gum care brush for healthy gum cleaning and stain removal brush for whiter teeth and finally a tongue care “brush” for fresh breath. The sleek design travel case has room for the power handle as well as two brushes and recharges with a built in USB power cord. It is a very complete oral health system.
So how did it all work?
In a word: Fantastic.
I have been experimenting with all brushes for only a week so far, and I can say the 9700 DiamondClean delivers the best results I could ever have expected. As I mentioned, I have another Sonicare tooth brush (the base model) which I felt was performing well, but the DiamondClean clearly is superior! The app guided me to make sure I did not overlook or underbrush areas of the mouth and my teeth appear whiter and cleaner using whitening toothpaste with the whitening brush. Brushes are constructed so that they seem to reach into every groove including in crowded teeth areas prone to plaque buildup.
Another reason for being so impressed with the Sonicare system is this…..it has less splash all over my mirror when I brush my teeth. This is a huge and unexpected benefit. With the other brand’s spinning toothbrush I had been using before using the Sonicare, the mirror had to be cleaned each time I brushed my teeth. The Phillips Sonicare produces no splash.
This is the most beautiful, practical, and versatile toothbrush I have ever used. I find it flawless in its intended purpose and design. Long after the price is forgotten, the quality of this toothbrush will be appreciated.
And so confident is Philips in this toothbrush, they give a free 6 month warranty extension (to a total of 2.5 years!) when you register it in the app.
I strongly recommend this complete toothbrush system to the individual interested in keeping their teeth and gums healthy as a life time goal.
Amp up your workouts with these JLab Epic Sport wireless earbuds. Memory Wire ear hooks keep them securely in place during activity, and their six tip options and interchangeable Cush Fins let you make custom adjustments for an ideal fit. These JLab Epic Sport wireless earbuds have a 12-hour battery life for uninterrupted listening during long training sessions.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
UltraSecure, Wireless, Great Sound, 12 hr Battery!
on April 6, 2018
Posted by: JimC
from Chicago, IL
The JLab Epic Sport earbuds offer wireless connectivity and fit very securely in and on the ear. They are priced less than half the cost of AirPods and other fully wireless earbuds but offer some significant advantages. The battery life is much longer, the bass delivered is probably the best found in any earbud and they are much lighter, more secure and harder to lose.
There are many options for playing music from your phone: internal speakers, external speakers, wired earphones and wireless earphones. I believe that for active users like me wireless earphones are the best choice. If you run, bike or work out regularly you certainly want to be free from wires and cannot use external speakers.
The issue with wireless earphones is whether to get expensive self-contained earphones which fit in the ear and have no connecting wires (such as Apple AirPods) or earphones which have a cable connecting the right earphone to the left earphone.
JLab has a great product called the Epic Sport wireless earbuds which are the latter type. Here are the specifications and features: • 8 mm driver for maximum bass • 20 – 20,000 Hz audio frequency range • Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity with AptX for better sound quality • Three position equalizer (high bass/high treble, balanced, high bass) • In-line control for volume, track skip, play, pause, answer calls, redial, equalizer setting, Siri/Google access • 12 hour battery life • Voice prompts (Power on/off, Pairing, Battery status) • Built-in microphone for calls • IP66 rating (resistance to heavy water sprays and complete protection from dust) • External memory wire ear loop for complete security • Six sets of alternate tips (Extra Small, Small, 2 sets of Medium, Large, Triple Flanged) • Three sets of cushioning fins • Cable management clip • Nice compact hard-sided travel case to hold everything • Audio burn-in software • One year warranty
Included in the box (see photo) are the earbuds, instructions, five extra sets (extra small, small, medium, triple flanged and large) of alternate tips and three sets of cushioning fins (which fit into the ear to secure the bud), a magnetic USB charging cable, a clip to attach the wire to your clothing and a nice hard-sided case to hold everything.
