havanajoe8's stats
- Review count68
- Helpfulness votes468
- First reviewOctober 21, 2009
- Last reviewAugust 4, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
- Review comment count12
- Helpfulness votes4
- First review commentDecember 7, 2013
- Last review commentJuly 22, 2017
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count40
- Helpfulness votes69
- First answerDecember 1, 2010
- Last answerJune 5, 2017
- Featured answers0
- Best answers16
This shoulder bag is compatible with most ultrazoom digital cameras and features an adjust-to-fit design with a padded divider that is removable for larger cameras. Pockets provide space for memory cards and other accessories.
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I recently bought a Canon SX170 IS which came with a Lowepro Newport 30 case as part of a bundle. I didn't buy the bundle but I did buy the case separately. It's a good case, but did not have a strap nor enough room for the charger, spare battery, and extra memory card.
I gave that case to my girlfriend since she had a small camera and needed a case. I bought this case because it's a bit bigger and comes with a strap. The bag is big enough to hold my camera in the back section of the bag and the charger/extra battery in the front. There is also a small pocket inside- just the right size for an extra memory card. I did notice that in the back of the bag there are two slots to each hold a AA battery; these slots are of no use to me because my camera does not take AA batteries. I wish this had been another pocket instead, but that is only a minor issue. Great bag overall!
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Nice size for smaller camera, good strap
What's not so great: AA slots instead of pocket
I would recommend this to a friend!
Durability
5
Comfort
5
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Store videos and still images from your digital camera with this SanDisk Extreme PLUS SDHC memory card that features 16GB of memory for efficient storage space. The writeable label allows for easy identification and organization
Customer Rating
5
Noticeable difference!
on July 11, 2014
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I use it with:Point and shoot camera
I recently bought a new Canon SX170 IS and I decided to use my older 8GB SDHC card with it; however, I noticed that the write speed was slow and there was a noticeable lag when reviewing pictures. I decided to buy this card in order to get more storage and more speed. With this card I can now take over 2,200 pictures at full resolution. What's more, the lag time has all but disappeared! Shot-to-shot time is markedly improved, and playback has almost no lag time. Sale price of $24.99 is a good price for this level of performance. Highly satisfied!
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: VERY fast
I would recommend this to a friend!
Capacity
5
Durability
5
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This Lowepro Newport 30 LP36458 case features water-resistant nylon material and a lightly padded interior to help guard your camera, mobile phone or other electronic device against damage. The quick-access compartment keeps useful items close at hand.
Customer Rating
3
Good bag for small camera
on July 8, 2014
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I bought this bag for my Canon SX170 IS. It's the same bag that comes in the bundle, but I bought mine separately. It's a nice size for the camera itself. There is an additional pocket on top which I am using to hold the charger with a backup battery in the charger. The top pocket could be just a little deeper, there is a bulge where the charger is and the zipper is hard to close. It may stretch a bit out in time. My only complaint is that there is no strap of any kind- either a wrist strap or shoulder strap would be nice. The bag has a large belt loop but this is too big to wear on a belt. The loop can be used as a handle but it's a bit tight for my hand.
I've always had good luck with Lowepro bags so I am not worried about the quality but I do wish there was a strap included.
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Nice size
What's not so great: No strap
I would recommend this to a friend!
Durability
4
Comfort
3
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Capture important moments with this Canon PowerShot SX170 IS digital camera, which features a 16.0-megapixel CCD sensor that enables you to shoot crisp photos. The dedicated movie button lets you easily record high-definition videos with stereo sound.Memory card sold separately.
Customer Rating
4
Good compromise size vs. quality
on July 8, 2014
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I've been using a large DSLR sized camera as my main camera and a small pocket camera for portability. The large camera is too big to take with me every day and the small camera has very limited features. I decided to sell the large camera and gave the small one away, this Canon is to replace both of them. It's small enough to take with you without looking like a tourist, it will fit in a large pocket or jacket pocket, or you can hold in your hand. You get more features than a standard pocket camera, such as bigger zoom and a flip-up flash but the quality is not nearly as good as a DSLR or DSLR type bridge camera.
Outside the camera takes nice pictures in sunlight. Inside the quality is noticeably worse, the camera likes to use slow shutter speeds so blur can be noticeable. Increasing the ISO gets rid of the blur but the noise is noticeable. The flash is pretty strong for it's size but can blow out highlights easily unless you reduce the strength.
