Wraith's stats
- Review count199
- Helpfulness votes1,988
- First reviewAugust 18, 2014
- Last reviewSeptember 6, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Last review commentSeptember 25, 2016
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count27
- Helpfulness votes26
- First answerAugust 18, 2014
- Last answerDecember 13, 2021
- Featured answers0
- Best answers3
The future of gaming has arrived with the WD_BLACK™ SN850 NVMe™ SSD. Long load times are obsolete with PCIe® Gen4 technology, reaching up to 7,000MB/s read speed and up to 4,100MB/s write speed. Spend more time playing and less time deleting, storing your latest and favorite games with 500GB capacity (not intended for NAS or server environments). This WD_Black internal SSD has a compact form factor and a PCIe Gen4 interface for compatibility with select PCs or laptops.
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
The Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850 is an easy and fast upgrade to any computer but is almost required for any gaming PC. It also has a ton of overhead since it is a Gen 4 x 4. If you get a new gaming rig/laptop you will probably get even better performance out of the memory in the new system. I have the relatively brand new ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 which just came out a few months ago and it only supports Gen 3, so I only got half as much speed as this memory is capable of. Even with that, it is still a nice upgrade since my G15 only had 1TB on board before. Now I have lots of extra room for more games!
Seriously, this one is a no-brainer. Great speed and storage at a good price point. You'll be able to use this SSD for years!
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
A gaming uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a battery backup for your PC and console. APC Back-UPS™ Pro Gaming keeps you protected, connected, and in the game.
Customer Rating
5
Full of Power & Ports! Outstanding Back-Up System!
on July 19, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
This is going to be a short and sweet review. APC is probably known as the best Back-UPS system maker and the Gaming 1500VA system only reinforces that.
This thing is a MONSTER! It at least weighs as much as a relatively small monster at least. The thing is 25lbs of solid battery and case.
Set-up is super easy. Unpack, open side panel, connect red wire, close up, and plug in. I let the battery charge up overnight before testing it out and it was a ready to go this morning (you can tell because the ring around the display goes from red to green).
I have a 50" 4k HDR smart TV, my Xbox Series X, the charge base for my wireless headphones, the charge base for the Xbox controller, and a clock all plugged into this thing. There are a ton of ports on the back both with UPS support as well as just surge protection. That's in addition to the comm ports for the internet and a connection to a computer to monitor/control some functions of the UPS (I did not do either the Comm or PC connections because they are not near my gaming rig, sorry).
I fired up the Xbox and started up Star Trek Online (not a hugely taxing game but the one I play a lot) and you can see that I'm hardly putting any load on it and would have 26 minutes of battery to go if I had an outage. I unplugged the UPS from the wall to test it and there wasn't so much as a flicker in the screen when I did it. The only way you could tell it had switched was a quick alarm and the fan started up in the UPS case.
I only have two minor quibbles:
1. I would have liked the USBs on the back, but that it just me. I just don't like the cables in the front since it is otherwise such a sleek system.
2. I don't need another source of 'game lighting'. I think we have taken the implementation of RGB lighting to a ridiculous level when even our UPS systems can have different colors glowing. Fortunately, it is easy to turn off. Again, this is just a personal preference and you do you.
1. I would have liked the USBs on the back, but that it just me. I just don't like the cables in the front since it is otherwise such a sleek system.
2. I don't need another source of 'game lighting'. I think we have taken the implementation of RGB lighting to a ridiculous level when even our UPS systems can have different colors glowing. Fortunately, it is easy to turn off. Again, this is just a personal preference and you do you.
If you want a great Back-UPS system for anything, not just gaming, you really can't go wrong with this APC system. It looks great, has a boatload of plug-ins, and tons of power. I'm going to get the black version for my wife's work office because they have been having a ton of outages lately and it has been messing with her work. It's pricey but worth it in this case.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Raycop’s latest in cordless stick vacuum engineering.
Customer Rating
3
Some Outstanding Features, But Ultimately Just OK.
on June 17, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
My wife and I have some pretty bad allergies (not debilitating, just enough to make life miserable if we aren't on our cocktail of Allegra/Singulair), and we even ripped out most of the carpet in our house and went to hard surfaces. This and a HEPA filter in the bedroom have helped but I've also been on the lookout for the best vacuum for hard floors as well as furniture/bedding. From the description, the Raycop Omni Air would seem to be everything I would need. I had never heard of Raycop before but after doing some research, I was pretty impressed with the their background and testing result. I decided to give the Omni Air a go and here are some of the things that I liked and disliked about the Omni Air.
LIKE:
1. Compact & Light: The Omni Air was A LOT smaller than I thought it would be. That being said, it is very well built, and it is almost weightless for moving about the house.
