Archive for the ‘Audio’ Category
To say that the capabilities of laptops, notebooks and tablets have come a long way over the last several years is an understatement on the order of noting that the Grand Canyon “sure is big.” But while the advances made in sheer power, storage capacity, screen size/resolution and portability have completely changed our expectations, there is one element of the mobile computing experience that has not enjoyed a similar degree of improvement… and that is sound.
And though there are a number of very good reasons for that seeming deficiency, including; consumer demand (most people require even more mobility of their music devices) privacy and consideration (sad though it may be, not everyone wants to hear your favorite Beastie Boys track or episode of the Simpsons), and the very physics of sound, it is safe to say that most users would welcome a solution that provided improved sound quality in the conference room, home or on the go. +Continue Reading
Everyone knows that whenever Apple or any portable media company releases an upgrade to a product (most recently, the jump from the iPad to the iPad 2), one of the things that HAS to be included in the updated model is increased sound quality. Whether it’s improved by a little or by a lot, better sound or speakers is just a necessity when it comes to adding to the specs of a new device. But what if you don’t want to spend 500+ dollars just because your Netflix dialog is muffled or your music doesn’t have quite as much bass as you would like? You could buy a docking station for your media device that you would have to lug around everywhere–but that doesn’t seem like something you’d want to show off to your friends, especially when you also have to carry around a wall plug for it that makes it virtually unmovable. No. You want something small, portable and rechargeable. Which means the Sonar Portable Mini Speaker is just what you’re looking for. +Continue Reading
I FINALLY got my hands on a pair of Nokia BH-905i headphones!
One year ago, I reviewed the original BH-905s. I really liked them, and had very few caveats for those looking for a versatile pair of wireless headphones.
Well Nokia has refreshed the line, so lets take a quick look at what’s changed! +Continue Reading
Speakers come in all shapes and sizes; and proving that point is Logitech’s latest–the Logitech Tablet Speaker. As the name implies, this battery powered accessory attaches to the top or side of your Tablet, replacing the often muted speaker with blazingly clear stereo sound. Up for pre-order for $49.95, the Tablet Speaker jacks into your headphone cable–which really means anything you can plug headphones into can take advantage of the speaker.
For those of you familiar with the site, you’re probably aware of the fact that we’re pretty big fans of Bowers & Wilkins; in fact, the P5 headphones we tested last year remain our favorite portable, on-ear headphones. But the truth is, as much as we love the P5s, they’re not for everyone. Though the $299 price tag is a bargain considering what you get, that price may still be too high for some; and though “gadget bag” portable, they’re not “pocket portable.” So what was Bowers & Wilkins’ answer to those looking for something a little easier on both the pocket and pocketbook? The C5 In-Ear Headphones; and for those that have been holding off buying a pair of B&W headphones, be warned: You officially have no more excuses.
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Marshall has been stepping up their game recently in the arena of consumer audio, delivering on some fantastic mid-range gear packaged up in retro-stylish fashion.
Surprisingly for the Marshall Minor headphones, Big M has partnered up with Zound Industries to deliver a very interesting set of headphones.
UrbanEars is a VERY modern Scandinavian design company, so does the marriage of retro + modern work?
