CraigB's stats
- Review count175
- Helpfulness votes2,730
- First reviewFebruary 11, 2013
- Last reviewJune 12, 2024
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.2
- Review comment count7
- Helpfulness votes6
- First review commentNovember 29, 2013
- Last review commentJanuary 31, 2017
- Featured review comments0
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- Answer count43
- Helpfulness votes53
- First answerMarch 24, 2015
- Last answerNovember 6, 2021
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Create custom lighting schemes with this Sengled Smart LED Starter kit. More than 16 million hues provide endless choices for every occasion, and a range of whites lets you mimic daylight or brighten your space. Compatible with most personal assistant programs, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, this Sengled light bulb integrates seamlessly with your smart lighting setup.
Customer Rating
5
Great value in color light bulbs
on November 14, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Competitively priced
No flicker even at lowest setting
Ramps gradually between settings
Includes bridge if you don’t have a smart hub
Compatible with Zigbee HA smart hubs like SmartThings
Quick response time
Tracks energy usage when using Sengled Hub
Has an option to be wireless or hardwired
Competitively priced
No flicker even at lowest setting
Ramps gradually between settings
Includes bridge if you don’t have a smart hub
Compatible with Zigbee HA smart hubs like SmartThings
Quick response time
Tracks energy usage when using Sengled Hub
Has an option to be wireless or hardwired
Cons
Using with third party hub limits some features
Sengled app is confusing
Sengled hub only allows 3 schedules
Included instructions are vague
Includes ethernet jack but setup defaults to Wi-Fi
Ranges is very short when using Sengled hub
Using with third party hub limits some features
Sengled app is confusing
Sengled hub only allows 3 schedules
Included instructions are vague
Includes ethernet jack but setup defaults to Wi-Fi
Ranges is very short when using Sengled hub
With smart bulbs becoming more commonplace, more manufacturers are adding color smart bulbs to their product line. The Sengled Element Color Plus 3-pack with hub is one of the latest offerings from Sengled. Although it includes Sengled’s own wireless bridge, the bulbs are compatible with several smart home hubs that support the Zigbee HA protocol.
The design of the bulbs looks just like a standard soft white bulb when off. They come already paired with the included hub although the instructions are very vague on this. It tells you to search for Sengled Element Home app and not much else. Sengled does have a YouTube channel with some very helpful videos. Options vary based on the smart home hub you use but, in the end, you sacrifice some features when adding them to your hub instead of the included one.
If you decide to use the included hub you will find you gain the ability to group the bulbs and control them as if they were one. You also gain the ability to monitor power usage and hours on for each bulb while restricting yourself to only 3 schedules a day. The included app feels a bit confusing and unrefined as well. Another downside is you lose integration with other smart hubs and only have integration with Google Assistant and Alexa. It isn’t hard to reconfigure the bulbs for either option so it might be best to first test using with the hub as they are set up from the factory and then try connecting them with your smart hub to see which has the features you value most. For anyone with an existing compatible smart hub you will most likely be better served skipping the Sengled hub. To pair with a new setup, a quick factory reset can be issued by turning your light switch off and on 10 times. The instructions don’t say this, but their YouTube channel does. Hopefully in the future Sengled will add more features to their apps for other smart platforms which would add further value to the product.
Regardless of how you choose to control them the overall behavior is the same. On and off controls are instant with no ramp or down in brightness. Once the command is issued the bulbs respond quickly. When changing brightness or color for bulbs that are already on the bulbs instead ramp to the different brightness or color. The different between methods feels less refined but still does the job just fine. Ideally a configurable ramp rate would be better as gradual ramp of brightness can give users the ability to create a more sophisticated lighting setup. Overall color reproduction is good but, just as any other colored bulb, darker colors are hard to produce with most color shades being from medium to bright. Some colors, such as turquoise, are harder to create and can sometimes appear white. Others, such as orange appear slightly off but still acceptable. More basic colors such as white, blue, red, and yellow come out looking very nice and distinct. The bulbs can be adjusted down to 1% brightness without any sense of flicker or buzz. Without measuring equipment, it is hard to verify but the 1% brightness seems a lot more like 10 or even 20% brightness which is still good. Overall dispersion of light is very even with no detectable hot spots and the feeling is very similar to the even glow of an incandescent bulb.
Sengled seems to have done a nice job with this kit. Long term reliability and support are hard to determine but if first impressions mean anything they have a bright future if they continue to improve. Although the hub and app are a little rough around the edges, the same could be said with even more mature smart products. Even with some interface oddities the overall product works reliably and there is something to be said about offering a kit that has more color bulbs and a hub for less than competitors without feeling distinctly cheap.. Combine that with compatibility with several other smart hub platforms and it becomes much easier to see the value in these bulbs. If you are in the market for some color changing light bulbs and are willing to give a lessor known company a chance to save some money the Sengled Element Color Plus bulbs can be a good fit.
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Ninja Foodi's TenderCrisp pressure cooker allows you to achieve all the quick cooking and tenderizing wonders that you love about pressure cookers. The Foodi's Crisping Lid allows you to air fry, bake/roast, and broil. That means you can give your tender, juicy pressure-cooked meals a golden, crispy finish. The secret is TenderCrisp Technology, which produces the perfect combination of heat, fan velocity, and air circulation to give your food even crisping from top to bottom.
Customer Rating
5
Versatile cooking appliance
on October 20, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Versatile options for cooking
Removable parts are dishwasher safe
Seamless transition between modes
Large capacity allows cooking whole chicken
Pressure cooker allows fast cooking
You can fast cook and then crisp
Automatic warm feature keeps food ready
Includes quick-tip book and cookbook
Versatile options for cooking
Removable parts are dishwasher safe
Seamless transition between modes
Large capacity allows cooking whole chicken
Pressure cooker allows fast cooking
You can fast cook and then crisp
Automatic warm feature keeps food ready
Includes quick-tip book and cookbook
Cons
Large size means finding storage space is difficult
Non removable lid is a bit awkward
Manual isn’t very comprehensive
Multiple mode create steep learning curve
Heavy
Large size means finding storage space is difficult
Non removable lid is a bit awkward
Manual isn’t very comprehensive
Multiple mode create steep learning curve
Heavy
With pressure cookers increasing in popularity it adds a challenge of finding space for another appliance in your kitchen. The Ninja Foodi attempts to simply your setup by combining several appliances into one, much like their Ninja Kitchen system.
The Ninja Foodi is a pressure cooker, air fryer, and slow cooker all in one which is very convenient because all three appliances already take up enough space. That said, combining three appliances into one creates one large appliance. This creates a challenge in storage as it is too wide and tall to place inside nearly any cabinet. If you want to buy a Foodi, expect to store it in the pantry. Because of the size and functionality the unit is quite heavy. If you have trouble moving heavy appliances you will need to plan accordingly.
With the traditional ease of use of Ninja products, it can seamlessly switch modes allowing you to pressure cook food and then air fry to crisp the outside without taking out the food or switching appliances. It comes with a removeable pressure cooker lid and a non-removable air fryer lid. The non-removable air flyer lid is a bit awkward as it sits there like a big wing even when pressure cooking. Although it is likely permanent because of the wiring required for the air fryer heating element, it would be nice if the creative minds at Ninja could find a way to make it removable on future generations. Often such quirks are present in first generations and it in no way affects the functionality of the device.
If you have owned other Ninja products you will find the operation similar with an LED screen and membrane buttons with large pictures depicting their purpose. With sealed membrane buttons you get a sleek look, with some tactile feedback in the click to know you pressed it. Since they are sealed cleanup is easy as well. The challenge of combining several appliances into one is keeping it simple. Ninja does a good job of simplifying things but expect a learning curve understanding the different options. A example of how Ninja tries to keep things simple is when opening the lid during air frying it automatically pauses to allow you to check the food. Once you close the lid again, the cooking continues without anything required on your part. Even with that simplification, combining several appliances into one creates a learning curve. Most of the complication is in the usage of the pressure cooker and how to safely operate it.
Once you begin to master the operation there is another step to getting the most out of your food. Usually times on recipes on the internet don’t match what the Foodi requires. For slow cooker operation the initial higher cooking phase is hotter than most recipes call for meaning the initial time is shorter. Pressure cooker times are also a little longer than most recipes. One thing that most probably don’t realize is with pressure cooking is that time is needed to build up pressure, time to cool down, and time to vent the pressure not shown in the cooking times. The actual cooking portion seems to be different then what recipes call for as well. It’s not unlike how microwave times vary. The longer you use it the better you get at adjusting recipe times to suit your Foodi. Cooking chicken is nice because the pressure cooker infuses any flavors deeper in the chicken. Switching to air frying at the end adds the crisp. Not all results are quite as good. Trying to make sliders takes some work as it seems to heat each slider differently causing some uneven cooking. Once you get it right, the payoff is the sliders have more flavor and are more juicy than cooking them on the stovetop. Lighter objects also take some work as the airflow of the air fry tends to cause lighter items to move into a single pile. Certain recipes call for you to periodically shake the basket to mix things up. With the short handles on the cooking basket you must instead use a spatula to mix. Most of the time it isn’t an issue but some more fragile foods it tends to break them up more. A nice touch is in most modes when you are done cooking there is an automatic keep warm function. This really comes in handy if you get distracted during cooking and don’t come back in time. It will finish the cycle and keep the food warm and ready to go when you return.
Overall the Ninja Foodi is a nice way to reduce the appliance footprint in your kitchen while adding tools. Once you master cooking in the Foodi you will enjoy the options, how fast you can cook, how much flavor the process adds, and how easy the cleanup is. The design and usage is distinctly Ninja. If you have other Ninja products and are happy with them the Foodi will go perfectly with your cooking appliances. If you are market for a pressure cooker, have a large space such as a pantry for storage, and appreciate reducing the total space used by your kitchen appliances the Ninja Foodi should serve you well.
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Discover incredible sound and playback from this Pioneer Elite 9.2-channel network A/V receiver. The unit supports 4K video and incredible multidimensional audio so that you can enjoy movies, TV shows and everyday media with a cinema-style experience. This Pioneer Elite 9.2-channel network A/V receiver works with Google Assistant to play on vocal command.
