lambda100's stats
- Review count106
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- First reviewDecember 20, 2014
- Last reviewJune 3, 2025
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- Average rating4.7
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- Answer count20
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- First answerJune 29, 2015
- Last answerDecember 1, 2021
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Only at Best BuyAcer Nitro 5 Laptop: Defeat the competition with this Acer Aspire Nitro 5 laptop. Its Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM keep multiple programs running smoothly, and the NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti graphics card renders 3D images and video on the 15.6-inch Full HD display. This Acer Aspire Nitro 5 laptop has a 256GB solid-state drive for fast boot times.
Customer Rating
5
An Excellent Budget Gaming Machine!
on April 27, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
I was totally blown away by the Acer Nitro 5 laptop. Acer hit the sweet spot with this gaming laptop striking a great balance of price, performance, and value. Paired with an 8th gen Intel i5-8300H chip and a dedicated GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU, this combination really packs a punch for gaming enthusiasts without breaking the bank.
The first thing I did was flip the laptop over and explored its underside. This thing is upgradeable! The underside of the laptop can be removed in its entirety by simply using a Phillips head screwdriver. There is an empty RAM slot next to the slot occupied by the factory installed 8gb RAM. According to the specs, you can put in two 16gb sticks for a total of 32gb. The laptop also has an empty compartment and ready connection to install a second hard drive. I had a spare one terabyte drive handy and put one in.
Overall, this is one sleek and stylish laptop. It's an all plastic black colored shell with red colored highlights and red colored keyboard text and numbers. The keys for a, s, d, and w have red colored borders to facilitate gaming. The keyboard is also back lit with red so it gives it a really cool bold look. I had no use for the trackpad since I use a separate gaming mouse.
The full HD display is a pure visual delight. Excellent brightness, color reproduction, and large viewing angles. The speakers also sound great. It's got all the inputs that you need: usb c, thee usb inputs one of which is usb 3.0, an hdmi input, ethernet connection, headphone jack, and a full size sd card reader.
Thanks to the SSD, the laptop boots up in a few seconds. Performance wise the Acer Nitro 5 is more than capable as a gaming machine. I didn't notice any stuttering, frame skips, etc. as I was using it. The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU kicks in when the game starts. The pair of cooling fans whirred in the background quietly, although it can become very loud if you manually push the fans to maximum intensity using Acer's Cool Boost technology to provide extra cooling.
In terms of battery performance, I couldn't get more than two hours of gaming with a full battery. I got around seven hours when I wasn't gaming.
The laptop comes with the standard flavor of bloatware, but those are easy to uninstall.
In summary, I don't think you could find a comparable laptop with similar specs and performance at this price point. Acer did a fantastic job of competitively positioning the Acer Nitro 5 as a budget gaming laptop that can really handle most games you can throw at it. It's really deserving of more than five stars. It's a great gaming machine and I would easily recommend it to any gaming enthusiast.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Only at Best BuyPull in HDTV signals from local stations up to 60 miles away with this Mohu Beam antenna. It's 23 inches long and looks like a sound bar to blend with your home entertainment equipment, and you can mounts it on the wall. This Mohu Beam antenna includes a signal amplifier for clear digital reception.
Customer Rating
5
Sleek Design & Great Reception
on April 12, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
The Mohu Beam Premium is a pretty good hd tv antenna that is lightweight and has a sleek and slim rectangular design. The antenna comes with two coaxial cables, a coaxial adapter, a right angle coaxial adapter, usb power adapter, power injector, antenna kickstand, and wall mounting screws. Mohu claims that it has a 50 mile range, but since I live in a big city, I wasn't able to test the range limit. Once I hooked it up to my tv, plugged in the power for the antenna, and placed it against my living room wall, I was ready to perform a channel scan. It picked up all but a few channels. I then proceeded to move the antenna to a different position away from my living room wall and re-scanned. It was able to pick up the remaining channels. The reception is good with little pixelation. Much like all other antennas, the reception for the Mohu Beam is dependent on the placement location around your home. It'll have better reception mounted higher up the home, close to windows, and away from objects. I compared the Mohu Beam against my rabbit ears hd antenna, and I could immediately see that I was able to receive good reception with the Mohu Beam whereas the rabbit ears had to be constantly adjusted for each channel otherwise I wouldn't get an image. The Mohu Beam antenna can be wall mounted and comes with a mounting template and mounting screws. As an alternative, you could also prop the antenna up with the supplied kickstand. In summary, if you're in the market for a tv antenna, I think this one is a good one to get.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Take the party anywhere with this Sony portable speaker. It's safe to use at the pool or beach thanks to an IP67 rating that allows total water immersion, and flashing lights add mood to the music. This Sony portable speaker's Extra Bass keeps things pumping, and the Live Sound feature provides three-dimensional audio.
Customer Rating
5
Sounds Great and Fun to Play With!
on March 26, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
The Sony SRS-XB41is built for fun and parties. It has excellent audio quality, phenomenally deep bass, a long lasting battery, and terrific build quality. This speaker is also great for entertaining. With a colorful array of led light patterns, strobes, and dj style controls in 'fiestable' mode, this speaker is guaranteed to keep the fun going. On top of that, the Sony SRS-XB41 is meant to be played with like an instrument. Tapping different parts of the speakers will produce various sounds such as percussions and drums. Here's what I liked and disliked about the speaker.
