Audio Visual Gear



Monster Clarity HD Headphones Review: This Bud’s Not for Me

Monster is synonymous with audio equipment from cables to headphones, and I was very excited to review the new Monster Clarity HD Headphones (there may have been an incident involving a toddler and my previous headphones). The Clarity’s are bud-style wired headphones, and while they look great, we couldn’t find anyone in my house who could comfortably wear them.



The ZVOX 28″ SoundBase 450 Will Fix Your Television’s Puny Sound

No high-definition television purchase is complete without some kind of speaker system; it’s like there’s a conspiracy among HDTV makers that no unit — no matter how large it is or what it costs — can leave the factory with a sufficient speaker system for anything but the smallest room. The ZVOX 28″ SoundBase 450 can fix that for you.




The Monster Limited Edition 24K Rose Gold Over-Ear DJ Headphones Review

I never thought I’d be recommending a pair of rose gold-colored headphones, but here’s the deal: while the Monster Limited Edition 24K Rose Gold Over-Ear DJ Headphones may look like a Mardi Gras parade gone off the rails, they sound pretty darn good. Introverts and people who tend to avoid attention need read no further, obviously.


Scosche BoomBOTTLE+ Waterproof Wireless Speaker: Outdoor Music Needs Met

Summer may be almost over, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty more opportunities to spend time outdoors. Since the changing seasons can bring unpredictable conditions, when you’re outside the Scosche boomBOTTLE+ Waterproof Wireless Speaker is a great sound solution! It’s ruggedized, waterproof, and it can fit in your bike’s bottle holder or your 4×4’s cup holder!


Koss Pro4S Full Size Headphones Let You Go Pro for Under $150

My first over-the-ear headphones were made by Koss. That’s going back almost 40 years. The Koss Pro4S headphones hearken back to those headphones for just $149.99. More importantly, these full size, over-the-ear headphones are super-comfortable and sound fantastic. Designed for professionals but priced for the consumer market, I’ve been more than mildly impressed by them. Let’s check them out!



Denon’s HEOS 1 and Go Pack Make for a Fine Wireless Speaker

The Denon HEOS 1 Wireless Speaker is an attractive network and Wi-Fi connected speaker that delivers good sound anywhere in your house for $199.99. With the HEOS app, you can stream music to the speaker using a few different music services. The HEOS 1 Go Pack adds Bluetooth connectivity, splash proofing, and a 6-hour battery for $99.


Soundfreaq Sound Kick 2 Kicks Out the Sound for Just $100

At $100, Soundfreaq Sound Kick 2 is bound to impress. The speaker is powerful, portable, and water-resistant. Better still, while looking to update the original Soundfreaq Sound Kick speaker, the company made sure to stay focused on their main objective: small speakers offering great sound. In the process, they created a speaker that can go anywhere — including the shower.


808 Audio XS Wireless Stereo Speaker: A Small Yet Powerful Boombox

Just about everyone has a portable Bluetooth speaker anymore, right? So it takes something special to set one apart from the others, and that’s what 808 Audio is trying to offer with their XS Wireless Stereo Speaker. Available in black, blue (with a black grill), or white (with a gold grill), the ~$60 speaker packs a lot of sound in a super portable package.


Sol Republic SHADOW Wireless Earphones Review

I’ve tried wireless headphones that have a band that sits around your neck while wired earbuds extend up to your ears. I’ve never been all that impressed with the comfort of the approach… Until I tried the Sol Republic SHADOW Wireless Earphones. They are comfortable, light, hold a wireless connection well and, best of all, the sub-$100 headphones are comfortable.



Monster Gets Back to Gaming, Announces Partnership

Well known for their high-quality headphones, Monster announced late at E3 that they would be joining forces with Johnathan “Fatal1ty’ Wendel. Wendel is the founder of Fatal1ty Gaming Gear and is well-known as a 12x world champion gamer, something that I wish I could say.


The Polk Audio Omni S2 Is Wireless Sound That Goes with Any Decor

Polk Audio describes the Polk Audio Omni S2 wireless speaker as “The First Great-Sounding Wireless Music System.” That’s a bold claim for a wireless speaker that costs under $180 and comes with multiple grills. If the claims ring true the S2 is a great deal. The key of course is, “If the claims ring true…” According to Polk Audio the Omni S2 offers “unparalleled sound.” As they explain: “The Omni S2 is an ultra-compact speaker that lets you put Polk’s widely respected signature sound in any room of your home. The Omni S2 comes with both black and white swappable…


808’s Performer Bluetooth Headphones Are Best Used With It’s Cable

It’s always fun being able to review Bluetooth headphones over here at Gear Diary, so it was exciting to be able to review 808’s Over-The-Ear Audio Performer BT Bluetooth Headphones.   I will be the first to say this…I hate cords. Wearing a sling bag daily to and from work, I really despise having to pull my phone out of my pocket to change a tune or check a notification. Yes, first-world problems. The 808 Audio Performer BT’s are able to be used wirelessly for those of us who enjoy being cable free, or if you just have to have…


Bayan Audio soundbook GO Sounds Great on the Go and at Home

The portable Bluetooth speaker market has exploded in recent years and it is more and more difficult to stand out in such a crowded field. Bayan Audio has found a way to do just that with the soundbook GO, however. This small speaker sounds great, has a built-in stand that doubles as a cover and is under $140!


Braven LUX HD Wireless Speaker Review: A Most Elegant Audio Source

Looking suspiciously like an evening clutch that I would love to own, the new Braven LUX HD Wireless Speaker is much more than a fashionable portable sound system. Measuring 6.5″ long x 2.6″ wide x 21.8″ deep, this 11.8 ounce speaker offers 12 hours continuous battery life and it can even top-off your phone’s battery.