Bill Henderson - The Gadgeteer

V-Moda becomes even more fashion conscience headphone with the XS headphone

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 […]

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Gadgeteer: Show us your desk series – Bill H.

By Bill Henderson / March 27, 2014 / Articles / Desk, Office / Leave a Comment

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

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Braven makes a loud splash with the BRV-X

By Bill Henderson / March 27, 2014 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth speaker / Leave a Comment

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

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Just Mobile AluDisc review

By Bill Henderson / March 13, 2014 / Reviews / Computer Gear, Gear, iMac / 2 Comments

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.

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Edifier’s new Luna speakers may eclipse the competition

By Bill Henderson / March 12, 2014 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth speaker / 1 Comment

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

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A Classic and Professional direction from Focal

By Bill Henderson / February 3, 2014 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / Leave a Comment

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

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Champagne headphones on a beer budget

By Bill Henderson / January 31, 2014 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / 11 Comments

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

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Braven 850 Bluetooth speaker review

By Bill Henderson / January 26, 2014 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth speaker / Leave a Comment

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.

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Fugoo speakers are all wet

By Bill Henderson / January 13, 2014 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth, Bluetooth speaker / 3 Comments

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

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Old becomes new with Ion Cassette Adapter Bluetooth

By Bill Henderson / January 11, 2014 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Bluetooth, Bluetooth audio adapter / 7 Comments

Anybody with an older car can relate to this: You have a smartphone with all the latest Bluetooth connectivity, but your car stereo is still oh so 90s with its cassette and maybe CD player. No USB. No AUX port. Certainly no Bluetooth… until now. Ion has made it possible for any Bluetooth-enabled device to

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LSTN The Troubadours headphone review

By Bill Henderson / January 7, 2014 / Reviews / Audio gear, Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / Leave a Comment

Recently, I had fun reviewing two very different headphones made primarily of wood: the premium Meze 73 Classics and the budget Griffin WoodTones. Each had their pros and cons, and it was hard to tell if the wood — as cool as it is — had any real effect on the sound. As I said

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Audioengine W3 Premium Wireless Audio Adapter review

By Bill Henderson / January 2, 2014 / Reviews / Audio, Audio gear, DAC, Speakers, TV, Video / 7 Comments

I will admit upfront that this review is way overdue. The main reason is because the Audioengine W3 Premium Wireless Audio Adapter is a product that is not easy to categorize. It performs some unique functions and duplicates some that are built into existing products. It’s taken me a while to sort it all out

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Torque t103z in-ear-headphones review

By Bill Henderson / December 31, 2013 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Earphones / Leave a Comment

In 2012, I reviewed the excellent – but incredibly expensive – Audeo PF232 earphones. What made them unique was that they had replaceable filters so anyone could fine-tune the sound to their taste. Well, anyone with super eyesight and steady hands, that is. The filters were so small that they required a special, hard-to-use tool,

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Phiaton Bridge MS 500 headphones review

By Bill Henderson / December 28, 2013 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / Leave a Comment

It seems that many (not all) headphones fall into two categories; those that look fashionable and sound not so great and those that sound great, but you’d wouldn’t want to be seen in public wearing them. Then there is Phiaton. Their headphones and earphones are pure eye candy. Nothing looks like them, and while some

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Gift ideas – 6 headphones and earphones for music lovers

By Bill Henderson / December 3, 2013 / Articles / Audio, Video, TV, Earphones, Headphones / 4 Comments

When Julie asked me to choose five headphones/earphones that would make great gift ideas, I knew this could get interesting. 2013 has been a great year for portable listening, and the holiday choices are better than ever. There are many choices to fit any budget, so there is no excuse this year for putting up

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Velodyne vFree On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones review

By Bill Henderson / November 24, 2013 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / Leave a Comment

As our society becomes more and more mobile – and wireless – headphone makers are stepping up and providing consumers with choices. Some of those choices are a new breed of Bluetooth headphones that provide a freedom that could only be imagined just a few years ago. Velodyne – famous for subwoofers – now offers

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Griffin Technology WoodTones headphone review

By Bill Henderson / November 16, 2013 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones, iOS / 1 Comment

The Griffin Technology’s WoodTones headphones remind me of our local weatherman. How’s that for a comparison? Seriously, I have been reviewing many headphones in many price ranges, with the sweet spot at about $100-150. Expensive enough to sound good, yet not so expensive that you have to mortgage the house. And therein lies the problem. So

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Meze 73 Classics headphone review

By Bill Henderson / November 12, 2013 / Reviews / Audio, Video, TV, Headphones / Leave a Comment

Over the past few months, I’ve been using and testing the Meze 73 Classics headphones. Meze is a relatively new company, and they have a niche that a few – but not many – headphone makers have: their headphones are made out of wood. While that’s becoming more common, Meze strictly uses ebony wood, which

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BRAVEN goes big (and now wet) with 855s Bluetooth Speaker

By Bill Henderson / November 11, 2013 / News / Audio, Video, TV, Gear, portable, Speaker / Leave a Comment

Wow. In a recent news item, I stated how Braven isn’t taking it easy after a string of successful portable speakers by releasing the monstrous Braven 800 – a direct competitor to Jawbone’s BigJambox speaker. It’s only been a few days, but Braven went and did it again with the Braven 855s, an identical twin

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Audioengine moves their A2 speaker into the plus category

By Bill Henderson / November 8, 2013 / News / Audio gear, Audio, Video, TV, DAC, Speakers / Leave a Comment

Audioengine doesn’t know when to leave well-enough alone. Case-in-point: Their A2 speakers were just about the perfect size and rating for desktop use, and consumers obviously agreed because they have sold quite well. Even so, Audioengine figured they could do better, so they’ve introduced the new A2+ powered desktop speakers. These mini-powerhouses have been substantially

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