Customer Rating
5
Feature packed receiver
on October 17, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Offers with nearly every streaming service available
3 Zone capable
Sensitive IR for a receiver
Six HDMI inputs and two outputs
Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Can be controlled via app
App format is appealing
Can be controlled or control via 12v trigger
Compatible with the latest HDCP 2.2
4K60p with HDR10 passthrough
HDMI-ARC compatible
Supports Dolby Atmos
Bi-Amp capable
Auto calibrates via MCACC with included microphone
Offers with nearly every streaming service available
3 Zone capable
Sensitive IR for a receiver
Six HDMI inputs and two outputs
Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Can be controlled via app
App format is appealing
Can be controlled or control via 12v trigger
Compatible with the latest HDCP 2.2
4K60p with HDR10 passthrough
HDMI-ARC compatible
Supports Dolby Atmos
Bi-Amp capable
Auto calibrates via MCACC with included microphone
Cons
Complicated
Doesn’t include remote IR receiver
Instructions don’t tell you which Pioneer app to use
Instructions don’t tell you Remote App isn’t made by Pioneer
App can be confusing to use
Complicated
Doesn’t include remote IR receiver
Instructions don’t tell you which Pioneer app to use
Instructions don’t tell you Remote App isn’t made by Pioneer
App can be confusing to use
Pioneer has been a staple brand in home audio equipment for over 50 years. They have a proven track record of producing quality products that last a long time while offering a well-rounded feature set. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX303 is 9.2 channel network capable AV receiver with notable features including Dolby Atmos, 3 Zones, 4K HDR10, integrated Wi-Fi, and Google Chromecast capability.
Having such a large feature set presents one challenge. Unless you install and configure audio equipment professionally, the large feature set has a learning curve. Anything more than a 7.2 setup will likely warrant time spent reading the user manual. This leads to another downside of the VSX-LX303. The manual is not included and you have to locate it via their website to download. Unlike some other receivers in this category, there is no app that assist with guiding you through your setup. Fortunately, changes are infrequent and once everything is setup things improve as you could probably get away with leaving settings on auto. A remote is included and IR sensitivity is above average for AV receivers, but after trying out the app the remote might stay in a drawer. Nowhere does it say on the box or instructions but the Pioneer Remote App is actually not made by Pioneer but rather a third party. The app provides a more intuitive way to control the receiver with descriptions of advanced features and buttons that change based on the labels assigned. Even though it could still use work on organization, the app is still more intuitive than the remote and it works even if the receiver is closed in a cabinet. You can incorporate remote IR control via an IR input jack on the back, but strangely the remote IR receiver is not included in the price. If you decide to incorporate a remote IR receiver into your setup it must be separately powered which adds to the cost. By the time you pay for a self-powered IR receiver you are more than half way to the cost of a full featured smart controller which offers far more features. Beyond IR and app control the VSX-LX303 also offers HDMI-CEC control. The only option given in the system menu is if you want it on or off.
For those who have had more than one receiver such quirks come as no surprise as it seems each brand contains some proprietary controls or standard options with certain changes. Thankfully such quirks are limited in the VSX-LX303. Once you get past customizing the options to your liking, the best thing you can do to optimize your sounds is to calibrate the receiver using an option called MCACC. A similar feature is in other receivers under a different name but it boils down to plugging in the included microphone which launches a speaker calibration tool. You place the microphone at up to three of your primary listening locations, tell it your speaker configuration, and run the calibration. The receiver will play various sounds over the speakers to measure distance and speaker range. After you are done the level, delay, and crossover is automatically set to create the best sound based on your primary listening location and your exact speakers and subs. This calibration has become very common on higher end stereos but one difference from others is how thorough the calibration is. Most brands play a short series of sounds to calibrate. This receiver goes through a broad range of different tones as if it is trying to more thoroughly determine the exact capabilities of your setup. Although very subjective, the process did seem better as no tweaks were needed to levels or EQ after calibration.
If you are the type who likes to tweak every setting, you will likely find VSX-LX303 sits in the middle of the pack as far as options. The remote offers some predefined sound modes to suite you the type of music so if you want to try them out they are exclusive to the IR remote. Within the app the adjustments are limited to Direct, Auto, and a few other options such as Stereo and Surround. You can adjust each speaker level manually, change treble and bass, phase control, or adjust a 9 band EQ. You can save your EQ settings but unfortunately you can’t save different EQ profiles but rather just one. Hopefully a future update will allow multiple EQ profiles as that could really appeal to those who like to change the EQ based on the type of music. For others, the calibration should do a very nice job of setting EQ as the best place based on the setup to reproduce the original sound as faithfully as possible so later adjustments will be unnecessary.
Overall it might sound like the VSX-LX303 is a mixed bag but it really isn’t. For power users who love to tweak every last feature there might be better options and that is why the quirks are provided. For everyone else who wants to set it and forget it this receiver does a very nice job and optimizing your listening experience for your setup regardless of content. Where it shines is in the sheer number of formats, connections, and streaming services it supports. It supports so many it’s just not practical to list here.
The other area where the VSX-LX303 really shines is in stability. Where certain brands tend to get extremely hot, distort, lock up, or corrupt the HDMI passthrough signal regularly requiring restarts this receiver just keeps on working without complaint. With a probe sitting on of the receiver with a properly vented cabinet with proper air gap, casual music listening with a large speaker system produced no significant difference in heat above the ambient room temps. Spirited listening at higher levels were still very good with a rise in temps directly above the receiver of just over 30 degrees above ambient with a max temperature of 112 degrees Fahrenheit. That might sound like a lot to some but for stereo equipment that is quite good, particularly in a home built enclosure. That should equate to a long, stable life as well as clean, undistorted sound. Without specialized tools to measure it’s hard to say but by the ear this unit after two weeks of use has produced excellent, distortion free sound while being used for 6-10 hours each day. That can’t be said of all brands.
The other area where the VSX-LX303 really shines is in stability. Where certain brands tend to get extremely hot, distort, lock up, or corrupt the HDMI passthrough signal regularly requiring restarts this receiver just keeps on working without complaint. With a probe sitting on of the receiver with a properly vented cabinet with proper air gap, casual music listening with a large speaker system produced no significant difference in heat above the ambient room temps. Spirited listening at higher levels were still very good with a rise in temps directly above the receiver of just over 30 degrees above ambient with a max temperature of 112 degrees Fahrenheit. That might sound like a lot to some but for stereo equipment that is quite good, particularly in a home built enclosure. That should equate to a long, stable life as well as clean, undistorted sound. Without specialized tools to measure it’s hard to say but by the ear this unit after two weeks of use has produced excellent, distortion free sound while being used for 6-10 hours each day. That can’t be said of all brands.
Overall, the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX303 is a strong offering if a little dated with the somewhat old fashioned style setup ,manual, and complications but once it is set up there is little need to mess with it. This seems like Pioneer’s goal with this unit was to keep adjustment options modest and focus on a balanced setup that needs little adjustment. If you’ve been a Pioneer fan for years you can still see the DNA of Pioneer from 30 years ago wrapped in a more modern setup. In some ways it brings back memories of the days when all receiver options where changed via the screen directly on the unit with Pioneer’s signature gold toned LCD display on the front. Although subjective, the appearance of the display gives a richer, warmer feeling to the experience than others. If you’re in the market for a AV receiver with a full feature set, particularly if you need modern streaming support and the latest movie formats then the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX303 should be on your short list.
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Discern crisp movie dialogue with this Klipsch Reference Premiere center channel speaker. Four 4-inch Cerametallic cone woofers deliver distortion-free low-frequency details, and the 1-inch Linear Travel Suspension diaphragm tweeter reproduces clear vocal nuances. The Tractrix technology of this 125W Klipsch Reference Premiere center channel speaker ensures a natural frequency response.
Customer Rating
5
Stop struggling to hear dialog in your movies
on October 12, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Copper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
Wide range from 59Hz to 25kHz
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without
Dialog is no longer drowned out in movies
Includes cleaning cloth
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Copper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
Wide range from 59Hz to 25kHz
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without
Dialog is no longer drowned out in movies
Includes cleaning cloth
Cons
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Included rubberized feet are easy to lose in package
Large size can be a challenge for placement
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Included rubberized feet are easy to lose in package
Large size can be a challenge for placement
Klipsch has long been known as a company that produces great sound for good price while keeping an emphasis on appearance, so you are proud to have these in your room. The Klipsch RP-404C is the latest iteration of the Reference Series which has already proven in previous reviews to be a great line of speakers.
If you are looking to improve your movie experience with a solid center channel the RP-404C can fit the bill. Previous generations included the copper driver which create a look of sophistication when the grill is removed but the latest generation includes an extra thin copper accent line. It might not sound like much, but it really improves the overall appearance. More notable is the change from the old black vinyl appearance to the new Piano Black finish. In pictures you might think it cheapens the appearance, but you really must see them in person to appreciate. The best way to think of the look is to imagine when you have seen a gloss black grand piano or any other musical instrument with that deep, dark, highly polished finish. In person you see a quality finish that adds a bit of elegance to your setup. Just keep in mind there is one downside to having that very glossy finish. Scratches, dust, or fingerprints show up easily but with proper care the look can make the difference between your room looking like it’s filled with plastic boxes or high-quality enthusiast equipment. For enthusiasts they can become a piece of furniture you will love to look at. If for some reason you need to cover up the drivers, you can always opt to leave on the included grills which hold on with magnets. With magnets there is no need to worry about damage fragile pegs and when removed it leaves a completely clean finish on the front of the speaker.
Appearance means nothing if it isn’t backed up with great sound. Audiophiles might have their favorites but it’s hard to deny that Klipsch speakers create great sound. Of course you can use this to enhance your music but where it really shines is in movies. As the central focal point of your home theater setup it means you can hear dialog much clearer. No need to turn the volume up to uncomfortable levels to hear what is said when someone is whispering. Even better is when there are background sounds or loud music you can still hear the small nuances such as small waves breaking at a shoreline or people speaking in a loud room. After switching to this speaker you will realize how much you have been missing in movies as well as how unnecessarily loud you had it turned up just to understand what was going on. It even gives more depth to actors because you can hear more detail in their voices making it feel more realistic.
Stop turning up the volume up and starting hearing. If you are looking for a more immersive experience with your movies the Klipsch RP-404C warrants serious consideration.
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Feel incredible movie sound effects with this Klipsch Reference Premiere tower speaker. Dual 8-inch Cerametallic cone woofers and a 1-inch Tractrix horn-loaded titanium tweeter provide a frequency range of 32hz - 25kHz for realistic sound reproduction. Reconfigure your home theater audio via a bi-amping or bi-wiring arrangement with this 150W Klipsch Reference Premiere tower speaker.
Customer Rating
5
Add depth to your music and movie experience
on October 12, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Copper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Bi-Wire/Bi-Amp capable for improved sound
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
Wide range from 32Hz to 25kHz
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without harshness
Integrated metal feet provide stable footing
Integrated metal feet have rubber base to prevent vibrations
Cleaning cloth included
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Copper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Bi-Wire/Bi-Amp capable for improved sound
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
Wide range from 32Hz to 25kHz
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without harshness
Integrated metal feet provide stable footing
Integrated metal feet have rubber base to prevent vibrations
Cleaning cloth included
Cons
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Klipsch has long been known as a company that produces great sound for good price while keeping an emphasis on appearance, so you are proud to have these in your room. The Klipsch RP-8000F is the latest iteration of the Reference Series which has already proven in previous reviews to be a great line of speakers.
