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- First answerFebruary 28, 2015
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The perfect party companion for breathtaking, portable sound. Bring the party anywhere with powerful bass, dynamic lighting, and a mic port for karaoke. With quick-charging capabilities and dust-and-rust proof construction, the party can go on uninterrupted.
Posted by: pillboy
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is a member of their ULT Power Sound series of audio products that (at this time) includes a tower “party speaker”, a noise-cancelling headphone, and two portable Bluetooth speakers, including this one and a smaller one called the ULT FIELD 1.
The ULT FIELD 7 is basically a 20-inch-long cylindrical “tube” consisting of two tweeters and two woofers on the face of the tube, two passive radiators at each end of the tube and each are surrounded by a light “ring” that provide visual party ambiance, a set of controls on the top of the tube, and lastly a group of jacks and lesser-used controls on the back of the tube. The ULT 7 is really a modern version of the boombox that was popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s. It is portable with handles at each end, and while it weighs a solid feeling 13.9 pounds, it is still easy to take along wherever you may be going. The speaker comes packaged with minimal accessories that include a paper Reference Guide providing basic information, a paper Limited Warranty document, and an AC power cord (with no “wall wart” at the end of it, yay!) which looks identical to the power cord on other Sony products in our house. An additional “Help Guide” is available on Sony’s web site and can be downloaded for future reference. This Help Guide is 113 pages long in English (although most pages are only about half full of information) and will be necessary for the user to fully understand the complete feature set of this device, as a good amount of the functionality is not immediately intuitive.
After you unbox the ULT 7, you will want to download two apps to your smart phone that will help immensely with controlling and tailoring the functions to your needs and likes (the Sony Music Center app), and the other for changing a variety of different effects from DJ, Motion, and Voice controls, to lighting controls, to karaoke and playlists (the Fiestable app). While these apps work with iOS on iPhones and iPads (there are also Android versions in the Google Play Store), there are no counterparts to work with a Mac computer. This does not mean that you cannot listen to music from a Mac or other computer, just that the functionality of these apps are not available to you.
The ULT 7 pairs quickly and easily to Bluetooth devices and can be paired to multiple devices. I did notice a bit of lag time when using the Music Center app and switching among its functions. The controls on the top of the speaker are for Power, Bluetooth pairing, Play/Pause, Volume Up and Down, and changing the ULT sound mode. While I can understand the need to use the Play/Pause button for “Next Track” and “Previous Track” functions when there is insufficient space for two more buttons on a device, I find it annoying that Sony did not include separate buttons for these functions on a unit this large. These two functions are engaged by pressing the “Play/Pause” button 2 or 3 times respectively in quick succession. Another interesting thing is that the volume control on the iPhone (side buttons) will increase or decrease the speaker volume in larger increments (and fewer overall steps) than the volume buttons on the speaker or the volume control in the Music Center app.
The controls on the back panel are hidden under a water and dust resistant cover to keep contaminants out of the four jacks/ports that also reside there. These controls are usually only accessed when a cable is plugged into these receptacles or are used infrequently. Included here is the connection for the AC power cord. It would have been nice to have a separate covered port for the power connection so the main cover could stay shut keeping this area clean such as during long-term use in a dusty location like a garage or shop.
The ULT 7 has the capability to charge USB devices such as a phone, via a USB-A jack that provides 5V at 1.5A (this is 7.5 watts). You’ll note this is substantially less than what most modern smart phones will charge at, meaning that charging will take longer than what you might be used to. The provided USB port is the old style USB-A, rather than the newer USB-C standard. If you are playing music with a Bluetooth connected device, you cannot charge another device as the Bluetooth connection is defeated when a USB cable is plugged into the jack. And while this jack will charge an iPhone, you cannot play music from an iPhone through this USB port. Other USB connected devices may be able to do so.
The party-themed function of having two or more compatible Sony speakers wirelessly connected together will work only when the music source is connected via Bluetooth. Music sourced via the USB or “Audio In” jacks cannot be played through multiple speakers at the same time. Personally, I’m a little confused as to why Sony even provides these connection options in this day and age with virtually all phones having Bluetooth connectivity. I can only assume it is to provide a proper quality connection option for their Walkman High-Resolution portable music players.
And speaking of connecting other devices to the ULT FIELD 7, there are provisions for connecting a microphone for karaoke or PA usage, or for a guitar using the 1/4 inch phone jack, along with a dedicated volume control. While I neither sing nor play a musical instrument and can’t comment on this functionality, I can easily see where these options would be welcomed in a party environment.
There are a couple things I could not figure out from the Help Guide or any videos I could find online and that is, do either the karaoke or the guitar amp functions work while you are playing music through the speaker? It would seem to me that using the MIC/GUITAR jack would allow you to sing along or play along with the music being played from a Bluetooth source, as that is kind of the point of karaoke. The Help Guide did not really make this point clear. Sony?
I have both a fairly large great room and garage, and the ULT FIELD 7 is more than up to the task to fill either area with great sound…better than I would have expected based on the size of the speaker. This speaker has the ability to push out stronger and deeper bass with either the ULT1 or ULT2 sound setting, and both sound better to my ears than when off, but this comes at the price of shorter battery life. Sony does state that you can get an additional 3 hours of playing time with only a 10 minute charge. There is also an option to “brew” your own sound experience with a “Custom” setting that gives you access to a 7-band graphic equalizer through the Music Center app. The ability to stand the speaker on one end or the other (with minimal impact on sound quality) helps in placing it where space is tight.
While I did not test the water and dust shedding abilities of the ULT FIELD 7, I will take Sony’s word for it that it can be washed with clean water after excursions to the beach or pool. When I looked at Sony’s promotional material on their web site for this product and others in their ULT Power Sound series, I could tell I wasn’t in their target demographic, but I now know who Peso Pluma is. And if you don’t, you can still take his and my endorsements that you will thoroughly enjoy the sound experience of this powerful portable speaker system. It’s been awhile since my last boombox died, and it’s nice to once again have a music source with some real power behind it, and that is designed to withstand less than pristine operational conditions.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Elevate your listening experience with JLab’s Epic Lab Edition Earbuds. Engineered with Hybrid Dual Drivers, the Epic Lab Edition is the first true wireless headphone to feature the audiophile-acclaimed Knowles® Preferred Listening sound curve. These earbuds redefine true wireless sound. Hi-Res Audio via LDAC or AAC advanced codecs, coupled with Smart Active Noise Canceling, offer the best sound experience we’ve ever created. Featuring Bluetoooth LE Audio, enjoy low latency, and pristine audio quality. Enhance every moment with a remarkable playtime of over 13 hours per earbud and a total of 56+ hours total playtime.
Customer Rating
3
Nice Product For Some People, But Not All
on January 30, 2024
Posted by: pillboy
First impressions are everything, and I have to admit, mine weren’t perfect. The charging case for the JLab Epic Lab Edition true wireless ear buds is a sleek looking, gray anodized metal that has an expensive and classy feel to it. You open the top that is held closed with a magnetic catch and inside you find the two ear buds with another little device tucked away between them. You go to remove a bud and your fingers slip off the slippery, tapered body of the bud and you come away empty handed. You try again, and nothing. If I knew the amount of difficulty I was going to have getting these little buggers out of their case, I would have made a video. Granted, it is winter and my fingers are dry, but come on. Give me a design that offers a little gription (that should be a word). In less than 24 hours a bud has squirted out of my fingers and hit the floor twice already. The magnets that keep the buds in the case seem excessively strong thus adding to the difficulty of extracting the buds from their case.
The little device I mentioned earlier turns out to be a USB-C dongle that attaches to the device your program material is being sourced from, in my case a MacBook Pro, to provide a Bluetooth LE Audio connection. I had never heard of this until now, and the bluetooth.com website is a wealth of information on this and other Bluetooth technology. We have no tablets or phones with a USB-C port, my stereo receiver has only a USB-A port, and JLab says not to use any adapters with the dongle, so I could use it only with my laptop. The Epic buds connect instantly using the dongle with no pairing required. You will have to remove the buds first to be able to grab the easier to remove dongle from the case. I wish I could detect the nuances with this higher quality wireless connection, but I could not using my source material and given my compromised hearing (more later on that).