LIKES
+Deep, powerful bass. If you're looking for bass, you can end your search here. Sony markets this speaker as 'extra bass' and they're not kidding. Bass punches strong. I could feel the bass vibrations on my tabletop.
+Deep, powerful bass. If you're looking for bass, you can end your search here. Sony markets this speaker as 'extra bass' and they're not kidding. Bass punches strong. I could feel the bass vibrations on my tabletop.
+Loud. This thing easily fills the space in a medium to large size room. If you're outdoors, you'll have no problem hearing the speaker over party conversations.
+Wireless Party Chain Mode. If the speaker isn't loud enough for you, Sony has wireless party chain mode to connect up to 100 compatible speakers together. (Compatible devices are as follows: SRS-XB21, SRS-XB31, SRS-XB41, SRS-XB20, SRS-XB30, SRS-XB40, GTK-XB60, GTK-XB90). Great to know that some of the older model Sony Extra Bass speakers hasn't been neglected by Sony and can be connected in wireless party chain mode.
+Left/Right Stereo Speaker Separation. Pair two SRS-XB41's together for left and right channel separation. Totally awesome and no complaints here!
+Excellent Audio Performance: There are three listening modes – Standard, Extra Bass, and Live. For me, standard and extra bass modes sound great. In extra bass mode, the entire audio spectrum gets lowered, not just the bass frequencies. The bass has very good kick and punch. In standard mode, you'll get the best audio balance with clear highs and mids. In standard mode, bass is still strong, but doesn't punch as deep. I didn't care for Live sound mode. You'll read it in my dislikes below.
It's great that Sony includes an in-app three band audio equalizer to adjust bass, mids, and trebles to allow you to fine tune the sound to your liking. So, if the extra bass mode brings down the mids and trebles too much to your liking in its default setting, you can simply recover some of that vocal clarity and crispness by adjusting the mids and trebles up on the equalizer band. You'll need to download the Sony Music Center app to access all the features of the speaker.
+Excellent Build Quality. The speaker has an IP67 rating for dust and waterproofing, meaning that it can be immersed in water and washed. Sony claims that it is also rust resistant.
+Has a 3.5mm audio input. The 3.5mm audio input is near extinction, but Sony decided to keep it. I applaud them for doing so since there are still some situations that I need to run a hard wire to the speaker.
+Long battery life. Sony claims up to 24 hours of music playback. That is of course with the led lights powered off. On top of that, the battery pack in the speaker can double as a portable cellphone charger. It has a usb charging port included. Once fully discharged, the SRS-XB41 will take up to 5 hours to fully recharge. It charges though a standard micro usb port.
+Entertainment value. You can keep guests entertained with the led lights and strobe on the speaker. The lights are customizable and change according to the music and beat. The kids really get a kick out of it. Plus, when you set up the speaker in 'Party Booster' mode, the speaker essentially becomes an instrument as you can tap five different areas of the speaker to make different percussion, drums, and other sounds. If that is not enough for you, you can download Sony's Fiestable app to control the light patterns and add sounds directly from your smartphone. Plus, you can make DJ style audio adjustments simply with the flicking movements on your smartphone by taking advantage of the gyroscopic oscillator in the phone.
DISLIKES:
I think this is a great speaker. It's hard to find anything bad about it really, but here are some minor dislikes.
I think this is a great speaker. It's hard to find anything bad about it really, but here are some minor dislikes.
-Heavy and bulky. The speaker weighs 3 lb 5oz. It definitely feels heavy in your hands and you'll feel it in your backpack. Plus, it is bulky. It has dimensions measuring 11.5” x 4.125” x 4.25”, so it'll take up a good amount of space in your bag. And if you're thinking about throwing this thing in your purse, you'd better have a large purse.
-Live Sound mode. Of the three audio modes (Standard, Extra Bass, Live), I simply didn't like the audio quality of the Live Sound mode. Yes, it has a more three dimensional immersive sound to it and plays louder, but it just sounded hollow, muddy, and lacked any detail and clarity as if I was listening to the audio through a hollow cylinder.
Summary: The bluetooth speaker market is crowded, but I think Sony offers enough fun features that the SRS-XB41 is worth a look and listen. I definitely recommend the Sony SRS-XB41 speaker. It offers great audio quality and is fun to play with it's led light pattern, strobes, and party booster mode.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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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.
Customer Rating
5
Sony's Goldilocks Headphones
on March 20, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
The Sony WH-CH700N is the company’s mid-tier offering of over-the-ear consumer headphones that delivers respectable active noise cancellation and very good audio quality. It’s neither the best nor the worst in the Sony headphone line up, it’s what I call the Goldilocks for Sony...it falls somewhere in the middle, but a good and healthy middle in the Sony headphone line up which will appeal to most of the listening audience. These headphones won't excel in any category. It offers many features of the more expensive Sony headphones, but at a lower price point that's not too expensive, but also not priced too low to feel cheap in quality. However, if you are a more budget conscious consumer who desires non-showy, comfortable headphones with active noise cancellation and good audio quality for a wide range of musical genres, but unwilling to go all out for the Sony WH-1000XM2, then you will not be disappointed with the Sony CH700N.
Here’s what I liked and disliked about these headphones.
Likes:
1. Comfort. The headphones are comfortable and lightweight with soft oval ear cups. I wear glasses and had no ear fatigue at all from wearing the headphones for hours. The headband adjustments are easy to make and should fit most head sizes. These are not designed for the gym and I would not recommend these for working out because the over-the-ear ear cups will quickly build up heat and will slide off with sweat. There are plenty of other choices in headphones to consider for active use.