Regardless of whether you want front stereo sound or need to complete a surround sound setup the RP-8000F can fit the bill. Previous generations included the copper driver which create a look of sophistication when the grill is removed but the latest generation includes an extra thin copper accent line. It might not sound like much, but it really improves the overall appearance. More notable is the change from the old black vinyl appearance to the new Piano Black finish. In pictures you might think it cheapens the appearance, but you really must see them in person to appreciate. The best way to think of the look is to imagine when you have seen a gloss black grand piano or any other musical instrument with that deep, dark, highly polished finish. In person you see a quality finish that adds a bit of elegance to your setup. Just keep in mind there is one downside to having that very glossy finish. Scratches, dust, or fingerprints show up easily but with proper care the look can make the difference between your room looking like it’s filled with plastic towers or high-quality enthusiast equipment. For enthusiasts they can become a piece of furniture you will love to look at. If for some reason you need to cover up the drivers, you can always opt to leave on the included grills which hold on with magnets. With magnets there is no need to worry about damaging fragile pegs and when removed it leaves a completely clean finish on the front of the speaker. With the integrated, sleek metal feet with rubberized base, the towers are isolated from the ground and prevent unwanted sounds and vibration.
Most will be completely content with a single wire setup, but for those who must have the best you can opt to bi-wire or even bi-amp. By default, both pairs come connected by a heavy bus bar which is easily removed. The binding posts accept up to 12-gauge bare wire or banana plugs.
Appearance means nothing if it isn’t backed up with great sound. Audiophiles might have their favorites but it’s hard to deny that Klipsch speakers create great sound. The tone is distinctly Klipsch being slightly bright without being unpleasant. With a good quality recording you can hear subtle sounds like the artist taking in a deep breath during a lull in the music or the subtle sounds of a pick running against a guitar string. You may find some of your favorite songs actually have more detail than you believed. You can appreciate a Soprano with perfect pitch without the pain and harshness produced by some speakers. Low notes of a Bass are faithfully produced with no hint of distortion. Combine them with a good quality recording and feel as if you are watching a live performance.
When used as part of a home theater setup you can hear the deeper sounds from the action while allowing the subwoofer to handle the hard hitting bass. When used as the front left and right channels of a surround sound system, the full range allows better positional audio for a more immersive movie watching experience. Dialog is equally enhanced allowing to understand what is being said without the need to turn the volume up unnecessarily.
If you are looking for an upgrade to your music and movie experience, the Klipsch RP-8000F warrants serious consideration.
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Enter a new world of sound with this Klipsch Reference Premier Atmos surround speaker. The high-performance 1-inch tweeter features a vented design and hybrid Tractrix horn for clean, natural sound, while the 5.25-inch woofer features a spun copper cerametallic cone for detailed bass. This Klipsch Reference Premier Atmos surround speaker delivers immersive, cinematic audio with Dolby Atmos Elevation effects.
Customer Rating
5
Add another dimension of sound to your movies
on October 12, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Cooper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without
Selectable Atmos and Surround mode
Can be ceiling fired to mounted on walls
Dolby Atmos certified elevation speakers
More useful than 3D video
Includes cleaning cloth
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Cooper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without
Selectable Atmos and Surround mode
Can be ceiling fired to mounted on walls
Dolby Atmos certified elevation speakers
More useful than 3D video
Includes cleaning cloth
Cons
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Included rubberized feet are easy to lose in package
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Included rubberized feet are easy to lose in package
Klipsch has long been known as a company that produces great sound for good price while keeping an emphasis on appearance, so you are proud to have these in your room. The Klipsch RP-500SA is the latest iteration of the Reference Series which has already proven in previous reviews to be a great line of speakers.
If you are looking to improve your movie experience with height the RP-500SA can fit the bill. Previous generations included the copper driver which create a look of sophistication when the grill is removed but the latest generation includes an extra thin copper accent line. It might not sound like much, but it really improves the overall appearance. More notable is the change from the old black vinyl appearance to the new Piano Black finish. In pictures you might think it cheapens the appearance, but you really must see them in person to appreciate. The best way to think of the look is to imagine when you have seen a gloss black grand piano or any other musical instrument with that deep, dark, highly polished finish. In person you see a quality finish that adds a bit of elegance to your setup. Just keep in mind there is one downside to having that very glossy finish. Scratches, dust, or fingerprints show up easily but with proper care the look can make the difference between your room looking like it’s filled with plastic boxes or high-quality enthusiast equipment. For enthusiasts they can become a piece of furniture you will love to look at. If for some reason you need to cover up the drivers, you can always opt to leave on the included grills which hold on with magnets. With magnets there is no need to worry about damaging fragile pegs and when removed it leaves a completely clean finish on the front of the speaker. Mounting options include laying flat as ceiling firing Atmos speakers for elevation or as well mount speakers. A switch on the back changes the speaker mode from Atmos to surround. Range isn’t specified except that they are Dolby Atmos elevation speaker certified. As dedicated Atmos speakers, you can add them to your existing surround sound system to add height if you have a receiver which supports Atmos. If you plan on having them ceiling fired just be sure you have a flat ceiling or it won’t work.
Appearance means nothing if it isn’t backed up with great sound. Since the RP-500SA are intended as more of a supplemental role, regardless of mode, it isn’t quite as easy for everyone to recognize them at work at first. When you watch a movie which has Dolby Atmos you will notice at certain scenes it will seem as if sounds come from places in the room where there isn’t a speaker. Although more subtle than the bank of ceiling speakers in an Atmos enabled movie theater you can notice during scenes with fireworks they seem to explode in places that seem impossible, like above you. When a helicopter is flying across the scene you can hear it start at one speaker and transition to another as if it flying above you.
If you have an Atmos capable received and want to add another dimension to your movie viewing experience, the Klipsch RP-500SA warrants serious consideration.
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Enjoy your favorite music with this Klipsch Reference Premiere speakers. Their vented tweeter design provides enhanced detail and clarity for vocals, and the 6.5-inch Cerametallic cone woofer creates punchy low frequencies with minimal distortion. These Klipsch Reference Premiere speakers have a compressed molded silicon face for a smooth frequency response and natural-sounding audio.
Customer Rating
5
Add surround sound in style
on October 12, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Copper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Bi-Wire/Bi-Amp capable for improved sound
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
Wide range from 45Hz to 25kHz
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without harshness
Includes cleaning cloth
Piano black gives elegant appearance
Copper driver and ring create a sophisticated look
Bi-Wire/Bi-Amp capable for improved sound
Grill cover holds on with magnets instead of pegs
Retaining magnets have felt to protect finish
Wide range from 45Hz to 25kHz
MDF enclosure snubs any hint of vibration or distortion
High sensitivity doesn’t require much power
Warm, slightly bright tone without harshness
Includes cleaning cloth
Cons
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Included rubberized feet are easy to lose in package
Not really bookshelf speakers
Finish shows scratches, dust, and fingerprints easily
Included rubberized feet are easy to lose in package
Not really bookshelf speakers
Klipsch has long been known as a company that produces great sound for good price while keeping an emphasis on appearance, so you are proud to have these in your room. The Klipsch RP-600M is the latest iteration of the Reference Series which has already proven in previous reviews to be a great line of speakers.
Regardless of whether you want stereo sound from all corners of the room or need to complete a surround sound setup the RP-600M can fit the bill. Previous generations included the copper driver which create a look of sophistication when the grill is removed but the latest generation includes an extra thin copper accent line. It might not sound like much, but it really improves the overall appearance. More notable is the change from the old black vinyl appearance to the new Piano Black finish. In pictures you might think it cheapens the appearance, but you really must see them in person to appreciate. The best way to think of the look is to imagine when you have seen a gloss black grand piano or any other musical instrument with that deep, dark, highly polished finish. In person you see a quality finish that adds a bit of elegance to your setup. Just keep in mind there is one downside to having that very glossy finish. Scratches, dust, or fingerprints show up easily but with proper care the look can make the difference between your room looking like it’s filled with plastic boxes or high-quality enthusiast equipment. For enthusiasts they can become a piece of furniture you will love to look at. If for some reason you need to cover up the drivers, you can always opt to leave on the included grills which hold on with magnets. With magnets there is no need to worry about damaging fragile pegs and when removed it leaves a completely clean finish on the front of the speaker.
Most will be completely content with a single wire setup, but for those who must have the best you can opt to bi-wire or even bi-amp. By default, both pairs come connected by a heavy bus bar which is easily removed. The binding posts accept up to 12-gauge bare wire or banana plugs.
Appearance means nothing if it isn’t backed up with great sound. Audiophiles might have their favorites but it’s hard to deny that Klipsch speakers create great sound. The tone is distinctly Klipsch being slightly bright without being unpleasant. You can appreciate a Soprano with perfect pitch without the pain and harshness produced by some speakers. Low notes of a Bass are faithfully produced with no hint of distortion. Combine them with a good quality recording and feel as if you are watching a live performance.
If you are using these as part of a home theater setup it means you can hear the deeper sounds from behind that small surrounds just can’t produce. Those tiny rear speakers you see on some audio kits might seem like a nice idea but if you ever try these you will see the small surrounds lose a lot of the depth of the movie. Add these to your surround sound setup and you won’t want to go back.
If you are looking for a more immersive experience with your music and movies the Klipsch RP-600M warrant serious consideration.
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The R-115SW subwoofer is the perfect combination of power, sophisticated and heart-pounding bass. Packing a serious punch, the R-115SW will not only wake your neighbors, it'll piss them off. The way only Klipsch can.
Customer Rating
5
Add feeling to your movies and music
on October 11, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Tight bass control, very precise
122db max at 18Hz
Clutter free box means a clean look in your room
Copper colored driver can add some style to your room if you leave the cover off
Forward firing bass slot allows you to push it almost all the way to the wall
Integrated rubber feet keep it security on hard floors
MDF construction prevents unwanted sounds produced by cabinet
Tight bass control, very precise
122db max at 18Hz
Clutter free box means a clean look in your room
Copper colored driver can add some style to your room if you leave the cover off
Forward firing bass slot allows you to push it almost all the way to the wall
Integrated rubber feet keep it security on hard floors
MDF construction prevents unwanted sounds produced by cabinet
Cons
Limited built-in controls
Size can limit placement
Heavy
Limited built-in controls
Size can limit placement
Heavy
Usually when you hear Klipsch, you think of high-end consumer and possibly audiophile quality equipment. However, subwoofers are one area where Klipsch has been hit or miss in its product offering. The R-115SW sounds good on paper but the real question is how it performs in the real world.