JLab also has a free app that you download to your phone (either Android or iPhone versions) which gives you access to a “burn-in” file which is supposed to condition the driver to provide better sound quality by loosening the diaphragm with a nonstop loop of white noise, pink noise, radio white noise, 20-20000 Hz frequency sweeps, 10-30000 Hz frequency sweeps, 20-200 Hz frequency sweeps, as well as a minute of silence in between each for a rest period. JLab recommends that this file be played for a total forty hours (in 3-5 hour sessions) in order to fully condition the driver.
Everything looks very well made and the earbuds have a special sweat-resistant coating to protect them from moisture and dust infiltration. They are rated IP66 which means that they can withstand at least 3 minutes of continuous high pressure water spray in any direction with no damage. It also means that they are completely dust-proof. You could wear these earbuds in the shower without fear of damage!
First step is to charge the ear buds. Just attach the magnetic charging cable, plug it into your computer or a USB outlet and the LED light will turn blue when they are fully charged (about two hours when fully discharged.) JLab says a full charge will provide twelve hours playing time and I can confirm that because I used them each day for three hours continuously (on long bike rides) for four straight days before I got the “low battery warning.”
The charging system for the Epic Sport is unusual. It is a magnetic connector with a standard USB A plug that you attach to the in-line control module to charge the earphones. Most earphones use a micro USB connector. The JLab system is easier to connect but if you lose the special connector you will have to hunt for a replacement. I did not see one listed on the JLab website.
Next, select the best fit for your ears from the wide range of tips and fins supplied with the JLab Epic Sport earphones. No matter how large or tiny your ears may be, you can be sure that you will be able to assemble a comfortable arrangement for your listening pleasure. After you have the earbuds put together, take the “memory wire” loop and match it to your ear, bending it to give a nice snug fit. It will retain that shape and give you absolute certainty that you will never lose these great earbuds, no matter how vigorous your workout or sports activity may become.
Now you are ready to enjoy them! Pair the Epic Sport earbuds with your phone via Bluetooth. An audio prompt guides you but my phone paired them quickly and without drama. Put the earbuds in your ears and the loop will secure it there. The Bluetooth connection is super-reliable. I have used the earbuds in my home and can walk 30 feet from my phone without a connection break. If you lose connection it quickly restores itself when you come back into range. It is a Bluetooth 4.2 system with atpX. The “atpX” feature is supposed to improve the sound quality transmitted via Bluetooth with a superior codec.
You can now start playing music immediately. The Epic Sport will respond to various voice commands, allow you to interact with Siri, take calls, etc. The inline control has three raised symbols (up arrow, down arrow and JLab round logo) which turn the earphones on/off, raise/lower volume, equalizer setting, skip tracks (forward and backward), pause and repeat tracks and has a microphone for use during calls. Full instructions are included but the use is pretty intuitive.
Sound quality is superb, very clear and distortion-free with excellent midrange and highs. The bass is outstanding because these earphones have the largest driver (8 mm) available on the market. The earphones are very light (about one-half ounce) and the connecting cable is not noticeable when you use them, especially if you use the included clip to attach the cable to your clothing. Most wear the wire behind their head but I prefer to have it hang under my chin and find that is less noticeable when running or working out.
I have two minor qualms about the earbuds. First, the control unit is placed just 1.5 inches below the loop for the right earbud. It was probably placed there to give quick access but I think if it were located a little further down it would be easier to use. The other issue I have is that the controls do not have a distinct “click” when pressed and there is no notification of which equalizer setting is in use. Not big faults but noticeable when you first use the earphones.
Bottom line - the JLab Epic Sport earbuds are an excellent value for serious music fans who want an ulta-secure and dependable workout partner which can deliver thumping bass to help you maintain your pace right through the last mile of your next Marathon. You will be glad you chose them!!!