I found that Program mode works better than Auto, once you find the right settings. For me it's center focus, vivid color, and a slight flash reduction to get fairly good pictures. Auto-focus is slow, so this camera would not be great for kids, pets, or action shots. If you take a lot of pictures outdoors or of stationary subject you may find this to be a nice little camera. I'm happy with it, I'm trying to take more pictures and the size allows me to take this camera with me to more places than I'd bring a large camera and get better results than a small pocket camera would provide.
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Easy to use, good zoom
What's not so great: Picture quality is only so-so
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Picture Quality
3
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Your home networking devices will have a secure connection thanks to this network cable, featuring snagless 8P8C connectors for a dependable fit.
Customer Rating
4
Used to connect Blu-ray to router
on June 14, 2014
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I bought this cable to connect my new smart Blu-ray player to my router. I've never had a problem with Dynex cables. Connected fine, works great, streaming movies and they look great! I do think it's a little expensive for a 6 foot cable, but oh well!
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Works great!
What's not so great: A bit pricey for only 6 feet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Durability
5
Ease of Use
5
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This smart Samsung BD-H5100/ZA Blu-ray player supports BD, DVD±R/RW, DVD-Video, CD±R/RW, WMV and JPEG formats and 1080p video output, so you can easily enjoy your favorite media in crisp high-definition.
Customer Rating
4
Makes a nice little media center
on June 14, 2014
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
For the last few years I've been using a separate DVD player to save wear and tear on the drive in my PS3, but my player was starting to act up so I figured I'd upgrade. Got this Samsung on sale plus had a $20 coupon.
It has a lot of options that will make it the centerpiece of my entertainment system- Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB for MP3 and JPEG, streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, even Facebook!
Installation was easy- connect HDMI cable (not included) and Ethernet cable (not included) and plug it in- setup menu was only a few steps and the software downloaded and installed an update in about 60 seconds. Both Blu-ray and up-scaled DVD looked and sounded awesome- from across the room the DVD looked as good as the Blu-Ray! Discs were fast to load.
Streaming services seem to work well, but Netflix takes some time to load and I noticed some lag while navigating the search feature. Once a movie was playing it was fine, however. This unit does not have wi-fi, but that's ok- hardwired works so much better! Facebook ran really slow and since you are navigating with a remote control don't expect to actually post or comment- it's more for scrolling through status updates and clicking "like".
The USB port on the front intrigued me- I have a large collection of MP3 files and thousands of pictures and home videos. I transferred my music and pictures to a flush-fit USB drive and the videos to an external hard drive. This unit plays the movies from the hard drive just fine. Music was a little tricky- If you go to your music collection and select all and then select shuffle it makes a playlist which is limited to 1,000 songs- but anything over a few hundred and it gets all confused. The names on the playlist don't match the songs and there is about a 10 second delay in switching songs. I was very disappointed at this but then I figured it out- if you simply start playing a song and THEN switch to shuffle it will work fine with the entire folder, not just a playlist.
I wish the remote had an open/close button; to open the tray you need to manually touch a button on top of the unit. I'd also rather the controls be on the front panel instead of on top. I wish that the USB port was on the back (or there was a second port back there) because I'd like to connect a hub and then have both the flash drive and external drive connected and hidden- with the one port on the front there would be a cable sticking out and it looks messy.
Overall I'm happy- if you just want to play Blu-Ray/DVD/CD this unit works great! If you want to use it as more of a media center it will do a good job as long as you can fit your media on a flash drive.
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Blu-Ray, DVD, CD, USB, streaming... lots of media options
What's not so great: Somewhat tricky navigation
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
5
Ease of Use
3
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The T15 are those bookshelf speakers whose high versatility is built to impress. Engineered with Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance technology, they're primed to improve your home theater experience and take on your entire arsenal of tunes without fail. Think brighter highs, a wide-open mid-range and surprising bass response - the perfect entry into high-performance audio. What’s more, it’s easy to setup, supports Dolby and DTS, and connects to most home theater receivers, stereos or home theater processors. The best part is that it won't drain your wallet! Go big on great sound made for everyone. Add the T15 bookshelf stereo speakers to your home audio setup today.
