insomniak1's stats
- Review count160
- Helpfulness votes526
- First reviewJuly 29, 2015
- Last reviewJune 24, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.7
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count42
- Helpfulness votes50
- First answerAugust 9, 2016
- Last answerJanuary 7, 2022
- Featured answers0
- Best answers3
Soundcore Life Tune XR are active noise cancelling headphones with Hi-Res Certified sound. The Multi-Mode noise cancellation technology detects and cancels out exterior noise. Use for calls with the dual microphones and have long, 60 hour listening sessions due to the long battery life and comfortable earcups.
Customer Rating
5
The Full Package at a fantastic price.
on April 7, 2021
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
Right out of the box, I was immediately impressed with the Life Tune XR headset. They come neatly packed inside a high-quality hard storage case. Also included were a USB-C cable, a 3.5mm cable, and a silk pouch to put the cords in. The headphones are made of matte black plastic that feels premium and does not attract fingerprints. There’s a silver logo on every cup and a subtle “ANC” writing on the sides which does not stand out. The headband is made of a brushed black aluminum alloy that is quite flexible. I find the design playful, yet professional enough for business conferencing.
Now, there are exceptionally comfortable. The earpads are made of this faux leather that is incredibly soft and the headband provides enough padding, which allows extended use. The earcups have good swivel and the clamping force is enough to keep them in place. They were great while walking but I would not use them for running or more vigorous exercise. Also, as with any leatherette headset, they are prone to get sweaty, which is something to keep in mind. Although they are not the lightest, I did not experience fatigue at all -even after 4 hours straight.
The XRs feature a combination of buttons and touch controls. On the left side, you have play/pause, volume, and the 3.5mm jack. On the right side, you have the power, ANC, and USB-C input. Also, on the left side, there is a touch feature that activates ambient noise, which is very handy when you need to quickly see what’s going on around you. You can tell Soundcore put a lot of thought into this design.
Since these are Bluetooth 5.0, pairing is easy. In fact, they are NFC compatible and paired easily with my phone. I maintained a good connection at a decent distance and noticed little lag when playing video games and none during video playback. It is also worth mentioning that these can be paired to 2 devices at the same time. I easily switched between my laptop and my phone, which is nice.
The call quality was better than expected. Although people still recognized that it was on BT, I came in clear, even in loud environments. However, I will say that they did pick up a bit of wind noise.
Battery life is impressive. After using them for 3 days, I still had 50% left. Soundcore claims a total of 60 hours or 40 hours with ANC, and I am inclined to believe that. They have a quick charge feature, which means 5 minutes of charging adds 4 hours of playtime. And just in case you run out of battery for some reason, you can always switch to 3.5mm aux audio.
While not the best I’ve ever experienced, noise-canceling is effective overall. You can still hear some rumbling and traffic, and of course high-pitched sounds. Having said this, these are not to be compared to ANC headphones that are 4 times more expensive. The ANC simply allows for experiencing more fully whatever you may be listening to.
Speaking of sound, the Life Tune XRs are Hi-Res Audio certified, which means that they cover up to 40hz. Most headphones, especially ANC that are more expensive, do not even come close. Since I listen to lossless music most of the time, this was a welcomed feature. Strangely, I could not confirm if these were aptX-HD, AAC, or LDAC. Nevertheless, I found the sound signature out of the box quite enjoyable. The sound is obviously on the warm side. The bass is strong and punchy, and has sub-bass that lingers, without spilling all over. The midrange is not as recessed and is quite present -not muddy at all, making vocals and rhythm instruments come forward a bit. The treble is extended without causing sibilance or fatigue. Because of the frequency range these have, I thought the clarity and details to be above average for a headphone at this price range. Channel separation is distinctive, and the soundstage is reasonable, adding to the overall experience.
Just in case the sound is not up to your standard, you can always download the handy Soundcore App, which I strongly recommend you do. There, you can pick from a large selection of EQ settings as well as getting firmware updates and other features.
As you can tell, I am overly impressed by the Life Tune XRs. The design, build quality, functionality, abundant features, which are mostly reserved for “premium” headphones (and some don’t even have) -all at an incredible value, make these cans a difficult deal to pass. Definitely recommended.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+53points
62of 71voted this as helpful.
The CORSAIR SABRE PRO Gaming Mouse is designed for and tested by esports pros, weighing an ultra-light 69g and equipped with a drag-reducing flexible paracord cable for responsive, unhindered movements. CORSAIR QUICKSTRIKE Buttons ensure every click is immediate and responsive, while CORSAIR AXON hyper-processing technology delivers inputs to your PC up to 8x faster with 8,000Hz hyper-polling. The SABRE PRO is equipped with an 18,000 DPI optical sensor customizable in 1 DPI steps, with an underside DPI button to cycle through five presets on-the-fly. Finished with high-quality materials such as 50 million click-rated OMRON switches, 100% PTFE glide pads, and a signature plate for your personalization, the SABRE PRO will cut through the competition.