2. Outstanding Grip & Controls: I LOVE how this thing feels in my hand. The grip is absolutely perfect and a lot of other manufacturers could learn a thing or two from Raycop. Most vacuums just have a smooth bar to hold on to, while the Omni Air has a contoured grip that is way less fatiguing than some other much higher priced alternatives. Also, it has an on/off button an on/off button instead of a trigger. I will never buy another vacuum with a trigger.
3. Incredibly Easy To Take Apart/Clean: Everything comes apart so easily, that it an absolute breeze to clean everything.
4. Removable Battery: Yay! I don't have to throw the whole thing out when the battery gives out. I can also buy an extra battery to extend my usage time.
5. Long Battery Life: I have been using this for days on all the floors with the the regular brush head and with the UV head on all the beds and furniture. I have yet to have to recharge it.
6. Nice Gripper On The Handle: Never knew I needed this, but it makes it really nice to be able to lean this on the counter and it won't go sliding off. Works incredibly well.
7. Very Flexible: The diminutive size and a very well designed vacuum head allow the Omni Air to get into and under a lot of places. This helps to ensure that you get everywhere those pesky allergens might be.
8. UV/Brush Head: This thing actually works very well. I vacuum our mattress quite often and even having done it just a week ago, the Omni Air was able to pull a decent amount of stuff out of our bed. I am both impressed and disgusted that it was able to do so. I was also pleasantly surprised that the UV feature, in addition to killing microbes and such, also seems to help mitigate scents. I had been noticing recently that the headrest of my recliner was beginning to smell a bit from the oils and such from my head. I used the UV head on this area for about a minute and the scent was virtually gone. That was a cool little bonus!
DON'T LIKE:
1. Bin Size: Because of the small size of the vacuum, you also get an incredibly small container for dust and dander. The Omni Air WILL NOT be your only vacuum unless you have a very small home or you enjoy emptying the bin out a lot.
2. Power: The small size also forces a smaller suction motor. While the motor is probably very good for its size, overall it can be lacking a bit. I found that the suction is much stronger with the UV head on beds and furniture than the roller head for floors.
3. No 'Ejector' For The Dust Bin: You MUST stop when the dust bin hits the MAX line or else the junk with back up beyond the little gasket they have and you will either have to take everything apart or reach in and grab the dust ball with your hands. If you stop before it hits the MAX line, everything seems to just fall out easily when the bin is opened (in fact, it makes little Tribble balls of fur under the right conditions), but you hit the line very fast.
4. LOUD: I was in the Air Force and spent many a day on the flight line, and this thing on power level three sounds like a jet engine spooling up. It is less the actual volume, which is quite loud, but the piercing nature of the sound that is so bad. My cat hates vacuums but he REALLY hates this one.
5. Floor Brush Really Only Works One Direction: The floor brush has a wide 'U' shaped red-velvety bar around the back of the head. I assume this is to help it glide across the floor and perhaps guide things to the vacuum opening but what it really does is pick up and hold on to all the hair and fur. I had to repeatedly stop to grab all this and direct it into the nozzle. When I was vacuuming while going down the steps to my first floor, it was actually depositing an ever larger dust bunny on the step below as I was picking it up and placing it on the next step down. By the time I reached the bottom, I had a dust bunny the size of an actual bunny (well at least a baby one). They need to fix this with version 2.0.
6. UV Head Pretty Useless On Hard Floors: I don't have really any carpet in my house any longer so I can't speak to its usefulness on said carpet, but I can say that it is pretty useless on tile and wood. First the UV head has no wheels or any kind of buffer between the plastic head and the floor so it bangs around and they even warn you in the owners manual that it can scratch some floors. It also doesn't get as good of a seal as it does on bedding/furniture so I don't think the suction is good enough for floors.
BOTTOM LINE: I would probably just go for the version of this that just has the UV head and save a few bucks. As it is, that is probably the only version of this that I am going to use. Since it is so compact and light with such a great grip, it will work great for getting allergens (and scents) off of the soft surfaces of the house. Also the other attachments will be good for small vacuum jobs. The floor head will probably go in a closet somewhere. I'm going to have to wait to see if the Omni Air makes enough of a difference with our allergies since I don't think a week is enough to test that out, but I have reasonable hopes that it will so far. If Raycop fixes even just a few of these items they will have a real winner on its hands, until then the Omni Air is just OK.
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Jam out to your tunes with these black JLab GO Air true wireless earbuds. Three sets of gel buds offer a comfortable and secure fit for all-day use, while the rechargeable 43 mAh lithium-polymer battery on each earbud offers up to 5 hours of use when fully charged. These JLab GO Air true wireless earbuds have a 30-foot Bluetooth connectivity range, letting you wander away from connected devices freely.