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
My apartment is odd- it's basically two small apartments connected together separated by a door. In the larger room I have a home entertainment system with a real stereo system- receiver, sub-woofer, larger speakers, etc. However, the kitchen is in the smaller room and I like to listen to music while having coffee. About six months ago I bought the Insignia 50 watt mini bookshelf system and connected my iPod to it via an Apple iPod dock. It's on top of the refrigerator. I like the system, but the speakers were never quite right- I felt that the 4 inch drivers were a little small and with the bass ports on the back the bass would hit the wall and I felt like it sounded a bit weak and muffled. I decided to go to Best Buy to see what I could get as an upgrade. I had done a little research online and I wanted to compare three speakers- these Polks, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LRs and the Insignia NS-SP213s. The Pioneers are power-hungry, and since this system is only 25 watts per channel I eliminated them first- plus they still had a rear bass port. The Insignias sounded ok, but seemed a little muffled. These Polks sounded the clearest, but I could not really tell how they sounded in the store, so I took them home. I'm VERY happy with the results! They are a little bigger than the original Insignias but not too big. Binding posts connected easily too. At first the sound was just ok. It took about an hour of breaking them in for them to really shine. First thing I noticed is that they are efficient- comfortable listening level with the Insignias was 16 on the volume setting, with the Polks it's 12. Second thing I noticed is that the upper midrange is much more clear- voices really carry, especially higher pitched ones. Finally, although they don't have exceptionally deep bass the response is certainly better than the Insignias. Not sure if it's because of the bigger woofers or if it's the bass ports being on the front but there is no longer any muffled bass. I'm hearing details in my music that I generally only hear through my main stereo system. If you have limited space and reasonable expectations I think you can't go wrong with these speakers!
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Great sound quality for limited space
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
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+18points
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HP 15-d035dx Laptop: Driven by an efficient Intel® Pentium® processor, this functional laptop makes it easy to browse the Internet, chat with friends and family via webcam or over social media and more. A 15.6" screen offers a clear view of displayed content, helping to ensure an enjoyable mobile computing experience.Learn more about the New Windows ›
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I bought this as part of a bundle for my girlfriend's birthday- she was using an old XP Netbook, it was time for an upgrade! Part of a bundle for $329 with mouse, flash drive, virus software, and a sleeve. Setup and installation was quick and painless. Screen has really nice colors, better than my Lenovo. Also, both our laptops have 15.6" screens but hers looks bigger. Performance is fair to good with a basic quad core CPU but it does the job. It came with 4 GB of RAM which appears to be the maximum- that's disappointing, I always like to max out RAM and 8 GB would be much better. So far she is thrilled, I'd rate this a solid 4 star purchase!
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Nice screen, faily fast
What's not so great: limited memory?
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+22points
24of 26voted this as helpful.
Connect your iPod or iPhone to a compatible computer, TV or stereo with this dock that can be used as a base for charging and syncing.
Customer Rating
4
Pricey but works
on January 26, 2014
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
Type of Listener:Avid listener
Most Important to Purchase:Sound quality
How Often Used:Daily
I have the Insignia mini stereo system in my kitchen and I listen to it daily. However, sometimes I want more than FM or CDs, and the USB port on that system has no random or shuffle controls. I tried using Bluetooth but sometimes the connection was glitchy, so I ended up with my iPod Nano 3rd generation plugged into the AUX port on shuffle, but in order to change songs I had to get up and go do it manually. This dock was $60, and that's a lot of money... However, now that I have it I am much happier. The ability to use the remote is almost worth the $60! My Nano connected to the dock and a 1/8" to RCA stereo cable connects to the AUX input, and the sound quality is quite good. The remote is thin and smooth and works from 20+ feet away. I wish the dock was black to match the rest of the stereo, even my Nano is in a black sleeve, but oh well, it's Apple so it's white. One minor glitch- I had to plug in and unplug the power block a few times before my Nano registered that it was running of A/C and not the battery. I don't know if that is an issue with the power block or the Nano. I've been keeping an eye on it and it seems to be on A/C. Overall I am happy, but I'd be happier if this were a $30 item and not $60!
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Incoporates iPod to stereo
What's not so great: VERY expensive; charger is touchy
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Ease of Use
4
Features
4
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Add Bluetooth compatibility to your laptop with this convenient and compact micro USB adapter.