Extend your next-gen AC Wi-Fi connection in hard-to-reach locations of your home such as the backyard, garage, or bedroom, so you can get blazing AC3000 Wi-Fi speeds to Smart TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, iPads, tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Powerful amplifiers and four high-performance external antennas deliver maximum power and range, allowing everyone in your family to enjoy 4K/HD movie streaming, simultaneous online gaming, social media, and more.The Max-Stream RE9000 tri-band range extender helps you get the most out of your home Wi-Fi by delivering faster speeds than dual-band range extenders. Dedicated backhaul technology maximizes Wi-Fi speeds by assigning a single, dedicated 5 GHz Wi-Fi band to your router. This frees up the remaining two bands to focus exclusively on your streaming media players, game consoles, and other connected devices, so you'll enjoy full-strength Wi-Fi without slowdown or degradation.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The Linksys Max-Stream Tri-Band AC3000 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE9000) is a compact unit with four adjustable dual band antennas which is designed to wirelessly connect to a router and substantially extend the range of the home wireless network. This is a nice implementation of an AC WiFi range extender, easy to set up and pretty stable in operation.
However, to really get the most benefit from it you need to understand how range extenders work. From the issues noted in some other reviews I suspect that some did not properly set up the unit and consequently suffered connection interruptions.
Because WiFi is carried by radio waves the strength of the signal decreases with the square of the distance from the access point. All routers compensate for the weaker signal by reducing the throughput speed. Your 50 Mbps internet connection speed at the router may drop to 5 Mbps or less at the other end of your home. One solution is to add a range extender to boost the signal and to enable a faster connection speed at your devices.
The “Tri-Band” referred to is a dedicated 5 GHz connection back to the router and two additional bands (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) for device connections. The “AC3000” in the name indicates the total bandwidth of the three connection bands (400 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, 867 Mbps at 5 GHz and 1733 Mbps at 5 GHz.) The last of those three bands is the dedicated connection back to the router while the other two are the bands which devices can connect to. That dedicated back connection is the key to the effectiveness of the Linksys Max-Stream AC3000 Range Extender.
To most effectively use this range extender it is necessary to set your base router’s 5 GHz radio to channel 36, 40, 44 or 48. Often the 5 GHz radio on an AC router is set by default to channel 149, 153, 157, 161 or 165 so you need to go into the advanced settings on the router to change it. Also, it is a good idea to assign a static IP address to the Linksys AC3000 Rand Extender. This will enable easy access in the future.
Once you make those setting changes it is very easy to connect this range extender. Just use the WPS button on your router and the WPS button on the range extender. A blinking green light on the range extender will turn solid green to indicate that a connection has been established. At that point the range extender can be unplugged and located where it will give the best improvement to your network.
Linksys provides a nice software aid called Spot Finder to help you find the best place to locate the range extender to give the maximum benefit. Just plug it in in that area and wait for the blinking green light to become solid green and you are done. It the signal is too weak the light will become amber, indicating that you need to move it closer to the router.
The four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the range extender give you the option of a wired connection to your devices. Many A/V devices have only an Ethernet connection and older desktop computers usually do not support wireless connectivity. This feature alone may make this range extender worthwhile for you.
Here are the key features and specifications: • AC3000 Tri-Band with MU-MIMO • Supports 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac • WiFi coverage range up to 10,000 square feet • Up to 3 times faster speeds than dual band range extenders • Beamforming technology for reliable connections • Four Gigabit Ethernet ports • Setup wizard to facilitate optimal placement of the extender • Upstream network statistics provided • Band steering option to balance data traffic by assigning devices to most appropriate band • MAC address control to allow or deny devices • WPS automatic connection • 802.11r (fast transition) support • Automatic firmware updates • It is compact, 6.7” wide, 5.4” deep and 1.8” tall (excluding antennas), weighs 12.7 ounces • 12 month warranty
Is this device worthwhile for you? Well, start by considering your basic network setup and the nature of your connected devices.
First, your internet speed should be at least 40 Mbps to gain real benefits. You are going to lose some of that connection speed in the wireless network so you need to start with a pretty high level to maintain a reasonable speed at the more distant devices.
Next, your router should support at least AC1600, preferably AC1900. The higher number indicates a greater throughput speed on the 5 GHz band which is used to connect to the range extender. If you want to take advantage of seamless network access you are best served by having a compatible router and extender.
