Audio & Visual Gear | Gear Diary

Monster Superstar Backfloat Portable Speaker Swims with You!

If you like to keep your music close while swimming or taking a bath, then you’ll want the Monster Superstar Backfloat. It’s a high quality portable speaker that’s waterproof and small enough to never forget! The Superstar Backfloat Portable Speaker features: • Designed to float in the water • Tough, durable, shock-proof shell for active lifestyles • Built-in mic with advanced noise cancellation enables clear wireless hands-free calling Includes USB charging cable to play direct USB audio • Acoustically transparent protective carry pouch included … and you can get yours for $159.99. Here’s Shaquille O’Neill showing why he likes his…

Gear Bits

Marshall Major 2 Headphones Will Make Your Ears and Wallet Happy

Marshall has a $99 pair of headphones that will not only sound great as you listen to your favorite music, they will make your wallet sing! Think about it … spending $99 on the Marshall Major 2 Headphones will get you into a pair of wired headphones that …

Game Diary

Plantronics Leads CES 2015 with Wireless Headsets, Headphones, and Concept Devices

Plantronics has been around for 53 years, and they’ve been in the consumer market for 10. The company is actively targeting millennials who are and will be “connected professionals”. Dan and I met with them this afternoon, and we found that there is much to look forward to in 2015 from this Santa Cruz company.

Reviews

ZVOX SoundBase 670 Offers Huge Home Theater Sound in a Slim Package

Some time ago, I reviewed one of the SoundBase products from ZVOX. I was impressed by the relatively inexpensive device, but I did wish it had integrated Bluetooth and even better sound than it did. Well, the ZVOX SoundBase 670 does have Bluetooth along with bigger and better sound, and I’m a huge fan. Let’s take a look.

Reviews

Inateck BP-2001 Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

This portable Bluetooth speaker from Inateck functions with various devices as well as PC and Mac computers. The BP-2001 portable bluetooth speaker also boasts quality sound in most applications and has a convenient device placement option on top that puts it a step above the average sound speaker.

Reviews

808 Soundcap Keeps Your Head Warm and Your Music Going

Ah, winter in the northeast. This season was made for crackling fires, warm apple cider, heated steering wheels, and… The 808 Soundcap. The Soundcap may sound a bit cheesy but, to be honest, I’m a fan. It promises to keep me warm AND let me enjoy my music this winter. And for just $19.99, it is a great last-minute stocking stuffer.

Music Diary, Reviews

Feel the Beat with iRig Pads Controller by IK Multimedia

IK Multimedia has had a great 2014, starting with the iRig Keys Pro, then the iRig Voice, iRing, iRig Pro and more. Now they are closing out the year by jumping into the pad controller ring with iRig Pads, a fully MIDI compliant controller for iOS and the Mac with multiple connectivity options and controller configurations.

Gear Bits

AudioEngine B2 Bluetooth Speaker Initial Impressions

There are Bluetooth speakers, and then there are Bluetooth speakers. Wow, is the AudioEngine B2 Bluetooth speaker ever an amazing Bluetooth speaker. Not only is the walnut cabinet on the speaker absolutely gorgeous, but it puts out a whopping 60W of sound. More importantly, the sound it puts out is fantastic. And… it is under $300!

Reviews

Nixeus ER-BKSL14 In-Ear Headphone Stereo Headset Review

Nixeus offers their Nixeus ER-BKSL14 headphone stereo headset with corded microphone and volume control in sharp silver and black colors. This headset might give the initial impression of an uncomfortable fit, but that is far from the actual truth. These in-ear headphones are very light and comfortable with solid sound quality; they have well-designed construction with 13mm neodymium drivers.

Reviews

Jabra EVOLVE 80 Headset Is All Work and All Play

There are more knowledge workers than ever trying to be productive in ever-smaller spaces. Distractions are everywhere, and their impact is tremendous. The new Jabra EVOLVE line of headsets was designed for just this scenario. We were sent a pair of the Jabra EVOLVE 80 Headset for review, and we are truly impressed with what the company has done here.