Customer Rating
5
Future-proof mouse at a great value.
on March 24, 2021
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
The Corsair Sabre Pro boasts some very impressive tech and specs. We are talking 8K hyper-polling, which theoretically should reduce or eliminate lag and micro-stutters, customizable DPI settings up to 18K, and “Quickstrike” buttons. But how does that translate to the real-world gaming experience and how much difference does it make?
Taking the Sabre out of the box, I was amazed as to how incredibly light the mouse is. It’s almost like there is nothing inside the smooth, matte finish plastic casing. The cloth-weaved cord is also extremely light and produces almost no drag -even when it’s hanging off desk edges, so there should be no need for a bungee at all. It almost feels as if it was a wireless mouse. I also appreciated that there is no RGB to worry about (I have enough of that already). The hardware DPI selector button is located underneath the mouse.
Ergonomically, it has that classic design that should fit most people’s hand sizes and grasp styles (claw or rest). The side buttons and top wheel are easily accessible, and I find the mouse quite comfortable for my medium-sized hands. Clicking feels satisfying and it is not overly loud. The scrolling wheel has decent tactile feedback and clicks adequately. Dragging the mouse across both cloth and hard surface pads is very smooth, adding to the “airiness” of the Sabre Pro. I can get aggressive with the mouse sometimes and I think the Sabre Pro will take the beatings and then some.
When it comes to performance, it is a bit difficult to explain. Technically, the Sabre Pro is way ahead of most mice. The 8K polling should reduce lag by 8 times compared to my daily mouse and translate to lightning-fast response times and heighten reflexes. I played tons of CS:GO, BF5, Apex, LoL, WoW, and even OSU! ( for twitchy gameplay) and the difference was very subtle. I did notice some improvement, but it was too subjective. Also, in order to truly take advantage of the mouse’s power, you should be running games at 100 fps minimum and have a high-refresh monitor (mine is 1080p at 240Hz). Since I always set my mice between 1.7K and 3K, 18K DPI may be a bit of overkill. Also, a good PC rig may be needed to support such bandwidth (my system is a Ryzen 3600xt-RTX2080ti).
Interestingly enough, what made me love this mouse is the design of the Sabre Pro itself. I found it extraordinarily easy to maneuver the mouse across my oversized pad, which increased my in-game mobility and precision. Picking up and dropping the mouse was done effortlessly. The cable is basically non-existent, and the buttons felt incredibly responsive physically. Being compatible with iCUE (Corsair’s app), people can customize their mouse as they wish -especially the DPI and polling rate (yes, sometimes less is better).
In the end, the Sabre Pro is a great mouse by Corsair. Although the specs may be a bit more than what most casual gamers may need, it feels great to have a product that may be future-proof at a great price. I may not be a competitive e-sports gamer but found myself enjoying my gaming experience and this has become my daily driver from now on.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
The new Denon Home 150 plays all your music wirelessly with the great sound you expect from Denon. Enjoy your music in any room of your house, and group other products with HEOS Built-in such as AV receivers, Hi-Fi systems, sound bars and speakers to fill your whole home with music. With a dynamic tweeter and powerful mid-bass driver, enjoy accurate, room-filling sound, without sacrificing the space needed for a full Hi-Fi system. Play music from your favorite online streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, Pandora, TIDAL and more, or play music stored on your phone or network via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth.
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
The black Denon Home 150 is a good-looking speaker. The fabric around the speaker is of terrific quality. The base, top edge, and back panel are made of strong plastic, and the top panel is covered by glass and can be a fingerprint magnet, so keeping a wiping cloth around is recommended. It is rather small, making it a good fit for night tables and countertops. The top features some controls that cannot be seen until you hover your hand above and they light up, which is a cool effect. There’s also a subtle status LED at the very bottom. I would say it’s a rather classy design.
As far as connectivity, there are several options available. You can connect the speaker via Bluetooth, WiFi, Ethernet, USB-A port, and through a 3.5mm auxiliary port. While you could use the 150 by itself through AUX, USB port, or Bluetooth, in order to get the best experience, the HEOS app must be downloaded to your phone or tablet (Android or iOS). The app is basically the command center for using all the speaker’s features. Setting it up does involve a series of steps, which are somewhat well explained through the app.
The clean-looking HEOS app is rather useful and allows for operating more than one Denon device separately or at the same time as well as getting firmware updates. It also provides a portal to connect to the most popular streaming channels such as Amazon HD, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, and many more. Interestingly, you must create a HESOS account in order to make use of it, which I found odd, but not a big deal.
Now, these speakers get surprisingly loud. The device has a dynamic 1” tweeter and a 3.5 mid-bass driver, which were more than enough to fill a room-sized dance studio at about 50%-60% volume. Out of the box and listening to Amazon Ultra-HD content (192kHz/24bit), the sound is full, dynamic, and rather pleasant. This is quite an accomplishment since the speaker only produces mono sound (you’d need two speakers to create stereo). The bass is rich, impactful, and has sub-bass that can be felt. For all that bass, I was happy to find that the midrange was not recessed, as vocals and instruments were clearly depicted. The treble was distinct and provided more clarity. However, at higher volumes -above 70%, I did experience some distortion on the low end and some significant sibilance, which implies that this may not be best for full 100% blasting at a dance party. This became even more apparent when playing lower-res content. Thankfully, the HEOS app features a much-needed EQ which helps quite a bit.