I have never been impressed with active noise cancellation technology in any ear bud I have tried. The ear bud design just doesn’t lend itself well to keeping ambient noise out of your ear when compared to the same tech in an over-the-ear headphone. I found the Epic Lab Edition to be no different. I used a cordless stick vac as a source of constant noise and I could detect little change in the vacuum noise when I turned the ANC on or off. It did however produce a distinct change in the sound quality of the music I was hearing, but did it cancel out the irritating noise? Nah. But I wasn’t really expecting it to.
The “Be Aware” function is designed to introduce the noise from the outside world around you. While I did find this to work well, with the way the buds fit my particular ears, I found no real need for this feature. I suspect others that get better isolation from how the tips fit their ears will find this feature useful.
There is a “Safe Hearing” function in the phone app that controls the maximum output of the Epic buds to two lower levels, a 95 dB limit and an 85 dB limit. My iPhone has a headphone level meter built into it and when playing back music that consistently was peaking around 79 to 81 dB, I found that engaging the limit setting in the JLab app would significantly cut the volume I could hear in the ear buds. So either I do not understand how this feature interfaces with my phone, or it was not working as intended. In my mind when the music is peaking around 80 dB, if I engage the volume limiter in the app to an 85 dB maximum, I would expect to hear no difference in music volume coming out of the ear buds. With that said, I found the volume of these buds, with no limit engaged, to be noticeably lower than the volume from the brand of ear bud I regularly use. Is it because of the volume of the sound coming out of the different buds or is it because of how the different products fit in my ear? I have no way of telling for sure.
The way the Epic Lab Edition buds are shaped makes for a different experience in fit for different users. I think my ears are shaped in a way that makes me a poor candidate for this style of ear bud. I found that the left bud would fall out of my ear when I would bend over. I did go to the JLab web site to make sure I was orienting the buds properly in my ears. The Quick Start Guide that comes in the package offers no guidance as to how to properly insert them. And it appears the included guide is currently the only documentation for this product other than the FAQ section on the web site and some instructional videos. I also wear hearing aids where the receiver (what a hearing aid speaker is called) fits into my ear canal and there is a thin wire that exits the canal hugs my head and attaches to the hearing aid body behind my ear. There are two styles of ear buds that I regularly use and both work very well for me with my hearing aids in place, albeit one style requires a set of aftermarket silicone “wings” to help keep them in place. I could find no similar product on the market for these JLab buds. I tried the variety of six different tips that come with the Epic buds, but none improved my fit experience with these buds to any appreciable degree. I also found that to get the best fit, I had to remove my hearing aids before inserting the buds. When I use ear buds a few different times a day, it gets to be inconvenient to remove my aids, but using ear buds makes phone calls so, so much easier when you are hard of hearing. The JLab packaging touts a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so it appears that they are returnable if they do not work out for you.
The app that JLab has created to work with their products (it looks to interface with other JLab devices) contains quite a number of settings to alter the sound of the buds to your liking and to customize the functionality of the tap controls that are built into the ends of the buds. There is a 10-band graphic equalizer that allows you to make a custom frequency curve to your liking along with three programmed curves built in. It appears you can store only one custom curve. Rather than offering a comprehensive user manual, it appears that JLab offers a wide array of videos to help you understand their products in-depth. The foam ear tips that come with these ear buds are the compressible foam that slowly expands when released like that used in noise blocking ear plugs. This type of foam will get soiled and slowly deteriorate over time, but I could find no offering of replacement tips.
On paper the JLab Epic Lab Edition appears to be a very high tech product offering two drivers (think speakers) per bud, one being a Knowles-design balanced armature driver that was first developed for the hearing aid industry, but in the end, like most tech products, it all comes down to the user’s experience with the product and how they interact with it and how well it works for that given individual. The amount of customizability offered allows this product to be tailored to an individual’s needs and wants such as sound quality, fit, controls, and overall usability. In my case I struggled with the fit in my ear, the loudness offered, and some dexterity issues with the case and the tap controls. I hesitate to give a poor review based solely on my individual experience as I am sure there are others out there that find this ear bud a very pleasant experience and it exceeds their expectations. The nice thing is that JLab is so confident in their product that they offer the satisfaction guarantee I mentioned earlier. I really wanted to love this product, but in the end it just wasn’t there to meet my needs. Some may write off this review as being submitted by a clumsy, old duffer that can’t hear, but for those of use with those difficulties and physical limitations, we are always on the lookout for that next great item that makes our quality of life better. And a lot of us have the resources to buy top-of-the-line, well made, and superiorly designed products, even if the manufacturer didn’t originally see us as their target audience.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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No other stick vacuum gives you the convenience of charging, storing and auto emptying like the LG All-in-One Tower. It’s a great upgrade from your regular stick vac you have to empty by hand. Your hands, floor and air stay clean and your CordZero vac is ready to go when you need it next. Plus, make cleaning your floors less of a chore with a quick-release battery and Kompressor technology for uninterrupted cleaning, along with a telescopic wand and convenient attachments that extend your cleaning reach.
Customer Rating
5
Just This Side of Perfection
on January 1, 2024
Posted by: pillboy
This is the third “high end” cordless stick vacuum that has come into our household, and might just be the best one yet. The LG CordZero A931 All-In-One Tower Cordless Stick Vacuum with Auto Empty appears just about smack dab in the middle of the models in the CordZero line-up listed on the manufacturer’s web site.
The CordZero A931 vacuum comes with a powered, “Dual Floor Max”nozzle that is called out on the packaging and LG’s web site as being “New”. This model appears to be the first and as of now, only model that comes with the Dual Floor Max nozzle. Nozzles are motorized and tools are not in LG’s nomenclature. This nozzle is designed to clean both hard-surface flooring and carpet or rugs without having to make any adjustments to the nozzle when you move from one surface type to another. It also appears to be LG’s first CordZero nozzle with lights on it, 12 separate LEDs across the leading edge of the nozzle, and this feature alone is a BIG game changer when vacuuming hard-surface flooring. Having a light down low, sweeping across the floor makes all of the debris on your floor just jump out at you and makes it so much easier to tell if you have vacuumed the whole area or have missed spots. Previous to having this vacuum I had to turn on every light in the room to see well enough to make sure I was thorough in my cleaning. Having a lighted nozzle makes it easier to clean in a very low-light environment because of the angle from which the light is illuminating the floor. The Dual Floor Max nozzle has two large, soft-rubber wheels at the back of the nozzle so that it rolls across hard floors creating a minimum of additional noise (some vinyl plank floors are quite rough and slightly bumpy) and also rolls easily across carpet. Depending on the nap length of your carpet, you will possibly want to select the lower power mode to make pushing the vacuum easier across carpet as the two most powerful modes suck the nozzle down onto the carpet quite strongly.
The motor unit has a comfortable hand grip with three pushbuttons that can be easily operated by your thumb when you are gripping the vacuum. There is a power on/off button so you don’t have to keep a trigger pulled for the motor to run like some competitor’s vacuums, and there are “+” and “-“ buttons to adjust the “suck”. The default power level when you turn on the vacuum is always the middle one, referred to as “Power”. The lower level is called “Normal”, and the strongest level is “Turbo”. One of these buttons is also used to connect the vac to wi-fi so you can utilize the LG ThinQ app on your phone. This app has a number of features, but the one I found most useful is a notification sent to your phone when the vacuum is done recharging. There is a small display on the handle that gives you a readout for remaining battery strength consisting of three small lighted bars inside a battery-shaped icon. I didn’t find this as useful as the “time-remaining" or the numeric “percent-of-charge” information on the other vacuums we have. The display will also use a lighted icon to alert you to a clog somewhere in the system somewhere and when it is time to wash the filters. LG includes substantial and comprehensive printed documentation rather than forcing you to a web site for additional information not included in a quick start guide. I wish all manufacturers did the same.