Finally, think about what your devices are and where they are located. A good use for the range extender might be to support two or more big screen TV sets at opposite ends of your home with fast, reliable streaming capability. However, if your high-demand devices are located reasonably close to your router and the devices at the extreme distances are low-demand devices like cell phones or tablets, you may not really need a range extender of this quality.
Bottom line - the Linksys Max-Stream Tri-Band AC3000 WiFi RE9000 Range Extender is a very sophisticated and capable device which will solve the problem of improving the WiFi network strength and speed in large homes. It is very easy to setup (after making a few simple changes to the primary router) and should deliver exactly what it promises. It is attractively priced compared to other tri-band range extenders and it comes from a company with a fine reputation for quality and technology.
Share your favorite music in any environment with this Sony portable Bluetooth speaker. Its high-quality fabric cover resists water damage and keeps out dust, and its compact size makes it easy to store and transport. For extra fun, this Sony portable Bluetooth speaker has flashing lights that sync to your music.
This user is a My Best Buy® Elite Plus Member, who has spent $3,500 on eligible purchases and is now getting 1.25 points per dollar. They may have received My Best Buy® bonus points for submitting reviews. They may have also participated in an invitation-only program that provides My Best Buy® Elite Plus Members with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The Sony XB21 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker is a surprisingly powerful unit with very nice sound quality and some great bonus features. Compared to the alternatives available it is one of the best values on the market.
This year Sony substantially upgraded its line of wireless Bluetooth speakers with a family of three new units: XB21, XB31 and XB41. These have some similar features (Extra Bass, Live Sound mode, water and dust proof case, inter-speaker connectivity, lighting effects) but differ in speaker size, battery life and price. The largest (XB41) is 11.5 inches long, weighs 3.3 pounds and has 58 mm speakers. The midsize (XB31) is 9.1 inches long, weighs 1.9 pounds and has 48 mm speakers. The smallest (XB21) is 7.6 inches long, weighs 1.2 pounds and has 42 mm speakers. The XB41 costs about 2.5 times the XB21 and the XB31 costs about 50% more than the XB31. There are advantages to each but this review will concentrate on the XB21.
After extensive testing of the Sony XB21 speaker in a wide variety of applications my conclusion is that this very compact unit has a superb combination of features, power and sound quality which surpass the vast majority of its competitors in its price range.
First, consider that the Sony XB21 is packed with a great set of features and specifications: • It is very compact, 7.6” wide, 2.9” tall and 2.6” deep • Weight: 1pound, 3 ounces and feels very solidly built • Shock-resistant: Survives 4 foot drop test • Water proof in fresh or salt water • Dust proof and easy to clean • Two 42 mm (1.7 inch) Mica Reinforced Cellular speakers • Amplifier provides 4 watts of power for each speaker (at 4 ohms) • Frequency range: 300 Hz to 15,000 Hz • Total Harmonic Distortion of just 1% • Sensitive microphone for use as speaker phone • Bluetooth connectivity with 32 foot range • NFC for easy connections • Mini jack (3.5 mm) input (to connect a phone or iPod) • Power supply: lithium ion battery, micro USB recharge cable included, full charge time 4 hours • Battery life up to 12 hours (3 hours at maximum volume level) • Lighting effects can be turned off entirely to extend battery life • Sony Music Center app may be used to control most speaker functions
The sound produced by this speaker has considerable bass and is distortion-free and steady at both low and very high volumes. The twin speakers are slightly angled toward each other to increase the stereo effect and it has a DSP for a “3D Live Sound Mode.” It also has a feature called “Extra Bass” which increases the bass significantly which you can activate if you really want to emphasize the deep tones in your music but I found that the normal setting produced a better overall sound for most music.
The Bluetooth connection was effortless and solid from every device I tried (phone, tablet, laptop). It held the connection steady up to about 35 feet from my music source.
One nice bonus feature is the ability to connect a chain of Sony speakers which can extend your music throughout a large home or provide multiple sound sources in the same room.
