ThisIsNot's stats
- Review count17
- Helpfulness votes621
- First reviewNovember 25, 2011
- Last reviewJune 23, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
- Review comment count32
- Helpfulness votes94
- First review commentMarch 11, 2012
- Last review commentJuly 10, 2017
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count17
- Helpfulness votes16
- First answerJune 11, 2010
- Last answerApril 27, 2017
- Featured answers0
- Best answers2
Your music says a lot about you. So do your headphones. Bose® FreeStyle™ earbuds have fresh designs to fit your style and deep, clear sound to make you love the music you love even more. The StayHear® ear tips provide a secure, comfortable fit.
Customer Rating
5
A great pair of earbuds
on December 2, 2014
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
Like all my other reviews, this will be a little long. I've been using these earbuds for almost 6 months now and they have been great. Bose makes the only earbuds that I can actually wear for long periods of time without feeling discomfort, they also make the only earbuds that will actually stay in my ears. Most other in-ear earbuds create a seal with your inner ear canal. That helps isolate noise better but I find them to be uncomfortable and those types of earbuds eventually pop out of my ears.
The Bose FreeStyle earbuds don't do that. They are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time and the StayHear tips come in three sizes so you should easily be able to get a perfect fit. The earbuds do let in some outside noise but this is beneficial when using them for exercise and running purposes. You don't want to go running down the street and not realize that a car is coming up behind you.
Bose really nailed the sound quality with these too. I'm not sure if they are worth the $130 price tag based on the sound quality alone. Don't get me wrong, the sound quality is good for earbuds. It's pleasantly balanced but the bass is a little lacking when compared to on-ear and over-ear headphones. That's just the nature of most earbuds though.
The FreeStyle earbuds are also water resistant so you can use them when exercising, running, at the gym, etc. They are a better buy than the Sports version of the SoundTrue earbuds. You don't get the small case but these are $20 less, have a cable length that's just write, and are water/sweat resistant just like the sport models. I really don't see any reason to spend the extra $20 on the sports models.
I only have to complaints when it comes to these earbuds:
1. The included carrying case is a little flimsy and overly big. A small, circular zip case (like what's included with the sports SoundTrue earbuds) would have been better. I've bent my case just with normal use and have since switched to a circular zip case I purchased for $2 online.
2. Bose doesn't make a version of the FreeStyle earbuds that work with Samsung Galaxy devices. The in-line remote and microphone have some Android/Samsung Galaxy compatibility. The mic works fine as does the play/pause button. Pressing that will also answer any incoming calls and double-pressing it will skip to the next track. That's it though. Triple-pressing the button does nothing and the volume buttons don't work. It would be nice if Bose released a version of these that were at least Samsung Galaxy compatible like they do with the sports and regular versions of the SoundTrue earbuds.
1. The included carrying case is a little flimsy and overly big. A small, circular zip case (like what's included with the sports SoundTrue earbuds) would have been better. I've bent my case just with normal use and have since switched to a circular zip case I purchased for $2 online.
2. Bose doesn't make a version of the FreeStyle earbuds that work with Samsung Galaxy devices. The in-line remote and microphone have some Android/Samsung Galaxy compatibility. The mic works fine as does the play/pause button. Pressing that will also answer any incoming calls and double-pressing it will skip to the next track. That's it though. Triple-pressing the button does nothing and the volume buttons don't work. It would be nice if Bose released a version of these that were at least Samsung Galaxy compatible like they do with the sports and regular versions of the SoundTrue earbuds.
All-in-all, these are great earbuds that I highly recommend. They have a modern style, are extremely comfortable, water/sweat resistant, and have nice sound quality for earbuds. I definitely recommend these over earbuds from other companies.
My Best Buy number: 0423936481
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Improve your music experience with these SOL REPUBLIC headphones that feature a V-8 sound engine for high audio quality. The polymer compound construction ensures durability and comfort for long-lasting use.
Customer Rating
4
Great durability, bass-heavy sound
on September 11, 2013
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
How Often Used:Daily
I picked up these headphones to use on a daily basis so that I wouldn't have to worry about anything happening to my Bose or Sennheiser headphones (both of which are $250+). I wanted something that had decent sound quality, it was durable (which means no Beats, those are complete trash), and I wanted them to look a little stylish.
These are definitely fashion headphones. What I mean by that is that they favor design and looks first over sound quality. The entire Beats By Dre line are like this, the SMS audio line, Skullcandy, and many others are all like this. They come out with snazzy looking headphones that favor color choices and design over audio quality.
In my opinion, Sol Republic is the least "evil" of these companies. The Tracks are on par with headphones that cost $150-$200 from those other companies yet are just as stylish and offer more after-market customization options (such as replacing the headband, cable wire, or even buying new drivers all together). The sound quality of these are comparable (I think a little better) to the Beats Solo HD models yet cost $80 less. The headband can also be bent in every which direction without breaking and it will go back to its original form. Bending a Beats Solo HD headband will cause it to break. These are even more durable than those all metal Beats headphones which were advertised as being indestructible. The durability of the Tracks are even beyond that of the Beats Mixr which as "...most durable headphone ever."
I highly recommend the Tracks if you are looking for bass-heavy sound yet don't want to overpay for the likes of Beats by Dre or the SMS audio line from 50 Cent. The sound quality isn't going to live up to other brands in this price range (Sony, Sure, Sennheiser, Grado, etc.) but that is to be expected from a pair of fashion headphones. I find these to be very comfortable and use them everyday whether I am in my office, lab, or walking to classes. They fit fine, are able to isolate outside noise rather nicely, and don't have much sound leakage. These are my go-to everyday headphones due to their durability and lower prices.