The A931 comes with a single battery (although some models in the CordZero line-up come with two) that is removable from the motor unit and it gave me a run time of 48 minutes and 26 seconds with the vacuum on “Normal” (the lowest of three power settings) and no load on the Dual Floor Max nozzle (meaning it was spinning freely in the air). LG claims up to 60 minutes of run time on the “Normal” power mode with no powered nozzle attached, such as when using a non-powered tool, so I think this is a fair claim with a new battery. Using a motorized nozzle will decrease run time of the vacuum. After running the battery down until the vacuum stopped, the charger took 2 hours and 43 minutes to fully charge the battery. This is much quicker than the 3.5 to 4 hours stated in the manual or on the web site. LG lists batteries as a consumable item, so it is nice to have a removable one for when it ultimately fails - especially since the motor has a 10-year warranty, meaning they expect these vacuums to be around for a long while.
Included with the A931 are a “Combination Tool” that is short with a medium-width opening and has a soft-bristle brush that slides back and forth on the tool if needed or not, and a short, stiff-plastic “Crevice Tool” with a narrow opening. LG offers an additional “Total Care Kit” that contains four more tools and a flexible hose. The maintenance section of the owners manual talks of using a cleaning brush (supplied with some models) in a variety of ways when cleaning the vacuum, but the A931 does not come with this brush. This appears to be intentional in order to save money on a brush that probably costs less than 50 cents to make, and really should be included with every model in the line in my opinion.
The All-In-One Tower with Auto Empty is the other fabulous feature of this CordZero model. Besides the docking location for the motor head to be charged, the tower also contains a disposable vacuum bag inside of it and when you dock the vacuum, the tower opens the door on the bottom of the dust bin, then collected debris is removed from the dust bin and sucked into the bag in the tower. And when it is done, the door on the dust bin is automatically closed for you! As someone who has used another brand of cordless stick vac with a charging stand that collects debris from the vacuum, and has removed the vacuum from the stand and started using it with the dust bin’s door still open, this is another BIG advantage in my mind. The dust bin on the vacuum has a manually operated slider referred to as the “Kompressor” which you use to remove debris from the cyclonic mesh filter and it then compresses it at the bottom of the dust bin for longer run times between emptying and to aid in the dust bin being thoroughly emptied by the tower. Another clever feature that works very well. The tower also has hidden tool storage for three tools behind the doors on either side of the tower, and has two swing out storage hooks on the exterior for nozzles, thus keeping it looking sleek and clean. Because of how the doors open, the tower fits best angled into a corner in a room so that the doors have room to swing open. When the vac is stored on the tower to charge, the footprint of the whole unit is 10 1/2” x 17 1/2” and the electrical cord is a generous 6 feet long. I was disappointed to learn that there are two models of the All-In-One Tower, as the one that comes with two-battery units has a storage compartment to house and charge the second battery. The tower that comes with the A931 does not accommodate a second battery if you were to buy one separately.
This CordZero model comes with a disposable dust bag installed in the tower and one additional bag, and an additional motor pre-filter. This pre-filter, the exhaust filter, and the cyclonic mesh filter are all washable with water and this maintenance is similar to other stick vacs I have used. The All-In-One tower also has a motor-protection filter and an exhaust filter that need periodic cleaning with water. The Dual Floor Max nozzle is easy to disassemble without tools or even a coin to twist open the cap of the powerhead. To remove the rotating brush and roller for cleaning, the end cap has a simple pushbutton to unlock and lock it into place.
The LG A931 All-In-One Tower Cordless Stick Vacuum with Auto Empty is a stylish appliance that can be placed in a home where others might see it and it doesn’t have to be stuck away in a closet. This makes it ideal for apartments or condos that may not have sufficient hidden storage or is lacking an electrical outlet to plug it into (none of the closets in our recently built house have electrical outlets). Modern vacuums have come a long way since what your mother had when you were a child and technology has made cords a thing of the past allowing these appliances to have the same or better cleaning performance as some of the best corded vacuums. The A931 is also light enough to make carrying it around the house an easy task and its design features very agile maneuverability making at least one household chore less of a chore. I am searching for the perfect vacuum (can you tell that floors are my job at home?) and this CordZero is oh so close. A tool that is well designed makes the use of it almost pleasurable, and I find the A931 a pleasure to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Elevate your auditory journey with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2E Over-Ear Headphones that seamlessly merge 24-bit processing high-res DSP, custom 40mm drive units, and feature Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, creating an immersive sound production for your movies, music, and shows. Advanced features including active noise cancellation resulting in crystal-clear calls, promise a technologically sophisticated experience. Step into a realm of luxurious comfort and sophisticated design with these over-ear headphones. Its premium architecture showcases plush foam earpads and an elegant finish, providing an unobtrusive yet snug fit even during extended listening sessions. This seamless fusion of comfort and aesthetics creates a haven for your senses, amplifying your listening experience. Take full command of your sonic environment with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2E Headphones. The Bowers & Wilkins Music app allows seamless direct streaming, efficient voice assistant support, and customizable noise cancellation adjustments. The substantial 30-hour battery life, quick-charge support, and other essential features cater to your audio needs throughout the day, making the Px7 S2E an ideal companion for your day-to-day adventures. These headphones not only feature technological prowess but also an aesthetic feel, ensuring that every note, beat, and whisper sounds exactly how the artist intended.
Customer Rating
5
Your Ears Will Thank You
on November 23, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
I have owned Bowers & Wilkins’ P7 (wired) headphones for years and have loved the build quality and the smoothness of their sound signature since day one. I couldn’t wait to see what their newest wireless headset with active noise cancellation, the Px7 S2e (the “e” stands for “evolved”), sounded like. B&W refers to these headphones as “entry level”, but all things are relative when your flagship speaker system has an MSRP of $100,000. Most people will equate “entry level” with $30 phones from a big box discounter, but these are not those.
B&W has basically two over-the-ear headphones in their lineup, these and the Px8. There is the “original” Px7 S2 still being sold that the S2e evolved from, and there is also a McLaren Edition Px8 which is essentially a different trim of the “regular” Px8. The Px7 S2e has inherited some technical prowess from the Px8 in the form of the 24-bit digital signal processing, but lacks the carbon cones in the drivers of the Px8. However that does not make the Px7 S2e a slouch when it comes to music reproduction. The drivers in the ear cups are angled to produce a better focused sound stage, are a generous 40mm in diameter, and have the same low <0.1% total harmonic distortion of the top of the line product. You can see how technology marches on, as my P7 have a <0.3% THD spec.
When you reach a certain price point in audio equipment, the sensory experience of the feel of materials and the visual elegance of the product takes on almost the same importance as the music reproduction. A Bowers & Wilkins product is a joy to hold in your hands as well as an optic treat for your eyes, and the Px7 S2e does not disappoint in either department. The world would be a better place if everything was designed as well and was built with as much care and pride.
But these headphones are not simply form over function as the simple yet effective controls are laid out in an easy to comprehend configuration that can be navigated easily by feel. The right ear cup has four buttons positioned along the back edge that you operate with your right thumb and from the top down are a slide switch for on, off, and pairing, the volume up button, the multi-function button that controls play, pause, skip forward, and skip back, and lastly the volume down button. There is a small LED indicator immediately below the on/off switch to indicate if the headphones are turned on, charging, or in pairing mode. The multi-function button also comes into play when using the headphones for a phone call, as it controls answering a call, hanging up, rejecting a call, merging two calls, or muting the microphones. There is but a single button on the back edge of the left ear cup called the “Quick Action” button and it controls either the “Environmental Controls” which is toggling through Noise Cancelling On, Pass-Through On, Noise Cancelling and Pass-Through Off. “Pass-Through” allows some external sounds from the environmental or conversations to be heard without removing the headphones. Using the free Bowers & Wilkins Music app on your smartphone, the Quick Action button can instead be programmed to control the voice assistant on your listening device that is connected to the headphones.
The ear cups contain sensors that can tell if one or both earpieces have been removed from your ear(s). The programming that is playing will be automatically paused when you lift an ear cup away from your head such as to listen to someone speaking to you, and if you remove the headphones completely, they will enter a power saving standby mode until you again place them on your head.
The included accessories are a 45” charging cable which is USB-C to USB-C (no charging adapter is included), a 45” USB-C to 3.5mm mini phone plug to use with devices that do not have Bluetooth connectivity but have the appropriate jack, and a cloth-covered, form-fitted carrying case to hold the headphones that has a magnetically-latched compartment for the cords. The case should be billed as a storage case rather than a carrying case as it does not have a handle making it more suitable to be stowed in luggage rather than being toted about on its own.
