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- Review count210
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- First reviewJanuary 28, 2017
- Last reviewJuly 4, 2025
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- Average rating4.1
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- Answer count16
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- First answerJune 2, 2017
- Last answerDecember 9, 2021
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Customize your home theater system with this Samsung sound bar. The 1.5-inch tweeters and the 6.5-inch subwoofer deliver crisp, powerful sound, while the included remote control allows easy multimedia handling. This Samsung sound bar has Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio files from compatible devices smoothly, and the wall-mountable design helps declutter your space.
Customer Rating
4
Decent Soundbar that is a Great Value
on July 20, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
Key Features
Dolby Atmos and DTS: X Support
3.1.2 Audio Channel Configuration
Multi Connection Options (Bluetooth, eARC, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Optical Digital)
Works with Amazon Alexa
Compatible with Samsung Wireless Surround Sound Speakers
3.1.2 Audio Channel Configuration
Multi Connection Options (Bluetooth, eARC, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Optical Digital)
Works with Amazon Alexa
Compatible with Samsung Wireless Surround Sound Speakers
INITIAL SET-UP
The initial set-up had a few challenges, but I can’t put the blame on the soundbar. The important thing to note is that during initial configuration, really dig into your TV settings if you are experiencing connection issues like I was. Luckily, even though I was initially unsuccessful at getting the soundbar to work with HDMI, the Optical Digital input proved easy enough and the sound bar worked instantly without any additional fuss.
The initial set-up had a few challenges, but I can’t put the blame on the soundbar. The important thing to note is that during initial configuration, really dig into your TV settings if you are experiencing connection issues like I was. Luckily, even though I was initially unsuccessful at getting the soundbar to work with HDMI, the Optical Digital input proved easy enough and the sound bar worked instantly without any additional fuss.
Like most other soundbars, this model can be either wall mounted or set on a piece of furniture. Samsung provides additional rubber feet if you wish to set it on a piece of furniture. To mount it on the wall, the soundbar uses 2 metal “L” brackets that are secured with one screw each to the soundbar and one screw each to the wall. While the mounting system is effective enough, it is one of the least elegant solutions I’ve encountered.
Samsung provides a small display on the right side of the speaker that relays important information about the status of the soundbar. Things like current input, channel levels, subwoofer output, sound mode, etc. are all displayed via a scrolling text in the information display. The display is nearly imperceptible when off and even with its small size, I found it easy enough to configure the speaker using just it alone. Great implementation!
As welcome and informative as the display is, the speaker is best set up using the SmartThings app. I installed the app on my Samsung Galaxy S10 and set-up went without issue. The app is informative, easy to use, and allows you to fully configure every aspect of the soundbar’s output. While the speaker’s display is great to have on a day-to-day basis, I really appreciate the time and attention Samsung put into the SmartThings app to make the speaker set-up experience polished and issue-free.
USE
Sound quality is quite good from a speaker with such small drivers. This soundbar includes a dedicated center channel speaker, left and right drivers, and 2 up firing drivers for surround sound. While not as room filling and believable as dedicated in-ceiling Atmos speakers, the soundbar’s up firing speakers did do a nice job at increasing the sense of spaciousness during action scenes in movies.
Sound quality is quite good from a speaker with such small drivers. This soundbar includes a dedicated center channel speaker, left and right drivers, and 2 up firing drivers for surround sound. While not as room filling and believable as dedicated in-ceiling Atmos speakers, the soundbar’s up firing speakers did do a nice job at increasing the sense of spaciousness during action scenes in movies.
The soundbar has several sound modes built-in to help customize the vocals and output to the user’s preference. Samsung touts the “Adaptive Sound” mode, so that is what I tried and use the most. I will admit that this mode does do a great job of keeping the vocals clear and level during movie playback. What I hate to admit even more is that it does a better job at dialog enhancement and leveling than my much more expensive soundbar in my family room. Ouch!
Music reproduction is also decent. While not as crisp and clear as my family room soundbar or dedicated speakers, it still does an admirable job for music listening. My Galaxy S10 finds the speaker nearly instantly and the Bluetooth streaming and connection has proven reliable and trouble free. A feature which I thought would be pointless was the “Touch and Play” but has proved itself to be very convenient. With NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled on your phone, you can walk up the soundbar and touch your phone to the top of the soundbar, the phone and soundbar pair up via Bluetooth and both automatically switch to stream your content. Super cool!!!
NEGATIVES
First. While I have this first item listed under the negatives, I don’t consider it a negative toward the soundbar in any way. I’m putting this out there to hopefully help save others some of my frustrations. I initially had issues getting the soundbar to work correctly with my Vizio PX75-G1. I hooked the soundbar to the ARC (Audio Return Channel) of the Vizio and the eARC output on the soundbar. No matter what I tried, I got no sound. The soundbar reported that the TV ARC was unavailable. After some manual reading (Ugh, who does that?) and some Googling, I figured out that it wasn’t a soundbar issue, but a TV and end user issue. On Vizio (and I assume other brands of TV’s), you must have CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) enabled for the TV to communicate with soundbar via the ARC or eARC channel. Once I enabled the ARC option under the CEC menu, everything has worked spot on since.
First. While I have this first item listed under the negatives, I don’t consider it a negative toward the soundbar in any way. I’m putting this out there to hopefully help save others some of my frustrations. I initially had issues getting the soundbar to work correctly with my Vizio PX75-G1. I hooked the soundbar to the ARC (Audio Return Channel) of the Vizio and the eARC output on the soundbar. No matter what I tried, I got no sound. The soundbar reported that the TV ARC was unavailable. After some manual reading (Ugh, who does that?) and some Googling, I figured out that it wasn’t a soundbar issue, but a TV and end user issue. On Vizio (and I assume other brands of TV’s), you must have CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) enabled for the TV to communicate with soundbar via the ARC or eARC channel. Once I enabled the ARC option under the CEC menu, everything has worked spot on since.
Second. I am not impressed with the output of the subwoofer. When I think subwoofer, I think bass. When I think bass, I expect a thump that makes music fun and lively, and power that vibrates the floors when something explodes in action movies. If your idea of bass is like mine, this is NOT the set-up for you. To be fair to Samsung, the subwoofer does a decent job of adding to the lower octaves of movies and music. It does help fill the void that the small drivers in the soundbar cannot reproduce. But, those massive guttural slams and booms that really liven up the action in movies just aren’t there. As a matter of fact, with the sub sitting directly on the floor, I don’t even feel vibrations in the floor. Even though the bass isn’t anything like what I was expecting, it did add just enough to my experience to make it more enjoyable. The bass is subtle and definitely not overpowering.
Third. Connections. While there are quite a few options for connecting to the soundbar, it appears that Samsung intends on the end user utilizing the TV as their primary input source and letting the eARC or ARC channel serve as the audio transport. Users should really consider their options on their TV before purchasing the system. This soundbar may not be the best option for TV’s that don’t support at least an ARC option. The one, lone HDMI input or eARC input is the only way to get true lossless audio to the soundbar. ARC, optical digital, etc. won't pass full high-resolution lossless audio like Atmos. So, if your TV doesn’t have the eARC option and you want to experience lossless audio, that leaves your choice of just the one HDMI input (assuming you don’t want to complicate the setup with a switcher).
CONCLUSIONS
While there are some negatives to the system, there are also many positives too. As a matter of fact, I feel there are more positives than negatives and those positives outweigh the negatives.
While there are some negatives to the system, there are also many positives too. As a matter of fact, I feel there are more positives than negatives and those positives outweigh the negatives.