From the moment you try to move the box you will notice this subwoofer wants to be taken seriously. Although considered light by some for a 15-inch subwoofer, it still weighs in a 74 pounds and can take up a fair bit of real estate in most rooms. The design is very understated with the grill installed. It just looks like a big black box with a barely noticeable slot on the bottom with a brushed black-polymer veneer. That front slot comes in handy as it allows you to install this giant box nearly all the way against the wall with no negative effects. Take off the front cover and you are presented with a copper colored driver allowing you to show off your new addition. On the box you have a toggle for power mode including on, auto, and standby. Also included are a low-pass dial, gain, R & L/FE plugs, phase toggle, and a plug for Klipsch’s WA-2 wireless kit. Beyond that, there is a discreet LED status lights at the top left on the front of the enclosure and no other adjustments. It’s a clean look but a departure from previous Reference series subs which had an LED display and adjustments. The R-115SW is more designed to be managed by your AVR than directly.
Although audiophiles know why you need a subwoofer so big, or even bigger, the average consumer might ask why would I ever need something so big? The simple answer is immersion. The size isn’t about maximum volume but accurate representation of the movie or music. The lowest rated frequency is 18Hz at 122db. This equates not to sounds you hear but rather sounds you feel. In action movies it means sounds of crashes and explosions make the floor shake you feel pressure as if you were there. During several movies with low background sounds it was able to pressurize a 34’x20’ room and give the sense you were there. Back in the audible range, the R-115SW can faithfully reproduce more of the nuances of bass instruments in live music. The output is very clean with no detectable distortion. With the right source music, you can close your eyes and it isn’t hard to imagine you are sitting a live performance. Smaller subs, and even some 15-inch subs, would struggle to produce such nuanced sound so faithfully. With the MDF enclosure, front firing bass reflex slot, and rubberized feet there is no hint of rattles or vibration.
It’s very hard to go into much depth without professional testing equipment, but if you get a chance to listen to the R-115SW in person you can appreciate how well it is designed and built. Professional review sites have done all the tests to measure it and show Klipsch did a excellent job on this one. If there was any real gripe to lodge against this sub, it would be that it hasn’t been updated with a Piano Black finish option like the Reference Premier line. When you factor the cost, particularly when it goes on sale, it becomes a compelling option to add to your home theater setup.
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Enhance the quality of your home theater or audio system with this Klipsch subwoofer kit. It adds to the capabilities of a WA port-equipped Klipsch subwoofer (not included) by extending the powerful bass anywhere you want for the best possible sound quality. This wireless Klipsch subwoofer kit is easy to set up thanks to its plug-and-play technology.
Customer Rating
3
Not Normal Klipsch Quality
on October 10, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Receiver mounts cleanly on support subs with special hangers
Allows you to place subwoofer where you want
Sender and receiver are factory paired
Receiver mounts cleanly on support subs with special hangers
Allows you to place subwoofer where you want
Sender and receiver are factory paired
Cons
Proprietary connection for receiver unit limits use
RCA Cable on sender feels cheap and doesn’t hold well
When connected subwoofer emits random rumbling sounds
When connected subwoofer doesn’t seem to enter standby
Seems to reduce overall bass output
Proprietary connection for receiver unit limits use
RCA Cable on sender feels cheap and doesn’t hold well
When connected subwoofer emits random rumbling sounds
When connected subwoofer doesn’t seem to enter standby
Seems to reduce overall bass output
Although many people think you can place a subwoofer anywhere in room, audiophiles know better. Proper subwoofer placement, particularly for a single sub setup, is critical for maximizing the quality of sound emitted. When placed poorly you will have dead spots in the bass in the room and possibly even distortion. That is where the Klipsch WA-2 comes in.
The Klipsch WA-2 wireless subwoofer kit allows you to connect your supported Klipsch subwoofer to your receiver/amplifier wirelessly with little fuss while placing it exactly where you need. The concept sounds perfect, but unfortunately the execution leaves a little to be desired.
The kit is very easy to install. The receiver has one proprietary plug that connects to a support Klipsch subwoofer and the unit hands off two posts available on the back of the sub. The sender is more universal with a standard power adapter and L/R RCA cable. The sender and receiver come paired from the factory but also offer sync button as well as sync status light. The first bit of confusion is when connecting the sender to a receiver. The instructions say if you have receiver has an L/FE or single output then you connect that line with a single plug, on the supplied cable, to the L/FE plug on the receiver. The problem is the sender has no L/FE plug. It only has a left and right. The only way to determine the correct connection is to either guess or look carefully at where the diagram indicates you plug it in. Although not critical and relatively easy to figure out it is odd for Klipsch to make such an error.
What is more important is performance. To start, the included RCA cable is extremely cheap feeling. It holds onto the port with 4 very weak wings normally found on budget RCA cables. This causes the cable to never really have a firm connection introducing noise at random. If you connect it to the receiver and push the unit back into a cabinet, you can easily dislodge it just enough to introduce a low buzz. To make matters worse, something about the connection either in the wireless signal or the cheap cable causes the subwoofer to randomly thump and rumble randomly. The level is very low making you think it might be coming from outside or somewhere else. Upon closer inspection you will find it is in fact coming from the subwoofer. Using a good quality direct connection product produces no such thumps and rumbles. Another downside is it seems to reduce the overall bass of the subwoofer. With a hardwired setup connected to a Klipsch R-115S a setting of -6.5db is optimal and produces clean, noise free bass. With the WA-2 kit, the same subwoofer needs to be set to 0.0db an still seems to not have the same pressure in low frequency scenes.
While the idea of the WA-2 wireless subwoofer kit is a good one the implementation needs some refinement. For now, you are better of sticking with a hardwired setup or a different wireless kit. If you must use the WA-2, then at the very least a change of the RCA cable is recommended. Hopefully future generations of the product will fix the shortfalls as good wireless sub kits are hard to find.
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No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Jam as you work out with these JLab Audio Epic Air wireless earbuds. Their 8mm drivers produce high-quality sound, and the built-in microphone lets you take calls hands-free and access Google Assistant or Siri. These IP55-rated JLab Audio Epic Air wireless earbuds have a six-hour battery life, and their included charging case adds 32 hours of playback.
Customer Rating
4
Solid hardware needing firmware update
on September 20, 2018
Posted by: CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Light design is hardly noticeable
Around ear design holds firmly
Selectable audio passthrough for safety
Good sound for the price point
Large driver produces a lot of bass
Capacitive touch controls will likely last longer
Configurable left or right master to improve signal
Sleek design is very low profile on the ear
Voice feedback for connection and battery
Case can charge your phone
Case includes integrated USB cable
Three built-in EQ options
Light design is hardly noticeable
Around ear design holds firmly
Selectable audio passthrough for safety
Good sound for the price point
Large driver produces a lot of bass
Capacitive touch controls will likely last longer
Configurable left or right master to improve signal
Sleek design is very low profile on the ear
Voice feedback for connection and battery
Case can charge your phone
Case includes integrated USB cable
Three built-in EQ options
Cons
Earbuds are placed in case backwards
Signal dropout if happen to place your phone on opposite side of master
App for configuration not in app store
Burn in file points to bad link
Burn In App just points to a bad SoundCloud link and doesn’t offer burn-in
Capacity touch controls often don’t work or perform wrong command
Volume controls are clumsy and often don’t work
Volume controls don’t match phone meaning you have two places to change
Electronic hear through design distorts noises and doesn’t transmit vehicle noises
Sound is a little flat
Audio quality during phone calls causes ear fatigue
Only IP55 rated
Adjusting headphones can accidentally change settings
Moisture can affect ability to operate controls
Earbuds are placed in case backwards
Signal dropout if happen to place your phone on opposite side of master
App for configuration not in app store
Burn in file points to bad link
Burn In App just points to a bad SoundCloud link and doesn’t offer burn-in
Capacity touch controls often don’t work or perform wrong command
Volume controls are clumsy and often don’t work
Volume controls don’t match phone meaning you have two places to change
Electronic hear through design distorts noises and doesn’t transmit vehicle noises
Sound is a little flat
Audio quality during phone calls causes ear fatigue
Only IP55 rated
Adjusting headphones can accidentally change settings
Moisture can affect ability to operate controls
The JLAB Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sport Earbuds with its comically long name is a pair of headphones which tries to provide as much functionality as its name is long. Among the claims are great battery life, solid connection, secure fit, and great sound.
To start, battery life is stated as 6 hours on a charge with an additional 30 hours with included battery charging case. It’s doubtful most people would use them for a full 6 hours and for everyone else, storing them in the including charging case means you are unlikely to run out of power unless you forget to charge the base. This shouldn’t be an issue as the base also includes an integrated battery level meter. The charging base has a large enough battery that if needed you can charge up your phone as needed which is a thoughtful and potentially useful feature. The base also includes an integrated storage for the USB to Micro-USB cable to charge up your phone. Unfortunately if you have a modern phone with either USB-C or a lightning port you will need either an adapter or separate cable. If JLAB could find a way to have a compact adapter in the case this package would be even more useful. Although minor, one design element seems rather odd about the case. If you open the case the normal way then the left earbud is on the right of the case and the right is on the left. It doesn’t take long to adapt but a simple 180 degree change of placement of the hinge for the lid would have made the placement more immediately intuitive.
JLAB claims that, while other brands have an issue with signal dropouts due to cross body interference, they have a unique way to keep the signal strong is a configurable master earbud setup. You can set either the right or left earbud as the master to communicate with your phone, depending on which side you carry your phone to maximize signal strength. While some other brands are able to keep a strong, reliable signal regardless of phone placement on your body the Epic Air Elite headphones have proven to be very sensitive to placement. If you place phone on the opposite of your body as the master earbud you will likely experiences dropouts and skips. If you are the type of person who likes to change what pocket they hold their phone depending on the clothing it would be best to become very familiar with the process of configuring the master earbud. Although less convenient it works. Hopefully future generations will find a way to eliminate the need to do this to further simplify the design.
A seemingly nice touch is the controls no longer require trying to mash tiny buttons to control but instead use capacitive touch to gently control your music. However; at the time this review was written the capacitive touch controls where mediocre at best and useless at the worse. To start, if the earbuds or your hands or either overly wet or dry the controls don’t work. Even when they do work, taps are often registered incorrectly. An example is that to pause a track you tap the left earbud twice but you have to tap two times slowly or it won’t register and keep playing. If you also tap and slide it might register as a triple tap that turns on the ability to hear outside sounds. Ideally you want to tap a little slower but if you tap too slow then it could be registered as volume down twice. This could be potentially ok and considered part of the learning process but volume down is in small increments with no audible feedback. This means if you try pause and get your timing wrong you can be turning down slightly and have no idea. The place where this becomes the largest issue is volume control. To turn the volume up any meaningful amount you have to perform a series of low, slow taps over an extended period of time to make a significant adjustment. You then might be inclined to just use your phone to expedite the process only to find audio volume syncing also isn’t supported. This means that if for some reasons your headphones are at minimum volume setting your phone volume to max does little and your are left in the slow tap process for over a minute to get the volume up. This can be fixed via software so hopefully JLAB refines this process more in the future via firmware updates.