Having had the two big powerhouse brands in active noise cancelling headphones in our house, I can say the B&W technology is just as good in real-world use. Four microphones for noise cancelling and two microphones for voice make talking on the phone with the Px7 S2e a pleasurable experience even when discussing your car’s extended warranty. With colder weather approaching in many places, these over the ear headphones are a great accessory for listening to entertainment or catching up on phone calls when out for a walk as they help keep your ears warm in a way that ear buds just cannot do.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e comes in four monochromatic colors, blue, green, light gray, and black. All are pleasant, softly muted colors that complement the luxury appearance of the materials. The padded surfaces are not leather, but are a very good simulation and in no way distract from the expensive feel of the headphones. If you are looking for a great gift for the music lover in your life, or simply as a way to reward yourself, I can’t think of a better way than with this strikingly beautiful audio gear.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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ScanWatch 2 is more than a hybrid smartwatch, it is a health guardian on duty 24/7. This next generation includes new and exclusive sensors, including TempTech 24/7 module which for the first time, delivers day and night body temperature variation tracking, alongside proactive heart health notifications, atrial fibrillation detection via a 1L ECG, and blood oxygen levels. Together these sensors can help anyone maintain a healthy lifestyle, effortlessly. ScanWatch 2 also features its trademark sleep and activity tracking plus an extraordinary battery life of 30 days before needing to be recharged.
Customer Rating
5
Great Heart Monitor If You Need One
on November 22, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
The Withings ScanWatch 2 (I will call it SW2 going forward) is a tech device that hits close to home for me since I have dealt with atrial fibrillation for more than ten years. After you have enough emergency room visits and electrocardiograms (ECG) you begin to develop a new appreciation for a device that can monitor your heart rate and alert you when certain parameters deviate from normal. While electronic watches that do things other than simply tell time often get labeled with the name “smartwatch”, Withings refers to their SW2 as a “hybrid smartwatch” which makes sense as it is more of a health tracking device that tells time rather than a full-featured smartwatch that can make phone calls and work on email in a pinch.
The SW2 while having heart rate and ECG monitoring capabilities, has a whole list of health-related functions that include body temperature tracking, reading blood oxygen level, detecting breathing disturbances, reporting sleep quality, assessing menstrual health, and analyzing workout & recovery metrics. Withings has a whole line of health related tech besides hybrid smartwatches, including blood pressure monitors, bathroom scales, a body temperature thermometer, and a sleep tracking mat for your bed. All of these devices interact with the Withings app for your smartphone. In addition to the free app, there is a subscription option called Withings+ ($10/month or $100/year) that gives you exclusive content and has features designed to help you meet fitness and wellness objectives. I did not activate this feature, so I cannot speak of the content from personal experience. Set up of the watch and its interaction with the phone app were probably smoother than 90 percent of the things I have dealt with in the past few years. The design of the app is pleasing to the eye and lays out information in an easy to comprehend form with little to no “head scratching”.
As someone who has worn a watch 24 hours a day for years, I found this Withings product with the included band to be very comfortable, even when having the band cinched up as needed for the sensors on the back of the watch case to work properly. Withings offers five varieties of bands, and although I can find no documentation, it appears this model of SW2 comes with the mid-level “Premium Sport Band”. The other bands are available as accessories and come in a wide variety of colors, materials, and finishes so that it is easy for anyone to meet their fashion wants and needs. The 38mm SW2 is a design that can be worn by both males and females with some case, dial, and band color combos more appealing to one gender or the other. It weighs in at what I would consider an average weight of 54 grams when comparing it to other watches in our household, and is way lighter on the wrist than the 119 gram auto-winding mechanical watch I have worn for the past six years.
Functions on the watch are controlled by a single crown located at the typical 3 o’clock position. Pushing in on the crown will light up the grayscale OLED display and show the time and day/date in the circular window just below the 12 o’clock marker, and will also allow you to rotate the crown to change between available functions. This small display is deceiving clever in the easily legible and smoothly scrolling text that it is capable of displaying. While the watch hands and hour markers have luminous detailing, they are weak at best and virtually useless in the dark. Luckily a simple push on the crown will illuminate the time on the OLED display. The watch can also be set so that the display will light up when you lift your arm (called “Quicklook”) to view it so you don’t need both hands to see the time in low light conditions. An alarm, stopwatch, and timer functions are also available in the clock features. The OLED display will alert you to incoming texts and emails by vibrating to get your attention, then showing the sender and some detail of the incoming communication on the display by scrolling the information.
Withings touts up to 30 days of battery life on a charge, but after five days of testing, my battery level had dropped to 61% after being fully charged before I started wearing it. Granted, I have maybe been playing around with its functions more than I would with normal wearing, but I don’t think it is any more use than would be given by a typical active lifestyle user in tracking a variety of workouts and activities. My guess would be that a typical user would get about 15 days of use between charges rather than 30. This is still WAY more time than the most popular smartwatch can provide between charges. The charging connection isn’t as elegant as a magnetic one, but it works well. The USB cable attached to the charging dock is 30 inches long, and the watch does not come with a charging adapter in accordance with what is typical with so many products nowadays.
Besides heart rate tracking, I was most intrigued with the monitoring of sleep quality using a few different parameters such as length of light and deep sleep, awake interruptions, and regularity of bed and rise times. I did have one problem with this functionality in that a few nights there were periods of missing data. I suspect, based on time of night, that this might have been due to my iPhone performing automatic updates, so I turned off that feature and the next night there was no missing data. I need to experiment more with this before I can confirm this was the reason.
The watch also has a pedometer function, and while this seems pretty rudimentary, it makes more sense having this in a watch rather than your phone, because you probably don’t carry your phone on you all day. The display shows both steps and miles (but curiously does not have you calibrate your stride length), and it also gives you the number of flights of stairs you have negotiated. Most days I would see 1 or 2 “floors” displayed even though our house has zero steps in it, even between the house and garage. I’m not sure how it is collecting this data, but it is incorrect since I was also not in any other buildings with multiple floors during these days. There were also some differences between the SW2 and the pedometer app on my phone for number of steps during these days. Withings seems to put some emphasis on the pedometer function as the watch face contains a dial just above the 6 o’clock marker that has a single hand that tracks your daily progress in meeting the step goal you have set for yourself. This daily goal can be set and changed by the user, and the hand on the small watch face dial will make one complete revolution when this goal is reached. It allows you to monitor your progress throughout the day in relation to your goal with a quick glance to the watch without having to push the crown.
One feature I am still amused by is how the hands of the analog watch will move and get out of the way when you press the crown to view information if they are partially obstructing clear view of the OLED display. They then revert back to where they should be when the display fades out. This function can be turned off if you would like to. Another nice feature is that you never have to set the time of the analog hands as they get their input of correct time from the smartphone the watch is connected to.
All in all I have to say I am mightily impressed with the amount of worthwhile and useful functionality Withings has compressed into the ScanWatch 2 while keeping it looking like a traditional analog timepiece. Not everyone wants to spend the day with a small computer on their wrist with a cartoon-looking watch face on it. This makes me want to get a Withings bathroom scale to complete the health data trifecta I get from the ScanWatch2 and the BPM Connect blood pressure monitor that we also have. I think anyone that is being treated medically by a physician for certain heart rhythm conditions would find one of Withings heart monitoring devices a much welcomed addition to their arsenal of medical equipment.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Jabra Enhance Select 50R are custom-programmable hearing aids, nearly invisible when worn, and lightweight for all-day comfort. They integrate advanced microphones and can be remotely adjusted by a Jabra Enhance licensed hearing professional to your unique needs to help you hear your best. Shop with confidence and take advantage of our 3-year warranty and 3-year loss and damage coverage. Bluetooth streaming is available for both Apple/Android compatible devices so you can listen to calls and stream music directly to your hearing aids. For device compatibility, please see our “Specifications Sheet” by navigating to Features - Manuals & Guides - Specification Sheet. 3 years of professional virtual hearing care from Audiology Team includes: 1) Orientation and individual programming of your hearing aids, plus unlimited ongoing adjustments & fine-tuning, based on your hearing needs, 2) Demonstrating how to use and maintain your hearing aids (device parts, batteries, charging case, cleaning, etc.), 3) Walking you through setup step-by-step to ensure hearing aid wires and domes fit comfortably, 4) Reassessing and reprogramming hearing aids based on changes in your hearing or health conditions, and 5) Video chats with a licensed hearing specialist about your hearing and hearing aids, as often as needed.