Since I am using two Home 150s, I tried the stereo feature in my home entertainment, and it worked wonderfully. The channel separation brought an impressive level of imaging and soundstage to music and video, especially action-oriented flicks. It’s fascinating how much bass can be felt without a sub-woofer. To be honest, I’m not sure this would take the place of a good home theater sound system, considering the price of two speakers, and I still believe the 150’s work best for multi-room setups.
My main complaint is that the Home 150 does not have a native Voice Assistance functionality. In order to use it with Amazon Echo, Google Assistant, or Siri, one must set it up through the HEOS app, which requires further steps. Although I am comfortable with these types of processes, I can imagine someone who is not used to technology integration and wants things to just work becoming a bit frustrated. While the speaker played whatever I wanted by asking Alexa through my phone or my echo devices, I felt a little bit disappointed. Another rather small complaint is that the top controls don’t allow for skipping tracks. I feel sometimes as if the Home 150 is just a slightly better shelf speaker.
In the end, if you want a hassle-free voice-controlled “smart” speaker, this is not for you. However, I think the Home 150 is a respectable offering from Denon. It produces surprisingly good HD-quality sound, looks classy, has a ton of connectivity options, and can be placed anywhere. If you don’t mind pulling out your phone at all times to control it, or through a secondary Assistant device, then this is certainly a decent purchase -especially if you are already part of the Denon ecosystem.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
On first impressions, the case has a decent design that does not stand out much. However, the skull logo gives it a distinctive character for sure. It is made of a matte plastic that does not attract fingerprints. And the cap stays up and closes tightly with a satisfying snap, keeping the buds secure. There is a USB-C charging port and LED battery status lights.
The buds have that prolific stem design that some may dislike, but I have come to appreciate it -especially when it comes to handling them. I do wish the stem would have been a tad smaller, but still, the Indy buds remain unique in design. They are made of good quality matte plastic with the skull logo on the touchpad and does not detract from the look. Skullcandy includes a USB-C cord, an additional wingtip, and 2 more sets of silicone tips.
With the right size tips and wingtips (there are 3 options), the Indy buds fit very well. The buds rest easily in the ear and are not jammed too deep into the ear canal. They are so light, that after a little while they become seamless. The long stems sit flush, and the buds do not stick out too much. I tried them while practicing movement flow and they never fell out; even when doing cartwheels -nice! It’s also nice that these buds are sweat proof.
I am happy that the Indy feature full controls -from the usual play/pause and volume controls (thank you!), to ANC and sound mode, there is no need to take out the phone. Now, these are Bluetooth 5.0 and retain a good connection -even while walking around my medium apartment. I could not find what sound codecs were supported (I suspect SBC) but seemed to work well without lag in games and videos.
Straight out of the box, I found the sound signature warm and pleasing when casually listening to music or podcasts. It is definitely focused on bass and while it is deep and punchy, it did not overshadow everything else. The mids are pronounced enough and the treble is a bit weak to my taste but still clear. However, I tried them with lossless content (HiFi and SHD) and that is where these buds don’t do as well. If you are listening with a critical ear for clarity, soundstage, and details, these will not do. But then again, Skullcandy has never targeted audiophiles and these buds do not claim to be for reference. I strongly recommend downloading the Skullcandy app, which allows for enough customization to make the sound more enjoyable with EQ presets (I like both music and movies). However, the most useful function is what they call “Personal Sound”. The app guides you through a test that optimizes the sound signature specifically to each ear, and I found that it does positively affect the overall sound quality and imaging, adding a more subtle clarity that can only be noticed when listening closely to HQ sources.
Another highlight of the app is the “find me” feature, just in case the buds are misplaced, although another separate app must be downloaded.
The ANC or active noise cancellation is well done. I was able to run the vacuum and appreciate my music and podcasts at the same time. Yes, I can still hear it, but it brings the low noise down nicely. However, sharper noises, such as when washing dishes, can be heard clearly. The ambient mode is a welcome feature when in need to be aware of the surroundings.
For those who need this, the buds allow for single bud use when one bud is placed back in the case, and also an auto-pause feature when a bud is taken out.
The call quality is good. I was able to be heard clearly without hiccups -even while doing facetime while walking outside.
Battery life is good enough. I was able to drain the buds’ battery in a little less than 5 hours with full ANC, 70% volume, and placing a few calls. According to Skullcandy, it has a 9-hour battery when ANC is off. Not the best, but it helps that the case adds 19-32 hours. Also, there is quick-charging, so 10 minutes in the case add around 2 hours of playtime. These buds feature Qi wireless charging, which is a plus.