Customer Rating
4
Initially Skeptical But Pleasantly Surprised
on June 1, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
Normally I hate earbuds that use silicone tips to seal/stay in your ears. I can never seem to get a good fit or if I do, they are jammed in so tight that I can't wear them for any reasonable length of time. I needed some earbuds to block out sounds from the outside, sound decent itself, be compact, and not cost too much. On all counts the GO Air earbuds, block sound pretty well without being jammed in there too tightly and stay in place (probably because the body of the earbud isn't pushing against the rest of my ear as much because it is pretty small). They also sound decent enough for exercise and yard work (which is what I wanted them for), and they are a decent price at $50. All-in-all, I didn't expect much with these since I have been disappointed in earbuds twice the price, but I'm pleasantly surprised that the JLab GO Air's do the job pretty well.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
TUF Gaming VG289Q is a 28-inch, 4K UHD, IPS display with superior images, 90 % DCI-P3 color space designed for professional gamers. It also features FreeSync/Adaptive-Sync technology, for extremely fluid gameplay without tearing and stuttering. VG289Q supports HDR technology across a range of luminance to deliver a wider color range and higher contrast than traditional monitors. The brightest whites and the darkest blacks bring out details like never before. It also delivers DCI-P3 90% color gamut and contrast performance.
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I have recently gotten back into PC gaming with the acquisition of my awesome new Asus ROG Zephyrus gaming laptop (which is the best laptop I have owned for any reason hands down, and I have owned A LOT). It is awesome for a lot of games and especially when I'm on the road, but I really wanted to get back into RTS games and flight sims like Elite: Dangerous and the revamped Microsoft flight simulator. Both genres really benefit from a larger screen and 4k resolution.
So far I'm tickled pink with this monitor. Elite looks absolutely gorgeous in 4k, as does MS Flight Sim. My laptop fans even help with the immersion in MSFS by making it sound like I'm actually piloting a very loud plane! It takes a lot to drive 4k with all the bells and whistles turned on. I haven't noticed any tearing of the images except while playing ED: Odyssey but I think that has more to do with the wonky launch of the expansion and not the monitor (though the monitor is only 60hz).
The built in speakers are nothing to write home about but I have surround sound headphones for gaming so that really isn't an issue.
This weekend Im going to try to fry my RTX 3070 card in my laptop by seeing if I can drive both the 4k screen and the 2k screen on my laptop at the same time. I would like to have the laptop and keyboard available for some of the mining and exploration resource websites while tooling around the galaxy. Hopefully the laptop doesn't give me the immersion of a Frame Shift Drive explosion! Wish me luck.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
The GO Work Wireless On-Ear Headset from JLab will be your new best friend at the office. Featuring 45+ hours of playtime to get you through a full work week and Bluetooth multipoint, you can connect to 2 devices at once so you can transition from mobile to laptop without tocuhing any settings. The GO Work Headset also features 2 microphones for clear calling, a retractable boom mic with LED quick mute indicator, multi-functional buttons for controls, and 2 EQ settings for Work or Music mode.
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable, Sounds Good, & Good Mic Quality
on May 27, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I am always on teleconferences and have an external system plugged into my laptop that work provided. It has to be an Aux/USB system because bluetooth is disabled on our computers for security reasons. I had hoped that the headphone would have more functionality when plugged into the aux port (volume +/- and other features) but it is a passive device when used with the Aux cable. The mute button on the side is the only button that retains functionality. I must say that I like that it is a 'real' button and not a touch one since it is a much more tactile response. That combined with the mute indicator light on the boom mic (which does still light up in Aux mode), gives a clear indication which mode you are in.
All that being said, I didn't really feel that I could knock the JLab GO Work headset because it does work perfectly as a Bluetooth headset with my phone, and it didn't promise any additional functionality for Aux usage (that was just my hope). Also, they are extremely comfortable for long periods of time, I can hear others very clearly (though these are just OK for music, but can do in a pinch), and others say that I come through clear and strong.
I wanted these since I am now in a management position and didn't want to be just yelling into the external device so they could hear me because now I will sometimes be talking about my co-workers and need to be a bit more low key since we have very thin walls around here. They are great for this usage because I can speak normally, and the people on the other side hear me fine and only I can hear their response.
I haven't really tested the 45 hour battery life claim since they are using Aux all the time, but the instructions do say that the battery is still used in Aux mode to power the microphone. I'm betting that I'm going to get significantly more time with these than 45 hours with only the mic using the battery!
For the price, these are a great set of work headphones, and are probably even better if your work allows you to use the Bluetooth function of your computer (I understand why it is that way, just wish they could figure out a way to secure BT better).
