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Jack
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- Review count18
- Helpfulness votes167
- First reviewOctober 25, 2016
- Last reviewFebruary 26, 2019
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
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- First answerOctober 25, 2016
- Last answerOctober 25, 2016
- Featured answers0
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Clean your carpets efficiently with this iRobot Roomba vacuum. It lets you set a schedule for automated vacuuming, and the sensors help it navigate under furniture and around objects on the floor for a more thorough cleaning job. This iRobot Roomba vacuum has internal brushes, agitators and suction to handle debris and pet hair.
Customer Rating
4
Great entry-level robot vacuum
on August 3, 2017
Posted by: Jack
Robots are cool. But vacuum robots - maybe not so much. But after I started using the Roomba 690, my view is changing bit by bit, because now I have a robot that actually can do at least one household chore.
The Roomba is quite small, and the charging station does not take a lot of space by itself. However, if you want to use the "Go Home" function, you have to have some clearance around the station.
Now, regarding actual use: I used it to clean my carpeted bed room and living space and it works quite well, albeit a tad slowly. If you have small (low-profile) things lying around like plastic bags etc. it can get tangled into the wheels and you'll find your vacuum screaming with an error alert. Cables are also problematic in cramped spaces. Other than that it worked as expected in my "not-so-clean" bachelor pad. I did not try to clean my vinyl-covered kitchen space beside my living room carpet, and used the included "barrier" to keep it in check. If you have a lots of space you want to restrict, you may need to buy a couple of more barriers, but for my the included one was enough.
Overall, it’s a very convenient solution for a tiring chore and I'm using it quite regularly. The smartphone app is very convenient for scheduling clean cycles. I have not used any other type of robot vacuum before, so I can't do a comparison with any other solutions out there. But all I can say is that the experience I'm having with the Roomba 690 is very good.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+14points
14of 14voted this as helpful.
Enjoy your morning java with this Ninja coffee brewer. Its specialized extraction technology maximizes the flavor of your hot or iced brew, and its Auto-iQ One-Touch Intelligence feature lets you choose the size of your drinking vessel so it delivers the exact amount of water. This Ninja coffee brewer has a removable reservoir for easy refilling.
Customer Rating
4
Good versatile coffee brewer
on August 3, 2017
Posted by: Jack
The Ninja coffee brewer is a very flexible solution in the sense that it can brew different amounts based on need. It’s very convenient if you want a single-cup brewer for daily use, but may need to brew a bit more when your friends are around. Also, it has three modes or brew styles to choose from: regular, strong/rich, and another brew for over ice. The water reservoir is intelligent enough to pass along the required amount of water depending on the brew size and strength. There's also a preheating mode but I haven't seen any difference between that and regular operation, except the time maybe reduced by a short amount. There's a convenient drip stop which I found really usable - it acts kind of like a pause button for a quick fill of your cup. The brewer has a cleaning cycle programmed, and tells you when it's needed.
Overall, I really love using this brewer and replaced my K-cup brewer with this. The size is not the smallest, and maybe a tad tall for kitchen counter application - so check whether it'll fit before buying. The construction looks solid, though some may prefer with a bit more metal parts. The reusable permanent filter is quite good too, and you can also use a cone type filter if preferred. The only downside I find is that the MSRP of $150 or more maybe a bit on the higher side, something around $100 would make it a very good deal.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Listen to music hands-free with this LG wireless headset. It lets you answer or ignore a call with voice commands, and the wireless earbuds charge when they're resting inside the neckband, ensuring they're ready for use. The neckband of this LG wireless headset provides vibration alerts for incoming calls and texts, so you'll never miss a message.
Customer Rating
2
Great concept muddled by sub-par sound quality
on May 31, 2017
Posted by: Jack
The LG Tone Free headset was something I was looking forward to due to its unique "truly wireless" concept. The working parts are just two small earpieces - no strings attached whatsoever. There's still the neckband that’s a design feature for all LG Tone headsets, but for Tone Free, it acts like a storage point and battery pack.