Techno, dubstep, rap/hip-hop, and pop really shines with these as the lows and mids are heavily favor. People looking for a more balanced option should turn to the Track HDs as the lows and mids are dialed back a little while the highs are turned up just a bit. The Tracks Ultra are best suited for acoustic music as their bass is really lacking (pretty much the opposite direction of the Tracks) while the highs are heavily favored.
I mainly listen to metal with my Tracks and I'm pretty content though people in the metal community tend to be divided as to whether they prefer more bass or more highs (I started choosing my own music in the mid-90's and I watched a lot of MTV so I favor bass). The price may seem high when compared to Sony, Sennheiser, etc. and it is. However, the price is on the low side for a pair of fashion headphones especially when Beats and SMS are charging $180 and $200 (respectively) for headphones that sound no better than these and are less durable.
My Best Buy number: 423936481
What's great about it: Durability, stylish, less expensive than overpriced Beats
What's not so great: Tends to favor lows and mids
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
3
Comfort
5
Durability
5
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+12points
12of 12voted this as helpful.
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
Customer Rating
4
Well worth the price, a little short on features
on August 7, 2013
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
Type of Listener:Avid listener
Most Important to Purchase:Sound quality
How Often Used:Daily
I have quite a collection of portable bluetooth speakers that include the Beats Pill, UE Boom, JamBox Big, a cheap no-name option, and now this. I am continually choosing to use the SoundLink Mini over my other options. It offers excellent high and low end response, much better than anything else I have tested. The UE Boom handles mids better but not by much, I think the SoundLink Mini has better balanced sound whereas the UE Boom sounds shallow due to its lack of bass. The only bluetooth speaker I have, which is able to outdo the SoundLink Mini in terms of sheer volume, is the JamBox Big. That is a $300 speaker though and it's to be expected. The UE Boom does get noticeably louder than the SoundLink Mini but it tends to distort the audio, especially bass-heavy music. I played a Rammstein song and the UE Boom sounded as if it was going to blow up while the SoundLink Mini handled everything with ease. Bose engineers were able to get more out of the SoundLink Mini compared to Ultimate Ear (now a Logitech company) as the Mini and Boom use a very similar setup.
The construction of the SoundLink Mini is very solid and looks like it came right off of an Apple assembly line. The speaker will easily blend in with an office desk, dorm room, bedroom, or kitchen and still look sophisticated. The only negative aspect regarding the use of brushed aluminum is that it can scratch, that is why I recommend buying one of Bose's soft covers along with this.
I do have a few complaints regarding this. First, the price is a little hefty for the amount of features that this has. I have become used to adjusting the volume of a bluetooth speaker using the volume adjustment on my iPhone. The UE Boom and JamBox Big are both like this. The volume on my iPhone controls the volume that the speakers play at. It's a nice feature so I don't always have to keep hitting buttons on top of the speaker just to turn things slightly up or down. Plus it allows me to be in the kitchen and change the volume while the speaker is on my porch. The SoundLink Mini does not have this feature though. At $200, I think it should be standard. The battery life is also short. Both the UE Boom and JamBox Big are able to squeeze 15 hours out of a single charge. Although the SoundLink Mini is the same size as the UE Boom, it lasts for half of that. I would have been OK with a 10 hour run time (at least enough to match my iPad mini) but I normally get about 6.5-7 hours out of a single charge. Lastly, this does not have speakerphone capabilities. I have never used any of my bluetooth speakers as speakerphones so I could care less but that is important to some people.
Some people complain about the lack of micro-USB charging with the Mini. I think that the charging cradle Bose includes with every speaker is much better than relying on either a hefty proprietary charging setup (like the AC adapter that comes with the JamBox Big and Beats Pill) or having yet another generic USB charger in my collection. The charging cradle is dead-simple to use and, at the end of the day, I normally just plop my speaker into that (with the soft cover on). It's really convenient and I think outweighs the lack of USB charging. Bose also includes a small AC adapter that can fold to take up less space. It's about 1/4 the size of my iPhone 5.
The SoundLink Mini has a micro-USB port for firmware updates and I really hope Bose adds more features (mainly volume adjustment on a device and a battery indicator icon in the iOS/Android task bar) down the line. Right now the features are a little short, especially when compared to the UE Boom, JamBox, or JamBox big. It is easily the best sounding $200 bluetooth speaker but I have to knock the score for those couple of aspects. I would have preferred if Bose made the unit a little heavier and bigger so that a larger battery could be included. If you favor sound quality, I can fully recommend the SoundLink Mini. It is portable enough to take anywhere and has the best sound from a speaker in the $200-$250 price category. However, if you are looking for something that has more features and can take more of a beating, I recommend going with the UE Boom. It is water resistant and has every feature that is missing from the SoundLink Mini. Bose may eventually get there but Logitech (and even Jawbone) are already implementing those features into their speakers now.
I still chose to use the SoundLink Mini on a daily basis as I value sound quality over everything else. It is small enough that I can throw it in my backpack without noticing or even a cargo pocket on my shorts without issues. Bose can improve things over time and I hope they do.
My Best Buy number: 423936481
What's great about it: Sound quality, construction, small size
What's not so great: Lacking some features, battery life, price
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Ease of Use
5
Features
3
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+39points
46of 53voted this as helpful.