1. Comfort. The headphones are comfortable and lightweight with soft oval ear cups. I wear glasses and had no ear fatigue at all from wearing the headphones for hours. The headband adjustments are easy to make and should fit most head sizes. These are not designed for the gym and I would not recommend these for working out because the over-the-ear ear cups will quickly build up heat and will slide off with sweat. There are plenty of other choices in headphones to consider for active use.
2. Sound Quality. The headphones actually sound very good. The bass is tight and comes in strong when it needs to without needlessly dragging down the mids and trebles. If you ever listened to the Sony Extra Bass line up, then you will know what I mean. The bass in those headphones muddies up the rest of the audio spectrum. The CH700N achieves a strikingly well balance mix in the audio spectrum. Mids and Highs come through crisp, clear, and clean. It just sounds right.
The headphones achieve the best sound quality when powered on and connected with the 3.5mm audio cable. There is greater dynamic separation between vocals and instruments for a livelier and fuller, more enveloping sound. In wireless bluetooth mode you'll lose some audio quality, but it'll still sound very good. The worst quality is with the headphones powered off and connected with the 3.5 mm audio cable. In wired mode with the headphones powerd off, vocals sound recessed and the the audio just sounds flat, with none of that dynamic separation.
3. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). ANC is automatically activated each time the headphones are powered on. Noise cancellation works well. Turning it on eliminated the lower frequency, uniform sounds from machinery such as office air conditioners and fans. Although I did not have any air travel plans during my testing period, it should be effective at reducing the sound of air cabin engine noise. Keep your expectations real, however. It won't eliminate higher frequencies such as voices. You'll have to turn up the volume to drown out the rest of the noise. The ANC on the Sony CH700N works in both wireless and wired mode. The operation is very basic with the on/off button. Simply press the button on the headphones to turn on and off the noise cancellation feature. It does not have all the bells and whistles for modifying the depth of noise cancellation like the venerable WH-1000XM2, but this should not be expected at this price point. Moreover, as effective as the ANC is on the CH700N, it takes a sizeable back seat to the superior ANC found on the WH-1000XM2.
4. Battery Life. Battery life seems to keep improving with wireless headphones. The Sony CH700N claims a battery life up to 35 hrs in wireless mode with ANC on, and 50 hours powered on in wired mode with ANC on. I believe it. I've had these headphones in wireless mode for over 30 hours now, and I'm still on the first battery charge.
5. Sony Headphones Connect App. The Sony Headphones Connect app is useful and I recommend you download it. It allows you to change the sound to pre-adjusted equalizers or to customize the sound altogether with a five band equalizer and separate bass control. The app also allows you to toggle on and off the ANC and provides an estimate of the remaining battery life.
6. Hands free phone function. The hands free phone function also works well. No complaints from the callers on the other end. They said my voice came through clearly.
Dislikes:
1. The headphones do not fold for compact storage, making it more cumbersome to transport. The ear cups simply swivel, but don't fold. It'll take up more space in your bag.
1. The headphones do not fold for compact storage, making it more cumbersome to transport. The ear cups simply swivel, but don't fold. It'll take up more space in your bag.
2. Sony did not include a storage case. What a bummer.
3. Long battery recharge time. Sony indicates it'll take up to 7 hours to charge a fully discharged battery. That's an awful long time. However, you'll be able to get up to 60 minutes of audio play simply with a 10 minute quick charge.
Summary: Would I recommend the Sony WH-CH700N? Yes I do (and Goldilocks would, too). If you don't want to spring for the absolute best in ANC and high quality audio offered by the Sony WH-1000XM2, the Sony WH-CH700N definitely makes sense as the next best option.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Share HD content on a bigger screen with this LG LED projector. It produces an image size of up to 100 inches, and its wireless screen-sharing functionality lets you stream videos from a Miracast or WiDi device. Pair this LG LED projector with a Bluetooth speaker for enhanced audio output.
Customer Rating
5
A Small Projector but Big on Features
on March 18, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
I have used over a dozen conventional projectors for work and for personal use and know what to expect when lugging around projectors and having to make wired connections and having to move cords out of the way so people don't trip over them. I have never used a pico projector before, so naturally I was eager to try out the LG Mini Beam.
The first thing I noticed even before I opened the box for the LG Mini Beam projector was how small the packaging is compared to the box for the regular projector. Upon opening the box and taking out the projector, I was truly stunned at how small the projector really is. It is smaller than my hand, and my hand is not even that large. Furthermore, this thing is light, weighing in at a tad over one pound. With such a diminutive size and weight, the projector definitely checks the boxes for compactness and portability. The projector can be tucked into a large coat pocket and nobody would know.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the number of connections that LG was able to fit into this tiny projector. There are connections for hdmi, usb-a, usb-c (yes, you read that correctly), and a 3.5mm audio out jack. Kudos to LG for including the audio jack because we all know how dismal the audio output from projector speakers in general are. As an aside, Epson doesn't even include a 3.5 mm audio jack in it's conventional projectors until you get to their premium home cinema projector models.
What's also neat about the projector is that you have two choices for recharging the lithium ion battery in the projector. You can either re-charge via the supplied bulky ac adapter with powerbrick, or you can elegantly connect a usb-c cord to a wall charger. Since I like to carry as little with me as possible, I opted to use a usb-c cord and 2.4 amp charger. It'll take up to 3 hrs to charge a fully discharged battery.