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Designed for Xbox, the RIG Nacon Pro Compact Controller is built for competitive gamers wanting to optimize their play style. Featuring an ergonomically compact design with larger buttons, this controller is built reduce hand fatigue and allows you to play longer. Textured high grip surfaces and concave thumb sticks offer superior comfort and precise control. Achieve pro levels of customization through a dedicated App that lets you map buttons, set thumb stick sensitivity, trigger dead zones and much more. Store one custom profile or switch to classic mode which allows it to function as a standard controller. The Pro Compact Controller offers a low latency solution for gamers that improves reaction time and never runs out of battery when it matters most. A highly durable and flexible nylon, braided cable measuring 9.8FT/3M ensures that you have more than enough length to suit your gaming setup. Seamlessly unlock Dolby Atmos® for headphones the moment you plug in your controller, giving you access to precise 3D Audio (headphones required). React faster and more accurately as you are able to detect the distance and direction of your threats.
Customer Rating
5
Nice Compact and Light Controller!
on May 17, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
The RIG Nacon Pro controller in my mind is like a combo between the Xbox and PlayStation. You have the offset thumb sticks from the Xbox and the more diminutive size of the PS. Combine that with the slightly oversized face buttons, and you get an easy to use and comfortable controller for extended gaming sessions.
One of the big selling points of this controller is the fact that you get a free subscription to the Dolby Atmos for headphones. I had already purchased this a while ago on my Xbox but now I have it for my gaming laptop since it works for either system. That being said, the headphone connector makes it easy to plug in your favorite headphones into the controller and get great sound. It sounds just as good as I was used to previously and now I get that great sound for my laptop.
Build quality is nice for the price. Buttons are responsive and the texture of the controller is nice for maintaining your grip in tense situations. Buttons, triggers, and sticks are tight and responsive. The cable has a nicely braided cover and solid strain relief built in. The only quibble I have build-wise is the direction pad, which feels a bit “squishy” for my taste.
I haven’t used the customization software and probably won’t since I rarely change layouts beyond what is available within many games, but it seems really easy to use. It is nice that you can switch easily between a program and the default set-up with the switch on the back of the controller.
All-in-all this is a good quality controller with some nice extras (the Dolby Atmos download on its own is $15). This is going to be my travel controller since it is so small and light and has such a great cable.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Dyson's slimmest, most maneuverable vacuum for in-between cleaning on hard floors. The Dyson Omni-glide extends the time between deep cleans with quick pickups. Ultra-compact and under 5 lbs, it's engineered to require less effort in use and is United States Ergonomics certified. An articulating neck and 360-degree castors make it easy to maneuver around obstacles and into tight spaces, so there's less need to move furniture as you clean. Whole-machine advanced filtration traps particles and expels cleaner air. Its versatile cordless format transforms into a handheld vacuum with one click so you can clean up high, down low, and everywhere in between. It has two cleaning modes for the right power where you need it. Comes with a 2-year warranty and lifetime Dyson support.
Customer Rating
4
PERFECT for small spaces, good for big spaces.
on April 9, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
TLDR: If you have a small apartment with all solid floors (tile/wood), this may be the only vacuum you need. Anything larger than that will need MANY stops to empty the tiny dustbin.
I like small things. My wife is 4'11" and I love her to death. That being said, I was REALLY surprised when the box for the Dyson Omni-Glide showed up on my doorstep. I figured that there was no way this thing fit inside that box. Well, I was wrong about two things. It did indeed fit inside the box and the Omni-Glide is way smaller than I assumed it to be. In some ways this smallness is better than what I hoped and in others it is a bit worse.
We just redid the floors in our house so that it is virtually all ceramic tile and engineered wood. All-in-all there is about 2500 Sq Ft of flooring that our previous Dyson Ball is no longer the best option when needing to clean. I got the Omni-Glide because it seemed to be the best option Dyson has ever offered to do hard floors. They are almost there. Perhaps, one day, Dyson will make an Omni-Glide Max with a bigger cleaning head and a larger dust bin. Then it would be the best vacuum for a house like mine. Until then, the Omni-Glide is really only good for small apartments/spaces with hard floors.
What I Like:
1. The Omni-Glide and get under just about anything. This is outstanding since all the dust bunnies seem to want to hide underneath the back of the couch.
2. You can pop out the battery and charge it on the counter if you don't want to set up the charging dock on the wall. You could also buy a second battery if you need more runtime.
3. Battery lasts surprisingly long. Dyson says it's good for 20 minutes but I have used it WAY more than that using a mix of regular/turbo power and it's still not dead.
4. Yay! A toggle button for on/off instead of a trigger! What an idea! Perhaps I would like to keep the vacuum running when I switch hands or get down on my hands and knees to reach under the bed. Never understood why Dyson used a trigger.