All this sounds nice and interesting, until you come to the actual "sound" part. There's absolutely no bass. I'm not sure what kind of consumers they folks in LG were tuning these headphones for - obviously not for people who listen to music. I listen to a lot of genre and I was couldn't find any song that sounded even decent. And if you prefer rock/metal/pop, the sound sometimes feel like torture. I'm in no way comparing these to any audiophile/prosumer headphones, but you know there's something wrong with these ~$199 headphones when even the $10 wired headphones sound vastly superior compared to these. The only thing that’s bearable is voice: calls were very good and crisp, and also podcasts were enjoyable. However, music during podcasts will remind you time and again that these sounds trashy.
In essence, if you don't want to sacrifice $199 or so, don't buy these.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Keep your SoundLink Revolve or Revolve+ Bluetooth speaker charged and ready to go, with the SoundLink Revolve charging dock. It’s a convenient home base for your speaker, and you can play your music while it charges. Just plug the wall charger included with your speaker into the cradle. Available in Black.
Customer Rating
5
Nice addition to the Soundlink Revolve speaker
on May 4, 2017
Posted by: Jack
I received a pre-release review unit under the Best Buy Tech Insider program along with the Bose Soundlink Revolve bluetooth speaker. As far as I can tell, this base only supports the Revolve and Revolve+ speakers.
The package contains only the charging base - there's no USB cable in the box. That's because the USB charger and cable are given with the speaker. Fortunately it’s a standard mini-USB, so no trouble there.
The base charges the speaker through 4 flexible metal pins - the base of the speaker contains the contact pads. This makes the connection super easy, and there's a recessed guide-like portion to make the orientation/placement very quick and hassle-free.
What I most liked about the base that if you are always on the move with your Revolve speaker, you can just put it back on the base for juice it up for the next day. Also, the speaker can still play audio while charging - all the more reason to get this base.
If you have already opted to get the Soundlink Revolve/Revolve+ speaker, get this base too.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Deep. Loud. And immersive, too. The SoundLink Revolve Portable Bluetooth speaker delivers true 360° sound for consistent, uniform coverage. Place it in the center of the room to give everyone the same experience. Or set it near a wall so sound radiates and reflects. This wireless speaker is durable, water-resistant and easy to grab and go - with a rechargeable battery that plays up to 12 hours.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Bluetooth speaker for the size
on May 2, 2017
Posted by: Jack
I received a pre-release review unit under the Best Buy Tech Insider program along with a charging base. After using for more than a week, here's my opinion:
DESIGN
Soundlink Revolve is designed like a cylinder -- the intent is to get a 360 degree immersive audio experience. This is really good especially if you are outdoors. It has a well-built metallic body with a rubbery top for controls. It is dust and water-resistant which is again very handy for outdoor music playback. The unit feels a bit heavy due to the metal construction, but that may not be an issue for normal usage.
Soundlink Revolve is designed like a cylinder -- the intent is to get a 360 degree immersive audio experience. This is really good especially if you are outdoors. It has a well-built metallic body with a rubbery top for controls. It is dust and water-resistant which is again very handy for outdoor music playback. The unit feels a bit heavy due to the metal construction, but that may not be an issue for normal usage.
SOUND
Now the best part of this speaker: the sound is so good compared to its size. I usually do not like Bluetooth speakers in general and am more of a headphone person, but I was blown away at the sound. I used to use my Google Home for my podcasts and music IF I didn't want to use my headphones, but after hearing the Soundlink Revolve, I can't go back to the Google Home anymore. The bass is quite good, and so are the highs. Of course you can't expect Sonos-like sound in this one, but still you'll definitely get amazed at the quality from this speaker.
Now the best part of this speaker: the sound is so good compared to its size. I usually do not like Bluetooth speakers in general and am more of a headphone person, but I was blown away at the sound. I used to use my Google Home for my podcasts and music IF I didn't want to use my headphones, but after hearing the Soundlink Revolve, I can't go back to the Google Home anymore. The bass is quite good, and so are the highs. Of course you can't expect Sonos-like sound in this one, but still you'll definitely get amazed at the quality from this speaker.
