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pillboy's Reviews
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Your new countertop convenience, this Bella Pro Series 4.2-qt. Digital Air Fryer will have you whipping up healthy versions of your favorites in no time (less oil, less fat). Enjoy features like circular heat technology, user-friendly touchscreen controls, and a stylish stainless steel design—you’ll love having it in your kitchen.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Excellent for Reheating Pizza!
on September 5, 2022
Posted by: pillboy
The 4.2 quart Bella Pro Series Air Fryer with Touchscreen has a black plastic body, with a stainless steel front panel, and is a very attractive small appliance that is stylish enough to leave out on your kitchen counter all the time. The cord is short at 32 inches, but should be more than sufficient on most kitchen counters and islands. The cord is not detachable and there is no provision for onboard storage of it. The manual makes note of the possibility of the non-skid feet on the appliance leaving marks on certain surfaces due to the plasticizers in the rubber pads, and suggest using “coasters” to place under the appliance.
When the Bella air fryer is plugged in but not turned on, the power “button” on the touchscreen display constantly flashes on and off. The only reason I can see for this annoying (to me anyway) behavior is to coerce you to unplug the appliance when you aren’t using it like the manual suggests for you to do. The first couple of times you use the air fryer, it produces a hot-plastic odor that I found rather unpleasant, but this happens with virtually every new appliance that has a heating coil in it.
In the bottom of the fry basket (more like a pull out drawer with a handle on it) there is a “crisper tray” which is basically a small grate made of sheet metal that has been stamped to make holes in it, small feet at the corners, and a small raised “handle” to aide in removing it from the basket. Some of the edges produced on this tray are sharp almost to the point that they might cut delicate, tender skin of some people. This tray also has small rubber tips that press onto the feet in the corners that help hold the tray in place inside the fry basket and also keep the tray from scratching the non-stick finish of the basket. I can see where it would be easy to dislodge one of these tips loose and lose it down the sink drain when washing the crisper tray - including an additional set of these would have been prudent.
The touchscreen looks nice and works well without being overly complicated. There are eight pre-programmed settings, and manual controls for both time and temperature. The “plus” and “minus” buttons adjust the time setting by one-minute increments and the temperature setting by 5 degree increments. This is not as convenient as direct entry using a ten-key number pad, but works well and with a minimum of fuss. While the fryer is running the numerical display alternates between the temperature it is cooking at and a countdown of the time remaining in minutes and seconds.
Air fryers are relatively simple machines with just a heating element and a fan to blow the hot air around the food. The details of directing the air flow around the food and the interface with which the user interacts are what separates the good from the bad with this kind of appliance. The Bella was good at the task of cooking food evenly and thoroughly, and making it palatable and pleasing in appearance and taste. The manual has a couple issues with either translation or proofreading as it looks like it might have been adapted from another air fryer in Sensio’s line of appliances. In one place when talking about cooking fresh vegetables, it states to cook not more than 1 & 1/2 cups maximum and in another place when speaking of the same topic of fresh vegetables, it states to cook no more than 3 cups at a time. This air fryer has a stated 4.2 quart capacity of the fry basket, but I doubt you would ever be able to make that quantity of any food as the instructions state to never fill the basket more than 2/3 full. This size air fryer is a perfect size for preparing items for 1 or 2 people. If you have a family of three or more to cook for, I would look at a version at least twice this size.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
 
BodyGuardz Carve combines eye-catching aesthetics with practical function. The sculpted edge provides no-slip grip and is made of bioplastic. The easy-press buttons are not only user friendly, but also eco-friendly. They are made with Tritan Renew®, a 50% certified recycled content. Carve also includes antimicrobial product protection, and a raised bumper to protect both the camera and screen. Carve accentuates the design of your iPhone while offering dynamic drop protection. CCF0P-APH67-9HG
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Well Made, Stylish Case
on June 25, 2022
Posted by: pillboy
The BodyGuardz Carve phone case I’m reviewing is for an iPhone 13 Pro Max and according to the manufacturer’s web site, it is priced towards the bottom of their line of cases that fit this phone. However, that doesn’t mean you are getting a cheap, substandard product.
My wife and I have had numerous iPhones over the years and a good number of cases have protected them during that time. The Carve is as stylish and well made as any of them. The long-term durability of the “bioplastic” it is made of and how it compares with good old petroleum-based plastics that we are all familiar with remains to be seen.
This particular case is crystal clear plastic on the backside allowing the color of your iPhone to show through with great clarity. The edges are frosted and have a ridged pattern molded into them which aids in securing your grip on the phone. Even though at first glance the case seems to be a simple one-piece molded plastic unit, the buttons (three in this case) are made of a different, recycled-plastic material. There are no openings or slots by these buttons to allow dust to enter between the case and phone like some other cases have (specifically, another iPhone 13 case in our house from a major maker). The buttons on the case allow for easy actuation of the controls on the phone. There are raised bumpers that protect the camera array and the front screen, so you can lay the phone on a table frontside up or backside up and the case will offer protection in either orientation. Openings for the charging port, mute switch, and speakers are appropriately sized and shaped and the case shows no molding lines or excess flashing. There are no cosmetic imperfections in the plastic material and the case’s appearance is befitting of its price point.