This Apple Smart Cover MD306LL/A features a polyurethane exterior with a microfiber lining to keep your iPad free of dust and protected against bumps and scratches. The aluminum hinge magnetically aligns the cover with the iPad for an ideal fit.
Customer Rating
4
The best Smart Cover from Apple
on March 25, 2012
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
This is easily the best Apple Smart Cover on the market. It provides the same functionality as the leather models but it can take more abuse and it doesn't show dirt like the lighter colors do. I owned the black leather Apple Smart Cover for 7 months and I had to replace it with another case. The cover had worn edges that were almost exposing the metal underneath, new scratches had formed, and I had to wipe it down about once a week. The only upside to the leather ones is that they look more professional. Other than that, they are not worth it.
Sme people might be turned away from the bland dark gray color but it looks more professional than the lighter and pastel colors and it hides dirt better too. This Smart Cover, like the others, works with the iPad 3 (aka the new iPad) so that it will wake the unit up and put it to sleep. The magnet that holds it to the iPad 2/3 is strong enough to pick the iPad up so you don't have to worry about it coming off at random times. You can fold the cover over and use the iPad in various positions.
My only gripe against this is that the cover does absolutely nothing for the back of the iPad. It leaves it fully exposed and the brushed aluminum will scratch over time with standard use. I highly recommend buying a back snap cover for the iPad if you want to use this. Best Buy sells ones from Belkin for $30 that fits the iPad 3 and it doesn't add much bulk. Doing so drastically increases the cost of using Apple's Smart Cover though. I spent over $70 with tax on this and the Belkin solution. However, it is currently the only way to guarantee you are buying a case/cover that will wake an iPad 3 and out it to sleep. Until 3rd party manufacturers adapt their cases to the iPad 3, there is no other option except waiting.
What's great about it: Minimal, hides dirt, easy to install, fully works with iPad 3
What's not so great: Expensive, does not cover back
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+7points
7of 7voted this as helpful.
Customer Rating
4
A review from someone who actually owns it
on March 18, 2012
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
I use it in...:Apartment
I have had my Apple TV for a few days now, I also have the 2010 Apple TV and have been using that since it launched. The 2012 Apple TV finally brings 1080p video output and it works with 1080p videos from the iTunes Store or ones being streamed to it via AirPlay from and iPad 2, iPad 3, or iPhone 4S.
First off, 1080p videos from the iTunes Store are top notch. They aren't quite Blu-ray quality but they are better than broadcast HDTV and DVDs. The common consumer likely wouldn't notice the difference between Blu-ray and this. All-in-all, this was a much needed update that produces a noticeable bump in video quality for 1080p capable sets with people sitting at appropriate distances from them. Even Netflix outputs at 1080p for select titles.
The user interface (UI) was also been updated . Owners of the 2010 Apple TV can also uograde to the new OS and get the new UI too. It is also a much needed update as the general UI is icon driven. You don't have to scroll through text anymore in the home screen. Apps still generally rely on a text interface but it is more pleasing to look at an array of colorful icons than having to scroll through text.
AirPlay and AirPlay mirroring works great. I am a little disappointed that my iPad 3 cannot mirror to my AppleTV at 1080p but that is OK as 720p mirroring looks good. Text can be a little blurry but it performs smoothly.
The Apple TV is extremely easy to setup and will automatically detect an optimal output resolution. Additionally, it will pick up a wi-fi network rather easily. Entering a password for an encrypted network (and for your Apple ID) can e tedious with the remote but you only have to do it once. The Apple TV integrates with your iTunes Store account so that you can stream all of your previous music, TV show, and movie purchases for free.
There are some cons to this though and these are the only things stopping the Apple TV from getting a perfect score. First off, not every movie or TV Show in the iTunes Store is 1080p. You also can't stream certain previously purchased movies using iCloud. This has to do with a deal that some of the movie companies have with HBO. Apple and HBO are working on this but it may take some time. Secondly, there is pretty much only one media app: Netflix. It would be nice to have Hulu Plus and HBO Go on the Apple TV. That is essentially my biggest complaint as it would open up the Apple TV to become a much more well rounded device. Others are complaining that more iOS apps aren't available for the Apple TV but I could really care less about being able to play Angry Birds or use Pages on my Apple TV. I just think that Apple should open it up for more media apps.
What's great about it: Easy to setup, iTunes store integration, 1080p
What's not so great: Needs more media apps
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Performance
5
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+41points
44of 47voted this as helpful.
Use this dock connector-to-VGA adapter to connect your Apple iPad to a TV, projector or VGA display and watch videos and slideshows on the big screen with family and friends.
Customer Rating
4
The product does what it is supposed to do
on March 11, 2012
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
I am not sure why so many people are posting up 1 star reviews. I guess they didn't read anything about video output and just expected every app out there to have video out capabilities. Now, with the iPad 1 (along with the 4G iPod touch and iPhone 4, both of which this accessory works with!), you need to have an app that supports video output. You won't be able to plug it in and expect everything to work. Keynote will work when in slideshow mode, you can watch movies with the Video app, etc. The instructions have to actually be in the app in order for video to be coming out of those older devices.
The iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPhone 4S all support display mirroring which means you can plug this in and immediately get some type of video output showing the contents of your iDevice (just like a full fledged notebook). This means that everything will be displayed through the VGA connector regardless of if the app supports video output or not. For example, I can play Angry Birds and have it mirrored to my HDTV or projector.