5. It's super maneuverable. Not only can it go under just about anything, it can also go around just about everything with just a twist of your wrist. That combined with the fact that the Omni-Glide is really light, makes this the vacuum to use for hard to clean places. There were spots behind some furniture that I'm embarrassed to say have not been cleaned since we bought our house 6 years ago. Now those places are clean.
6. The semi-open front/back sides of the vacuum head (see picture), lets the rotating brushes get in close to where the floor and wall join and pick up everything.
7. Easy to clean. Everything comes apart easily and can be cleaned and replaced in minutes.
Don't Like:
1. Dust bin is WAY too small. Just doing the bedroom area and the stairs pretty much filled the dust bin. We aren't that dirty, the bin is just that small.
2. The small cleaner head size while maneuverable and easy to get under furniture also requires a lot of back and forth to cover the entire floor.
Wish List for Dyson to consider when designing the Omni-Glide 2 or Omni-Glide Max:
1. Larger (really, wider not taller or thicker) cleaning head. Most of the things I need to get under have wide but short openings underneath. Would be nice if I could cover more of the floor under there.
2. Lasers. Yup. The new Dyson vacuums have lasers at a low angle so you can see dust and debris easier and can tell when everything is gone. The Omni-Glide could really use this since it is mostly used to clean up dust, hair, and other small bits. Also, it would help light the way when running it under large pieces of furniture.
3. More accessories. I'm sure Dyson will come out with an 'Animal' version of this soon that has all kinds of attachments but right now you just get a crevice tool/brush combo. The small size of the core unit makes it really nice for vacuuming furniture and such. I would appreciate some extra tools to make that even better.
Bottom-Line: This is a great vacuum if you have a small space or lots of furniture to get under or behind. If you have <1,000 Sq Ft of hard flooring space, this may be the only vacuum you need.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+26points
28of 30voted this as helpful.
The CORSAIR K65 RGB MINI 60% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard combines top-level performance with portability. PBT double-shot keycaps deliver exceptional durability with a premium look and feel. With 8,000Hz hyper-polling enabled by AXON hyper-processing technology, CHERRY MX SPEED RGB Silver mechanical keyswitches, and expansive onboard shortcuts, the K65 RGB MINI offers big performance and functionality in a compact design. Vivid per-key RGB backlighting is fully customizable through CORSAIR iCUE software, alongside key remaps, custom macros, and immersive integration with select games. Save up to 50 profiles to take with you anywhere with 8MB of onboard storage. Full N-key rollover, Windows Key Lock mode, and a detachable braided USB Type-C cable make the K65 RGB MINI a high-performance gaming companion at home and on-the-go, so you can win in any space.
Customer Rating
4
Outstanding Compact Keyboard w/ A Few Quibbles
on April 1, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
I was looking for a small mechanical keyboard to use on a lap desk while playing PC games on my TV (desk has my Mac on it and my gaming PC is a laptop). For some reason I thought this was a wireless keyboard and when I first received it and plugged it in via the USB-A to C cable, I wondered where the charge indicator was located. Silly me, I misread the description. Despite that, I REALLY like the feel of this keyboard and I'm keeping it, though I did have to go out and get a longer cable to run from the computer (which is up by the TV) to my couch.
I've been hit or miss (mostly miss) with mechanical keyboards over the last several years, but this is the first one that out of the box, felt good without a wrist rest or any other thing to make it more comfortable to use. My day-to-day keyboard is a Mac so I'm used to a very slim keyboard and most mechanicals cause my wrists to have to be bent back too far and make gaming for any real stretch of time very hard. The Corsair K65 RGB Mini isn't a thin keyboard by any means but the compact size makes everything so reachable. This keeps me from having to reposition my hands/wrists and everything just kinda flows. I also really enjoy these smaller keycaps. I am making a lot less 'fat-finger' mistakes, which seems counter-intuitive but I actually have rather slender and long fingers and I would miss keys because of the angle and large keycaps, while now, everything seems to be in place for me.
My biggest complaint is that there are no arrow keys. Didn't realize how much I would miss dedicated arrow keys until I started using this keyboard. Mostly I'm playing MMOs/adventure games and my main controller is an Xbox controller with a keybind program. So most of my input is done through the controller but I was finding that I needed to type more and more and there were other times that the keyboard was the best option (or only option if I couldn't properly bind a command to the game controller). While there are 'Fn' shortcuts to emulate all the keys of a full sized keyboard, when in the heat of a game with a quick response needed, it can sometimes be hard to remember the combo in time. Corsair makes it a bit easier by having the 'Fn' shortcuts printed on the front of the keys so that is nice, but again, I often don't have time to hunt for them. This will get better as I develop some muscle memory with the keyboard, but like I said earlier, I didn't realize how much I would miss some of these keys until they were gone.