In the end, I think the Indy ANC buds bring quite a lot to the table at a decent value. While they may not appeal to anyone looking for high-quality, pristine audio, they certainly will be more than enjoyable (and functional) for the rest of us.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
Experience total freedom on a budget with Jib True. The newest true wireless earbud from Skullcandy is easy to connect and easy to enjoy. Call, track change, and volume controls are all within close reach through one main button. 22 hours of audio on a single charge means you spend less time recharging and more time enjoying your music. Jib True earbuds are adventure-ready, too. An IPX4 rating means Jib True is sweat- and dust-resistant. You don’t need to worry about damage if a little rain kicks up during your urban or outdoor adventure. Dual microphones make your calls clearer and if you feel like keeping one ear open, you can use either bud ‘solo’ without missing a beat
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
The premise of the Skullcandy Jib True buds is simple: Provide a full true wireless experience at a minimum budget. In this, I believe Skullcandy has certainly succeeded. I have the matte black model with the skull symbol on the control buttons. The case is also matte back with grey accents and is rather small and lightweight. Placing the buds inside the case is quite satisfying. The size of the buds is average, and they stick out a bit more past the ears than I’d like. It’s not a big deal, but I personally like them fitted flush in the ear. As far as comfort, they are better than I expected. You put them in with a slight twist and they stay put fairly secure. I did have to adjust them occasionally while working out due to sweat. Speaking of sweat, these buds are IPX4, which means that they can withstand wet conditions -even some mild splashes and adds some peace of mind.
Pairing is easy and straightforward. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is stable at considerable distances and there is a slight lag when watching videos or playing games. Keep in mind that you can only have one device paired at a time.
I am very happy that all controls can be accessed through the buttons -including volume, which is important for me. Some other more expensive buds don’t even have this option. The buttons are easy to learn and are responsive. My only gripe is that some pressure is needed to activate them, as the buttons are not touch-sensitive, which pushes the buds deeper into the ear canal, causing some sound distortion. Again, I would not expect touch controls at this price.
The Jib’s battery is rather impressive. They can last up to 6 hrs., and I had them last for about 5 hrs. at 65% constant volume and making many calls. The case adds up to 22 hrs. Sadly, Skullcandy decided to go with a micro-USB charging solution. Even at this price, it should have been USB-C in my opinion. The Jibs’ case does not offer chi-wireless charging, which is understandable.
I enjoy the sound quality of these buds. These buds can get very loud -even at 50%. The sound signature is more on the warm side with a heavy emphasis on the bass. This is great for people who want thumping bass, but I found that it can overpower all the other frequencies at high volumes. The mids are present but a bit recessed and the highs are a bit drowned by the bass. Again, when listening to bass-focused music such as dance, hip-hop, etc., these buds provide a very enjoyable experience. If you are into vocals, classical, or live, you may be a bit disappointed. Audiophiles may go for much more expensive gear anyway; for the rest of us, these are quite decent.
The mics are also acceptable. I was heard clearly on calls -even in a noisy environment. I will say that because the buds do stick out a bit, and wind sound pickup can sometimes get a bit annoying.
One feature I appreciate is that you can take out each bud and listen and talk on it separately. This is especially useful when awareness is needed as these buds can block a lot of ambient noise passively. Also, sound leakage is kept to a minimum, even at a high volume, which is welcome.
Overall, these budget headphones are an excellent option as a daily driver, back-up set, or great as a gift. While there are some obvious corners that were cut, the features that count -full controls, sweat resistance, BT 5.0, good sound, and a great price point, make the Jib True Wireless Buds easy to recommend.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The Blue Pure 411+ air purifier offers high performance, simple one-button operation, and customizable colors - all in a lightweight, compact package. The air purifier creates a comfortable environment with a 360° air intake to completely filter room air about every 12.5 minutes or about 4.8x an hour in small rooms up to 185 ft². The 3-step combination particle + carbon filter removes annoying household odors, as well as 99.97% of airborne particles, like pollen, dust, pet dander, and more with Blueair's HEPASilent™ filtration technology. The Blue Pure 411+ is rated by ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency and awarded the Quiet Mark for impressively quiet operation. Easily adapt the Blue Pure 411+ to your space with multiple pre-filter color options, machine-washable pre-filter in Dark Shadow is included. Or, for a Scandinavian look, go without a pre-filter altogether to show off the sleek, white-mesh frame. At Blueair, our Swedish heritage inspires sustainability and quality at the heart of everything we do. All Blueair purifiers are AHAM Verifide® for Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and given a recommended room size, ENERGY STAR certified, and tested by the California EPA Air Resources Board (CARB) for safe ozone emissions.
Customer Rating
5
Works great at a good value.
on January 13, 2021
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
This is a pretty good-looking purifier. I appreciate the metal matte white finish as well as the side and top grills, which keeps it from being confused with a waste bin -yes someone thought my last one looked like one.
Setting it up is easy enough -just plug-and-play. The top power button is responsive and allows for changing the speed of the fan as well. The button has an LED light that “softens” up in a few moments, and while it does not bother me at night, it is worth mentioning. The power cord is long enough, although I wish it would have been longer. There is an included additional filter, which looks like a leg warmer that goes over the bottom grill. I thought that might detract from the original look, but I ended up appreciating it quite a bit -it simply gives it character.
The purifier is extremely quiet at the lowest setting -almost whisper-like, and I can barely hear it. At its highest setting, it can get pretty loud. Luckily, the highest setting is good when starting it for the first time and only for a couple of hours. Afterward, the lowest setting should do.