Controls aside, audio quality is quite good. The highs are a little weak giving a slightly flat sound but overall for the price point the quality is hard to beat. If you like bass, the large drivers seem to have no problems delivering. Included are three preset EQs which can be switched via taps to the earbud but if you have phone with it’s own EQ adjustments that would be the better way to go. That said, offering some preset EQs is still helpful for those who have no other option.
The design uses a semi rigid antenna that wraps around your ear to keep them in place. The design is very comfortable and very secure. Even during rapid head movements the earbuds might dislodge slightly but them never seem to fully come off which is nice. The earbuds are light and reasonably low profile and with the ear hook they can be held in place comfortably without requiring them to be mashed in your ears. They are rated IP55 “sweatproof” which means a splash of water won’t hurt them. It’s a bit of a surprise that with not buttons to seal the rating isn’t higher as some others have ratings up to IP67. That said, for most purposes they should be fine. The design also allows for them to block outside sounds or allow them through electronically by a triple tap on the left earbud while paused. The idea is great, but just like some other features it could really use a firmware update. Something like a dog collar is registered as a rather large, deep clank where a truck passing by is filtered out. If you are playing music, then no sounds are transferred. Hopefully future firmware updates will improve the algorithm to improve audio quality and maybe allow things like vehicle noises to always pass through for safety. Other electronic hear through earbuds are guilty of the same thing and it would be nice to see this added for all for safety of people walking and jogging next to roadways.
When it comes to software, this is where JLAB seems to have left things unfinished. A burn in process of 40 hours is recommended to condition the drivers to best quality sound. On Android, JLAB has a burn in tool which surprisingly doesn’t actually perform the burn-in. In fact, it asks you to provide your email address to show you an SoundCloud file with the burn-in audio. The problem is when you tap play it reports a bad link. Further down in the app you are prompted to install the iOS app to unlock all features. If you go even further down you will find an option to download an Android app, which again goes to a broken link. The instructions go further as to describe the name to type in and the icon to search for the Google Play store. The problem is in the Google Play Store the only JLAB is the audio burn in app which seems to be nothing more than an app of promotional information. Hopefully this is just because of internal delays and JLAB will get this fixed soon. That said, the headphones work ok without a separate burn-in or custom app. If you really prefer to burn them in there are third part apps available the Play Store to perform the same function.
Overall, the Epic Air Elite True Wireless Sport Earbuds are a solid pair of headphones with some quirks that, depending on your preference, might mean very little considering how much functionality they offer for a very reasonable price. If JLAB can make some further firmware refinements to controls and audio passthrough as well as fix their app situation these headphones could potentially make other more expensive true wireless headphones irrelevant. The hardware feels solid and if you think you can deal with the control oddities and love the overall feature set it’s really hard to find another product with so many features in a small package like this.
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I would recommend this to a friend!
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CraigB's Review Comments
Watch your favorite movies, TV shows and sporting events in crisp 1080p resolution with this Samsung UN65FH6001FXZA HDTV, which features Clear Motion Rate 240 to preserve picture detail during fast-action sequences.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5This is an awesome TV for the cost
By Korom
from Raleigh, NC
First, this is a fantastic monitor. If you have a receiver for your HDMI switching and watch TV with the sound through that receiver then this is the PERFECT TV for you. I use it with my Denon e300 receiver, all my HDMI inputs go into the receiver with one HDMI cable going to the TV. Minimal fuss and muss. The picture quality is truly incredible for a LCD TV, the blacks are very very good, almost as good as my Panasonic Plasma but its understandable that its not that good as LCD cannot show true black like a plasma can. I checked 3 bars for the sound quality but honestly I never used the internal speakers. I gave this 5 stars and would have given it 6 stars if I could have (on a 5 star scale) because the picture quality is just that good.
Bottom line: Fantastic TV for the price.
CraigB
Texas
An LED TV is a type of LCD TV
November 29, 2013
Folks. For those of you telling this reviewer that he is talking about the wrong TV because he calls it an LCD, it is an LCD. LED TV's are still LCD TV's. The difference is the backlight behind the LCD is LED's instead of CCFL(fluorescent). Both still have and LCD screen that you actually look at up front.
+2points
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Microsoft Band 2 (Large): Keep track of your health and fitness goals throughout the day by monitoring your heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality, hours slept and other helpful metrics. Just pair with your Windows Phone, Apple® iOS or Android device via Bluetooth to receive alerts at a glance.Discover how the technology of Microsoft Band 2 can assist you in a healthy, productive lifestyle. Learn more ›
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Best fitness tracker for the money
By CraigB
from Texas
When choosing high end fitness bands, my choices went back and forth between the Microsoft Band 2 and the Fitbit Surge. Fitbit has been in the business for fitness wearables for longer but I chose the Band 2 for what I felt was better value for my money. I purchased during a $50 off sale making it even more attractive and $50 less than the Surge. My main phone for this review is a Lumia 1520 with Windows 10 Mobile. I assume others will write reviews of the phone for other platforms and that is where this review starts. This fitness wearable is by far the most compatible. It supports iOS, Android, and Windows Phone/Mobile. Fitbit does as well but support for Windows Mobile is more limited. Comparing it to the Surge, it has more customizability, color screen, and a partially metal build. It feels more premium than the Surge. The metal does have 2 downsides. The first is that the finish used shows scratches extremely easily. See included picture. The second is that sweat and soap cause a foul smell very quickly requiring regular cleaning.
The Band 2 can be worn in two positions. The first is with the screen facing outwards like a watch. I tried this but it felt uncomfortable and viewing the screen was awkward particularly considering the screen doesn’t have a vertical view. This leads me to my preferred position which is with the screen facing inwards. It is much more natural to view and operate. It also feels more comfortable and is in fact the recommended way to wear the device. If there was any concern it is that wearing it inward the screen is always contacting surfaces when you lay your arms down. It uses gorilla glass but it still concerns me that I might scratch the screen. Every fitness wearable wasn’t completely comfortable to wear for one reason or another but this one starts to feel about like a watch after an adjustment period. Before you get the size right you might put it a place that binds you wrist or hits a nerve. I also learned it can get the heart rate just fine without tightening it down so far you hit nerves. Just like a watch it will take some fiddling to find your perfect tightness. Fortunately, the latching mechanism feels strong and has more adjustments than a tradition watch as well giving you more flexibility. Just make sure you use the sizing guide on the size of the box to choose the correct size. It shows wrists sizes with the wrist sideways.
Now the big question is how it works for tracking vitals. I haven’t worked with VO2 Max so I can’t comment on that but after getting the fit correct, the heart rate seems pretty close. Checking manual it was usually within about 10BPM or less from actual. Tracking steps seems a little different. It is difficult to verify but it seems to be a little high on the number of steps sometimes compared to my old hip worn pedometer. It just seems like I can reach 5,000 steps fairly easily. I am not a runner so I have not tested the GPS but I have read that some units have come from the factory with a bad GPS. What’s really nice is with all the vitals it gathers, more than just heart rate, it should be a fairly accurate color estimate. It has guided workouts you can add but I used the generic color tracking and added my own workout types to track. You can add things like HIT and weight training for your own purposes but it uses all the sensors to estimate the color burn instead of estimating based on the workout type. I feel this is more accurate but cannot verify. When you start workout mode, by default the screen stays on showing your workout time and heart rate. I suspect it is not as accurate as a chest band but it seems pretty good. After your workout is done you can see the entire workout on your phone or the website with your heart rate the entire time and your max marked. If there was any gripe it would be that you can’t have it vibrate when you hit your target or max heart rate. That would have been a great feature but, who knows. Maybe they will add it in the future. You can even use the website to compare your vitals to others in your height, weight, and age category. It’s all anonymous and very informative.
When not working out it still tracks your heart rate all the time but the other useful time to check is when you are sleeping. It can detect your sleep but if it gets it wrong you can only delete the time, not edit. You are better off starting your sleep tracking yourself. While sleeping, it will monitor you and in when you wake up you can see what your resting heart rate was overnight to get an even better picture of your health. It also has a smart alarm you can activate. If you want to wake up at a set time, just set the alarm and it will vibrate to wake you up. What I really like is if you activate the smart alarm and set it for 7:30am it will wake you up somewhere between 7:00am and 8:00am when you are most awake. That means you don’t wake up to an alarm feeling like you haven’t rested. You can even set the strength of the vibration.
Since this is a little bit of a smart watch you can add some apps. Since the phone doesn’t have any memory though, expect to only have them work when around your phone. It can control music on your phone and even use voice recognition with Cortana. I am running a prerelease build of the phone software so on occasion the connection dropped but it wasn’t hard to get back. I have found the notifications actually quite nice. I can leave the phone in one place in the house and still get notifications and respond to basic texts. I can also connect my phone to the stereo and change tracks and turn the volume up or down. It’s a standard feature for a smart watch but this is a fitness wearable and much cheaper than a smart watch. There are even some extra apps you can add and some third part utilizes to customize it further but if you want a smart watch more you might want to go that route. If you want a smart fitness tracker, this thing is hard to beat.
Pros
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Cons
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
CraigB
Texas
Additional Findings
January 9, 2016
I just wanted to add an extra observations to my original review.
For those of you who want to view the display outside in sunlight, it doesn't seem to get that bright. For me that is not a big deal because outside exercises are typically the type where I don't use real time tracking but if you are the type who needs to read the display in direct sunlight, you might find it difficult. I will be checking further and report back if I find anything because indoors it is so bright that I wonder if I have done something wrong in the setup. Even with this finding I still feel it is the best for the money.
Also, if you happen to swap between phones or get a new phone you will have to factor reset the band. I periodically switch phones and discovered this. The system is designed to easily replace your band while using the same phone but if you move the band to any phone, even one that was restored from a backup of your original you will have to factory reset the band and set it back up. Not a huge deal because little is actually stored on the phone.
One other huge bonus for Windows Phone/Mobile users. If for some reason you either forget or choose not to wear your band and have a Lumia that is capable you can use it to augment your Band. Sometimes for different reasons I don't want to wear my band and only need to track steps. If I just keep my Lumia 950 in my pocket, it will track my steps and add them to what the band couldn't track. That particular feature is one I really love. The only caveat to that is while it updates the steps on the app and portal, the extra steps from your phone don't get transferred back to your band. This means if you took 2,000 steps with your band and phone and an additional 5,000 with only your Lumia the app will report 7,000 steps total which is correct but your band will continue to report 2,000 steps. Minor quibble though for a great additional feature for Windows Phone fans.
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ecobee ecobee3 Programmable Touch-Screen Wi-Fi Thermostat: Maintain a comfortable home with this programmable thermostat, which is Apple® HomeKit-enabled, so you can control the temperature remotely using your compatible device. Home IQ helps you conserve energy.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5cant set custom temps..sensors are glitchy
By annaj
i was trying to get this thermostat to set 4 or 5 different temps automaticly per day. an ecobee tech couldnt help me get this done on my web portal account . the sensors dont read the occupancy after being in the room for hours like being in a bedroom all night when u wake up the sensor will read unoccupied or sitting in the living room all day the same thing will happen after a few hours. a regular programable thermostat would have been a better choice.