Customer Rating
5
Get Your Normal Life Back
on October 18, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
Hearing aids (I will refer to them as “HAs”) are a multi faceted topic as there are different degrees and types of hearing loss, there are differences in hardware, differences in support and after-care, and differences in the individual’s ability to manage proper use and care of the devices.
I first want to say I have been a prescription HA user for eleven years (two different sets of hardware from different manufacturers), and have also tested a couple other sets of OTC HAs, both of which have left me less than impressed. My hearing loss is at the upper end of moderate loss (per Jabra’s audiologist’s opinion) thus making me just barely a target customer for the JabraGN Enhance Select 50R product.
The Select 50R is at the lower end of JabraGN’s range of OTC products (there are also Select 100 and Select 200 versions). There is a Select 50 model that uses replaceable batteries rather than containing rechargeable batteries like the Select 50R, and the features of the 50R match up very similar to the Select 100, so I am not sure what Jabra’s end game is for a product line up. Virtually all HA manufacturers have a variety of models in their lineup at different price points and with differing feature sets. With my prescriptions aids, I have bought at the upper end of the offered lineups (my last set was $4,275 for the pair in 2019) as I didn’t want to leave anything on the table as far as the product’s ability to help me. That said, I have been slightly disappointed in the results and functionality, and sometimes wished I had bought a more basic set at a lower price.
Having worn HAs previously, it is inevitable that I make comparisons between them and these Jabra units (GN Group is the parent company of Jabra and ReSound is their prescription brand). The RITE (Receiver-In-The-Ear) design is a very comfortable to wear style, provides very good performance, and in my opinion is a good choice for most people. This design is very unobtrusive and most people don’t even notice you are wearing them. Obviously everyone’s ears are different, but having the aid behind the ear is not bothersome even if you wear glasses.
The Jabra Enhance web site is very well laid out and easy to navigate. There are tools and advice to evaluate if your hearing loss can be helped by an OTC hearing device. Their OTC hearing aids come with a 100-day money-back trial period, which is very generous. I believe the trial period that manufacturers offer varies from state to state and is usually 30 or 45 days. Jabra also offers three years of follow-up care along with a three year warranty and three year loss & damage coverage (a deductible applies).
This is my first experience with rechargeable hearing aids and after using both kinds, I will definitely continue with rechargeable ones in the future. Using batteries, I normally get seven days of all-day use (about 16 hours per day) from a set of batteries (312 size) at about $1.12 per week. Rechargeable HAs cost more upfront, but the convenience is worth it in my opinion. These Enhance 50Rs just drop into the charging base and they are charged wirelessly, meaning there are no electrical contacts on the HAs or in the base to get dirty or corroded. They will recharge in about 3 hours and can last up to 30 hours before needing to be charged. I had one day where I forgot to set them in the charger and they went about 27 hours before one of them chimed and the phone app asked me to place them in the charger. On a normal day the charge level would drop from 100% to 70% with minimal use streaming audio content.
The Select 50R HAs are very slightly larger in size than my prescription ones that take replaceable batteries, have three microphone openings, one push button that is nicely sized with good tactile feedback, and one LED to show charging status (blinks when charging, solid green when fully charged). The receiver that fits in the ear canal has the option of four different lengths of wire to connect it to the HA. I’m not sure why the industry calls it a receiver when in actuality it is a tiny speaker that reproduces sound from the amplifier in the body of the HA. The HAs come with a number 2 wire in the package, but Jabra will supply another size if needed based on using a measuring tool that is supplied in the kit. After sending a picture of my ears with the tool in place to Jabra, I was quickly informed via email that another set of receivers would be shipped out to me and they arrived in just a few days. The receiver and attached wire are VERY easy to replace using the small tool that is supplied in the kit.
The starter kit that comes with the HAs includes three sizes of open domes (a dome is the little rubber piece that attaches to the receiver and holds it in the ear canal), three sizes of closed domes (a closed dome has no holes in it that allow outside noises into the ear), one package of tulip domes (they come in one size only), two packages of wax traps (little “filters” that keep ear wax out of the receivers), a cleaning brush, a cleaning cloth, a tool for opening the latch that holds the receiver wire to the HA body, a measuring tool to check the distance from the top of the ear to the ear canal, a sturdy, hard-sided carrying/storage case, and the charging base with USB cable and power adapter. The items included allow the user to get a perfect fit on their own without a visit to a hearing professional. Also included is plenty of paper documentation (thank you Jabra!) that is very well written at an easy to understand level. I can’t stress enough to read through the user guide completely before starting to use the HAs.
The initial consultation I have had with a Jabra audiologist was via a Zoom meeting. Over the years I have interacted face-to-face with seven or more different audiologists (I have had hearing tests as far back as 1983 even though I didn’t get HAs until 2012), and I must say that the audiologist from Jabra was better at explaining things, answering my questions, and making sure I was taken care of properly than the other ones were. She reviewed my last audiogram that I took a picture of and uploaded to Jabra and designed an amplification curve tailored to my specific hearing loss. The customization will carry over to each of the four built-in listening programs, “All-Around”, “Restaurant”, “Music”, and “Outdoor”. During our meeting, she downloaded the file to the Jabra Enhance app on my iPhone and it installed onto the Select 50R HAs in just a matter of a couple of minutes. The change in what I was hearing after the HAs rebooted was immediate and very noticeable. I have another Zoom meeting scheduled in a week for follow-up to make sure I am satisfied with the changes. Everything so far has been the same as what I have experienced in a physical audiologist’s office except for the hearing test in the soundproof booth. The Jabra web site/app does offer a hearing evaluation, but it is not as comprehensive or detailed as what you get in an actual office.
The buttons on the HAs themselves allows you to turn them on and off (independently), adjust the volume up and down (both at the same time), and change listening programs (both at the same time). The programs have different algorithms making them suitable for different environments that possess different challenges for hearing clearly. “All-Around” is the default program for normal use, “Restaurant” takes into account what can be a noisy environment with many conversations going on, “Music” adjusts to make streamed music or live music more natural sounding, and “Outdoor” helps to overcome wind noise. I did notice some distinct differences between the programs, but some possible improvements might be hard to ascertain depending on the individual user and the specific environment being encountered. Each program also has the ability to offer small changes such as “Noise Filter”, “Speech Clarity”, or individual bass and treble boost. The phone app also allows you to reach out to Jabra’s hearing professionals for help and has tutorials on how to do certain things such as clean the HAs. Jabra’s app is much better than the app from one of the major HA suppliers that made my prescription aids.
The big question is, have they been problem-free? To be honest, no, but I don’t think it is any worse than any other high-tech electronic device. And it is hard to say if the fault lies with the hardware, software in the HAs themselves, the phone app, or most likely in the connection between my iPhone and the HAs. I have had issues with not hearing phone notifications in both HAs at the same time (usually I do), sometimes when changing between the four built-in programs the HAs will not hold the last one chosen and will revert back to the previous one after a few seconds, when streaming audio from my phone occasionally the audio will cut out in one HA, and when first turned on (removing them from the charger) the right aid will start squealing slightly with feedback, but it will stop after a few minutes. Are any of these issues deal breakers? Absolutely not. Note that the hearing aids do NOT need the phone with the app present to work, it’s just that some of the features will not be available, but the basics such as changing volume and changing programs will be.
HAs require a certain amount of manual dexterity to manage them - cleaning, replacing domes and wax traps, using the phone app, etc. OTC HAs will probably end up being used by a somewhat younger demographic, and being served remotely rather than in a face-to-face encounter they will be better able to deal with not having the hands-on relationship with a local audiologist like an older person would. Anyone experiencing hearing loss and the perceived stigma that goes along with wearing hearing aids, please do yourself a favor and put those thoughts out of your mind. The JabraGN Enhance products are a great place to start and I guarantee you will wish you would have done it sooner.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Prepare to be captivated. Whether you prefer dramatic thrillers or fantasy football, lose yourself in the viewing adventure with a contrast rich picture. Let your picture do the talking with the sleek and thin Laser Slim design. You’ll see pure blacks, bright whites and dramatic color, while the audio pulls you into the action thanks to Dolby Atmos built in and Object Tracking Sound Lite. The Samsung OLED experience doesn’t stop there shifting adventures is a breeze with access to the latest Smart TV apps and Samsung Gaming Hub.
