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
I’ve reviewed a few really good and affordable earphones from NuForce for The Gadgeteer. NuForce is somewhat of a paradox in the audio world. They make quite good (and quite expensive) home audio gear, yet their personal products have been quite affordable – but still quite good. That’s especially true regarding their earphones and headphones.
The new earphones from NuForce are Primo, dude Read More
In the past few years, I have reviewed many gadgets for the Gadgeteer, mostly involving audio. I just love headphones and speakers, so I usually stick to that. While I may be more discerning than many regarding audio quality, I don’t consider myself an audiophile and I try not to write like one. That’s not
Fiio X3 Portable Digital Music Player review Read More
As the earphone market has grown substantially over the past few years, its technology has mostly split into two camps – dynamic speakers vs armature speakers. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. DUNU, a Chinese company who started out making earphones for other companies, make and sell both dynamic and armature models. Their model
DUNU DN-1000 Hybrid earphones review Read More
I have reviewed every V-MODA headphone beginning with the original Crossfade LP and each one has been a significant improvement over the previous version. The new V-MODA XS will replace the now-discontinued on-ear Crossfade M-80. The XS betters the M-80 with improved sound, military-spec (MIL-STD-810G) build quality and V–MODA’s famous, patented CliqFold Hinge. The XS
V-Moda becomes even more fashion conscience headphone with the XS headphone Read More
Recently, Julie asked for us to show our desks and what’s on them. With mine, there is not much to tell. I’m an art director by day and freelancer by night, so my desk is usually strewn with all kinds of junk. Add to that my passion for all things audio, and I keep pretty
Gadgeteer: Show us your desk series – Bill H. Read More
This is getting old. It seems like every week Braven is releasing a new portable Bluetooth speaker. A few weeks ago, they released the large, rugged and water-resistant BRV-X Bluetooth speaker. Think of it as a super-sized BRV-1 that was recently reviewed by Steve Holt for The Gadgeteer. That speaker sounded good, came encased in a
Braven makes a loud splash with the BRV-X Read More
Recently, I reviewed the Just Mobile HeadStand Headphone Hanger. It was my introduction to the minimalist design ethos of an accessory company whose products could have been made by Apple themselves. They are that beautiful. Just Mobile sent me their AluDisc 360-degree pedestal for iMac for review.
Just Mobile AluDisc review Read More
Edifier’s speakers are known for their iconic looks as much as their sound. The newly released Luna Eclipse e25 Bluetooth speakers are sure to continue that perception, because no other speakers look like them. They’ve even been awarded the prestigious 2014 iF Design Award. The egg shaped, Daft Punk helmet lookalikes feature a whopping 74
Edifier’s new Luna speakers may eclipse the competition Read More
A couple of years ago, Focal – known for high-end speakers – came out with their first headphone, the Spirit One and it became an instant hit with the headphone crowd. While the Spirit One wasn’t cheap, it was portable, well made and sounded great. Focal has upped the ante with two new not-so portable
A Classic and Professional direction from Focal Read More
If you’re a fan of those mega-popular headphones that are endorsed by mega-stars, understand that you are adding mega-bucks to their mega-bank accounts. They aren’t lending their names to promote a headphone for free and the headphone company certainly isn’t paying for it; you are. It’s hidden in the cost. Okay then, what if you
Champagne headphones on a beer budget Read More
Big. Bigger. Biggest. These words sum up the Braven 850 Bluetooth speaker. Braven is becoming increasingly known for their range of beautiful, simple and powerful speakers with unique traits that set them apart in this overly crowded speaker market.
Braven 850 Bluetooth speaker review Read More
If there is one thing that’s indicative of the changing audio landscape, it’s the explosion of headphone and Bluetooth speaker choices. Just a few years ago, decent headphones were an expensive luxury and you could count the number of Bluetooth speakers available on one hand. At the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, countless portable speakers were
Fugoo speakers are all wet Read More