CraigB
Texas
Did you try IFTTT
February 7, 2016
I was just wondering if you have looked into IFTTT to set those custom automatic temps. I haven't tried your exact scenario but the Ecobee3 can be connected to an IFTTT account to extend it's functionality.
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Your household wants to play, stream and work online all at once. With this Linksys router, you can do it all without buffering or other interruptions. Use the Smart Wi-Fi app to get started, control, and monitor your home network from anywhere.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Solid router with good range and speed
By CraigB
from Texas
I am posting this review after about a week of use. If I find anything more significant after posting I will add it as a reply to my original post. Be sure to check there for additions.
I needed to upgrade my WiFi because the internet service in my area was about to be upgraded to exceed the capacity of my current wireless N solution. This router seems as if it was marketed towards moderate power users as well as people with less technical skills who need an upgrade. Packaging is minimal the same as most routers today. It comes with a CD for documentation but it is not used for setup. This is a good thing because as an AC router most people upgrading to this would have newer devices, few of which have an optical drive.
I needed to upgrade my WiFi because the internet service in my area was about to be upgraded to exceed the capacity of my current wireless N solution. This router seems as if it was marketed towards moderate power users as well as people with less technical skills who need an upgrade. Packaging is minimal the same as most routers today. It comes with a CD for documentation but it is not used for setup. This is a good thing because as an AC router most people upgrading to this would have newer devices, few of which have an optical drive.
For the non-technical
This is not very hard to set up. You plug power into the only spot it fits. There are three antennas that screw into very noticeable spots on the back. And the internet plug is clearly labeled. The instructions tell you what to do in a few steps to get the device to take care of the rest. It also has the wireless already set up if you are afraid to do it and even comes with a sticker with the information so you will know what the password is to get on the WiFi. It already has a guest WiFi too but there is a separate login so someone can’t just borrow your internet without you giving them the password. If you feel more comfortable there are apps for iPhones and Android phones to control the device. Speed and range are very good but if you can it is always recommended to install it as close to the center of your house and avoid metal. The router can pretty much take care of itself after that and it shouldn’t require any further work.
This is not very hard to set up. You plug power into the only spot it fits. There are three antennas that screw into very noticeable spots on the back. And the internet plug is clearly labeled. The instructions tell you what to do in a few steps to get the device to take care of the rest. It also has the wireless already set up if you are afraid to do it and even comes with a sticker with the information so you will know what the password is to get on the WiFi. It already has a guest WiFi too but there is a separate login so someone can’t just borrow your internet without you giving them the password. If you feel more comfortable there are apps for iPhones and Android phones to control the device. Speed and range are very good but if you can it is always recommended to install it as close to the center of your house and avoid metal. The router can pretty much take care of itself after that and it shouldn’t require any further work.
For the technical people
If you are looking for a device with tons of granular settings, this might not be the device. Of course the power users I am referring to would probably be better suited sticking with the WRT series. I doubt this device will ever see an aftermarket firmware. It attempts to have a clean interface but that means it will feel slower than a power user router for some settings changes as transitions and animations run their course. Setting changes that require a reboot happen nearly as fast as the fastest routers out there. Although the stock firmware attempts to look fancy and simple it still has a decent amount of settings for all but the most extreme power users. The antennas use a standard connection so if you wanted to upgrade to larger ones later that is possible. Hardwired speed has been very good. I’m just a casual gamer but this hasn’t slowed me down at all and I cannot tell the different hardwired from my old gaming router. Wireless speed is actually very good as well although I was never able to achieve the 1300Mbps link speed advertised even right next to the unit. I maxed out at 900Mbps and it is possible that is related to my AC devices. My old router would drop down to the 39Mpbs on the opposite side of my house whereas this one can maintain at least 177Mpbs and often more.
If you are looking for a device with tons of granular settings, this might not be the device. Of course the power users I am referring to would probably be better suited sticking with the WRT series. I doubt this device will ever see an aftermarket firmware. It attempts to have a clean interface but that means it will feel slower than a power user router for some settings changes as transitions and animations run their course. Setting changes that require a reboot happen nearly as fast as the fastest routers out there. Although the stock firmware attempts to look fancy and simple it still has a decent amount of settings for all but the most extreme power users. The antennas use a standard connection so if you wanted to upgrade to larger ones later that is possible. Hardwired speed has been very good. I’m just a casual gamer but this hasn’t slowed me down at all and I cannot tell the different hardwired from my old gaming router. Wireless speed is actually very good as well although I was never able to achieve the 1300Mbps link speed advertised even right next to the unit. I maxed out at 900Mbps and it is possible that is related to my AC devices. My old router would drop down to the 39Mpbs on the opposite side of my house whereas this one can maintain at least 177Mpbs and often more.
So far during my ownership the stability of this device has reminded me of the old Linksys routers how even the cheap ones never locked up. I’m hoping it stays this way. If you want to change settings, you can do so the standard way most technical people do via the IP address or it has a built in URL. Thankfully it doesn’t require some odd application for initial setup. Unlike standard routers, this one is cloud connected when you choose so meaning remote access is passed via the cloud. It does support some dynamic DNS options but they seem more to push you towards connection via their cloud. Fortunately, this is optional except if you want to take advantage of the built in USB ports and access files remotely. I don’t have a spare drive to test right now so unfortunately I could not test the NAS performance. It does have a very basic QoS which allows you to set up to 3 services or devices as high priority but that’s pretty much it. It has some newer options but then oddly has more old services, such as Real Player and Rhapsody.
Pros
Large, replaceable antennas
Great Range
Reliable
Gigabit Ports
Fast Processor
Status lights can be turned off
Decent amount of features for all but the heavy power users
Doesn’t require a special application for setup or CD
Has USB ports for attaching a hard drive
Offers automatic firmware upgrades to keep security up. Good for keeping non power users safe (Can be turned off)
Documentation is thorough if you need help. You just click help on the top bar
Major changes that require a restart are almost unnoticeable to users as it restarts fast
Has WiFi secured by default and requires a password to be configured during setup. This is good if you are buying one for family and just want it secure without needing to help them. It even has a handy sticker with device specific WiFi passwords so someone can’t just look up a default WiFi password for the unit and borrow internet.
Large, replaceable antennas
Great Range
Reliable
Gigabit Ports
Fast Processor
Status lights can be turned off
Decent amount of features for all but the heavy power users
Doesn’t require a special application for setup or CD
Has USB ports for attaching a hard drive
Offers automatic firmware upgrades to keep security up. Good for keeping non power users safe (Can be turned off)
Documentation is thorough if you need help. You just click help on the top bar
Major changes that require a restart are almost unnoticeable to users as it restarts fast
Has WiFi secured by default and requires a password to be configured during setup. This is good if you are buying one for family and just want it secure without needing to help them. It even has a handy sticker with device specific WiFi passwords so someone can’t just look up a default WiFi password for the unit and borrow internet.
Cons
Interface tries too hard to be attractive slowing it down with animations
Only supports 2 Dynamic DNS providers.
QoS settings seem to cater to power users but offer little customization
QoS rule changes require moving service or devices boxes around and the interface jumps quickly between sections. This often causes you to accidentally move something you didn’t intend to.
Included “Apps” are of limited usefulness and only work on iOS and Android which leaves out anything Windows (No Windows 10 Universal Apps) and no Mac. No configuring your router with touch, like via a Surface, using a Windows App.
Interface tries too hard to be attractive slowing it down with animations
Only supports 2 Dynamic DNS providers.
QoS settings seem to cater to power users but offer little customization
QoS rule changes require moving service or devices boxes around and the interface jumps quickly between sections. This often causes you to accidentally move something you didn’t intend to.
Included “Apps” are of limited usefulness and only work on iOS and Android which leaves out anything Windows (No Windows 10 Universal Apps) and no Mac. No configuring your router with touch, like via a Surface, using a Windows App.
Final Notes
Higher end units near this price point I have owned have had large aluminum heatsinks to dissipate heat. This one has one very small heatsink. I suspect heat stress will be higher on this unit and might be why this case has such a large open cavity you can easily see straight through the vent holes. I suspect longevity will be lower but only time will tell. So the unit has not felt very warm so fingers crossed.
Higher end units near this price point I have owned have had large aluminum heatsinks to dissipate heat. This one has one very small heatsink. I suspect heat stress will be higher on this unit and might be why this case has such a large open cavity you can easily see straight through the vent holes. I suspect longevity will be lower but only time will tell. So the unit has not felt very warm so fingers crossed.
CraigB
Texas
Longer term observations
February 22, 2016
Adding to my original review I have found some new observations to add to this router. I switched to using it as an access point, which takes a little digging, and found out that once you do so you lose a lot of features that should still work but are removed. For example, as an access point you get no guest networks. You can only have 1 2.5GHz WiFi and 1 5GHz. All features such as WMM and QoS are completely gone. Remote administration is turned off. I have also experienced an odd condition where my Xbox One cannot connect using the exact same key as my old router that my Xbox was connected to. I have also experienced 1 lockup where the unit just completely stopped responding and had to be power cycled. Over all it's still a good router but it feels like it could use a little more firmware refinement.
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Microsoft Band 2 (Large): Keep track of your health and fitness goals throughout the day by monitoring your heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality, hours slept and other helpful metrics. Just pair with your Windows Phone, Apple® iOS or Android device via Bluetooth to receive alerts at a glance.Discover how the technology of Microsoft Band 2 can assist you in a healthy, productive lifestyle. Learn more ›
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Best fitness tracker for the money
By CraigB
from Texas
When choosing high end fitness bands, my choices went back and forth between the Microsoft Band 2 and the Fitbit Surge. Fitbit has been in the business for fitness wearables for longer but I chose the Band 2 for what I felt was better value for my money. I purchased during a $50 off sale making it even more attractive and $50 less than the Surge. My main phone for this review is a Lumia 1520 with Windows 10 Mobile. I assume others will write reviews of the phone for other platforms and that is where this review starts. This fitness wearable is by far the most compatible. It supports iOS, Android, and Windows Phone/Mobile. Fitbit does as well but support for Windows Mobile is more limited. Comparing it to the Surge, it has more customizability, color screen, and a partially metal build. It feels more premium than the Surge. The metal does have 2 downsides. The first is that the finish used shows scratches extremely easily. See included picture. The second is that sweat and soap cause a foul smell very quickly requiring regular cleaning.
