Jawbone’s Bluetooth Jambox Smartspeaker is a miracle. Hearing this tiny speaker (and also Soundmatter’s FoxL – on which the Jambox is based) for the first time will quite literally make your jaw drop. So will the price: $200. That’s a lot for a portable speaker of any size, much less one that is only six […]
Jawbone’s BIG JAMBOX is Well, Bigger Read More
At first glance, the new Atomic Floyd SuperDarts +Remote earphones look like a souped-up version of the bullet-designed Koss KEB40 or Ortofon e-Q5 earphones. The cord comes straight out the opposite end of the earphone instead of the side of the main shell. It’s obvious Atomic Floyd wants to make a statement with the SuperDarts.
Atomic Floyd SuperDarts +Remote Earphones Review Read More
All the earphones I have reviewed fall into two design philosophies: dynamic speaker (looks very much like a tiny speaker) and armature (the same technology used in professional hearing aids). There are advantages and disadvantages to both but the word “unique” seldom comes to mind with either type. I had been reading about the ClarityOne
PureSound Technologies ClarityOne Earphones Review Read More
I have been testing id America’s Spark Aluminum In-ear Headphones for a few weeks, and I have to say that this is the first time I have reviewed a product that’s the opposite of its name. When you hear “spark”, you might think of sharp, aggressive, electrical excitement. However, the Spark earphones are anything but that.
Spark Aluminum In-ear Headphones Review Read More
As music storage becomes more computer-based, listening to music – whether it’s from a desktop or laptop model – requires compromises. One of those tradeoffs is sound quality. It’s a badly kept secret that computer sound cards are not that good. Heck, some of them are just awful. It doesn’t matter how much money you
HiFiMAN Express HM-101 Portable USB Soundcard Review Read More
When I reviewed the South of Market Audio Dock from Audyssey, I was blown over by the sound, the bass, the size, the… well, just about everything. Everything, except the Bluetooth wireless. As I have said before, I am not a fan of Bluetooth. Maybe the new Bluetooth 4.0 will change my mind, but for
There’s Music in the Air Read More
A year ago, I reviewed some headphones from a new company – Fanny Wang. They weren’t established yet but managed to get attention with their striking design. Their original On Ear (1000 Series) was similar enough to the Monster Beats to spark a lawsuit. Nobody (except the lawyers) won that suit, and Fanny Wang continues
Fanny Wang 3000 Series Over Ear Noise Canceling Headphones Review Read More
Let’s be real here, OK? iTunes has never been a great program where sound quality is concerned. Steve Jobs famously said that music was in Apple’s DNA. That may be, but I wouldn’t call Apple an audiophile company. Despite that, I use iTunes every day mainly because it’s just so darned easy, plus it does
BitPerfect High-quality Audio Player for OSX Read More
Does anyone remember the Apple Newton? It was arguably the first handheld mobile device and it was way ahead of its time. However, it had so many issues, it ultimately failed in the marketplace. Well, I remember the Newton. I owned four of them and I loved them all. Now, if you are wondering what
iHome iP4 Portable FM Stereo Boombox Review Read More
I’m always impressed with companies that are flexible in a changing environment. A company who can adapt to this evolving landscape is a healthier company. Powis makes bookbinding and collating equipment for the corporate market. As things have been moving into the digital realm, Powis has smartly taken some of that book binding knowledge and
Powis iCase iPad Case Review Read More
I’m torn about the PFE 232 Earphones from Phonak Audeo. They are about the best sounding universal-fit earphones I’ve yet heard. They are well made, extremely comfortable, customizable (more on that later), and have replaceable cables. But wow, are they expensive. There is no getting around that. It’s an elephant in the room you can’t
Phonak Audéo PFE 232 Earphones Review Read More
To say that Bob Marley became a musical icon after his untimely death at 36 from cancer is a massive understatement. Marley almost singlehandedly helped make reggae music a worldwide phenomenon that is still popular today. The name Marley is synonymous with reggae, and his estate has parleyed his popularity into a line of audio
House of Marley Zion Earphones Review Read More
A while back, I reviewed the retro Koss PortaPro headphones and gushed over how well they sounded especially considering their price and how comfortable they were regardless of price. For some people however, the PortaPros looks were – well – just so 80s. I would imagine most people listening to headphones today don’t remember the
Aiaiai Tracks Headphones Review Read More
As headphones become more popular as an audio accessory and fashion statement, some companies have been able to adapt to this evolving market better than others. Some lean more towards the design while others cater to the audiophile crowd. V-Moda has tried to have it both ways. With the over-ear (circumaural) Crossfade LP, they succeeded
V-Moda Crossfade M-80 Headphones Review Read More
When writing about and reviewing earphones, I always include two points that are important to each model: the seal from the eartips and whether the earphone uses a warmer sounding dynamic or the more accurate, but bass deficient armature based speaker. Scosche is a maker of a seemingly endless array of affordable iPhone/iPod accessories with
Scosche IEM856md In-Ear Monitors Review Read More
Let me begin this review by saying that I am not in construction or a business that requires hearing protection. However, I do live on 1.5 heavily treed acres, so I spend a good amount of time with electric and gas chain saws, gas weed-wackers, and lawn mowers. They are all obnoxiously loud. I used
Howard Leight Sync Stereo Earmuffs Review Read More
If you are the proud owner of an iPhone 4 or the newer – and cooler – iPhone 4S, you either have figured out that you need or want a protective case or have made the conscience decision that cases are clumsy, intrusive, ugly or all three and therefore, not for you. Well, what
CalypsoCase for iPhone 4/4S Review Read More
I may have one of the more original stocking stuffers for that gadget/audio freak. It’s the Stoweblank TinyMix, a – well, I’m not sure exactly what you call it. It’s not an amp or a sound processor. What it does, is allow you to connect up to four devices to one set of powered speakers.
Stoweblank TinyMix Review Read More
You gotta love a company like Grado. They’re a family-run business out of Brooklyn, NY who make various cartridges and headphones in many price ranges. They have won countless audiophile awards by refusing to adapt to the latest trend or gimmick. One look at the design of their headphones, and you might think they were
Grado GR10 Earphone Review Read More
All of a sudden, there are a lot of Apple AirPlay* speakers being offered just in time for the holidays. Libratone is a new high-end player in this enlarging US market. They’ve been around for a while in Europe where they are famous for their high quality and great sound. This Danish company subscribes to
Libratone wireless AirPlay speakers Read More