In the time that I have had the purifier, it has worked rather well in the bedroom. While it may be difficult to judge the air quality by simply breathing normally without actual tests, I am quite sensitive to particles and so far I have not experienced any breathing difficulties and rested comfortably. Also, I did not detect any funky smells at all when I tried it next to the dirty clothes hamper for one day. I will say that it seemed as if the environment became a bit dry at the beginning and I found myself waking up a bit thirstier than usual. I set up a humidifier and this combo works great so far.
For maintenance, the pre-filter can be machine washed and the filter inside can be easily replaced by twisting the bottom. Nice and simple.
I think this purifier performs better than expected in my experience based on other ones I’ve tried. I find the value is perfectly right.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Total freedom. No wires, no noise, just immersive True Sound from Yamaha, anywhere you go. These high-performance true wireless earbuds feature Active Noise-Cancelling, Ambient Sound and Listening Care. Bluetooth 5 with aptX provides stable wireless connectivity and superior streaming quality. Ultra-customizable fit with 5 eartip and 3 silicone sleeve sizes, plus a wireless charging case included.
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
Having some Yamaha audio equipment, I was very intrigued in their offering to the true wireless world of earbuds. The TW-E7A earbuds sure do look nice. I have the black version. The case is matte black, featuring a silver Yamaha logo, and an oval design with minimal fingerprint attraction. While compact enough, perhaps it is not as small to carry in a pair of jean’s small pocket or tight pants. The lid closes magnetically and is secure for the most part. It is charged via Qi wireless or USB-C port in the back (cable included). There is an LED to indicate charging. The battery is decent at 5 hours per charge and the case adds another 15 hours, which hopefully should be enough for anyone.
The earbuds themselves have a pleasant design. They have a graphite accent with the Yamaha logo on the action button. These buds come with several size tips and wings to assure proper fitting. They are a bit larger than what I would have liked, and they stick out a bit, but once I found the right combination of tips and wings, they were comfortable enough to wear for a couple of hours, which is usually my limit anyway. I was able to hike and even tumble while wearing them, but I will say that once heavy sweat set in, I did find myself adjusting them often -but that happens with most in-ear buds. It’s a good thing that they are IPX5, which means that they withstand sweat, rain, and dust.
I usually do not like push-button controls. I have found that pushing them can jam the buds deep into the ear canal, making them rather uncomfortable. I was relieved that this is not the case with the TW-E7A. Activating the commands was easy and responsive. I am also happy that EVERYTHING can be controlled with the buttons -including volume!
These buds feature Bluetooth 5.0 and I did not experience any disconnects or break-ups. Having aptX, SBS, and AAC codex, I did not have any lag while playing videos or games. However, I did experience some infrequent issues with the left ear falling out of sync and some problems when placing them back in the case, in which they would not disconnect automatically from the phone and I had to do it manually. This is annoying and a bummer and I hope Yamaha releases a firmware update to fix this.
When it comes to sound, the TW-E7A hugely impressed me. Having been a DJ, own several very high-end headsets and equipment, I can tell you that the sound signature of these buds was on point. I would describe the sound as studio flat, clear, and detailed; sort of like with reference headphones. The bass is punchy, distinctive, and natural. These buds seem to be leaning a bit towards the higher frequencies. This is because most buds are bass-heavy as well as most mainstream music. The mids show up on par with the highs, which are not fatiguing or piercing at all. The soundstage and separation are exceptional as I felt like I was listening outside my head. I was able to identify instruments, their placement, and subtleties. I even noticed singers’ breathing pauses and fingers sliding down cords during live recordings. While some bass enthusiasts may find the bass lacking, I found them quite consistent overall in most genres -especially orchestral and salsa. One bit of advice: you MUST find the right ear tips to properly seal the ear canal to experience the best sound possible.
The buds have good passive sound isolation -provided the right tips are being used. When activating ANC (active noise cancellation), I was able to block most traffic noise, some distant lawnmowing, and the air vents. However, higher sounds, such as loud vehicles, screaming kids, and keyboard clicking can still be heard at some level. The ambient sound is OK but is especially useful when crossing the street or trying to be mindful of people around you. The Listening Care feature is nice to have but I didn’t really notice the difference.
In the end, I think Yamaha did a great job here in this effort into the true-wireless design. Sure, some improvements are certainly needed (connection, sync-ups, and fit), and the sound may not be for everyone. However, having an abundance of features, full controls, ANC, and in my opinion, some of the best all-around sound signature I’ve heard in a Bluetooth set, make the Yamaha TW-E7A an easy recommendation for the audio enthusiast.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Shure AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - Black
Customer Rating
4
Classy Style, classy sound.
on October 31, 2020
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
Immediately upon opening the packaging box, my reaction was “Boy, this has got to be the biggest case ever!”. I mean, we are talking 10” in diameter! While I appreciate the fact that this case would protect this investment quite effectively, I do wonder who would tote this huge case around while commuting, rather than leaving it at home for proper headphone storage. However, upon taking the headphones out of the case, I was like: “Wow, these are some great-looking headphones!” At this point, the case’s size was no longer a concern.