Customer Rating
3
WILL work with Windows 8.1 with driver update
on December 7, 2013
Posted by: havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I bought this because my laptop did not come with Bluetooth installed and I wanted to stream music to my Insignia stereo system. Found this adaptor as an open item for $3 off so I bought it. Initially it didn't work, the drivers included are for XP/Vista/7 and I have Windows 8.1. I went to the Broadcom site and downloaded the drivers- still didn't work. Then I went to the manufacturers site for my laptop and downloaded Bluetooth drivers there (but not for my model, for a different model). Still didn't work. Tried the Broadcom drivers again, this time it installed perfectly. Works pretty good, I get about a 25 foot range before it won't connect. Sound is great going from my laptop to my stereo. One minor issue, it seems to require a lot of resources- if I am doing anything else on my laptop while streaming music the music starts to get "glitchy". I have to close all other programs and just stream the music, and even then there is an occasional "skip" now and then. But overall I am happy with it, it allowed me to move my stereo to a location that would not have worked had the streaming not been possible.
My Best Buy number: 2159931860
What's great about it: Small
What's not so great: Took some work to get it to work with Windows 8.1
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Add Bluetooth compatibility to your laptop with this convenient and compact micro USB adapter.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Fails with Windows 8.1
By barrywertz
from Zionsville, IN
You're Bluetooth products with this product will fail. They have not come out with version 8.1 windows driver updates. I called the company and they said it will be a few months. I laughed and returned it. I attempted to run it in compatibility mode in other versions of windows and it couldn't verify the product. I called Microsoft as well with no avail.
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
December 7, 2013
I got it to work with the driver download from Broadcom. Windows 8.1, recent install...
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
The T15 are those bookshelf speakers whose high versatility is built to impress. Engineered with Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance technology, they're primed to improve your home theater experience and take on your entire arsenal of tunes without fail. Think brighter highs, a wide-open mid-range and surprising bass response - the perfect entry into high-performance audio. What’s more, it’s easy to setup, supports Dolby and DTS, and connects to most home theater receivers, stereos or home theater processors. The best part is that it won't drain your wallet! Go big on great sound made for everyone. Add the T15 bookshelf stereo speakers to your home audio setup today.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Excellent value!
By havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
My apartment is odd- it's basically two small apartments connected together separated by a door. In the larger room I have a home entertainment system with a real stereo system- receiver, sub-woofer, larger speakers, etc. However, the kitchen is in the smaller room and I like to listen to music while having coffee. About six months ago I bought the Insignia 50 watt mini bookshelf system and connected my iPod to it via an Apple iPod dock. It's on top of the refrigerator. I like the system, but the speakers were never quite right- I felt that the 4 inch drivers were a little small and with the bass ports on the back the bass would hit the wall and I felt like it sounded a bit weak and muffled. I decided to go to Best Buy to see what I could get as an upgrade. I had done a little research online and I wanted to compare three speakers- these Polks, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LRs and the Insignia NS-SP213s. The Pioneers are power-hungry, and since this system is only 25 watts per channel I eliminated them first- plus they still had a rear bass port. The Insignias sounded ok, but seemed a little muffled. These Polks sounded the clearest, but I could not really tell how they sounded in the store, so I took them home. I'm VERY happy with the results! They are a little bigger than the original Insignias but not too big. Binding posts connected easily too. At first the sound was just ok. It took about an hour of breaking them in for them to really shine. First thing I noticed is that they are efficient- comfortable listening level with the Insignias was 16 on the volume setting, with the Polks it's 12. Second thing I noticed is that the upper midrange is much more clear- voices really carry, especially higher pitched ones. Finally, although they don't have exceptionally deep bass the response is certainly better than the Insignias. Not sure if it's because of the bigger woofers or if it's the bass ports being on the front but there is no longer any muffled bass. I'm hearing details in my music that I generally only hear through my main stereo system. If you have limited space and reasonable expectations I think you can't go wrong with these speakers!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
One thing to be aware of...
June 6, 2014
...and this is not a complaint, but something to be aware of- these speakers like to be played relatively loud- or, to be more precise, they do not excel at being played too softly... For example, if you have the volume low for background music sometimes the music cuts in and out- especially when a song is fading away at the end. They will often just cut off during the fade.... This does not happen with higher volumes. My review rating still stands, but this is something to be aware of!