I could not test the compatibility of the case with the MagSafe wireless charging function as we don’t have that kind of charger for our phones, but I have no reason to not believe the company’s statement that it does work. Also hard for me to assess is the PureGuard coating on the case that is claimed too minimize bacterial growth on the case. I also wasn’t about to test the drop protection that is claimed to be “Military Grade”.
The packaging that the case comes in is a recycled-paperboard, two-piece slip-case allowing you easy access to the phone case in the store to examine it closely without destroying a sealed package - a welcomed feature.
BodyGuardz is a company I was completely unfamiliar with until receiving the Carve phone case, but looking at their web site, they appear as an organization with good intentions in the materials they use and their donation of a portion of each purchase to charity. I see no downsides to this particular product and I suspect it would be pleasing to most phone users.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
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Unleash true console immersion with the Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation—a wireless PS5|4 headset with haptics powered by Razer HyperSense. With the ability to feel what you hear and advanced connectivity to get you back in action seamlessly, you’ll have no trouble losing yourself in your game. Utlitizing the included USB-C dongle you can game exactly how you want on PlayStation, PC, Mac, Android, and Nintendo Switch.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Feature Laden, But No Noise Cancelling
on May 8, 2022
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
This Razer Kaira Pro wireless gaming headset was designed for PlayStation (both 5 and 4 compatible, along with PC and mobile devices) and the black and white color scheme it comes in is aesthetically perfect for the PS5. The PS version contains “HyperSense” functionality which is a haptics-based system designed to add accurate positional information in games. It also functions in other media including movies and music.
The construction is mostly a high quality textured plastic, with some brushed metal trim on the headband that appears to be mostly cosmetic in function, but does add a higher-end look and feel to the headset. The headband has a cloth-covered, padded area in the middle where it rests on the top of your head, and the ear cups are spacious with memory foam padding covered in soft vinyl and cloth. I could find nothing in the product’s documentation stating that the ear cup pads are replaceable, nor did I find any replacement parts listed (not even the foam microphone “windscreen”) - this could become an issue for those gamers that are hard on equipment.
Comfort is a highly subjective thing, but being an eyeglass and hearing aid wearer, my ears are quite busy during the day. Like I said before, the ear cups are generously sized without appearing huge, and the foam that Razer uses I found to be both compliant and comfortable even during gaming sessions a few hours long. I did find that the ear cup pads do make a squeaking or rubbing noise on the bows of my glasses when I move my head around and that noise is heard inside the ear cups. All other headsets and headphones I have tried do the same thing and the noise does not happen when I take my eyeglasses off.
The microphone boom is a flexible stalk that allows you to position it where you need to and will bend out of the way if you bump into it. While it does disconnect from the left ear cup by pulling on it (it is held in place by the two-conductor 3.5mm mini phone plug), it does not conveniently store away like some competitor products that can be pushed into the ear cup or folded against the ear cup. It appears there is a built-in mic on the left ear cup that I assume is intended for you to make phone calls without using the boom mic. My wife did tell me that it was harder for her to hear me if I used the headset without the boom mic than it was if I used my cell phone without the headset and just used the phone’s mic. I can find no mention in the documentation if this hole in the ear cup is indeed a microphone or not. I can only assume it is because why else would you make the microphone boom detachable? When you take off the foam windscreen from the boom mic, you see that there are two distinct “sides” to the microphone, one is the mic’s diaphragm and the other is an air vent. The plug at the base of the boom has a flat spot on it so that you can insert the mic boom into the jack on the ear cup in only the proper orientation so that the mic diaphragm side of the boom ends up facing your mouth.
The headset comes packed with a USB-A to USB-C charging cord, with the USB-C end plugging into the headset - thank you Razer for using USB-C so that I don’t have to squint at the port looking for proper orientation of the plug as with micro-USB. The cord is a good-sized 52 inches long and of a nice quality. The 2.4 GHz transmitter (dongle) that plugs into the PlayStation or computer has a USB-C plug on it so it can plug into the front port on a PS5, AND the plug is offset to one end of the dongle so that it doesn’t obstruct the front USB-A port on the PS5 like some dongles for other headsets do. If the device you need to plug this transmitter into doesn’t have a USB-C port (such as a PS4) Razer also includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable that is 20 inches long to make things easy to hook up. Very nicely done, Razer.
While the sound quality of the Kaira Pro is not on par with audiophile headphones when using them for music, the frequency profile matches nicely with what is needed for gaming for the sonic effects of the game and the voice clarity needed for team activities. The haptics that rumble in the ear cups compliment in-game activities nicely. There are five different sound equalization profiles that you can switch between using a button on the right ear cup and one of them is a 10-band graphic equalizer to allow you to custom tailor the sound to your liking.