The black AONIC 50 Headphones simply look stunning, with their sleek design, ionized metal arms, and chrome logo on the cups. It screams luxury and it is something I would be proud to take on a business class flight, a work meeting, or video conference. These seem very well built and durable. The headband is made of faux leather on top with sturdy stitching and is quite flexible. The earcups are made of a matte plastic, and, while they did attract some fingerprints, look great, nonetheless.
The right earcup holds all the controls. Personally, I would have liked the buttons to be dispersed between the earcups as this seems to me a bit too clustered. Once I got used to the layout, I am happy to say I was able to control with ease all functions -power, volume, play/skip/forward, and assistant from one side. There is also a slider that controls noise cancellation (ANC), which I think is a bit awkward and somewhat clunky, but still effective. There, you also have a USB-C charge/connection port, which I appreciate for future-proofing. On the left side, we have the 2.5mm to 3.5mm jack, which I think is odd, but Shure included a cable for it.
The most important factor, at least for me, is the sound quality. In this regard, I am very pleased with the default sound signature of the AONIC '50s. Having support for multiple codecs including Bluetooth 5.0 Qualcomm® aptX™, aptX™ HD, aptX™ LL and more, there is something for everyone. Without getting into audiophile territory, the 50mm drivers produce an even or flat-oriented sound with distinct separation and great soundstage. The bass is punchy, but in some cases may lack depth or resonance. Personally, I don’t mind this as I like the bass to be tight and not overbearing. The mids are clear and present and the high frequencies are not fatiguing or harsh. I found the sound great for easy listening, classic rock, classical music, live performances, and podcasts/audiobooks. Perhaps these may not be the best for hip-hop, EDM, or any deep bass-oriented music. Overall, I believe these provide an exceptional listening experience, which I expected from Shure.
When it comes to comfort, these cans are decent. The headband padding is good enough, with good clamping on the sides. I found that the headphones shifted often while walking -especially on a hike with uneven terrain. The earpads are super soft and do not rub against my ears (I will admit that I have small ears) and had no issues wearing glasses. After a couple of hours, the side of my ears did get a bit hot and sweaty, so keep that in mind, especially if you rock out to music as I do.
Call quality is good. I was told my voice sounded clear, a bit tinny and recessed, but clear. There were no hiccups or breakup. I did try calling in different environmental settings.
The noise cancelling (ANC) was not quite to the standard of other headphones I own, but I thought it was well implemented. It helps that the headphones themselves can block a lot of ambient noise passively. I tried this feature while washing dishes, walking on a heavily trafficked road, and while the TV was on. Again, while not overly impressed, the ANC did block most of the noise. Perhaps this can be improved through a firmware update later on.
The Environment Mode simply picks up the sound around you through the microphones. It’s a convenient feature when you need to be aware of your surroundings, like crossing a street or listening for the next train stop announcement. Again, it is nice to have but to me, it is a feature I really will not be using all that much.
If you do get these headphones, I recommend downloading the ShurePlus PLAY app. There, you can adjust and customize settings like noise cancellation, environment mode, the equalizer, and update the firmware. You can also play music straight from there, but I thought it was a bit unecessary in my opinion.
Other good things about the AONIC 50s include a 20-hour battery life (so far so good), strong connectivity throughout my medium-size apartment, experiencing no lag while watching videos, and high-resolution playback through USB-C, which I appreciated when gaming on my PC.
In the end, I believe the Shure AONIC 50 ANC Wireless Headset is a welcome and worthy addition to the world of premium headsets. So far, no ANC headset at this price range has been perfect for me, and this also is no exception. Having stated this, I highly recommend checking these bad boys before making any decisions on other comparable headphones from other well-known brands, and if you do decide to get these, you definitely will not be disappointed.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Crafted together with Blizzard Entertainment, Blue’s Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition professional USB mic can change the sound of your voice for a fully immersive streaming experience. Stun your audience by summoning the sound of your favorite World of Warcraft denizens using advanced voice modulation with Warcraft presets. Celebrate victories and entertain your stream audience using hundreds of HD audio samples from Shadowlands and the World of Warcraft universe. With Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition, you can create a unique audio broadcast that elevates your stream to new levels.
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
First things first: The Yeti X WoW Edition mic is stunning. From the gold-black trim, official WoW logo, and base, to the graphene color arm and mic finish, it simply oozes class. The runes etched on the base and the volume rocker totally satisfied my inner WoW geek! It feels more like a prop to display with pride -like a well-earned trophy. The build quality is not too shabby either. It is made of full metal, so it is quite heavy coming in at a little below 3 lbs. This makes the mic stand very stable, which is especially good if you are like me and knock the table often. I appreciate that there is some felt material on the base so that it does not scratch the desk. The arm knobs and swivel stay in place and the mic can be easily placed on a mic boom-arm. I feel that this mic will last for an exceptionally long time.
The mic is connected via Micro-USB to USB. Personally, I would have liked to have a USB-C option so that I may be able to take it on the go with my laptop when I do studio work. Not a big deal, but worth a mention. Setting it up is simple: just plug it in and the PC will automatically recognize it. The mic features a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom to add optional wired headphones. The front knob controls headphone volume, mic gain, and muting. I have to say that the RGB runes look so cool when using it or when the voice levels move. This is very useful when adjusting peak volumes on the fly during a recording or broadcast. On the back, there is a button that changes the pattern (cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo).