The sound quality is quite good, even with just 1.5” drivers, the sound is far superior to any TV speakers on the market. Purchasing the soundbar will greatly improve your TV, movie, and music experiences. It should be noted too, that this soundbar is compatible with Samsung’s wireless surround sound kit. This kit makes it simple to add dedicated surround channels without the need to run wires everywhere.
The SmartThings app is well designed and very informative. Installation, configuration, and operation of the system is simple. Any frustrations that I experienced were my own fault, were easily worked through, and the system has been rock solid since.
There are numerous, small touches that make the system user-friendly and unique. Things like the small display window with scrolling text that allows you to make configuration changes without the app and the awesome cover on the soundbar. The soundbar has a perforated, metal cover instead of the basic, black cloth that nearly all others have. Why is that great? Anyone with small kids knows why. No more little fingers poking through the cloth cover!
In the end, I would give the soundbar 4 stars. There just isn’t enough bass for my personal preference. But, if you aren’t a bass head, or don’t need an overpowering system that would wake the kids, then this system should warrant a look. It offers good sound quality and I think represents an excellent value, especially if you currently own a Samsung Q LED.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+66points
67of 68voted this as helpful.
Record and view impressive video with this powerful security system, providing 4K Ultra HD resolution with superior definition and detail. This system also features Smart Motion Detection, so you only receive notifications that are important to you. Smart Search technology allows you to quickly and easily filter motion events, saving time when reviewing footage. Listen and speak to visitors on your property thanks to the listen in audio and two way talk feature in each camera. As part of the Lorex Fusion™ collection, you can pair this security system with additional Lorex Products, such as Wi-Fi cameras, doorbells, sensors, and floodlights. With convenient voice control and smart home compatibility, 4K Ultra HD resolution, and Smart Motion Detection, this security system has everything you need to start protecting what's important to you.
Customer Rating
2
Decent Cameras - Poor Hardware / Software
on June 6, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
UNBOXING
The Lorex NVR system arrived shipped inside another non-descript brown cardboard box. After initially opening the outer box, I noticed the “Sealed for My Security” sticker was misaligned, and the original Lorex box had been taped up. It did not appear to have been as a result of the shipper taping it up, it appears it left Lorex in this condition. After opening the box, part of the contents also had the “Sealed for My Security” stickers missing. 2 of the 4 cameras were unsealed, as were the cat-5 cables (Lorex supplies 4, 100ft rolls of Cat-5 cable for installation).
The Lorex NVR system arrived shipped inside another non-descript brown cardboard box. After initially opening the outer box, I noticed the “Sealed for My Security” sticker was misaligned, and the original Lorex box had been taped up. It did not appear to have been as a result of the shipper taping it up, it appears it left Lorex in this condition. After opening the box, part of the contents also had the “Sealed for My Security” stickers missing. 2 of the 4 cameras were unsealed, as were the cat-5 cables (Lorex supplies 4, 100ft rolls of Cat-5 cable for installation).
INITIAL SET-UP
It was very nice to see the Lorex cameras now supporting a POE (Power-Over-Ethernet) option instead of using old school coax cable for video. The POE option is a great one-stop alternative for video and power and greatly simplifies the installation process. The Lorex NVR can provide the necessary power to the cameras, thus eliminating the need for a separate POE switch or POE injector. In order to access the system remotely and receive Event Notifications, you must connect the NVR to your home network via ethernet.
It was very nice to see the Lorex cameras now supporting a POE (Power-Over-Ethernet) option instead of using old school coax cable for video. The POE option is a great one-stop alternative for video and power and greatly simplifies the installation process. The Lorex NVR can provide the necessary power to the cameras, thus eliminating the need for a separate POE switch or POE injector. In order to access the system remotely and receive Event Notifications, you must connect the NVR to your home network via ethernet.
Using the supplied HDMI cable and power brick, the NVR was up and running in a matter of minutes. It took longer to get my ladder out and remove my old cameras, than it did to install the new ones and hook up the NVR. Very nice.
Initial configuration was accomplished at the NVR, using the supplied HDMI cable and a compatible 4k TV. A 4k TV is required during initial set-up (and for the ability to view the cameras at full resolution) as the Lorex GUI uses the extra pixels to display all the on-screen options and buttons. As a long shot, I tried repeating the set-up with a standard HDTV (1080p) TV and it is something you can accomplish, as there are just a little of the edges cut off during the initial configuration, but you can easily figure out what do. Surprisingly, after initial installation was completed, the Lorex asks you what the resolution of your current display is. I selected 1920 x 1080 and it scaled the image appropriately to match my TV’s resolution. To me, this seems somewhat illogical, as I feel that should be the first option during set-up.
USE
Each camera can be configured with 4 different, customizable motion detection zones. Each zone can be individually configured with their own unique sensitivity and motion thresholds. That is an extremely slick feature! Furthermore, each camera can be individually configured for what I call the “Theft Deterrent” features. One of the absolute best features of this system is that the cameras can configured to illuminate or strobe 2 individual LED lights with detection of motion. Additionally, you can have the cameras also emit a siren further enhancing their deterrent feature. AWESOME!
Each camera can be configured with 4 different, customizable motion detection zones. Each zone can be individually configured with their own unique sensitivity and motion thresholds. That is an extremely slick feature! Furthermore, each camera can be individually configured for what I call the “Theft Deterrent” features. One of the absolute best features of this system is that the cameras can configured to illuminate or strobe 2 individual LED lights with detection of motion. Additionally, you can have the cameras also emit a siren further enhancing their deterrent feature. AWESOME!
The cameras feature motion, person, and vehicle detection built in. Based on the installation location of the camera, you can turn these features on and off as necessary. For example, I have cameras at my front and back doors, so I disabled the vehicle detection algorithms for those cameras, but left motion, person, and vehicle detection enabled for the cameras that watch my driveway and garage. The logic works quite well. Golf carts are popular in my neighborhood. Instead of alerting me to a vehicle, I receive a Person Alert with a snapshot of the golf cart. Slick!!! Like, I said the logic works very well and the included snapshot of the person, motion, or vehicle is cool!!
As an added benefit, from what I can discern, the theft deterrent features appear to be built into the logic of the cameras and operate independently of the NVR. I could absolutely be wrong, but based on my issues with the NVR, that I will discuss below, the lights have never failed to illuminate upon motion detection. As expected with a camera system, all the motion detection zones, warning responses, recording parameters, etc. are all customizable to suit the users’ needs. Recording can be motion activated, continuous, etc.
APP
The Lorex Home app links your NVR to your smartphone or tablet. I will give Lorex major kudos for a job well done with their initial set-up and configuration. I set-up the NVR using my Android smartphone. Having never had a Lorex product in the past, it prompted me to create an account. Within a minute, I had the account created and was ready to add my NVR. There was zero hassle linking my gear to my new account. You no longer must be a network engineer to configure your NVR, network, account, etc. Not in the least. A simple scan of a QR code on the side of the NVR and the app instantly linked my account to my NVR. Super easy. Super simple. A very well configured and designed app (at least for initial configuration). Great Job Lorex!
The Lorex Home app links your NVR to your smartphone or tablet. I will give Lorex major kudos for a job well done with their initial set-up and configuration. I set-up the NVR using my Android smartphone. Having never had a Lorex product in the past, it prompted me to create an account. Within a minute, I had the account created and was ready to add my NVR. There was zero hassle linking my gear to my new account. You no longer must be a network engineer to configure your NVR, network, account, etc. Not in the least. A simple scan of a QR code on the side of the NVR and the app instantly linked my account to my NVR. Super easy. Super simple. A very well configured and designed app (at least for initial configuration). Great Job Lorex!
The Lorex Home app must be installed on your mobile device to receive alerts and images of the events. Not uncommon and the app works consistently. However, I have received a few alerts from my Android phone about excessively high battery use from the Lorex app. I will keep an eye on the battery drain and see just how much it is negatively affecting performance.