There are limitations to it though as certain apps will lock video output. Hulu Plus and HBO Go come to mind where they won't allow the iPad to output video using this adapter (Netflix works though). Copy protected music videos (the older ones), TV Shows, and Movies also can't be output using this accessory.
That is why the VGA adapter is more geared towards business use. Apple released their HDMI adapter last year and that works with Hulu Plus along with copy protected video content purchased from the iTunes Store. It still doesn't work with HBO Go. VGA is really a legacy video connection in this day and age when notebooks, graphics cards, and monitors are working with mini display port and HDMI. However, many businesses and institutions still heavily rely on VGA due to having older equipment (that and business oriented projectors still tend to focus on just VGA input). That and VGA has never, ever supported audio output whereas HDMI carries both video and audio.
Do yourself a favor and pick this VGA adapter up only if you plan on using your iPad/iPod/iPhone in a business/school related environment. Otherwise you will have limited functionality (some of that is due to the MPAA) with some apps/functions.
What's great about it: It works if you know what you are getting into
What's not so great: Some apps/functions don't support this adapter
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+52points
53of 54voted this as helpful.
Blast the music on your iPod, iPhone or iPad with this speaker that features a subwoofer that delivers powerful bass and an Angry Birds design, so you can show your love for the game.
Customer Rating
5
A nice compact solution for Angry Birds fans
on November 25, 2011
Posted by: ThisIsNot
from Cincinnati, OH
I was initially skeptical of this unit but I was on the market for a compact speaker system that would work with my 4G iPod touch, iPad 2, and Droid X. I looked at models from other brands that incorporated clocks but they all seemed to lack sound quality, build quality, and/or they provided quirky performance.
Being an AngryBirds fan, I was immediately drawn to this. The bird is actually quite compact taking up very little space. My iPad overshadows this by a large margin. It easily fit on my small night stand and has a smaller footprint than most other speaker docks in this price range. The sound quality also surprised me. I wasn't expecting this small setup to do much but it can easily fill my bedroom with music that isn't distorted. The bass isn't going to rattle your walls but I feel that the sound quality is better than others at this price (I have only experienced 7 models, one from Sony and 6 from iHome).
This will fully charge modern iPods, iPhones, and iPads though it does not state anything about working with legacy iPods. The manual and box also state that the 1G iPod touch won't work with this. The included remote has a rather long range and offers some basic controls. I was able to select certain songs, playlists, artists, albums, etc on my iPod all with the remote.
I can highly recommend this for people who want a compact solution with surprisingly nice sound quality that can easily fill a kitchen, bedroom, dining room, garage, or even a workout room. The only things I have against it is the lack of a large built-in clock and the lack of compatibility with alarm apps that would put my iPod to sleep after a certain amount of time.
What's great about it: Compact, sound quality, Angry Birds
What's not so great: No clock
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth Speaker Travel Bag: Take your Bose® SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth speaker on the go with this travel bag that also accommodates your speaker's wall charger, so you can enjoy your music while you're out and about.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Expected better from Bose
By DWStafford
from Tipp City OH
I gave them a point for being different.
I would have been happier with a molded clamshell case with zipper closure, with a nice Bose logo - like they ship with their headphones.
The case only needs to hold the speaker and the travel charger. The charger would have easily fit into an elastic or mesh retainer pouch, molded in a recess in the base or lid of the case.
Would have been a better case for the SoundLink Mini.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
September 4, 2013
I'm not really sure why you are giving this a negative review. Aside from the high price, this travel bag fits the speaker and the AC adapter just fine while offering protection. It covers the speaker grills and the rigid skeleton of the bag sticks out more than the speaker does so that, if you happen to drop the bag with the speaker in it, the speaker grill won't handle the brunt of the impact.
I much prefer the choice that Bose made to house the AC adapter in a separate compartment all together. A mesh pouch, as you have described, would have allowed the AC adapter to scratch the speaker during travel. Your design is fine for headphones but Bose really did a good job with this travel bag since it fits everything you need to use the speaker (it even fits my speaker with the soft cover on, thus adding even more protection from drops) in a small, albeit expensive, convenient package.
0points
2of 4voted this comment as helpful.
DualShock 4 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4: Improved dual analog sticks and trigger buttons offer an impressive sense of control, while the capacitive touchpad opens up endless potential for new gameplay possibilities.
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5cool new look to a classic design
By hotgamer34b
from New jersey
it great interactive fun and made even more ps vita like. the reason for this so games like madden and MLB show can be more interactive and fun. the problem games became even more confusing and hard to play as if their were enough bottons to push what happened to classic days were there was one stick and two to 3 buttons to push it's like operating a rocket ship.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
November 12, 2013
Grammar and punctuation, your two enemies.
Although the controller is a bit bigger and heavier than the DualShock 3, it is nowhere near the size of the current Xbox One or even the Xbox 360 controller. The Xbox 360 controller is considered to be the pinnacle of controller designs so it's nice that Sony is finally taking steps to improve their gaming experience over what they did with the PlayStation 3: make the DualShock 2 wireless. That's all Sony did (along with adding some motion sensing but not very many games have used it) with the last controller but this one has many more differences.
