The majority of earphones today are just that – earphones. However, some audio companies have recently been creating music player apps that are tuned specifically for their particular earphone. When I first got a glimpse of the new EarPhone-12 from XTZ, I wondered if their digital sound processing (DSP), developed in conjunction with Dirac Research, […]
XTZ Earphone-12 review Read More
ColorSonik is not a name that people think of when it comes to audio. It’s not surprising, since they are new on the scene. ColorSonik’s first product is a pair of desktop speakers that pay homage to the Museum of Modern Art’s transparent, plastic storage boxes. Even if you are not familiar with MOMA’s retro
ColorSonik Speaker review Read More
The NuForce NE-600M and NE-770X earphones are two examples of what can be achieved by a desire to create something that is both affordable and that can still blow away free earbuds. Since they are only $25 – $35, these earphones beg the question: Where is it written that earphones have to be prohibitively expensive?
NuForce NE-600M and NE-770X earphones review Read More
Logic3 has introduced the Scuderia FS1 Air speaker dock from their Ferrari Audio lineup of speakers and headphones:. The design is inspired by Scuderia Racing Team’s work with Ferrari. The Speaker looks fast with a sloping front nose and a raised spoiler in the rear. Even the two rear-facing speaker grills look like classic tailpipe
Logic3 and Ferrari unveil an AirPlay speaker – VROOM Read More
Bowers & Wilkins climbed on the Apple AirPlay wagon in 2011 with their wild and wonderful Zeppelin Air speaker (with dock connector). The following year, when Apple replaced the 30-pin connector with their proprietary Lightning connector, I thought B&W would go totally wireless with the next Zeppelin, as they had with the newer – but
Bowers & Wilkins have struck Lightning… twice Read More
Over time, I’ve reviewed earphones made from plastic, aluminum, silicone, and even wood covering every price range. Earphone makers claim that their chosen material has some advantage over the other. Well, there may be some truth to those claims. Each material does, in fact, have inherent advantages, but they also each have disadvantages. There is
Phiaton Moderna MS 200 Earphones review Read More
Velodyne may be world-famous for their line of sub-woofers, but they are not a brand one associates with personal audio. They do make the critically acclaimed vPulse In-Ear Headphones, but still, the Velodyne name doesn’t exactly elicit recognition among headphone fans. That may be about to change with the release of two beautiful headphones: the
Velodyne introduces two new headphones: vFree and vTrue Read More
Audioengine products may not be for sale in every retail outlet or even known by many consumers, but anyone who is looking for a pair of quality desktop speakers should give Audioengine a serious look – especially their A5+ speakers. I have owned the A5 speakers for some time, and when given a chance to try
Audioengine A5+ speaker review Read More
RBH Sound began as a maker of speakers for other companies and has since become a respected name in their own right. They jumped into the personal audio arena with the EP1 earphone and now offer the EP2 Noise Isolating Earphone. The EP2 is identical to the EP1 except that it includes a microphone module
RBH EP2 Noise Isolating Earphones review Read More
This is a bummer for fans of in-ear monitors. Phonak, one of the more respected brands of earphones, has decided to cease operations of the Audéo line of earphones and concentrate on their core business: devices for the hearing impaired. Phonak spokesperson Harris Gilbert stated that Audéo earphones will continue to be available in the US
Phonak exits the earphone business Read More
1964 Ears is a small company who make custom in-ear monitors. The in-ear monitor business is very competitive, and you might think that this process would be kept as secret as possible. Well, they obviously want to brag about what they do and how they do it, so who are we to keep a secret? If
Ever wonder how custom earphones are made? Read More
When I first saw the Colorsonik speakers, I was reminded of an old Steve Jobs quote: “They look so good, you’ll want to lick them.” These 60s plastic retro speakers are absolutely beautiful in all of their color versions and are sure to grab attention on any desktop. They’re so unusual that they don’t even look real
The Colorsonik Speakers let you see music in color Read More
Because I am a doddering, forgetful fool, I finally realized that to avoid forgetting any item or its accessory, I need to carry everything with me. And I mean everything. iPhones, iPods, iPad, earphones and headphones (I AM a reviewer, after all) and all the junk that has to go with this stuff. It can
Everki Versa Premium Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Backpack review Read More
Once again, I find myself reviewing a brand of headphone that few people have heard of. And while it’s fun to discover those diamonds in the rough, many times there is a reason for a particular brand’s obscurity. Which brings us to the Oblanc U.F.O. NC2 headphone with a built-in subwoofer. Yes, that’s right –
Oblanc U.F.O. NC2 Headphone review Read More
The portable speaker market is getting more and more crowded … and more interesting as well. Jambox, FoxL, Scosche, JBL, Braven, and a host of others are competing for your wallet and coming up with some twists in design and/or features to grab your attention. Native Union is a company you may not have heard
Native Union has made the Switch. Will you? Read More
2012 became a year for celebrity-endorsed headphones and based on what ON-EARZ is releasing, 2013 will continue that trend. ON-EARZ is a European company known for its trendy design and marketing of headphones and other accessories. They have used the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show to announce their entry into the US market with the “Listen with
ON-EARZ wants you to listen with the legends Read More
This is my third RHA product review, and I’m becoming attuned to what RHA is trying to accomplish. RHA is a Scottish audio company who are making good-sounding and – more importantly – affordable earphones and headphones. It’s common knowledge that just about any earphone or headphone at any price beats the freebies that come
RHA SA950i headphones review Read More
Another month, another Bluetooth speaker. That’s the way it seems, anyway. Actually, new Bluetooth – and Apple AirPlay – speakers are being introduced in greater and greater numbers, way more than one per month! Nyne may not be a household name in audio gadgets, but they soon could be with products like their new NB-200 portable
Nyne NB-200 Bluetooth speaker review Read More
Recently, when I reviewed RHA’s MA350 earphones, I concluded that they were a perfect second pair of earphones that were great for commuting. I considered their $40 price a bargain. However, one major (for some) drawback was a lack of a mic for making and receiving phone calls – especially for any commuting. RHA has
RHA MA450i Noise Isolating Earphones with Remote and Microphone review Read More
With the growing popularity of wireless speakers – both Bluetooth and AirPlay – many speaker companies have begun to release products that are redefining how we listen to music. Suddenly, there are very small speakers that can produce quality audio with decent bass. Until recently, this was almost unheard of. Jambox, Soundmatters, Braven, Scosche, Jabra,
NuForce Cube Speaker review Read More