But how does it perform? I am happy to say that it certainly did not disappoint. The quality of the sound it records is pristine. I recorded several samples at different directions and distances and the default setting (cardioid) picked up everything clearly and loud. I also tried with some background noise and again my voice was well recorded by the four-capsule array. I tried the other patterns and, while I will not really make use of them often, worked well -especially the bidirectional setting.
Now, I will heavily recommend downloading (if you haven’t already) Logitech’s G HUB software. This opens up a world (no pun intended) of options to customize your mic experience. There, you can change the RGB lighting, microphone gains, headphone gains, equalizing, and, voice modulation. There are a bunch of presets to choose from. I appreciated the fact that I can adjust the bass so that my own voice doesn’t sound so chipmunk-like.
One of the main features of the WoW edition is the voice effects. I had a lot of fun changing my voice from an Orc, to a Gnome, to a multi-personality entity. Now, this may be a bit gimmicky, I know, but I found it fun, nonetheless.
In the end, I am really impressed by this Yeti X WoW edition from Blue. The build quality, geeky design, features, and software integration makes it easy to recommend -especially if you stream, record professionally, conference, or simply go on raids with your Guild, in the voice of your toon of choice.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
-1point
1of 3voted this as helpful.
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Customer Rating
5
Boy, this is one beautiful piece of hardware...
on October 21, 2020
Posted by: insomniak1
from Chicago, IL, USA
My, this is a very small laptop. It is quite thin and light at a little less than 2.5 lbs. It can easily be handled in one hand –including opening the lid, which I totally appreciate. I received the “Platinum” color option, and I must say that previously this would not have been my color of choice, but once I looked at it, it’s hard not to truly admire it and be pleased with it. The lid and keyboard faceplate are made of aluminum and feel very premium and cool to the touch. The finish can attract some fingerprints, especially the reflective logo, but nothing a quick wipe-down won’t help. Interestingly, the bottom is made of plastic. Although I would’ve liked to have the entire body made of aluminum, the plastic seems of good quality and does not negatively affect the overall design. There are also some rubber feet for added stability. This is one laptop that can truly be used on top of one’s lap comfortably with no balance issues (or overheating).
I have always liked Surface keyboards, and this is no exception. The keys have decent travel, are very quiet, responsive, and tactile. Although this is a small deck, there is good spacing which helped my typing accuracy. Unfortunately, there is no keyboard lighting, making it almost impossible for me to type in medium to dark conditions. There is also a power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader for signing in. I had to reset it a couple of times, but once I had it well set, it was always a breeze to sign in. The well-sized Windows precision trackpad feels smooth, is quite responsive, and clicky.
The laptop features a USB-C port, which can be used for charging -no thunderbolt option though. I was glad to see a USB-A and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the left side. On the right side, we have the power connect port. It also features Wi-Fi 6 for future-proofing and 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity.
Although the screen is only 12.4”, it has an aspect ratio of 3:2 and thin bezels, which make it seem much larger and is great for web surfing, writing emails, and typing documents. The screen can get moderately bright at 300 nits and the colors are very well represented and vibrant. However, I was a little disappointed that this has a resolution of only 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI) which is slightly less than 1080p. Also, if you are watching widescreen content, be prepared to see sizable bars on the top and bottom. Having said this, the screen, which features a full touch display, still looks amazing at normal viewing distances.
The 720p camera is acceptable for video conferencing. However, one must have good lighting as it can get quite grainy in dark settings. The microphones are very, very good. They were able to pick my voice at a good 10ft clearly.
This laptop can produce loud, clear sound. However, as with almost every laptop out there, there is really no bass. No surprise there.
What about actual performance? I am happy to say that this particular model, which features a 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor (1035G1), with 8GB LPDDR4x RAM is very capable of handling some productivity projects, open a large number of tabs, and watch some videos all at the same time. Of course, I would not go and try to do video rendering, heavy photoshopping, or 3-D work on it. This is not what this laptop was designed for. I am using the default Windows 10 Home in S mode, which is a toned-down version that optimizes performance on this hardware. However, this can be changed to Windows Pro easily, should you need to install more demanding software. So far, I did not need to switch as I am enjoying this OS as is. This model also comes with a 248GB SSD, which is fast enough and gives me enough space for my productivity use. Sadly, this laptop cannot be upgraded in any way, so I would recommend considering that when choosing a model.
Now, this laptop is not for gaming, in case anyone wants to know. While you can play some easy-going games, there is just not enough graphical and CPU power to do so. However, if you still want to play AAA titles on this laptop, you can always sign up for a gaming streaming service, which I was able to successfully do and enjoy.