Bottom-Line: The K65 RGB Mini is an outstanding small-form mechanical keyboard. For me, it is the most comfortable mechanical keyboard I have ever used. However, the missing dedicated keys are more of a hassle than I thought they would be. Really I give this keyboard 4.5 stars but I can't do half stars for the review so I have to knock one off. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with this keyboard.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
The new Denon Home 350 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.
Customer Rating
5
My God, It's Full Of Sound...
on March 22, 2021
Posted by: Wraith
from Rochester Hills, MI
*(For those of you not old enough to have seen 2001, it's a riff on a line from the end of the movie.)
TLDR: Best speaker I have ever owned regardless of wired, Bluetooth, wi-fi, whatever and I have owned some SERIOUS audiophile gear in the past (I'm talking headphones that cost more than two of these Denon 350s). App needs a bit of work due to a few issues but if you want some absolutely beautiful sounding music filling your home (assuming you have good quality recordings or streaming services), this is the speaker(s) to get.
I got the dual pack of the Denon 350s to ostensibly create a right channel / left channel pair in our living room and I was able to set all that up within minutes of taking these out of the box. It was incredibly easy to set them up using the HEOS app, log in to the HD wireless services I subscribe to (Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal), and then set each to be their respective channel. I first fired up some HD streams of The Rolling Stones and I darn near wept. I haven't heard music so pure since I gave up my audiophile habit years ago. That is a rabbit-hole you can spend your life, and your life-savings, running down always looking for the one that takes the dial to 11. My wife came home to me sitting in my chair with my eyes closed, a smile on my face, and what to her sounded like a live concert (it was Springsteen's Live 75-85 set).
My wife loves music too but hadn't cared much about sound quality before. She asked if we could stream some HD versions of artists she loves (Indigo Girls, Paul Simon, P!nk), and so I fired up some of her favorites and she was blown away. She knew that the Denon 350s are a stand-alone speaker that just so happen to be able to be paired together (whether as a L/R channel pair, or as a whole home system), and she asked if she could have one in her home office. Despite the COVID pandemic seemingly coming to a close soon, she does not see her work from home days changing that much from now (which is about half of the time). As I said before, my wife has never been all that amped up about the sound quality of her music but this was a first and I would not deny her the joy of awesome sounding music now that she has come to appreciate good sound. So I broke up the pair, set one up in her office and one in a nice spot in the living room and we are both now happy. While the L/R pair sounds phenomenal, really this is one of the few single speaker systems (at least that I have heard) that gets enough separation in the channels on its own to give a great stereo picture.
Notes:
1. To get the most out of this system you should either be subscribed to a streaming service that supports high res files. The app makes it easy to figure out which ones you may want to try by having some of the most popular streaming services available from within the HEOS app ready for your login credentials. I'll let you decide on which depending on your budget, musical tastes, and such. You can do everything through the app and never touch an 'outside' app like Music or the streaming apps, and in fact, once you get things set up you can have your favorites linked to pre-select buttons that you can just press and go straight to a streaming channel without even needing your phone since it links up to your home wi-fi and streams directly.
1. To get the most out of this system you should either be subscribed to a streaming service that supports high res files. The app makes it easy to figure out which ones you may want to try by having some of the most popular streaming services available from within the HEOS app ready for your login credentials. I'll let you decide on which depending on your budget, musical tastes, and such. You can do everything through the app and never touch an 'outside' app like Music or the streaming apps, and in fact, once you get things set up you can have your favorites linked to pre-select buttons that you can just press and go straight to a streaming channel without even needing your phone since it links up to your home wi-fi and streams directly.
2. Be sure to use the app to tell the speaker how it is set up in the room so that it can best adjust the output to maximize bass response, it really does make a difference if it knows that it's backed into a corner or directly facing a wall.
Likes:
1. Easy to set up. Whether you are doing a concert hall set up in one room or doing a whole house set up it is simple to use the app to make it happen. It's fun to have multiple speakers set up and you can 'pinch' the two together on the screen to have them play the same thing throughout the house, and 'split' them to go back to individual playlists/channels. I have had fun overriding her speaker in her office with the opening of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song!
1. Easy to set up. Whether you are doing a concert hall set up in one room or doing a whole house set up it is simple to use the app to make it happen. It's fun to have multiple speakers set up and you can 'pinch' the two together on the screen to have them play the same thing throughout the house, and 'split' them to go back to individual playlists/channels. I have had fun overriding her speaker in her office with the opening of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song!
2. You can configure the Home Screen on your app to only show the streaming services and sources you use and not have to scroll through all of the available ones.
3. Obviously, the sound quality.
No Like:
There have been a few hiccups with streaming from our own music libraries on our phones.
There have been a few hiccups with streaming from our own music libraries on our phones.
