TheTechNugget's stats
- Review count116
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- First reviewMay 21, 2016
- Last reviewMay 8, 2024
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- Average rating3.8
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- First answerOctober 15, 2016
- Last answerSeptember 26, 2018
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Stream workout playlists with these sweat-resistant JLab JBuds Air Sport true wireless earbuds. Over-ear hooks provide a secure fit, and the charging case packs 34 hours of battery life for extended playback during training marathons. Take clear, hands-free calls during workouts out via the dual microphones of these JLab JBuds Air Sport true wireless earbuds.
Customer Rating
4
Solid choice. Great value.
on July 2, 2019
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
JLab Audio has been around since 2005 and is a relatively new player to the personal audio market. They (seem to) specialize in low- to mid-range (based on standards from 10+ years ago) budget audio and have a full selection of wired, wireless, on-ear, in-ear and bluetooth speaker products.
I say "based on standards from 10+ years ago," because I remember a time when buying a decent pair of headphones or earbuds didn't require $200 price tags like we've seen more and more of over the last several years. No, I'm not that old, but I do sometimes miss those days.
Most other times, though, I'm a bit of a nut about my music experience. Any new headphones or earbuds that I buy have specific requirements around quality, comfort and performance, and I'm blessed enough to be able to say that often times the price tag isn't my biggest concern. Still, I respect those products that deliver a great experience without a premium price tag--and that is JLab's top-line mission ("without the rockstar price," they say).
The JBuds Air Sport True Wireless headphones are the first of JLab's products I've tested. The packaging is simple and elegant: not overly large, but still utilizing magnets for holding the box shut giving it a great premium feeling. Inside the box, the buds rest inside their charging case, and everything is a very lovely and minimal matte black with only a small, unassuming logo on each earpiece. The buds themselves are a single, continuous piece of plastic that wraps around each ear, and it has a small set of included alternate ear tips allowing for the best fit. Visually, these are among the most basic-looking earbuds I've seen in a while, but not in a bad way; they are simple and elegant, just like the box they come in.
The charging case is large--easily 4 times the size of an Airpods case--but nonetheless compact considering what is included. When the buds are put in the case, they are held in with magnets, and if you're on the people who find the Airpods "snap" sound satisfying, this should also scratch that itch for you (if you have no idea what I'm talking about, don't worry about it).
The bottom of the case has a cutout/channel that holds an included, integrated USB Type-A cable for charging the case, and I find this to be a bit odd. While I certainly understand how nifty it is to not have to carry an additional cable around with you, and I think I can imagine why it was designed this way, I do have concerns about longevity of the cable since it doesn't appear to be replaceable (although, I think the case is around $10 to replace, so maybe not such a big deal).
Moving on to the buds, they are an in-ear style that sit in the ear canal, and the ear hooks are small…seemingly too small upon first inspection…but fit very comfortably on my ears. One test I like to do with earbuds of all kinds is to see how they feel when I'm laying in bed, on my side, with my head on a pillow--and these are surprisingly comfortable in spite of hooking on the ears.
Speaking of hooking on the ears…make sure you read the directions on how to put these on. Once you do it a few times it gets easier, but it's not immediately intuitive and even after a week of use, there are still times that I struggle to get them on quickly. Once they're on, though, they don't move. And pairing was simple; no awkward paring one to the other is required, as they connect to each other as soon as they are removed from the case.
Overall, the design is great, as is the fit and comfort. But when examining the performance, things start to get interesting. For starts, consider that these are truly wireless earbuds for only $70, so I expect a few tradeoffs when compared to the Apple Airpods or the Jabra's Elite 65t.
The buds boast a 6-hour battery life, and I found myself getting through listening sessions without any sort of discomfort or battery issues. The included case claims 34 additional hours of recharge time, allowing for up to 40 hours of use before needing to recharge the case; this is significant for truly wireless earbuds. And they're Bluetooth 5, which is great for a more budget-friendly offering.
The audio performance, although it has a few quirks, is somewhere between "about what I expected" and "better than expected," but I think is perfect for the user that JLab is marketing toward. These provide a very balanced listening experience with a slight bias toward lower frequencies, and even at full volume the sound doesn't distort (although, I think this is because they don't get crazy loud…they are plenty loud at full volume without being overly uncomfortable).
One weird design choice/quirk regarding the performance is JLab's three, predefined EQ settings that are accessed via the touch gestures (which I'll explain more later)…there is no companion app, no real sound customization, just straight functionality with a few options when it comes to balancing your sound. JLab Signature accentuates the lows and highs and happens to fit my preferred listening experience; Balanced provides a more flat experience, and Bass Boost…you can figure that third one out. This is weird because it seems that JLab presents this simplicity of experience as a feature, and I think it's executed well. I get that some people don't want to mess around with apps; I'm not one of them, but considering many companion apps are hot trash, maybe JLab figured they'd stick with what they're good at.
Next are gestures, of which there are a lot.
Each bud has a touch-sensitive area that can be tapped or held in various capacities providing different results. Single taps on either side changes the volume, and single tap + hold will skip tracks. Double tapping on the left activates your smart assistant, while a double tap on the right is for play/pause (side note--removing these from your ears mid-track will not pause automatically as with some other truly wireless earbuds). A triple tap on the left cycles through the aforementioned EQ settings, while a triple tap on the right activates or deactivates "Be Aware Mode," which allows you to hear what's going on around you. And when your phone rings or you are on a call, the gestures for the right bud change entirely but provide opportunities for answering, rejecting, and hanging up calls.
Or in other words, the most complicated (and thorough) single list of gestures on any wireless headphones that I know of. The functionality is great, and while there aren't really any missing features when it comes to gestures, it is somewhat tricky to keep them all straight. I was really hoping tapping one while rubbing the other would activate some sort of developer mode, but I was disappointed.
The only real down side to these buds is "Be Aware Mode," which I think had good intentions but a lackluster delivery. I found there to be a slight delay between actual sound and what is pushed through the speakers, which can be kind of annoying. The onboard microphones are incredibly sensitive, which is in some ways good if you want to eavesdrop on a conversation that is slightly out of your active hearing range, but not so great for phone calls. The sound that is pushed through when Be Aware Mode is on is extremely mechanical and tinny-sounding as well.
That said, I don't think this one misstep should be a deal breaker. At the end of the day, for only $70, you get a relatively advanced set of earbuds that are IP66 sweat resistant, offer Bluetooth 5 and 40 hours of play time on a single charge of the case, great fit and a sleek design. The audio quality is exactly what it needs to be when you're going to the gym or for a run, or even if you're just sitting at work. You can control them with a set of gestures more complete than pretty much any other headphone on the market, and they're comfortable. Sure, you don't get the best customization options when it comes to sound or the best call performance, but if you're looking for a relatively inexpensive truly wireless earbud, you should certainly give these a look.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Watch over areas remotely with this Defender 2K Wireless IP security camera. The IP67-certified metal housing offers protection against inclement weather conditions, while the integrated app lets you watch footage live from a smartphone. This Defender 2K Wireless IP security camera uses 128-bit encryption to help secure the video feed.