Customer Rating
5
It's Looks Pretty, Oh So Pretty!
on October 15, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
Well, I could sum up my review of the Samsung S89C with two words and be done with it…"beautifully sexy”. Since CRT televisions left the mainstream, we have had eight flat screen TVs pass through our house (due to advancing technology and changing wants), and I must say, the picture quality on this Samsung is outstanding. I have no idea how anyone could want for more. And isn’t the primary reason that you buy a TV is for the picture? A lot of consumers have their television connected to an audio system or a soundbar anyway. With that being said, I have yet to hook up this TV to any sort of external audio and have found the built-in speakers (with a 40 watt amplifier) to be more than adequate for the type of viewing we do. The audio quality of this TV surpasses my expectations and might have been just as surprising and satisfying as the picture quality.
I can’t really say where exactly the S89C falls in Samsung’s television lineup as it currently does not appear on their web site. I’m going to guess that based on price, it is at least similar to the S90C and the 89 might be a Best Buy exclusive model number.
We recently moved and had to pack a 55”, 65”, and 70” TV for transport. After having done that, I was truly amazed and appreciative of how the boxing and packing of this TV was done by the factory. The innovative way of using the packing to stabilize the TV while attaching the legs (simple and with no tools needed) was a treat. I had visions of a tough go of it, but watched a YouTube video and it was pretty slick. I would advise having a flashlight handy when attaching the legs to aid in getting them snapped properly into position, as the back of virtually every modern TV is a dark abyss without sufficient illumination. You will also need two people to move or mount this TV. The composite plastic legs seem a little spindly at first, but once affixed and the TV put into its final resting place, they do an admirable and stylish job of supporting this almost 80 pound television. The one thing to note about the legs is that they are positioned at the center of the TV rather than at the ends, and for some installations this may complicate positioning of a soundbar at the base of the display. The legs have about 12” between them and extend in front of the screen about 6”.
The part of a TV that you interact with the most, is the remote control (other than your eyeballs looking at the image). The remote that Samsung includes with the S89C is a petite 5.5” long, 1.5” wide, and 0.5” thick. It has a nice feel in the hand, with a minimal number of buttons. The buttons are not back-lit, but there are so few of them and it is so easy for your thumb to navigate the remote in the dark that I did not miss that feature. Conspicuous by its absence are number keys, but they are available as a “virtual keypad” on the TV screen if needed. Using the built-in streaming apps, I did not miss having these keys on the remote. The volume and channel buttons rock back and forth to make changes, and there are additional functions, such as “Mute” when you press either button straight down. I did find that I would often mute the sound when I was in fact just trying to bump it up or down slightly. That was the only criticism I had with the controls. The remote is unique in that it has a built-in rechargeable battery that has a USC-C port to be charged by wire (no cable included), AND has what I would consider a very innovative feature, a solar cell on the back of the remote to charge it. It does require you to remember to lay the remote face down regularly, which is unintuitive to do, so I would suggest Samsung increases the length of the remote slightly and move the solar cell to the top side of the remote. The remote also has a microphone on it to accept voice commands, but I found I had to turn that feature off as the TV would turn itself on, or bring up differing menus while we were watching a program, depending on what it thought it heard when my wife and I were conversing within ear shot of the remote.
The S89C comes with the expected array of jacks and ports on the rear and they all are situated so that the cable enters the port parallel to the screen rather than perpendicular so that it allows the TV to hug the wall without interference from the cables. All four HDMI inputs appear to be identical except for port HDMI 3 which is for an eARC connection. There are two USB-A ports, an optical port for digital audio output, an Ethernet port, an F-connector for an antenna, and a port labeled “EX-LINK”. Samsung curiously included a Y-adapter consisting of a mini stereo phone plug to two stereo RCA jacks (one red and one white), and this is what in the past I would have used to make an analog audio out connection to an A/V receiver. I have no idea why this is included as I can find no mention of the adapter, an analog audio out feature, or Ex-Link in the e-Manual. And speaking of the e-Manual, while I understand the reasons for including the full user manual in this fashion (links, the ability to search, and it saves money), I find it frustratingly difficult to use the e-Manual on the TV (compared to a paper version) while also trying to utilize the information in it. This was made easier by downloading the e-Manual onto my laptop, but since I could not find this file on either Best Buy’s or Samsung’s web site, I had to contact Samsung’s online customer service and they were able to quickly supply me with a link through their online “Chat” function. There are no longer “Composite” or “Component” connections provided on this TV for those of you that still have a need to connect older electronic devices, but there exists converters allowing these cables to connect via an HDMI port.
The TV allows you to easily connect via Bluetooth wireless headphones for private listening, or some brands of game controllers to utilize Samsung’s built-in Gaming Hub. Also included is Dolby Atmos audio processing, and a whole slew of video processing technology to make the most of your TV viewing experience. If you have yet to experience 4K OLED video with a 120Hz refresh rate, now is the time to upgrade and give yourself a real visual treat. There is so much for me to yet explore on the Samsung S89C that I will be entertained way into the future. Thank you Samsung!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Moisture presence is inevitable in your hearing devices. This is proven to impact the sound quality and word understanding for those impacted with hearing loss. Moisture is also the #1 reason hearing devices need repair. Redux is a science based complete moisture removal system, backed by 70 patents and used by thousands of Hearing Care Professionals worldwide. Redux Home brings professional-grade drying to your home, so you can be most proactive in maintaining your devices' performance and longevity. Whether you just bought your first devices or have used them for years; hear how Redux makes your hearing devices sound brand new by purchasing today!
Customer Rating
3
Might be a Little Overpriced
on October 14, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
I have worn hearing aids (two different sets) for eleven years, and have visited an audiologist nine times total over those eleven years, and not once have my devices ever been put into a professional hearing aid dryer that I am aware of. I was given the typical white jar with a desiccant container inside that gets reactivated by heating it in a microwave or conventional oven on occasion to drive accumulated moisture out of the desiccant beads. I was not even aware of the existence of an electrically powered device that can remove moisture from these small electronic devices. Redux makes professional-grade devices that complete the drying cycle in 8 minutes, making them useful (and priced) for an audiologist’s practice setting. The Redux Home Dryer is the same type of device, but without some the fancy features, speed, and price of their professional units.
The Redux Home Dryer is a black, cylindrical device approximately four inches in diameter and six inches tall. The power supply is the typical “wall wart” with a six foot cord that plugs into the dryer device. The drying unit states on it that it is made in the USA and the power adapter is made in China. The product being manufactured in the USA might explain part of the substantial list price. The manufacturer has obtained over 70 patents on the technology used, so I suspect there is more to it than first meets the eye. The control panel is simple and rudimentary when compared to their professional-use units. There is one “Start” button and two small lights indicating operating status.
The design of the drying chamber appears different from the photos on the manufacturer’s web site in that there are now small “ports” or “chambers” called air directors, that you are instructed to insert the speakers (or receivers) of the hearing aids into when loading them into the dryer. When first starting the cycle, there is a soft screeching or rattling sound for a couple of seconds that sounds like something slowly rotating, then you can hear a fan quietly running. The rattling sound will repeat itself after timed intervals. The temperature inside the drying chamber increased 10 to 20 degrees based on the readings of my digital infrared thermometer gun, but it’s hard to detect the rise in temperature by feeling the plastic interior as the temperature stayed under body temp. The user guide states that there is a “regeneration cycle” that the device goes through after the initial two-hour drying cycle, and the hearing aids can be removed during or after this regeneration cycle.
I have been fortunate in that since I purchased my first set of hearing aids, I have worked and lived in air conditioned environs, thus not subjecting my hearing devices to a lot of moisture from the environment and from my perspiring. In fact my eleven year old hearing aids still work and have never been repaired, and I attribute this to not abusing them and storing them in a desiccant container every night when I am not wearing them. I also clean them regularly, and change the wax traps when needed. I was unsure what to expect when I first used the Redux Dryer. Would I notice a startling difference since my aids had never been in a professional drying unit? Or would I not notice any difference since my aids lead a somewhat sheltered and pampered life?