News & Features

Sonos Software Update 5.2 Is Public Beta Awesomeness

I love when companies add value for consumers long after product purchases have been made. That is exactly what Sonos has, and continues, to do. The latest public beta of the Sonos software brings enhancements to the musical system that will be welcome by pretty much anyone who loves Sonos. Yes, it’s a Beta but it is still worth checking out. The first enhancement is specifically targeted toward those who, like me, own and use a Sonos PLAYBAR.The audio device already sounded great but the update brings enhanced sound so it’s even better. As SONOS explains: Enjoy a HiFi soundbar…

Reviews

Marshall Monitor Headphones Music on My Ears

Marshall, Marshall, Marshall…sorry, couldn’t resist. You see, I have three Marshall sound reproduction devices sitting in front of me in the form of Minor in-ear headphones, Major on-ear headphones and new Marshall Monitor headphones. Marshall, long known for its electric sound reproduction equipment for stage and studio now offers a full line of wearables for our digital lives.

Reviews

Rock Your Ride With the Divoom Voombox Ongo Bluetooth Speaker

The sub-$100 Bluetooth speaker market has grown seemingly exponentially over the past few years, to the point where a speaker needs something special to distinguish itself. The Divoom Voombox Ongo Bluetooth Speaker actually has that “something special”, and it makes this $69.99 speaker worth a second look.

News & Features

Plantronics BackBeat PRO Wireless NC Headphones Now Available

Just yesterday, Plantronics announced the availability of their new Plantronics BackBeat PRO Wireless, Noise Canceling Headphones. The latest audio offering from one of the best-known headset producers, the BackBeat PRO takes the company’s experience and know-how in a new direction. The $249.99 headphones are wireless, noise-canceling and comfortable. And that’s just the beginning of the tricks they offer.

Reviews

“Theater To Go”, Thanks to the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 – Part One

I’ve heard of churches using projectors to beam words to songs, images, and page numbers onto a screen during services, and we’ve been considering it for our sanctuary; we wanted to test it out during the summer. Fortunately, I had a review sample of the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2030 2D/3D 1080p 3LCD Projector in hand. It turns out that the projector is phenomenal for home use, and it held its own during services as well.

Reviews

Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver

If you care about your music, then you simply must check out the $189 Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver. And since Audioengine offers a no-strings attached “30 Day Audition”, there’s no reason NOT to check it out and add high-quality Bluetooth streaming to your current sound system. Easy to set up, it will be music to your ears.

Reviews

SMS Audio Street by 50 On-Ear-Wired Sport Headphones Review

If you listen work out to music, you know that the right pair of headphones make all the difference. Whether you have in-ear or On-ear headphones they have to be comfortable and stay put. Oh, and they have to sound good too. Right? The new SMS Audio Street by 50 On-Ear-Wired Sport Headphones are comfortable, stay put and sound awesome.

Reviews

Bayan Audio SoundBook X3 Review – Great Sound and Fab Design

We have reviewed quite a few portable speakers that offer excellent audio and multiple ways to stream or connect, but with few exceptions it seems like most could be described as more utilitarian and less refined. The $299.99 Bayan Audio soundbook X3 is one portable speaker that not only sounds fantastic, it also looks terrific. Bayan Audio, a UK company founded in 2011, focusses on creating “outstanding products to help you enjoy sound wherever you are”, and with whatever device your music happens to be stored on, whether it be “Audio Systems, Smartphones, Tablets or Notebooks.” They focus on making quality products that use wood, aluminum, and…

Reviews

Sony Stereo Microphone STM10 Review: Excellent Mic for Android Phones

One of the best features of the Sony Xperia Z2 phone and tablet is the built-in noise cancellation. It works great with Sony’s NC headphones, but it also does a good job if you pick up a Sony Stereo Microphone STM10. I got mine a few days ago, and I’m already impressed by the quality of the audio it captures.

Reviews

Decibullz Custom Molded Earphones Review: They Offer an Affordable Custom Fit

A few years ago, I reviewed a pair of custom earphones of the type that only musicians usually get to use. You know, those earphones with a custom mold of each ear. The fit and finish are amazing but the price? Ouch. Decibullz Custom Molded Earphones is a new brand looking to bring an affordable custom-fit approach to the masses.

Music Diary, Reviews

Disney Karaoke: Frozen App Review for iPad

You’ve seen all the different variations and spoofs of “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel from Frozen, Disney’s animated film remake of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen story. Now it’s your turn to perform, record, and share your musical performance of the nine original featured songs in the Disney Karaoke: Frozen app on iPad.