Customer Rating
3
Great, if it’s exactly what you’re looking for.
on June 29, 2019
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
I remember about 10 years ago getting my hands on a Cisco Linksys IP camera, one of the old school ones that required both power and Ethernet, as well as a good place for mounting. It was big and clunky and heavy, and although it did support power over Ethernet, it didn’t have a cool app (this was before apps became real popular). It could be accessed on network via direct IP through a browser, and although it wasn’t the easiest setup, it was far from Cisco’s CLI interface for sure.
I was excited at the possibility of installing an IP camera somewhere in my house, but never found the use case (although nowadays, use cases aren’t as important to me with regards to playing with tech).
Since then, the smart home market exploded with home wireless cameras (Netgear’s Arlo Pro 2, for example), and the “old way” of doing video cameras became something special for small business and enterprise users.
I’ve had an Arlo Pro 2 system in my house with just two cameras for about 18 months, and I was curious how the Defender 2K camera would compare in overall user experience. The first thing that I noticed is the ability for these cameras to exist as stand alone units: with no hub required (although it is something the company offers), the smartphone app serves as a sort of “software hub,” gathering all of your connected cameras in one place. And, each stand-alone camera is only $99, which is far less than a single Arlo Pro 2 unit.
Before I go much further, I want to specify that this is not about comparing the Arlo Pro 2 to the Defender Security Camera; both of them have their target markets for sure and could be used in different applications. But, given the option to spend more money for something like the Arlo Pro 2, versus Defender’s solution which is far less expensive, it’s important to know what that lower price tag does to the feature set when compared to more mainstream wireless home camera systems.
One major difference is packaging: the Defender packaging is extremely basic and minimalistic; the box is not fancy, rather, very straight forward and simple to get to the product, manual and accessories. While I love a great unboxing experience, this was enjoyable for different reasons.
Setup was very simple, as long as you don’t mind getting your hands dirty. This requires virtually no technical know-how (pretty much anyone can download an app now), but may need some home improvement knowledge, as this is NOT a fully wireless solution. Yes, it can communicate wirelessly with your network, but it still requires an external power supply be connected to the camera at all times. This is another major difference to many mainstream wireless home camera systems, as they often times have battery packs in the units. Although, if your camera is near a power supply and cabling it is not an issue, you won’t have to worry about recharging these.
Mounting options are therefore limited due to these connected wires. The unit has a single, bundled cord that allows both an Ethernet and power connection, but there is no way to separate these if, for instance, you don’t need the Ethernet connection (not my favorite of its features). Thus, internal wiring may be required, or if installing externally, you may need to drill through external surfaces and get creative with connections to a nearby electrical outlet.
Once it’s mounted and connected, a quick scan by the companion app and it’s ready for use. The app’s wizard was a bit problematic for me, but adding the camera manually is just as straight forward. In the app itself, the interface is extremely simple with only 3 main sections: Devices, Notifications and Account Info. All added devices are listed on the main screen, allowing you to tap into the camera feed; you can also set each camera to monitoring mode (individually), which will alert you via push notification if the camera senses motion. Within the configuration of each camera, you can set activity zones (to exclude portions of the image from monitoring), record schedule and other minor customizations. I found the notifications to be largely false alarms, caused by changes in lighting in the environment and not actual motion within the camera’s viewing range. The app is extremely straight forward and easy to use.
The camera itself comes with a pre-installed 16GB microSD card, allowing for local storage of recorded clips while in monitoring mode. It captures footage in 2688x1520 resolution, has night vision range up to 100 feet, and has a very clear image.
This is otherwise a very basic package, and closer to the “old school” application of security cameras compared to more modern fully wireless systems. That’s not to say, though, that these aren’t worth considering: they are the less expensive option for sure, provide great image quality and require no charging, and are fully modular down to each individual unit. However, there are no available monitoring services, no cloud storage (at this time), the cameras require a wired connection, and are generally less “home user” friendly.
I really like the customizations available down to the individual camera, and a 4-camera installation will cost nearly half of what the Arlo 2 Pro system from Netgear will. But, if you don’t have the capability to run wires (leased spaces, apartment rentals, etc), all wiring will have to be exposed which may not be the most ideal for all users. That said, it’s hard to beat the value that the Defender 2K camera provides at a portion of the cost of more ubiquitous totally wireless systems available now.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Secure your 12.9-inch iPad Pro from scratches with this Logitech Slim Folio Pro case. The included keyboard features backlit keys for easy typing in the dark, while a built-in stand enables comfortable hands-free viewing. This Logitech Slim Folio Pro case features an Apple Pencil holder so it's easy to access.
Customer Rating
4
Almost perfect, but a bit on the heavy side.
on June 6, 2019
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I’m a big, big fan of my iPad. I’ve been a die-hard iPad fan from the beginning; I’ve owned multiple and reviewed multiple, and while some people see them as a unnecessary “third device,” I find its position in the personal device space to be very unique. It’s also no secret that Apple does tablets better than most (if not all) other manufacturers.
For those of us who are big fans of the iPad, one of the things that’s always been near and dear to us is the idea that it could someday replace a laptop. Now, I recognize that Apple had a huge marketing push to make that a reality not too long ago, but at the end of the day, iOS just wasn’t going to get us there…that is, POSSIBLY until a few days ago when iPad OS (iOS 13) was announced at WWDC and we all started getting excited again about the possibility of bringing our iPads closer to the laptop space.
In reality, I recognize that no OS change (short of a variant of MacOS being retrofitted for the iPad) is going to really ever make this a true laptop replacement. We’ll get close, sure, but there are just some things that laptops are better for (sitting on your lap, for instance…). I’ll also admit that the keyboard cover for the latest iPad is the best its ever been, and certainly a must-have accessory—even over the Apple Pencil.
But there are complaints about the keyboard cover….no backlighting, flimsy design, spongy keys, the material that covers it…not to mention the lack of a “fn” button…it certainly has room to improve. Enter Logitech, who has for years made keyboard/folio solutions for iPads, with their Slim Folio Pro; and so as not to bury the lead, I loved this thing from the moment I opened it (with the exception of a weird smell from the material).
Let’s start first with weight: this thing is heavy. The shipping box was on my dining room table because my wife brought it in from the porch, and picking it up to open it I was immediately surprised at the package’s heft; even considering the packaging involved, it just seemed too heavy for what it was.