While I completely understand the delicacy of the electronics in modern hearing aids, and the detrimental effect that moisture has on their life expectancy and day-to-day performance, I have to sheepishly admit that I couldn’t really detect any difference in sound quality or volume after running my two sets of hearing aids through the dryer. Do I think there might have been a difference? Maybe. If so, I suspect you would have to do a controlled study where you could measure the user’s ability to detect small differences in well regulated sounds, kind of like taking a hearing test. If I had paid full price and expected a noticeable difference in sound I probably would have been disappointed in the results.
Redux states that a typical user should run their hearing aids through a dryer cycle once a week. Will I continue to do so? Absolutely. Whether or not I can detect a difference in sound is beside the point, as I firmly believe doing this has to be beneficial to the longevity of the hearing devices. Modern hearing aids are a major investment that quite often is not covered by typical health insurance (some Medicare Advantage plans do have a benefit for hearing devices, but most commercial plans do not, at least where I live).
As far as negatives to this product, the main one is price. That is a relative issue depending on the individual. It’s hard to put a price on any improvement in hearing performance, but I have to think the effect on the anticipated life span of the hearing aids would offset a majority of the cost of the Redux Home Dryer. The only other downside I could see is that it takes a bit of muscle and a firm hand grip to twist the lid on and off the device because of the gasket that seals the lid to the body. This might get easier to do as time goes by, but I have visions of a frail, little old lady not being able to open and shut the lid. I think having a soft rubber exterior on the body of the unit would go a long way to improving a person’s ability to firmly grasp it. Using hearing aids, and taking care of them requires more than a small amount of manual dexterity and good eye sight, so if you help an elderly relative or friend with hearing aids, be aware they might struggle with some of the aspects of ownership more so than you would, and I’m sure they would appreciate any help in maintaining the performance of their hearing devices.
In closing, I am giving this Redux product a three star rating as I am sure it performs the assigned task of gently driving moisture out of any devices run through it. Considering what it does and the asking price for it is what leads me to give it an “average” rating as I do not consider it an outstanding value, and there are existing means that offer moisture removal even if they might not be as sophisticated or automated.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Whether you’re calling loved ones, texting friends or ordering takeout food online, your phone is vital to your lifestyle. It’s important to keep it charged and ready to go at a moment’s notice. The Insignia NS-MC5CC10W24 10' USB-C to USB-C Charge-and-Sync Cable with Braided Jacket is more than up to the task. It’ll not only help charge your smartphone or tablet, but also let you transfer files and sync your device with a quick data transfer speed of up to 480 Mbps. Its 10 ft. length gives you flexible placement options so you can place your phone wherever you need to. A white color keeps the cable looking stylish while a braided jacket adds protection and durability. Trust this USB-C cable to help keep you ready for the challenges of everyday life.
Customer Rating
5
Nicely Designed and Constructed
on October 13, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
This particular Insignia USB-C to USB-C cable is rated for charging up to 60 watts, and data transfer speeds up to 480Mbps, so that means it meets USB 2.0 specifications. Even though the USB-C form factor can support higher data transfer speeds given the needed configuration of ports and cables, the USB-C port on the new iPhone 15 supports USB 2.0 specs. And with 20 watt wired charging, this reasonably priced, Insignia brand cable is all you need to meet the iPhone 15’s cabling needs. Please note that this cable is not rated for the data transfer speeds that Thunderbolt ports are capable of.
While researching USB-C specifications, I came to the realization that the USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum is a group of companies that set the standards) seems bound and determined to make the designations for USB-C just as confusing as they are for USB-A. That said, this cable is USB-IF Certified for its specifications. The 60 watt charging capability is more than sufficient for smartphones and tablets, and should also charge some laptops, albeit at a slower rate than they are capable of, as some laptops can charge at 100 watts or more.
The construction of this Insignia cable appears to be quite robust with a braided jacket that makes the cable very flexible and more likely to withstand the repeated bending it would undergo while a phone is being charged at the same time it is being used. The connectors at each end have a plastic strain relief and are covered with a satin-finish, silver-colored metal that appears to be aluminum. These plugs are tastefully emblazoned with the “INSIGNIA” logo, and are slender in girth which allows them to reach ports that may be recessed into a device where a less svelte connector might not fit.
The cord measures at its advertised 10-foot length, and has attached a white, flexible rubber strap to keep the cable corralled when folded or looped up for storage or transport. Again, this part of the assembly appears to be quite well constructed for everyday use.
The packaging states that the cable is manufactured in Vietnam, and the only deficiency I could find is the tag attached to the cable indicating that it is rated for “60w” charging. It appears as somewhat of an afterthought, and would have been better implemented by being debossed into the connector ends. I believe that since this cable only meets USB 2.0 specs, there is no requirement that it carry any markings alluding to its capabilities.
All-in-all, this Insignia USB-C cable is a quality item especially for the price point and I would expect it to work well in the field performing to the standards it has been designed to meet. It easily appears to be of the same or superior quality to the many OEM and aftermarket cables I have accumulated over the years.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM, a portable Bluetooth speaker with bassy 360° immersive sound and adaptive or preset EQ for epic sound anywhere. Enjoy two easy ways to boost any party—use PartyUp mode to sync your speaker with your friends’ for louder sound, or hit the Outdoor Boost for better sound in the great outdoors.
Customer Rating
5
Outstanding Sound Quality
on September 15, 2023
Posted by: pillboy
I was totally unaware of the Ultimate Ears company and product line even though they have been providing portable, wireless Bluetooth speakers to the consumer market since 2013 per the entry on Wikipedia. The full story behind Ultimate Ears, from their beginnings in 1995 to today, I found very interesting. Considering their origins with the professional side of the music industry and long history with musicians, I suspect they might know a thing or two about what it takes to make great sounding music reproduction devices. And I was right.
Not only does their EPICBOOM speaker sound wonderful with full, rich bass, but it does not sound muddy or muffled and also has great mid and high frequency reproduction that makes listening to it at loud, room-filling, distortion-free levels very pleasurable. The speaker contains two 1.7” mid and high frequency drivers, and one 4.6” woofer that supply sound 360 degrees around, at 94 decibels maximum. The “Outdoor Boost” button gives an additional one decibel (95 dB total), which at first doesn't seem like much, but does result in a noticeable increase in oomph.
The accompanying phone app has five built-in equalization curves (one being “flat”) in addition to being able to create custom frequency curves with 5 sliders and then name and save them for future use. The app also has a “Party Up” feature which lets you connect to other Ultimate Ears brand wireless speakers that may show up to your gathering. The app also allows remote control of powering the speaker on and off, and gives you access to your playlists on Amazon Music, Apple Music (iOS only), and Spotify (Android only).
Since the EPICBOOM is designed for the party environment, it has an IP67 rating which according to the manufacturer will allow this speaker to “get submerged in water for 30 minutes” and survive drops of up to 3 feet. I’m not sure how you can submerge it as the web site shows it floating in a swimming pool and states that it does float in water, which should make this an ideal sound source for use on a boat. I’m not sure who buys a $350 speaker and tosses it in the water, but it is nice to know that it should withstand accidental splashes and clumsy handling.
The speaker’s controls are on the top, under a rubberized panel with some of the symbols debossed in the rubber. The symbols are not highlighted in a different color, or backlit thus making them a little hard to see depending on the ambient lighting. The power button does light up once the unit is turned on. The up and down volume controls are a very large "+" and "-" on the front panel in a vibrant, contrasting color, making them easy to see and use. These two buttons do require a bit of force to actuate them, meaning you have to hold onto the speaker and you can’t simply touch them for adjustments - the force required will push the speaker over if you don’t steady it. There is also what looks like a small hole on the top panel which at first looks like a microphone, but the EPICBOOM does not offer the ability to make or receive a phone call.
The USB-C charging port is on the backside of the speaker, at the bottom edge and is covered by small rubber flap. The included charging cable is USB-C on each end and the manufacturer recommends using a charging adapter (not included) with at least 15 watts of output.