Another use for the speaker is to create a high quality speaker phone by linking it to your phone – much better sound than using your phone’s tiny speakers for conversations. The built-in microphone was very effective for this purpose.
To get a second reaction to this speaker I asked a friend to try it out. Here is her reaction:
“Love at first sight. Yeah!!… no cables to figure out, no cords to string across the floor or trip on. No need to search for power source. No buttons or parts to get broken. Plus, it is beautiful – the color is white but it has lovely finish – reminds me of an elegant evening bag. It’s a win, win, win for clean design, functionality and adaptability at an affordable price from a trusted name. “
“My next impressions: All that sound coming out of that small device?”
“Makes working at my home computer so much more enjoyable with rich speaker sound filling the work space, and, bonus, clear voice speaker phone capability when needed. With easy to use button functions and scalability that makes me start to think about expanding the number of these speakers for a wireless system throughout more of the house. I am smitten.”
“I currently use it with Spotify choices through my laptop, though when cooking I intend to carry my speaker into the kitchen so I can listen to podcasts or audiobooks. When the weather improves in my corner of the world this speaker, like my iPhone, is definitely coming outside to pull music from my phone to add great sound to wonderful summer days. “
“As you might have guessed from my impressions, I more than like this small but mighty speaker. What a wonderful gadget to add a rich volume of sound greatly superior to my laptop and phone speakers. So, like it? More like… Love It!”
A footnote to my friend’s comments – after using it for a few days she went to Best Buy and bought two for herself!
Would I recommend this to a friend? I already have!!
Philips Norelco Shaver 9500 delivers superior closeness and personalized skin comfort with SenseIQ technology. Designed to prevent skin irritation, the 9500 features Pressure Guard Sensor which guides you to the the right pressure as you shave.
Does this include a charging stand? It seems not. If not, can I buy a charging stand for this, separately?
Philips Norelco Shaver 9500 delivers superior closeness and personalized skin comfort with SenseIQ technology. Designed to prevent skin irritation, the 9500 features Pressure Guard Sensor which guides you to the the right pressure as you shave.
Is this electric razor (the S9500) made in the Netherlands? I know that the higher end Phillips/Norelco models are usually manufactured in the Netherlands.
Explore a new world of personalized home theater audio. The SRS-NS7 Wireless Neckband Speaker uses Sony~s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer technology to envelop you in the rich audio of your favorite shows and movies, while being unobtrusive to others in your home.
Can you hook the transmitter up to an AVR? If you can, will you lose any of the features? I have a surround sound system, but late at night I would want to use the NS7 so as not to disturb the family.
I have a 7.1.4 sound bar system that is connected to my TV through the HDMI Arc port. I added the SRS-NS7 transmitter to my TV by connecting it to the optical digital audio output and powered the transmitter at the USB port of the TV. This provides a signal to the neckband speaker which is independent of the sound bar. I can use the sound bar, the neckbad speaker or both together. If I want to minimize sound for others I just mute the sound bar and listen to just the neckband speaker. It works fine that way but even better when I listen to it and the sound bar as the same time.
From America's most trusted printer brand~, the HP Smart Tank 7301 is a smart, connected and refillable tank printer that makes printing seamless for your home and small business with its high capacity, wireless connectivity and Ethernet networking. Create everyday color documents at a low cost with 3 years of Original HP Ink included in the box~. It's AI-enabled~ to intuitively adapt to your workflow, with wireless and security features that keep your multifunction printer up to date and secure.
Your busy office needs a printer that~s fast, affordable, easy to use, and has great features. That~s why we developed the EcoTank ET-3850 ~ an innovative cartridge-free solution that uses high-capacity, easily refillable ink tanks. So you~ll worry less about running out of ink, and save a lot on replacement ink (1). The ET-3850 features an auto document feeder, fast printing with outstanding print quality, productive paper handling, a high-resolution flatbed scanner, and a large color display ~ making it the perfect printer for your home office.