The user controls are spread between both ear cups rather than having them all crammed onto one like some manufacturers do. There is a mix of push buttons, thumb wheels, and a slide switch to allow you to easily tell them apart by feel. Only one button serves multiple functions and that one will toggle between the wireless connections, the 2.4 GHz dongle used for PlayStation and PC connections and Bluetooth used for connecting to a smart phone for either gaming or phone calls. This button also cycles through the five EQ settings I mentioned previously. There is a dedicated button on the right ear cup to cycle through the HyperSense (haptic) vibrations - low, medium, and high intensities and disable. The user guide states that the HyperSense intensity can be custom tailored in the audio app, but I could not find this feature in any of the menus or settings - maybe it is coming in a future firmware update.
There are two smartphone apps that allow you to customize features of the headset. One is “Razer Audio” and the other is “Chroma RGB”. The audio app lets you customize the one EQ setting and also to cycle through all of the settings, block incoming calls while gaming via the 2.4 GHz dongle, turn Smart Link on and off (this is for gaming on a mobile device via Bluetooth), and turn the lighting on the ear cups on or off (referred to as Chroma Effect). The “Chroma RGB” app gives you the ability to customize the lighting effects seen on the outside of the ear cups. Colors can be adjusted, four different types of effects can be chosen, and you can adjust the brightness of the logo (three intertwined snakes - I’m not a snake fan, so mine is turned off) on the ear cups. Naturally, using the lighting effects and the HyperSense rumbling will shorten the battery life. Razer claims up to 50 hours of play time without these effects and up to 20 hours with them enabled.
The Razer Kaira Pro sits at the top of the Razer gaming headset price range along with a couple other of their models. About the only thing missing is active noise cancelling. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with the feature set this model contains.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Battery operated, portable, and waterproof design makes the Cordless Revive perfect for small spaces, travel, and use in the shower. Tested and trusted, Waterpik is the #1 water flosser brand recommended by dental professionals. From the first brand in its class accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) for safety and effectiveness, the Waterpik Cordless Revive Water Flosser removes up to 99.9% of plaque and is clinically proven up to 50% more effective than string floss for improving gum health. The Cordless Revive provides a unique combination of water pressure and pulsations to clean deep between teeth and below the gum line, removing harmful bacteria and debris that traditional brushing and flossing can't reach. The easy and most effective way to floss, the Waterpik Cordless Revive Pink portable dental water flosser features two pressure settings and is a great solution when you want the convenience of water flossing in the shower or on the go.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Nice Little Squirter
on December 29, 2021
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
Waterpik Cordless Revive Review
I have used a standard, corded Waterpik Aquarius for a little over two years now, and I absolutely love it. I only wish I would have started using one years ago. I have receding gums with “pockets” and a Waterpik is one of the tools I use to keep the condition from getting worse.
The Waterpik Cordless Revive is a battery-operated version of their traditional water flossers many people are familiar with. This model runs on three AA batteries (included, along with three tips in two different styles), and comes in three colors. Waterpik has EIGHT different handheld, cordless models (there are also two countertop battery-operated models), and this one is toward the lower end of the line with two less expensive and five models more expensive.
The removable water tank on this model will hold 170ml of water (or other solution as recommended by your dentist) which gives it a run time of 32 or 37 seconds (per my timing) depending on which of the two pressure settings you have chosen. Some people (me included) may have to use two or more fillings of the reservoir to obtain the same length of cleaning time they are used to with a countertop machine - I typically end up using 300 to 400ml of water when I use my countertop model. My Aquarius has 10 different pressure settings and the Revive has 2. The battery-powered Revive does have similar pressure outputs as the middle settings on my electric-powered unit.
The manufacturer’s manual states that a set of disposable, alkaline batteries will last approximately 40 usages. This isn’t too bad if you are using the Revive only on vacations. If you plan on using it midday at the office, you might want to invest in some NiMH, rechargeable AA batteries. Lithium batteries are not recommended and may damage the unit and void the one-year warranty. It is also recommended to apply a light coat of petroleum jelly to the battery compartment gasket when changing batteries. The usual cleaning guidelines like with a countertop unit also apply here and are covered in the manual.
If you are a current Waterpik user and desire a device to use on trips or at work, the performance of the Revive will not disappoint you. If this is your first water flosser purchase and you plan on using it at home, I strongly recommend you get a corded, countertop unit, you won’t be sorry. From a purely functional point of view I would give it five stars, but the small water reservoir and appetite for batteries drop my rating by one star.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Powerport III Nano Pro Duo 40W Fast Wall Charger. Safely and quickly charge a single device at 40W or two devices at up to 20W speeds. Compatible with virtually any USB-C device, this includes USB-C laptops, phones, tablets, and more.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Anker Excellence
on November 24, 2021
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
The Anker 40 watt Nano Pro (521 Charger) is a charging “block” that you will need to buy if you get a new iPhone (12 and 13) as they come only with a charging cord. You might want to do this even if you have an older model of charger to take advantage of the new fast-charge capability that a lot of phones and tablets now have. The small charging block that came with iPhones for years has only a 5 watt output. The most powerful one that Apple sells for iPhones has a 20 watt output. You might as well future-proof yourself and get one with a 40 watt output as that might last you through your next couple of cell phone upgrades. Or maybe you need to charge two phones at a time, or a phone and a tablet, then this is a great solution.