Anyway, as with most higher-end Logitech products, the unboxing experience was extremely pleasant…a simple, clean box with a magnetic closure, and the unit itself very well packaged. Once removed, I confirmed the heft of the Slim Folio Pro by weighing it along side my current Apple Keyboard Cover; 407 grams for the latter, and a whopping 706 grams for the former. Yes, this thing is almost twice as heavy as the Apple solution…but you get a lot of features with all that weight.
The physical design of the case is very similar in setup to the current Apple Keyboard Cover, with the exception of attaching with rubber grips instead of magnets. Also, there is only one viewing angle (58 degrees) when in “Keyboard Mode,” versus two on the Apple Keyboard. The material is a near match between the two as well, so you’ll still have trouble keeping your keyboard clean, especially if you tend to have sweaty hands. The case is held closed with a magnetic flap that also has a storage sleeve for the Apple Pencil, which is a nice touch; it can be stowed when in keyboard mode so that it isn’t in your way. Logitech also provides a 10-degree viewing option, specifically intended for use when using the Apple Pencil, but I found it far more wobbly when collapsed down in this mode than when it is in keyboard mode. The third “mode,” if you can call it that, is a reading mode where you flip the keyboard around back and then use the iPad in portrait orientation. I’m not sure if this is serious or not, but there’s no one-handed operation of a 12.9” iPad unless you have Shaq hands…although, I guess it would save you the trouble of removing the iPad from the case entirely, which is not easy to do.
The keyboard is as close to a full-sized keyboard as you’ll get, and it has a row of iOS / control buttons at the top, including dedicated Home, Spotlight and Lock buttons, along with the usual media controls, volume adjustment, etc. The bottom row matches Apple’s Keyboard Cover, which means (sadly) that there is still no fn key for iOS. Bummer. It also has 3 levels of backlighting: off, low and high (but realistically, there’s not much difference between low and high). And although it would be really cool if it had the same “lighting upon approach” feature that the Logitech Craft Keyboard has, I’ll take what I can get.
Otherwise, the keyboard experience is just as good as any other Logitech keyboard, offering chiclet-style keys, a decent amount of key travel (but not too much), and keys that are very light to the touch, all of which combine for an excellent typing experience. It sounds like a normal keyboard, too.
Logitech claims a single charge will last 3 months (based on 2 hours per day of use) due to low energy Bluetooth, but lately I’ve found Logitech’s battery claims to be a bit overzealous (here’s looking at you, Craft Keyboard). One thing that I really like, though, is that there is no on/off switch on this keyboard…the act of putting it in keyboard mode turns the keyboard on and off, giving you one less thing to worry about. Pairing, by the way, was a breeze, although you can only pair it to one device at a time (I’m not sure why you’d want to pair it to multiple devices, but figure it’s worth mentioning). Oh, and it charges via USB Type-C.
Getting down to price, this is where things get interesting…if the weight is not a deal breaker to you, this keyboard checks all the boxes from a functionality perspective with the exception of “reading mode,” since removing your iPad from this case is substantially more difficult than removing it from Apple’s Keyboard Cover. Otherwise, this is a great keyboard solution for the iPad (at least the 12.9” model)…and it’s only $130 retail (Apple’s solution for the 12.9” iPad is $200). Seems like a no-brainer, and considering you’ll likely find this Logitech product on sale at some point, it delivers in almost every category, including price.
As far as honorable mentions are concerned, I do think it’s important to consider another keyboard solution from a company called Brydge, whose products I’ve always enjoyed. A couple of years ago I reviewed a Surface Pro keyboard and was impressed, although the typing experience was a bit heavy for my liking—but otherwise the design of the unit was great. And, Brydge offers their Brydge Pro for the newest generation of iPad Pro, with some interesting differences when compared to Logitech, including fully adjustable viewing angles up to 180 degrees, an aluminum body, a more hefty battery and a slightly thinner and lighter overall design. It lacks in other areas, including corner protection, general availability (not sure if this is still a “pre-order” product or not), Apple Pencil storage, and price. Still, I’m a big fan of Brydge products, and am curious how their new keyboard compares.
At the end of the day, though, I’m a big, big fan of Logitech’s peripherals…always have been…and this is another example of great execution on a product.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Pump up the volume with these Sony wireless on-ear headphones. Advanced drivers produce clear high-fidelity audio, while the EXTRA BASS feature helps you feel the beat by enhancing low-end frequencies. A 30-hour battery life keeps the music coming. With a lightweight construction and soft swiveling earcups, these Sony wireless on-ear headphones keep you comfortable while you listen.
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
This review is about a new pair of headphones in Sony's XB line of audio products, the WH-XB700 headphones, which for those keeping track are the second lowest model in the XB line, a pair of on-ear headphones currently selling at $129.
I recently reviewed the WH-1000X M3 noise cancelling headphones from Sony, and was absolutely floored by them--they are super light, they compete with the Bose QC35 II headphones, and are heralded by some as superior to the Bose headphones which had previously held the title of "King of Noise Canceling Headphones." The 1000X M3 phones are my current favorite pair of headphones, and I'll admit it's not entirely fair to compare the two, but I soon found out that I was set up to be severely disappointed in these headphones.
In the interest of full disclosure--I KNOW--I shouldn’t expect the world of these $129 headphones. But, when the 1000X M3 phones arrived, I was surprised at how good they were, considering the reigning champion Bose QC35 II headphones are such a good product. I'm not one of those people, but I'll also admit that even at $129, I was expecting a little flash from these.
Also, in March of 2018--a little more than a year ago--I reviewed the Sony SRS-XB31, a small bluetooth speaker also in the XB line, and was super impressed at the sound quality for the $150 price tag…in fact, it was the only speaker of that size that could compete with my all-time favorite bluetooth speaker (by none other than Bose).
Yet I digress…
What I'm trying to say is, I had a lot of expectations that these headphones were going to be really good. In fact, one of my favorite things about the XB series headphones is how chunky, and shiny, and not at all inconspicuous they are. I've always liked the design of the XB headphones, and it would appear that the lower-cost XB headphones don't get the same treatment.
In any case, when they showed up in the mail, I was really excited. The unboxing experience is about as good as you'd expect for mid-range headphones, maybe even a little bit on the cheap side…but when you open everything up, the XB700's are front and center and nicely presented, and that first look…
THEY. LOOK. CHEAP.
Plasticky, awful, nothing compelling about the design, at all. I think I understand the design on these, to some degree; a lot of headphone manufacturers are releasing "vanilla-styled" headphones with muted, matte colors, and in many cases (as with the 1000X M3's), it's a nice, clean, minimalistic look. But on the XB700 headphones, the plastic surface appears almost as it is powder-coated, which looks weird and doesn't fit in with the design language of even mid-range, $100-$200 headphones that you can buy from anywhere right now. But wait folks, there's more--I hadn't even picked them up yet.