The grips are bigger and easier to hold, the triggers actually have some depth to them instead of feeling like sponges, I can actually hold the controller and play a game for an hour without hurting my hands, the thumb sticks have grip on them, and the touch pad is a nice inclusion that does not over complicate things (i.e. this is no "rocket ship"). In fact, Assassin's Creed IV effectively used the touch pad for navigating the game's map. It was very intuitive to use and felt almost like using a smartphone. Zooming in and out of the map, setting a way point, etc. was all very similar to using Google Maps on a smartphone. That is proper use of a new feature that doesn't further complicate things and feels like a natural progression.
It's obvious that you don't actually have the controller (since you posted this "review" back in June 2013) and have never used it to play a game. I have put in about 5 hours with Call of Duty Ghosts and 12 with Assassin's Creed IV. I can fully say that the controller is above and beyond the DualShock 3. I still don't think it is quite as comfortable as the Xbox 360's controller (Sony could easily fix this by offsetting the left thumb stick) but it's a big step in the right direction.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5A lot of money for a Little sound
By Andyc877
from Lowell, Ma
I have several other Bose devices that I have been very pleased with, however this was not one of them. I bought this for listening to music and occasional use as a speaker for entertainment on the go.
For music it was average at best, for entertainment it was awful. The audio lags behind the signal being sent by several seconds, and has an almost tinny quality, issues which none of my other bluetooth audio devices have.
As far as value for your price-The unit does have a great bass response that many cheaper speakers lack, but it falls behind in audio clarity and range of volume that cheaper ones have.
For music it was average at best, for entertainment it was awful. The audio lags behind the signal being sent by several seconds, and has an almost tinny quality, issues which none of my other bluetooth audio devices have.
As far as value for your price-The unit does have a great bass response that many cheaper speakers lack, but it falls behind in audio clarity and range of volume that cheaper ones have.
TLDR-Buy a Beats Pill on Black Friday for 150 from Best Buy
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
November 21, 2013
I completely disagree. For speakers in this price and size category, the SoundLink Mini is second to none and will fully outperform the drastically overpriced Beats Pill in every way. The sound stage from the SoundLink Mini is more on par with more expensive $300 bluetooth speakers. I also have not experienced any audio lag with mine whether I am using my iPhone 5, iPad mini, or MacBook Pro.
+9points
10of 11voted this comment as helpful.
The PS4 is a graphical powerhouse, able to deliver massive game worlds with impressive clarity and detail. 8GB of RAM allows for serious multitasking potential, complementing the great apps and features that make up the PS4 experience.The PlayStation brand of consoles has an impressive history of delivering world-class exclusive games, and the trend is sure to continue with the PS4. The growing blockbuster catalog is backed by a library of free-to-play and indie games, giving you flexibility in how you pay and play.The PS4 also acts as a social hub, with several built-in features that take advantage of the social networks you're already using. The controller's Share button opens up a world of video sharing, with the option to stream your gameplay live or record it to edit and post later.PlayStation Vita owners will enjoy the connectivity that ties the two devices together, from Remote Play, which allows you to play your PS4 games on your Vita's screen over a local Wi-Fi network, to Cross-Buy, which allows you to purchase a game digitally only once and play it on both your PS4 and your Vita.All PS4 consoles will need a firmware update and must be connected to the Internet to complete the update. While your console will not always need to be connected to the Internet, a one-time connection is required for the update.Online multiplayer requires a paid PlayStation Plus membership. Some features require a broadband Internet connection; ISP fees apply.PS3 games, controllers and some accessories are not compatible with the PS4.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Same old thing!!!!
By Joey66
from Santa Rosa, Ca
I read that this system was going to be different, I have not found a big differance, except the $50 bucks I had to shell out to play on line!!! I know one of the big reasons for buying this system, free online game play NOPE!!!!. If that is your reason for going with PS4 rethink it you are required to pay to play now just like Xbox!!
Any way it works, no big deal. If you have a PS3 I do not see the point in getting this new system. I was hoping to be able to come home from work turn it on and play, NOPE!!! Same as PS3 20+ min of updates before you can play, every time since I got it on the 15th.
Any way it works, no big deal. If you have a PS3 I do not see the point in getting this new system. I was hoping to be able to come home from work turn it on and play, NOPE!!! Same as PS3 20+ min of updates before you can play, every time since I got it on the 15th.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
November 22, 2013
Daily updates are common for new consoles since their manufacturers and game developers are will working out all the kinks. This will change over time when Sony stops releasing so many updates and game developers get the hang of things. It's the same with the Xbox One now. It requires a massive day one update just like the PS4, it will receive sporadic system software updates (which, just like the PS4, don't take 30 minutes), and the patches coming out for PS4 games will need to be downloaded for the Xbox One.
I do agree that the update process on the PS3 was a nightmare whether I was updating the firmware or a game. However, that has really changed with the PS4. The most I had to sit through was a 20 minute update that came out yesterday for Call of Duty. All other updates have taken 1-3 minutes to download and install. Even the big PS4 day one system update took about 4 minutes to download and another 4 minutes to install.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Rock out to your favorite songs with these Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Studio Wireless 900-00198-01 headphones that feature a Beats Acoustic Engine and DSP software for enhanced clarity. ANC (Adaptive Noise Cancellation) allows you to focus on your tunes.