Once fully charged and powered on, you simply follow the on screen menus to connect your display either wirelessly, via hdmi, or usb-c. I was able to immediately display content and start using the projector in a minute or two once I familiarized myself with the on screen menus and the remote control. I successfully connected my windows 10 laptop wirelessly through Screen Share and had the projected image of my desktop on my living room wall. I was similarly able to connect wireless displays for my android phones and tablets. I did notice that there is a noticeable lag on the projected image when connected via the screen share wireless display function. When I moved the cursor on my mouse, it took a second for the cursor on the projected image to also move. For a more robust connection, I like going the traditional route of using an hdmi cord and this essentially eliminates any lag which is great for video content.
Speaking of content, I was able to connect my Google Chromecast through the hdmi connection on the projector and turn the projector/chromecast combination into a powerhouse mobile streaming unit. I simply powered the Google Chromecast with a large capacity portable charger (e.g. portable Anker power bank). Add a good quality bluetooth speaker and connect wirelessly through the Mini Beam's bluetooth menu, and you have a totally wireless setup. Outdoor movie nights just became much easier and totally cord free! LG claims up to 4 hrs in battery life when using the most battery conserving eco-options which will lower the brightness of the image. I went ahead and set the projector on best quality and brightest viewing settings (e.g. non-eco friendly options) and was still able to get through a 2.5 hour movie on a single battery charge with battery remaining.
The projector is able to project an HD 1280x720 image with a screen size up to 100” or a little over 8', which is pretty amazing for such a pocket size projector. Image and video quality is as good as 720p can deliver. Colors are vibrant and crisp. Contrast is good. Audio through the internal 1 watt speaker, while better than your average smart phone, still leaves much to be desired and will benefit from connecting to a better audio system through the 3.5 mm audio out jack or through bluetooth. The fan on the projector is remarkably quiet. You won't notice that it is even on when you have audio playing. The projector doesn't get hot when in use; perhaps just a little warm. With conventional projectors, it takes a lot of energy (resulting in heat) to make a bright image. This means that if you are using a conventional projector in a small enclosed room like a small bedroom, you will notice the room warm up. However, with a pico projector such as this LG Mini Beam you won't have the heat issue because it has so little power output compared to a conventional projector. The Mini Beam is great for using indoors in the summer because you won't have the added heat for your air conditioner to deal with.
Besides great features as bluetooth, usb-c, rechargeable battery, a tripod mount, and portability, the LG Mini Beam also comes packed with an automated vertical keystone image correction. Keystone correction will adjust the top and bottom width of the image if the projector is not set up at a right angle to the screen. This prevents the screen from becoming trapezoidal in shape. You will want automated keystone correction since this makes setting up your projector faster so you can begin enjoying movie night.
One other feature worth mentioning is that the projector has 'PJT mode' which flips the image upside down or horizontally. This allows for ceiling mounting for the projector or projecting from the rear onto a transparent screen.
As much as I have been effusively showering the Mini Beam with praise, it is worth noting its one major and significant shortcoming: it can only produce up to 250 lumens of light output. For comparison, conventional home projectors have 2,000 plus lumens, with business projectors having over 3,500 lumens of output. Having more lumens helps to overcome the ambient lighting so that the projected image does not get washed out. With the LG Mini Beam, it is evident that its use is limited to rooms having little to no ambient lighting with blinds and curtains closed. The instant that ambient light is introduced, the image is washed out. I would not recommend the Mini Beam for any type of business use. The office environment has too much ambient lighting. Additionally, an 8' large screen may be insuffficient for large audiences. On the otherhand, this would make an excellent projector for home use where you can control the ambient lighting. It's portability for home use means you can set it up on a table top, counter top, tripod, or even on the bed in your bedroom to watch from the ceiling. For outdoor movie nights, you'll have to wait until it is dark.
In summary, the LG Mini Beam is a fun, easy to use, very intuitive, and high quality portable projector that allows you to cut the power cord. With 720p HD quality, you'll get good to very good image quality which is vibrant and crisp. It comes packed with a lot of features and connections in a tiny package. However, there is a trade-off you'll have to be willing to make for ultra portability, compactness, and battery power. With a small 250 maximum lumen output, you'll need to use the projector in a dark room or at night. Finally, there is the question of price and value that you'll be getting from the Mini Beam. For the listed price of the LG Mini Beam, in today's market you can get a conventional projector with better contrast, better brighness, richer colors, and the same 720p image resolution, but with much more lumens to be able to use in a greater variety of ambient lighting environments. Of course it wouldn't be as portable, lightweight, and cord-free as the LG Mini Beam. These are factors you will have to prioritize as you make your decision on your next projector. Would I recommend the Mini Beam? For home use, yes. For business, no.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Entertain friends with loud yet clear music by using this Sony portable Bluetooth speaker. Extra bass and three-dimensional sound create a superior listening experience, while the multicolored flashing lights and Party Booster make your gathering more fun. This Sony portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and has a protective fabric cover for worry-free use outdoors.
Customer Rating
5
Sony Brings the Sound and the Lights to the Party!
on March 11, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
The Sony SRS-XB31brings life to the party. It gets loud and is bass heavy. It wants to be part of the action. This speaker has attitude with its flashing strobe and mesmerizing light display. Turn up the volume and it can easily fill a medium size room.
The speaker has excellent build quality and finish. Weighing in one ounce shy of two pounds, the speaker is wrapped in a high quality fabric mesh with protective rubber to seal off moisture and dust to give it an IP67 rating. Despite it's heft, it can easily be handled with one hand and carried in a backpack.