NEGATIVES
First. The Lorex software and app are not fully baked and need more refinement. After being thoroughly impressed by the initial setup experience, I’ve had the DVR installed for a while now and have already had to reboot the system because the Event Notifications have stopped. After rebooting, the notifications resumed, but have since stopped and I think another reboot is in order. Speaking of notifications, the app only allows 1 person to log in at a time. So, I cannot use the app on my phone and my wife’s phone at the same time. If she logged into the system to check a camera or notification, I am logged off and my notifications stop, while hers continue and vice versa.
Second. I have the NVR placed directly under my 5 bay NAS. Until I received the Lorex, it served as my primary home security and surveillance platform. In my subjective opinion, the Lorex NVR is twice as noisy as the NAS, even with the NAS having 5 spinning hard drives in it. The Lorex’s cooling fan is obnoxiously loud and you can hear almost every single move the platter and read/write heads make in its hard drive. My guess is there is no isolation of the hard drive from the metal chassis and to keep costs down, they traded fan noise for price. This may not be an issue to most, especially if you place your NVR in a spot that sees little or no people, but it would be noticeable if it is in a small office.
Third. Remote access. I’m pretty sure Lorex intends this product to be hooked to a monitor all the times for surveillance and monitoring. If you need to make any adjustments, configuration changes, review video, etc. they assume you will just use the supplied mouse and a monitor. However, I don’t use my NVR in that manner and surely, I’m not the only one. I would rather my NVR sit on the server rack and any changes I need to make or video I want to review; I want to do it from my PC. Therein lies the problem. While you can access the NVR via its IP address, it is far more difficult to make adjustments via a web browser. The Lorex NVR will prompt you to install a web viewer with browsers like Chrome and Firefox. They even provide you with a link to install the recommended Lorex software. But, that is where it stops. I have been unable to view any camera feeds using the Lorex supplied software with Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. None of the browsers will retrieve the feeds. The only browser that can access the cameras correctly is: Internet Explorer.
Fourth. Cameras. I will fully admit that I am huge fan of the built-in LED deterrent lights and siren. That little bit of extra is extremely valuable to me. But to be quite honest, after that, the cameras really aren’t anything that special over cameras from other vendors. The Lorex cameras support a max resolution of 4k @15 fps @ 4096bps. Furthermore, the Lorex implementation of WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) isn’t well implemented. While the processing does help brighten darker images, it also washes out the brighter images, something that my previous cameras did much, much better.
Lorex also claims that these cameras support color night vision. I haven’t had any luck getting that work. No matter what I have tried, the cameras still resort to black and white at night. I think all these issues could be easily fixed via a firmware update, as my NVR software shows all 4 of the cameras’ status as: “To Be Updated”. But there is no way to update the cameras. When I go to perform the update, it asks me for a file on a USB drive. That is OK, but I can’t find any updates on the web. I searched numerous forums and others appear to be experiencing the same update issues.
Fifth. Redundancy. There is ZERO redundancy in this system. Granted Lorex does offer the option to back up the system to an external hard drive or thumb drive, but ultimately, there is still only 1 hard drive installed. If that hard drive fails prior to your next scheduled backup, you have lost all video. There is no option to mirror the drive in the event of failure. There is also no way to expand the storage of the system without a full hard drive replacement. Continuously recording 4k cameras 24 x 7 doesn’t take but a few days to fill up that 2TB hard drive.
CONCLUSIONS
While there are some definite bright spots in this system, there are also a lot of negatives. Unfortunately for this Lorex system, the negatives are outweighing the positives at this point in time. There are just too many shortcomings and bugs to make it a best option solution. Granted, some of these shortcomings could be addressed via software and firmware updates, some issues cannot be addressed so easily. Until Lorex can get the kinks worked out, I would look elsewhere.
While there are some definite bright spots in this system, there are also a lot of negatives. Unfortunately for this Lorex system, the negatives are outweighing the positives at this point in time. There are just too many shortcomings and bugs to make it a best option solution. Granted, some of these shortcomings could be addressed via software and firmware updates, some issues cannot be addressed so easily. Until Lorex can get the kinks worked out, I would look elsewhere.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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+11points
11of 11voted this as helpful.
Experience high-quality acoustics with this JBL Quantum 400 over-ear wired gaming headset. The voice focus boom microphone enables clear communication, while the memory foam ear cushions keep you comfortable during extended gaming sessions. This JBL Quantum 400 over-ear wired gaming headset features multiplatform compatibility for flexibility and QuantumSOUND Signature technology to enhance audio clarity.
Customer Rating
4
Basic Headphones with Some Advanced Features
on June 3, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
Key Features
98dB Sensitivity
Full Range Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz
JBL Quantum Engine Compatible
Supports JBL Quantum Surround and DTS Headphone:X v 2.0
Full Range Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz
JBL Quantum Engine Compatible
Supports JBL Quantum Surround and DTS Headphone:X v 2.0
These headphones offer a great deal of value and features for the money. While not my favorite headphones ever, they are a good product where the pluses outweigh the minuses.
CONNECTIONS
The headphones ship with a generously long, 10ft USB-A to USB-C cable and a good ol’ fashioned 3.5mm headphone cable. Old school, but awesome to still see it! On the left cup is the microphone (that auto mutes when rotated in the up position) and controls for volume and chat/music mix. A nice feature that you can adjust the bias of the game and chat volumes. I would like to see the headphones ship with a USB-A to USB-C adapter. This would broaden their compatibility with devices that ship with the more universally available USB-C port.
The headphones ship with a generously long, 10ft USB-A to USB-C cable and a good ol’ fashioned 3.5mm headphone cable. Old school, but awesome to still see it! On the left cup is the microphone (that auto mutes when rotated in the up position) and controls for volume and chat/music mix. A nice feature that you can adjust the bias of the game and chat volumes. I would like to see the headphones ship with a USB-A to USB-C adapter. This would broaden their compatibility with devices that ship with the more universally available USB-C port.
JBL QUANTUM ENGINE SOFTWARE
The JBL Quantum Engine software, installed on my Windows PC, offered a lot of customization options for a product at this price point. The software allows the user to adjust the EQ curve, custom tailoring the playback to his/her liking. The JBL software also unlocks the option to use the JBL Quantum Surround Engine. This is a unique software solution to resemble 7.1 surround sound using only stereo headphones. It is customizable for a person’s height and head size. I found it a ton of fun on both FPS and racing games. The simulated surround sound made games more enjoyable and immersive. The large, bass capable drivers made on screen explosions much more entertaining.
The JBL Quantum Engine software, installed on my Windows PC, offered a lot of customization options for a product at this price point. The software allows the user to adjust the EQ curve, custom tailoring the playback to his/her liking. The JBL software also unlocks the option to use the JBL Quantum Surround Engine. This is a unique software solution to resemble 7.1 surround sound using only stereo headphones. It is customizable for a person’s height and head size. I found it a ton of fun on both FPS and racing games. The simulated surround sound made games more enjoyable and immersive. The large, bass capable drivers made on screen explosions much more entertaining.
The DTS Headphone setting was well implemented and made overly compressed mp3 music much more enjoyable and satisfying. I tried the Quantum Surround option for music and video playback, but found it made the material unnatural sounding. The DTS Headphone setting was a nice option between not having any form of audio processing and too much.
NEGATIVES
This is a corded set of headphones and I found the cord’s placement very annoying. It constantly rubs on my shirt and for whatever reason, the cord rubbing on my shirt is transferred directly into the left ear. It’s not static or anything, just the actual rubbing sound. Very annoying.