The Anker Nano Pro has two USB-C ports to connect your charging cables to the device(s) that needs to be charged. The charger measures just under 2 & 1/2 inches long, by 1 & 3/8 inches square. The AC prongs do not fold into the body of the charger and that might be of concern for those that toss it in a backpack - you don’t want to inadvertently scratch your laptop or something else of value. The prongs are not polarized (one prong wider than the other), so you don’t have to worry about the orientation when you go to plug it into an outlet. The Nano Pro weighs 75 grams (2 & 1/2 ounces). It is over twice as heavy as my 20 watt Anker Power Port III Nano which weighs 30 grams, but that charger can charge only one device at a time.
I have a new iPhone 13 and Apple claims their 20 watt charging block will bring it to a 50% charge in about 30 minutes. I ran my phone down to a 1% charge and attached it to the Nano Pro by itself and it reached 50% in 25 minutes, so I suspect the iPhone 13 will accept slightly more than 20 watts when charging. So a more powerful charger will gain you a little less time tethered to a cord. This is how quickly the Nano Pro charged my virtually dead iPhone:
Minutes--------Percent Charge
0-------------------------1
5------------------------11
10----------------------22
15----------------------32
20----------------------43
25----------------------51
30----------------------60
35----------------------66
40----------------------72
45----------------------76
50----------------------80
55----------------------83
60----------------------86
75----------------------93
90----------------------97
105--------------------98
Anker offers an 18-month warranty on this charger, but based on my past experience with their products, I would expect it to last a long time past the warranty period. The circuits inside the charger “intelligently optimizes the power output to help safeguard your devices” and also monitors the temperature of the charger so that it doesn’t overheat. There is no need to worry about hurting your phone or tablet with a high powered charger as the device you are charging will only accept as much current as it wants to - the charger does not “force” extra current into the device.
Anker has been making high quality computer and phone peripherals since 2011 and the Nano Pro (521 charger) is another great addition to the line.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Great Value
on November 21, 2021
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
You are going to hear me use the words “price point” more than once in this review, because the Hisense 70A6G is a value oriented product aimed at consumers that are price sensitive. And don’t take that statement the wrong way. With as fast as technology changes and innovation happens in the world of electronics, sinking a small fortune into the “latest and greatest” product isn’t necessarily the wisest thing to do. If you are a videophile or a diehard gamer, you should stop reading now, as I am not going to be talking about all of those nerdy performance numbers that are important to you.
The sample I am reviewing is a 70 inch diagonal screen which is a size exclusive to Best Buy. I see more and more products being marketed this way. Other screen sizes are available in the A6G line. This television is currently on sale for $549 and during its time on the market has been as high as $849. In my opinion, this TV is a remarkable value anywhere in this price spread, especially for someone looking for the viewing experience that only a 70 inch or larger screen can provide.
The 70A6G weighs just over 46 pounds, so while moving or mounting it is definitely a two person job because of the size, it is not very heavy to lift. When you unbox and plug the TV into AC power, the set turns on automatically in preparation for set-up. The remote control defaults to infrared (IR) operation, but it will also connect via Bluetooth so that you don’t have to point it directly at the TV to run things. While the remote isn’t backlit, having a Bluetooth connection is a welcome feature. The indicator light on the remote lights up red if sending an IR signal or blue if sending a Bluetooth signal. The supplied feet are attached with small bolts and the TV needs to be laid on a table face down to install them - a Phillips head screwdriver is required. This is a little more cumbersome than some TVs where the legs simply snap into place and no fasteners are required, nor is there need for a large flat area to place the TV. One feature that I noticed right away is an input provision for a composite connection (red, white, and yellow RCA plugs), because one of our TVs does not have this connection option. This will be of interest to those consumers that may want or need to hook up an older piece of equipment that does not offer HDMI connectivity.
This version of the A6G has an edge-lit screen, illuminated by LEDs, but does not offer local-dimming that full-array LED screens provide. While allowing for a fairly slim profile, this technology does not provide deep blacks in the picture like other, more expensive designs do. My sample, while having very uniform lighting across the screen (it was much more uniform than it appears in my picture), did show a lighter band about three inches wide around the perimeter of the screen. This was most noticeable when the TV was displaying a single color across the whole screen like on a menu, but it became much less visible when the TV was displaying multi-color, moving content, and I would not consider it a deal breaker, especially at this price point. The brightness of the picture remains consistent when you move off center to view the screen, which makes it pleasurable to view when large groups of people are gathered around the TV.
This Hisense provides a very pleasing, very detailed, ultra-high-definition picture when it is fed that type of signal, and I doubt the vast majority of users would disagree. Some video snobs might, but they are not the intended target audience for this television. While the outer box has a callout on it for “Motion Rate 120”, be aware that the TV has a true 60Hz refresh rate rather than the implied 120Hz. This can be verified by the fact that all three HDMI ports on the rear are labeled “4K@60Hz” and a description of what “motion rate” actually is appears nowhere in the online user manual. This manual, while providing all you need to set up the TV, does seem to be lacking in thorough explanations as to what all the settings in the menu actually do and what you can expect when adjusting them.