Along the top of the speaker are the power/bluetooth pairing button, volume +/-, and a single play/pause/speakerphone button that also doubles as a skip forward and skip reverse button depend on the number of successive presses of the button. Housed at the rear of the speaker behind a rubber cover is the mico usb connection for charging, a usb port for charging a smartphone at 1 amp, battery indicator button that also turns on and off the speaker's light pattern, a button to wirelessly party chain up to a hundred SRS-XB41, XB31 and XB21 speakers, another button to add a speaker for left and right stereo separation, a recessed reset button, and finally a 3.5 mm audio jack. The 3.5 mm audio jack is a welcome feature as we all know it is close to extinction, but I am glad that Sony decided to include it for older audio devices without bluetooth and for greater audio fidelity.
Let's get right to the point...The primary reason to consider the Sony SRS-XB31 is the extra bass feature, and boy does it pack a punch! Right out of the box, the extra bass is the default mode from the factory and the bass is powerful, punchy, in your face, bombastic, and unapologetic. This is heaven for bassheads. It's great for rap, hip-hop, and dance music with deep lows and low mids, but will make a mess out of any other music genres as the extra bass feature will pull down the upper mids and trebles in the sound spectrum, losing out on that crispness and sparkle that make some speakers stand out over others. If you're going to be listening to deep bassy music all of the time, then the extra bass is great. However, most people including myself have a broad audio taste. Sometimes we want the extra bass, sometimes we don't. Although the speaker is marketed as extra bass, the speaker is capable of delivering exceptionally crisp, clear audio allowing for a more tame and respectable balanced approach to the audio experience; But to get it, you'll need to install the Sony Music Center app which features controls for adjustments to the audio among other things. The app allows you to select from one of three audio modes: Standard, Extra Bass, and Live Sound. The Standard mode represents the most balanced and flat listening experience. In the Standard mode, bass is still well represented, but more controlled, and mids and trebles flow evenly. The second mode is Extra Bass mode and it is what comes pre-set from the factory and it offers amazing bass as I covered above. Finally, the Live Sound mode replicates the audio experience as if you were hearing it from a live venue. The best way I can describe Live Sound mode is that the audio from the speaker appears more enveloping and louder, with a wider sound stage offering greater separation between vocals the the music, and thereby creating a more three dimensional effect of the music. I thought the Live Sound mode works pretty good. It fooled my ears thinking that the audio was coming from different directions.
To fine tune the audio even futher, the Sony Music Center app also offers a three band equalizer for bass, mids, and treble. Turning up the treble in the equalizer in Standard mode allowed me to get the crispness and sparkle that I was looking for while still delivering a strong bass response.
Other things the Sony app will do is allow you to change the light pattern or turn the lights off altogether, check the speaker's battery level, and turn on and off the Party Booster feature. Party Booster is a unique feature where you can tap different parts of the speaker to make different sounds such as a snare, kick drum, cow bell, and cymbal. I didn't have any particular use for this feature and just left it off. I couldn't imagine forcefully tapping on an expensive speaker such as this one for fear of damaging it or causing an internal piece to come loose.
The light and strobe feature is great for a party and the app allows you to select different patterns and colors, but it easily becomes distracting. Additionally, it will consume your battery faster. Better turn off the light display if you're not showing it off.
Speaking of battery, the battery will take up to 5 hours to recharge from the fully discharged state and will last up to a phenomenal 24 hours on a full charge.
The speakerphone function on the speaker works well. People on the other end of the phone said that my voice came through clearly.
Would I recommend the Sony SRS-XB31? Yes, I would. It is packed full of features for the price, and it is a versatile speaker that gives you excellent low end bass, but can be adjusted and tuned to offer respectable crispness and sparkle.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Big machine suction power*. But with cord-free versatility. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal cord-free vacuum has a 40% bigger bin than the previous V8 Animal and up to 60 minutes of fade-free runtime. The new torque drive cleaner head removes more dust from carpets, and suck up pet hair and ground in dirt. The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal cord-free vacuum quickly transforms to a handheld for quick cleanups, spot cleaning and cleaning difficult places.*Suction tested to ASTM F558 at the flexible inlet.
Customer Rating
5
The Dyson Stick Vacs get better and better
on March 2, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
The Dyson Cyclone v10 Animal is truly a remarkable cordless high performance stick vacuum capable of cleaning your home from floor to ceiling to upholstery to every nook and cranny and obscure corner of your home you couldn't imagine cleaning. Taking the lead from the very capable v8 and becoming the flagship product in the Dyson cordless stick vacuum line up, the Cyclone v10 continues the Dyson signature crafted, and now iconic, stick design with motor driven brush head and vacuum motor handle.
The v10 comes with an unrivaled feature set. It has three suction modes: base, powerful, and maximum. For most of your vacuuming needs the base suction is already plenty powerful as this is the mode you will use most often to get the most vacuuming time out of the battery. However, on those few occasions that you're feeling wild, rev up the v10 to maximum suction and the motor really comes alive, pumping out plenty of suction power with a no-dust-left-behind mentality. If that is still not enough suction for you, the ingenious engineers from Dyson added a switch at the torque drive cleaner head to adjust the amount of ambient air flow at the bottom of the cleaner head. Close the switch, which will cut off some of the air intake, and the suction becomes even more insanely powerful. If you open up the switch, the suction power becomes more manageable and allows larger particles to be vacuumed (think large dried particles like Cheerios).