This is a corded set of headphones and I found the cord’s placement very annoying. It constantly rubs on my shirt and for whatever reason, the cord rubbing on my shirt is transferred directly into the left ear. It’s not static or anything, just the actual rubbing sound. Very annoying.
The JBL Quantum Engine is very slick and offers a lot of trick features to customize and personalize the headphones to your liking. Items like surround mode, lighting, EQ curves, etc are all customizable and easily accessed in one place. However, I found the Quantum Engine software routinely eating up 15 – 20% of my CPU resources. Granted the PC isn’t a powerhouse, but that is a considerable amount of resources.
Speaking of the Quantum Engine, the only way to fully enjoy what the software and headphones have to offer is using the headphones with a PC. While JBL touts near universal support for these headphones, but what is glossed over is that all the slick features that the Quantum Engine offers isn’t available on other platforms. These headphones resort to plain stereo headphones without the USB cable, a PC, and the Quantum Engine software installed.
CONCLUSIONS
These are one of the few headphones in this price range that I have found to support the full range of human hearing: 20Hz – 20kHz. While smaller, cheaper headphones skimp on driver size, and in turn, low frequency response, the 50mm drivers installed in these did not disappoint. I found myself surprised numerous times when listening to bass heavy music how low they can reach.
These are one of the few headphones in this price range that I have found to support the full range of human hearing: 20Hz – 20kHz. While smaller, cheaper headphones skimp on driver size, and in turn, low frequency response, the 50mm drivers installed in these did not disappoint. I found myself surprised numerous times when listening to bass heavy music how low they can reach.
At the end of the day, would I buy them? Most likely not. I would spend some additional money and get the wireless JBL Quantum 600 headphones, if no other reason, for the convenience. However, these headphones offer lots of options and good sound quality for the money, and while they may not be my first choice in headphones after using them for a while, it still doesn’t take away from what they have to offer for the buyer.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Keep a visual record of your visitors with this eufy Security wireless video doorbell. Advanced WDR and distortion correction technologies help ensure your 2K video recordings come out clearly, and a 180-day battery life provides long-lasting performance. This weatherproof eufy Security video doorbell offers military-grade AES-256 data encryption to protect your footage during transition and storage.
Customer Rating
4
Good Hardware, So-So Software
on May 4, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
INSTALLATION
The installation of the Eufy doorbell and the Eufy HomeBase 2 (Eufy is a division of Anker) was very simple. Anyone that has installed a "smart" doorbell before will have no issues with installation. Using either the supplied rechargeable battery or your existing doorbell wires expands the installation options and eases restrictions should you not have both options available.
Installation of the HomeBase 2 via the Android App was fairly smooth, but not without its faults. Documentation is minimal, but sufficient. I connected my HomeBase 2 via an ethernet connection for maximum reliability, but it is also able to be connected to your home network via WiFi should you so choose. The Android app and supported documentation didn't cover how to connect the HomeBase 2 to your wireless network very clearly, and hooking up the HomeBase 2 via ethernet, seemed to confuse the app during set-up. Again, not a huge issue, but not a seamless, issue-less experience that should be expected from a company as consumer focused as Anker.
Once I worked through the hiccups with the getting the HomeBase 2 up and running, the actual connection to the doorbell was very slick and completely pain free. The HomeBase 2 emits and audible statement, that the doorbell must be able to hear. Just a word of warning for those wanting to use the doorbell hardwired. I recommend fully charging the doorbell’s battery before installing. Using this method will ensure enough charge in the doorbell to bring it in close enough to the HomeBase 2 so that it can "hear" the HomeBase 2. Once the doorbell hears the HomeBase 2, all is done and linked up. Again, easy and pain free, but just be aware that the pair will have to be close enough "hear" each other prior to final installation.
USE
The doorbell connects to the HomeBase 2 wirelessly. Like I stated earlier, my HomeBase 2 is connected to my network via an ethernet cable. Any events / recordings captured by the doorbell are transmitted wirelessly to the HomeBase 2 and encrypted using a 256 bit AES encryption algorithm. A clever and wise solution for Anker. The ability to store your recordings locally and not have them, and your account, potentially breached like their competitor's did is a huge bonus for the end user.
Those events and recordings are easily accessible via the EufySecurity app. You aren't required to have a cloud storage account to take advantage of the remote access to your doorbell. The app will connect to your HomeBase 2 and automatically log you in allowing full access to any activity captured. Very slick.
Here is the issue with the Anker solution. The HomeBase 2 saves its recordings on a proprietary eMMC drive housed within the HomeBase 2. The storage is fixed at 16GB with no option to expand. As of this review, my doorbell has recorded a total of 11 events, using .17GB of the total 14.7GB available. This is my main rub. While there is no way to add additional storage at the device, Anker is more than happy to sell you a subscription-based service, just like their competitors. That, to me, defeats some of the purpose of the Anker solution. With the limited storage on the device, adding more cameras, doorbells, etc will just fill the HomeBase 2 up that much quicker. There is also no option to automatically delete the oldest recordings (at least not easily found yet).
The touted Sony 2k HDR image sensor does work very well. Images are crisp and clear in both daylight and night. The Sony sensor supports resolutions of 2560 x 1920 at 15 fps. vs Anker's main competitor’s Pro model (that I also own) at 1920 x 1080. Side by side comparisons between the Eufy and their main competitor's model show a more consistent, even night image with the Eufy. Their main competitor has more "hot spots" on their image, while the Eufy is more consistent and less prone to image flair. Faces are brighter and easier to see against a bright background. This is a big improvement over their competitor’s Pro model.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The hardware appears to be very well designed and thought out. The doorbell and HomeBase 2 work very well together. Hardware installation was easy and well documented. The Sony image sensor provides a very good image both during the day and at night. The doorbell feels just as well built as the Eufy's primary competitor. One thing that Eufy totally wins the game with is battery life. The Eufy can go up to 6 months on a charge. I have installed several of Eufy's competitor's doorbells and none have given battery life anywhere close to the Eufy. Job well done.
Even with the excellently designed hardware, the lack of expandability of the HomeBase 2, I feel, is a huge miss. The whole point of this ecosystem is the ability to store your information locally, without the need for a cloud account. 16GB on a proprietary storage system without room for expansion is a no-go. Additionally, just like Eufy's competitors, Eufy also does not provide you a way to expand your storage to an existing device on the network either (NAS, Networked HDD, PC, etc).
The software has proven to be reliable. Even with the minor hiccup during installation, the software is intuitive and easy to manipulate without much effort. The software alerts notify you of the type of alert (human or other) and even show you a quick snapshot of the face of the person, if it can. Very nice!!
One item that doesn't appear to be fully baked is the "facial recognition" AI. This was a huge selling point for Anker, it is all over the Eufy website. The software even says that the doorbell has the ability to utilize the AI, but there is no known way to take advantage of it. I can't get the software to "store familiar faces to minimize false alarms". Turning to the interwebs revealed others are also experiencing similar issues with the much-touted AI.
I was able to successfully and easily integrate my Eufy with my Echo smart devices. Very well-done Anker. The Eufy will sound the doorbell chime through all my Echo devices when the doorbell is rung. Cool. That is a great solution compared to using my old school chime. You can also use your Echo Shows or Google Assistants to display the image at the doorbell. That is a great feature. Unfortunately, the great feature is a little tempered by the lengthy time required to get the image to the Echo Show. It takes approximately 18 seconds from the time you request the image, to the time the Echo can retrieve the feed and display it.