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
The T15 are those bookshelf speakers whose high versatility is built to impress. Engineered with Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance technology, they're primed to improve your home theater experience and take on your entire arsenal of tunes without fail. Think brighter highs, a wide-open mid-range and surprising bass response - the perfect entry into high-performance audio. What’s more, it’s easy to setup, supports Dolby and DTS, and connects to most home theater receivers, stereos or home theater processors. The best part is that it won't drain your wallet! Go big on great sound made for everyone. Add the T15 bookshelf stereo speakers to your home audio setup today.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Excellent value!
By havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
My apartment is odd- it's basically two small apartments connected together separated by a door. In the larger room I have a home entertainment system with a real stereo system- receiver, sub-woofer, larger speakers, etc. However, the kitchen is in the smaller room and I like to listen to music while having coffee. About six months ago I bought the Insignia 50 watt mini bookshelf system and connected my iPod to it via an Apple iPod dock. It's on top of the refrigerator. I like the system, but the speakers were never quite right- I felt that the 4 inch drivers were a little small and with the bass ports on the back the bass would hit the wall and I felt like it sounded a bit weak and muffled. I decided to go to Best Buy to see what I could get as an upgrade. I had done a little research online and I wanted to compare three speakers- these Polks, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LRs and the Insignia NS-SP213s. The Pioneers are power-hungry, and since this system is only 25 watts per channel I eliminated them first- plus they still had a rear bass port. The Insignias sounded ok, but seemed a little muffled. These Polks sounded the clearest, but I could not really tell how they sounded in the store, so I took them home. I'm VERY happy with the results! They are a little bigger than the original Insignias but not too big. Binding posts connected easily too. At first the sound was just ok. It took about an hour of breaking them in for them to really shine. First thing I noticed is that they are efficient- comfortable listening level with the Insignias was 16 on the volume setting, with the Polks it's 12. Second thing I noticed is that the upper midrange is much more clear- voices really carry, especially higher pitched ones. Finally, although they don't have exceptionally deep bass the response is certainly better than the Insignias. Not sure if it's because of the bigger woofers or if it's the bass ports being on the front but there is no longer any muffled bass. I'm hearing details in my music that I generally only hear through my main stereo system. If you have limited space and reasonable expectations I think you can't go wrong with these speakers!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Ignore my last comment
July 9, 2014
I figured why they were cutting out. I had the volume on the receiver turned up high and would then control the volume on the iPod. It was the weaker iPod signal that was causing the speakers to cut out. By lowering the volume on the receiver and keeping the volume on the iPod output higher the speakers no longer cut out when adjusting the volume.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
This shoulder bag is compatible with most ultrazoom digital cameras and features an adjust-to-fit design with a padded divider that is removable for larger cameras. Pockets provide space for memory cards and other accessories.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great bag!
By havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I recently bought a Canon SX170 IS which came with a Lowepro Newport 30 case as part of a bundle. I didn't buy the bundle but I did buy the case separately. It's a good case, but did not have a strap nor enough room for the charger, spare battery, and extra memory card.
I gave that case to my girlfriend since she had a small camera and needed a case. I bought this case because it's a bit bigger and comes with a strap. The bag is big enough to hold my camera in the back section of the bag and the charger/extra battery in the front. There is also a small pocket inside- just the right size for an extra memory card. I did notice that in the back of the bag there are two slots to each hold a AA battery; these slots are of no use to me because my camera does not take AA batteries. I wish this had been another pocket instead, but that is only a minor issue. Great bag overall!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Whoops! My mistake!
July 11, 2014
The little slots in the back of the bag are for SD cards, there is even a little tag with a picture of an SD card on it... I thought it was for AA batteries! Bag is even better in my opinion now as it has slots specifically for backup memory cards! Great bag!
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung NX300 Mirrorless Camera with 18–55mm Lens: You can capture the important moments in your life in rich detail with the Samsung NX300, which comes with a 18–55mm lens and features a Samsung NX mount that lets you switch out your lenses (additional lenses sold separately). Once you've captured the images and HD video footage you want to share with loved ones, just connect to your devices via the camera's built-in Wi-Fi.Memory card sold separately.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Very simple to do almost anything
By Photonoob
This camera makes taking decent pictures in almost any condition a breeze. Disappointed that for the money it didn't come with an SD card. The 60 fps video is amazing. Very smooth motion.