Overall1 out of 5
1 out of 5wireless performance is extremely disappointing
By heneys
I just picked up this wireless version of the studio's. The wireless connection constantly cuts off. That is the least of the issues. The volume is extremely low when connected wireless. I contact ed beats customer service. They informed me that there would be a significant difference in volume and sound quality. Going to return these for the wired version. Don't waste your money on the wireless version.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
January 2, 2014
I have a feeling they didn't turn the volume up on their source device. I have been using these for a solid week now without an issue. Now, I'm not saying that they posted a bogus review or anything. They could have very well received a lemon unit. That't the nature of using assembly lines to manufacture products. Most will come out fine but few will be problematic. It happens with $380 (not $400) headphones and even $120,000 cars. It doesn't matter, assembly lines lead to this type of product behavior.
I have used my headphones with my iPhone 5, 2012 15" MacBook Pro, and my 1G iPad mini (64GB). Performance has been the same across all devices and output volume depends on the source device. I've watched two movies (one on my MacBook Pro, the other on my iPad mini) and listened to 20 hours of audio through my iPhone 5. I can't complain at this point aside from the very high price.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Feel the music wash over you with these Beats Beats Tour 2.0 BT IN TR BLK in-ear headphones that feature an ultrafast speaker design and high-efficiency drivers for robust sound with minimal distortion.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5great
By jhat09
from Illinois
My husband loved these for Christmas. He can wear them in bed and they won't break compared to the ones with the band.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
January 21, 2014
The larger Beats headphones with a band won't break when you wear them in bed either. You don't put the headband back where your head hits the pillow. If you do, you're wearing them wrong. I have been wearing my 2013 Beats Studios to bed for weeks now and the headband hasn't broke. Then again, I'm not wearing them incorrectly.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Rock out to your favorite songs with these Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Studio Wireless 900-00198-01 headphones that feature a Beats Acoustic Engine and DSP software for enhanced clarity. ANC (Adaptive Noise Cancellation) allows you to focus on your tunes.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5Very disappointed
By Audiophile372
from New Jersey
I was so pumped to get these few days ago. I have a pair of beats studios from around 2 years ago. They still work but run on batteries and I wanted the bluetooth option. within the first 2 minutes of use i turned up the volume to about 85% and the left speaker distorts terribly with lows and both headphones distort the highs. i fooled around with the eq on my iPhone (thats what they were hooked up to) and got it the to be tolerable at best. So I figured maybe its the bluetooth. Not the case.The supplied cord gave me the same results. I brought the headphones back to best buy last night and they gave me a new pair. These are having the same problem. Im so bummed about these. I feel like I'm being picky but my 2 year old studios out perform these by a mile. I don't want to do it but these are going to have to go back. Buyer beware. If you are like I am and want to be "wow'd" by the sound of your music, these headphones these aren't for you.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
January 22, 2014
There's also no way in any scenario where the old Studio headphones outperform these. The sound is more balanced (they no longer sound like they're playing through a 1ft layer of mud); the highs were finally given the same attention as the lows. It seems like you enjoy thumping bass and nothing more. That's fine but most people want a balance soundstage, not a muddy experience where the kick drum of a song will overpower everything else.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Rock out to your favorite songs with these Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Studio Wireless 900-00198-01 headphones that feature a Beats Acoustic Engine and DSP software for enhanced clarity. ANC (Adaptive Noise Cancellation) allows you to focus on your tunes.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Wouldn't Purchase.
By Cu57
The Beats Studio Wireless are a decent product. I personally loved them. I thought they looked great, sounded great, and felt great when I tried them on in store. I got them and was eager to listen. I charged them for a few hours and the sound quality was great. Not having a cord was a lot more comfortable. Later that day I tried to use them again. Only to find that the Batteree was dead. I charged them overnight but they wouldn't turn back on. I charged them the rest of the day and they still refused to turn on. They are definitely overpriced for what you get. I payed for top quality and got a broken piece of equipment instead. Other them the fact that they didn't work they were nice. But definitely not worth the whopping $400. Definitely have mixed feelings on this product.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
January 22, 2014
The Studio headphones come off of an assembly line like every other electronics device. Due to the nature of assembly lines, some units are bound to be lemons. It doesn't matter if you're buying a $380 pair of headphones or a $200,000 car, some will be lemons and not work right out of the factor (or malfunction rather quickly). That's what warranties are for. You can either return the headphones to Best Buy for a new pair or contact Beats. Either option would have given you a working product.
Yes, it sucks to have to go through those options but that's the nature of purchasing products made using assembly lines. In this day and age, unless you want to spend $1.5M on a car and $1500 on a pair of wired basic headphones, it's impossible to avoid products made on assembly lines.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Learn more about the New WindowsToshiba Encore 2 8" Tablet: Store plenty of movies and music for your morning commute, or get work done easily with the Windows 8 operating system that provides laptop capabilities.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5Not so good
By Gadgeteer2
from Aiea, Hawaii
I bought this tablet because I wanted to try a Windows tablet, and it was inexpensive. I also wanted a small tablet that I could easily slip into a jacket pocket or a shoulder bag.
The Toshiba Encore was indeed inexpensive, small, light, and easy to carry.
But after trying to use it for four days (intensely), I ended up returning it.
Why?
1. Limited selection of apps
2. Often apps would not work properly without my having to tinker with them. Here's a good example: Windows for the tablet does not have a built-in battery gauge that shows percentage of power left. So I figure there must be a simple app that does this. There wasn't one. I found one that would do the job but only if I went to the vendor's website and downloaded a batch file which I had to run first so that the live tile would show percentage. And then that didn't always work. So to find out how much life was left in the battery, I would have to revert to the home screen and run the app again.