Once you get them in your hands, the ear cups and the crown padding are both super soft and supple, and that's about the end of the positives. I'll admit, they are light, but because they already look very low quality, a less-weighty headphone doesn't help that overall impression. Then you put them on, and if you're like me, you remember why you don’t like on-ear headphones (admittedly, the noise isolation for these seemed overall pretty good, but there was still wear fatigue not long into a listening session).
This is not to nay say on-ear headphones in general; I have a pair of Master & Dynamic headphones that are anything but comfortable, but because they sound so good, and I can deal with shorter listening sessions to experience that great sound, sometimes uncomfortable headphones can be redeemed by their performance (although I think you've already figured out that's NOT where this review is heading).
And sound is, after all, why you're buying these. In my opinion, the bass performance on any Sony XB product should be second-to-none at its price range, and in the case of the XB700s, the bass feel certainly delivers…dance, R&B, hip hop, EDM--those genres will be decently utilized on headphones like these.
So the bass is good, but everything else from a sound perspective is middle-of-the-road at best. The mids are fine, the volume is there (they get extremely loud, but with a lot of audio bleed), but the highs are not good at all--super blatty, uncomfortable and almost painful in some ways. So they're fine as budget (is $129 budget now??), bass-heavy headphones, but they are far from an all-around pair of headphones you should have in your arsenal. One redeeming quality, perhaps, is the Sony companion headphones app which carries across from any of their other wireless products. The app itself is good, but because these headphones don't have as much spunk as some of the other Sony headphones and speakers I've tested, the options within that app are more limited, as the feature set is not as large--and there is no way to adjust the EQ aside from increasing bass, or using the canned sound profiles that the app provides that I otherwise don't find useful, exciting or good.
So as a recap: They are headphones. They are plastic. Their design is underwhelming. The sound profile doesn't handle mids and highs well at all. I really wanted to like these when I knew they were coming, but clearly that didn't happen…and at $129, the price is a bit high for the subpar overall experience.
Pass on these.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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2of 8voted this as helpful.
Upgrade your connectivity and entertainment with this Sony Xperia 10 plus smartphone. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.8GHz octa-core processor combines with the 4GB RAM to power the device for seamless running of programs and applications, while the 6.5-inch Full HD display provides crystal-clear images. This Sony Xperia 10 plus smartphone features dual 12MP and 8MP cameras for capturing high-quality pictures and videos.
Customer Rating
4
A decent mid-range phone with a unique screen
on March 30, 2019
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
Finally, a Sony phone I don’t have to remember if the X or the Z comes first.
Sony’s history with ridiculous product names notwithstanding, their smartphones have always resonated with me in a special way. I pointed this out in my review last year of the Sony Xperia ZX2 Compact, a delightfully small phone that, in spite of its relatively aged look, was an interesting contender for popular 2018 smartphones. “There’s just something about it,” I said.
With the ZX2 Compact, it broke the standard enormous screen we see on most smartphones in favor of a 5-inch screen, something we don’t see too much of from phone manufacturers anymore. Aside from the odd screen size and weirdly chunky body, and a massive chin and forehead, its specs otherwise delivered on a great experience if you’re into smaller phones, for around $600. What drew me to the phone, though, was its screen: 5 inches and HD+ resolution, but in the then standard 2:1 aspect ratio that we had seen in so many smart phones in 2018.
But that was so 2018. New year, new phones, and new phone standards around for Sony to break.
The candidate this time for “weird phone of the year” is the Sony Xperia 10 Plus. Simply named, this phone is not the wannabe-flagship that the ZX2 Compact was (but at less than flagship prices); instead, Sony reduced its cost with a lighter Snapdragon 636 processor, and paired with 4GB RAM it still does a remarkably good job at keeping up with normal tasks.
But that doesn’t make it weird.
The weird comes in the 6.5” FHD+ display that has an aspect ratio of 21:9. We’ve seen a lot of tall phones over the last couple years, but this one towers above them all. For those who don’t know, cinema films like the ones you watch in a movie theater are typically displayed in that same 21:9 aspect ratio. Given my recent love for obtaining *ahem* totally legitimate 21:9 cinema movies and watching them at home, this device had me intrigued.
Looking further into the other specs—64GB storage with microSD card supporting up to 512GB more, Android Pie, a 3000mAh battery and some other fun software goodies—for less than $500…this was a phone I had to get my hands on.
One of my favorite parts of opening a new gadget is the packaging itself, as so many companies put so much money into things that typically get thrown away (not by me, though…I keep every single one of them). Unfortunately, though, the box was damaged in shipping and, while the phone itself was intact, the box was no longer the immaculate container it was when it left the warehouse. After further review, the packaging itself seemed cheap and flimsy, so it was no surprise the box had seen better days.
Moving on to the phone itself…it is a sight to be seen for sure. It’s tall, but thin, and the 21:9 screen is bright and colorful. The top of the phone has only a headphone jack, in spite of it losing its ubiquity in the smartphone world as time goes on. The left side of the phone hasn’t a single button or sensor, while the right side of the phone has the power button, fingerprint sensor, and volume buttons. The buttons are very clicky, not really to my liking, but some people are into that I guess. And while the screen is huge, and tall, and pretty, the phone has a smaller, but still noticeable forehead. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though: in 2019, at under $500, it’s got to have some flaws, right? The bezels otherwise are very thin, so that’s a big win.
Around back, the phone sports a dual camera system—the 12MP main shooter and an 8MP secondary shooter that helps with depth processing. The camera is also capable of a 2x optical zoom (eat your heart out, iPhone 7). The unique screen size allows for some fun camera features, like the ability to shoot and film in the same 21:9 aspect ratio that matches the screen (although, unfortunately, there’s no other screen you’ll be able to play your homemade fail videos on in the same way as the Xperia 10 Plus).
Out of the box, the phone is designed for use by a right-handed person: Sony has a few tricks up its sleeve to address the abnormally tall screen, so that one-handed operation is just hard, instead of impossible. Between shrinking the displayed image itself with a simple gesture to reach the upper left of the screen more easily, and using Sony’s Side Sense features, tolerating the phone’s dimensions is made that much easier. I did find out, thankfully, that the phone works just fine for lefties too, you just have to go into the menu to switch everything over. (Side note, it would have been cool if the setup UI just asked you what your dominant hand is.)
Some more things about the screen: watching a movie on this thing is great, that’s provided you don’t mind holding it near your face. That sort of thing has always made me wonder—who is actually using a phone to take in all their media, between laptops, tablets and smart TVs, the days of needing to find something to lean your phone against are over. Still, if you’re in that category of viewers, and you find yourself viewing a lot of 21:9 content, this phone is not something to dismiss outright.