1. Have had playlists play a few seconds of a song and then move to the next is quick succession so it sounds like turning the dial on an old analog tuner.
2. The app plays playlists from your library on its own and is not using your music app to do so. While this is great for doing everything from one app and getting the most out of your music, if you like continuing your playlist when you move from office to car, you will not be in the same place. Not a deal breaker, just a bit annoying. More for my wife since she listens to her playlists in her office, in her car, and in the bathroom when she is getting ready in the morning. Bathroom and car are on the Music app while office is on HEOS.
3. My wife has seen serious battery drain issues if she doesn't shut down the app completely when in the house but not in her office. Her battery app shows HEOS gobbling up much of that and I'm sure it is because the link is active even if she is not actively listening to music in her office.
Final Thoughts: I know this is a lot of money for a speaker (even more for the set), but if you truly appreciate beautiful sounding music, and want it to absolutely fill your home, you can not go wrong with the Denon 350s. I'm in absolute heaven.
Mobile Submission: False
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Wraith's Review Comments
Make driving routines more enjoyable with this OverDryve car system. Its voice assistant capabilities let you read and send text messages by command and also play music in your car without taking your hands off the wheel. The built-in dash cam of this OverDryve car system lets you record trips and capture every moment on the road.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5No-Brainer If You Want A Great All-In-One System
By Wraith
I wondered about creating a GPS system nowadays with so many people having their smartphones with their own GPS functionality or with most cars coming with some kind of infotainment system, but after using the OverDryve 7 for the last two weeks, I think it is a great system and is a no-brainer for anyone looking to add GPS functionality to their car.
First off, my favorite thing about this device is the mounting bracket. I kid you not. One of the things I always hated about car GPS systems was having to lock it in place and reconnect the power and such. In the process of doing that I would invariably mess with my carefully set up positioning and would have to do it all over again. The Overdryve has an awesome bracket that you keep set up in your car and plugged in to everything and the Overdryve unit itself links via magnets and the connections are made through little contacts on the back. Easy-peasy. On top of that, the basestation also has an additional GPS antenna to improve location accuracy. Now I have rarely had problems with previous GPS devices and but the additional antenna could probably help when you are in the 'canyons' of the city, though I haven't gone downtown to try it yet.
The GPS system is great. While my car has one built in, it acts a bit too much like my mother and won't let me input anything if I am not at a complete stop. My wife can't even do it from the passenger seat because if we are moving at all it completely locks out the GPS controls. I understand why, but it would be nice for some kind of override. With the Overdryve, we don't have to worry about that. She just plucks the device from the mount, types in the destination and clicks it back into place. The guidance voice is kind of grating but so is my wife yelling directions at me from her phone!
I played around with the handsfree and entertainment applications and they are fine, but my car handles that pretty seamlessly, so I don't think I will be using that function of the Overdryve. The voice commands are much more responsive than those for my car system so I will give it that. The other thing I don't have to worry about is the backup camera or tire pressure monitor, because my car already has that, but if your car doesn't, this is a really cool feature. While each of those systems is an add-on, they are both only about $150 each and I guarantee I paid more for that functionality from the auto maker.
As for the Overdryve also being an Android tablet, and can be used off the mount like any other tablet, it is true that it can do so, but it is a little bulky for that and it is an Android tablet with all that entails. Sorry, I have an iPad and I can't really see myself ever using this as just a regular tablet, but perhaps if you forgot yours and you have a fussy kid in the back and want to send it to the back seat to quiet them down, this could be a lifesaver.
Now for my few quibbles with the device. I had a little trouble syncing it to my phone for the first few tries but after I did a phone restart I didn't have a problem and it had maintained the sync no problem, so it could have been my phone and not the Overdryve. My only other problem is the name. Seriously, Overdryve?! I realize that Overdrive was probably taken but I kind of feel like some hipster should be on TV telling me how 'swaggy' this thing is. Every time I have had to type Overdryve into this review, I have had to roll my eyes and they are getting tired.
In summary, if you want a great functioning GPS system, and that is all, this is a phenomenal GPS and it costs about the same as other 7-inch GPS systems. If you need the functionality of an infotainment system, and want the ability to add safety features like a back-up camera and tire pressure monitoring, this is a no-brainer because you get all of that for the price of a basic 7" GPS. On top of all that, you get a fully functional Android tablet! I really can't see why anyone would buy any other standalone car GPS system now that this is out. Even if you don't need the other functions, they are nice to have and Rand McNally has created the best GPS device I have ever used, for the same price as other systems. Seriously, this is the unit to get.
Wraith
Rochester Hills, MI
Dash Cam!