3. I have owned and used five tablet devices--two IOS, one Android, two Kindles--and four smart phones--three IOS, one Windows. None of them has had problems connecting with the wireless network where I work. The Toshiba Encore is the only device that has had trouble connecting to the network. More fiddling around required.
4. For all my iOS devices, I start up Apple TV or connect a cable to an adapter and I can output video to my large screen TV. At work, we can connect up to the giant monitor in the conference room. No way to get video output from the Toshiba.
5. On all the mobile devices I've owned, it's easy to enlarge the screen image, usually with a hand gesture, so I can more easily see the content. Not on the Toshiba.
6. With Windows I can get true multi-tasking (unlike IOS), but (this is my fault) I didn't think this through. On a 7-inch tablet, what would one do with multiple windows (even two split windows)? The content is too small to view much less work with efficiently. No real advantage here.
7. The battery would last maybe 5 hours with moderate use.
I ended up spending $125 more for a 32 GB iPad Mini and being MUCH happier with it.
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
November 3, 2014
I have a few comments:
2. Windows does have that option, you just have to swipe from the right side of the screen to the left and it will bring up the date, time, battery status icon, etc.
3. Then something is wrong with your network at work.
4. There are plenty of video output options for this device. You can buy any Miracast dongle and it will wireless receive video from this tablet without having to connect to a wi-fi network (a $50 accessory, half as much as an Apple TV). You can also use a USB video output cable, those normally run about $5-$10.
5. Pinch to zoom? Or are you talking about enlarging the icons? If so, you can't do that on iOS or Android either.
6. So you are faulting a tablet for having more features? This also isn't a 7" tablet.
7. You had something running in the background as this tablet usually gets over 10 hours on a single charge (or you were gaming a lot).
It sounds like you are holding Windows 8.1 against this tablet and didn't really want to give it a chance. There are options to do what you wanted but you ignored them or didn't know they were there.
+3points
3of 3voted this comment as helpful.
Listen to studio-quality recordings with these V-MODA Crossfade over-ear headphones. They have 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers that deliver crisp, detailed sound, and the customizable ear cup shields let you opt for a personal design. Enjoy comfortable all-day listening thanks to the ergonomic headband and Ergosoft foam cushions of these V-MODA Crossfade over-ear headphones.
Overall2 out of 5
2 out of 5great sound
By crasht3st
from nyc
the headphones are not comfortable and can not be worn for long periods of time without giving you constant ear pain..i contacted v-moda and the rep wanted to sell me XL Memory Cushions pads for 20.00 + 5.00 shipping. No thank you i just paid 300+tax i expect your product to be as comfortable as the bose Quiet Comfort headphone..
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
January 21, 2015
What's wrong with buying the XL earpads? V-Moda went with earpads that are standard size, same as the Bose QC and many other headphones. Some people with larger heads/ears need more space but the majority of people should be OK. The XL pads make these just as comfortable as the Bose QC25s while sounding much, much, much better.
Besides, the M-100s can easily be found for less than $300. I paid $245 for mine. It's pretty easy to look around if you do a little shopping. I paid a total of $269 for my M-100 headphones (new), XL earpads, and taxes. That's still less than the $299 Bose QC25 headphones which are never below $299 unless you buy them used.
0points
1of 2voted this comment as helpful.
ThisIsNot's Questions
ThisIsNot has not submitted any questions.
The SoundLink Color Portable Bluetooth speaker II was engineered to deliver bold sound wherever life takes you. From the pool to the park to the patio, its rugged, water-resistant design lets you enjoy the music you love in more places. Voice prompts make Bluetooth pairing easy. And up to 8 hours of listening per battery charge lets you keep your playlists playing.
what is the watts output
Bose doesn't list or advertise the wattage of their speakers and headphones, they don't focus on raw specs.
7 years ago
by
ThisIsNot
Your music says a lot about you. So do your headphones. Bose® FreeStyle™ earbuds have fresh designs to fit your style and deep, clear sound to make you love the music you love even more. The StayHear® ear tips provide a secure, comfortable fit.
With the Bose Freestyles lacking the hydrophobic cloth in the Bose Soundsport, what allows for the sweat and weather resistance in the Freestyles?
The FreeStyle earbuds have the same inner layer of thin hydrophobic cloth as the SoundSport earbuds. That's what I was told by multiple Bose representatives at different stores before purchasing my FreeStyle earbuds. Both earbuds are rated for the same water resistance so really, there is no point in spending the extra money to get the SoundSport earbuds unless you need a longer cable. Well, the cable built into the SoundSport earbuds is shorter but they come with an extension cable. You can buy this same extension cable from Bose if you really wanted to.
8 years, 9 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
Aux input playback
I have bought the Bose SoundLink Mini and it sounds amazing. It's really something to be marvelled at. I'm using it to listening music from my tablet via Bluetooth and I cannot ask for better combo.
Now what I want to do also is, use the Aux input to play some movies from my PC, and some have a 5.1 soundtrack. When I connect the cable I can only ear the 2 fronts channels, even though I have configured the system to play in stereo mode.
It's even possible to the Bose Mini to reproduce a 5.1 movie track? Or do I have to downmix from 5.1 to stereo? If so it's possible to do this on the fly with a certain player?
What I'm doing wrong? Does anyone has any suggestion?
Thanks in advance,
Lino
Now what I want to do also is, use the Aux input to play some movies from my PC, and some have a 5.1 soundtrack. When I connect the cable I can only ear the 2 fronts channels, even though I have configured the system to play in stereo mode.