Sony also boasts that multitasking is somehow better because you have just a little more space to work with, but I rarely find myself needing two smartphone apps running simultaneously on one screen. That said, this phone easily declares itself the master of social media, as its height allows for more content viewing, and a little less scrolling, while you peruse your favorite social sites. News is great too, and really anything involving longer webpages.
Everything else, though, is kind of weird. 21:9 is unusual, and while many of the bigger app developers allow for full use of the screen, many apps don’t take full advantage of the extra real estate, or they do it in a weird way.
But if you are watching a movie, and you have a decent pair of headphones connected, the phone can deliver great audio quality thanks to Sony’s Hi-Res audio and LDAC onboard. As always, it’s important the audio source is high quality, but if it is, you’re in good hands.
The phone falls short in the audio department, though, with it’s dual bottom-facing speakers that sound like the kind of speakers you’d get on a sub-$500 smartphone. They’re plenty loud, that’s for sure, but the quality is less than desirable.
Its battery is great—3000mAh—and in spite of the tremendous screen size, provided you don’t go crazy with brightness, you’ll find this phone lasting you most of the day if not well into day two, as in my case. I’m not a super-heavy phone user, so for me making it a day is never a problem…but I didn’t find myself charging this until halfway through day two of my testing period, and that’s without a full charge out of the box on delivery.
It’s worth noting that some markets offer versions which are dual-SIM capable…mine wasn’t, and we don’t see a ton of that in the US, but over time we’ll undoubtedly see more.
The phone comes in black and silver, and the silver looks very similar to last year’s ZX2 silver which I found to look rather cheap and plasticky. My unit was the black one, which looks a lot nicer; the phone itself has a decent weight to it to feel premium enough, but is by no means heavy. The dimensions are weird, and the button placement on the right side seems a bit strange as well. I am, however, a huge fan of the side fingerprint sensor in place of putting one on the back, although I think the sensor could have doubled as a power button so the volume buttons could be shifted upward.
The camera performed surprisingly well, especially in low light, a nice feature for mid-range smartphones. The ability to record video in 21:9 seems a bit gimmicky to me, but I guess it does provide a more immersive experience when you view them on the phone.
The phone performance at large was, well, fine. It’s a mid-range smart phone with a stunted processor, running Android 9 with 4GB RAM and a screen larger than the industry average: I think it’s safe to say it’s not going to be an amazing user experience when it comes to performance. And while that’s a surprise to nobody, for $449 you are getting a reasonably well-equipped smartphone without having to break the bank. You’ll sacrifice in a few areas, namely performance, but you stand to gain in other areas.
If you’re a big consumer of media—Netflix binging, perhaps, and those black bars really get on your nerves…this phone might be for you. If you depend on high quality audio while you listen to music, take a look. The phone by no means comes off as a $449 smartphone in the looks department: it looks sleek, and polished, and elegant (provided you avoid that silver color).
So in the end—it’s a peculiar thing; the aspect ratio is a specialty for Sony right now, and it’s hard to tell if other manufacturers are going to continue the trend. I think that you can probably do better (overall) than this phone for the price—finding similarly equipped phones for less—but 18:9 is so 2018.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The V-MODA BassFit Wireless sport headphones have the juice to power you through the most demanding work outs. With over 11 hours of playback time, these lightweight, wireless headphones deliver heart‑pumping bass and unparalleled clarity in a featherweight, sweat-proof package. The patent-pending TriFit design gives you the choice of 3 different fits, using sport fins, ear hooks or a combination of both to create the perfect fit for you and your active routine.
Customer Rating
3
Almost good enough for the price
on January 27, 2019
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
It has been a good long while since I got a new V-MODA product. My first V-MODA headphones were a set of over-ear headphones that was arguably the first of my foray into more advanced, more quality headphones.
Ever since that first pair of headphones, I’ve kept an eye on V-MODA. When that model of over-ear headphones went wireless, then noise cancelling, I was strongly considering the purchase, but never pulled the trigger. And today, that same pair of headphones is now regularly used by my son; I have no doubt they will last long into the future for him.
But now, in the age of truly wireless earbuds being the defacto standard, V-MODA is back with the Bass Fit Wireless In Ear Headphones, a competitor to the countless non-noise cancelling, in ear, cable-around-the-back-of-your-head headphones on the market today. And at $129, the case for them has to be compelling: they are right in the middle of the market in terms of price range, but they’re not as well known a brand as Beats, Bose and Jaybird (to name a few).
The packaging was as unique an experience as my first V-MODA product: simple, expensive-enough (but not to the extent that it seems that I’m paying for the packaging), and defined by a very modern design and color set. The buds come in two color themes: white/gray, and black/orange. Both themes are sharp to the eye.
There are two big things I expect out of the product based on its name alone: the bass performance should be good, and the fit should set it apart from the competition.
In terms of design, these headphones come with a good number of ear tips and fins, far more than anyone will ever use. This isn’t the type of product you accessorize: it’s the type of product you fine-tune and never change again, and thanks to the plethora of fit options, I would guess that a good fit is going to be achievable for most.
The accessories all drive forward V-MODA’s “Trifit ergonomics,” focusing on three main components: ear tips, ear fins and ear hooks. The idea is, you can use any combination of the accessories, which come in multiple sizes (with the exception of the hooks, of which there is only one set), to customize the fit to your liking. If I’m being honest, it almost seems like there are too many options…but to V-MODA’s credit, I found an impeccable fit utilizing tips and fins that were perfect for me. I removed the hooks entirely and left them in the packaging, as I have no use for them—nor do I have concern that my customizations will result in them wiggling loose from my ears during any level of physical activity.
This style of earbud: the cable-around-the-back-of-your-head type that is heavily marketed as “workout” headphones, really annoy me. Maybe not as much as collar-style headphones, but still, I’m not sure what it is about these that just don’t work for me: regardless of how much I cinch the cable to raise it off my neck, it always catches on my skin when I turn my head back and forth, tugging on one ear or the other and ultimately breaking the nice seal provided by the ear tips. It’s not a huge deal I admit—they definitely aren’t in danger of falling out—but it’s at least enough to mention.
In terms of audio quality, considering that I like the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to music listening, these perform admirably. In fact, that’s my exact experience with my first pair of V-MODA over-ear headphones which had 50mm drives to really get the point across. What seems to be different, though, is that I can hear the bass but I can’t feel it—and it’s really kind of weird. It’s not bad by any means; most of the time, lower-cost earbuds that don’t carry a lot of weight leave something to be desired in bass performance, but that’s not true with the Bassfit Earbuds. I may not be able to really feel the rumble of the bass, but through some calibration of the buds V-MODA has been able to deliver an experience that is certainly a step above other lower-cost earbuds.