CONTROL & CONNECTIVITY
You have the normal array of control: power, play/pause, forward, rewind. There are separate buttons to select source: Bluetooth or the 3.5mm audio in (quite handy if you want to keep our wired source attached while wanting to play something over Bluetooth). There's audio prompts when you turn on or connect the speaker and it speaks out the name of the source as well. This is useful since you can connect it to at least 2 devices over Bluetooth at once.
You have the normal array of control: power, play/pause, forward, rewind. There are separate buttons to select source: Bluetooth or the 3.5mm audio in (quite handy if you want to keep our wired source attached while wanting to play something over Bluetooth). There's audio prompts when you turn on or connect the speaker and it speaks out the name of the source as well. This is useful since you can connect it to at least 2 devices over Bluetooth at once.
APP
There's a companion app for the speaker called Bose Connect. You can name your speaker, toggle voice prompts and of course change the volume with the app. The battery level is also available.
There's a companion app for the speaker called Bose Connect. You can name your speaker, toggle voice prompts and of course change the volume with the app. The battery level is also available.
However, there's been a recent report saying this app uploads usage data to Bose which may be shared with 3rd party services. I didn't go into details on this, and since I don't think its essential for normal operation, I just got rid of this.
CONCLUSION
Overall, this is a mighty good speaker. Bose's are always lauded for their good sound and quality, and this speaker does not disappoint in those categories. If you are in the market for a good Bluetooth speaker and also willing to spend some dough, you should definitely check out this one.
Overall, this is a mighty good speaker. Bose's are always lauded for their good sound and quality, and this speaker does not disappoint in those categories. If you are in the market for a good Bluetooth speaker and also willing to spend some dough, you should definitely check out this one.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+8points
9of 10voted this as helpful.
Bring out the bass in your music with these Bluetooth-enabled Sony over-ear headphones. Its digital noise-canceling technology lets you shut out external sounds for immersive listening, and you can play tunes wirelessly for up to 22 hours. The soft ear pads on these Sony over-ear headphones provide comfort during long listening sessions.
Customer Rating
4
Solid bass and noise cancellation
on March 27, 2017
Posted by: Jack
I got this headphone a couple of days ago. I'm not a pro or audiophile, but I love listening to music and own quite a number of cans of different types and form-factors.
I was really interested in the two highlighted features of these headphones: bass effect and noise cancellation (NC). I have an NC headphone from Panasonic which does rather meager job at that. The NC feature of the Sony XB950N1 is quite good: more than I expected. I've been using it at my office (where there's always a low drone from the AC). I feel quite isolated from everything - the first couple of times it felt quite unnatural, but now I'm getting used to it.
Regarding the extra bass feature: I'm not a so called "bass head". My playlist is mostly dominated by rock, metal, classical, new age. At first I was really confused what the "Bass Effect" button on the left ear-cup did: I did not find any significant change. However, I installed the companion app in my Android phone and increased the "Electro Bass Boost" effect a bit (I found +4 did the trick for me). That increased the bass effect to a more enjoyable level for me - anymore than that and the low end gets overtly dominating.
I'm always hesitant on commenting on the sound quality of headphones. I personally find the technical features (freq. response, sibilance, etc.) secondary when choosing/recommending headphones. There are a lot of resources for those information (and I admire the people who provide us with those in-depth analysis). I usually just listen to some stock tracks I like and check whether they sound as I expect. From that perspective, I love my Audio Technica ATH-M50x. Comparing to that, the low-end seemed muddy for the Sony. The M50x has more clarity (which it should as it's a monitor headphone), but the Sony does a decent job. I compared it with Beats Studio Wireless, and it seemed the sound is quite superior in case of Sony (Disclaimer: I don't own a Beats myself, I borrowed it just to compare).