It's even possible to the Bose Mini to reproduce a 5.1 movie track? Or do I have to downmix from 5.1 to stereo? If so it's possible to do this on the fly with a certain player?
What I'm doing wrong? Does anyone has any suggestion?
Thanks in advance,
Lino
The SoundLink Mini accepts up to stereo audio only. You can't send a 5.1 soundtrack over a 3.5mm connection (the Auxiliary input) anyway. Your sound card is sending only the two front stereo channels through that connection to the SoundLink Mini.
What you need to do is either select the stereo soundtrack of the movie (many modern movies lack this), set your sound card to stereo output so that it down mixes the audio, or use something like VLC to play the video back and have the software down mix the audio.
What you need to do is either select the stereo soundtrack of the movie (many modern movies lack this), set your sound card to stereo output so that it down mixes the audio, or use something like VLC to play the video back and have the software down mix the audio.
10 years, 3 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
No bluetooth on TV
I want sound by my chair from my Sony TV (large room) that does not have Bluetooth. Is there a way to connect so I can use the speaker for localized sound?
Yes. You would need a cable that goes from male RCA (red and white) connections to a male 3.5mm connection. You'll plug the RCA ends into the audio output from your TV and then the 3.5mm end into the input on the SoundLink Mini (it's on the right side). That being said, you will have to get up and hit the buttons on the SoundLink Mini to adjust the volume.
The SoundLink Mini was NOT designed to be a primary speaker for a TV. It is designed to be used with a mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet, with audio playing through Bluetooth. The 3.5mm input is for older portable devices that don't have Bluetooth (like an iPod classic).
The SoundLink Mini was NOT designed to be a primary speaker for a TV. It is designed to be used with a mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet, with audio playing through Bluetooth. The 3.5mm input is for older portable devices that don't have Bluetooth (like an iPod classic).
10 years, 3 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
What is the Hz range for this speaker?
Just comparing this speaker to some other bluetooth speakers, I realized this does not list the Hz range. Thanks!
Bose does not release the specs for their speakers or headphones so your guess is as good as anyone else's.
10 years, 3 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
Is there a solution for interruptions in sound when connected to iPod Touch?
Our Bose Soundlink Mini is two weeks old, using with an iPod Touch 4th gen-- great sound! However, we are experiencing frequent brief hiccups (tiny interruptions in continuous sound flow), whether using music stored on the iPod or streaming radio through different wifi broadband networks. This ruins the value of this speaker for us. Is there a fix? Would a newer iPod or iPad work any better?
It depends on how far away you are from the speaker. Bluetooth has a theoretical range of 30 ft but that's if it's a clear shot outdoors without anything between your iPod and the speaker. I also know that the 4G iPod touch's Bluetooth radio has a smaller range than my iPad mini and iPhone 5. A newer device may work better. I do recall getting some audio dropout in my car's Bluetooth system (aftermarket, I installed it) with my 4G iPod touch despite it sitting right next to the car's Bluetooth receiver. I don't experience Bluetooth dropout with my iPhone 5 in my car and it stays in my pocket. I haven't experienced audio dropout with my iPhone 5 or iPad mini and my SoundLink Mini system with normal use. I do when I go from my bathroom to living room but that's past the 30 ft mark and it goes through three walls.
10 years, 4 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
Is this product ever going to have speakerphone capabilities
If so when is this going to be available
No. The SoundLink Mini needs a microphone to be used as a speakerphone and Bose did not install one. They would have to release an updated SoundLink Mini with a built-in microphone in order to be used as a speakerphone.
10 years, 5 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
How many watts?
Bose does not advertise the wattage of their speakers or sound systems, that is something the company has never done. The SoundLink Mini can compete with the Big JamBox (it's maximum volume is about 75% of the Big JamBox) so it gets pretty loud. It's loud enough to actually push air in front of the speaker.
10 years, 5 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
Does it damage anything if you use it while it is on the charging dock?
Not at all. Just as with any modern electronic device with a built-in battery, you can use it while the device is charging. The dock is nothing more than a quick connection option for charging.
10 years, 8 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH
Bose® SoundLink® Mini Speaker: Enjoy full, robust sound anywhere you go with this speaker that features an ultracompact design for easy movement from room to room. Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly stream music and more from your compatible cell phone, audio player and more.
DC power plug: is it possible to be delivered with an EUROPEAN plug ?
DC power plug: is it possible to be delivered with an EUROPEAN plug ?
I am living in FRANCE (European country), and I would like to order the BOSE SOUNDLINK MINI from your Site.
Is it possible to include the FRENCH/EUROPEAN plug and Dc POWER (220 v)?
If it is possible, does this need to pay any additionnal cost ?
Best regards
I am living in FRANCE (European country), and I would like to order the BOSE SOUNDLINK MINI from your Site.
Is it possible to include the FRENCH/EUROPEAN plug and Dc POWER (220 v)?
If it is possible, does this need to pay any additionnal cost ?
Best regards
First, you need to see if Best Buy supports international shipping. Second, you don't need the DC power plug. It comes with an AC/DC charger that works with international power supplies. You will need the plug adapter to go from the U.S. AC prong to whatever prong shape that is used in France. That's it though, no converter is needed. Just a prong adapter. I'm sure Best Buy sells one but it won't do you any good if they don't ship internationally. Contact Best Buys customer support (this isn't it) and go from there.
10 years, 8 months ago
by
ThisIsNot
Cincinnati, OH