The mids and highs also perform admirably; at 75% volume these headphones get pretty loud (enough to make up for not being noise-cancelling), and there is no loss of clarity or reduced experience. At 100% volume, things start to get a bit questionable, but it’s not a personally sustainable volume, so that’s not a huge deal.
Then there are the other performance metrics, like battery life and Bluetooth capabilities. V-MODA advertises 11 hours of battery life, but I was getting probably half of that listening at 50-75% volume on regular basis, with a mix of audio and video content being consumed. At 25-50% volume for music only (if you want to use these at the gym), you’ll probably only need to charge once or twice weekly if you workout daily. And because the battery isn’t a high-performer (in my opinion), it charges pretty quickly. They are very lightweight, and some of that is because the battery is not as big as it could have been.
The bluetooth version seems to be 4.x, although it’s not disclosed by V-MODA on the packaging or their website. The earbuds can be paired to two devices at the same time, but handoff between those devices is a bit labor intensive. I also found them to perform well for video consumption, as there was no old school Bluetooth delay that some other headphones on the market still have.
The onboard controls are basic, and can also tap into your smart assistant; I found that performance to be average and good enough for most. The quality as a headset—for taking calls, etc.—is less than ideal; while my audio experience was fine, callers complained about me sounding like I was under water or being too far away. Even after adjusting the position of the in-line mic closer to my mouth, the experience didn’t improve.
And, what would an audio review be without the complaint of not using USB Type C for charging? These still use Micro USB. I also find it peculiar that V-MODA doesn’t have a companion app; there is no intended customizability for these straight out of the box, which could be a good or bad thing depending on the type of listener you are.
In terms of recommendations, these ear buds do the basics really well: great audio performance, perfect fit, and good enough battery life. I wouldn’t mind a bit more battery in exchange for slightly more weight, and adding Bluetooth 5 (officially) would make them better in terms of audio performance as well as lower in the power consumption department. Call quality was average at best, although this is probably not something you would buy with that in mind (primarily); it would be good enough to “get by” when needed.
But at $129, I don’t know if these are the best choice on the market. My last pair of headphones from V-MODA were about the same price, and I would take those over the Bassfit earbuds without hesitation (to be fair, they are totally different products, but still worth mentioning). At $100 I think these are a good value, so maybe if you have a gift card or some reward points and can reduce the price tag a bit, that would certainly help.
I’m happy I have them, but I don’t think I’ll use them much.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The Shark WANDVAC Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum combines lightweight portability with the incredible suction power of a high-speed brushless motor. Weighing just 1.4 lbs., this lightweight handheld vacuum boasts a tapered nozzle for easy debris pickup and two accessories for tackling pet hair, upholstery, and tight spaces. Between cleanings, return your vacuum to the charging dock for fast recharging. Fast cleaning, always ready when you need it. The Shark WANDVAC: Extraordinary power for the everyday mess.
Customer Rating
3
This thing really sucks.
on December 10, 2018
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
This thing really sucks
I love a good vacuum pun. I also love a good vacuum. Last year we finally had to buy a new one because our previous one started working in reverse and parts to repair were too difficult to find. We spent a lot of time reading reviews and checking out different models, trying to find the best all around vacuum.
And, while it may seem that a full-sized vacuum has nothing at all to do with a small handheld one, it is interesting how buying a vacuum in 2018 is no different than it was 10-20 years ago. The market is saturated with options, all of which are labeled as better than others, but they all do exactly the same thing.
This particular model has a sleek and modern design, and even though it’s a vacuum cleaner it looks good on your kitchen counter…that’s a big selling point for me, because the closer the vacuum is to your highest traffic areas (without being obviously placed in the middle of the floor in everyone’s way), the greater the likelihood that you will use it when you need it.
Kitchen and dining room messes are the biggest use case for something like this, which has at most a 10-minute run time on a full charge. The suction is great, it does a phenomenal job pulling up dirt, but the dust bin is rather small and is probably more ideal for whole cheerios than it is spilled coffee grounds: the filter is similarly small and has to be cleaned often to maximize the unit’s performance.
The attachments are nice, also, and all fit well into the provided cradle where the unit charges.
It’s a great vacuum for small jobs, but I’m not sure the price is justified for most buyers. I enjoy having it around the house, and I’d probably only pick it up on sale.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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Always know what’s happening at your door with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. Its crystal-clear 1080p HD video and 162° field of view give you a clear shot of your property 24/7. Two-way audio lets you hear and speak to unwanted guests (and welcomed ones too) - even when you're not home. Have the SimpliSafe App? The Video Doorbell Pro will send instant alerts whenever someone approaches. And with Smart Person Detection, it can tell the difference between people, vehicles and animals. That means you only get the alerts that matter. Plus, when backed by 24/7 professional monitoring, you’ll have experts who are ready to request emergency dispatch when you need it most. This camera is designed for all weather extremes—so you're still protected in rain and snow. (Compatible with the SimpliSafe Gen 3 security system. Requires Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and existing wired doorbell setup with mechanical chime and a transformer with 8-24 VAC, 30VA max. Not compatible with digital chimes.)
Customer Rating
2
Just a doorbell without additional subscriptions
on December 3, 2018
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
I never get tired of checking out new smart home products when I have the chance. Hue lights, Arlo cameras, Nest’s security system…these things are fantastic as toys to play with, but also great peace of mind considering all the things that stress us out as parents, friends and community members.
So admittedly, I was eager to dive right in to SimpliSafe’s Video Doorbell called the SimpliCam, which promised easy installation in under 30 minutes, and a great product to replace your existing doorbell.
And I should stress, it does need to replace your EXISTING doorbell…oh, and by the way, it has to be a wired doorbell. Sure, some of you may say, “Of course I have a wired doorbell, who doesn’t?” All I’m saying is, make sure you know that before you buy, or be ready to cash in on your return policy.
In a setting where there is an existing wired doorbell, yes, installation can be done in 10 minutes or less provided your wiring is in decent shape and you have a Phillips head screwdriver lying around. Simply remove your existing doorbell, mount the wiring bracket to your house, secure the wires with the included screws, slide the doorbell unit over the wiring bracket, and secure the small torx security screw on the bottom to prevent people from ripping it off your house.
The app setup is equally simple; download, install, set up an account, and the app does the rest; you scan a QR code using the doorbell once its powered up and it joins your WiFi and is ready to go.
The function of the doorbell as a standalone product from SimpliSafe is exactly that—a doorbell. The unit connects to your existing wiring, so a press of the button will ring your existing chime. The unit will also push notifications to your phone when it senses movement, and you can also use the unit for two-way communication, preventing you from even needing to open your door. The camera has automatic night vision capabilities as well, so even in the dark you can see and communicate with someone at your front door.
With a full system from SimpliSafe—and they, like other smart home product manufacturers, offer a wide variety of them—you can use the doorbell along with the rest of your products as a well-rounded solution, including cloud storage and more.