Read on my friend… +Continue Reading
Let’s be clear: Driving while holding a phone to your ear is not just plain stupid and dangerous, but in more and more places around the country it’s also illegal. And while I’m generally a proponent of personal responsibility over government monitoring, anyone who’s watched the catastrophic near (and often not so near) misses caused by people more interested in chatting about last nights episode of ‘Big Brother’ than piloting their 2.5-ton SUV’s through a school zone, knows that in this case it’s badly needed. At the same time, however, it’s clear that with a population committed to staying connected 24/7, it’s pretty obvious that an effective compromise is seriously needed. +Continue Reading
No matter how good your mobile headphones are, in the end, it always comes down to the quality of your audio source–and for the discerning audiophile, laptop-quality sound simply won’t do. That’s where the NuForce uDAC-2 Signature Gold Edition USB digital audio converter comes in. In layman’s terms, this small USB interface connects between your laptop and desired audio source (headphones, receiver, desktop sound system), and converts the digital signal into an analog one, greatly enhancing the quality and power of your laptop’s digital audio. As far as the look of the uDAC-2, it’s anything but “layman.” Featuring a chassis that sports both 24K gold plating and stainless steel, you’ll even find a Swarovski crystal on the volume knob–making it part utilitarian, part just plain sexy. The uDAC-2 SGE will set you back around $400; but with the Swarovski crystal on board, you now have the perfect excuse to add an audio product to your wedding registry. Check out the full PR after the jump…
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Obviously Brilliant
Ok, I admit it. Getting the chance to test the latest ultra-fast and powerful dual-core and 4G phones is fun. Putting the latest incredibly capable tablets through their paces is just plain cool. And I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed the chance to review all the amazing games and hot new gadgets that pass through our doors each week here at YourTechReport.com. But if you want to know what products really make me smile – which products I have the hardest time returning at the end of the test period – I think my answer will surprise you. Why? Because, while I love all the high-end, cooler-than-cool stuff that we usually report on, the truth is, the gear that really grabs my attention are the simple, utilitarian products that we all need and use–but almost never think about (unless, of course, something goes wrong). Put plainly, I think that turning the unremarkable into the extraordinary is the very definition of cool. +Continue Reading
Yes…I’m aware that my title is a bit of an oxymoron. I’m also aware that as my family increases in size, it gets increasingly difficult to enjoy my home theater the way nature intended: late at night, in my family room, with my surround sound system blaring. And while I might miss the days of putting in my favorite Blu-Ray or DVD anytime I wanted, it’s nothing a great pair of headsets couldn’t fix. Of course, in this new digital age, being tethered simply wouldn’t do–so my great pair of headsets had to be wireless; and when you start putting words together like “great, headset and wireless,” one company quickly comes to mind: Sennheiser. I’ve had great luck with Sennheiser products over the years, so when we talked to them about a great home theater headset that wouldn’t break the bank, they sent us the RS 170 Wireless Headphones–and we’ve been grateful ever since.
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Way back in January, we told you about the Meteor Mic that Samson revealed at CES this year. This stylish, portable USB microphone made quite an impression, with its stylish retro looks and foldable legs–so naturally, we were curious to hear how it sounded; after all, all the chrome plating in the world can’t make up for poor audio quality. Well, the folks at Samson were kind enough to send us a Meteor Mic of our very own to see if it had what it takes to become a part of my daily kit–and in case the title of the article hasn’t already given it away, the Meteor Mic passed our tests with flying colors. But why just write a review, when I can record a review and let you hear what it sounds like for yourself? So, withut further delay, I present our first audio review…of the Samson Meteor Mic. (Make sure to check out the photos after the break!)
Listen to the Meteor Mic Review!
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When Mitchell and I went to CES, there were more than a couple companies that managed to convince us (okay, we forced ourselves on them) to spend a lot of time at their booth. One of those companies was Audio Technica. Having a broadcasting background and doing voice-overs on a daily basis, both Mitchell and I were on our game and already fans of AT’s impressive microphone lineup. One of the those microphones that caught our attention was the newly announced ATR2500 USB. You see, Mitchell and I both use the AT2020USB microphone when traveling and on a day-to-day basis. It is truly one of the most reliable and best sounding microphones I have ever used, and, it’s USB. I personally recommend this mic to just about anyone I know – amateur or pro.
Onto the ATR2500 USB. Seemingly a step up from the AT2020, the ATR2500 has one important feature that the 2020 did not – a headphone jack and volume control for no-latency (delay) monitoring. Finally, we can hear ourselves as we record to make sure everything is just right. The question remains, how does the ATR2500 USB stack up to our old faithful AT2020? Continue after the jump for my rather detailed first impressions. (Okay, its pretty much a full blown review!)
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