The size of the headphone may be a concern for some people - they are quite big. The headband is of course adjustable, but someone with a smaller head may find it "overwhelming". The headphone itself is quite comfortable. My ears sweat a lot when listening for more than an hour or so. The Sony XB950N1 as a synthetic leather like material on the ear-cups and the headband support backed by a quite soft foam material (not sure whether they are memory foam or not). Though the pads are not breathable, I found my ears getting hot and sweaty after using them for more than 3 hours at a stretch. The headband clamping is also not very tight and does not exert too much pressure.
I was really interested in the two highlighted features of these headphones: bass effect and noise cancellation (NC). I have an NC headphone from Panasonic which does rather meager job at that. The NC feature of the Sony XB950N1 is quite good: more than I expected. I've been using it at my office (where there's always a low drone from the AC). I feel quite isolated from everything - the first couple of times it felt quite unnatural, but now I'm getting used to it.
Regarding the extra bass feature: I'm not a so called "bass head". My playlist is mostly dominated by rock, metal, classical, new age. At first I was really confused what the "Bass Effect" button on the left ear-cup did: I did not find any significant change. However, I installed the companion app in my Android phone and increased the "Electro Bass Boost" effect a bit (I found +4 did the trick for me). That increased the bass effect to a more enjoyable level for me - anymore than that and the low end gets overtly dominating.
I'm always hesitant on commenting on the sound quality of headphones. I personally find the technical features (freq. response, sibilance, etc.) secondary when choosing/recommending headphones. There are a lot of resources for those information (and I admire the people who provide us with those in-depth analysis). I usually just listen to some stock tracks I like and check whether they sound as I expect. From that perspective, I love my Audio Technica ATH-M50x. Comparing to that, the low-end seemed muddy for the Sony. The M50x has more clarity (which it should as it's a monitor headphone), but the Sony does a decent job. I compared it with Beats Studio Wireless, and it seemed the sound is quite superior in case of Sony (Disclaimer: I don't own a Beats myself, I borrowed it just to compare).
The size of the headphone may be a concern for some people - they are quite big. The headband is of course adjustable, but someone with a smaller head may find it "overwhelming". The headphone itself is quite comfortable. My ears sweat a lot when listening for more than an hour or so. The Sony XB950N1 as a synthetic leather like material on the ear-cups and the headband support backed by a quite soft foam material (not sure whether they are memory foam or not). Though the pads are not breathable, I found my ears getting hot and sweaty after using them for more than 3 hours at a stretch. The headband clamping is also not very tight and does not exert too much pressure.
Overall, I found the headphone to be quite good for the targeted consumers who want the extra-bass effect, noise-cancellation, and good Bluetooth functionality. The build-quality is excellent. The wireless range is quite good, and the charge stays on for a long time. I think I got more than 15 hours with both Bass Effect and Noise-Cancellation turned on. However, I'm not happy with a couple of things: 1) I think the price ($250) maybe a bit high - I think it's a good buy if its around $180-200. 2) Only a soft carrying pouch is included - a hard case would have been great. 3) Finally I found it difficult to keep track of all the switches on the ear-cups (Power, NC, Bass effect, Volume rocker, another rocker-like combo-switch for Play/Pause, Forward and Back). Clearer info regarding the usage should have been included instead of the user poking around for different settings.
These are all my initial thoughts after using it for 4/5 days. I'll try to update this review if possible in the future.
These are all my initial thoughts after using it for 4/5 days. I'll try to update this review if possible in the future.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+25points
27of 29voted this as helpful.
Create a reliable internet connection throughout your home with this Google Wi-Fi system. The convenient package of three connectivity points effortlessly covers even large homes up to 4,500 square feet. This Google Wi-Fi system eliminates uneven bandwidth usage among multiple devices, including cellphones and tablets, for an unimpeded connection that doesn't lag behind.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent home WiFi solution with easy setup
on January 23, 2017
Posted by: Jack
Finally, WiFi woes in my parents home is over! I have tried a number of solutions over the past couple of years, but nothing worked. Since they are not the most "tech savvy", I had to pitch in from time to time to solve WiFi issues in the 3000 sq-ft+ apartment. Tried WiFi Extenders: did not work reliably. Same issue with powerline adapters and using other routers as access points: works great when you set it up, but breaks down the moment you leave!
