REVIEW – Way back in 2014, I was introduced to Fugoo, a new Bluetooth speaker maker named after a Japanese blowfish. The portable Bluetooth speaker market was smaller than it is today—and with a few exceptions, the audio quality was not as good. It’s now 2021 and boy, have things changed. Speakers have gotten cheaper, […]
REVIEW – Let’s talk audio. Not the hardware kind (I do many reviews of headphones and speakers), but software. A lot of speakers use what’s called built-in digital signal processing (DSP) to tweak the audio for that particular speaker. Stand-alone software can be used to tweak almost any speaker to the listener’s tastes—that’s the theory,
Sonarworks SoundID Personalized Sound Profile Review – your music, your sound, your way Read More
REVIEW – In 2019, I reviewed the Jackery 240 Portable Power Station. This incredibly useful power backup has provided our family with multiple recharges for smartphones, tablets, and laptops—especially during frequent and sometimes violent summer storms in Central Florida where we live. However, 240 watts of backup power only gets you so far. Recently, portable
Generark HomePower One and SolarPower One review – 1000 watts of worry-free power Read More
REVIEW – As an art director who lives and breathes Adobe art apps, I’ve come to depend on graphics tablets to get work done. My livelihood depends on them—period. After years of using various Wacom Intuos tablets, I’ve only recently moved to display tablets—starting with the Wacom Cintiq 16 and then the Cintiq 22. For
XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro Drawing Pen Display review – A dream monitor you can draw on Read More
NEWS – If you’re thinking about getting a graphics drawing tablet for a loved one or for yourself this holiday season, you might want to try the XP Pen Artist 13.3 Pro tablet. This laptop-sized tablet has a built-in color monitor that you can draw on when connected to either a laptop or desktop computer.
Gift idea: XP Pen 13.3 Artist Pro Holiday Edition graphics tablet Read More
REVIEW – It’s no secret that smartphone photography is killing the camera business—at least the point-and-shoot cameras. DSLR cameras used by professional and serious amateur photographers will never go away, but companies like Pictar are trying to lure the DSLR fan into smartphone photography by providing apps and gadgets to make the smartphone (in this
REVIEW – Earlier this year I said that the Tribit StormBox Micro Bluetooth speaker was the audio bargain of the year. Now I get to review a new headphone from Tribit, the affordable QuietPlus 50. Is this Bluetooth wireless headphone with active noise canceling another bargain of the year like the Stormbox Micro? Not
Tribit QuietPlus 50 ANC wireless headphone review – You get what you don’t pay for Read More
REVIEW – It’s always fun to discover that a product you’re reviewing works as well – or even better – at something that is not its intended use. Let me explain: Last year, Demant A/S, a large Danish hearing company, ended a business relationship with the even larger German Sennheiser Communications company—maker of countless audio
REVIEW – I’ve said it before that one of the more fun pleasures in reviewing products is finding that true bargain—something that is way better than the price would indicate. This time around, it’s the Audioengine A1 Home Music System. Along with the Tribit Stormbox micro speaker, the A1 speaker could be another bargain of
Audioengine A1 Home Music System Review – Small speakers equals big sound Read More
REVIEW – One of the newest innovations in yard work is the switch from gas-powered tools to battery-powered. The benefits are numerous: No fumes, no maintenance, no gas, no power. Wait, scratch that last item—battery-powered tools finally have all the power of gas making them a viable replacement to those smelly gas monsters in your
REVIEW – Jewelry. That’s the first impression one gets when unboxing the new white Edifier TWS NB2 true wireless earbuds. When opened, the box looks like it might contain nice earrings or even a necklace. However, while the packaging is noteworthy, does this attention to detail carry over to the product itself? What is it?
Edifier TWS NB2 true wireless earbuds review – like AirPods, but prettier Read More
REVIEW – Of all the things that have become the “new normal” when working from home, attending meetings has probably undergone the biggest change. No longer do we sit in an over-crowded conference room face-to-face munching on donuts and downing coffee. Now, we sit at home staring at a computer screen full of co-workers faces
Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080P webcam review – you, too can look better! Read More
NEWS – Grado is back, and it’s not a new pair of open-backed wireless headphones. The Brooklyn-based headphone and phono cartridge maker has just released the Grado GT220—a pair of totally wireless earphones—a first for Grado. Grado’s GT220 features 8mm dynamic drivers that deliver that famous Grado sound with accurate bass, detailed midrange, and precise
Grado downsizes – in a good way – with the new totally wireless GT220 earphone Read More
NEWS – If you are interested in an X-Chair with DVL (Dynamic Variable Lumbar) support, get ready for a few more letters to think about: X-HMT. X-HMT is what X-Chair calls their new heat and massage chair. This chair is the first office chair with both heat and massage technology targeted at the body’s core. Users can
X-Chair will spoil you with heat AND a massage — all from a work chair! Read More
In late 2018, I was invited to the Shure headquarters for a demonstration of a new Bluetooth product (link here). Last month, Shure sent me the new Aonic 50 wireless to review. This headphone is geared for premium audio quality followed by the convenience—now almost requirement—of wireless along with active noise canceling (ANC). While not
Shure Aonic 50 wireless noise cancelling headphones review – an audio trifecta Read More
REVIEW – One of the results of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic is that many people have gone from working at an office to working from home—me included. I haven’t been to my office since March. Thanks to technology, I’ve been able to perform my job from my backyard studio building. If fact, working from home
X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mgmt Chair review – get comfortable Read More
REVIEW – In 2017, the Over the Counter Hearing Aid Act was passed providing greater public accessibility and affordability with over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Now, many earphone companies offer DIY hearing tests using your iPhone and an app. The results of these hearing tests allow personalized tuning of earphones, which can make them yours. The
Nuheara IQbuds2 Max wireless earphones review – your ears will thank you Read More
REVIEW – I’ve reviewed many portable Bluetooth speakers, from dirt cheap to quite expensive. What’s interesting is that a speaker that costs twice as much as another sometimes doesn’t sound twice as good. In fact, a cheaper speaker will often sound better than a more expensive one. When that happens, that speaker can become very
Tribit StormBox Micro Bluetooth speaker review – a true audio bargain Read More
REVIEW – Everyone knows that all tower fans pretty much do the same thing—they help make a room feel cooler. What differentiates one fan from another is price, features, and build quality. Taotronics is a company that makes all kinds of stuff, such as audio gear, lighting, and … fans. Their newest tower fan is
Taotronics TF002 tower fan review – an affordable fan with upgraded features Read More
REVIEW – When I think about whether someone needs a portable digital audio converter (DAC) for their smartphone or not, I’m left with two more questions: “Will it allow me to use my older, wired headphones with my smartphone?” Or “What the heck is a DAC anyway?” Hopefully, in this review of the Shanling UP4
Shanling UP4 Bluetooth Headphone DAC/AMP review – great sound from a tiny package Read More