In the end, I give the Eufy doorbell a solid 4-star rating. It does everything just as well as its competitor does, but does not mandate the end user use an online, cloud account. That is a huge plus. The motion zones are just as easy to configure, the false alarm detection are just as good if not better. The app is not quite as easy to use as Eufy's primary competitor, but it can easily be updated, even so, as is, it isn't hard to use and find your way around. Anker just needs to fully implement their “facial recognition” AI to complete the package.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Apex 5 gaming keyboard has hybrid mechanical switches that combine the smoothness of a membrane switch with the added durability, performance, and satisfying tactile click of a blue mechanical switch. It also has per-key RGB customization, OLED Smart Display, aluminum alloy frame, premium magnetic wrist rest, and more.
Customer Rating
5
Loud, Well Designed Keyboard with Unique Features
on April 3, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
SETUP
Windows set-up and driver installation went without issue. Windows 10 immediately recognized the device and downloaded the appropriate drivers. In order to take full advantage and unlock the options offered with the keyboard, the Steel Series Engine 3 must be installed. I am happy to report that the software installed without issue.
Windows set-up and driver installation went without issue. Windows 10 immediately recognized the device and downloaded the appropriate drivers. In order to take full advantage and unlock the options offered with the keyboard, the Steel Series Engine 3 must be installed. I am happy to report that the software installed without issue.
USE
The keyboard has a very nice heft to it. The body itself is machined out of solid aluminum and is quite substantial. Steel put a great deal of effort into the build quality and materials used. Even the two elevator tabs underneath feel well designed with a thoughtful rubber coating that helps keep the keyboard from sliding while being used. It’s the small, thoughtful touches like that, that makes the keyboard feel like a nice, cohesively designed item.
The keyboard has a very nice heft to it. The body itself is machined out of solid aluminum and is quite substantial. Steel put a great deal of effort into the build quality and materials used. Even the two elevator tabs underneath feel well designed with a thoughtful rubber coating that helps keep the keyboard from sliding while being used. It’s the small, thoughtful touches like that, that makes the keyboard feel like a nice, cohesively designed item.
Like others have said, this is a LOUD keyboard. Louder than my other mechanical gaming keyboards. Honestly, I’m quite surprised at how loud the keys are, considering they don’t have true mechanical switches like the others. This keyboard uses a “hybrid” style switch that combines a mechanical and membrane key. I will admit that I was skeptical of the “hybrid” switch. But they do feel smoother than a true mechanical switch, especially while typing.
The keyboard is fully customizable with the Steel Series Engine 3 software. The back-lighting supports the usual 16.7 million colors and as with most all premium keyboards, the lighting is mappable on a per key basis. To me, this is a must have feature for keyboards. I like to program buttons like Num Lock a different color than the others, even when the software is playing motion effects or cycling through colors, etc.
In the upper right-hand corner is a little, OLED display that has a limited ability to display various details. The display can be customized to be an In-Game HUD, display custom gifs, display DisCord messages, Tidal track information, and be used to adjust and customize the keyboard illumination and settings. While I admit, I do kinda geek-out with it, it is of limited value to me. The resolution is a low 128 x 40 pixels, so finding something compatible with that low of a resolution is difficult. I wish the manufacturer would incorporate more compatibility into the display. It would be nice if you could display information from Spotify, Amazon Music, and even iTunes.
The keyboard does away with traditional multimedia specific buttons, replacing it with a scroll wheel and a menu button. The thought of losing dedicated multimedia keys was an initial turn off, but after using the menu button and scroll wheel together, it is starting to grow on me. Eliminating the multiple multimedia buttons saves space and allows for neat features like the cool little OLED display.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This feels to be a very well-made product. The “hybrid” keys are innovative and do offer a noticeable change from true mechanical keys. Whether or not the feel will appeal to you is always a matter of preference, but I like the fact there is yet another option on the market to choose from.
This feels to be a very well-made product. The “hybrid” keys are innovative and do offer a noticeable change from true mechanical keys. Whether or not the feel will appeal to you is always a matter of preference, but I like the fact there is yet another option on the market to choose from.
As with all products, nothing is ever truly perfect. Some are closer than others. My biggest complaint of this keyboard is the washed-out and somewhat dim looking colors on the keys. I attempted to capture with the attached photo, but it doesn't really illustrate my point. I have mechanical keyboards from other manufacturers and the colors from these keyboards seem to be much more vibrant and dynamic. Again, this does not diminish the functionality of the keyboard in any way, it is 100% just a matter of personal preference.
Aside from the lighting, I can’t find much to knock about this keyboard. It does its job well and has some very innovative features, not found on others’ products. The “hybrid” keys feel very smooth, yet still provide that satisfying mechanical click that we all know and love.
A good product.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Get a handle on every battle with this DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Bluetooth gaming mouse. The contoured design and interchangeable side grips let you play in comfort, while programmable buttons and a customizable optical sensor give you complete control. This DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Bluetooth optical gaming mouse offers up to 24 hours of battery life and Qi wireless charging for intense gaming sessions.
Customer Rating
4
Good Mouse that Complements Corsair Products
on January 20, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
SETUP
Windows set-up and driver installation went without issue. The Corsair Dark Core mouse can be connected to your computer via the included 2.4GHz wireless receiver or via Bluetooth, should your PC be equipped. I found that the mouse worked just fine via Bluetooth, however, for the best performance and control, the included wireless receiver is a better option. Still, the ability to easily move the mouse between computers with a simple Bluetooth connection is extremely nice.
Windows set-up and driver installation went without issue. The Corsair Dark Core mouse can be connected to your computer via the included 2.4GHz wireless receiver or via Bluetooth, should your PC be equipped. I found that the mouse worked just fine via Bluetooth, however, for the best performance and control, the included wireless receiver is a better option. Still, the ability to easily move the mouse between computers with a simple Bluetooth connection is extremely nice.
USE
One thing is for certain, Corsair definitely believes that the more RGB LED’s, the more better (yes, I know, that is a technical term). Any place that doesn’t have a sensor, circuit board, or structural component, gets a splash of LED. There are so many LED’s representing so many different functions and settings, I find them all quite confusing as to which means what.
One thing is for certain, Corsair definitely believes that the more RGB LED’s, the more better (yes, I know, that is a technical term). Any place that doesn’t have a sensor, circuit board, or structural component, gets a splash of LED. There are so many LED’s representing so many different functions and settings, I find them all quite confusing as to which means what.
The Dark Core mouse has a very nice heft to it. I prefer a weighty mouse, and the Corsair is reminiscent of my old Logitech MX1100. That is a good thing. It is heavier than all my current Razer, Logitech, and Roccat mice. This is a larger mouse, but still fits very comfortably in the hand. It may very well be the best feeling and fitting mouse I have. One thing that I was unsure of after unboxing was the small “wing” that protrudes out from the bottom of the mouse. Upon initial inspection, I thought this would be annoying and distracting. Once I began using the mouse, I realized I was wrong. Why more manufacturers don’t include this “wing” is surprising. It is a perfect resting spot for your thumb and keeps it from dragging the mousepad during use. An outstanding feature!!!
To get the best user experience from the Corsair Dark Core, you must download the Corsair iCue software. While I have other Corsair products, none of them are currently compatible with the iCue software, so upon installation, I received the support needed only for the mouse. Even then, the software consumes a hefty 627MB of hard disk space and requires approximately 2% of my CPU resources. Corsair states that software can take up nearly one full GB of space, if you have other products of theirs compatible with the iCue software. That’s a fairly high burden on the overall system. However, the software does unlock a plethora of features on the mouse. The multitude of buttons are fully programmable, the sensor resolution, report rate, LED light show, it is all configurable and programmable.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is one of the more attractive mice on the market today. The LED light show is unique (but quite frankly, gimmicky). However, my son was instantly impressed when he saw it, saying it was the coolest mouse he had seen. Those fancy LED light shows take a toll on battery life, though. It consumes far more power than my Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, and Roccat mice. Thankfully, Corsair uses a standard USB-C port for charging and not some proprietary shaped micro USB cable that the others do. The mouse also charges wirelessly via Qi. A great feature, and something that should be considered a necessity for marathon work or gaming sessions.