A second feature that the Dyson engineers have managed to eke out is to increase the battery life to allow up to an hour's worth of adrenaline filled, fade free vacuuming. This is like the holy grail for cordless vacuuming. This literally takes cordless vacuuming from being considered as a tool for quick spot cleaning to a serious whole home vacuum. Gone is the fear of running out of battery juice midway through your vacuuming. At the base setting, you will be able to complete the vacuuming on a single battery charge, with enough charge left over for you to vacuum your neighbor's home (just kidding).
And last, but not least, the transparent dust canister is now even bigger, some 40% bigger, when compared with the v8 Animal vacuum.
So how does the v10 perform? I ran it through hard, laminate, and tile flooring, carpets, and rugs. Vacuumed clumps of hair, dust filled corners of my home, picked up my kid's dried food crumbs from the dining room floors and even more food particles from the kitchen floor. After that I attached the crevice tool and lifted the dust and dirt from the baseboards. Then attached the mini soft dusting brush and went at it on my window blinds. Next, I felt adventurous and attached the mini motorized tool and vacuumed my sofas. Finally I used the combination tool and cleaned off whatever was left behind on counter tops and desks. The v10 cleaned everything effortlessly, all on a single charge of battery, and without once emptying the debris canister. If that isn't a whole home cordless vacuum, then I don't know what is.
This is a high performance vacuum, but without the fuss of requiring high maintenance. The only maintenance you will need to do is empty out the debris bin before it gets full and to remember to clean the filter and rinse it with cold water once a month.
Once you're all done vacuuming you can simply hang the vacuum up on the wall mount bracket which you will need to install on the wall with some dry wall screws and simple tools such as a drill and screwdriver. Plug in the ac adapter and power cord which will take up to 3.5 hours to fully recharge the battery and you'll be all set for your next vacuuming adventure. The battery meter is illuminated in blue color while it is charging Each battery bar will flash during recharging. It is fully charged when all three bars are no longer illuminated. During vacuuming, the three bars on the battery meter are illuminated to display remaining battery charge.
Here are other things to take note:
The motor noise at the base suction setting is quiet. It is quieter than my Dyson v7 Motorhead vacuum. I am always amazed at how the Dyson engineers continue to dampen the noise. If you live in an apartment and you're a night owl, you can literally vacuum in the middle of the night at the base setting and your neighbors will not hear you. The vacuum gets a little bit louder at the maximum suction setting, but not by much. It is still relatively quiet when compared to other brands' vacuums. It's not a marketing point anywhere on the box, but I think it is important to list the relatively quiet motor as a feature of the vacuum for those who are sensitive to noise.
The vacuum weight is well balanced, but the motorhead will prove to be a bit on the heavy side for some folks. Because most of the weight is near the motorhead at the handle, during longer vacuuming sessions there may be fatigue in the hands and arms from moving the vacuum back and forth.
The trigger on the handle to power on the vacuum is responsive to light pressure. No complaints about this. However, I do know that there have been requests to Dyson about including a trigger lock so that you don't always have to keep your finger on the trigger to maintain continuous operation of the vacuum. Well this hasn't been implemented on this iteration of the vacuum, and may never be included, but it is worth noting.
Finally, Dyson provides a two year parts and labor warranty in the rare instance that something goes wrong with the vacuum. And get this, Dyson will pay for the shipping both ways for the warranty service. Now that is customer service!
In summary, do I recommend the Dyson Cyclone v10 Animal? An unequivocal yes. This vacuum comes without compromises. The v10 has established it's mark as the cordless vacuum of choice for whole home floor to ceiling needs. It is powerful, versatile, has an industry leading 1 hour battery, and is effective at removing dust, hair, pet fur, and dry debris particles from all types of flooring and surfaces. The only thing holding the v10 back from being more ubiquitous in households is the high entry price point. The decision is ultimately yours depending on your budget and needs. Personally, after owning the v7 Motorhead and now the Cyclone v10, I can say that Dyson really designs the best vacuums out there.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
Customer Rating
5
The Elite 65t Sets the Bench Mark high!
on February 16, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
The Jabra Elite 65t truly wireless earbuds are very impressive. Jabra engineered these earbuds to near perfection from easy bluetooth pairing and robust left/right earbud connection to clear voice quality and very good audio output. What you get in the package are the wireless earbuds, a storage case that doubles as a charging station, 3 pairs (small, medium and large) of soft gel ear tips, a 12” long micro usb charging cable, and a quick start guide.
Here's what impressed me:
(1) Look and Comfort - Jabra took time in styling these earbuds. They are very professional looking and easily blends in with whatever style you have. That's because these wireless earbuds are so physically unobtrusive. They are recessed well in your ears so that they do not stick out and make you look like a frankenstein. The earbuds also have a firm comfortable fit. Once you find the right size eartip for your ear, they stay put in your ears. I was able to wear them for hours without fatigue. In fact, due to their featherweight, it almost feels like you're not wearing anything in your ears.
(2) Audio Quality – Small 6mm drivers, but very good audio quality. All around balanced sound with crisp and clear treble. Vocals come through with strong presence. Bass is good, but doesn't thump and overpower the sound (not for bass heads). If you don't like the sound as tuned from the factory, you have the option of using the Jabra app's 5-band equalizer to adjust the sound to your liking.