This 70 inch version of the A6G contains internal speakers at the bottom edge of the cabinet that point downward which is a welcome change from the “rear firing” speakers that many sets have had in the past. I do wear hearing aids and struggle with some of our TV set ups at home, especially with understanding dialog, to the point that I usually have closed captioning turned on. It was a pleasant surprise to me that I could hear and understand most programming very well with this TV. I could run the volume between 10 and 25 on the volume scale of 0 to 100 with little issue understanding things. The TV has two, what appear to be 2” x 3”, oval speakers and the audio amplifier is 15 watts per channel - a lot of TVs are only 10 watts per channel for built in speakers. If you do elect to use a sound bar, the clearance for it in front of the A6G is 52 inches between the legs (at their widest of two positions) and 3 & 3/4 inches in height before it would protrude into the picture. There is a headphone jack on the back of the set for wired devices, but you can also connect via Bluetooth. The difference is that the Bluetooth connection kills the internal speakers and the wired option lets you choose to have the internal speakers off or on via a menu setting. When I connected my Apple AirPods, I found that the volume control via the TV acted oddly with the AirPods, requiring the setting to be turned up very high (80 on a scale of 0 to 100) for me to hear comfortably. I’m not sure if this behavior is because of the Android TV operating system interacting with the Apple device or if it is the fault of the AirPods not providing enough volume with the signal provided to them.
If I were looking for a budget priced TV, but wanted an impressive size of screen, I wouldn’t hesitate to place this Hisense on my short list. It provides what I think is great value for the money. And it won’t make you sick in a few years when you feel the urge to upgrade to the next great thing to come along. I deducted a star in the rating for the light blooming around the edge of the screen, lack of a backlit remote, and the misleading “Motion Rate” tease on the box.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+31points
32of 33voted this as helpful.
 
The Dell XPS 15 laptop features a stunning, new 4-sided InfinityEdge OLED display that shows off a 5% larger 16:10 screen and 92.9% screen to body ratio. All the power and features to maximize prodcutivity - Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB solid state drive, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3050 Ti graphics. A premium 15" touch laptop with a thin and light design.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Sophisticated Muscle
on July 18, 2021
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
With the XPS 15 9510, Dell closes in on the elegance of design and construction of that competitor from the other side of the tracks. A sexy, well-built chassis that has all the right “feels” no matter where you touch it. At four and a quarter pounds in this configuration, it is more of a desk-dwelling warrior than a Starbucks poseur. But with the specs it possesses, it is designed for some serious work rather than simple web browsing or novel writing anyway. My sample had an Intel Core i7-11800H processor running at 2.3GHz with 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDEA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card with 4GB of memory.
The OLED, Gorilla Glass touch screen is 15.6 inches, which is a noticeable step up from the 13 inch machines so many of us have become accustomed to in recent years. There are front-firing tweeters on each side of the keyboard making use of the added width this screen size provides, and there are also woofer openings at the bottom edges on the sides for four speakers total. This large screen did make me aware of something that others might also have an issue with. Because of the chassis size, the wrist rests on either side of the huge touch-pad make for a long reach to the upper rows of keys and if you wear a watch or bracelets, they will tend to drag on the wrist rests. This area is covered with a patterned and textured woven glass fiber material on the Arctic White version rather than aluminum, so I am unsure at this point of what if any damage might be inflicted upon the computer or whatever is adorning your wrists.
The OLED screen is big, bright, and beautiful with narrow bezels that make our older laptops look like relics from the distant past. A sensor, infrared emitters, a camera, and camera-status light hide in the bezel at the top of the screen that is slightly wider than it is at the sides. While the screen is a very responsive touchscreen, this is a true laptop rather a two-in-one and the screen does not fold over into a tablet form factor. When you go to open the lid the first thing you will notice is that there is not a thumb indent to make it easy to pull up on the screen. My thumb will slip off a time or two before it can find enough purchase to pull the cover open. A small nit to pick, but it can be annoying.
Unlike some other laptops that make you use either a fingerprint reader, or use facial recognition, this Dell uses both in addition to a traditional PIN entered via the keyboard, giving you your choice of three different ways to unlock your machine. Nice.
The keyboard is your traditional laptop design with “Chiclets” shaped keys that have perfect feel and spacing, but…the white coloring is a major letdown for me. Being older, an eyeglass wearer, and a two-finger typer, the narrow-lined font is harder for me to read than some other manufacturer’s keyboards. Add to this the white backlighting, and I find myself quite often turning the backlighting on and off depending on ambient lighting conditions. The backlighting has three settings, low, high, and off with one of the function keys cycling through these settings. When the backlighting is on in low-level room light, the markings on the keys will all but disappear (see pictures). And in some lighting situations, you can see uneven light dispersal especially behind keys with words on them. If I had my druthers, I druther have black keys.