The iCue software was a bit of disappointment. While it does allow the mouse to be programmed, it doesn’t allow the granular control that the other manufacturers’ software does. Others allow you to adjust the LED light intensity, speed, sensor sensitivity, etc., at a range from 0 – 100 or anywhere in between. The iCue software doesn’t provide this amount of finite adjustment. Aside from the sensor resolution, it really only offers off, medium, and full. A lot can be learned from Logitech’s G-Hub software and its ability to make minute adjustments to the mouse’s feature set.
This is one of the more attractive mice on the market today. The LED light show is unique (but quite frankly, gimmicky). However, my son was instantly impressed when he saw it, saying it was the coolest mouse he had seen. Those fancy LED light shows take a toll on battery life, though. It consumes far more power than my Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, and Roccat mice. Thankfully, Corsair uses a standard USB-C port for charging and not some proprietary shaped micro USB cable that the others do. The mouse also charges wirelessly via Qi. A great feature, and something that should be considered a necessity for marathon work or gaming sessions.
The iCue software was a bit of disappointment. While it does allow the mouse to be programmed, it doesn’t allow the granular control that the other manufacturers’ software does. Others allow you to adjust the LED light intensity, speed, sensor sensitivity, etc., at a range from 0 – 100 or anywhere in between. The iCue software doesn’t provide this amount of finite adjustment. Aside from the sensor resolution, it really only offers off, medium, and full. A lot can be learned from Logitech’s G-Hub software and its ability to make minute adjustments to the mouse’s feature set.
So, should you buy this mouse or a competitors’ product? I feel it boils down to how heavily invested in the Corsair infrastructure you are. If you currently use the iCue software to control other devices and RGB components in your system, then this mouse would be a good choice. Corsair produces quality products and this mouse is no exception. It offers a ton of great features and customization. It allows you to add another component to your PC without needing separate software to control it. The iCue software can control it all. That is a huge plus. Add to that the ability to sync the light show to all your devices and it definitely has that “Wow” factor. However, should you not be heavily invested in Corsair products, I think you would be better served elsewhere. The Logitech G-Hub software offers more granular customization of its products, but unfortunately, those products are limited to accessories like mouse and keyboards and not full system integration like Corsair (mice, keyboards, AiO’s, case fans, memory, etc). Nor does the Corsair Dark Core mouse have that super silky premium feel that the Roccat mice have.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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G513 is a high performance RGB mechanical gaming keyboard that features advanced technologies in a modern and sleek design. G513 includes full spectrum ~16.8M color RGB per key lighting with LIGHTSYNC technology, choice of mechanical switches, and a memory foam palmrest to deliver utmost comfort. G513 is the perfect blend of performance, advanced technologies and features, and unparalleled build quality and comfort.
Customer Rating
5
A Great Typing Experience
on January 20, 2020
Posted by: NAMO
SET-UP
Installation and set-up were straight forward. Windows instantly recognized the keyboard and installed the drivers after plugging it in. Although the keyboard will work correctly with the basic Windows drivers, to get the most out of the user experience and unlock the full potential of the keyboard, the Logitech G Hub software must be downloaded and installed.
USE
This keyboard exudes a high-end look and feel. Starting with the braided USB cable (note: this keyboard requires 2 USB ports to power the keyboard and support the USB passthrough function) to the heavy, black, anodized aluminum body, to the thoughtful USB passthrough port, every part about the keyboard reinforces that premium feel. The brown, Logitech mechanical keys have just the right amount of noise and tactile feedback.
As I stated earlier, to get the best user experience and unlock all the programmable features of the keyboard, the user must download and install the Logitech G Hub software. Though, I don’t find the software the most intuitive, it gets the job done competently and allows for a great deal of customization. The software not only controls the keyboard, it will also control other Logitech devices too.
The G Hub software allows the end user to program a variety of different options into the keyboard. The Function Keys are fully programmable and can be set to execute custom macros. The software also supports multiple profiles too. You can set a profile for your favorite game, favorite video playback software, working profile, etc. and have the function keys all change their functions and/or macros depending upon the task at hand. Buttons can even be disabled in the profiles to keep from inadvertently hitting them. Very cool. Even nicer, is that fact each one of those super-slick, brown, mechanical switches can be individually programmed to display any one of approximately 16.8 million colors. Don’t have the time or desire to program each and every key? Not to worry, the software includes pre-programmed lighting options. As expected in this day, the software will sync the lighting scheme to other Logitech products, if so desired.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I have been using keyboards that are supplied by the PC manufacturers for many years, swapping out to a new keyboard when I purchased a new computer. The standard pre-packaged keyboards have always served me well and I have gotten quite used to the basic, boring, bland designs and the silent, mushy keystrokes. The Logitech mechanical switches are quite different and now feel out of place from what I’ve grown accustomed to.
This keyboard brings back memories of the good ol’ days when I built PC’s and always used custom accessories. The old-school, mechanical feel of the Logitech brown switches are extremely gratifying. I had forgotten just how satisfying the click of a good mechanical switch can feel and sound. The G513 Carbon not only has a nice heft and feel, it looks great too. This keyboard has earned the top spot on my desk and is now my primary keyboard for all games and day-to-day work. I admit, it has taken me a little time to get accustomed to working and typing on this keyboard, but it has all been worth it. The Logitech G513 Carbon is an excellent product.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Get inspired with Solo Pro noise cancelling wireless headphones. To deliver sound how you want it, Solo Pro features two listening modes: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency. Beats' Pure ANC gives you the space to create with fully immersive sound, while Transparency helps you stay aware of your surroundings. Every detail of Solo Pro has been carefully considered, right down to the intuitive way the headphones turn on and off via folding. The ergonomic design delivers exceptional comfort for extended wear and sleek style. And with up to 22 hours of battery life, you can keep the music going no matter where your day takes you. Solo Pro offers Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts.
Customer Rating
3
OK, But There Are Better Options
on December 19, 2019
Posted by: NAMO
SET-UP
Initial set-up is the simplest of any Bluetooth headphones I’ve tried to date. I had zero difficulty getting the headphones to work with either an Android or iOS device. There’s no software or apps to install to get the headphones working. All that is needed, is to pair them with your device.
Initial set-up is the simplest of any Bluetooth headphones I’ve tried to date. I had zero difficulty getting the headphones to work with either an Android or iOS device. There’s no software or apps to install to get the headphones working. All that is needed, is to pair them with your device.
There are a lot of nice and thoughtful features to the Beats Solo Pros. Apple has spent a good amount of time making the product look and feel premium. From the excellent set-up process to the way you power the headphones on, the product and experience all feel premium. Want to listen to the headphones? Just unfold them. The Beats power themselves on and automatically connect to their paired device. Done for the day? Just fold them up. The Beats automatically power off when folded.
Excellent user experience Beats (who is now owned by Apple)!
Listening options are limited, but equally simple. Choices are Noise Cancelling On, Noise Cancelling Off, and Transparent. These are an on-ear design and transparent amplifies your surroundings so that you can hear the outside world in addition to your selection of programming.
USE
The headphones do a good job at accurately reproducing the mid to upper frequencies, even when listening to lossy mp3’s. Vocals are clear and well defined without sounding thin or tinny.
The headphones do a good job at accurately reproducing the mid to upper frequencies, even when listening to lossy mp3’s. Vocals are clear and well defined without sounding thin or tinny.
Apple does a great job of optimizing the Bluetooth stack in their iOS software. I have never had issues with Bluetooth delay. These Beats are no different. Speech and audio were always in sync with the videos on any of my iOS devices. Even my Android phone synced perfectly with the Solo Pros.