(3) Robust wireless connection – The wireless connection between the right and left earbud is as strong as if it were connected by a physical wire between them. I was afraid that there was going to be dropouts and stuttering between the right and ear buds, but this was not the case with the Jabra Elite 65t. Very strong connection, no dropped audio, no stuttering. I placed my phone in my right front, right rear, left front, and left rear jean pocket. All is good. Left and right earbud transmit clearly and no drop out even with cross body placement of the phone. Bluetooth connection is similarly very strong. I was able to walk about 25 feet away before the earbud started to dropout.
(4) Excellent Voice and Call Quality – I take public transportation in a big city, and when I make a call using the Jabra Elite 65t, the person on the other line told me that my voice came through clearly and without background noises even though I was standing at the bus stop near a busy intersection with loud traffic noise.
(5) Voice Assistant Integration – Press the right ear bud button for 1 second and your voice assistant (Google or Alexa) will activate and it will recognize your voice command through the earbud.
(6) Sturdy clamshell storage case with integrated charging station – The earbuds are small and the small clamshell storage case is perfect to protect the earbuds during transport. They easily slip into your pants pockets. Because of their small size however, they can similarly slip out of your pants pocket if you're not careful.
(7) A Very Useful App – To get the most out of your ear buds, you will need to download the Jabra Sound+ app and the Jabra Service App. The Jabra Service App is simply to enable the functions for the Sound+ app. The app is the central nervous system for the earbuds. It displays the ear bud battery meter, has a 5 band equalizer, and has different adjustments for HearThrough (how much ambient sound will be trasmitted through the ear buds) and Sidetone (adjusts how much of your own voice you hear during phone calls). The user manual is also in the app. I recommend you read through the user manual as it explains all the functions for the earbuds.
(1) Look and Comfort - Jabra took time in styling these earbuds. They are very professional looking and easily blends in with whatever style you have. That's because these wireless earbuds are so physically unobtrusive. They are recessed well in your ears so that they do not stick out and make you look like a frankenstein. The earbuds also have a firm comfortable fit. Once you find the right size eartip for your ear, they stay put in your ears. I was able to wear them for hours without fatigue. In fact, due to their featherweight, it almost feels like you're not wearing anything in your ears.
(2) Audio Quality – Small 6mm drivers, but very good audio quality. All around balanced sound with crisp and clear treble. Vocals come through with strong presence. Bass is good, but doesn't thump and overpower the sound (not for bass heads). If you don't like the sound as tuned from the factory, you have the option of using the Jabra app's 5-band equalizer to adjust the sound to your liking.
(3) Robust wireless connection – The wireless connection between the right and left earbud is as strong as if it were connected by a physical wire between them. I was afraid that there was going to be dropouts and stuttering between the right and ear buds, but this was not the case with the Jabra Elite 65t. Very strong connection, no dropped audio, no stuttering. I placed my phone in my right front, right rear, left front, and left rear jean pocket. All is good. Left and right earbud transmit clearly and no drop out even with cross body placement of the phone. Bluetooth connection is similarly very strong. I was able to walk about 25 feet away before the earbud started to dropout.
(4) Excellent Voice and Call Quality – I take public transportation in a big city, and when I make a call using the Jabra Elite 65t, the person on the other line told me that my voice came through clearly and without background noises even though I was standing at the bus stop near a busy intersection with loud traffic noise.
(5) Voice Assistant Integration – Press the right ear bud button for 1 second and your voice assistant (Google or Alexa) will activate and it will recognize your voice command through the earbud.
(6) Sturdy clamshell storage case with integrated charging station – The earbuds are small and the small clamshell storage case is perfect to protect the earbuds during transport. They easily slip into your pants pockets. Because of their small size however, they can similarly slip out of your pants pocket if you're not careful.
(7) A Very Useful App – To get the most out of your ear buds, you will need to download the Jabra Sound+ app and the Jabra Service App. The Jabra Service App is simply to enable the functions for the Sound+ app. The app is the central nervous system for the earbuds. It displays the ear bud battery meter, has a 5 band equalizer, and has different adjustments for HearThrough (how much ambient sound will be trasmitted through the ear buds) and Sidetone (adjusts how much of your own voice you hear during phone calls). The user manual is also in the app. I recommend you read through the user manual as it explains all the functions for the earbuds.
There are only minor things that I was not impressed with:
(1) The micro usb charging cable is only 12” long. It's long enough if you're charging through your laptop or an external battery charger. However, if you're using a wall charger, it would be better to have a longer micro usb charge cable.
(2) The volume +/- buttons on the left ear bud are located on diametrically opposite edges of the button circle which may be difficult to press for those with large fingers.
(1) The micro usb charging cable is only 12” long. It's long enough if you're charging through your laptop or an external battery charger. However, if you're using a wall charger, it would be better to have a longer micro usb charge cable.
(2) The volume +/- buttons on the left ear bud are located on diametrically opposite edges of the button circle which may be difficult to press for those with large fingers.
Battery life is on par with truly wireless offerings from other brands with up to 5 hours of battery on a charge for a total of 15 hours with the charging case. It takes approximately 2 hours to fully recharge the case. No complaints here.
Summary:
In conclusion, the Jabra Elite 65t lives up to its 'Elite' title. Jabra is setting the bench mark for others to follow. It has perfected the robust connection between left and right ear bud with very good audio quality, and a style that blends in with any environment whether it is a professional work environment or casual setting. For the price and features, the Jabra is a good value. It should be on the short list for anyone considering a truly wireless earbud purchase.