What is the quality of the photos being printed with this machine? Will any Epson photo paper work or is there unique photo paper for this ink type?
Sit back, relax and let the Samsung Jet Mop automatically clean your floors. Samsung~s Jet Mop automatically cleans all type of floors, like tile, vinyl, laminate or hardwood. This robotic mop features dual spinning fiber pads that easily and quickly remove dust and dirt. Now, you can simply take it easy as the intelligent Jet Mop does the hard work for you.
Does this unit require water(specific) or cleaner(special brand)? Example: deionized, distilled, tap, boiled, spring. Example: fabuloso, pledge, mop and glow, bleach/water, brand compatible.
Experience versatile cooking with the bella PRO 12.6-qt. Digital Air Fryer Oven. Air Fry, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat your favorite meals with consistent results every time. The extra-large capacity fits a 10~ pizza, 2.2 lbs. of french fries, 4 slices of bread, and a 4 lb. chicken. The powerful 1500 watt heating system uses High Performance Circular Heat Technology to circulate heat for fast, crispy, and evenly cooked results every time. 10 convenient preset menu options, adjustable temperature range from 90~F to 400~F and 24 hour auto shutoff timer with audible tone. Easy cleanup with the dishwasher safe removable accessories.
Can you buy an air fryer basket since the included racks to not have sides? What are the dimensions of the racks?
The interior dimension of the oven is about 10.5 inches wide, 10 inches deep (including rear wall curve), 6.8 inches tall
A basket could probably be placed inside but no such basket is included.
Here are the trays provided:
• Two 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal slotted cooking trays (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface) • 10 inch diameter coated metal pan (9.2 inch interior diameter) • 10.5 inch x 9.2 inch coated metal drip tray (8.3 inch x 7.3 inch flat surface)
Experience versatile cooking with the bella PRO 12.6-qt. Digital Air Fryer Oven. Air Fry, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat your favorite meals with consistent results every time. The extra-large capacity fits a 10~ pizza, 2.2 lbs. of french fries, 4 slices of bread, and a 4 lb. chicken. The powerful 1500 watt heating system uses High Performance Circular Heat Technology to circulate heat for fast, crispy, and evenly cooked results every time. 10 convenient preset menu options, adjustable temperature range from 90~F to 400~F and 24 hour auto shutoff timer with audible tone. Easy cleanup with the dishwasher safe removable accessories.
What are the product dimensions, please? The specification doesn't include them (and should).
Experience versatile cooking with the bella PRO 12.6-qt. Digital Air Fryer Oven. Air Fry, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Grill, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat your favorite meals with consistent results every time. The extra-large capacity fits a 10~ pizza, 2.2 lbs. of french fries, 4 slices of bread, and a 4 lb. chicken. The powerful 1500 watt heating system uses High Performance Circular Heat Technology to circulate heat for fast, crispy, and evenly cooked results every time. 10 convenient preset menu options, adjustable temperature range from 90~F to 400~F and 24 hour auto shutoff timer with audible tone. Easy cleanup with the dishwasher safe removable accessories.
This is definitely not a pizza oven! Most frozen pizzas are 11 inches in diameter and "rising crust" pizzas are about 12 inches in diameter. The included "pizza pan" is only 9.2 inches interior diameter. You cannot use this air fryer to bake standard frozen pizzas.
Clean hard floors and rugs with this BISSEL CrossWave Cordless Max multisurface wet/dry vacuum. The multisurface design vacuums and washes floors simultaneously, and the powerful battery offers up to 30 minutes of use per charge. This BISSEL CrossWave Cordless Max multisurface wet/dry vacuum includes a docking station that charges the battery and automatically cleans out dirt and debris.
How is this wet/dry vacumm with long dog hair? Does it get caught in that tiny filter or does it filter through to the dirty water ?. I have to vacumm balls of hair everyday.
I have a Yorkie who has very long hair. The Crosswave Cordless does a great job of picking up any hair on the ground and it is trapped by the strainer or loosely wrapped around the roller brush. I have had no problem cleaning with this great unit.