SimpliSafe seems to be late to the party, though, with manufacturers like Nest and Honeywell with an already substantial offering. At $169 the SimpliCam is competitively priced, but when put against its competitors, the extra monthly fees for even basic offerings decreases its value unless you already have SimpliSafe equipment in your home.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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MX Vertical is an advanced ergonomic mouse that combines science-driven design with the elevated performance of Logitech’s MX series. The natural handshake position of MX Vertical reduces wrist pressure and forearm strain. The unique 57° vertical angle has been optimized for an ergonomic posture without compromising a pixel of performance. MX Vertical features a 4000 DPI high-precision sensor, resulting in 4x less hand movement and reducing fatigue. And the cursor speed switch allows you to instantly adjust DPI speed and accuracy with the touch of a button. MX Vertical stays powered for up to four months on a full charge – and gets three hours of use from a one-minute quick charge.
Customer Rating
4
A mouse you don’t realize you need...and you don’t
on November 7, 2018
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
Really, I blame the millennials. All this fancy, new-fangled technology that’s supposed to be nicer to us and not hurt our feelings all the time. I mean, honestly, how many times have you asked yourself, why do I even put up with this FLAT MOUSE anyway?
All joking aside, I was really excited to get my hands on the MX Veritcal from Logitech because vertical mice are all the rage these days, and I wanted to see what the hype was all about.
I first discovered vertical mice thanks to the insanely popular YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, where the Contour Unimouse was showcased—this vertical mouse has angle customization ranging from 35 to 70 degrees, adjustable thumb rest, but is not Bluetooth capable. In my mind, it became the defacto standard for vertical mice.
Not long after I saw that Logitech was releasing a vertical mouse with a fixed angle, and getting my hands on it I was immediately skeptical (again, the millennials). The design is relatively simple—a unibody form, non-adjusting 57-degree mouse body, non-adjustable thumb rest, and only one button beyond what you’d expect a mouse to have (left click, right click, forward, back, scroll wheel/middle click). Note that I’m a long time MX Master fan; I’ve used both the MX Master and the MX Master 2S exclusively for the last few years and love them dearly because of the comfort, design and functionality that it provides…and naturally, I’ll compare the two here quite a bit from a functionality perspective.
Sadly, the MX Vertical’s scroll wheel is not the same speed-adaptive scroll wheel that is found in several of Logitech’s other mice, and I think that’s a big miss here; I also think that the thumb rest could contain customizable shortcut buttons the way the MX Master series mice do. It’s also very tall, abnormally so when it comes to mice, and so moving my hands back and forth across my desk (for instance, to grab my phone) I often found myself batting the mouse across my workspace. The one additional button is a sensitivity adjustment button out of the box, but can be customized using the Logitech Options software that I’ve grown to love…honestly, setting its default to DPI control seems a bit weird, but thankfully it can be adjusted.
When it came to using the mouse, at first, it was difficult to adjust to holding a mouse differently. The documentation suggests you hold your hand in a “handshake” position,” but I found that using a mouse with my hand effectively sideways, instead of palm-down, it was challenging to control the mouse cursor with the precision that I had using my MX Master 2S. Still, I stuck it out, and in a matter of a couple days, I found myself very comfortably using the MX Vertical, and specifically, noticeably more comfortably.
For me, the make of a good mouse is that it’s so comfortable and functional that it becomes an extension of your hand—and in that sense, you tend to not think about it much, even sometimes forget about it. The MX Vertical didn’t give me that sensation—I found the handshake position so comfortable that I often thought about how great of a product it really was. After a full week of use, I was entirely sold on it.
But then I went home, and I didn’t have my MX Vertical with me. Sitting down in my office, I fired up my computer and started to use my ridiculously non-ergonomic MX Master 2S, and I very quickly noticed wrist fatigue and discomfort. Frustratingly, the MX Vertical ruined my otherwise pleasant MX Master 2S experience, and that’s an interesting place to be. (First-world problems, am I right?)
Quick note about the battery: I have several high-end Logitech peripherals and never get the advertised battery life of those devices. I appreciate that it has a USB Type-C connector, and according to the documentation it fast charges in only one minute, providing up to 3 hours of use…that’s pretty incredible…but it can also be used while plugged in as a wired mouse, so the need to fast charge is one I probably won’t take much advantage of.
So in summary, I do blame the millenials…but I unfortunately am one of them, and in this case I totally understand the niche market that Logitech is aiming for. I’m disappointed in the lack of additional customizable buttons that could have been included (there’s enough room for a third “click” button), and also disappointed that Logitech’s most premium scroll wheel experience (speed adjustable plus side-scrolling) isn’t included in this otherwise premium mouse. At the price, I’d really like to have the functionality of the MX Master 2S, along with the comfort and ergonomics of the MX Vertical; that would make for a fantastic mouse.
But still, the MX Vertical is a great product that I see myself using for a long time. It retails at $100, which is about what I expect from a top-of-the-line Logitech mouse, but you might consider comparing to some of the other vertical mice on the market like the Contour Unimouse, which has extra buttons and more ergonometric customization available. The Unimouse also retails for around $100, so they are certainly competitors. That said, I have always loved Logitech’s peripherals and will continue to buy them in the future.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-8points
5of 18voted this as helpful.
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a supremely powerful, portable wireless speaker. It blasts loud, clear, and powerful 360° sound with deep thundering bass. And it is insanely waterproof, dustproof, and drop proof too. Combined with one-touch music controls, and stunning, two-tone, high-performance fabric, the ultimate party starter has been redefined.
Customer Rating
5
UE does it again; great large speaker
on September 30, 2018
Posted by: TheTechNugget
from Cleveland, OH
Apple, Sony, Samsung, Lifeproof, Bose, LG, Harmon Kardon and UE speakers have all at one point or another found their away across my review table over the last several years, and in that time I've identified very clear front runners that have made certain devices my "go-to" speaker for most situations. I've also found speakers that fit a very limited and specific niche of users and situations that, while their price tags may not justify a purchase for a majority of users, they are still excellent speakers for some subset of buyers that can't be ignored (I'm looking at you, Apple Homepod).
If you've read any of my audio reviews, whether speakers or headphones, you know I'm a huge fan of Bose. Some will say that's because I'm blessed enough to be able to afford them, while others who have experienced the full Bose package understand why I think they're worth saving up for. For this review in particular, though, I recognize that there is a need for segmentation in portable bluetooth speakers, beyond just size. Almost every line of bluetooth speakers from most manufacturers has at least a "small" and "large" option, while makers like UE and Lifeproof sometimes have a "medium" size as well. This segmentation is straight forward, as you wouldn't compare a small Lifeproof speaker to a large UE speaker, etc.