The Beats’ ear cushions are comfortable and feel well made. However, these headphones don’t feel made for someone that has a huge cantaloupe attached to their shoulders like I do. While they fit and are moderately comfortable, after about an hour’s use, I have to take them off and for a break. They become uncomfortable pretty quickly for me. I don’t consider this a negative, as I think a vast majority of the buyers won’t have this issue like I do.
NEGATIVES
The Solo Pros refuse to charge with anything but an Apple supplied adapter. I have tried numerous times with my Anker wall chargers. They charge everything else that I own. iPad, iPhone, Android phone, power banks, watches, etc. But, the Beats refuse to charge without being plugged into an Apple supplied wall charger. It should be noted that I tried both the small Apple phone charger and the larger iPad charger and both products charged the headphones normally and fairly quickly.
The Solo Pros refuse to charge with anything but an Apple supplied adapter. I have tried numerous times with my Anker wall chargers. They charge everything else that I own. iPad, iPhone, Android phone, power banks, watches, etc. But, the Beats refuse to charge without being plugged into an Apple supplied wall charger. It should be noted that I tried both the small Apple phone charger and the larger iPad charger and both products charged the headphones normally and fairly quickly.
An additional negative is that the headphones charge via a lightning cable. Apple clearly wants to market this product to their customers. I find this very short-sided. While it is great for those that have an iPhone or iPad that charges with a lightning cable, but not for those of us that use micro USB or USB-C charging cables. We all now have to carry and additional cable for charging. I think Apple would have been better served giving the headphones a USB-C port, something the company is going toward anyway.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Beats Solo Pro headphones do look and feel premium. Apple has worked their magic and has done a fantastic job making the user experience easy and upscale. The headphones definitely have a premium feel and look, even if I’m not a fan of the bright orange color.
The Beats Solo Pro headphones do look and feel premium. Apple has worked their magic and has done a fantastic job making the user experience easy and upscale. The headphones definitely have a premium feel and look, even if I’m not a fan of the bright orange color.
But, in the end, it all boils down to how well the headphones perform. Honestly, if I haven’t been listening to a number of different headphones from various manufacturers as of late, I would probably be perfectly happy with them. However, I have multiple sets of headphones at similar and lesser price points that perform as good, or better than the Beats. Like I stated, earlier, the Beats do an admirable job at reproducing the mid to upper frequencies, but that’s where it ends.
The Beats have a complete lack of bass compared to their competitors. I was hoping it was just my source material. But it was not. Regardless of the source material (movie or music) or operating system (I tried both Android and iOS), the Beats just didn’t cut it. Music and movies weren’t near as interesting and fun with the Beats. You really miss the lower octaves. A portion of your listening experience is just lost. Even Dre’s music wasn’t as much fun with the Beats as it was with its competitors.
For me, a product has to work as good as it looks. I care less about a mundane design if the product works well. For me it has to be function over form. With the shortcomings of these headphones, I feel Apple prioritizes form over function. The headphones lack a significant amount of bass compared to its competitors. The Apple only charging port and charger requirement is a drag, especially if I had only an Android product. Based on this, I’m only giving the product 3 stars. If I used Android products exclusively, I wouldn’t even entertain the purchase. If I was invested heavily into the Apple infrastructure, I might consider it if my available options were limited. But for me, Beats’ competitors offer better performance and significantly better sound quality for the same or less money.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Introducing the BISSELL® air220 Air Purifier. This machine packs powerful indoor air purifying power into a simplistic and sleek machine, bringing form and function together in your home. The unique design is apparent in the air220's clean lines and smooth edges. Underneath the sleek design you'll find three layers of filtration, including an activated carbon filter and a HEPA + pre-filter that captures hair, dust, pollen, dander, home and pet odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This air purifier is a powerful machine you'd expect from BISSELL, a trusted homecare brand. The air220 has a soft-touch dial that lets you control both fan speed and power. It has a discrete cord wrap on the back panel and filters that can be accessed from the front panel, so you can keep it against a wall in your home. The air220 is tested to the AHAM standard to have a Smoke CADR of 172 for rooms up to 266 sq. ft., making it great for bedrooms, living areas, basements, and dining rooms.. You’ve trusted BISSELL to clean and care for the floors and surfaces in your home. Now, let us clean your air! Plus, every purchase of this product helps save pets. BISSELL® proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation® and its mission to help save homeless pets. When you buy a BISSELL product, you help save pets, too. We’re proud to design products that help make pet messes, odors and pet homelessness disappear.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Air Cleaning Abilities
on December 18, 2019
Posted by: NAMO
There are a lot of thoughtful features built-in to this air cleaner.
Initial set-up couldn’t be simpler. The 3 layers of filters are conveniently located in the front of the machine, just inside the front cover. The front cover unsnaps at the top with a gentle tug and rotates down. This exposes the 3 filters (one is an activated charcoal filter). Once you remove the plastic wrappers from the filters, you close the lid and press the power button. The machine does the rest. Couldn’t be easier.
The best part of this air cleaner is the automatic cleaning function. The fan has a user-selectable knob to control the speed of the fan, from 1 – 5, including an Auto setting. Using 1 – 5, is like most all other air cleaners, locks the fan in at this speed until the owner decides to change it. However, the Bissell has its own built-in VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) detector. Set the machine to Auto and it will use its VOC sensor to dynamically adjust the fan speed based on the observed air quality. The machine will continually monitor the airflow through it and either slow the fan down or speed it up to help maintain optimal air quality.
Other thoughtful features include an ambient light sensor. The air cleaner will observe the room lighting and will either brighten or dim its displays to match, or if dark enough, shut the displays off completely. Very thoughtful. The Bissell displays a soft blue glow for good air quality, a yellow glow for fair, and a red glow for poor air quality. The light sensor seems to be very accurate. The machine lights up in the morning displaying the current fan speed and a color-coded light to reflect the currently observed air quality and just after dusk, completely shuts off the display to keep from being too obtrusive.
The VOC sensor appears to be very accurate. The Bissell was humming away nearly silently at its lowest fan speed setting until I got out a can of paint to touch up some spots in my son’s room. I hadn’t had the paint open more than 15 minutes when I heard the Bissell in the hallway get noticeably louder. Sure enough, the blue light had turned yellow and the machine had increased the fan speed to compensate for the paint fumes. An hour or so later, it slowed back down. Very nice.
Bissell claims the machine is good for rooms up to 800 sq. ft. The machine’s dBa is listed as 34 – 51. What does that really mean? I consider myself sensitive to ambient noise and would rather be in a quiet place. This machine isn’t too bad at its minimum fan speed setting. It is about as loud as a quiet conversation. So, if it were in your living room, you wouldn’t have to raise the volume of the TV more than a click or two. But, if the machine detects poorer air quality and speeds itself up, then things change. While quieter than most other machines I’ve used in the past, it gets quite loud and obnoxious. Especially, if competing with the radio, TV, or other music.
Bottom line – This is a good product and has several thoughtful features and options. Assuming your indoor air quality is decent, it sits in the corner and goes nearly unnoticed. After about 48 hours, I noticed a significant change in the smell of the house. The machine’s activated charcoal filter does a very good job of getting rid of cooking, latex paint, and other odors that are often in the house. I like this unit quite a bit, it has earned a definite place in my house, just not in my media room.