Finally, Google WiFi gave me the peace of find I needed. Setup was easy - especially when the primary unit setup is completed correctly. This can be done only through the Android (or iOS app), there's not webpage-style setup whatsover. Extending the network by the auxiliary units was easy as pie. I did however face some issue with the primary unit set up: since the internet service required static IP, the automatic process failed and asked me to contact Google Support. Instead of that suggestion, I tried the setup from the start again, and instead of the automatic setup, chose the manual path and was able to put all the Gateway and other required info. I don't understand why this was not suggested immediately when the automatic setup failed - no need to call support for just this issue!
The lights on the "modules" are quite helpful, and they can be dimmed as well which is a really nice touch.
Overall, the network I setup is running strong for more than a month now. Finally I'm done with fiddling with router settings!
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Connect your external wireless devices to the internet with this Linksys dual-band router. Two 5Ghz bands support both high-end gaming and low-end applications without compromising speed, and remote management lets you make adjustments from any location. This Linksys dual-band router has a sleek design that integrates easily into most workspaces.
Customer Rating
5
Very fast router with Open-WRT and DD-WRT support
on October 25, 2016
Posted by: Jack
Pros:
- Very very fast wi-fi. Theoretically can go up to 3.2Gbps (600Mbps n + 2.6Gbps ac)
- Set-up and management with the default firmware is a breeze. Comes it an adequte default wi-fi network setup out of the box (with Guest Network, etc.)
- Linksys Smart WiFi app is quite capable
- Very, very good coverage
- 4 detachable antennas can be oriented according to need
- Looks super cool (from a geeks perspective)
- Ability to turn off the lights is a very nice feature (though I think that's standard for most Linksys routers)
- Very very fast wi-fi. Theoretically can go up to 3.2Gbps (600Mbps n + 2.6Gbps ac)
- Set-up and management with the default firmware is a breeze. Comes it an adequte default wi-fi network setup out of the box (with Guest Network, etc.)
- Linksys Smart WiFi app is quite capable
- Very, very good coverage
- 4 detachable antennas can be oriented according to need
- Looks super cool (from a geeks perspective)
- Ability to turn off the lights is a very nice feature (though I think that's standard for most Linksys routers)
Cons:
- Size is quite big, which may detract some home users
- The classic "WRT" color and shape may not be likable for many
- Size is quite big, which may detract some home users
- The classic "WRT" color and shape may not be likable for many
Overall:
I've been using this router for more than a week now, and till now this is the best router I've used. I upgraded from AC1200 capable router, which was quite adequate for my speed, but after using this WRT3200ACM, it's very difficult to go back. The router is very reliable. Speed is quite consistent. No unnecessary restart required yet. I haven't yet tried OpenWRT/DD-WRT yet, but I plan to do so in the near future. If you want a really reliable and fast router for a large home or Home-Office setup with lots of wireless devices, this is definitely for you.
I've been using this router for more than a week now, and till now this is the best router I've used. I upgraded from AC1200 capable router, which was quite adequate for my speed, but after using this WRT3200ACM, it's very difficult to go back. The router is very reliable. Speed is quite consistent. No unnecessary restart required yet. I haven't yet tried OpenWRT/DD-WRT yet, but I plan to do so in the near future. If you want a really reliable and fast router for a large home or Home-Office setup with lots of wireless devices, this is definitely for you.
My Best Buy number: 2847005903
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
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Jack's Answers
Wireless Router Password
I do not know my wireless password and do not have the installation disc to reset? What to do?
There should a reset button on the back of the router. Most routers have a sticker that says whats the default password. Else check the router support page.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
Jack