If you are someone who sits with their laptop in their…lap, you will not want to do that with this laptop especially when you are doing any work that stresses the machine. There are air intake vents across the bottom of the chassis, with exhaust vents at the hinge area. If you are doing processor-intense work, you will probably want to stay on a smooth, hard surface with this computer so as to not impede air flow. When I was doing the initial set-up with the computer and it was running hard, the fans came on full speed and it was surprisingly noisy. I can’t remember the last time I heard laptop fans make this much noise. However, in normal use it was quiet.
A few final things, if you need to physically lock your computer to your work area, the security-cable slot accepts a wedge-shaped lock tip, and since the 9510 has only USB Type-C ports, Dell does include an adapter to convert USB Type-A or HDMI cables to fit in a Type-C port. Two of the three USB ports are Thunderbolt 4 connections and there is WiFi 6 capability for fast connections. There is an SD card slot also which photographers will appreciate. Dell does include “Dell Migrate” software on the computer to assist in moving files and settings from your old machine to this new one.
Dell has designed a very handsome and powerful machine with this newest XPS series and aside from a couple niggles that most people will chalk up to personal preference, I have no reservations about giving it five stars and a hearty thumbs-up to those users that need a powerhouse laptop but don’t need to carry it with them all day, every day.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
 
The new CZ Smart smartwatch is designed for every moment. Inspired by the rich design of Citizen’s iconic sport technical timepieces, CZ Smart marries modern technologies with the style and quality you expect from Citizen. The sport edition features a color touchscreen dial and black anodized aluminum top ring, framed and finished with a gunmetal, ion-plated stainless steel case and bracelet. CZ Smart also features a 46mm three-piece case construction and a rugged bezel design. Powered with Wear OS by Google™, CZ Smart is compatible with both iPhone® and Android™ phones to fit your lifestyle. Plus, the customizable menu of dials and technology that provides the information you need at your fingertips.
 
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
A Mixed Bag - For Me Anyway
on May 30, 2021
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
The first “nice” watch I bought myself after college in 1980 was a Citizen (about $800 in today’s dollars). I loved that watch so much I had the crystal replaced twice, the stainless steel band replaced once, and the quartz movement replaced once, all by Citizen service over the years. I have never had a smart watch, so when the opportunity came to review a Citizen smart watch, I jumped at the chance. I have been aware of smart watches for a few years now, but have continued to wear a high-end, automatic-wind, analog watch with a simple date complication, and continued to dig my iPhone out of my pocket every time I need to view a notification on it. Also having had some episodes of atrial fibrillation over the past decade, monitoring my heart rate via a watch was of great interest to me.
My first impression of the Citizen CZ was, “My, this thing is big”. The case diameter is 46mm and my daily-wear watch is 36mm in size. I have small wrists at 6 & 1/2 inches, so I had to remove all but one of the removable links from the stainless steel band to get the watch to fit properly, and I did need a watch pin removal tool to do this. It would have been nice if Citizen included one as they can be purchased for a very modest amount of money - note that this is not an issue for the models with a silicone rubber watch band. To attach the watch band to the watch case (it ships separated in the box), no tool is needed and the captive pins on the band are a clever design and easy-to-use.
I had some issues getting the watch set up and working properly and in my internet travels I found that the CZ Smart is using a chipset that is an older model that other smart watch companies have used. This was kind of disappointing considering how fast electronics age and new versions are released. The watch comes packaged with very skimpy documentation and relies on YouTube videos to instruct the user. The ones that are currently available cover just the basics of the watch’s functions and leave the user to experiment and figure out a lot of things on their own. Not really the kind of experience I would expect for this price point and from a company of this caliber.
I found the watch a little frustrating to get dialed in to my liking as there are a variety of “Settings” scattered about a number of menus in the software and it is sometimes hard to remember where to again find one of the adjustments you made when you want to make a change to it. I could have looked in the instructions, but…
Battery life is extremely disappointing. I do not have the display set to “Always-On”, and I also have it set to a 5-second “Time-Out” period to minimize the amount of battery drain, but it won’t make it through a whole 24 hour period on a single charge. I think I might need to turn off “Tilt-To-Wake” as regular arm movements will make the display light up when you don’t intend to view it. But that then makes checking the time a two-handed affair where you have to touch the screen or push the crown, which is not at all convenient. I am not a “power user” by any means, but I still end up charging the watch before bedtime to track my sleep and again during the day when the watch automatically goes into “Extended” battery mode as the battery gets low. If someone is using this watch as an adjunct to their cell phone to make their business day more efficient, you might want to keep a charging cable at home and one on your desk at work.
If you separate the watch from your cell phone far enough to get out of Bluetooth range, they will not automatically reconnect when they get back into range, and you have to manually reconnect them. That does not always go smoothly either. The watch has two separate Bluetooth connections to your cell phone if you are going to use the watch to make or receive a phone call (you do not have to set it up this way, however). I also noticed that reminders for calendar events seem kind of glitchy - some don’t appear at all and some appear more often than they should (all-day events show up on two consecutive days). I suspect this might be because the watch uses an Android operating system and my cell phone is an iPhone and it has been my experience that those two environments don’t always play well together.