In the end, I am extremely impressed with Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go. Although it can be a bit pricey, I would strongly recommend considering this specific tier model. The ultra-portability, gorgeous design, great screen, amazing keyboard, and build quality provides a great value for students, teachers, and people who like to move around the house or just like to work at your favorite coffee shop.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I received this item for review at no cost to me from the invite-only Tech Insider Network Program and Best Buy. However, my honest opinions, experience, and recommendations expressed above are my own and in no way were influenced by this fact.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+8points
15of 22voted this as helpful.
insomniak1's Review Comments
insomniak1 has not submitted comments on any reviews.
insomniak1's Questions
insomniak1 has not submitted any questions.
Soundcore Life Tune XR are active noise cancelling headphones with Hi-Res Certified sound. The Multi-Mode noise cancellation technology detects and cancels out exterior noise. Use for calls with the dual microphones and have long, 60 hour listening sessions due to the long battery life and comfortable earcups.
Hi - How is the sound quality conducting phone calls? Do the headphones work well with Landline phones? thx
I found them reasonable. They may not be the best, but I never had a call drop or become garbled. I will say that they do pick some ambient sound outdoors. Hope that helps!
3 years, 2 months ago
by
insomniak1
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
Are these noise canceling? Doesn’t specify that in the description.
Yes. ANC = Active Noise Cancellation. It works rather well for me!
3 years, 5 months ago
by
insomniak1
Indy ANC is the pinnacle of our Indy true wireless family. In other words, they’re loaded with the latest technology. With everything from touch controls to premium Active Noise Canceling to Personal Sound tuning to wireless charging, these are the perfect choice for those of you who like to have it all.
are these only for phones can they be used for TV's
Yes, if your TV has Bluetooth capabilities like mine, sure!
3 years, 5 months ago
by
insomniak1
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Can you switch out of S mode on Surface Laptop Go?
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Does the screen detach
No. This is a true laptop with a clam form factor.
3 years, 8 months ago
by
insomniak1
Make the most of every day with the sleek style, performance, and all-day battery life² you need in the lightest Surface Laptop, all at an exceptional value. Ultra-light and portable profile, the apps* you use every day, premium materials, and a choice of must-have colors will make this your go-to laptop. ²Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction configurations of Surface Laptop Go Testing consisted of full battery discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.
Does this computer have USB ports
Yes. It has 1 USB-C and 1 legacy USB-A. Hope that helps!
3 years, 8 months ago
by
insomniak1
The ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset with 24hr Battery Life and AIMO RGB Lighting boasts ROCCAT’s Stellar Wireless technology for data transmission as reliable as wired and a battery life that lasts the typical gamer over a week thanks to a 24-hour rechargeable battery. Gone are the days of compromising when going wireless, as the Elo 7.1 Air marks a new dawn for cable-free gameplay with its impressive feature set. Its 7.1 surround sound is powered by precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers and features Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing technology - proven to improve your gameplay by 40%. Superior memory foam and a self-adjusting metal headband give you a unique, weightless fit that’s full of style thanks to RGB AIMO lighting. The removable TruSpeak mic completes the package of a high-end wireless gaming headset. ROCCAT takes unique advantage of exclusive technologies as a proud member of the Turtle Beach family including Superhuman Hearing, ProSpecs Glasses Friendly Design and a TruSpeak microphone.
Ps4 compatible??
I actually tried them on my PS4 Pro and they actually worked! HOWEVER, the volume is set way too low and cannot be changed...
3 years, 8 months ago
by
insomniak1
The ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless Surround Sound PC Gaming Headset with 24hr Battery Life and AIMO RGB Lighting boasts ROCCAT’s Stellar Wireless technology for data transmission as reliable as wired and a battery life that lasts the typical gamer over a week thanks to a 24-hour rechargeable battery. Gone are the days of compromising when going wireless, as the Elo 7.1 Air marks a new dawn for cable-free gameplay with its impressive feature set. Its 7.1 surround sound is powered by precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers and features Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing technology - proven to improve your gameplay by 40%. Superior memory foam and a self-adjusting metal headband give you a unique, weightless fit that’s full of style thanks to RGB AIMO lighting. The removable TruSpeak mic completes the package of a high-end wireless gaming headset. ROCCAT takes unique advantage of exclusive technologies as a proud member of the Turtle Beach family including Superhuman Hearing, ProSpecs Glasses Friendly Design and a TruSpeak microphone.
Will this work with the Xbox one x?
Great question! I went to check myself, and sadly, they do not work at all... The Xbox One X won't pick them up at all. It would've been cool if they did!
3 years, 8 months ago
by
insomniak1
Bring your A-game anytime, anywhere. Introducing a universal mobile gaming controller that fits most smartphone devices, designed to bring console-level control to your on-the-go gaming. With this controller by your side, wherever you go, victory will follow.
Does it fit note 10 plus?
Enjoy crisp, powerful sound while gaming with these JLab Play wireless earbuds. The rechargeable lithium-polymer battery delivers more than 11 hours of use on a single charge, and an in-line gaming microphone captures your voice clearly for smooth communication with teammates. These JLab Play wireless earbuds have a magnetic design to prevent falling off your neck while not in use.
can you use these with the ps4?
Oh yes, you can. You have to use the included audio cable, which would go into the PS4’s controller 3.5mm input. Hope this helps!
3 years, 10 months ago
by
insomniak1