I have reviewed a few speakers from Braven and am consistently impressed with a build quality that matches their audio quality. While the 600 speaker was impressive for its size (there’s that caveat again), the 850 speaker was stunning in both its power and beauty. The BRV-X fits somewhere in the middle of Braven’s range, […]
Braven BRV-X Bluetooth speaker review Read More
As the iPhone and other smart phones become the primary method for taking photos, an accessory market has developed. Now you can buy tripods, specialty cases, lenses and countless apps that promise to customize and improve anyone’s smart phone snaps. Up until now, I had never used additional hardware for iPhone photos. I just stuck
Olloclip 4-in-1 iPhone lens review Read More
No matter how portable all those boxy Bluetooth speakers are, they are still boxes that need to be carried either by hand or thrown in a bag with other stuff. Whether you are going on a hike or doing yard work,, you still have to pick up the speaker when you move around. But what
JBL Clip Bluetooth speaker review Read More
I’ve been reviewing a few Bluetooth speakers lately and while some are copy-cat versions that show little imagination in design or audio quality, others are unique enough to garner attention. The Creative Sound Blaster Roar speaker falls into that unique category. In some ways, maybe it’s too unique (more on that later). If you are
Creative Sound Blaster Roar Bluetooth speaker review Read More
There are now so many portable speakers available that have Bluetooth, speakerphone capabilities, really good sound for their size, and decent battery life, that choosing one is getting harder and harder. But really, who cares? Just a few short years ago, these technological perks we take for granted were mind-blowing. This really is the start
Fugoo Bluetooth Speakers review Read More
The cool thing about top-of-the-line products and patience is that one benefits the other. Case in point: The new Bowers & Wilkins Series 2 P5 headphone and C5 earphone. Patience is rewarded because B&W has incorporated elements from their P7 headphone into the less expensive P5, improving just about every internal component. The P7’s success
Bowers & Wilkins debut significant improvements to two headphones Read More
A few months ago, I reviewed the very good Focal Spirit Classic and even better Spirit Pro headphones. Focal he now released a newer – and less expensive – version of the original portable Spirit One headphone, the Spirit One S. The Spirit One S – which will replace the Spirit One – is more
Get in the Spirit with Focal Read More
Will Bluetooth ever get any respect? It will if Audioengine has anything to say about it. Audioengine – known for dynamite speakers and DACs – have released their first Bluetooth product, the Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver. The B1 streams audio from any media player (iTunes, Amarra, Youtube, etc.) and connects to any music
Audioengine uses the words premium and Bluetooth in same sentence Read More
Among all the Bluetooth and desktop speakers I’ve reviewed, I’ve never tested both form factors in one speaker system. The Edifier e25 Luna Eclipse speakers combine the look and stereo separation of a dedicated desktop speaker with the convenience of Bluetooth. Not only that, they look like nothing else either. They even won the 2014 iF
Edifier e25 Luna Eclipse speaker review Read More
Despite the wonderful – and sometimes jawdropping – audio that manufacturers have been able to extract from small, portable Bluetooth speakers, there is still no substitution for size. Physics rules and if you’re going to get a decent amount of bass from any speaker, you need air movement. The more air, the better bass. Yes,
Nyne Bass wireless Bluetooth speaker review Read More
ECOXGEAR is well known for their rugged waterproof speakers and gear, have just released their biggest speaker yet, the ECOSTONE waterproof Bluetooth speaker. ECOXGEAR states that it is answering a demand for a tough speaker that can deliver a bigger sound. The rubberized shockproof casing protects the speaker if accidentally knocked into a pool or overboard
ECOXGEAR gets tough and loud with the new ECOSTONE Bluetooth speaker Read More
It appears that Samsung has come out swinging in the “Let’s beat Beats” game. Say what you will about Beats audio quality (I do), you cannot argue with their marketing genius. They hold about 60% of the headphone market – which makes them a prime target. Samsung has released two new headphones, an earphone and
Samsung on the Level about beating Beats Read More
Many people who are integrated into the Apple ecosystem – or BORG, as I like to call it – would never think about buying a router from anyone except Apple, no matter how good or cheap another brand may be. I know, because I paid $200 for an Apple Airport Extreme. I wondered if I
Home, home on the (extended) range Read More
It was only a matter of time before a sound card company would take their expertise and apply it to a portable speaker. Creative, maker of the famous Sound Blaster card, has come out roaring with the Sound Blaster Roar SR20 speaker. This speaker is appropriately named Roar, not just because it can be loud,
Creative comes out roaring with a new speaker Read More
Focal (pronounced foe-kal) may not be a name consumers are familiar with, but they should be. Focal is a French maker of high-end (expensive) speakers. Their award-winning design and sound are famous among the upper-crust audiophile crowd. The Focal Grande Utopia EM speakers look like nothing else and their $180,000 per pair price looks like
Focal Spirit Classic and Professional headphones review Read More
A year ago, I reviewed the monstrous but wonderful Audioengine A5+ speakers. These behemoths will rattle not only your windows, but the neighbor’s as well — yet still sound good doing it. But let’s be real, unless you have a big desk (I do), the A5+ speakers are just too big and loud for most
Audioengine A2+ speakers review Read More
Whenever I try to explain what a digital audio converter (DAC) does and why it’s a cool thing to have, I almost always get that “deer in headlights” look. Then – if they’re still listening – I tell them the cost of this cool DAC. That’s when the look changes to “are you nuts?” Sheesh,
Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS USB DAC/Headphone Amp review Read More
Do you like to sing along to the radio while in the shower? Now, Braven lets you hear your backing group much louder with the new Mira; a speaker that you can play IN the shower. In fact, it has a built-in hook which allows it to be hung from a curtain rod or shower
The Braven Mira speaker is all wet Read More
The release of the Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones was a shot across the bow to other headphone makers that the high-end audio industry had woken up and taken notice of a coming trend in personal listening. That trend has now become a wave as other high-end speaker makers have followed B&W’s lead. We are
Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphone review Read More
In 2013, I reviewed the Nyne NB-200 Bluetooth speaker. I was impressed with the sound relative to its size. Now, because everyone and their uncle make decent Bluetooth accessories, Bluetooth speakers need something extra to stand out. Nyne thinks they have done that with the new BASS speaker. As with similar speakers, the BASS comes
Nyne aims LOW with the BASS speaker Read More