The Band 2 can be worn in two positions. The first is with the screen facing outwards like a watch. I tried this but it felt uncomfortable and viewing the screen was awkward particularly considering the screen doesn’t have a vertical view. This leads me to my preferred position which is with the screen facing inwards. It is much more natural to view and operate. It also feels more comfortable and is in fact the recommended way to wear the device. If there was any concern it is that wearing it inward the screen is always contacting surfaces when you lay your arms down. It uses gorilla glass but it still concerns me that I might scratch the screen. Every fitness wearable wasn’t completely comfortable to wear for one reason or another but this one starts to feel about like a watch after an adjustment period. Before you get the size right you might put it a place that binds you wrist or hits a nerve. I also learned it can get the heart rate just fine without tightening it down so far you hit nerves. Just like a watch it will take some fiddling to find your perfect tightness. Fortunately, the latching mechanism feels strong and has more adjustments than a tradition watch as well giving you more flexibility. Just make sure you use the sizing guide on the size of the box to choose the correct size. It shows wrists sizes with the wrist sideways.
Now the big question is how it works for tracking vitals. I haven’t worked with VO2 Max so I can’t comment on that but after getting the fit correct, the heart rate seems pretty close. Checking manual it was usually within about 10BPM or less from actual. Tracking steps seems a little different. It is difficult to verify but it seems to be a little high on the number of steps sometimes compared to my old hip worn pedometer. It just seems like I can reach 5,000 steps fairly easily. I am not a runner so I have not tested the GPS but I have read that some units have come from the factory with a bad GPS. What’s really nice is with all the vitals it gathers, more than just heart rate, it should be a fairly accurate color estimate. It has guided workouts you can add but I used the generic color tracking and added my own workout types to track. You can add things like HIT and weight training for your own purposes but it uses all the sensors to estimate the color burn instead of estimating based on the workout type. I feel this is more accurate but cannot verify. When you start workout mode, by default the screen stays on showing your workout time and heart rate. I suspect it is not as accurate as a chest band but it seems pretty good. After your workout is done you can see the entire workout on your phone or the website with your heart rate the entire time and your max marked. If there was any gripe it would be that you can’t have it vibrate when you hit your target or max heart rate. That would have been a great feature but, who knows. Maybe they will add it in the future. You can even use the website to compare your vitals to others in your height, weight, and age category. It’s all anonymous and very informative.
When not working out it still tracks your heart rate all the time but the other useful time to check is when you are sleeping. It can detect your sleep but if it gets it wrong you can only delete the time, not edit. You are better off starting your sleep tracking yourself. While sleeping, it will monitor you and in when you wake up you can see what your resting heart rate was overnight to get an even better picture of your health. It also has a smart alarm you can activate. If you want to wake up at a set time, just set the alarm and it will vibrate to wake you up. What I really like is if you activate the smart alarm and set it for 7:30am it will wake you up somewhere between 7:00am and 8:00am when you are most awake. That means you don’t wake up to an alarm feeling like you haven’t rested. You can even set the strength of the vibration.
Since this is a little bit of a smart watch you can add some apps. Since the phone doesn’t have any memory though, expect to only have them work when around your phone. It can control music on your phone and even use voice recognition with Cortana. I am running a prerelease build of the phone software so on occasion the connection dropped but it wasn’t hard to get back. I have found the notifications actually quite nice. I can leave the phone in one place in the house and still get notifications and respond to basic texts. I can also connect my phone to the stereo and change tracks and turn the volume up or down. It’s a standard feature for a smart watch but this is a fitness wearable and much cheaper than a smart watch. There are even some extra apps you can add and some third part utilizes to customize it further but if you want a smart watch more you might want to go that route. If you want a smart fitness tracker, this thing is hard to beat.
Pros
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Solid (premium) build quality. It often gets looks and people asking what it is
Tracks more vitals than any other fitness wearable
Comfortable after figuring out your preferred fitment
Bright, sharp screen with auto brightness
Smart Alarm
Customizable workouts
Workout coaches
Customizable with smart watch type features
Solid latching mechanism
Good battery life for its functionality (2 days with no GPS and auto on screen)
Fast charge time (30 minutes to 80%)
Gorilla glass screen
Works on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Web. The web is the most feature rich
Integrates with Health Vault
Constant heart rate
Portal to compare health
Rich sleep stats including restful sleep, times awake, resting heartrate, and recovery
Cons
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
Cannot change band because electronics are built in
Metal area is a trap for sweat and soap requiring regular cleaning to prevent odor
Cannot change screen orientation
Awkward wearing screen outward
Metal finish is easy to scratch
No build in memory to bring music and store GPS while leaving phone behind for a time
Water resistant instead of waterproof
Possible to scratch screen with it facing downward
Sync is a bit slow
CraigB
Texas
Band split after serveral months
May 23, 2016
As others who have discovered after owning the Band 2 for a while, the band itself tends to split. Even if you are gentle the rubberized material just doesn't seem to hold up. The good news in my case is I leave reasonably close to a Microsoft Store. I brought it to them and as always they took great care of me. The assistant store manager was the one who assisted me and he said that Microsoft is aware of the problem and is already working to fix the issue. I had the same problem with the first generation Type Cover for the Surface. Back then they took care of me and ultimately Microsoft corrected the issue. It's unfortunate this kind of thing gets through but at least it doesn't seem to be a hassle to get it resolved.
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Enjoy powerful performance with this compact HP Pavilion Wave computer. The Intel i3 processor provides fast data handling, while the 1TB hard drive lets you store plenty of files. This HP Pavilion Wave computer has 8GB of RAM to run the latest applications and four USB ports for connecting multiple accessories.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Still can't get the speaker/microphone to work.
By Murphdad013
from New York , ny
The HP help line is terrible and Best Buy was no help at all. In fact I spoke directly ....finally...with someone at HP who said that my Paviliion Wave needed an external microphone headset for montonaccess Cortona. WRONG!!!!
CraigB
Texas
It has a built in microphone
January 16, 2017
I own this unit and it has a built in microphone. I use it for Cortana regularly. Sounds like the support person got it wrong.
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Arlo Pro takes the worrying out of life with the 100% Wire-Free indoor/outdoor home monitoring system. Arlo Pro includes rechargeable batteries, motion and sound-activated alerts, 2-way audio, a 100+ decibel siren, and 7 days of free cloud HD video recordings. Arlo covers every angle to help keep you safe and protected.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good system with lots of potential
By CraigB
from Texas
Pros
Extremely Quick setup (A 2 camera system takes roughly 30 minutes)
Very easy set up. It comes with basic instructions but the app nicely walks you through each step
No need to run wires
Compact
Discreet cameras easily blend in with lighter color homes
Good daytime video quality for the price
Includes microphone and speaker
Flexible mounting options. Included option is easy but other fixed mounts can be used
Large rechargeable batteries
Motion trigger is supposed to get an update to determine if the motion is by a person
All devices get regular security updates. Even the cameras get updated wirelessly. Nice considering cameras are a new target for hackers.
Inanimate objects don’t seem to cause false motion triggers
Standard external hard drive can be used for local storage
Basic plan included for free
Easily expandable
Extremely Quick setup (A 2 camera system takes roughly 30 minutes)
Very easy set up. It comes with basic instructions but the app nicely walks you through each step
No need to run wires
Compact
Discreet cameras easily blend in with lighter color homes
Good daytime video quality for the price
Includes microphone and speaker
Flexible mounting options. Included option is easy but other fixed mounts can be used
Large rechargeable batteries
Motion trigger is supposed to get an update to determine if the motion is by a person
All devices get regular security updates. Even the cameras get updated wirelessly. Nice considering cameras are a new target for hackers.
Inanimate objects don’t seem to cause false motion triggers
Standard external hard drive can be used for local storage
Basic plan included for free
Easily expandable
Cons
Support for Windows is poor for the new touchscreen devices.
No Windows app for Windows 8 and 10 devices of any size.
Video quality, mainly night time, is probably not good enough for legal purposes.
Night video quality makes recognition near impossible past approximately 10 feet
Easy to steal or move regardless of mounting
Camera speaker is not very loud
Provided screws use too fine of a thread and the metal head strips out easy
All videos are public if someone can intercept your emails on the way to your inbox. (Email delivery by design is not encrypted so if someone intercepts your emails on the way they can see any of your videos with audio)
Recording time is fixed so even if motion or sound is still occurring you can miss recording
Web interface has some bugs such as freezing on zoom, Live play button disappears, and touch doesn’t work.
Sound recording doesn’t occur until a few seconds after video recording
At least one camera exhibited a noticeable “ticking clock” sound when recording audio
Connecting them hardwired defeats the weatherproofing
Instructions do not give tutorial about advanced features but rather let you discover them
No organizer for hard drive recordings
Dependent on good upload internet speeds. The more cameras you have, the faster the upload speed you need. This can be a limiting factor for some.
Long lag time to start live viewing even with very fast connection
Support for Windows is poor for the new touchscreen devices.
No Windows app for Windows 8 and 10 devices of any size.
Video quality, mainly night time, is probably not good enough for legal purposes.
Night video quality makes recognition near impossible past approximately 10 feet
Easy to steal or move regardless of mounting
Camera speaker is not very loud
Provided screws use too fine of a thread and the metal head strips out easy
All videos are public if someone can intercept your emails on the way to your inbox. (Email delivery by design is not encrypted so if someone intercepts your emails on the way they can see any of your videos with audio)
Recording time is fixed so even if motion or sound is still occurring you can miss recording
Web interface has some bugs such as freezing on zoom, Live play button disappears, and touch doesn’t work.
Sound recording doesn’t occur until a few seconds after video recording
At least one camera exhibited a noticeable “ticking clock” sound when recording audio
Connecting them hardwired defeats the weatherproofing
Instructions do not give tutorial about advanced features but rather let you discover them
No organizer for hard drive recordings
Dependent on good upload internet speeds. The more cameras you have, the faster the upload speed you need. This can be a limiting factor for some.
Long lag time to start live viewing even with very fast connection
Setup was very easy, particularly for a security camera system. The entire process is achieved by following the steps one by one as the app tells you. Install the app, set up your Arlo account, plug in the base unit to power and internet, sync the cameras, hang the cameras, and you’re done. A two camera system only took approximately 30 minutes. The kit includes metal bases, screws, and wall anchors but the screws are small and easy to strip. The metal bases work with a strong magnet included inside the camera. Although convenient, the metal bases allow someone to easily steal or move these expensive cameras so placement is important. Netgear offers screw in mounts for a more rigid and secure mounting. The entire hardware and software process has had a lot of thought put into making it easy. There are no complicated router changes needed to be made at all or complicated programming. Oddly some features, like changing the recording quality, must be done on a regular computer for which there is no app.