The EPICBOOM has a very nice build quality, using materials that are pleasant to touch and it appears substantial and durable enough to survive a fair amount of mistreatment. The web site describes the content of the speaker that is made from recycled materials and the in-box documentation shows how to remove the lithium-ion battery for recycling at the end of its life. At present the web site does not show the availability to purchase a replacement battery. There is a carrying strap attached to the back of the speaker that will also allow it to be hung up, but it is not something you would want to carry around for long as it weighs over four pounds.
We have had a few Bluetooth speakers in our household, and I must say, the EPICBOOM is quite handily the best sounding of them all, without a doubt. The other thing I learned is I need to research things I may not be familiar with, as I had originally assumed Ultimate Ears was just a new brand name being marketed by Logitech…once I read the company’s story, boy was I wrong.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The A6G series. Proving that good things come in big packages too. Take your pick from 75”, 70”, 65”, 60”, 55”, 50” and 43” screens. For 4K UHD picture quality, in the perfect size for your space. With Android TV, you can discover 700,000+ movies and shows in one place. Ask Google to control your TV with your voice. And cast your photos, videos, and music from devices to your TV easily with Chromecast built-in™. Add to that Dolby Vision HDR and Auto Low Latency Game Mode. Or as we call it, a great looking TV.
Does this tv have a camera built in?
There is no mention of a built-in camera in the use manual.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
pillboy
The A6G series. Proving that good things come in big packages too. Take your pick from 75”, 70”, 65”, 60”, 55”, 50” and 43” screens. For 4K UHD picture quality, in the perfect size for your space. With Android TV, you can discover 700,000+ movies and shows in one place. Ask Google to control your TV with your voice. And cast your photos, videos, and music from devices to your TV easily with Chromecast built-in™. Add to that Dolby Vision HDR and Auto Low Latency Game Mode. Or as we call it, a great looking TV.
It has been answered that this model only has 1 stand position. Why do the first 2 pictures show different stand positions? The front facing shows outer, the back facing shows inner.
There are two positions for the legs. I just attached mine a few days ago.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
pillboy
The A6G series. Proving that good things come in big packages too. Take your pick from 75”, 70”, 65”, 60”, 55”, 50” and 43” screens. For 4K UHD picture quality, in the perfect size for your space. With Android TV, you can discover 700,000+ movies and shows in one place. Ask Google to control your TV with your voice. And cast your photos, videos, and music from devices to your TV easily with Chromecast built-in™. Add to that Dolby Vision HDR and Auto Low Latency Game Mode. Or as we call it, a great looking TV.
does it have a headphone jack for head phones or speakers?
It has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the back of the set.
2 years, 5 months ago
by
pillboy
Better sound begins with better silence. That’s why Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are engineered with the world-class noise cancelling and high-fidelity audio. Microphones inside and outside the earphones sense noise and react instantaneously to cancel the signal. Get rid of disruptions so you can turn up the music on your wireless earbuds and amplify whatever you’re most passionate about — from hiking or circuit training to coding or baking. And when you need to be more aware of your surroundings, minimize noise cancelling with a quick double tap, so you can walk down a busy street or listen for your boarding announcement. StayHear Max tips provide extra comfort and stability for an even better experience. Rule the Quiet with Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and get an exhilarating experience that’s tough to find in any other Bluetooth earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds are available in Triple Black, Soapstone and limited-edition Sandstone or Stone Blue.
does the charge case support qi wireless charging?
Better sound begins with better silence. That’s why Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are engineered with the world-class noise cancelling and high-fidelity audio. Microphones inside and outside the earphones sense noise and react instantaneously to cancel the signal. Get rid of disruptions so you can turn up the music on your wireless earbuds and amplify whatever you’re most passionate about — from hiking or circuit training to coding or baking. And when you need to be more aware of your surroundings, minimize noise cancelling with a quick double tap, so you can walk down a busy street or listen for your boarding announcement. StayHear Max tips provide extra comfort and stability for an even better experience. Rule the Quiet with Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and get an exhilarating experience that’s tough to find in any other Bluetooth earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds are available in Triple Black, Soapstone and limited-edition Sandstone or Stone Blue.
Can you go go back on a track, or only skip forward, also can you controls volume headset?
There is only skip forward capability, not back, and there is no volume control on the earbuds either.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
pillboy
Better sound begins with better silence. That’s why Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are engineered with the world-class noise cancelling and high-fidelity audio. Microphones inside and outside the earphones sense noise and react instantaneously to cancel the signal. Get rid of disruptions so you can turn up the music on your wireless earbuds and amplify whatever you’re most passionate about — from hiking or circuit training to coding or baking. And when you need to be more aware of your surroundings, minimize noise cancelling with a quick double tap, so you can walk down a busy street or listen for your boarding announcement. StayHear Max tips provide extra comfort and stability for an even better experience. Rule the Quiet with Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and get an exhilarating experience that’s tough to find in any other Bluetooth earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds are available in Triple Black, Soapstone and limited-edition Sandstone or Stone Blue.
Will I be able to use only the left ear plug by itself when on a phone call? Or is it only the right ear plug is used when on a phone call?
No. The microphone is in the right earbud. You will hear audio in both earbuds on a phone call, but you cannot use just the left bud for a call.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
pillboy
Better sound begins with better silence. That’s why Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are engineered with the world-class noise cancelling and high-fidelity audio. Microphones inside and outside the earphones sense noise and react instantaneously to cancel the signal. Get rid of disruptions so you can turn up the music on your wireless earbuds and amplify whatever you’re most passionate about — from hiking or circuit training to coding or baking. And when you need to be more aware of your surroundings, minimize noise cancelling with a quick double tap, so you can walk down a busy street or listen for your boarding announcement. StayHear Max tips provide extra comfort and stability for an even better experience. Rule the Quiet with Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and get an exhilarating experience that’s tough to find in any other Bluetooth earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds are available in Triple Black, Soapstone and limited-edition Sandstone or Stone Blue.
What is the decibel level of these ear plugs
I could not find this specification in the full manual or in the Bose Music app.
3 years, 6 months ago
by
pillboy
Sony's intelligent noise-cancelling headphones with premium sound elevate your listening experience with the ability to personalize and control everything you hear. Get up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging capabilities, enjoy an enhanced Smart Listening feature set, and carry conversations hands-free with speak-to-chat.
One of my biggest pet peeves with headphones I have had is that I cannot charge them while I am using them. Can these be charged while in use so I don't have to interrupt what I'm listening to?
Considering that the included charging cord is only 8 inches long, I suspect you cannot use them while listening to them. I went and got a longer cord and my suspicions were correct, they will not turn on when plugged into a charger. Ten minutes on a charger gives you five hours of listening time, so I don't think it is too much of an issue for most people.
3 years, 8 months ago
by
pillboy
Add music to your day with these Sony wireless headphones. Their noise cancelling technology uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your environment and reduce background sounds for enjoyable listening. The Quick Charging battery on these over-ear Sony wireless headphones provides up to 35 hours of playback for convenience.
Is the Sony better than the Bose quiet ll When it come s to noised
I have a pair of Bose QuietComfort 25, which is the older, wired version and I found the Sony to be about equivalent to the Bose for their active noise canceling ability. I am very impressed with both manufacturer's product and I think you would be happy with either one.
6 years ago
by
pillboy
Bose® QuietComfort® 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones: Enjoy crisp, powerful sound — and quiet that lets you hear your music better — with these Bose® QuietComfort® 25 around-the-ear headphones, which monitor the noise around you and cancel it out, helping you focus on what matters.
Need noise canceling for office work.
Will these work for dictation on a standard office computer (Dell) with Windows and other programs? I will work on transcription of voices (no music involved in my job).
I listen to talk radio with these headphones and they work fine for the spoken word. The computer is outputting the audio through a sound card, so the specific programs you are using on the computer are irrelevant when it comes to this. Even when not listening to anything, they will cut ambient noise once you turn them on (the noise cancellation circuitry is powered by one AAA battery that is in one of the ear cups). When doing this you can even unplug the cord from the headset and it will still work. Some people will sense a slight "pressure" in the headphones as they are producing sound waves to cancel out the outside noise. I have felt this, but it is not nearly as annoying as dealing with the outside noise.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
pillboy
Minnesota