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
SD card
December 7, 2014
They recently had a deal with a free SD card but only if ordered online. I brought the printout to the store but they couldn't match it- the deal stated online only and the SD card was a model not stocked in the store. That's ok, it was not a great SD card by the specs, and was only priced at about $12. While I somewhat agree that a camera at this price level should have an SD card it really would take away from the overall satisfaction since you really need a high quality card with this camera- a basic card will slow down performance, and that is not the camera's fault. High quality cards cost money, too much to include with the camera.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Only at Best Buy Enjoy your music with this Insignia™ boombox, which plays CDs and cassettes for flexible listening options. The 10 AM and 10 FM presets help you find your favorite radio programming with a simple touch.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Gift for my Girlfriend
By havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
My girlfriend has been using a boombox on her shelf for the last 10 years or so and one of the speakers finally stopped working. This Insignia unit made a nice little replacement for it! She likes the sound quality, it's small enough to sit on her shelf or she can take it outside when she sits on her patio. Only disappointment is that it only plays regular CDs, not CD-R/RWs with MP3s. Her old one didn't either but it would have been a nice option. However, the unit DOES have an aux-in port so she can hook her iPod to it with a small patch cable. Overall very pleased!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
My mistake! It DOES play CD-R/RWs!
February 15, 2015
We re-tested this unit with a different CD-R with MP3s and it played just fine- first disk may have been the issue. 5 stars now, I wish I could edit the review! My bad, I hate making mistakes on reviews!
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Listen to music and more on the go with these Insignia™ speakers that deliver 1.5W RMS total system power to ensure quality sound. The magnetic design enables easy portability.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5Very low volume!!!
By nervedoc
from Grapevine, TX
I purchased these speakers to plug into my Samsung laptop to listen to some business audio presentations. The sound on my laptop was not loud enough, so I wanted an external pair of speakers to boost the audio capability. These speakers are not even as loud as my built in speakers! There is no additional volume control on the speakers either.
Nice design, but inadequate! Returning back to Best Buy!!!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Settings?
February 28, 2015
I'd suggest checking your various sound mixer settings on your computer as these speakers should be plenty loud; at 3/4 volume I can hear music clearly in the next room. Make sure your volume control is up and each slide bar on the mixer is up as well, and finally raise the volume on any music/video software you are using. Any of these being set low (or even worse, more than one being set low) will limit the maximum volume of the speakers.
+3points
3of 3voted this comment as helpful.
The T15 are those bookshelf speakers whose high versatility is built to impress. Engineered with Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance technology, they're primed to improve your home theater experience and take on your entire arsenal of tunes without fail. Think brighter highs, a wide-open mid-range and surprising bass response - the perfect entry into high-performance audio. What’s more, it’s easy to setup, supports Dolby and DTS, and connects to most home theater receivers, stereos or home theater processors. The best part is that it won't drain your wallet! Go big on great sound made for everyone. Add the T15 bookshelf stereo speakers to your home audio setup today.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Excellent value!
By havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
My apartment is odd- it's basically two small apartments connected together separated by a door. In the larger room I have a home entertainment system with a real stereo system- receiver, sub-woofer, larger speakers, etc. However, the kitchen is in the smaller room and I like to listen to music while having coffee. About six months ago I bought the Insignia 50 watt mini bookshelf system and connected my iPod to it via an Apple iPod dock. It's on top of the refrigerator. I like the system, but the speakers were never quite right- I felt that the 4 inch drivers were a little small and with the bass ports on the back the bass would hit the wall and I felt like it sounded a bit weak and muffled. I decided to go to Best Buy to see what I could get as an upgrade. I had done a little research online and I wanted to compare three speakers- these Polks, the Pioneer SP-BS22-LRs and the Insignia NS-SP213s. The Pioneers are power-hungry, and since this system is only 25 watts per channel I eliminated them first- plus they still had a rear bass port. The Insignias sounded ok, but seemed a little muffled. These Polks sounded the clearest, but I could not really tell how they sounded in the store, so I took them home. I'm VERY happy with the results! They are a little bigger than the original Insignias but not too big. Binding posts connected easily too. At first the sound was just ok. It took about an hour of breaking them in for them to really shine. First thing I noticed is that they are efficient- comfortable listening level with the Insignias was 16 on the volume setting, with the Polks it's 12. Second thing I noticed is that the upper midrange is much more clear- voices really carry, especially higher pitched ones. Finally, although they don't have exceptionally deep bass the response is certainly better than the Insignias. Not sure if it's because of the bigger woofers or if it's the bass ports being on the front but there is no longer any muffled bass. I'm hearing details in my music that I generally only hear through my main stereo system. If you have limited space and reasonable expectations I think you can't go wrong with these speakers!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Paired with a small sub- MUCH better!