Aesthetically the CZ Watch is pleasant enough, but it mimics a “tool watch” with a simulated timing bezel…that does not rotate, it just looks like a rotating bezel with markings. Even though the watch is large in diameter, it is not obnoxiously thick. The software comes with five different watch faces preloaded, but if you don’t care for them you can get more from the Google Play store. I was kind of disappointed in the native faces as they are rather generic looking and lack enough customization to please everyone - I would have liked an analog dial with a sweep second hand and a day-date “window” (rather than a second time zone). This would have been a great opportunity for Citizen to show off some vintage and current Citizen dial designs.
Based on my admittedly limited time with the Citizen CZ Smart and what I have read about it on the internet, I suspect the average user with an Android-based smart phone would have an “average” user experience with it, but rather than 3 stars, I am giving it only 2 stars because of my less than satisfying experience using it with an iPhone, the old chip, and the premium price tag it carries.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
  • Top 250 contributor
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Simply Superb
on September 28, 2020
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
Obviously a direct competitor to the iconic, white-colored product, having a personal-listening device with Bose-quality noise cancelling to try out was rather exciting for me. My Bose QC25 wired headphones which were first released back in 2014 have been my personal gold-standard when it comes to noise cancelling performance, so I would love to have this same capability in an earbud form.
The QuietComfort Earbuds come in a soft-feel charging case which is able to recharge the earbuds WITH the rubber wings attached to them. As someone who cannot wear the white-colored product without aftermarket wings to keep them in my ears, being able to place the QC buds in their case with the wings attached is a huge advantage in my book. While this makes the case larger, it is still pocketable unless you wear really tight pants. The case measures approximately 3.5” x 2” x 1.25”, has an external USB-C port on it, has a very secure latching system, and includes charging lights on the exterior. The case can also be wirelessly charged via a Qi charger (not included). A 12-inch long USB-A to USB-C charging cable is included, but there is no AC charging block (pretty much the norm nowadays).
I found the QuietComfort Earbuds to fit my ears extremely well and the soft tips and wings are almost identical to those on the Bose SoundSport wireless headphones for those who may already have them. These earbuds come with three sets of different sized tips and wings for different ears, so most people should find a comfortable fit. Each tip and wing is molded together, so there are three pair of differing sizes.
The sound quality is typical Bose, which sounds very good to me, with crisp highs and punchy bass without being muddy sounding. Speech was extremely clear when listening to podcasts or having phone conversations and the person on the other end could hear me well, but this will obviously vary depending on what hardware they are using on their end. For a lot of people the noise cancelling is the important thing. My usual test is how well they handle noise from a gas lawn mower because I use my QC25s when I mow the grass. I wasn’t expecting these earbuds to have as much noise suppressing capability as over-the-ear headphones, and I was right, they don’t, but it is close. Close enough that I could easily use the QuietComfort Earbuds when mowing and not feel that the listening experience is being compromised much in any way whatsoever. One thing about the noise cancelling function that is new (to me anyway) and different from other noise cancelling headphones I have experienced is that the accompanying app for your mobile device allows you to adjust the amount of noise cancelling in 10 steps, from “none” to “maximum” and you can save three different settings and switch amongst them by double tapping on the left earbud. When you remove one earbud, the programming is paused and the noise cancelling to the other bud is cut.
Your voice assistant (Siri, for me) is accessible through the buds and another adjustable feature I found really helpful, especially when talking on the phone is the ability to set the loudness of your own voice you hear through the earbuds when you talk, with the option of turning it off completely. People who use hearings aids that can stream music through the aids via Bluetooth will be happy to know that I was able to use these earbuds in my ear at the same time as I had my behind-the-ear hearing aids in. The sound quality for music from hearing aids is atrocious and it is very inconvenient to switch back and forth between hearing aids and earbuds when changing from listening to music and conversing with someone. I found this out completely by accident as I forgot I had my hearing aids in and put in the QC Earbuds and it took me quite awhile to realize I had them both in.
The accompanying app is called “Bose Music”, not to be confused with “Bose Connect” which I had on my phone for another Bose product. This free app is very easy to use and does a great job in explaining the features and controls. There is a full user guide available on the Bose web site and through the app - the product comes only with a quick start guide and a thick book of warnings and precautions in a multitude of languages. Having struggled with product set-up in apps of other manufacturers, I found the Bose app a real pleasure to use.
The first time I used the QC Earbuds I was a little disappointed in the amount of volume, but after fiddling with them, I found that fit in the ear is very important to their performance, both blocking outside noises and volume. While you have to twist the buds to get them seated properly in your ear, it quickly becomes second nature to do so when you insert them and you really don’t think about it once you get used to it.
The only downside I can find is that I cannot control the volume from the earbuds themselves, I have to use my phone for that function. Controlling other functions on the earbuds is simple and quickly learned in no time. There are two functions you have to choose between using the app and that is skipping to the next track OR hearing the remaining battery life - you can’t have both functions, but remaining battery life is not that important for me. There is no “Back” function, so you will have to use your phone for that command. When the earbuds get low on power, a quick 15 minutes in the case will get you another two hours of listening time. Full charging takes 2 hours. When the case is fully charged, it will replenish the earbud batteries two times before needing to be charged again. Along with 6 hours of listening time from fully charged buds, all-day use while out and about is easily attained.