UPDATE – I recently painted the master bath. Even using a low VOC paint, you know there is always that nasty, leftover latex paint smell that seems to last for days. I moved the Bissell from its normal home and locked it in the master bathroom overnight. Setting the fan control to Auto, I let it do its thing. This morning, there is a significant decrease in paint smell. Much, much less than if the paint was to have dried on its own without the Bissell cleaning the air. I was originally going to give it a 4-star review. But, after the noticeable change in air quality in the master bathroom this morning, I am definitely giving it a 5-star rating. Very Impressive!!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Filter out the world with Jabra Elite 75t Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) true wireless earbuds. These earbuds are engineered for a secure fit and have an IP55-rating with a 2-year extended warranty against dust and water damage. Up to 24 hours of battery time (ANC on) with the pocket-friendly charging case, and fast charge feature provides up to an hour of battery in 15 minutes. 4-built-in microphones for clear calls and HearThrough mode can be enabled to so there's no need to remove earbuds in order to hear your surroundings. Use the Jabra Sound+ app to activate ANC the first time you use it and enable toggling between ANC and HearThrough via your earbud button.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Earbuds, Excellent Software
on December 12, 2019
Posted by: NAMO
INTRODUCTION
I’m always the picky one in the family when it comes to music. My other family members really don’t care a whole lot about audio quality, just as long as whatever it is produces some form of intelligible speech, they are usually fine with it. I, on the other hand, believe that if I’m going to listen to music, I want as pleasant and accurate reproduction of the source material as possible. So, with that, most headphones, especially earbuds, leave me yawning.
I’m always the picky one in the family when it comes to music. My other family members really don’t care a whole lot about audio quality, just as long as whatever it is produces some form of intelligible speech, they are usually fine with it. I, on the other hand, believe that if I’m going to listen to music, I want as pleasant and accurate reproduction of the source material as possible. So, with that, most headphones, especially earbuds, leave me yawning.
SET-UP
Set-up was undeniably simple. Hold both buttons located on the outside of the earbuds for 3 seconds and the Jabra’s enter pairing mode. Connect to the buds with your iOS or Android device and you are ready to go. Can’t remember the specific button sequence needed to put the Jabra’s into pairing mode? No problem. Download the Jabra Sound+ app. Between the thoroughly designed app and the guided voice prompts from the earbuds, you will be up and running in no time. A truly well-designed app, that leaves neither iOS or Android users jealous of the other. OUTSTANDING job Jabra!
Set-up was undeniably simple. Hold both buttons located on the outside of the earbuds for 3 seconds and the Jabra’s enter pairing mode. Connect to the buds with your iOS or Android device and you are ready to go. Can’t remember the specific button sequence needed to put the Jabra’s into pairing mode? No problem. Download the Jabra Sound+ app. Between the thoroughly designed app and the guided voice prompts from the earbuds, you will be up and running in no time. A truly well-designed app, that leaves neither iOS or Android users jealous of the other. OUTSTANDING job Jabra!
USE
Using the Jabra’s are a piece of cake. I initially find the learning curve with all new earbuds annoying and challenging for a few days. There is no standardized button pushing sequence and every manufacturer has their own idea of what the customer wants. It was so refreshing to have a set of earbuds that give you verbal feedback. No tones, no tunes, no frills, just good, clear voice responses to your commands. If you have trouble remembering which ear bud does what and with what button sequence, just queue up the app and it will show you what bud and sequence you are after. Honestly, after a couple of days, most things were getting to be second nature.
Using the Jabra’s are a piece of cake. I initially find the learning curve with all new earbuds annoying and challenging for a few days. There is no standardized button pushing sequence and every manufacturer has their own idea of what the customer wants. It was so refreshing to have a set of earbuds that give you verbal feedback. No tones, no tunes, no frills, just good, clear voice responses to your commands. If you have trouble remembering which ear bud does what and with what button sequence, just queue up the app and it will show you what bud and sequence you are after. Honestly, after a couple of days, most things were getting to be second nature.
The Jabra Sound+ app works great on both my iPad and my Android phone. There have been no bugs or glitches on either OS. The app is well-designed and all functions, including firmware updates are available through the controls. To say that the app is easy to use and guides you through all functions of the earbuds is an understatement. The level of detail is that good.
The earbuds can be used either as a stereo pair, or individually. There are many great features built into the product. Controls are simple and minimal. Pulling the earbuds out of their case turns them on, putting them back in turns them off. Not sure? Don’t worry. The earbuds will tell you when they power on and connect to your phone. Another interesting feature is that when you remove either earbud from your ear, the Jabra’s pause your source material. Put the earbud(s) back in your ear within 60 seconds and your material resumes. Cool!
Jabra claims a max of 7.5 hrs. of playback on a single charge, with a total of 28 hrs. with the case charger. I haven’t been close to that, as when I’m done with a movie or music session, I put them back in the case. After a good 2-hour movie, I still have about 90% battery life remaining.
Jabra states the earbuds have 4 microphone technology. I’m guessing that is 2 per earbud. It does aid in making a decent call outside. While it doesn’t eliminate all ambient noise in a call, it does a much better job than a lot of my phones do in similar conditions. Inside conversations are not an issue. Calls and speech are clear and well defined.
Other details about the Jabra: They are IP-55 dust and water resistant, so they should be able to stand up to some workouts. They are Bluetooth 5.0 and charge via a USB-C cable. Included with each pair of earbuds are two additional pairs of silicone cups to help fit different sized ear canals. Lastly, while these are a noise cancelling product, you can turn that function off, should you need to be more aware of your surroundings.
CONS
My first CON is the touching of the outside of the bud to activate its functions. While the buttons have very low resistance and are easy to push, I do notice that activating the features (volume, digital assistant, etc.) does push the earbud into my ear a little further each time. Maybe I don’t have the fit just perfect, but it does get a little uncomfortable if I use the controls a lot.
My first CON is the touching of the outside of the bud to activate its functions. While the buttons have very low resistance and are easy to push, I do notice that activating the features (volume, digital assistant, etc.) does push the earbud into my ear a little further each time. Maybe I don’t have the fit just perfect, but it does get a little uncomfortable if I use the controls a lot.
Umm, hmmm. That’s about all I can think of.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As you have probably guessed, I am thoroughly impressed with this product. The sound quality, whether it is music, calls, or movies is excellent. Even listening to notoriously low quality mp3’s sounded really good. The earbuds have excellent bass response and most important, they don’t fall off in the upper frequencies like a lot of the other competitors’ products do. Vocals are crisp and clear. The key to success is to find the proper sized ear cup that fits your ear and seals off the canal, thus eliminating a good deal of your surrounding environment.
As you have probably guessed, I am thoroughly impressed with this product. The sound quality, whether it is music, calls, or movies is excellent. Even listening to notoriously low quality mp3’s sounded really good. The earbuds have excellent bass response and most important, they don’t fall off in the upper frequencies like a lot of the other competitors’ products do. Vocals are crisp and clear. The key to success is to find the proper sized ear cup that fits your ear and seals off the canal, thus eliminating a good deal of your surrounding environment.
The app is thoughtful and well planned out. It is one of the few apps that I’ve used that is both equally satisfying on either an Apple or Android product. Any and all information you would need about the buds is at your fingertips. From the charge of the earbuds, to the charge of the case, to the sound enhancement, voice assistant, etc. all is there and easy to use and easily accessible.
I don’t give 5 stars to a lot of products. A good product with a lousy app and poor user experience will not warrant a 5-star rating in my opinion. But, this is one of the very few products I give not only a 5-star rating for the app, but a 5-star rating for the product. EXCELLENT!
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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HP OMEN Obelisk by HP Desktop: Play graphically intense games with this HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer. You can easily store large amounts of media and other data on the 1TB hard drive and install games and programs on the 256GB SSD for fast access. This HP OMEN Obelisk desktop computer has 16GB of memory for multitasking effectively, and the Intel Core i7-9700 processor handles resource-intense programs efficiently.
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Thanks. Hope this helps.
Thanks. Hope this helps.
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