May 3, 2015
I ended up finding a small, flat subwoofer designed to slide under a couch. It had an 8 inch driver and fits behind the speakers on my refrigerator. SO much better now! The 5.25" drivers on these Polks handle mid-range fine but were lacking bass. With the sub connected and handling the bass these speakers really shine! Great little system!
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The T15 are those bookshelf speakers whose high versatility is built to impress. Engineered with Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance technology, they're primed to improve your home theater experience and take on your entire arsenal of tunes without fail. Think brighter highs, a wide-open mid-range and surprising bass response - the perfect entry into high-performance audio. What’s more, it’s easy to setup, supports Dolby and DTS, and connects to most home theater receivers, stereos or home theater processors. The best part is that it won't drain your wallet! Go big on great sound made for everyone. Add the T15 bookshelf stereo speakers to your home audio setup today.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Smooth and pleasant
By Perfectionist
Bought four of these little fellows to serve as front and surround satellite speakers, along with two other speakers and a Klipsch subwoofer in a 6.1 surround system (using a Sony STR-DH750 7.2 surround receiver). These little speakers produce a warm, balanced, and detailed sound, that is very pleasant on the ears and produces absolutely no listener fatigue. After taking off the grille of one of them when playing at a loud volume, I observed the woofer pumping away with quite a bit of excursion for such a small driver. This observation, along with the tight, punchy sound the Polks were emitting, makes me believe that even if used without a powered subwoofer, these little guys could produce very nice bass for bookshelf speakers. The soft dome tweeter is unbelievably pleasant on the ears, yet detailed, and the woofer is very tight and punchy.
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
With a sub...
June 7, 2015
...they are even better! I've been using these on my kitchen stereo system connected to a little 25x2 receiver/CD player unit with an iPod on a dock connected via the AUX in. They've always sounded good but were missing that lower octave. I finally bought a small 8 inch powered sub and routed the speaker output through the sub and then into the Polks with an 80hz cutoff- MUCH better. With the sub handling the bass the Polk drivers produce much better midrange now, they sound about 90% as good as my main system which has much larger speakers and a 10 inch sub, plus a 200 watt receiver.
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Play back audio from a wide range of sources with this Insignia™ NS-SH513 compact shelf system, which features Bluetooth technology, a USB port and a CD player for flexible use. The FM tuner features 30 presets for simple station recall.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Good but limited
By havanajoe8
from Mansfield, MA
I am moving into a bigger apartment and will have room for a small stereo system for background music. I was interested in this system due to the USB connection plus the ability to play CDs (my girlfriend has tons of them). Overall I am happy with the system except for one glaring issue- random works only with regular CDs. This means no random with MP3 CD-Rs or with USB. Not only that, but if you change sources or turn the system off and then on again it forgets what song you were on last and starts from the first track! I have over 1,500 MP3 files so this is unacceptable. I tried using Bluetooth, which gave me the ability to use my phone and shuffle tracks that way, but the sound was not very good- may be a reflection on my phone, as it's a cheap one. Finally I realized that I could connect my iPod and get what I wanted that way. One strength of this system is that it offers so many connection options- Bluetooth, USB, RCA, CD and FM. Once I got the iPod connected I was happy- sound quality is quite good, a little weak in the bass but good highs and mids. Volume is plenty for a small room. Remote works well, has a lot of range and the unit looks nice- understated and "adult", not too bright or high-techy. Black wood finish matches my main stereo system so that is a nice bonus. I decided to keep this unit, happy with it but just cannot understand how the random only works with CDs... This would be a 4 or maybe even a 5 star item if that one feature existed!