That said, an additional segmentation worth considering is speaker shape as well--and I'm talking specifically about omni-directional versus uni-directional speakers. More and more, as manufacturers have realized that the beauty of portable bluetooth speakers is that they don't have to sit in one particular position within a room, we've seen numerous 360-degree speakers that can produce great sound regardless of where you place it. And, when reviewing a 360-degree speaker, it's hard to compare them to a uni-directional speaker at the same price range because they are really intended for a different use case, and sound reproduction is an entirely different experience.
All this to say, I know what my favorite uni-directional speaker is that I've used, and it's completely irrelevant to this review. I also am inherently not supportive of reviews that rate exclusively based upon comparisons to other products, although I understand the tendency to do that.
The speaker in question for this review is the UE Megaboom 3, which is not surprisingly the third generation Megaboom speaker released by UE (fun fact, UE is owned by Logitech). My last UE product review was of the original Wonderboom, a small portable speaker that has found it's home in my bathroom due to its size and resilience to elements, as well as its fantastic battery life. The Megaboom 3 is in many ways similar to the Wonderboom, designed as a "tough" speaker that is waterproof, dustproof, and floats when thrown in the pool…but also in an entirely different category as the Megaboom 3 is twice the price of the original Wonderboom.
The design of the Megaboom 3 is what I would call "modernized" from previous generations, in such a way that the old "chunky" look of the Boom-series speakers has given way to a slim, tight package that makes it look like it belongs in 2018 and even 2019, while still maintaing the classic UE look with the large volume buttons on the front. Speaking of buttons, the Megaboom 3 adds a third button to the top of the speaker, a so-called "Magic Button" that for most users is just a play/pause/track skip button (more on that in a moment). The device itself, while being UE's larger offering, is not really that big and blends in well in nearly any setting.
In terms of functionality, the Magic Button is the only new thing to talk about; otherwise, the standard large volume up/down buttons on the front, a power button and a bluetooth button round out UE's standard offering. There are two charging methods, the first being a standard micro-USB charger which comes in the box. I question the use of a stark-white charging cable for a speaker that is largely black, but that's neither here nor there since you can swap out the cable if it really bothers you that much…and as always, I am again disappointed that this speaker (like so many others that are being released lately) does not use USB-type C for charging. The second charge method is via a separate accessory, the Power Up Dock that offers "wireless" charging, but will cost you an extra $40. Side note on the dock; while it's not included in this review, it is only wireless in the sense that you don't have to plug your speaker into it--it does not use Qi wireless charging, as there are contacts on the dock and on the bottom of select UE speakers that allow for simple docking and charging. And speaking of charging, the Megaboom 3 touts a 20-hour battery which seems to be about standard for the size and price tag of this unit. I don't make a habit of doing a full battery test for any speakers or headphones because it is always based upon personal use, volume level, etc.; that said, my need to charge the Megaboom 3 has been very limited (only once) after a week of on-and-off use.
On to the Magic Button; this supports the standard play/pause/track skip functionality, but can also be customized to scroll through your favorite playlists provided you subscribe to either Apple Music or Deezer paid services. With a long press of the Magic Button, you can scroll through up to four individual playlists, customized in the UE companion app, without having to retrieve your bluetooth-connected device.
Sound quality and performance is next on the list. Since this is UE's larger offering from a speaker perspective, you should fully expect this speaker to get loud enough to fill up a couple rooms of your house, or to put out enough sound to be used during your backyard barbeque. And, much to my surprise, this speaker gets ridiculously loud with very little impact to its sound accuracy; you should always expect speakers to get a little "blatty" on the high end a little vague on the low end at max volume, but the Megaboom 3 had no issue filling a 3-level, 2000 square foot house with sound so that no matter what room you were in, you knew what was playing. I attribute this performance to the quality that UE has come to be known for, plus the 360-degree design, plus the fact that this is the third iteration of the Boom series speakers.
At what I'll refer to as "acceptable" volume levels (under 75%), sound reproduction was fantastic. Again, I feel the need to point out that it's getting harder and harder to find bad speakers and headphones at this price range, and the Megaboom 3 delivers on the low- and high-end of frequencies extremely well. There is almost nothing to complain about when it comes to sound performance of this speaker.
The UE companion app is among the better companion apps for headphones and speakers that I've used, and this is probably in part due to UE's history in the market. A basic equalizer with a handful of presets, any of which can be customized, the aforementioned playlist selection for Apple Music and Deezer subscribers, UE's "PartyUp" functionality which allows you to use multiple Boom series speakers simultaneously and UE's "BlockParty" functionality which allows for controlled sharing of your speaker to other users round out the app's capabilities. It's also worth mentioning (and I'm not sure if this was available with previous generation Boom speakers) that the unit can be remotely powered on using the Ultimate Ears app.
All of this comes in a package for only $199, which is what I would consider inexpensive for a larger bluetooth speaker that performs as well as this does. It doesn't have an auxiliary input port, and the most functionality only comes to those subscribers of Apple Music and Deezer (which I never heard of), but even without the Magic Button's full capabilities it's hard to go wrong with this speaker for most users.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
13of 19voted this as helpful.
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Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
How are they for working out for example on a treadmill? Do they stay on your head well? What about sweat? Does that impact the quality or fit
These probably aren't ideal for use on a treadmill...I would imagine you'd get pretty warm and the cups may not hold up to sweat well. Check out the Jabra Elite 65t truly wireless buds; great fit and great noise cancellation and really good for more active users.
5 years, 7 months ago
by
TheTechNugget
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
Does they play loud. Most earbuds doesent play very loud. l had Jaybird x3. Good sound bit not so loud
I thought these were probably louder than most earbuds I've tried, and with very little distortion in the sound at higher volumes. Also, there is very little sound leaking at 70-80% volume, so others around you shouldn't be too annoyed at higher volumes.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
TheTechNugget
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
How well do these stay in your ears during an extreme workout? Doesn't look like there is anything to hold them in!
I was pleasantly surprised by the fit--they don't seem to go anywhere for me, and I was trying to shake them out of my ears. I had the same reservations--no ear fins, no way for them to stay secure. If they fit your ears like they do mine, they're not going anywhere.
6 years, 2 months ago
by
TheTechNugget
Browse the internet or play your favorite apps on this Acer tablet. It runs on an Android operating system and is powered by a quad-core 64-bit processor for full functionality. Google Mobile Services and Microsoft Office Suite are preloaded on this Acer tablet for out-of-the-box work or play capabilities, and DTS-HD Premium Sound lets you enjoy videos.
THIS Acer - Iconia One 10 - 10.1 - Tablet - 32gb - White IN SALE in best buy, IS NEW OR USED?
This is definitely a new item, but make sure you read up on your reviews on this one, I certainly wouldn't recommend it.
7 years, 7 months ago
by
TheTechNugget