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
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