A year ago, I said the “The Focal Elear headphone may be the best headphone available for the money today.” However, it was (and still is) 1000 bucks—no small amount for headphones regardless of budget. But that—as they say—was then. Today, Focal has swapped the E in Elear for a C and has released the […]
Focal Clears things up with a new high-end headphone Read More
Bowers & Wilkins are known by their extremely accurate speakers and comfortable and warm sounding headphones. Recently, they’ve ventured into the wireless world with the excellent P5 Wireless headphone. Now, B&W has upped the ante with their first noise canceling headphone, the PX with aptX HD Bluetooth.
Bowers & Wilkins PX headphones cut the cord—and the noise Read More
Anyone who knows audio is aware of McIntosh—no, not Apple’s Macintosh! McIntosh is one of the most respected brands of audiophile gear with a history of great sound, long life and understated design with their signature blue lighting. Many years ago, I bought a Marantz receiver solely because it looked like a McIntosh (couldn’t afford
McIntosh Audio goes small with the MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier Read More
You gotta love promotional videos for outdoor Bluetooth speakers. There always seems to be young, beautiful people in great shape running and laughing near water. Reality is more like an overweight guy (me) plopping himself down on Cocoa Beach and sweating in the humidity and heat while my beautiful wife complains that the music is
Braven Stryde 360 Bluetooth speaker review Read More
In all of my reviews, I try to be as fair as I can. Every product has its good and bad points and I try to point them out. No product—no matter how good it is—is perfect. At first glance, my review of the iseeBell Video Doorbell Security Cam may not seem fair—and maybe it
iseeBell Video Doorbell Security Cam review Read More
“A robot’s primary function is to obey.” If this is true, then Anki’s Cozmo robot fails—and fails spectacularly. When I first saw a YouTube video featuring Cozmo, my first reaction was “Is this thing too cool or what?” Cozmo is a robot with a mind of its own coupled with a major attitude. This Wall-e
Cozmo is a robot with a big brain and an even bigger personality Read More
I’ve reviewed many of Focal’s headphones and am continually impressed how this French speaker company allows its innovative—and expensive—audio expertise trickle down into their less expensive products. Case in point: the Focal Listen Wireless headphone. The interesting thing about this headphone is that it’s Focal’s first wireless headphone (they also have a wireless Spark earphone).
Focal Listen Wireless headphone review Read More
In 2015, I had the privilege (and it was a privilege) to review Master & Dynamic’s new MH40 headphone. At the time, nothing else looked like them. The MH40 has that classic, timeless look—like they’ve been around for many years, yet they were a brand new headphone from a brand new company. The MH40’s combination
Master & Dynamic MW60 wireless and MW50 wireless headphones review Read More
”Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe…” To some allergy and asthma sufferers, this cute line from the Hollies classic song is a way of life. What most people take for granted can be a life-long problem for others. Pollutants, mold, pollen, viruses, and dust that we breathe is five times more
The Molekule Air Purifier breaks down indoor pollution on a molecular level Read More
The more I review Focal earphones and headphones, the more impressed I become. Yeah, French speaker maker Focal makes outrageously priced products such as their $4,000 Utopia headphone—rated by many reviewers as the best headphone available today. But kudos to Focal for also offering affordable audio for the rest of us. Case in point: The
Focal Spark and Spark Wireless earphone review Read More
As I’ve said in my reviews of Focal’s excellent headphones and earphones, French speaker maker Focal is primarily known for their expensive (but also excellent) speaker line. However the audio news coming out of Focal this week is not about their crazily expensive speakers, but a more reasonable line of home theater speakers. Focal’s new
Focal focuses on Dolby Atmos with its newest line of Sib Evo home theater speakers Read More
It takes a lot of confidence to name an earphone a “Pro” model. That simple three-letter word sets up all kinds of expectations. Flare doesn’t make many products—one model of consumer speakers, ear plugs for noise protection, a line of pro speakers and now the Flares Pro wireless earphones. As Flare states, “New wireless earphones
Flares Pro earphones produce sound quality that feels live Read More
Here we go again, another season, another Fugoo speaker. Fugoo is a wireless Bluetooth speaker maker that has always been just outside the heavily advertised mainstream of Beats, JBL or Bose. That’s too bad, because Fugoo consistently makes some of the best wireless speakers available. For this long, hot summer of 2017, Fugoo has improved
Fugoo Style S portable Bluetooth speaker review Read More
It really wouldn’t be summer without Braven dropping a new speaker on us. And 2017 is no different. True to form, Braven has gone 360° full circle with their new STRYDE 360 portable Bluetooth speaker. Braven has crafted a soda can shaped speaker to fit into any active lifestyle where water, salt, sand, and snow
Braven performs a 360 with the new STRYDE portable speaker Read More
Focal is a premium French speaker company who’s products are sometimes priced into the stratosphere. Their Utopia headphones are a cool $4,000 and many audio experts have said they are the best headphones available today. But let’s face it, you probably can’t drop that kind of money on headphones. No problem, because Focal is now
Focal ignites a Spark with a line of earphones and a wireless Listen headphone Read More
Headphones that sound as good as they look are rare. Master & Dynamic headphones are an exception. The MH40 headphones are classically designed, impeccably made and sound really good. I’m now testing their wireless MW50 headphones and am liking what I’m hearing. A full review is coming soon. That said, Master & Dynamic has taken
Master & Dynamic gets all black and blue with Bamford Watch Department Read More
They used to say, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” I doubt that’s still true in our more enlightened times, but it could be true now to say, “Diamonds are an audio geek’s best friend”—as in DiamondBoxx. DiamondBoxx makes speakers that will blow away every other speaker in its class. Since I reviewed the Braven
Who knew diamonds could be so loud? Read More
It’s no secret that V-Moda makes some interesting and great sounding headphones and earphones. Recently, they have stepped into the ultra-competitive portable Bluetooth speaker market. Of course, V-Moda can’t just make a speaker to fill out a product range. They have to make something they can be proud of. That pride has resulted in the
V-Moda will 3D print a Bluetooth speaker just for you Read More
2017 is turning out to be a big year for headphones. And no one has had a bigger year than Blue with three new headphones introduced this year alone. The Blue Sadie is a more than a worthy successor to the original Mo-Fi and the hand-made Ella is Blue’s first attempt at a planar magnetic
Blue Satellite headphone review Read More
Even though I’ve reviewed all of Blue’s headphones and noted their differences, they still look almost identical when placed side-by-side. Not anymore. Introduced at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last January, Blue has released the Satellite wireless Bluetooth headphone with active noise canceling. But there’s more. Along with Apt-X Bluetooth 4.1, Satellite features a