There is one strange feature omission from Netgear. This system has a Pro designation and yet support for regular, more modern computers, is limited. Businesses by and large use Windows computers and the most popular type of Windows computers selling today are Windows 2-in-1 convertibles with touchscreens this trend is forecasted to increase and yet this system is barely even useable by any touchscreen Windows device. This is also odd because what better way to check out a security video than on a large screen. You are forced to use a browser to view videos which the experience varies based on browser. Simple things like moving a slider don’t work because the website doesn’t work with touch. Browser administration has other bugs, such as the Live Video button disappearing. If this was an app you wouldn’t have to worry about how the end user’s choice of browser affects the experience. Not having a Universal Windows app is a missed opportunity. I have seen a large increase in clients that are buying Windows 2-in-1 systems instead of desktops or Android/iOS tablets for their primary system. A Windows Universal app they could support such systems, or any other form factor of Windows for that matter. Imagine if the app was on Xbox One in your living room and you want to check on things outside. Just say “Hey Cortana, open Arlo” and you could see your video feed or videos quickly and easily from the convenience of your couch on a big screen. That would be great. If you have smaller Windows devices, the website is unusable. It tries to get you to use an app that doesn’t exist. Oddly enough if you have a link to a shared video the same website will serve you the video in a mobile optimized format. Smaller Windows devices and Windows Mobile devices are left unsupported. Future updates and app releases could easily alleviate this but for now Windows support is poor.
The base unit comes with a Sync/Siren button, network port, and two USB ports for storage. The siren is loud and sounds like newer smoke alarms. It can be trigger locally, by the app, or via configurable rules such as motion or audio sensing. You can switch the base unit to modes for recording for motion and/or audio, no recording, or armed or disarmed based using Geofencing. You can also define your own custom modes allowing specific cameras and audio for each to be on or off. Due to battery restrictions, there is no continuous recording. Recording time from motion is a default of 5 seconds regardless of if the motion continues. Cameras include built in IR for night vision, motion sensor, microphone, and speaker and are weatherproof assuming the charging plug cover is on. One large difference with the Pro version is the inclusion of large rechargeable batteries which should last quite a long time between charging. When video is recorded, it is uploaded via your internet connection to your account meaning a good upload internet speed is important. Videos are stored in a calendar format and can be viewed, shared, or deleted from the interface.
Overall performance when factoring in the price for features was good. Shuddering and lag was minimal with surprisingly good wireless range. Remote viewing of live video is reasonably quick although it still took several seconds and is highly dependent on your internet upload speed. Audio took about 2 seconds to start every time after a motion trigger recording or manual live viewing and had a slightly audible tick-tock sound. The built-in speaker is barely audible at max volume. As with all security systems, there is a loss of some detail to do recording compression. Daytime recordings show signs of video compression but subjects are still reasonably recognizable at approximately 25 feet. Nighttime viewing brings recognition down to approximately 10-15 feet before subjects hard to recognize. Although not official, friends in law enforcement said it is not good for legal purposes as they must have a definitive, recognizable face to use the video. Motion detection was generally good but people moving fast could often elude the recording. Due to the fixed recording time, the system could also miss recording an event if it ran past the configured time.
A big concern is the video sharing feature. Arlo by default emails you anytime it records. It conveniently sends you a screenshot of what it recorded. However; the email sends a direct link to the video that can be viewed without logging in. This would be even more concerning if you had cameras in your house. By definition, is sent unsecured between providers. Although the industry is trying to improve that, you should always assume your emails have no encryption when sent to you. This means that it is possible and relatively easy for criminals to eavesdrop and see your videos with audio without ever knowing your account info. The good thing is that is easy to remedy turning off the feature that emails you when it records a video. That way the link to the video won’t be sent out on the web unsecured and your videos are still stored in the cloud without being shared openly. Hopefully, Netgear will remedy this in the future.
Overall, it is a nice system for the price point when compared to the competition. Compared to legacy DVR and NVR security camera systems this makes the whole process a lot more accessible for the average consumer. As long as you keep your expectations in line it is a nice system. All security camera systems, particularly ones costing less than $2,500 have limitations.
Overall, it is a nice system for the price point when compared to the competition. Compared to legacy DVR and NVR security camera systems this makes the whole process a lot more accessible for the average consumer. As long as you keep your expectations in line it is a nice system. All security camera systems, particularly ones costing less than $2,500 have limitations.
A standout feature, even comparing to high end systems, is this system will automatically get updates for security. Anyone who watched the news in late 2016 saw that the biggest hack was perpetrated using devices, such as camera systems, that weren’t updated. That is something still lacking in the “professional” security camera world. You also won’t have to hire someone to come pull wiring through your house or small business. Cameras can be placed wherever you can mount a base. If for some reason, such as poor signal, the place doesn’t work they are easy to move. It not be a real high definition security camera system but it also costs nowhere near as much. Just be sure you can accept the Cons before buying. The overall system is well thought out and with continued improvement of the listed cons this could be the best system for nearly any price.
CraigB
Texas
New developments after extended use
January 31, 2017
I have discovered some new elements to the system with more use.
The first is that I did find a way to adjust video quality via the app and not just the website. It turns out the way it is displayed is as one of 3 choices instead of a slider.
Next is that the cameras only work with Netgear's proprietary charger. Even though it uses USB both the manual an other say it only works with the Netgear one.
Finally I discovered that the motion detection does sometimes act strange. I purchase one additional camera and for some reason no matter the sensitivity of the motion it records a motion even every 30 seconds at night. I have observed that it seems to happen more if my neighbor has a light on but even that is not consistent.
+4points
4of 4voted this comment as helpful.
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Discover incredible sound and playback from this Pioneer Elite 9.2-channel network A/V receiver. The unit supports 4K video and incredible multidimensional audio so that you can enjoy movies, TV shows and everyday media with a cinema-style experience. This Pioneer Elite 9.2-channel network A/V receiver works with Google Assistant to play on vocal command.
Does the Pioneer vsxlx-303 have a Blue lighted standby power button? I see that the vsxlx-503 has a Blue lighted standby power button.
It doesn't have a Bluetooth light or button but there is a blue light showing when it is in standby for network or wireless.
5 years, 8 months ago
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CraigB
Handle storage demands with this Western Digital SATA solid-state drive. Its 560MB/s read speed and 530MB/s write speed are suitable for intensive applications, and its 2.5-inch form factor fits most desktops and laptops. The solid-state drive has no moving parts, making the drive resistant to shock to protect your data. Includes the WD SSD Dashboard to keep track of the drive's status.
Does this fit in all macbooks?
It might fit but not all SSDs play well with Macbooks. Usually it takes someone being the first to try and see if it works and if all features, such as trim, are supported. Unless you know how to check for trim on a Mac or feel like taking a leap of faith your best bet is to check the Mac forums to see if someone with experience has already verified the drive.
5 years, 9 months ago
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CraigB
Only at Best BuyMonitor the exterior of your home with this Lorex active deterrence DVR security system. An eight-channel 4K Ultra HD DVR records and plays back crisp, high-quality video, while the remote-triggered siren and bright LED light work to scare off intruders. With color night vision, the cameras included with this Lorex active deterrence DVR security system provide a clear look at your property even in low lighting conditions.
hmm.. NO PoE ? .. does this run on regular old school BnC connections ??? if soooooo..... i have old lorex 720p cameras on BnC right now ... wonder if i can just order cameras and swap out ??? thanks for the help for whoever answers these questions
It uses a Siamese cable with the standard bnc connections. Swapping cameras is unlikely to work. The cameras are still analog but use a newer MPX protocol which requires a support DVR and cables. Also, certain features of the camera, such as the light and siren, only work on compatible DVRs.
5 years, 10 months ago
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CraigB
Only at Best BuyMonitor the exterior of your home with this Lorex active deterrence DVR security system. An eight-channel 4K Ultra HD DVR records and plays back crisp, high-quality video, while the remote-triggered siren and bright LED light work to scare off intruders. With color night vision, the cameras included with this Lorex active deterrence DVR security system provide a clear look at your property even in low lighting conditions.
Does this camera have tots of false positive motion alarms? Does it have thermal sensing for motion ?
It uses frame comparison for motion detection with a sensitivity setting. There is no PIR(thermal) motion detection included.
5 years, 10 months ago
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CraigB
Step up your game with this 15.6-inch Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop. The high-performance AMD Radeon RX 560X graphics card provides powerful gaming performance and detailed graphics that look great on the Full HD display. This Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop features an AMD Ryzen 5 processor for a smooth and responsive user experience.
I just finished with a chat session with Acer support, who informed me this unit ONLY supports DDR4-2400, NOT 2666. This unit comes with 2666, but runs at 2400 according to CPUZ. Which is contrary to what TeamAcer has stated here. Acer needs to clarify.
HWInfo is reporting mine memory is running at 2666. Makes me wonder if their documentation is just wrong. Maybe a last minute revision.
5 years, 11 months ago
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CraigB
The only purifying fan to clean a whole room properly*. We design our purifying fans to go beyond test chamber conditions and focus on real home conditions – this is more than just having an efficient filter.*Dyson engineers and research concluded that to clean an entire room properly, you need to sense pollution events automatically; capture ultrafine pollutants; and project cleaner air around the room using Air Multiplier technology. Only the Dyson purifying fan is designed and tested to do all of this.**Dyson technology helps create a cleaner, healthier home - Our vacuums and purifiers are scientifically proven to capture particles as small as allergens and bacteria.
How often do you need to replace filters
This is dependent on how often the purifier runs and how dirty your air is. It has a built in monitor that indicates the remaining filter life of both filters. The best way to maximize life is to keep in on automatic as it will only run when it is needed based on air measurements.
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CraigB
Add music to your day with these Sony wireless headphones. Their noise cancelling technology uses artificial intelligence to adapt to your environment and reduce background sounds for enjoyable listening. The Quick Charging battery on these over-ear Sony wireless headphones provides up to 35 hours of playback for convenience.
Is the Sony better than the Bose quiet ll When it come s to noised
That's more subjective but they do cancel low frequency droning noises well. Typically Bose is considered top rated on noise cancelling quality but these do a nice job. They don't cancel out sharp noises like a gunshot or higher pitched sounds like talking which is typical for active noise cancelling. An example be if you have a fan blowing on you it would cancel out the low droning sound of the motor but you would hear the sound of the airflow.
6 years, 2 months ago
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CraigB
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
Are they water and sweat resistant? Also what is the difference between these and Jabra Sport? A Thanks
The Elite are IP55 rated and the Active or IP56 rating so just a little better for water resistance. The active also have motion tracking for workouts. Both offer a 2 year warranty for dust and water if you register them via the app.
6 years, 4 months ago
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CraigB
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
hi. can you control the volume from the buds?. what does the multi function button control?
The left earbud has volume up and down and skip track and repeat track. A quick tape on one of the two buttons is for volume and a long press is for changing tracks.
6 years, 4 months ago
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CraigB
Enjoy superior sound and voice quality with these Jabra Elite wireless headphones. Integrated controls let you answer calls, adjust the volume or pause music with the touch of a button, while the included carrying case doubles as a charging station. External ambient noise keeps you aware of your surroundings, while a background noise filter delivers crisp, clear voice calls. With Bluetooth connectivity, these Jabra Elite wireless headphones are easy to pair to a mobile device.
How long does the battery last in a single charge
The listing is 5 hours. You can get an additional 2 charges out of the case for a total of a rating of 15 hours.
6 years, 4 months ago
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CraigB