I used to love my white-colored, wireless earbuds, and I still do, but I love the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds even more and i think anyone that likes the Bose sound signature will feel the same way about this product. Start saving your coin as you will want a set of these as soon as you can get them.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+139points
158of 177voted this as helpful.
 
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.
 
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
The Jerry Lee Lewis of ANC Headphones
on August 19, 2020
Posted by: pillboy
from Eden Prairie, MN
I could just as well throw the rest of my headphone collection away now that “The Killer” (JLL’s nickname) has arrived. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the newest flagship of Sony’s wireless, active-noise-canceling headphone line-up. I have read many complimentary things about Sony’s noise reduction technology and have been eager to try one of their high-end examples (I have a lesser model that I use when mowing the lawn). It turns out that the ANC is just one part of the package for this over-the-ear headphone.
Probably the number one feature of these cans (I feel like an early ‘70s hipster using this term, but it is a requirement in headphone reviews) for me is the control interface. My-oh-my, the simplicity and elegance of how this works is just so awesome! And it works well! On the right side ear cup, swipe up or down to incrementally adjust the volume, swipe forward to skip to the next track, swipe back to go back to the beginning of the track, and double-tap to pause or play (or answer and hang up a phone call). This means there are only two traditional, “hard” buttons to use and they are on the left ear cup. One controls power on/off and the other is a “Custom” button that can be programmed via the mobile app to operate “Ambient Sound Control”, “Google Assistant”, or “Amazon Alexa”. I did not see an option for “Siri”, but on the box, small print states that the Voice Assist Function is compatible with Siri.
The sound reproduction of high quality music source material is on par with my wired headphones that sold for twice the price of these - enough said. I did notice some variations between the music stored on my iPhone in the phone’s native “Music” app and the same song when streamed via the Deezer app, and the Deezer version sounded noticeably better as the high-hat cymbal was present. Using the DSEE Extreme feature on the song stored on the phone did nothing to restore the lost musical information in that file. The DSEE feature is supposed to use Artificial Intelligence technology to accurately upscale compressed music - I’m not sure how missing information in compressed files are supposed to be recreated, but maybe the type of compression used plays a role in how well this feature works.
The “Headphones Connect” app that Sony has developed offers a mind boggling variety of features, customization, and options for tailoring the 1000XM4 to your exact needs. Once you get used to some of the features these headphones have, you will most definitely miss them in other company’s products. If having your music pause when you remove the headphones (and resume when you put them back on) isn’t cool enough, they can also be set to automatically pause when you start talking to someone, and the noise cancellation also shuts off so you can hear their reply (Sony calls this “Speak to Chat”). The only thing that would have been better is if the external microphones would pick up their voice and play it through the drivers in the phones.
The design of this headphone is elegantly simple, while fit and finish are superb. The exterior is monochromic in color with a tiny splash of the two rose-gold colored “SONY” logos - very understated. The materials are not metal and leather, and I’m sure this allows Sony to spend the money on the performance of the product, but none-the-less they have a high quality feel to them.
I had the opportunity to compare the XM4 against three other over-the-ear, active-noise-canceling headphones, and I used my gas-powered lawn mower as a noise source. My findings are subjective as I don’t have the equipment to make accurate measurements. The most disappointing ones were my low-end Sonys and a set of $500 “premium brand” headphones that try to make up their shortcomings on style alone. The XM4 narrowly edged out a set from the other big name in ANC headphones by a small margin in my non-scientific test.
Besides sound signature, comfort is the other big subjective characteristic of headphones, but in my opinion these are the most comfortable ones I have ever used for extended periods of time. The ear pads are much softer and more cushioned than my headphones that have leather covered ear pads.
The included charging cable plugs into a USB-C port on the right ear cup, so no more squinting to see which way the connector is to be inserted. But…this cable is only 8 inches long - probably not an issue since you can get 5 hours of playback time when charging the battery for only 10 minutes. The included case is sufficiently sturdy to offer proper protection - other manufacturers that include a drawstring bag take note, you look cheap. There is also a cord with 3.5mm mini-phone plugs on the ends and an airplane adapter included in the box, but no AC adapter for charging. The XM4 gives outstanding volume from a computer or phone - way more volume than I get from my Air Pods, which is nice. As a side note to this, there is a statement in the instructions that reads “because the headphones achieve a tight seal over the ears, forcibly pressing them against your ears or quickly pulling them off can result in eardrum damage”. I did not attempt to check the validity of this statement, but I mention it for those who do not thoroughly read instructions. Also of note for those who are out and about while wearing headphones, these are not waterproof.
Taking into account other products in the marketplace, I think the Sony WH-1000XM4 is an excellent value for the price and has outstanding performance that should not disappoint anyone.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-12points
11of 34voted this as helpful.
 
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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.
User submitted photo
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?

Yes.
3 years, 7 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.
 

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, 7 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, 7 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, 7 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, 1 month 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