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Made this into a killer system
June 5, 2016
Since my review I've made some upgrades which really turned this into a killer system. First, I replaced the speakers with a pair of Polk T15's from Best Buy- MUCH better sound. Then I added an 8 inch sub-woofer from another vendor. Finally I took an old netbook and set it to boot into Winamp with Milkdrop 2.0. I also added a mini wireless keyboard to use as a remote. Sound is FANTASTIC, and the Insignia works great, plus gives me Bluetooth and CD playback. If you are looking for a mini receiver/CD player to make your own system I highly recommend this!
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havanajoe8's Questions
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Play back audio from a wide range of sources with this Insignia™ NS-SH513 compact shelf system, which features Bluetooth technology, a USB port and a CD player for flexible use. The FM tuner features 30 presets for simple station recall.
Does the "random" feature work when playing music from a USB memory stick via the USB port?
No, random only works with standard CDs. It does not work with USB drives or .MP3 CDs. Major flaw in my opinion.
9 years, 10 months ago
by
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Capture important moments with this Canon PowerShot SX170 IS digital camera, which features a 16.0-megapixel CCD sensor that enables you to shoot crisp photos. The dedicated movie button lets you easily record high-definition videos with stereo sound.Memory card sold separately.
can this battery be powered by AA batteries?
No, has small rechargeable battery pack only
9 years, 10 months ago
by
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Play back audio from a wide range of sources with this Insignia™ NS-SH513 compact shelf system, which features Bluetooth technology, a USB port and a CD player for flexible use. The FM tuner features 30 presets for simple station recall.
how many cd's does this system hold at one time
how many cd's does this system hold at one time
Play back audio from a wide range of sources with this Insignia™ NS-SH513 compact shelf system, which features Bluetooth technology, a USB port and a CD player for flexible use. The FM tuner features 30 presets for simple station recall.
Will not play music though USB Port
Just bought this shelf system and when I insert a USB Stick is says USB CH. It will not play any mp3 files and gives me no options. I press the play icon and nothing happens. One reason I bought this was to play music form a flash drive. It is a 32 Gig flash drive, formatted fat 32. Any ideas?
Make sure all the files are on the stick without being in folders.
9 years, 11 months ago
by
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
Play back audio from a wide range of sources with this Insignia™ NS-SH513 compact shelf system, which features Bluetooth technology, a USB port and a CD player for flexible use. The FM tuner features 30 presets for simple station recall.
Does this unit have any sort of preamp out for recording or connecting to another device?
Does this unit have any sort of preamp out for recording or connecting to another device?
With an 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and up to 250 cd/m² brightness, this Dell S2340M LED HD monitor displays crisp, brilliant visuals. The tilt function allows you to easily adjust the viewing angles to suit your preferences.
This monitor blacks out here and there.
I just bought this monitor and love it but, for some reason, it will black out for a second a couple times a day. Any reason for that?
The VGA cable that comes with it has thicker plastic on the PC connector than most. I had issues getting a good connection and my screen would black out from time to time. Used an older VGA cable with thinner plastic on the connector and it works perfect!
10 years, 6 months ago
by
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
With an 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and up to 250 cd/m² brightness, this Dell S2340M LED HD monitor displays crisp, brilliant visuals. The tilt function allows you to easily adjust the viewing angles to suit your preferences.
Can monitor connect to laptop using a usb cord?
With an 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and up to 250 cd/m² brightness, this Dell S2340M LED HD monitor displays crisp, brilliant visuals. The tilt function allows you to easily adjust the viewing angles to suit your preferences.
How do I plug in my speaker to the Dell 23 inch monitor?
I took the clip-on speaker off my old monitor but I don't see how I plug-in the speaker on my new monitor?
There are no options for mounting a speaker to this monitor.
10 years, 6 months ago
by
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
This Sony DSC-HX300 20.4-megapixel digital camera features an Exmor R CMOS sensor for crisp photos and 1080/60p videos. Enhanced Superior Auto mode helps ensure clear results when shooting dynamic motion, even in dim light.Memory card sold separately.
Can you turn the flash off if desired and can you also force the flash to be on?
Yes to both. I set the flash to "always on" and then simply don't raise the flash if I don't want it. If it's not raised it won't flash, if it is raised it will. Works great for me!
10 years, 6 months ago
by
havanajoe8
Mansfield, MA
With an 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and up to 250 cd/m² brightness, this Dell S2340M LED HD monitor displays crisp, brilliant visuals. The tilt function allows you to easily adjust the viewing angles to suit your preferences.