In conclusion, the Jabra Elite 65t lives up to its 'Elite' title. Jabra is setting the bench mark for others to follow. It has perfected the robust connection between left and right ear bud with very good audio quality, and a style that blends in with any environment whether it is a professional work environment or casual setting. For the price and features, the Jabra is a good value. It should be on the short list for anyone considering a truly wireless earbud purchase.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Remove wrinkles from garments with this Shark GI305 professional lightweight iron, which delivers 1500W of power for effective operation and features a 180° tank for easy filling under a faucet.
Customer Rating
5
Gets the Wrinkles Out!
on January 16, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
Verified Purchase:Yes
This lightweight shark iron works well. It is easy to use and gets the wrinkles out of my shirts and pants very quickly. Highly recommend.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Enjoy everything from network television shows to streaming video service on this LG LED TV. Smart technology connects to the internet so you can binge your favorite Netflix or Hulu series, and the 1080p display delivers a sharp image. This LG LED TV has a USB input so that you can share from your phone or computer.
Customer Rating
4
Good if you don't need the latest and greatest
on January 15, 2018
Posted by: lambda100
Verified Purchase:Yes
If you don't need the latest 4k technology and don't need more than 2 hdmi inputs, then this is a good tv to consider. Good picture quality, but mediocre sound. When purchasing this television, you should probably think about getting a soundbar for improved audio quality.
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
My Best Buy number: 3451666665
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
Are this headphones are waterproof ?
No, the headphones are not waterproof. The Sony 1000XM2 are not advertised with an IPX rating.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
lambda100
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
The earmuffs can help to reduce more noises than ANC maybe can't do (high frequencies)? How is the passive noise reduction compared with QC35?
I have both the Bose QC35 and the Sony 1000XM2. I qualitatively tested the passive noise reduction for both, and can conclude that passive noise reduction is similar on both. The Sony headphones press tighter onto my ears and gives the perception that they offer better passive noise reduction, but they really do not.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
lambda100
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
I read that the ANC technology don't works well to cancell the high frequency noises (fireguns, fireworks). However, these headphones they have a passive isolation around the ear. The passive isolation, ANC and music combination can help to reduce it?
The passive isolation on the 1000XM2 and all audio headphones on the market for that matter are insufficient at effectively reducing high frequency noises. Of course, if you turn on the volume loud enough, you will be able to block out most of the noise at the expense of your hearing. With that said, please use proper, dedicated earmuffs rated for firearm and industrial use for your specific purpose.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
lambda100
Listen to your playlist in peace with these Sony headphones. They have a 40mm dome driver to deliver the full depth of audio, and the noise cancelling feature minimizes outside disturbances for a better listening experience. These Sony headphones have a battery life of up to 30 hours for extended jam sessions.
What walkman are compatible with these headphones?
The Sony 1000XM2 comes with a standard 3.5mm audio cable. These headphones will work with any walkman that has the standard 3.5mm audio input.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
lambda100
Immerse yourself in rich, vibrant sound with this 2.1-channel Sony sound bar. It has a two-way wireless subwoofer that delivers booming bass and an S-Force PRO front surround for a theater-like audio experience. This Sony sound bar uses Bluetooth connectivity to pair easily with home theater and other audio devices.
Is this entire sound bar wireless or are there any cords to attach to the TV? What's the sound output?
The connection between the soundbar and the subwoofer is wireless. Listening devices can also be connected wirelessly via bluetooth. The soundbar is attached to the TV via HDMI arc or optical cable. The optical cable is included in the packaging. Sound output is rated at 300 watts.
8 years, 1 month ago
by
lambda100
Immerse yourself in rich, vibrant sound with this 2.1-channel Sony sound bar. It has a two-way wireless subwoofer that delivers booming bass and an S-Force PRO front surround for a theater-like audio experience. This Sony sound bar uses Bluetooth connectivity to pair easily with home theater and other audio devices.
how big is the sub woofer on this set
The sub woofer on the Sony HT-CT290 measures 6 3/4" wide x 13 1/2" high x 14 3/8" deep.
8 years, 1 month ago
by
lambda100
Make hands-free calls and listen to music with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones. The wireless design frees your range of motion, and the microphone makes conversations more convenient. Listen to music for over 8 hours on a single charge with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones, which are moisture-resistant for use during strenuous workouts.
Can you skip songs on Android phones with these?
Yes, you can skip songs on Android phones with the Sony MDR-XB50BS headphones by pressing and holding down the volume button for two seconds. The volume button is located on the right side of the headphone.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
lambda100
Make hands-free calls and listen to music with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones. The wireless design frees your range of motion, and the microphone makes conversations more convenient. Listen to music for over 8 hours on a single charge with these Sony wireless in-ear sport headphones, which are moisture-resistant for use during strenuous workouts.
Do these have a blinking light on them while in use?
Yes, there is a blue blinking light when in use.
8 years, 7 months ago
by
lambda100
Clearly view your favorite movies or look at photos using this Lenovo G50 - 80E30181US laptop, which features a 15.6" display that offers visuals in high-definition. A 500GB hard drive provides serviceable storage for your files.
Does this have a touch screen?
Clearly view your favorite movies or look at photos using this Lenovo G50 - 80E30181US laptop, which features a 15.6" display that offers visuals in high-definition. A 500GB hard drive provides serviceable storage for your files.
Is the battery removable?
Yes, the battery is easily removable by sliding two tabs underneath the laptop.
10 years ago
by
lambda100