September 25, 2016
I totally forgot about the dash cam function of this. Yet another feature that makes this a no-brainer. I have not had much experience with dash cams but this one works well. Now let's just hope I don't end up on one of those dash cam compilation videos on YouTube!
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Wraith's Questions
Wraith has not submitted any questions.
Revel in immersive audio with this retro-style Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo. Dual full-range speakers deliver impressive sound reproduction, while Bluetooth technology, USB playback, an AM FM radio and a built-in cassette player offer vast entertainment options. This Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo comes with a long-lasting rechargeable battery for convenience.
What are the dimensions of this product?
16.73"W x 5.9"D x 9.6"H according to the users guide.
4 years, 11 months ago
by
Wraith
Revel in immersive audio with this retro-style Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo. Dual full-range speakers deliver impressive sound reproduction, while Bluetooth technology, USB playback, an AM FM radio and a built-in cassette player offer vast entertainment options. This Ion Boombox Deluxe portable stereo comes with a long-lasting rechargeable battery for convenience.
How many watts is this radio ?
Experience legendary performance and sound of ASTRO Audio V2, with the convenience and freedom that comes without wires. The A50 Wireless + Base Station for Xbox One/PC delivers premium acoustics, ergonomics, comfort and durability that gamers demand. The all-new Base Station provides clear, low-latency voice communication, while making headset pairing and charging simple. The ASTRO Command Center software allows Pros and Live streamers to tune every input and output parameter of the A50 precisely for their specific setup. Experience absolute audio immersion with the A50 Wireless + Base Station.
Can it connect to any xbox one even the xbox Scarlett that's coming soon?
It should since its connection to the Xbox is primarily the optical cable which I'm 100% sure Microsoft will have available on the next console as well.
5 years, 1 month ago
by
Wraith
Acer Nitro 5 Laptop: Lose yourself in the absorbing multimedia experience delivered by this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Intel Core i5 processor ensures a lag-free performance, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card delivers immersive visuals on the 15.6-inch Full HD display. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has 8GB of RAM for seamless multitasking.
Does this support hdmi 1.4
Mine is showing HDMI 2.0b, so should be backwards compatible with 1.4.
5 years, 3 months ago
by
Wraith
Acer Nitro 5 Laptop: Lose yourself in the absorbing multimedia experience delivered by this Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The Intel Core i5 processor ensures a lag-free performance, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card delivers immersive visuals on the 15.6-inch Full HD display. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop has 8GB of RAM for seamless multitasking.
Does this have the 144 Hz panel?
It does have a nice 144 Hz panel. Even though it is only a regular HD panel, I have to say it looks great.
5 years, 3 months ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
Will these work while on an airplane watching their movies.
If you bring along the cord, then yes, they will work beautifully. They changed the case on the XM3s and it is much easier to bring that cord, the airline adapter (which I haven't used in over a decade), and the charge cable. They all fit nicely between the ear cups.
6 years ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
I have the Sony brand, WH-CH700N, which I am very pleased with. Are there any differences between these two models when it comes to the headband or they the same. To me the pictures and the descriptions look the same.
These are better in virtually every single way than the WH-CH700Ns. I've used both and the sound quality, the noise cancelling, and the comfort are better in the XM3, and that is why that cost a bit more. The 700s are really good, the WX3s are the best NC headphones on the market.
6 years ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
Can someone tell me about the “California Proposition 65” warning when buying on Amazon?
Darn near everything gets the Proposition 65 warning that states the potential for some chemical that is in the thing can cause cancer... in mice.... at doses no human would ever experience. They want to put a Prop 65 warning on coffee for Pete's sake! Disregard it and enjoy your headphones. Buy them from Best Buy anyway, you are already here.
6 years ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
How many watts does the adapter need to be to allow for quick charging?
I don't think it is a matter of wattage, it is just the way the Li-Ion batteries work. They are much easier to fill up when they are empty then they are when they are above 80%. I have an electric car and I can get the first 150 miles on in just a few hours but it takes a lot more time to tack on the final 100. It is almost like you need more pressure to shove in those remaining electrons in all the empty spaces.
6 years ago
by
Wraith
Take your playlist with you by using these noise-cancelling Sony headphones. Their 40mm drivers with liquid crystal polymer diaphragms fill your ears with booming audio to immerse you in songs, and they're ergonomically designed to provide comfort during extended listening sessions. These Sony headphones have a proprietary noise-cancelling processor, so you can immerse yourself in the music.Industry Leading Noise Cancellation. *As of August 30, 2018. According to research by Sony Corporation measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines. In headband-style of wireless noise-canceling headphones market.
Are they louder than the xm2?
Not that I have noticed. They can get plenty loud though. I usually have my music player set at about the 40-50% level and then adjust from there with the headphones, and I can blow my eardrums out if I want.
6 years ago
by
Wraith